North Reading High School’s
Hornet Highlights
Volume 10, Issue 4
June 2013
An informational newsletter showcasing all of
the great things happening at NRHS!
Principal’s Message
I am pleased to present this newsletter to all North Reading High
School families. This is the final edition of our newsletter for the 20122013 school year. Copies of this newsletter have been sent to all families
including those in the class of the Class of 2017, who will be entering
North Reading High School in September of 2013. Please know that your
arrival at the high school is looked forward to with excitement and enthusiasm. You are extended a warm welcome into “The Hornet Family.”
Additionally, this newsletter is being sent to all families of the Class
of 2013 as a congratulatory communication on your success. Please know
that you have my sincere appreciation and respect for all that you have
accomplished during your years as members of the North Reading High
School family. You have much to be proud of. You have my best wishes for
much success, peace, and happiness in all that you do.
During the summer months, a great deal of information will be
mailed home to all families. Please be sure to give this information your
due consideration. If you should have any questions regarding the information that you receive, please know that the school administration and
the office staff are available at the high school during the summer months.
Class of 2017 families should expect to receive information from the students in the North Reading High School “Student Leadership Academy and
Mentoring (SLAM)” program regarding Freshmen Orientation activities.
These students have been working hard to help welcome our freshmen students to the high school. The Freshmen Orientation and Pizza Luncheon”
will be held on Tuesday, August 20th beginning at 10:00 a.m. and concluding at approximately 1:00 p.m. Again, much more information about this
and other important items is forthcoming.
A special note about summer reading: the summer reading list and
assessment information was emailed to all families earlier this month, is
included in this newsletter, and is also available on the North Reading High
School website at hs.north-reading.k12.ma.us, the Flint Memorial Library,
and Barnes and Noble stores in Peabody, Burlington, and Saugus.
In closing, please know that you have the best wishes of the North
Reading High School administration, faculty, and staff for a safe and enjoyable summer vacation, spending time with your family and friends. I
look forward to your arrival at school in September.
Very truly yours,
Jon C. Bernard, Principal
Inside this issue:
Notes from the
Main Office
1-2
School News
3-15
Summer Reading
List
Pages 5-11
“Around the Schoolyard “
by Jon C. Bernard, Principal
Congratulations and Best Wishes Class of 2013!
An open letter to the North Reading High School Class of 2013
Dear Graduates of North Reading High School’s Class of 2013:
I wish to extend my sincere congratulations to each of you on the occasion of your graduation
from high school. It has indeed been a pleasure getting to know each of you and your families during
the time that you were a student at North Reading High School.
Across the nation and around the world there were far too many tragic events that occurred
during your senior year of high school that easily could have led to great cynicism and hopelessness
about our future as a country. The United States remains at war in the Middle East; tragedy struck the
Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut; and terrorism reared its ugly head at the
Boston Marathon. These and other events had many asking why such sad events occurred and further
led many to question where we were headed as a society both nationally and internationally.
You
have also experienced sadness within the boundaries of our town as you grieved the loss of loved ones.
But through all of this and more you have collectively displayed compassion and kindness and
support of one another that is unmatched. You have given me--and I suspect many others--great hope
for our future based upon your response to those events which have challenged you. Your desire to
raise funds to support those in need, to reach out and offer a kind word to those in pain, and to rally
together and support each other and those around you have demonstrated to me your greatness as a
class and have helped to bring out the very best in each of you and those around you. And you did so
almost as a reflex response. It is who you are and what makes you so special.
At a time when young people are often (unfairly) criticized for being a generation that cares
more about itself than it does for others, you stand in stark contrast to this criticism. I am exceedingly proud of you for this and for so much more and I hope that you are equally proud as well. You have
demonstrated dignity and respect throughout the time that you have been students at North Reading
High School.
I recall favorably our end-of-the-year meeting in the spring of 2010. As your freshman year
concluded, I addressed you and thanked you for the wonderful transition you had made to high school
and commended you on your first year as high school students. I also recall how you broke out into
applause, congratulating yourselves as well. This brought a smile to my face then and does so now as I
am writing about it. It is further testament to your actions as a class—a unified group; no one individual has dominated any event. You are a “class.” While each of you certainly has your own identity
and unique character traits, collectively you exemplify all that is good.
The signature line of my email account includes a quote from the great hockey player Wayne
Gretzky. It reads, “You miss one hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.” As a graduating class,
reflect on all that you have done. You have not been afraid to take risks or to challenge yourselves.
