December 13, 2016

Dear Parents and Guardians:

We are fully into Trimester 2 this week, and I hope your students have transitioned well.  NAHS is my first experience working with trimesters, so I am still learning about the ways that the system works, its assets and deficits, both of which I see.  Trimesters allow students a fresh start three times a year; can offer some students much variety in course choices, often in the upper grades; and they allow an intensity of focus for 10 weeks.  On the other hand, the quickness of a trimester can be demanding; students usually have many teachers for a shorter amount of time; and less deep teacher-student relationships may result.  NAHS faculty has been talking about trimesters for a long time, so we are now launching a multi-phase schedule review process as part of the revised NAPS strategic plan.  Phase one consists of an internal review where we’ll begin to collect faculty and student feedback about the daily schedule.  Phase two will collect feedback from parents / guardians.  The review will include research about successful high school schedules that may meet the goals of NAHS and be worthy of considering.  We will work closely with NAPS leadership and communicate carefully with parents / guardians and students.  No quick decisions will be made, and there will be no change in the 2017-2018 schedule, which will remain trimesters.  

Other important information: The parent portal on PowerSchool is open and should display student grades for Trimester 1, and you can also find your student’s Trimester 2 schedule.  Please consider joining the Wednesday, December 14 - PAC meeting in the library at 6:00 pm.  NAPD will discuss the ALICE safety protocols, then Director of Guidance Steve Nugent will discuss guidance offerings.  And finally, the PAC teacher appreciation breakfast is this Friday, Dec. 16.  PAC would love donations and you can sign up here.

DECEMBER / JANUARY DATES AND INFORMATION

December 14 - PAC meeting, library, 6:30 p.m.

December 15 - Winter Concert in auditorium AT 7:00 p.m.

December 16 - PAC teacher appreciation breakfast.  Sign up here.

December 21 - Early release at 1:00 p.m., professional day

December 22 - Alumni Brunch & Seminar / last year’s graduates back to NAHS, noon   

December 24 - January 2 - Holiday Break

January 3 - School resumes

January 4 - Early release at 1:00 p.m., professional day

January 5 -  DECA field trip for district competition @ Merrimack College

January 9 -   College Test Prep Fair & College Bound Juniors Night sponsored by NAHS Guidance Dept., 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

January 13 - No School - Full professional day for staff

January 16 - No School - Martin Luther King Day