This Week at BMHS April 4 - 10, 2016

BMHS is Alive With The Sound of Music

This would be typical of most any day during the school year, but this coming weekend those words will reverberate through our halls more than typical. If you have not secured your tickets for this year's production there is still time, but not much. Based upon the practicing and preparation that has been going on for the past two months this year's production will go down as one of our best yet. I don't say that lightly as we have had some unbelievable productions over the years. However, this year's cast would rival any that have come before them. Opening Night is this Thursday  at 7:30 p.m. in the Heffernan Auditorium with shows on Friday and Saturday at the same time. We have a matinee on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. to close out this year's production. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students, and $8 for children 10 and under. Tickets can be purchased by following this link Sound of Music Tickets

Winter Percussion Strikes Gold

Adam Alves, Joshua Benitez, Philip Cataldo, Owen Kelly, Neal McCarron, Matthew McDonnell, Bradley Molyneaux, Ethan Knight, Jonathan Raymond, Alex Yeh​

Our Winter Percussion team completed its perfect season this past Sunday at Dartmouth High School by besting Chicopee High School and Dedham High School to take home first place. Our students have been performing at an exemplary level all season, which is reflected in the final scores for the Championship. BMHS earned an 88.50, while their competitors earned 82.90 and 81.30, respectively.

A New Era Dawns at BMHS as the Ultimate Frisbee Team Takes the Field for the First Time

Our Physics Teacher, Mr. Dan Clark, asked for permission to start an Ultimate Frisbee team at BMHS this spring. When he asked, I gave my typical response - "If you can get the kids interested and put together a plan that is sustainable, I will support it." Well,Mr. Clark answered and answered with vigor as he assembled two teams comprised of 13 boys and 12 girls. The boys are scheduled to play 14 games while the girls will play 10 contests. The boys opened up the season this past Friday at the Locke Middle School field and defeated the Bedford Buccaneers 9-6 for their inaugural victory. Coach Clark has created a Twitter account for the teams @BMHSUltimate for everyone to get updates and scores. The 2016 rosters for the boys and girls:

Boys’ Roster

Ryan Stack, Jake Hulsoor, Anthony Iovanna, Nick Glasser, Nick Hulsoor, Paul Saccardo, Dylan Coppinger, Alex Frawley, Nick Amico, Gavin Tierney, Allan Hamilton, Aaron Higgins 

Girls’ Roster

Courtney White, Maura Baronas, Kelsey Leverone, Tori Crandall, Molly Jones, Kalya Michaud, Delaney Waite, Shannon Dinsmore, Talia Lafleur, Ryleigh Tedford, Josephine Trethewey, Nicole Bradley

Award is music to their ears

Billerica, Chelmsford, Westford recognized among top programs
By Rick Sobey
Lowell Sun

Updated:2016-04-03 06:26:50.095

Is the high schooler rocking a guitar in Billerica center the next Jimi Hendrix?

Could the gifted elementary school student at the Chelmsford piano recital morph into Beethoven?

Or is the Westford youth with an angelic voice destined to become Adele in 10 years?

While the odds are stacked against any of those scenarios coming to fruition, these three area communities have such stellar musical education programs in their schools - and who knows if that could lead to a music celebrity down the line.

Last week, Billerica, Chelmsford and Westford were recognized by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation as among the Best Communities for Music Education (BCME) in the country. Nineteen communities in the state received this designation. Out of the nation's 13,515 school districts, the Foundation recognized 476, including these three Greater Lowell communities.

"This is pretty cool. We're in the company of some very, very strong programs," said Carolyn Cardella, a music teacher who oversees the chamber orchestra at Billerica Memorial High School. "We're always striving for better."

"This wouldn't be possible without the passionate parents who want their students involved in music," added Chris Dearbeck, the fine arts director for Billerica Public Schools. "Many school districts are cutting the arts, but that's not happening here. It's a testament to how this community embraces the arts."

