Tewksbury Memorial High School
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Tewksbury Memorial High School is a suburban public high school located at 320 Pleasant Street in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, USA. Serving grades 9-12, it is the only public high school in the town. Its total enrollment for the 2005-2006 school year was 1,206.
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[edit] Mission Statement
Tewksbury Memorial High School starts its morning with the daily announcements including the mission statement:
"Tewksbury Memorial High School provides students with an experience that promotes academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, respect for others, and self-confidence. We foster the development of communication and problem-solving skills necessary to become successful, contributing members of society."
Recently, Denise Belmonte, a future anchorperson, had read the morning announcements with great enthusiasm, causing quite an amusing stir among the school. However, as a personal twist, she threateningly concluded with, "Make it a great day or else", as opposed to the traditional, "Make it a great day or not."
On May 29, 2008, Christopher Chan, Class Marshal of the Class of 2008, read the morning announcements and followed them up with a rousing rendition of "Never Gonna Give You Up" by Rick Astley, effectively RickRolling the school as his Senior Prank.
[edit] Athletics
- Baseball - (Freshmen)
- Baseball - (Varsity & Junior Varsity)
- Lacrosse - Boys (Varsity & Junior Varsity)
- Lacrosse - Girls (Varisty & Junior Varsity)
- Softball (Freshmen)
- Softball (Varsity & Junior Varsity)
- Tennis (Girls)
- Track and Field (Boys)
- Track and Field (Girls)
- Volleyball - girls (Varsity & Junior Varsity)
[edit] Student Activities Information
Academic Decathlon – This team is organized to develop and provide academic competitions with students from other schools to promote learning and academic excellence among students of all achievement levels. Advisors – Ms. Ginamarie Talford, Rm. C-24
Band – These are groups of students who perform throughout the year using their musical talents in Concert, Jazz, and Marching Band. Advisor – Ms. Hilary Anderson, Band Room, A-14
Class Council – This is made up of students elected to positions of both officers and representatives. They organize fundraisers and activities that benefit the students’ senior year.
Class Advisors: Senior Class Advisor – Mr. Brigida, Rm B-21 and Lymdsey Gilligan, Rm. D-12 Junior Class Advisor – Ms. Ryser, Gym & Jose Burruca, Rm. E-25 Sophomore Class Advisor – Ms. Mary Jo Rosmarinofski, Rm. B-19 Freshman Class Advisor – Ms. Sue Sullivan, Rm. E-17
DECA – Marketing students can participate in applications of real-life business situations at district, state, and national conferences. coached by Mr. Sullivan.
Drama Club – Students can express their dramatic talents in stage productions throughout the year. Advisor – Ms. Lauren Sprague, Auditorium
ECHO– Students can participate in cultural events as well as perform charitable and community service as members of this. Advisor – Ms. Donna Boudreau-Hill, Rm. C-18
Fall Sports – Football, Cheerleading, Boys and Girls Cross-Country, Golf, Field Hockey, Boys and Girls Soccer, & Volleyball, Athletic Coach John Dusault
International Club – Students participate in exchanges with students from other countries. Advisor – Ms. Henrietta Araujo, Rm. E-15
Junior Classical League – This is a club for high school students who study Latin. They participate in state and national conferences and competitions. Advisor – Mr. Early, Rm. D-27
Literary Magazine – The Realm – This club showcases the talents of TMHS’ aspiring artists and writers. Advisor – Ms. Ginamarie Talford, Rm. C-24
Math Team – This club provides an opportunity for students to compete with other schools in academically challenging mathematical contests. Coach: Ms. Marybeth McGinn, Rm. B-13
National Honor Society (NHS) – This is an organization that recognizes and encourages academic achievement, while developing other characteristics of leadership, service, and character. Membership is by invitation and approval. Advisor – Ms. Ann Rand, C-hall
Newspaper – The Press – This is published at least four times during the year. It reports on events and happenings at TMHS.
Peer Leadership – This is an organization that is dedicated to enhancing the general school climate. Part of their work involves peer mediation and violence prevention programs. Advisor – Ms. Patricia Ryser Chris McCoy, Gym
Renaissance Program – This program whose goals are to enhance the academic environment and promote effort, honesty, and tolerance. Students fulfilling the necessary criteria benefit from rewards such as exam exemptions and business discounts. Advisor – Ms. Sheli-An Ryan, Rm. C-10
Robotics Club – With the help of engineer mentors from local firms, students design, build and compete a robot in the First Robotics Competition. Coach: Mr. Stanley White
SADD – Students Against Destructive Decisions. Advisor – Ms. Cynthia Georgian, Rm. D-18
Spring Sports – Baseball, Softball, Boys and Girls Spring Track, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Lacrosse, Dance Team, Athletic Office
Student Council – This group of students organizes and conducts leadership, spirit, community and charity service activities at TMHS and in the community. Hosts and participates in regional and statewide conferences. Advisor – Ms. Debra Glass, Rm. B-09
Tolerance Core – Support Group for Gay/Straight Alliance, Ms. Kyra Varhegyi, Rm. C-12
Winter Sports – Hockey, Gymnastics, Boys and Girls Basketball, Cheerleading with the head cheerleader Gappy who , Boys and Girls Winter Track, Wrestling, Athletic Office
Yearbook – Scroll – It’s a year of TMHS put on paper to be remembered always. Underclassmen are needed for some sections. Advisor – Ms. Nadine Sutliff, Rm. C-10
[edit] School Council
Chairperson: Co-Chairperson: Teachers/Staff:
Parents: Lynnette Allen & Ellen Robichaud & Anne Marie Stronach
Community Rep.: Susan Ricci
Student Rep.: Christina Lowe
[edit] Issues
[edit] Accreditation
Recently, TMHS has undergone a series of conductive tests to accredit the school system. While the teachers were rated as "adequate", the rest of the building was not.
Because TMHS is such an old building, many of its structures are literally falling apart. Desks, books, chairs, and paint has been falling apart as it has seen many generations of the same families pass through the school. The bathrooms are reportedly the worst part of the entire facility, being described as "a cesspool smoke and disease" by some of the many students.
Also, the building recently saw an upgrade in its computer system in an effort to make learning in the digital field easier, and of course to boost the image of the building for accreditation. However, it is apparent that these systems are still severely lacking, especially the school's video system, or lack therof. The school's activities are covered through a local channel that is broadcast on regular cable. However, these events are captured through technology that was considered at the front of technological innovation in the late 70's.
As a result of these issues, Tewksbury Memorial High School has been placed on probation until she can see great improvements to her facilities.
[edit] Bomb Threat
Within the last year, TMHS has been the site of many forms of violence, ranging from threatening letters to all out brawls in the hallways.
However, one particular event during the 07' year was rather threatening to eveyone in the whole building. Over the span of a week, there were threatening notes left in the bathroom about explosive devices within the building. One student even went so far as to ignite a sweatshirt on the floor of the bathroom.
The most prominent of all the problems came with the supposed use of an actual bomb, which merely turned out to be a defective D-Cell battery and some gunpowder. In other words, the trigger did not work. Many of the students and their parents were outraged at the fact that there was not a full on evacuation since the faculty had full knowledge of what was going on.
