FHUHS Administration

Last Friday, our entire faculty participated in a district in-service focused on curriculum and the Common Core.  As I took part in the Social Studies 6-12 meeting, I can only speak directly on what we accomplished (but received many positive comments on the amount of important work other departments realized).  In my group we spoke on content but shifted to the more important topic of skills and student learning outcomes.  It was highly encouraging and exciting to have our diverse group discuss a wide array of ways to better involve students in their learning.  We agreed that students producing important work far outweighed the archaic emphasis on memorization.  I am confident we can lead the all-important charge of aligning meaningful assessment with Common Core standards before we fall into the harmful trap of standardized testing memorization returning under the name of Common Core; I know we have the local expertise to accomplish this.

What Friday’s conversation reminded me of was how important it is for schools to develop a culture where students own their learning and excellence is desired, encouraged and made available as I believe is the case at Fair Haven Union High School.  It is important that our students continue to be given opportunities to showcase and develop their talent and passions.  Whether it is earning state/national recognition in equestrian, swimming, music, drama, athletics, Scholar’s Bowl, community service, standardized testing and/or academics (of course!), it is necessary to allow students to discover, create and use their diverse talents.  As I have said before, there never has been a more exciting and engaging time to be involved in education.

Speaking of excellence, FHUHS is proud to announce that senior Katherine Pouliot has been named our 2011 Pumpkin Princess.  Katherine has been an outstanding Slater in more ways than I can mention in this blog.  She has helped strengthen student voice at FHUHS, organized countless positive groups, activities and clubs while serving as class president, Student Council Vice-President and captain of the girls varsity soccer team.  Katherine received the distinction of Pumpkin Princess after receiving the most votes in a school-wide election.

Teachers Mrs. Ransom, Mrs. Potvin and Mr. Cavacas have been working to bring a student-operated local banking branch to our school.  We are working on a proposal and will keep everyone updated as we hope to have a presentation before our school board sometime this winter.

Internet Safety and Cyber Bullying Presentation for parents and community members will be offered in the FHUHS gym on Tuesday, November 1, from 6:30-8:00 PM.  Admission is free but attendees must be 18 or older.  Students and faculty/staff will take part in a school assembly that morning.

Mrs. Birchmore has great news as “students from the Horticulture class provided the school cafeteria with vegetables from the school garden that they grew this fall.  Some of the vegetables grown included swiss chard, sorrel, Chinese cabbage, and arugula.  Earlier in the year, students harvested vegetables that were planted by the previous year Horticulture students.  These crops were shared with students and faculty members.

The FHUHS Community Garden, a community and school garden atFairHavenUnionHigh School, was the recipient of a 2011 School Community Mini-grant.  The garden was one of 40 statewide to receive the $1000 grant.

The grant allowed the addition of community plots to be used by community members.  A local family was able to use the community garden this summer.  By building a bridge between the school garden model and a community garden model, we expect to establish a long-lasting garden partnership that will help to sustain community involvement and commitment on behalf of the school and community. The FHUHS Community Garden will not only provide students and community members with healthy nutrition, but it will also help them to connect to the source of their food.”

As I mentioned Scholar’s Bowl earlier, they have been invited to the Pace National Scholastic Championship being held at Washington College in Saint Louis MO. On June 9^th and 10^th.   The A team members are Michelle Rogals, Sam Hoenes, Abby Rampone, and Katherine Rampone who hope to raise enough money to take advantage of this amazing opportunity.

Senior week went extremely well thanks to the efforts of Mr. Ramey and our terrific student-athletes and parents.  It was great to hand each one of our senior players some symbol recognizing her/his accomplishments on the various athletic fields.

Have a great week,

Brett C. Blanchard, Principal