The Bronco Update
Burrillville High School
Volume 6, Issue 7
Date 3.3.2015
The Bronco Update
Inside this issue:
Art
2
Tech Ed
7
School to
Career
8
English
8
Social Studies
9
Digport
10
Students of
the Month
11
Clothing
Closet
12
Chess Club
12
Class of 2017
13
Class of 2018
14
Pre-prom
Trivia
15
Robotics
16
Guidance
17
Newcomer’s
Group
22
Principal’s Message
As we enter the month of March, students enrolled in English 9 and 10, as well as Algebra and
Geometry will begin to take the PARCC Performance Based Assessment (PBA) test. English
Language Arts PARCC testing will be the week of March 16. Math PARCC testing will be held
the week of March 23rd. The testing will mostly be for 9th and 10th graders, however some 11th
graders may also be tested if they are enrolled in classes for the testing area.
Our guidance counselors and teachers are beginning to work on scheduling for next year.
Scheduling students is a lengthy process that we focus on during this point in the year. Our
guidance counselors and teachers work very hard to ensure students are placed in the proper
classes to both support and challenge every student’s needs. Over the next few weeks your child
will come home with a course selection sheet to be signed by you and returned to / school with
your child. During parent/ teacher conferences March 12 we will be holding a scheduling open
house in the media center. During the first hour from 5 pm to 6 pm department leaders and
teachers will be available to answer questions about courses or programs students may be
considering.
Both teachers and administrators review multiple sources of data to make appropriate
recommendations for students. Current grades, Study Island, math probes, and PSAT data
support these placements for each student. Currently, teachers are working to make their
recommendations for students to be placed appropriately in their next year’s classes. In the
upcoming weeks guidance counselors will meet with all students to discuss the Program of
Studies and Course Selection sheets with them. These course selection sheets will be sent home
with students for parents to sign off. When you receive the Course Selection sheet, if you have
any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s guidance counselor.
This time of year is also an important time for many students, especially seniors; to reflect and
input entries into their digital portfolio. As a reminder to all students and parents, students are
given various opportunities throughout the year to complete and enter digital portfolio tasks. Most
often they include common course assessments and projects that students have completed.
Please help us to encourage students to enter these assignments into their digital portfolio by
reminding them at home. If students have questions about their digital portfolio, they may contact
their guidance counselor or Mr. Goodwin, our PBGR coordinator.
The next SIT meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 4th in the media center at 5:00 p.m. We
will continue to review our School Improvement Plan and align it to the district plan. We hope to
see both existing and new members there!
S
o
N
w
E
lm
s
B
lv
H
S
o
E
c
e
w
e
The Bronco Update
From the Art Rooms
Page 2
The Bronco Update
Page 3
The Bronco Update
Page 4
The Bronco Update
Page 5
The Bronco Update
Page 6
Page 7
The Bronco Update
Technology Education Department News
th
The Playschool program will begin on March 4 with an enrollment of 16 preschoolers. This program was
developed for the students in the Child Care program to gain experience working with young children. The
students in Child Care II plan, prepare and teach their lessons with the assistance of the students in Child Care I.
th
This program is entering its 26 year and has been well received by the community and students alike.
The Bronco Update
Page 8
School to Career News
Although it has been a tough winter, career opportunities continue to come forth from many angles.
Snow days have hampered a few activities but these events are in the process of being rescheduled
when appropriate.
Woonsocket Area Career and Technical Center made a presentation to all ninth graders and some took
advantage of the opportunity to visit WACTC and participate in a guided tour. Other attended the
WACTC Open House along with their parents.
Upcoming events include the Individual Learning Plan conference at N E Tech, RI DECA Spring
Conference, GRRL Tech at URI, RI Health Career Fair & Expo at N E Tech, Save the Bay activities,
CCRI Open House, Construction Career Day, and others.
Spring will be here shortly and a few visits to technical institutions are in the works.
English Department News
All grade 9 students are currently finishing up their unit on the short story with a literary analysis essay
on theme, which will need to be submitted using www.turnitin.com. Next, they will be starting their unit
on drama with the reading of William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet.
All grade 10 students have finished their unit on the American Revolutionary period. They are currently
working on their speeches for the 2.3 digital portfolio requirement.
