Most people are terrified to speak in public.  So giving a speech in a foreign language?  Not for the fearful.

Elizabeth Proctor, senior at Triton High School and president of the Foreign Language National Honor Society, won first prize and $400 at the Club Richelieu Oratorical Contest; additionally, her win landed her an opportunity to compete in Manchester New Hampshire in a second round where she won another $250.  Regina Sternlicht, French teacher at the high school, commented on Elizabeth's success: "Her competition was good; she, however, was really dynamite! She really knows how to command a room." 

Lizzie said that she likes studying French because of the opportunities it has given her--to travel to Quebec last year and France with the exchange program the year before. And she attributes her success in the competition to her experiences with French.

She plans to attend the honors college at UMaine Orono next year to major in anthropology and minor in studio art and Medieval studies.

"Only one or two kids from the top high school programs go off to play in college," according to Drew Wile, hockey coach at the high school.

But next year, one of Drew's former players will be playing at Fitchburg state. 

He came from a school with a still-developing hockey program; Mike Fish also took a risky route to get to the college team.

Rather than going straight to Fitchburg, where, according to Coach Wile, he most likely would not have made the team, Mike decided to defer his acceptance so that he could improve his game by playing for the New England Wolves, a junior hockey program.

That decision paid off when Mike was told that he would play for the Fitchburg Falcons next year; because of his hard work, he has earned a spot on the team without trying out.  The experience should prove to be an interesting one; as Drew explained, "College teams now recruit around the world, so Mike may be playing with kids from Europe or Russia."

Coach Wile went on to applaud Mike's character, on and off the ice: "He was and still is a model of what we want Triton hockey players to be like when they are here and when they leave." 

Read more about Mike's decision and his time at Triton in the Newburyport Daily News.

Newbury Principal Michael Tracy and Reading Specialist Margot Ryan ready for guests arriving to read to students in celebration the birthday of Dr. Suess.

After auditioning with hundreds of other students on January 26, Triton freshman Kelsey Coady was selected for the MMEA District Junior Honors Band.  While this achievement definitely speaks to Kelsey's ability as a musician, the benefits extend the band.  As Sue Densmore, Program Coordinator  for Triton Arts explained: "Being put through the pressure of preparing an audition piece, then auditioning, is good experience for all sorts of life situations."

Kelsey will attend three rehearsals (March 20, 22, and 23), and then perform in a concert on March 23, all at Lowell High School.

After a rigorous process that includes preparing music to be performed in front of judges, and a recommendation to audition at the all-state level, Triton's Justin Kelley has been accepted to the All State Jazz band. 

While making district bands or choruses is certainly a commendable accomplishment, making all-state is something that only a small group of students in the state can boast.  Even more impressive--jazz band is the most selective state group.

Justin is considering music education as a college major, and his principal instrument would be trumpet. 

Triton seniors Matthew Faulkner and Dmitri Hunt have been named Commended Students by the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program.  Commended students placed among the top five percent of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2013 competition by taking the 2011 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). 

Matthew plans to major in applied math and statistics, while Dmitri hopes to become an engineer. 

And what do they do when they are not busy impressing their teachers or the National Merit Scholarship Program?  Dmitri plays guitar and writes songs; he likes Lou Reed and Moby Dick.  Matthew plays eight instruments.  

Most of us can barely troubleshoot our personal devices or computers.

Nick Amello is a sophomore in high school, and he has already applied for patents on his software programming. 

Nick, who is working on an independent study project with math and computer science teacher Kathy Norton and technology and engineering teacher Scott Dube, has written most of the code for the Triton textbook barcode system. It was Mr. Dube's suggestion to write the code in house after it became apparent that the system that Triton was considering for purchase would be too expensive. 

Nick has been an impressive force in streamlining this seemingly-daunting task.  As Dennis Buck, Network Administrator, explained, "My initial reaction was that this could get complicated. But, after meeting and speaking with Nick, he easily conveyed exactly what he needed, making it a very simple task."

Kathy Norton describes Nick as an inspiration for his teachers as well as his fellow students:  "The job market is flooded with software programming positions and it is encouraging to watch this young man in action. His passion for programming is infectious. We need to encourage more students in the US to take programming in high school and continue in software engineering or programming in college."

How do we prepare our students to compete in the world of the 21st century?

That question is an important one to Dan Boyle, who spoke this month at the Teaching American History conference "Imagination, Invention, and Innovation: The Making of American History" grant. 

