May 2, 2008

Dear Parents:

As we head into prom season, we have had the opportunity for students to experience two powerful assemblies. Just before the vacation, we welcomed former world class marathoner Dick Beardsley to Ipswich High School. Under the sponsorship of New Balance and Whirlaway Sports Center (thanks to parent David Shelbourne), we had an opportunity to listen to his very compelling story. Famous for his 1982 Boston Marathon duel with Alberto Salazar, Dick went from winning marathons around the world to a series of accidents that changed his life. After a farm accident and two auto accidents, he became addicted to pain killers. As he told his story, the student body became silent and focused as he said “I am a father, a husband, a farmer, a runner, and a drug addict.” He had a tremendous message about the destructive impacts of drug abuse. The student body seemed truly moved and impacted by his words.

On Wednesday, April 30^th, we had our Mock Car Crash. School Resource Officer Shawn Smith enlisted the support and generosity of the Ipswich Police Department, Fire Department, Action Ambulance, Morris Funeral Home, Med Flight, Paul’s Auto and the office of Essex County District Attorney Jon Blodgett to enact a visual representation of an alcohol related auto accident. Four students, prepped and appropriately made-up by Mrs. Faust, acted as occupants of a car in a serious crash. Dennis McCarthy, Anna Tzizik, John Loeb and Rebecca Woodburn each played roles very appropriately. The scene re-enacts a drunk driver (arrested at the scene), an hysterical front seat occupant who is moderately injured, a rear seat passenger who requires significant medical care and must be Med Flighted to Boston, and a fourth young person who dies in the crash.

Students watched as police, fire and EMT’s cared for the victims, used the “Jaws of Life” to free the occupants and even removed the victim of the fatality in a hearse. Following the mock event, students moved to the Performing Arts Center to hear comments from the student actor, the Med Flight nurse, Assistant District Attorney William Melkonian and a short segment of video showing two teenagers injured in alcohol related accidents whose lives have been changed forever.

Student feedback following both programs has been encouraging. Parents have reported numerous conversations at the dinner table as students reflect on the presentations. Our goal was to help students make responsible choices and avoid tragedies.

Parents are reminded to check the calendar carefully for the numerous events that conclude the school year. Of particular note is the Honors Reception for grades 9, 10 and 11 held on May 22. Students who will receive recognition that evening will receive a formal invitation in the mail.

IMADA has included the following information with this newsletter:

Wednesday, May 21, IMADA hosts the annual high school Fine Arts Awards Reception beginning at 6:00 pm in the cafeteria. In the interest of saving resources, invitations will be mailed to parents of seniors only, but all Ipswich High School students who have participated in fine arts classes during the 2007/2008 school year and their parents are welcome. This is always a great opportunity to celebrate the efforts and achievements of our students in music, visual arts and drama. Please contact Pat Belanger at phrbelanger@yahoo.com if you are able to donate a plate of food to the event – such as sandwiches, dessert, vegetables and dip, or cheese and crackers or fruit.

Parents are invited to our concerts, art shows and award programs as we rapidly complete the 2007-2008 school year. Please take the opportunity to attend one of the three showings of “Alice in Wonderland”. This show should be a great night of theater for all.

We will be conducting Advanced Placement Tests for two weeks beginning on May 5, 2008. Students who have a morning exam (from 7:30 am – 11:30 am) will be dismissed following the completion of their testing. Sophomores will have MCAS Math tests on May 21 & 22. U.S. History will be tested on May 23^rd. Freshmen will have MCAS Biology testing on June 3 and June 4, 2008. Good luck to all our students in the testing process.

Sincerely,

Barry R. Cahill

Principal