All grade 11 students, after reviewing some informational texts on censorship and the 1950s, have
started reading Fahrenheit 451.
All grade 12 students have finished reading Hamlet and have taken the test. They then watched the
movie adaptation and they are now writing a review discussing how the themes of the play were
portrayed in the movie. They will be starting A Midsummer Night's Dream next.
The Bronco Update
Page 9
Social Studies Department News
Well into our second semester here at Burrillville High, the Social Studies department is busy with
everything from implementing new courses to revising our Program of Studies to reflect our changing
course offerings. For our freshmen, for the second time this year, they are exposed to a new and
challenging course. Modern World History, as outlined in our program of studies, will challenge
students with the responsibility of being able to identify current facts associated with our Modern World
structure. While just in our first year of implementation our teachers have been planning a course that is
theme based and aligned to Common Core standards. Also during this second semester, all US-1
teachers will be participating in curriculum work intended to incorporate Common Core standards into
our US1 course for the 2015-2016 Academic year. It is not all fun and games however; recently Ms.
Lamontagne and her US-2 EEP classes attended the screening of Selma. Students were able to see
firsthand how art imitates life. The relevance of studying Social Studies can often be made very
apparent when writers choose to work with key times in a country’s history. Scheduling for all courses is
set to begin soon, please talk to your son or daughter about their choices and options for their Social
Studies courses.
Page 10
The Bronco Update
DIGITAL PORTFOLIO UPDATE

Digital Portfolio presentations began during early February. Seniors
across BHS have been working diligently to make sure that their portfolios
are completed and ready to be presented to faculty panels. Student
presentations have been booked through the middle of March; if your
student has not yet been scheduled, he or she will be very soon. If there
are any questions about this process, please contact Graduation
Requirements Coordinator Josh Goodwin at 568-1310 ex. 2705 or via email
at [email protected].

Most students have now received several common tasks across their course
schedules. Common tasks form the backbone of a BHS portfolio. Students who have
achieved proficiency on the common tasks should now be adding them to their
portfolios. Students who fail to achieve proficiency are strongly encouraged to revise
their work and improve their scores so they can be added to their portfolios!
Social suspension lists will be updated for Sophomores and Juniors over the next
week. Social suspension impacts student eligibility to participate in extra curricula
activities such as athletics and school dances. I order to avoid the social suspension
list:
o Juniors need to have evidence that they have met at least 10 digital portfolio
requirements
o Sophomores need to have evidence that they have met at least 6 digital
portfolio requirements
Please visit our website at https://sites.google.com/a/bsd-ri.net/pbgr-bhs/


Page 11
The Bronco Update
Burrillville High School Students of the Month
February 2015
Science Department:
English Department:
Kathryn Antoniello / Physics
Nicholas Losardo / Physical Science
Victoria Beland / Biology
Sadie Guertin / PSCI
Jennifer Piette / Biotechnology
Mikaela Messier / Forensics
Cameron Macedo / Biology Team
Alex Laprade / Anatomy & Physiology
Zachary Tayes / CPI Chemistry
Evan Phetteplace / Grade 9
Julia Mier / Grade 10
Nicole Minisce / Grade 11
Lauren LaMontagne / Grade 12
Kate Gould / Electives
Bayleigh Rawlinson / Electives
Math Department:
Zachary Gray /Algebra I
Ian Croce / Geometry
Paige Desjardin / Algebra II
Alex Girard / Algebra III
Robert Gryncewicz / AP Statistics
Lindsay Travis / Academy
Marianna Berube / Consumer Math
Pys Ed / Health Department:
Thomas Arndt / 9
Caitlin Libby / 10
Raymond Andreozzi / 11
Aimee Wilinkiewicz / 12
Social Studies Department:
Briahna Landry / Modern World
Team
Brooke Fasano/ Modern World
History
Antonio Rua / US Hist I Honors
Andrew Mandeville / AP Euro
Cory Pennine / US I Team
Greg Lacroix / US II
Michaela Casey / Civics – Modern
WH
Lucas Mongeon / Civics – Modern
WH
Christal Cogean / US History I
Brian Riendeau / US History II
Kalasia Daigle / US History II
Kalasia Daigle / Intro to Psychology
Tanya Wear / Intro to Sociology
Melissa McNeil / AP US grad point
The Bronco Update
Page
14
Page
12 7
News from Clubs and Organizations
Clothing Closets
Clothing closets were started at the end of last school year at BMS/BHS to help students who may be
in need of gently used clothing and/or shoes. If you have a middle or high school student who is in
need please contact school social worker, Mandy Crandall at [email protected] or 568-1310/1320.