Mr. Boyle, who is a history teacher in the high school, explained why he thinks that it is important to use technology in the classroom: "Based on a number of classrooms, we are preparing them for something from the mid- to late-20th Century rather than the world that they are moving into.  I feel that if I don't use various forms of technology with my students, then I am not giving them the skills they need to compete when they leave here, whether that is to compete at college or in the workforce.  This is not to say that what we consider to be traditional forms of teaching won't do the same thing, but if we don't expose them to different ways to demonstrate what they have learned then we are not helping them learn to experiment."

He began his journey down this "tech road," as he calls it, three summers ago when he took a class on how to create podcasts and use them in the classroom.  Since then, he has participated in a three-day seminar on "Teaching History with Technology" and read Curriculum 21, edited by Heidi Hays Jacobs, which is a combination of articles dealing with the question of how we can best prepare our students to compete when they leave our classrooms. 

Looking around at the typical American teenager, you might think that students today do not need any instruction on how to use technology.  But as Mr. Boyle points out, "while they are great at texting or using Facebook, they don't have other skills to allow them to use technology to their advantage.  We need to show them the power of the devices that many of them have in their hands as more than just a place to play 'Angry Birds.'"

As much as he's learned about technology in the classroom, Mr. Boyle plans to continue to educate himself on the subject--for himself as well as for his students: "We all want our students to be "life-long learners" and I feel that it is my responsibility to model that for them, that if they see me do it, maybe some of them will be willing to do it as well." 

"As gifted as Blaise is, he is never satisfied," commented Pat Sheehan, head football coach at the high school, when asked to describe his two-time captain's qualities as an athlete scholar.  "His work ethic is unparalleled.  He is the first to be at practice and he is the last to leave.  He is always willing to help a younger player or student."   

Though others see his talents as extraordinary, Blaise Whitman is pretty modest when asked to explain his success in sports.  He has been playing baseball for as long as he can remember.  And his talent for the sport, as he says, just seemed natural.  Still, Blaise has nurtured that gift with hard work.  He has gone to baseball summer camps at URI, has been in contact with the coach at URI, and next year will be going to the university as a walk-on.  This means he won't have a scholarship or be guaranteed a spot on the the team, but will likely be given a chance to play for this Division One school. 

While in school, Blaise plans to study kinesiology, which is the study of human movement, in hopes of doing pre. med. after that.  And the work ethic that he's developed through sports at Triton will likely help him tackle the challenges of such a difficult path of studies.  

Music programs are in jeopardy all over the country.

Fortunately, they will soon have Jenna DiMento fighting for their survival.  The Triton HS Senior has been accepted early decision to Ithaca College where she will be studying music education.  Jenna says that she has liked music her whole life, and she is looking forward to the challenge of learning every instrument in college.  When asked why she wants to study music education, she said she'd "like to make sure future children have music too because it's always being cut and I want to stop that."

While she will no doubt be an important champion for music in the future, the Triton music department will not likely be happy to see her go.  When asked to comment on Jenna, Sue Densmore had plenty to say:  "In terms of music, Jenna DiMento is the real deal – the kind of music major any college professor would dream of having in his studio.  She practices, she prepares, and she performs. 

"In terms of the band, she reaches out and helps others learn and be successful.

"And in terms of this department, she is the kind of person that sees what needs to be done and does it, taking appropriate initiative without overstepping her boundaries.  For instance, she has taken it upon herself to aid in the communications effort, providing reminders to the various Facebook groups, and keeping the electronic sign in my room up to date."

Heading for Cornell next year to study engineering, Triton Senior Demitri Tzitzon is definitely on a path for success.  When asked what he plans to do with an engineering degree, Demitri said that he'd like to study computer or biological engineering.  Computer engineering, he said, suits him because he likes to "work logically." 

A leader in the school community, he is also the captain of the lacrosse and soccer teams.

But many might not know that he spends his summers with muddy feet.  A neighbor turned him on to the idea of digging clams for money, and since he lives by the river, he goes out during summer days to slog through the tidal flats, digging for clams with a pitchfork. He has been doing this for two years and says that on a good day he might make 300 dollars.  Money that will come in handy in Ithaca next fall. 

At the 102nd Massachusetts PTA Convention on March 17th, Triton Regional High School counselor Dr. Erik Champy was installed by the National PTA President Betsy Landers as the 35th President of the Massachusetts Parent Teacher Association.  Further, Dr. Champy was awarded the prestigious National PTA Life Achievement Award for his great efforts to improve the lives of America's youth.  This is the highest recognition bestowed by PTA and it is given only to those who have demonstrated exemplary service in support of children.  As the new PTA State President, Dr. Champy is committed to: expanding membership; continuing advocacy for the health and safety of all students; promoting greater accessibility for vocational education; providing quality professional development for educators and support personnel; encouraging stronger participation in PTA programs; partnering to ensure a first class education for all students; building alliances with Massachusetts state universities to create more opportunities for students; and drafting legislation for mandatory arts education for all schools in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Dr. Champy joined the district as a 6th Grade teacher at what was then the Memorial/Plains School in Salisbury in 1994, and has subsequently served as a counselor at both the middle and high schools.