You have “shot the puck” and I commend you for this. Sometimes you have missed the net; sometimes you have hit the post. But in the end, you have made the effort and taken the reasonable risk,
and in the years to come you can look back on your years as a student of North Reading High School
and be proud of the fact that you left behind far more than you have taken.
I thank you for being a class of students whose impact will long be felt by those who have had
the pleasure of being part of your formative years. Please know that you have my very best wishes for
much peace and happiness in all that you do.
Congratulations, Class of 2013.
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Hornet Happenings
Please Interrupt Me…
Or, What Does a School Library/Media Specialist Do All Day?
I originally saw this sign when I was at a library conference and realized that this is the message
that needs to be relayed to students and staff that come into the high school library. Please…
interrupt me! I’m here to help you. One of the roles of a librarian involves promoting reading for
both information and pleasure. This requires an understanding of the interests and abilities of the
student population and is the aspect of the job that most people first think of. They picture a librarian sitting behind a circulation desk, checking materials in and out to people. However, that
is only a small part of the job.
Many people are unaware of the active role that a school librarian plays in the educational process. For example, few people realize that in the state of Massachusetts a certified school library/media specialist is a licensed educator. As an educator I am responsible for understanding
the Curriculum Frameworks and the Common Core State Standards so that the library can provide
students and teachers with appropriate resources for teaching and learning.
Another aspect of the job involves being familiar with and using technology. Teachers frequently
work with me to create projects that make use of the many print and electronic resources that
are available through the school library. I work with groups of students at the beginning of research projects to familiarize them with the available resources and provide instruction in the use
of the resources. I also provide professional development opportunities for teachers with a focus
on integrating technology into instruction and learning.
So the next time you see me sitting behind the circulation desk at high school library feel free to
interrupt me…I may be doing collection development, searching for new materials to add to the
library’s collection. I may be adding web links to the library’s website for a class research project,
or I may be reading about a new technology tool that can be used by students or teachers. Whatever the case may be, your request is more interesting than what I’m doing!
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Hornet Happenings
Class of 2013 College Acceptances
Assumption College
Babson College
Bates College
Belhaven University
Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
Bentley University
Boston University
Brandeis University
Bridgewater State University
Bridgton Academy
Bryant University
University of California at Berkeley
University of California at Davis
University of California at Los Angeles
University of California at San Diego
Capital University
The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina
Clark University
Clarkson University
Colby-Sawyer College
University of Connecticut
Cornell University
The Culinary Institute of America
Curry College
Drexel University
Eastern Connecticut State University
Emerson College
Emmanuel College
Endicott College
Fairfield University
Fitchburg State University
Framingham State University
Gettysburg College
Hamilton College - NY
University of Hartford
High Point University
College of the Holy Cross
James Madison University
Johnson & Wales University
Johnson State College
Keene State College
Lafayette College
Lasell College
University of Maine
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
University of Massachusetts, Boston
University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
University of Massachusetts, Lowell
McGill University
Middlesex Community College
Millsaps College
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Mississippi College
Mississippi State University
University of Mississippi
Mount Holyoke College
University of New England
University of New Hampshire
University of New Haven
New York University
Nichols College
North Shore Community College
Northeastern University (College of Engineering)
The Ohio State University (School of Architecture)
Plymouth State University
Pratt Institute
Providence College
Quinnipiac University
Regis College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of Rhode Island
Rochester Institute of Technology
University of Rochester
Roger Williams University
Sacred Heart University
Saint Anselm College
Saint Joseph's College-ME
Saint Michael's College
Salem State University
Salve Regina University
Siena College
Simmons College
University of Southern California
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern New Hampshire University
St. John's University—Queens Campus
St. Norbert College
Stonehill College
Suffolk University
Syracuse University
The University of Tampa
Temple University (Tyler School of Art)
Union College
Utica College
University of Vermont
Villanova University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
(Architecture & Urban Studies)
University of Virginia
Wellesley College
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Western New England University
Westfield State University
Wheaton College MA
Wheelock College
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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Summer Reading Program
Welcome to this year’s Summer Reading Program! Students are asked to
read two of the five books listed for the grade in which they will be enrolled for
the 2013-2014 school year. At the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year, students will be assessed on the two books that they read. Due to the mature content of some of the books on the Summer Reading List, parents are encouraged
to participate in the selection of books with their child.