Now in its 17th year, BCME recognizes "outstanding efforts" by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community leaders who ensure access to music learning for all students.

The BCME program evaluates schools and districts based on funding, staffing of highly-qualified teachers, commitment to standards, community support, participation and access to music instruction. The Foundation, with assistance of researchers at the Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas, evaluates participants on these factors. The designation takes on added significance this year because of the new federal education law passed in December; the Every Student Succeeds Act designates music as a recommended subject and as part of "a well-rounded education."

The law shifts more control to the states and schools, and encourages policymakers to include non-tested subjects, such as music, to play a more important role in the curriculum.

"We're moving away from a time when curricula were narrowed due to pressure from testing and testprep remediation to a broader view of what is important for all children," Mary Luehrsen of the Foundation said in a statement. Chelmsford offers a wide range of music courses, according to Kate Comeau, the high school's orchestra director. Some districts only have band, orchestra and chorus, but Chelmsford has implemented non-performance courses, including guitar.

"Starting in kindergarten, we make music a vital part of a child's education," Comeau said. "We have wonderful, supportive families who understand the value of arts education. They're making sure their kids are practicing and getting involved. "The administration is very supportive of the arts," she added. "We feel very supported by everybody."

Andrea Mejia, K-12 curriculum coordinator for visual and performing arts in Westford, said the district is honored to receive this distinction. It's a testament to the teachers, administration and community as a whole, she said.

Westford has also expanded its curriculum, offering electronic music, guitar and piano lab. A ukulele course will be offered for the first time in the fall.

"We have exceedingly high expectations of our staff and students," Mejia said. "The children are provided a very high level of music education."

Dearbeck, from the Billerica schools, pointed out that Northwestern University researchers have found new links between students in community music programs and academic success in subjects such as reading. Other reports indicate that learning to play music can boost academic and social skills, such as processing math and learning to cooperate in group settings, he added.

"We're very excited about this designation, and excited about what the district is doing to support the arts," Dearbeck said. "We've seen great growth over the past few years with more access to music classes."

The Football Season isn't Quite Over Yet

Drew Laundry will be representing BMHS in the 41st Annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet of the Jack Grinold Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation. The event will be held Sunday evening, May 15, 2016 at the Boston-Newton Marriott. Drew is one of 33 high school football players from the footprint of the Chapter who have excelled on and off the gridiron and will be feted at the event which begins with a 5:00pm reception followed by the banquet at 6:00.

http://www.grinoldchapter.com/home.html

Billerica Blast 2016

The Billerica Blast 2016 Committee is hosting a fundraiser for this year's Graduating Class. The event will take place on Thursday, May 5 beginning at 7:00 p.m. at the Bennett Library and feature a variety of games to enjoy. Admission is $10 and all funds raised go directly to the Blast, which provides our graduates a safe, substance free night to enjoy with the classmates. Any questions about this event, or others way to help can be directed to Karen Swanson krobbswanson@comcast.net or Kathy Van Kuilenburg k.vankuilenburg@comcast.net

The next Blast Committee Meeting is Monday, April 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the BMHS Library. Everyone is welcome to attend!

Monday, April 4, 2016

• ·         Spring Musical Rehearsal - 2:30 - 5:30 p.m. @ BMHS Auditorium
• ·         Varsity Baseball Scrimmage vs. Burlington - 3:30 p.m. @ Burlington High School
• ·         Girls' Varsity Lacrosse vs. Woburn Memorial - 3:45 p.m. @ Woburn Memorial HS
• ·         Boys' Freshmen Lacrosse vs. Reading Memorial - 4:00 p.m. @ Reading Memorial
• ·         Boys' JV Lacrosse vs. Reading Memorial - 4:00 p.m. @ BMHS JV Field
• ·         Boys' Varsity Lacrosse vs. Reading Memorial - 4:00 p.m. @ BMHS Alumni Field
• ·         Girls' JV Lacrosse vs. Woburn Memorial - 5:15 p.m. @ Woburn Memorial HS
• ·         Billerica Blast Committee Meeting - 7:00 p.m. @ BMHS Library