Commenting on the appointment Superintendent Christopher Farmer said, “Erik Champy is a tireless, and powerful advocate for students. The Massachusetts PTA could not have found more appropriate leadership."

Following successful completion of the rigorous program required, Assistant Superintendent Brian Forget has received from the state Inspector General formal certification as a Massachusetts Certified Public Purchasing Officer.

This means that the district can be confident that its purchasing arrangements will be in compliance with the complex state laws that govern these matters.

Congratulations, Brian.

Leading the Way to a Deeper Understanding of U.S. History and Literature

Last year two of our high school Program Coordinators took the opportunity to participate in the Teaching American History program. Tim Coyle leads the school’s Social Studies program, while Sarah Scruton leads the English program.

The goal of the Teaching American History program is to provide teachers with high level professional development to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of U.S. history, and thereby improve instruction and raise student achievement. The “hands on” professional development is led by highly regarded university professors.

The focus of the work is on “traditional” American history, which includes the significant issues, episodes, and turning points in the history of the United States. It includes how the words and deeds of individuals have determined the course of the nation and how the principles of freedom and democracy articulated in the founding documents have shaped America's struggles and achievements

Reflecting on his experience Tim Coyle shared that he had had an outstanding opportunity to meet and share ideas with top-notch history teachers from the North Shore as well as professors from UMASS - Lowell and other colleges.

“I was able to deepen my understanding of post-Civil War US History and learn and share different teaching strategies--it certainly expanded my teaching repertoire.  I particularly appreciated the chance to interact with the university professors. These interactions helped bolster my knowledge of history and my understanding of the expectations they have regarding how we are preparing our students for college.  It was a fantastic professional development opportunity!”  

Sara Scruton commented: "As an English teacher and teacher of American Studies, this program has made it much easier for me to make connections between pieces of American literature and US history, particularly on the topic of immigration--which was the primary topic of the program.   Furthermore, our English Language Arts standards require us to incorporate primary source documents into our curriculum, and this course provided several valuable resources to use in the creation of new units."

English teacher, Margaret Flaherty, also participated in the program, and shared a similar reflection on her experience. “It reinvigorated me as a teacher by giving me the opportunity to be a student again. The professors challenged us both in our knowledge base and in our teaching strategies. I came away from this course better able to connect my curriculum in English with that of other content areas--and more excited about it too.”

Four high school teachers will be joining the next cohort: Social Studies teachers Dan Boyle and Chris Gette, and English teachers Melissa Davis and Joe Colbert.

Chris Larson

From Grade One teacher to Coordinator of Administrative and Instructional Technology may seem a long jump; but that is the leap Chris Larson made over the summer. Chris's background also includes management experience in the business sector and as an IT professional development presenter with Salem State University. Chris leads a small team of three that maintains the district's very stable network, the web site, and 900 computers and related hardware across four sites.

Heather Castonguay joined the district as District Differentiation Specialist in August. Latterly, she served as Curriculum Coordinator and Title 1 Director for the Pentucket Regional School District. Heather's appointment followed a review of the Talented and Gifted (TAG) program, which established that, not withstanding the best efforts of the TAG Teacher, the program was failing to meet its objectives.

In addition to her administrative experience, Heather brings to Triton a strong reputation as a leader of professional development, eight year's experience as an elementary school teacher in Topsfield, and the insights of an English Language Specialist.

Though he’s recently become somewhat of a local celebrity, appearing on the Channel 5 6:00pm news "High Five" segment, which has recognized high school athletes for the past twenty-seven years, Sean Mitchell has been inspiring his team for a long time. 

Sean was born with Cerebral Palsy and, among many other successes here at Triton, has been a member of the Triton Boys Cross-Country as well as both the Winter and Spring Track and Field Teams since he was a freshman. Upon his graduation this coming June, Sean will have completed twelve seasons of running in his high school career, which is especially remarkable given that at his birth the doctors weren't sure he would ever even walk.

Head Coach Joseph Colbert commented, “Sean has never used his disability as an excuse and is always smiling. He has been an inspiration to me, the assistant coaches, his teammates, and the entire local running community for years.”