Grade 9
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
She can whisper to horses and communicate with birds, but the crown princess Ani has a difficult time
finding her place in the royal family and measuring up to her imperial mother. When she is shipped off
to a neighboring kingdom as a bride, her scheming entourage mounts a bloody mutiny to replace her
with a jealous lady-in-waiting, Selia, and to allow an inner circle of guards more power in the new
land. Barely escaping with her life, Ani disguises herself as a goose girl and wanders onto the royal estate. Does she have the pluck to reclaim her rightful place? Get ready for a fine adventure tale full of
danger, suspense, surprising twists, and a satisfying conclusion. Hale’s likable, introspective heroine
exemplifies courage and justice in the face of overwhelming odds.
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
This novel tells the tale of Bruno, a nine-year-old boy raised to be a proper and obedient child of privilege in early 1940s Germany. His family moves from Berlin to a home near an area enclosed by a high
wire fence, a place mystifying to the boy but recognizable to modern readers as a concentration
camp. Bruno’s curiosity leads him to follow the fence until he encounters Shmuel, a boy his own age
imprisoned in the camp. He shares confidences and food with the Jewish boy while making a connection despite their wildly different circumstances. A review by the Shaker Heights (Ohio) Public Library
praises the book but offers this caution: “While only hinting at violence, blind hatred, and deplorable
conditions, Boyne has included pointed examples of bullying and fearfulness.”
Soldier X by Don L. Wulffson
In this gritty novel of World War II, 16-year-old Erik Brandt is forced to fight for the emaciated German
army, and because of his knowledge of the Russian language, he is sent to the Russian front. Erik and
his fellow soldiers are sent to the front with only a few weeks of basic training and the directions to
kill or be killed. After the first battle, Erik makes the life-altering decision to take the uniform of a
dead Russian soldier. He pretends to be Russian for most of his remaining time as a soldier, surviving
serious wounds and finding the love of his life while he recuperates in a war hospital. Erik’s further
adventures make for an exciting tale of a boy who faces extraordinary risks on his way to becoming a
man.
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
Since the beginning of the school year, high school freshman Melinda has found it harder and harder
to speak out loud: “My throat is always sore, my lips raw.... Every time I try to talk to my parents
or a teacher, I sputter or freeze.... It’s like I have some kind of spastic laryngitis.” What could
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have caused Melinda to suddenly fall mute? Could it be due to the fact that no one at school is speaking to her because she called the cops and got everyone busted at the seniors’ big end-of-summer party? Or maybe it’s because her parents’ only form of communication is Post-It notes written on their
way out the door to their nine-to-whenever jobs. While Melinda is bothered by these things, deep
down she knows the real reason why she’s been struck mute.
Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
It's almost the end of Miranda's sophomore year in high school, and her journal reflects the busy life of
a typical teenager: conversations with friends, fights with mom, and fervent hopes for a driver's license. When Miranda first begins hearing the reports of a meteor on a collision course with the moon,
it hardly seems worth a mention in her diary. But after the meteor hits, pushing the moon off its axis
and causing worldwide earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes, all the things Miranda used to take for
granted begin to disappear. Food and gas shortages, along with extreme weather changes, come to
her small Pennsylvania town; and Miranda's voice is by turns petulant, angry, and finally resigned, as
her family is forced to make tough choices while they consider their increasingly limited options. Yet
even as suspicious neighbors stockpile food in anticipation of a looming winter without heat or electricity, Miranda knows that that her future is still hers to decide even if life as she knew it is over.
Grade 10
According to research
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith
Francie Nolan, avid reader, penny-candy connoisseur, and adroit observer of human nature, has much
to ponder in colorful, turn-of-the-century Brooklyn. She grows up with a sweet, tragic father, a severely realistic mother, and an aunt who gives her love too freely--to men, and to a brother who will
always be the favored child. Francie learns early the meaning of hunger and the value of a penny. She
is her father’s child--romantic and hungry for beauty. But she is her mother’s child, too--deeply practical and in constant need of truth. It is a poignant and moving tale filled with compassion and cruelty,
laughter and heartache, crowded with life and people and incident.
Catching Fire (The 2nd Book of the Hunger Games) by Suzanne Collins
Every year in Panem, the dystopic nation that exists where the U.S. used to be, the Capitol holds a
televised tournament in which two teen "tributes" from each of the surrounding districts fight a gruesome battle to the death. In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, the tributes
from impoverished District Twelve, thwarted the Gamemakers, forcing them to let both teens survive.