ATTENTION MILITARY FAMILIES:
Are you in the military and the parent or guardian of a student at BHS?
Would you like to receive information about resources related to events and activities for military
families? For more information please contact Mandy Crandall at 568-1310 or [email protected]
Chess Club
Are you taking psychology? Need to learn how to play chess?
Want to learn how to play chess better?
Come to chess club every Wednesday after school and be
victorious in psych class!
The Bronco Update
Page 13
Class of 2017
Important Updates from the Class of 2017
The semi-formal will take place at Wright’s Farm on April 17, 2015.
Creative Photography will be there to take formal pictures and picture package information will be available at a
later date.
Semi-tickets will be on sale in Miss. Chevrette’s room (B7) before and after school as well as during advisory.
We will sell tickets during lunch closer to the event.
Tickets will be sold for $35 a person or $60 a couple. The dance is open to all freshman and sophomore students
and their dates. Checks can be made out to “BHS Class of 2017”
JUNIORS AND SENIORS ARE NOT ALLOWED UNLESS THEY ARE ACCOMPANYING A FRESHMAN OR
SOPHOMORE.
CLASS DUES ARE DUE!
$40 for just sophomore year or $70 if you have not paid for freshman year yet.
Please make checks payable to “BHS Class of 2017” and bring them to Miss Chevrette in B7 or Miss White in A24 before school, after school, or in Advisory.
Thank you to all who purchased a Class Ring!
Our ring breakfast was a HUGE success! All rings were paid on time and all students were able to leave with
their rings and sweatshirts that day.
The Bronco Update
Class of 2016
Page 14
Page 15
The Bronco Update
Attention Juniors & Seniors and Parents
It’s Coming!!!!
Pre prom trivia night . Monday, March 30th. Have fun and
win prom related prizes. More info to follow.
Sponsored by BHS SADD
The Bronco Update
Page 16
Robotics team #154 Renegade
On Saturday, January 31st, the Robotics team #154 Renegade won its 9th
consecutive state championship. This year the team is comprised of, Joe Aubin Grade 12 Lead Builder, Andrew Godfrin - Grade 10 Operator, Danielle Huguenin Grade 11 SolidWorks Engineer, Mike Keable - Grade 10 Builder, Dorian L'Etoile Grade 10 Programmer, Alex Laprade - Grade 12 Fabricator, Liam Raithel - Grade
12 Programmer, Austin St. Pierre - Grade 12 Public Relations, and Aidan Sylvester
- Grade 12 SolidWorks Engineer.
In this years challenge, Cascade Effect, students had to design a robot that could
pick up different sized wiffle balls and put them in different sized tubes. Points were
awarded based on the height of the ball stacks in each of the tubes. Some tubes
were higher than others, the taller the tube, the more points it was worth. In the End
Game (the last 30 seconds of the match) the robot had to score balls into a tube
that was 120 cm off the ground, which was worth a great number of points. Robots
could also lift the tubes off the floor by pushing them up a ramp, which was worth 30 points each.
This year, the Renegades really brought a tough machine to the competition. The students design was beautiful in
all respects. Firefighters, police officers, judges, and other teams were complementing the team on what we had
designed. One of the rules in the game was that the robot could not control more than five balls, so the team
designed a system that could crush though the different sized balls, and filter out all the little ones, only grabbing
the big ones. It took five small balls to equal the height of one big ball, so picking only the larger ones up was the
way to go. The team also built a delivery system that could raise and dump the balls into the highest tube in only
took a few seconds. The team made the robot able to lock on to the rolling ball tubes so that it could drive around
with it attached to our robot, picking up balls and scoring them rapidly. In essence, the robot was a vacuum. The
robot could also score in the 120 cm tube in the End Game which gave us a
maximum of 180 points extra. The robot was ridiculous efficient. Through
programing code and engineering and design the team was able to accomplish
what they did. In the teams last round, the robot scored a total of 581 points. The
highest recorded score for a team in this game at the time sat at 613. The team
will take this robot to World Competition after the Super Regionals! The team
went undefeated on the day, defeating other undefeated teams to win the
competition. Renegade was the winning Alliance Captain, and also won the
Rockwell Collins Innovate Award for our design.
