Thursday, November 10, 2022

This Week: Thanking Our Veterans,

Showcasing Minuteman and Our Student Films

Students from Minuteman's Interact Community Service Club volunteered at the annual Veterans' Breakfast with the Lexington Rotary Club on Monday, Nov. 7. Pictured here (left to right) are: Elsa Crotty of Lexington; Sage Johnson of Concord; Emily Krstyen of Concord; Lexington Rotary President Veronica Tamburrini-Ciara; Minuteman Guidance Counselor Lisa Camagna; Mars Clark-Gaby of Bolton; Andiman Cassin of Arlington; Rose Cohen of Watertown.

Dear Minuteman Students, Staff, and Families,

I hope you all get to enjoy the long weekend, which for many students has already begun. However, I would like all of us to take a moment to truly appreciate why we have the day off tomorrow.

Please take a moment to read this week’s updates and be sure to thank a veteran for their service.

Sincerely,

Mr. Clement

Veterans Day

Friday, November 11, gives us the opportunity to thank our veterans for their service in defense of our liberty and way of life. Minuteman has alumni, teachers, staff, and administrators who have served in all branches of the armed services. We honor all veterans who made enormous sacrifices to preserve our freedoms: The freedom to live as we choose, provided that we do not harm others; the freedom to elect our leaders; and the freedom from foreign domination; and more. We thank those who served and their families for preserving the republic of the United States of America.

I’d also like to thank the students in the Interact Community Service Club for recently volunteering at the annual Veterans Breakfast at the Lexington Rotary Club (see photo above.)

Showcase Day for Middle School Students

Thursday, November 10, was Showcase Day at Minuteman High School, when eighth-grade students from our member towns check out our various career technical education (CTE) programs. Showcase Day allows middle schoolers to experience what we already know: that Minuteman students and teachers achieve wonders in an uplifting, supportive, and engaging atmosphere. Almost 500 potential students learned about careers, academics, viewed demonstrations, and practiced hands-on skills. This included everything from how to properly handle a dog in a veterinary setting, to crafting “Welcome to Minuteman” signs in the carpentry shop, to making omelets in our industrial kitchen.

Minuteman's Student Ambassadors are the key to Showcase Day success because they manage all the activities, show poise, and impress everyone with their talents. Although they had the option to stay home, they volunteered because of their passion for their career majors, pride in their school, and positive relationships with each other and their teachers. Some students forgo the opportunity to work and earn money because they would rather help inspire younger students. Their enthusiasm for school and demonstration of skill display all the best qualities we could aspire to realize.

When visitors leave Minuteman, our school transforms from the best kept secret to a great option for education. Their ebullient reaction is no surprise to us.

I would like to especially thank the following people for making 2022 Showcase Day a success: Mr. Anthony Chiariello, Director of Admissions and Teaching Innovations; Ms. Madison Horner, Admissions Administrative Assistant; Ms. Sheila Nagle, Spanish teacher and faculty advisor for the Student Ambassadors; and, of course, the many Student Ambassadors who led tours and demonstrations.

Please join us for the Open House on Sunday, November 20, from 10:00 AM-1:00 PM. Register here.

Entertainment Industry Speakers and Student Film Festival

Multimedia teachers Mr. Drew O’Connors and Mr. Jack Lilburn love teaching students about the entertainment industry. In addition to the depth of theater and film experience they bring to the classroom, they have also gotten a long list of high-level entertainment industry professionals to speak with students in virtual and in-person discussions over the past two years. A few guest speakers include Howard Shore, Nicole Perlman, and Eric Brevig. This week, Mr. Jay Cail Stone, a local special effects artist, came to Minuteman and did a presentation called, “Burn It, Break It, Blow It Up, Make It Bleed!” Not only did Mr. Stone stimulate thoughts about a different career, he also made physics, chemistry, math and OSHA safety training more relevant to future success.

Our students have taken all they’ve learned to produce some great short films that will be shown at the Minuteman Multimedia Film Festival on Saturday, November 19, at 6:00 PM, in the Minuteman High School Theater. (View the trailer.) The films cross a wide range of genres, including documentary, drama, horror and action. Free tickets are now available online. Please note: The teachers ensured safety of the students during the film production. Also, some of the content might upset younger viewers. We hope to see you there!

Coming Up Soon!

Winter Sports Registration Open

Winter sports registration is open! Any Minuteman student interested in playing a winter sport should sign up online. Minuteman is proud of its "no cut, no fee" policy to ensure ALL students have the opportunity to play. Our winter sports teams are Boys' and Girls' Basketball; Hockey; and Swimming. If you have questions, please contact Interim Athletics Director John Bakopolous or Assistant Athletics Director John Fusco.