In this rabidly anticipated sequel, Katniss, again the narrator, returns home to find herself more the
center of attention than ever. The sinister President Snow surprises her with a visit, and Katniss’s fear
when Snow meets with her alone is both palpable and justified. Catching Fire is divided into three
parts: Katniss and Peeta’s mandatory Victory Tour through the districts, preparations for the 75th Annual Hunger Games, and a truncated version of the Games themselves. This sequel explores the nation
of Panem: its power structure, rumors of a secret district, and a spreading rebellion, ignited by Katniss
and Peeta’s subversive victory. Though more of the story takes place outside the arena than within,
this sequel has enough action to please Hunger Games fans and leaves enough questions tantalizingly
unanswered for readers to be desperate for the next installment.
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
This novel tells the story of fourteen-year-old Susie Salmon, who is murdered by her neighbor. The
majority of the novel gives Susie’s view from heaven as she follows the investigation of her murder
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and watches those she knows and loves come to terms with her death. The Lovely Bones works as an
odd yet affecting coming-of-age story. Susie struggles to accept her death while still clinging to the
lost world of the living, following her family’s dramas over the years like an episode of My So-Called
Afterlife.
Eleven Seconds: A Story of Tragedy, Courage, and Triumph by Travis Roy
In October 1995, ready to play his first game as a member of the Boston University hockey team,
Travis Roy looked forward to the biggest day of his life. Eleven seconds into the game, he cracked his
fourth vertebra and was paralyzed from the neck down. Roy’s memoir is filled with hope, humor, and
a thoughtful young man’s introspection on the adjustments necessary after a defining moment. Roy
tells the inspirational story of his new life - a life worth living.
Rash by Pete Hautman
In 2076 in the United Safer States of America, verbal abuse, obesity, and dangerous activities are
against the law. Helmets and health food are de rigueur, and sports are either outlawed or radically
changed (runners' track times have slowed appreciably because of the bulky safety equipment required). The penalty for breaking any of the rules is a lengthy prison term, and 24 percent of the population is incarcerated and responsible for doing much of the country's manual labor–without pay. For
Bo Marsten, 16, the punishment for allegedly spreading a rash through school is a prison sentence,
which is suspended, but he then goes to jail for lack of self-control after he hits a classmate. Bo has
the opportunity to reduce his sentence when he's chosen for the prison's (illegal) football team, but
the sadistic coach is determined that his players win at any cost. This odd pairing of satire and sports
thriller is carried along by the protagonist's confident narrative voice. The angry teen is struggling to
explore his options in a world that has little concern for his emotional well-being.
Grade 11
Maus I & II: A Survivor’s Tale (My Father Bleeds History/And Here My Troubles Began) by Art Spiegelman
Told with chilling realism in an unusual comic-book format, this is more than a tale of surviving the
Holocaust. Spiegelman relates the effect of those events on the survivors’ later years and upon the
lives of the following generation. Art, who was born after the war, visits his father, Vladek, to record
his experiences in Nazi-occupied Poland. An underlying theme of the work is Art’s troubled adjustment
to life as he, too, bears the burden of his parents’ experiences. Maus I & II relate events which young
adults, as the future architects of society, must confront, and their interest is sure to be caught by
the skillful graphics and suspenseful unfolding of the story. The complete story is told in two volumes;
students are required to read both.
In The Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex by Nathaniel Philbrick
In 1819, the Essex, a Nantucket whaleship carrying a crew of 20, began what all thought would be a
normal, two-year voyage. Instead, after a year and a half of near-disasters, the ship was rammed by a
sperm whale and sank in the Pacific. All hands got off in three whaleboats and were at sea for three
unbearable months of short rations and little fresh water, leading to the death by starvation of some
and the killing of others to provide food. Philbrick brings the era to life, giving readers a picture of the
whaling industry and its society. Relying mainly on two survivors’ detailed accounts, one of which has
just recently been found, he fleshes out the tale in an exciting manner that sweeps readers along.
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Hornet Happenings
Summer Reading Con’t
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
Lewis describes the NFL’s ever-growing obsession with left tackles as a means to counter defenders
who seem to grow bigger, stronger, and more vicious each season. He intertwines that narrative with
the unlikely story of Michael Oher, who was living on the streets of Memphis when he was fifteen years
old. He also happened to be six-feet-five-inches tall, weigh 350 pounds, and possess definite athletic
talent. Almost through sheer serendipity, he is adopted by a wealthy family whose members make it
their mission to see that he has an opportunity to benefit from his amazing physical gifts.
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin
Living with an unpredictable, psychotic mother has taught Matthew how to survive. Constantly on
alert, he and his sister, Callie, devotedly shelter their younger half sister, Emmy, from their mother's
abuse and worry about staying safe. Matt insists that “fear isn't actually a bad thing . . . . It warns you
to pay attention, because you're in danger. It tells you to do something, to act, to save yourself.” But
his terror is palpable in this haunting, powerful portrayal of domestic dysfunction, which is written in
retrospect as a letter from Matt to Emmy. It is Murdoch, the mother’s boyfriend, who is willing to risk
getting involved and eventually becomes the change agent that the children so desperately need.
