Pembroke High School Weekly Update

Dear PHS Families, 
 
Here is this week's update.  Please do not ever hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about these or any other matters. 
 
 
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES:
Our spring Parent-Teacher Conferences are this coming Wednesday, March 8 from 1-6 p.m.  The first half of the conferences (1-3:30 p.m.) will be for virtual appointments, and the other half (3:30-6 p.m.) will be for in-person appointments.  Please use this link to find the instructions for using the Pick-a-Time portal to schedule your conferences.  
 
To accommodate these conferences, Wednesday will be an Early Release Day for our students, with student dismissal at 11:10 a.m.
 
COURSE SELECTION PROCESS CONTINUES:
As I have noted in the past few email blasts, course selection for the 2023-24 school year is underway.  My thanks to the parents that attended our Program of Studies Night this past Thursday.  For those unable to attend, we invite you to review all pertinent information about the process posted on our Guidance Department Webpage.  
 
Throughout the month of March, students in grades 9-11 will be meeting with their counselors in small group seminars to select their courses. In fact, our juniors have already begun doing so, and the rest of the class will complete the task next week. Our sophomores will select their courses during the week of March 14, while our freshmen will do so the week of March 21.  
 
It is important to note that while students select their classes with their counselors during Titan Time, they do not need to submit their final selections until the week after their Guidance Seminar.  For example, the portal for the juniors closes on March 17 - the Friday after their week of seminars.  This allows students to review their course selections with their parents to ensure that they have developed a schedule for next year that suits their needs.  We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity to have a voice in their child's program of study for the 2023-24 school year.  
 
CREDIT FOR LIFE:
Next Friday, March 10, our juniors and seniors will once again be participating in Credit for Life, a collaborative, real-life learning opportunity designed to teach our students crucial financial literacy skills that they will need as they navigate their first few years out of high school.  Once again, we extend our thanks to Rockland Trust, our community partner in this endeavor, and Ms. Kim McKenna, a PHS parent and Rockland Trust employee, for bringing this valuable experience to our students. 
 
MUSIC IN OUR SCHOOLS MONTH:
The Pembroke Music Department cordially invites you to attend our upcoming concerts celebrating Music In Our Schools during the month of March.  While the concerts are free of charge, due to seating capacity, the All-Band concert requires a ticket for entry.  Each band student will receive (2) tickets from their band teacher.
  •  All-String Night:  Monday, March 13, at 6:30 PM in the PHS Auditorium
  • All-Choral Night:  Wednesday, March 15, at 6:30 PM in the PHS Gym
  • All-Band Night:  Thursday, March 16, at 6:30 PM in the PHS Gym 
MCAS TESTING - GRADE 10:
Once March rolls around, the MCAS testing windows are always right around the corner.  First up is the 10th grade ELA MCAS testing window, which is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28 and Wednesday, March 29.  All sophomores will take this important assessment, which will begin promptly at 7:30 a.m. each morning.  While the test is untimed, we schedule the MCAS to run from 7:30-11:01, which is the start of our lunch block.  Students needing additional time are relocated to a common room, with a lunch break built in for them.  Mr. David Rix, our assistant principal and MCAS Coordinator, will soon be communicating with our sophomores via email and Titan Time assemblies to fully prepare all of our sophomores for their ELA MCAS testing window. 
 
For those that like to plan ahead, the Grade 10 Mathematics MCAS window is May 16 and 17, and our 9th Grade Biology MCAS window is June 6 and 7.  
 
FORECASTING IMPORTANT SPRING DATES:
While some of these events are still several weeks or even months away, because of their importance, I would like to put them on your radar now.  
  • May 19 - Last day of classes for the Class of 2023
  • May 20 - PHS Promenade (5 p.m.) and Junior-Senior Prom (7 p.m. at the Seacrest Hotel and Resort)
  • May 22-25 - Final Exam week for the Class of 2023
  • May 30 - Senior Dinner
  • June 1 - Senior Awards Night
  • June 3 - Graduation Ceremony for the Class of 2023
  • June 8 - Underclassmen Awards Night
  • June 9-14 - Final Exam Week (weather-dependent)
  • June 14 - Last day of school (weather-dependent)
I will have much more specific information about each of these important events as they approach. 
 
CELEBRATING COMMUNITY:
Each week, I will conclude this update with the "Celebrating Community" segment, which will highlight the recent successes and accomplishments of our entire school community.  In doing so, we draw well-deserved attention to the many people that make our community great.  
  • My thanks, once again, to The PHS Multicultural Club, the members of which celebrated Black Heritage Month throughout the month of February.  Tclub's membership celebrated with games, music, treats, and more as they explored and discussed the importance of the vast contributions of African-Americans to our nation's history.
  • Congratulations to Sarah Claflin and Andrew Gleason, who were both crowned All-State Champions in the 55m dash at the MIAA Meet of Champions last weekend.  They both set new school records while doing so, with Sarah timed at 7.12 seconds and Andrew finishing in 6.45 seconds.  Please keep in mind that the All-State Championships do not separate schools by divisions.  All students compete against each other with only one State Champion crowned in each event, making Andrew and Sarah true STATE CHAMPIONS. Sarah and Andrew will next compete in the New Balance Indoor National Championships next weekend at the Reggie Lewis Center.    
  • Joining Sarah and Andrew at the National Championships will be the members of our Girls' 4x200m Relay team (Sarah Claflin, Catrina Ghattas, Katie Gibbons, and Caroline Minogue), which finished 4th in the State Championships, as well as our Boys' 4x200m Relay Team (Andrew Gleason, Jack Tosone, Gabe Lamar and Luke Lamar, which finished 6th.
  • How about our Boys' and Girls' Ice Hockey teams?!?!  Both advanced to the Sweet 16 in the MIAA State Tournament with wins this week.  Both teams are in action this weekend, with the girls playing #3 seed Andover Saturday at 2:10 p.m. (in Tewksbury) and the boys playing Sunday at 6:30 p.m. against #8 seed Essex North Shore Agricultural School (in Middleton).  
  • Finally, congratulations to Cam Reilly, Jill Pongonis, and Sammy McKenna, who qualified to perform in the All-State Music Festival this weekend at Symphony Hall.  In fact, today, we learned that Sammy was selected as a soloist in the tenor section.  Unfortunately, the weather forecast has forced the festival to be postponed, with a make-up date to yet to be determined. 
Thanks, all.  Please do not ever hesitate to reach out about these or other matters.  Enjoy your weekend.
 
Regards,
Marc