Harbinger The Algonquin
may 2016 vOL. 28 NO.5
The Student Newspaper of Algonquin Regional High School 79 Bartlett street, Northborough MA 01532 | arhsharbinger.com
Homeroom ABSENT next year
Photos jen fox
Students spend the ten minutes provided by homeroom and the associated passing time to study, interact socially, and complete homework assignments.
period, making each period a few minutes longer. In early February, Mead conducted a survey to gathStaffWriter er staff and students’ thoughts about homeroom to see Administration decided to eliminate homeroom next what their reaction would be if it were eliminated. Suryear to meet Massachusetts state regulations on total an- veying 56 students and teachers, he found that 49 percent nual learning time, which some teachers and students be- of students and 56 percent of teachers surveyed believed lieve could affect relationships while that shifting homeroom into others are impartial to the change. first period is a better use of According to Assistant Princi- “While I think it is nice school time. pal Paul DiDomenico, high schools to have more students In meeting the 990 regare required to meet 990 hours on ulation, Mead had to either learning to abide by state laws. These or more people you can make the school day longer 990 hours don’t include homeroom, connect with, we have to or remove homeroom. In an and each minute of the school day online survey of 141 faculty is equivalent to three hours in the abide by these regulations.” members, which was distribwhole year. Since homeroom is five uted on March 22, 80 percent minutes, it accumulates to 15 hours Virginia fitzgerald responded they prefered to throughout the year. homeroom into first english teacher embed “We are trying to figure out a period rather than extend the way to add some minutes to learning day. on a daily basis, so we can meet our requirement to comHomeroom was primarily added into the schedule to ply with the DESE [MA’s Department of Elementary and allow students to have a relationship with teachers that Secondary Education] regulation that we have 990 hours can grow over four years. of teaching and learning,” Principal Tom Mead said. According to Mead, the new change, effective next Homeroom, page 4 year, will move attendance and announcements into first Natalie Sadek
SURVEY
from the desk of Principal Tom Mead
141 faculty members revealed their preference to meet the 990 hour state regulation in a survey on March 22.
Extend the day
Embed HR into Period 1
20% 80%
Best Buddies awarded ‘Outstanding Chapter’ Cassidy Wang
A&E Editor
submission kevin hausmann
Members of the Best Buddies chapter pose for a photo at Sawyer’s Bowladrome for Bowling Night on November 13.
What’s INSIDE:
Class rank ranked low by students? page 2
Best Buddies was named 2016 “Outstanding Chapter of the Year” in Massachusetts for demonstrating exceptional friendships between those with and without disabilities. According to the Best Buddies website, Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization, in which volunteers create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each year, Best Buddies Massachusetts selects one school and recognizes them as the best in the program. “In order for our Best Buddies chapter to obtain this award, we had to meet the criteria provided by Best Buddies International program,” Best Buddies President Kate Crimmings said. “Our chapter was successful in promoting our mission of social inclusion and setting the foundation for long-lasting friendships between
Two historic houses saved! page 3
those with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.” With this new title, Best Buddies will be eligible to apply for the International Outstanding Chapter Award. “We get to now submit a portfolio where we showcase our outstanding buddy pairs, the wide variety of inclusive opportunities created by our student leaders, and the impact ARHS Best Buddies has on our school and civic communities,” Best Buddies adviser Kevin Hausmann said. According to Hausmann, although there is a low chance Best Buddies will advance and get selected, making the portfolio helps the club reflect on their strengths as a chapter and areas in which they could improve. Officer and junior Katelyn Li believes Best Buddies won the new title for constantly demonstrating its spirit in every event and having members committed to their mission.
Buddies, page 5
Opioids affect community pages 12-13