Letters to Families

October 25th, 2023

Dear Families:

Every year, each public school and school district in Massachusetts receives a report card. Just as your child’s report card shows how they are doing in different subjects; the school’s report card is designed to show families how our school is doing in different areas. As part of the federal Title I Grant program, schools that receive federal Title I funding are required to specifically reach out to families to review these reports.

The report card includes multiple measures of a school’s performance – more than just MCAS scores. It represents a new way of looking at school performance, by providing information on student achievement, teacher qualifications, student learning opportunities, and more. 

Report cards are designed to be useful tools for everyone connected to our school. Families can use the information to have meaningful conversations with us about what the school is doing well and where there is room for improvement. Community and education leaders can use the information to better understand how to support students and our school.

You will notice on our report card that Minuteman is doing very well with MCAS and students’ attendance rates. To improve areas of student performance data, Minuteman has started work on our Portrait of a Graduate and implemented new tiered levels of student support to help counteract suspension rates.

Please note there is one section on the report card “Grade 9 Course Passing” where the data is incorrect, the report card shows 47.1% of the freshmen class passed all their classes but the percentage should show 93.2%. This discrepancy was due to a data import error where one of Minuteman’s special education support classes (graded pass or fail) was being interpreted in the system as a “zero”.  We have alerted DESE of the error but please note these report cards come out in the spring, so this is previous data. It should be resolved on the 2023 report card.

We encourage you to become involved in helping us improve our school. We see parents as critical partners in the success of our students and school, and we are grateful for your continued support. We need families’ feedback on how to spend our Title I funding. Title I funds are intended to provide supplemental funds for instructional and other academic related services for students who are at-risk for not meeting state academic standards. Please complete this brief survey (link) to share your ideas.

A link to our school’s report card is attached and available here (link). 

Finally, if your child attends a school that receives federal Title I funds, you also have the right to request the following information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teachers:

• Whether your child’s teacher is licensed in the grade levels and subject areas they teach,
• Whether your child’s teacher is teaching under an emergency license or waiver,
• The college degree and major of your child’s teacher, and
• Whether your child is provided services by paraprofessionals and, if so, their qualifications.

If you have questions about our school’s report card, would like to become involved in school improvement activities, or would like to request information about the qualifications of your child’s classroom teacher, please contact Rose Romano rromano@minuteman.org.

Sincerely,

Katie Bouchard
Interim Principal

Greetings Minuteman Families,

I hope everyone had a great first day back yesterday. The building was buzzing with lots of smiles and positive energy. I wanted to reach out to share a few reminders and some additional information with our families as we start the school year.

Minuteman’s bus routes are posted to Minuteman’s website and can be found here, please check back frequently as we’re working hard to minimize travel times and confirm bus stop locations. They should be updated again tonight by 7 pm. Thank you for your patience as we incorporate our new families.

This summer, we updated Minuteman’s Student-Parent Handbook. It is posted on Minuteman’s website, found here. Please note that all families must review the handbook and sign the Handbook Acknowledgement Form. This Form, along with others, will be emailed as a packet via Adobe Sign, please be on the lookout for the email over the next couple of days.

Freshmen parents, please make sure our nurses have copies of your child’s most recent physical (within 13 months) and immunization forms, these forms are required for your child/children to attend Minuteman. State Mandated Screenings will begin in October. The screenings will include hearing, vision, height/weight (BMI) for 10th grade and postural, SBIRT (drug and alcohol questionnaire) for 9th grade students. If you do not want your child to participate in the screenings, please opt out by Oct. 1 by sending an email to nurse@minuteman.org, more information on the screenings can be found here.

We have created a Microsoft Form to notify you that your student’s information, (name address, phone number and/or photographic image) may be released to various parties. Should you not object to any release of your child’s directory information, you do NOT have to complete the form. The Release of Student Information Opt-Out Form with more information can be found here.

