supplanting existing institutions…”
Bernard Shaw
Hi All;
As of last Thursday, we are officially one-third of the way through the 2009-10 school year. Hard to believe
we are that far along, but the weekend snowstorm reminds us that winter is just about to settle in even though
it was 70 degrees one day last week. I’m ready for the bitter cold to begin, as my backyard ice rink needs
some frigid, dry temperatures for best operating conditions. My 4-year old Amber insists she’s going to learn
how to skate this year, but I suspect she’ll just want to get pulled around on a sled by her dad like she has for
every previous winter. I refuse to pull her back up the hill during our sledding adventures this year no matter
how much she whines. Maybe her older sister can take on that role this winter? I doubt it.
As we start to wind down the 2009 calendar year, it is time for seniors to start planning for graduation and
for their start to post-secondary education. Last week I made a presentation to the FPS School Committee to
discuss options for where to have the actual graduation ceremony since our usual venue (Bowditch Field) is
under construction and will not be available in June. Senior Class vice-principal Mark Albright has worked
with a group of students to research possible sites and the unanimous choice is Tercentennial Park, the site of
the former Cushing hospital. On Tuesday night the school committee agreed, and I placed a formal request
with the Parks and Recreation department for the site on Wednesday last week. There will be some
adaptations needed in order to use a location without stands, but I am hopeful that the logistics can be worked
out and things will work out fine. As far as graduation attire goes, seniors need to order their caps and gowns
this week in the cafeteria during lunch. The vendor for caps and gowns (Balfour) will be in the cafeteria on
Tuesday and Wednesday this week taking orders. The cost is $30.
An important night for parents of seniors this week will be our annual Financial Aid Night on Thursday
December 10 from 7:00-9:00 pm in the auditorium. The FHS Guidance Department and College/Career
Center will be joined by Iris Godes (Quinsigamond CC/MEFA/FHS Parent) and will not only go over general
FAFSA and financial aid information but will also plug our College Goal Sunday, the free program on Jan 31
where families can come to FHS to file their FAFSAs on the spot. This presentation would be most
appropriate for current seniors and their parents, but juniors and others would certainly benefit also. Make
sure you mark your calendars.
Last week I got information from the Framingham Board of Health that they have received a recent shipment
of H1N1 vaccine. They have scheduled an H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic on Wednesday, December 9 from
4:00 – 8:00 PM at Keefe Technical High School. The vaccine will only be available to three high priority
groups:
• Children from 6 months through 12 years of age
• Pregnant women
• People who live with or care for children 6 months of age or younger
Additional clinics will be scheduled as the Framingham Board of Health receives more H1N1 vaccine.
Priority groups will be expanded as more vaccine becomes available. Please do not contact Keefe Tech or
Framingham High School with questions about this H1N1 clinic. Questions should be directed to the
Framingham Board of Health at 508-532-5478.
This year is the 18th Annual Salute to Framingham Dinner on March 18, 2010 organized by the
Framingham High School Foundation. The goal of this event remains the same – to honor those helping the
town’s youth and to support extra-curricular activities at the high school. The first organizational meeting of
the year will be held in Principal’s Large Conference Room at FHS on Wednesday, December 9,2009 at 7
PM. This event provides financial support for the arts, athletics and activities at Framingham High, so
please consider joining in and helping ALL of the students at FHS. If you have any question, please contact
the Salute to Framingham Co-Chairs Mark R. Albright and Gary Doherty.
Remember that progress reports come out this Friday in homeroom, and you can begin putting your
comments in at this time. Please make sure to adhere to the usual deadlines so that we can get them out
without difficulty. Make sure you give Gerri Avery your $10 for admission to this Friday’s staff holiday party
at O’Connell’s on Rt. 9. This admission gets you a raffle ticket for a chance at some pretty good prizes
courtesy of your administrative colleagues. You should be present to win, and it should be a great time.
Looking forward to seeing everyone there!