The team is now off to the Super Regional Competition held in Scranton,
Pennsylvania from March 19th to the 21st.
The Bronco Update
Page 17
News from the Guidance Department
The Course Selection Process for the 2015-2016 School Year has begun. Guidance Counselors will be
meeting with students during the next few weeks to discuss course options and distribute individual
course selection sheets for students to bring home to discuss with their parents. See due dates for
each class below:
Class of 2016: March 9th through March 11th, Guidance Counselors will meet with Juniors to distribute
course selection sheets
March 13, 2015 - Due Date for Juniors to return course selection sheets to guidance
Class of 2017: March16th through March 20th, Guidance Counselors will meet with Sophomores to
distribute course selection sheets
March 23, 2015 - Due Date for Sophomores to return course selection sheets to guidance
Class of 2018: March 23rd through March 27th, Guidance Counselors will meet with Freshmen to
distribute course selection sheets
March 30, 2015 - Due Date for Freshmen to return course selection sheets to guidance
Page 18
The Bronco Update
2014-2015 SAT TESTING DATES AND FEES
High School Code is 400055
Students can register online at www.collegeboard.com
Register-By
Date
($52.50 Fee)
SAT Subject Tests™
Late Registration
Available Y/N (see website:
($80.50 Fee)
www.collegeboard.com for a list of the
May 2, 2015
Apr 6, 2015
Apr 21, 2015
Yes
Jun 6, 2015
May 8, 2015
May 27, 2015
Yes
SAT Date
subject tests being offered on each date)
Additional fees apply if you register late or make changes to your test type, center or date after
registering.
Sunday administrations usually occur the day after each Saturday test date for students who
cannot test on Saturday due to religious observance.
Page 19
Page 19
The Bronco Update
2013-2014 ACT Test Dates & Registration Deadlines
Test Date
April 18, 2015
Registration Deadline
March 13, 2015
Late Registration Deadline
March 14–27, 2015
June 13, 2015
May 8, 2015
May 9–22, 2015
Students can register online at www.actstudent.org
Additional fees apply if you register late or make changes to your test type, center or
date after registering.
Burrillville High School Code is 400055
The Bronco Update
Page
Page
13 20
Page 22
The Bronco Update
Burrillville Public Schools
Superintendent
Dr. Frank Pallotta
Principal
Dr. Michael Whaley
Assistant Principals
Mrs. Sherrill McKeon
Ms. Kathryn Johnston
Department Leaders
Kate Desilets- English
Kristi Craig- Math
Tim DuriganTechnology/ Business
Nick Servidio-Science
Barbara DeMasco-Student
Wellness
Jack Jalette-Special
Education
Kevin Cash-Social Studies
BHS NEWCOMERS PROGRAM
Are you or your child new to the Burrillville High School
Community?
If you have recently moved to Burrillville or your child has transferred to
Burrillville High from another school district, read on...
We know how overwhelming it can be for kids to change schools. To
assist in this transition we are again offering newcomers groups for
students during the school day to orient them to what BHS has to offer.
If you signed the newcomers permission form in your enrollment
packet, your son/daughter will have a chance to speak to one of us and
may be eligible to participate in a group, as available.
If you have any questions about the Newcomers Program, please feel
free to contact Kim Pristawa, School Psychologist, at (401) 568-1310,
ext. 2317 or email at [email protected].
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Janet McLinden, Student Assistance Counselor
& Kim Pristawa, School Psychologist
BHS Newcomers Program Coordinators
Guidance
Kristin Abbate A-Gen
Mary Lou Tupper Geo-M
*A Special Thank You: We would like to acknowledge the Burrillville Schools
Alumni Education Foundation, Inc. (BSAEF), as they have made our student
group meetings and parent information sessions possible through grant
funding. We truly appreciate their generosity in helping to fund our program.
Thank you, BSAEF!
Peter Berthelette N-Z
Editor’s Note: The newsletter is published once a month. Please send news items, announcements, and photographs
to Ms. Smith at [email protected].