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch.
Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker - his classmate and crush - who
committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she
decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. Clay spends the night
crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and
learns the truth about himself-a truth he never wanted to face. Thirteen Reasons Why is the gripping,
addictive international bestseller that has changed lives the world over. It's an unrelenting modern
classic.
Grade 12
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terri Pratchett
The end of the world is nigh! At least according to the prophecies of Agnes Nutter, a witch whose predictions are usually accurate but seldom heeded. You see, there was a bit of a mix-up when the Antichrist was born, due in part to the machinations of Crowley, and in part to the mysterious ways of a
part-time rare book dealer, an angel named Aziraphale. The confusion picks up pace as witch hunters
Sgt. Shadwell and Newton Pulsifer pursue modern Nutter follower Anathema Device. Along the way,
countless puns, humorous footnotes, and satirical illusions enliven the story. This all adds up to one
of those rare books which is enormous fun to read the first time, and the second time, and the third
time...
A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley
Smiley transposes the King Lear story to the modern day, and in so doing at once illuminates Shakespeare’s original and subtly transforms it. Upon this fertile, nourishing earth, is a breathtakingly dramatic novel of an American family whose wealth cannot stay the hand of tragedy. It is the intense,
compelling story of a father and his daughters, of sisters, of wives and husbands, and of the human
cost of a lifetime spent trying to subdue the land and the passions it stirs.
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Hornet Happenings
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Afghan-American novelist Hosseini follows up his best-selling The Kite Runner with a story that covers
three decades of anti-Soviet jihad, civil war, and Taliban tyranny through the lives of two women.
Mariam is the scorned illegitimate daughter of a wealthy businessman, forced at age 15 to marry 40year-old Rasheed, who grows increasingly brutal as she fails to produce a child. Eighteen years later,
Rasheed takes another wife, 14-year-old Laila, a smart and spirited girl with few options after her parents are killed by rocket fire. Against a backdrop of unending war, Mariam and Laila become allies in
an asymmetrical battle with Rasheed, whose violent misogyny is endorsed by custom and law. Hosseini’s tale is a powerful, harrowing depiction of Afghanistan, and the enduring hopes of its resilient
characters.
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
This gripping work of non-fiction weaves together two seemingly unrelated stories: the saga of architect Daniel H. Burnham’s heroic efforts to launch the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair and the chronicle of
the nefarious deeds of H.H. Holmes, who has been called “America’s First Serial Killer.” Larson’s skillful narrative details Burnham’s efforts to overcome repeated, seemingly insuperable obstacles to bring
an ambitious dream to reality. In the meantime, the New Hampshire-born Holmes arrived in Chicago
with a plan to kill, and even built a hotel to his particular specifications. How each man pursues his
goal and how the two stories converge provide a fascinating reading experience.
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Her name was Henrietta Lacks, but scientists know her as HeLa. She was a poor Southern tobacco
farmer who worked the same land as her slave ancestors, yet her cells—taken without her knowledge—
became one of the most important tools in medicine. The first “immortal” human cells grown in culture, they are still alive today, though she has been dead for more than sixty years. If you could pile
all HeLa cells ever grown onto a scale, they’d weigh more than 50 million metric tons—as much as a
hundred Empire State Buildings. HeLa cells were vital for developing the polio vaccine; uncovered secrets of cancer, viruses, and the atom bomb’s effects; helped lead to important advances like in vitro
fertilization, cloning, and gene mapping; and have been bought and sold by the billions. Yet Henrietta
Lacks remains virtually unknown, buried in an unmarked grave. Skloot takes us on an extraordinary
journey, from the “colored” ward of Johns Hopkins Hospital in the 1950s to stark white laboratories
with freezers full of HeLa cells; from Henrietta’s small, dying hometown of Clover, Virginia—a land of
wooden slave quarters, faith healings, and voodoo—to East Baltimore today, where her children and
grandchildren live and struggle with the legacy of her cells.