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

• ·         Spring Sports Information Night - 6:30 p.m. @ Ed James Gymnasium

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

• Autism Awareness Day
• Baseball Varsity Scrimmage vs. Wilmington - 3:30 p.m. @ Wilmington HS
• Boys' & Girls' Varsity Track vs. Lawrence - 3:30 p.m. @ Marshall Middle
• Girls' Varsity Tennis vs. Andover - 3:30 p.m. @ Andover High School
• Girls' JV Tennis vs. Andover - 3:30 p.m. @ Andover High School
• Boys' Varsity Tennis vs. Andover - 3:30 p.m. @ Sam Colangelo Courts (Lampson)
• Boys' JV Volleyball vs. Chelmsford - 5:00 p.m. @ Chelmsford HS
• Boys' Varsity Volleyball vs. Chelmsford - 6:00 p.m. @ Chelmsford HS

Thursday, April 7, 2016

• ·         Student Government Meeting - 8:45 a.m. @ Principal's Conference Room
• ·         Softball JV vs. Andover - 3:45 p.m.vs. Andover @ Lampson Field
• ·         Softball Varsity vs. Andover - 3:45 p.m.vs. Andover @ Barbara Hood Field (Marshall)
• ·         Girls' Varsity Lacrosse vs. Haverhill - 4:00 p.m. @ Alumni Field BMHS
• ·         Girls' JV Lacrosse vs. Haverhill - 5:15 p.m. @ Alumni Field BMHS
• ·         Boys' JV Lacrosse @ Haverhill - 6:00 p.m. @ Trinity Stadium Haverhill
• ·         Boys' Varsity Lacrosse @ Haverhill - 7:30 p.m. @ Trinity Stadium Haverhill

Friday, April 8, 2016

• ·         Baseball JV vs. Central Catholic - 3:30 p.m. @ BMHS JV Field
• ·         Baseball Varsity vs. Central Catholic - 3:30 p.m. @ Hall of Fame Field (Marshall)
• ·         Girls' Varsity Tennis vs. Central Catholic - 3:30 p.m. @ Sam Colangelo Courts (Lampson)
• ·         Girls' JV Tennis vs. Central Catholic - 3:30 p.m. @ Sam Colangelo Courts (Lampson)
• ·         Boys' Varsity Tennis vs. Central Catholic - 3:30 p.m. @ Sam Colangelo Courts (Lampson)
• ·         Baseball Freshmen vs. Central Catholic - 3:45 p.m. @ Mount Vernon Park (Lawrence)
• ·         Girls' Varsity Softball vs. Wakefield Memorial - 3:45 p.m. @ Barbara Hood Field (Marshall)
• ·         Girls' Junior Varsity Softball vs. Wakefield Memorial - 3:45 p.m. @ Lampson Field
• ·         Girls' Freshmen Softball vs. Central Catholic - 3:45 p.m. @ Mount Vernon Park (Lawrence)
• ·         Boys' Freshmen Lacrosse vs. Lexington - 4:00 p.m. @ Lincoln Field #2, Lexington
• ·         Boys' Junior Varsity Volleyball vs. Greater Lawrence Tech - 4:00 p.m. @ Ed James Gym
• ·         Boys' Varsity Volleyball vs. Greater Lawrence Tech - 5:00 p.m. @ Ed James Gym

Saturday, April 9, 2016

• ·         Boys' Freshmen Baseball vs. Shawsheen Tech - 10:00 a.m. @ Shawsheen Tech
• ·         Boys' Varsity Baseball vs. Bishop Fenwick (scrimmage) - 1:00 p.m. @ Holman Stadium Nashua, NH
• ·         Boys' Varsity Baseball vs. Bishop Hendricken (scrimmage) - 4:00 p.m. @ Holman Stadium Nashua, NH

Sunday, April 10, 2016