Fresh Picks is Minuteman’s food service provider, please find their welcome letter here.This year, all meals are free with your help. Through a program funded by the state of Massachusetts our school district will again be offering meals to all students at no charge. As a part of this funding program, we need to collect meal benefit applications from all students. These meal applications will enable us to receive the proper state funding and will help ensure that the funding lasts all school year. Please see the attached applications listed here (on the right side of the page under “All Meals Are Free With Your Help”) and send them back to the Administrative Assistant to the Principal, Rose Romano Rromano@minuteman.org.

We are looking forward to a new year with our students, families, and staff.

Thanks for choosing Minuteman,

Kathleen Bouchard, M.Ed., C.A.G.S.
Interim Principal

Minuteman High School issued the following message via robocall this morning:

This is Minuteman High School calling to inform you that the Arlington #3 school bus is delayed about 25 minutes this morning, Thursday, January 26th.

We apologize for the delay. If students riding the bus are late to school, their tardy will be excused.

If you have any questions, please call the N.R.T. bus company at 781-227-8020. The number for Minuteman is 781-861-6500. Thank you.

नेपाली:

यो Minuteman हाई स्कूलले तपाईंलाई सूचित गर्नको लागि कल गर्दैछ कि आर्लिंगटन #3 स्कूल बस आज बिहान, बिहीबार, जनवरी 26 मा लगभग 25 मिनेट ढिलो भएको छ।

ढिलाइको लागि हामी क्षमाप्रार्थी छौं। यदि बसमा सवार विद्यार्थीहरू विद्यालयमा ढिलो भएमा, तिनीहरूको ढिलो माफी गरिनेछ।

यदि तपाइँसँग कुनै प्रश्नहरू छन् भने, कृपया N.R.T लाई कल गर्नुहोस्। 781-227-8020 मा बस कम्पनी। Minuteman को लागि नम्बर 781-861-6500 हो। धन्यवाद

Português:

Aqui é a Minuteman High School ligando para informar que o ônibus escolar Arlington #3 está atrasado cerca de 25 minutos esta manhã, quinta-feira, 26 de janeiro.

Pedimos desculpas pelo atraso. Se os alunos que estiverem no ônibus chegarem atrasados ​​à escola, o atraso será justificado.

Se você tiver alguma dúvida, ligue para o N.R.T. empresa de ônibus em 781-227-8020. O número do Minuteman é 781-861-6500. Obrigada.

Español:

Le habla Minuteman High School para informarle que el autobús escolar #3 de Arlington se retrasó unos 25 minutos esta mañana, jueves 26 de enero.

Nos disculpamos por la demora. Si los estudiantes que viajan en el autobús llegan tarde a la escuela, su tardanza será justificada.

Si tiene alguna pregunta, llame al N.R.T. empresa de autobuses al 781-227-8020. El número de Minuteman es 781-861-6500. Gracias.

Greetings. This is George Clement, the Principal of Minuteman High School, calling to inform you that school will be dismissed at 12:30 PM today due to a forecast of inclement weather.

We want to make sure everyone can get home safe before the storm gains in severity this afternoon.

If you are driving, please go slow and stay safe.

Staff are advised to leave Minuteman at 1 PM today.

Thank you and enjoy the day.

All evening activities are cancelled. 

Español:
Saludos. Soy George Clement, el Director de la Escuela Secundaria Minuteman, llamando para informarles que la escuela terminará hoy a las 12:30 p. m. debido a un pronóstico de mal tiempo.

Queremos asegurarnos de que todos puedan llegar a casa a salvo antes de que la tormenta gane en severidad esta tarde.

Si está conduciendo, vaya despacio y manténgase seguro.

Se recomienda al personal que abandone Minuteman hoy a la 1 p. m.

Gracias y disfruta el día.

Português:
Saudações. Aqui é George Clement, o diretor da Minuteman High School, ligando para informar que as aulas serão encerradas às 12h30 de hoje devido a uma previsão de mau tempo.