Additional Assignments for Advanced Placement English Students
AP English Literature and Composition with Mr. Putnam
The following books must be read IN ADDITION to one of the choices from the Summer Reading
List above.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
This classic comedy of manners combines the romance and humor centuries of Austen readers
have come to know and love. The romance comes mainly in the form of Elizabeth Bennet’s encounters with the wealthy, arrogant Mr. Darcy. The humor takes two distinct forms: the witty observations
of Elizabeth herself (with amusing assists from her sarcastic father) and the silly comments and antics
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Summer Reading Con’t
of Elizabeth’s foolish mother and younger sisters. These factors combine with a plot that takes an unexpectedly dramatic turn to form a narrative that justifies the novel’s enduring popularity.
The Awakening by Kate Chopin
When it first appeared in 1899, Kate Chopin’s The Awakening was greeted with cries of outrage. Many
years passed before this short, pioneering work was recognized as a major achievement in American
literature. Set in and around New Orleans, The Awakening tells the story of Edna Pontellier, a young
wife and mother who, determined to control her own life, flouts convention by moving out of her husband’s house, having an adulterous affair, and becoming an artist. Beautifully written, with sensuous
imagery and vivid local descriptions, The Awakening has lost none of its power to provoke and inspire.
How to Read Literature Like a Professor by Thomas C. Foster
What does it mean when a fictional hero takes a journey? Shares a meal? Gets drenched in a sudden
rain shower? Often, there is much more going on in a novel or poem than is readily visible on the surface—a symbol, maybe, that remains elusive, or an unexpected twist on a character—and there's that
sneaking suspicion that the deeper meaning of a literary text keeps escaping you. In this practical and
amusing guide to literature, Thomas C. Foster shows how easy and gratifying it is to unlock those hidden truths, and to discover a world where a road leads to a quest; a shared meal may signify a communion; and rain, whether cleansing or destructive, is never just rain. Ranging from major themes to
literary models, narrative devices, and form, How to Read Literature Like a Professor is the perfect
companion for making your reading experience more enriching, satisfying, and fun.
AP Language and Composition with Mrs. Dabrieo
The following books must be read IN ADDITION to the two choices from the Summer Reading List
above.
Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell
What do you get when a woman who’s obsessed with death and U.S. history goes on vacation? This
wacky, weirdly enthralling exploration of the first three presidential assassinations. Vowell, a contributor to NPR's This American Life and the voice of teenage superhero Violet Parr in The Incredibles,
takes readers on a pilgrimage of sorts to the sites and monuments that pay homage to Lincoln, Garfield and McKinley, visiting everything from grave sites and simple plaques to places like the National
Museum of Health and Medicine, where fragments of Lincoln's skull are on display. An expert tour
guide, Vowell brings into sharp focus not only the figures involved in the assassinations, but the social
and political circumstances that led to each--and she does so in the witty, sometimes irreverent manner that her fans have come to expect. This is history at its most morbid and most fascinating and,
fortunately, one needn't share Vowell's interest in the macabre to thoroughly enjoy this unusual tour.
Eats, Shoots and Leaves by Lynne Truss
Who would have thought a book about punctuation could cause such a sensation? Certainly not its
modest if indignant author, who began her surprise hit motivated by “horror” and “despair” at the
current state of British usage: ungrammatical signs, headlines, and band names drove journalist and
novelist Truss absolutely batty. But this spirited and wittily instructional little volume, which was a #1
bestseller, is not a grammar book, Truss insists: like a self-help volume, it “gives you permission to
love punctuation.” Employing a chatty tone that ranges from pleasant rant to gentle lecture to bemused dismay, Truss dissects common errors that grammar mavens have long deplored and makes ele-
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Hornet Happenings
gant arguments for increased attention to punctuation correctness. Interspersing her lessons with bits
of history and plenty of wit, Truss serves up delightful, unabashedly strict and sometimes snobby little
book.
Academic Decathlon
The following book must be read IN ADDITION to the two choices from the Summer Reading List
above.
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Students participating in Academic Decathlon have the opportunity to read the assigned Academic Decathlon book, The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway, in place of one of their summer reading works.
The quintessential novel of the Lost Generation, The Sun Also Rises is one of Ernest Hemingway's masterpieces and a classic example of his spare but powerful writing style. A poignant look at the disillusionment and angst of the post-World War I generation, the novel introduces two of Hemingway's most
unforgettable characters: Jake Barnes and Lady Brett Ashley. The story follows the flamboyant Brett
and the hapless Jake as they journey from the wild nightlife of 1920s Paris to the brutal bullfighting
rings of Spain with a motley group of expatriates. It is an age of moral bankruptcy, spiritual dissolution, unrealized love, and vanishing illusions. First published in 1926, The Sun Also Rises helped to establish Hemingway as one of the greatest writers of the twentieth century.
