MORNING ANNOUNCEMENTS

12/15/2023

High School Students:  The annual volleyball tournament will be held on December 21st during the assembly block time.  All students in grades 9-12 who want to play should sign up during powerblock.  There are several alternative activities to sign up for if you do not want to be in the gym to play or watch.  You can go for a hike, decorate cookies, learn how to crochet, play board or video games, try improv or drum circle.  There is something for everyone but space is limited in each activity so see your powerblock teacher to sign up this week! Seniors should email or check in with their Powerblock teachers to sign up.

WB is working in partnership with the police  and fire departments in their annual Toy Drive.  Please bring in new unwrapped toys for children aged 4-17.  Not sure what to get, gift cards work great too.  The drive will end on December 19th. Thank you for supporting your community!

Drum circle will not be running today.  Also – Students in Mr. Nenopoulos’ US I history class be sure to eat first lunch today.

The U.S. produces at least 1.76 billion candy canes every year and 90% of them are sold in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Don’t miss your chance to send this popular  treat to your friends!  Student Council members will be around during powerblock and the cost is $1.00.  Also, consider sending one to your favorite teacher, staff member or  administrator!  

The Wildcat Players Musical Theatre group will be doing ANNIE for their spring musical! Auditions will take place after school December 18th, 19th and possibly the 20th in the auditorium. All are welcome to try-out. A read through with cast and crew will be on Dec. 21st. We can’t wait to see your talents! See Ms. Martin or Ms. Romano with any questions! 

<Run Envirominute Intro>

Pike:  Hi there hello! We’re out here today in the TV Studio to talk about the Environmental Minute!  The Enviro. Club hopes to do many more, but that depends on how lazy the club advisor is.  Oh wait, that’s me.  Anyway, shout out to my boy Anthoy, because we’re also talking about a weather phenomenon you may hear about this winter: something called “El Nino”.  Now, for those of you who don’t habla espanol, el nino is Spanish for….the nino!  El Nino is a complicated topic, and I’m not very smart, so I’m gonna let Stephanie explain.

Stephanie:  Scientists have declared this year to be an El Nino year. It begins when the eastern Pacific ocean near South America experiences warmer than average surface waters.  This causes a disruption to global weather patterns that are too complex to go into right now, but if you want to be really bored, take Mr. Pike’s environmental class and he’ll tell you all about it!

Pike: That’s hurtful, Steph.  But, continue.

Steph: What does it mean for New England?  El Nino doesn’t affect our part of the world very strongly, but the general prediction is that we will probably have a slightly warmer winter than usual, and a 33% chance of having more precipitation than average.  So I guess that’s good?   I dunno.  Anyways, that’ll do it for me.  I’m Stephanie and THAT’S an Environmental Minute!

From the Guidance office - Second semester schedule changes will take place during the week of midterm exams.  Thursday 1/11 - Seniors, Friday  1/12 - Juniors, Tuesday 1/17 - Sophomores, Wednesday 1/18 - Freshman.  No students will be seen until the school day ends at 11am.  

 There will be a mandatory meeting for students attending the Greece trip this Tuesday during power block in the computer lab. We’ll talk about passports, room assignments and any questions you might have. See you there!

Join us for a holiday eSports tournament next week on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the Senior Lounge. Show off your Smash Bros skills or get some practice. To join, bring in $2.00 to add to the prize pot. See Mrs. Edgar in the computer lab to sign up and be placed on the bracket.

7th Grade student Matthew Navin is on a mission to collect over 1,500 pairs of socks for the needy by December 15th. Help Matt help those in need by bringing in a new pair of socks and dropping them into the box outside the main office. Thank you!

Seniors - remember to check out the Class of 2024 Scholarship site or the Scholarship table in Guidance.  Scholarships are being posted as they are received.  

Free breakfast is available daily before the bell and at the mid-morning break. Important! students getting breakfast before the bell will need to pay for any additional food at break time.

It’s Funnel Cake Friday! Today’s featured hot breakfast is a Funnel cake with powdered sugar. Other choices include a variety of pastries, soft pretzels, uncrustables, assorted breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, caramel apple nachos and the “pick 2” snack rack. For cereal lovers, check out the new cereal varieties at the speedy cereal display in front of the milk chest. 

Hot lunch entrees include beef and cheese nachos with toppings, chicken patties and cheese, bacon or pepperoni pizza. Freshly made grab and go’s include chicken caesar salads and wraps, Mexican chicken cheddar wraps,  vegetarian mediterranean wraps, bagels w/ yogurt, turkey and ham subs and uncrustables.

Please think about reducing food waste! Only take what you think you’ll eat and put unopened juice, fruit and other sealed items in the share bins for others to enjoy.