Queremos garantir que todos possam chegar em casa em segurança antes que a tempestade aumente de intensidade esta tarde.

Se você estiver dirigindo, vá devagar e fique seguro.

Os funcionários são aconselhados a deixar o Minuteman às 13h de hoje.

Obrigado e aproveite o dia.

Magyar:
Üdvözlet. George Clement, a Minuteman Gimnázium igazgatója hívott, és tájékoztatja Önt, hogy az iskolát ma 12:30-kor elbocsátják a rossz időjárás előrejelzése miatt.

Biztosak akarunk lenni abban, hogy mindenki hazaérhessen, a vihar ma délután felerősödik.

Ha vezet, kérjük, haladjon lassan, és maradjon biztonságban.

A személyzetnek azt tanácsoljuk, hogy ma 13:00-kor távozzon a Minutemanből.

Köszönöm és élvezd a napot.

Русский:
Привет. Это Джордж Клемент, директор средней школы Минитмен, звоню, чтобы сообщить вам, что школа будет закрыта сегодня в 12:30 из-за ненастной погоды.

Мы хотим убедиться, что все смогут вернуться домой в целости и сохранности до того, как сегодня днём шторм усилится.

Если вы за рулем, пожалуйста, двигайтесь медленно и оставайтесь в безопасности.

Сотрудникам рекомендуется покинуть Minuteman сегодня в 13:00.

Спасибо и наслаждайтесь днем.

नेपाली:
अभिवादन। यो जर्ज क्लेमेन्ट हो, मिनेटम्यान हाई स्कूलका प्रिन्सिपल, तपाईंलाई सूचित गर्न कल गर्दै हुनुहुन्छ कि खराब मौसमको पूर्वानुमानको कारणले आज दिउँसो 12:30 बजे स्कूल खारेज गरिनेछ।

हामी यो दिउँसो आँधीले तीव्रतामा पुग्नु अघि सबैजना सुरक्षित घर पुग्न सक्ने सुनिश्चित गर्न चाहन्छौं।

यदि तपाईं ड्राइभ गर्दै हुनुहुन्छ भने, कृपया ढिलो जानुहोस् र सुरक्षित रहनुहोस्।

कर्मचारीहरूलाई आज दिउँसो १ बजे Minuteman छोड्न सल्लाह दिइन्छ।

धन्यवाद र दिनको आनन्द लिनुहोस्।

January 11, 2023

Dear Minuteman Ninth-Grade Parents and Guardians,

Over the course of our Freshmen Exploratory Program, every ninth-grade student has been introduced to all our career technical education (CTE) majors offered at Minuteman High School. The students are now in the process of revisiting their top-choice career areas to spend additional time.

As the Freshmen Exploratory Program is winding down, all ninth-grade students will be asked to make their final CTE major selection on Friday, January 20th. Students will receive a Microsoft Form that afternoon to record their choices online. 

A student’s decision on a CTE major is a crucial component of Freshman Exploratory. During the orientation process at the beginning of the school year, all students were given a career information guide that outlined various careers and pathways. The booklet focused on educational requirements, career opportunities, projected job growth and expected salaries. In addition, each freshman completed the Harrington O’Shea Career Decision Making System which assesses abilities, interests, and work values to assist in making this important decision, which is done with the guidance of our school’s freshmen Guidance Counselor.

Because choosing their majors is such an important decision, we ask that you discuss your student’s choice to ensure that they are choosing a career path that enables success. Finally, we ask that you consider second and third program options should your student not be accepted in their first choice; some of our programs may have waitlists. We are happy to meet with students throughout the course of the year if they need any additional guidance.

If you have any questions please contact Melissa Gorbatov, Career and Technical Education Administrative Assistant at mgorbatov@minuteman.org.