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Hornet Happenings
Chemistry Field Trip
By: Meghan Carlo and Nicole Butler
On April 24, 34 of Mrs. Giordano’s Sophomore chemistry students traveled to the Museum of
Science in Boston for Earth Week. They were chaperoned by Mrs. Giordano, Mrs. Smith, and Mr.
Anderson. After exploring the museum, students had an opportunity to made a “Green” version of
solar cell using blackberries, glass slides, a pencil, and binder clips. They then tested the cells in a
competition to see whose cell could produce the most energy.
After attending the workshop, students were present at a lecture about Green Chemistry
from the founder of this relatively new branch, Dr. John Warner. With his animations and
graphics, Dr. Warner captured the audience’s attention. He discussed the negative effects of manufacturing on the environment and the need to think outside of the box to design better methods
to create products that to not pollute the earth. Dr. Warner has pioneered the field of Green
Chemistry and has lectures all over the world to promote sustainable research. In his lecture, Dr.
John Warner motivated students to become more aware about their environment in relation to
the products they are consuming. By introducing students to this new field, Dr. Warner has given
us a new perspective on possible employment opportunities in the science field and a desire to
help change the world.
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Hornet Happenings
Student Internship at Stone Zoo
Vicky Johnson: In
her own words:
“I have truly loved my internship at Zoo New England's Stone Zoo. I have had opportunities
many people couldn't even dream about having, working hands on with some safe yet exotic animals at the zoo. I know most of the animals by name, and hear all the updates on the different
exciting news going on at the zoo. The zookeepers are some of the most amazing people I could
ever hope to work with, answering my constant stream of questions as I try to learn as much as I
can in animal behavior. I cleaned stalls, made food for the animals, and helped out with various
other projects, such as painting the new koala exhibit and collect fallen branches as perches. My
favorite part was watching training. Keepers, along with ZNE's animal behaviorist Kim Keezer,
train the animals to do certain behaviors so the vet can give them their examinations without constantly knocking them down. Knocking them down is very stressful for the animal, so it is limited
as much as possible. Watching a wild animal (yes, zoo animals are still wild animals) offering their
tails and lying next to the cage for the keeper is so interesting for me, as this is what I hope to
study at UMass Amherst next year. My favorite training to watch was the jaguar, Chessie, and
snow leopard, Kiera, as cats have to be some of the hardest animals to train.
It wasn't necessarily the most glamorous internship. Yes, I did clean stalls and walk through
manure and was covered in hay. But it was worth having the opportunity to meet new animals,
and learn about what they eat and how they act with other animals. Few people know what a gibbon's call sounds like, much less know what a gibbon is.
I never planned on doing an internship. Mr. Bernard really encouraged me to do an internship. Through a long chain of connections, the Stone Zoo volunteer program was recommended to
me, and I applied. I haven't looked back. I look forward to it every day, and hated when I had to
call out because I was sick. Volunteering in the Animal Care department led to my summer employment in Guest Services.”
Vicky was one of eleven seniors participating in the Senior Internship Program. The Senior
Internship Program is offered to North Reading High School seniors who are in good academic
standing. Internships are unpaid and run for the entire school year. The last block of either a
Green Day or Gold Day or sometimes both are utilized for the program and upon completion of the
internship the student will earn one/two credits. The program gives students the opportunity to
learn about potential careers by performing daily duties associated with that career, use current
technology, and have direct contact with work supervisors. The students will be able to evaluate
career options based on their interests and abilities through direct exposure to the workplace.
Before embarking on the internship, the student will prepare a resume, a letter of introduction, and be interviewed at their desired place of employment. The student will keep quarterly workplace journals (daily logs), which will be presented to Lillian Diezemann, Business Education Curriculum Leader/Coordinator, and keep a Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan. At the
end of the experience, a written report on their workplace experience will be presented to the
coordinator.
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Hornet Happenings
Student Council Makes a Presence at MASC Spring Conference
For the few months leading up to March, the council put most of its focus towards the Massachusetts Associations of Student Council’s Spring Conference in Hyannis from March 6th to 8th.
Luckily, sixteen students were able to attend this year. The sixteen students were Josh Intorcio,
Jackie Lanzaro, Rachel Goodreau, Madison Capezzuto, Tyler Stansbury, Dan Colangelo, Wes Waterhouse, Alex McGeachie, Danielle Gillis, Mackenzie Sturdevant, Morgan Moyette, Kristina Fusco,
Kristen Shevlin, Julia Miele, Leanne Trischitta, and Emily Murray. Those who attended learned
many valuable leadership skills from the workshops offered and the motivational speakers at the
conference.
The council also had one of its most successful conferences ever! First, Madison Capezzuto,
Jackie Lanzaro, and Alex McGeachie presented a workshop to about thirty students from all over
Massachusetts. Their workshop was titled “If You Really Knew Me…” and it focused on identifying
one’s own strengths and weaknesses by multiple different group and individual activities. These
three students put their creative minds together and organized the workshop by themselves and
even presented it without any adults. Presenting a workshop at the state conference is a huge
accomplishment and these three spent a lot of time prepping for the different activities in the
workshop. Using their public speaking skills and personalities, they were able to really touch
those who attended their workshop
Next, this was the first conference that North Reading has submitted a Book of Excellence.
In a Book of Excellence, a council includes their mission statement, different policies, different
committees, and different events and then it is graded by the MASC State Board. To make the
book, the council created a Book of Excellence Committee which consisted of Josh Intorcio, Jackie Lanzaro, Madison Capezzuto, Merissa Milano, Rachel Goodreau, Leanne Trischitta, and Kristen
Shevlin. Completing the book was a huge accomplishment in itself, but then at the conference
the book was graded so highly that North Reading Student Council became a Council of Excellence. The council also won another group award titled the Top Ten Project Award. Under the
leadership of Leanne Trischitta and Josh Intorcio, the council nominated their annual October
Food Drive for the award and won. In the nomination of this project, the council focused on not
only the outstanding results of the Food Drive, but on how well the council prepared for the
event. The council used important leadership skills like communication, organization, and delegation to make the event as successful as it was. The Food Drive of 2011 was nominated for the
award for last year’s conference, but did not win. This motivated the council to do more to make
the Food Drive of 2012 the best the school has seen. For instance, members stood outside of
Walmart and Stop and Shop to collect food items, and even made over a hundred cupcakes to give
out in exchange for cans.
The council was also awarded two individual awards. First, Madison Capezzuto won the Unsung Hero Award for the North Eastern region of Massachusetts. This is the second year that
someone from North Reading has won that award. Second, Jackie Lanzaro won the James Rokas
Leadership Award for the North East region of Massachusetts which included a free tuition to the
MASC Summer Conference. This award has never been given to a delegate from North Reading before. The council won all four of the student awards they applied for! Ms. St. Arnaud and Mr.
Bernard were also nominated for Advisor and Administrator of the Year. Overall, the sixteen who
attended the conference represented North Reading High School well!
In addition to the MASC Spring Conference, the council has been busy with other events as
well for the past few months. First, on January 18th the council hosted an Administration Appreciation Lunch for Mr. Bernard, Mr. Loprete, Ms. Lucci, Ms. Staples, and Ms. Chambers. This luncheon is done to thank these individuals on behalf of the student body. The council is also hosting a
Teacher and Staff Appreciation Day on April 5th. During the month of February, the council startPage 14
Hornet Happenings
ed a new Valentine’s Day fundraiser. They sold cupcake grams for two dollars to students and
teachers during the first two weeks of February. The cupcakes were then delivered on Friday, the
day after Valentine’s Day. The council even offered a special cupcake gram for people to ask
their dates to prom. Overall, the fundraiser was not only fun for the student body, but it was successful and the council is excited to bring it back again next year.
Award Winners
MASC Conference Attendees
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Hornet Happenings
North Reading
High School
Phone: 978-664-7800
Fax: 978-664-7826
http://hs.north-reading.k12.ma.us
Hornet
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Keeping you informed!
Comments About This Newsletter?
If you would like to offer your comments regarding this newsletter, please e-mail your feedback
to Mr. Bernard at jbernard@north-reading.k12.ma.us
North Reading High School’s Mission Statement
Core Values and Beliefs
At the core of North Reading High School is the common belief that effective citizenship in the twenty-first century begins with a commitment to leadership through service and life-long learning that is fostered in an environment that includes all students. We are a dynamic community of students,
teachers, parents, and administrators with shared beliefs and values committed
to developing capable, knowledgeable twenty-first century citizens. It is our mutual responsibility to be actively involved in a learning process that fosters higher-order thinking, problem solving, healthy risk-taking, and innovation combined
with academic rigor. We
believe that an environment of collaboration, mutual respect, caring, and trust is the foundation for establishing a commitment to
life-long learning. We believe that students learn best when they are connected
to their community and can share in the obligations and duties of citizenship.
North Reading High School embraces its opportunity to reach beyond its walls
and is dedicated to preparing its students to be successful contributors to their
local and global communities in the twenty-first century. (Revised May 2013)