Sincerely,

Kathleen Bouchard, M.Ed., CAGS
Director of Career and Technical Education
Minuteman High School

The following message was issued via automated phone call on Tuesday, January 10, at about 6:00 PM:

Hello. This is Minuteman High School calling to inform you that the Arlington #5 and Arlington #6 bus routes will go back to their normal schedules this Thursday, January 12th.

As you may recall, these routes were combined a few months ago due to a bus driver shortage.

We’re pleased to share that the routes will be separated and return to their normal schedules this Thursday, January 12th.

Please check the bus schedule to identify your bus stop location prior to Thursday.

We will attach the schedules to an email you will receive. The schedules are also posted at Bus Schedule.

Thank you for your time.

Português:
Olá. Aqui é a Minuteman High School ligando para informar que as rotas de ônibus Arlington # 5 e Arlington # 6 voltarão aos seus horários normais nesta quinta-feira, 12 de janeiro.

Como você deve se lembrar, essas rotas foram combinadas há alguns meses devido à falta de motoristas de ônibus.

Temos o prazer de informar que as rotas serão separadas e retornarão aos seus horários normais nesta quinta-feira, 12 de janeiro.

Verifique o horário do ônibus para identificar o local do ponto de ônibus antes de quinta-feira.

Anexaremos os horários a um e-mail que você receberá. Os horários também são publicados em minuteman.org/busroutes.

Obrigado pelo seu tempo.

Русский:
Привет. Звонят из средней школы Минитмен, чтобы сообщить вам, что автобусные маршруты Арлингтон № 5 и Арлингтон № 6 вернутся к своему обычному расписанию в этот четверг, 12 января.

Как вы помните, несколько месяцев назад эти маршруты были объединены из-за нехватки водителей автобусов.

Мы рады сообщить, что маршруты будут разделены и вернутся к своему обычному расписанию в этот четверг, 12 января.

Пожалуйста, ознакомьтесь с расписанием автобусов, чтобы определить местонахождение автобусной остановки до четверга.

Мы прикрепим расписание к электронному письму, которое вы получите. Расписание также размещено на странице minuteman.org/busroutes.

Спасибо за ваше время.

January 10, 2023

Dear Minuteman High School Students and Parents/Guardians,

It’s time to begin registering Minuteman students for the SkillsUSA Districts Competitions taking place on Wednesday, March 1st. Students in grades 10, 11 or 12 who are interested in representing their Career Technical Education program should click this link to fill out a form so we can follow up with them and their shop teachers.

Completed interest forms are due Tuesday, January 17. This will allow us time to gather back the necessary signed paperwork and start registering students by Monday, January 23rd.

Any questions can be directed to SkillsUSA faculty advisors. Please email Kristina Juzyn, Emily Kotwal or Denise D’Ambrosia.

Completing this form does not commit you to participation or guarantee your place in competition. This serves to gather information on interest only. SkillsUSA staff advisors will follow up with all interested students and their shop teachers.

What is SkillsUSA? SkillsUSA is a national group that strives to teach workplace, personal, and technical skills to students of all levels across the country in order to prepare them to be outstanding citizens, contributing to the community and the workplace. Aside from skills for the individual, SkillsUSA works with chapters and regions to expand and create community service efforts, instilling a drive for a better world. SkillsUSA holds local, regional, state, and national competitions that cover a variety of focuses. Here at Minuteman, we offer over 70 different competitions. Learn more on our website.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,
Denise D’Ambrosia, Emily Kotwal & Kristina Juzyn
Minuteman SkillsUSA Faculty Advisors

January 9, 2023

Dear Minuteman Students and Parents/Guardians,

Minuteman High School will hold a career fair for current eleventh- and twelfth-grade students in the Paul Revere Room this Thursday, January 12, from 1:00 PM-3:30 PM.
 

• Seniors will attend from approximately 1:00 PM-1:45 PM (for those who have 2nd CTE Lunch, they would arrive at 1:15).
• Juniors will attend from 1:45 PM-2:30 PM; they will be escorted by their G-Block academic/core content teachers.
• Please note the career fair will continue after the 2:30 PM dismissal time, ending at 3:30 PM.

The career fair is a wonderful opportunity for students to ask any questions of potential employers about the types of careers they could pursue before or after high school graduation. We are fortunate to have received an overwhelming response for our industry partners with more than 60 employers scheduled to attend.

The participating employers represent the wide range of career technical education majors that are offered at Minuteman. The list includes but is not limited to:

• 128 Plumbing
• Abcam Biopharmaceutical
• Abbess Instruments and Systems, Inc.
• Arlington Infant Toddler Center
• Benchmark Senior Living
• Brandeis University
• Bright Horizons on the Charles
• Brookhaven at Lexington Assisted Living
• Code Ninjas of Wellesley
• CareOne Assisted Living of Concord
• Crown Lift Trucks (forklift manufacturer)
• City of Newton
• Dan-Cel Mechanical Contracting
• Encompass Health Rehab
• Feinmann Design Firm
• Ferro-Ceramic Grinding Inc. (precision machining)
• G2O Salon and Spa
• Gilman Guidelli & Bellow Custom Builders
• Hanscom Air Force Base
• Hoban Renovations of Acton
• IDEAL Property Management Corporation
• KinderCare Education
• Lexington Montessori School
• Lexington Toyota
• Little Sprouts
• Newly Wed Foods
• Novanta (photonics and motion control)
• Redmond Design Group
• Reliable Fence Boston
• The Inn at Hastings Park
• Town of Bedford
• Town of Concord
• Town of Needham
• Triumvirate Environmental
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Postal Service
• Winchester Hospital

If you have any questions, please email Kristina Juzyn, Coordinator for Cooperative Education and Workforce Development at Minuteman. We hope to see your students at the career fair!

Sincerely,

George Clement
Principal
Minuteman High School

The following message was issued in a robocall at 6:38 AM on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023:

This is Minuteman High School calling to inform you that the Arlington #4 school bus will run about 1 hour late this morning, Monday, January 9th.

We apologize for the delay. Our bus company, N.R.T., continues to experience a shortage of drivers.

We encourage parents to drive their students to school, or to carpool, if possible.

Students assigned to this bus route will receive an excused tardy if they need to take the bus.

If you have any questions, please call the N.R.T. bus company at 781-227-8020. The number for Minuteman is 781-861-6500. Thank you.

This message was issued via automated phone call at 4:00 PM on Sunday, January 8, 2023:

This is Minuteman High School calling to inform you the Arlington-Lexington #10 school bus will run about 1 hour late tomorrow morning, Monday, January 9th. The bus will begin arriving at about 8:00 AM. We have listed temporary pick-up locations in an email you should receive. These are the same locations used recently.

We apologize for the delay. Our bus company, N.R.T., continues to experience a shortage of drivers.

We encourage parents to drive their students to school, or to carpool, if possible.

Students assigned to this bus route will receive an excused tardy if they need to take the bus.

If you have any questions, please call the N.R.T. bus company at 781-227-8020. The number for Minuteman is 781-861-6500. Thank you.

PICK-UP TIMES AND LOCATIONS:

• 8:00 AM: 22 Young St.
• 8:04 AM: Woburn @ Peachtree Rd
• 8:09 AM: Adams @ North St.
• 8:14 AM: Adams @ Hathaway Rd.
• 8:16 AM: Bedford St. @ Larchmont Ln @ Reed St
• 8:18 AM: Garfield @ Ward St
• 8:22 AM: 91 Burlington St
• 8:23 AM: Grove @ Elfred St.
• 8:26 AM: Skyview @ Wright St
• 8:32 AM: Wood @ Woodpark Cir.
• 8:35 AM: Mass Ave @ Paul Revere Rd.
• 8:37 AM: Paul Revere Rd @ Battle Green Rd.