Schools

What A-B Students Need to Know Before School is Back in Session

Information about schedules, IDs, parking and more available.

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Did you noticed the sun is now going down before 8 p.m.? That hasn't happened since mid May.

And with the shorter days comes the end of summer and the soon-to-be start of the new school year.

This year, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School opens its doors on Aug. 27 from 7:23 a.m. to 2:18 p.m. for freshmen and new students.

"As this is the official opening day for the district, buses will run and lunch will be served. Students in grades 10-12 will report on Wednesday, August 28th," Interim Principal JoAnn Campbell said in a letter to parents. "We will begin the day on August 28th in Advisory (noted on student schedules), to which all students should report by 7:23."

Here's what students and parents should know prior to the start of the new school year:

Student Schedules
Student schedules are available online through the PowerSchool Parent Portal. In order to access a student’s schedule, parents/guardians will need to complete their child’s online emergency information card and the School/PTSO permission page. Seniors not be using an academic locker during the 2013-2014 school year should contact Mrs. Haras at pharas@abschools.org.

"While we have put much work and thought into student schedules and are confident that they will be well received by students and families, we know from experience that some of you will have concerns. Because we have limited staff available in the summer, please use the following procedures if you have questions or concerns," Campbell said. "At this time, we will no longer accept requests for level changes to a higher-level course. If there are extenuating circumstances, students should contact the department leader. Such requests will not be otherwise entertained.Should a student find an error in their schedule or have a simple request to add or drop a non-leveled elective they may go to the AB website under 'Latest News' and click on the link for 'Schedule Change Request Form.' There is a link embedded which contains an electronic form for scheduling concerns. Students should follow the instructions on this form and submit their request to the Counseling Center."

Emergency Contact Information via PowerSchool Parent Portal
In order to access students' schedules, parents will first need to take the time to go on line to complete or edit their student’s emergency contact information on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. This log-in information was listed at the bottom of the letter that went out with the year-end report cards. If you have any questions, contact Jeanne Potter by email jpotter@abschools.org

Bus Schedules
Bus schedules will be on the school website this month. 

Fall Sports and Activities
Most fall sports practices will begin on Aug. 22 (football begins on Aug. 19). Check http://ab.mec.edu/abrhs/ for the starting time for each sport. Students trying out for a team must have proof (green form) of a current physical examination on file with the nurses before tryouts. The athletic fee is $205 per sport per season with an $820 family cap. Waivers are available for cases of financial hardship. Band Camp begins Aug. 12 (Monday - Thursday, 9am - 9pm; Friday, Aug. 16th, 9am - 3pm). Chorus Camp will be Thursday, Aug. 22 (9am - 2pm).

Student IDs/School Pictures
Student pictures will be taken on Sept. 3-4. Every student will be provided with an ID card. In addition, families may choose to purchase packages of these photographs. Parents will receive information in the mail from the photography company regarding picture ordering procedures. If you have any questions, the phone number for Prestige Portraits for Lifetouch Studios is (800) 426-9533.

Senior Portraits
To have a senior picture included in the yearbook, each student must have his/her senior portrait taken by Lifetouch Studio. Lifetouch will be on campus Aug. 15-16 and again from Oct-15-18. Families with questions about portrait appointments should wait to receive the postcard from Lifetouch which will include the contact information – or contact the Yearbook Advisor, Diane Cileno – dcileno@abschools.org.

Senior Privileges
Seniors who have not yet applied for privileges may pick up application forms beginning the week of Aug. 19. Forms will be available at the Main Office and Administration Offices. Follow the instructions on the privilege request form.

Parking
Parking on campus will be available for seniors only, at a cost of $200 for the year. Those seniors who wish to purchase a parking sticker before school starts may report to the Room 102 North (Monitor Room) on the following dates:

  • 1. Monday, August 19th and Wednesday, August 21st from 12:00pm-3pm.
  • 2. Tuesday, August 20th and Thursday, August 22nd from 8:00am-12:00pm.
  • 3. Tuesday, August 27th– freshman orientation day between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Parking stickers may also be purchased after the school year begins during school hours. Any incoming senior who owes a parking fine from junior year will not be issued a parking sticker until the fine is paid. During school hours parents and visitors are welcome to park in the designated visitor parking spaces at the high school. Do not park in any numbered parking space as all of these spaces have been assigned to faculty and staff. The high school campus has specific drop off and pick up areas for parents, students and busses and the direction of traffic flow changes in the morning and the afternoon.

"We ask that all visitors please follow the direction of the high school campus monitors," Campbell said. "The campus monitors are available to answer your questions and direct you through our campus."

Absences
Parents are to notify the Main Office of all student absences. Call 978-264-3323 on the day of the absence. If parent notification is not received, the absence will be recorded as unexcused. An unexcused absence will be defined as a truancy. Details pertaining to consequences for student truancy will be discussed with students in homeroom on the first day of school. As was the case last year, parents can review their child’s daily attendance records on the PowerSchool Parent Portal. In order to receive access, you will be required to update your child’s emergency contact information and the PTSO permissions first. In accordance with the school policy, each student is granted an opportunity to earn full credit for any course as long as his/her total absences (excused and unexcused) do not exceed 20 days per full year course, 10 days per semester course, or five days per semester course meeting on alternate days.

Dismissals
If a student needs to be released early, he/she must bring a note signed by a parent or legal guardian to the Main Office prior to third period on the day of the dismissal. In the event of an emergency, parents may call the Main Office to have their child dismissed on that day. Students returning to school must check in at the Main Office when they arrive. Students leaving campus without following the proper dismissal procedures will be considered truant from any class missed. Notes excusing truancies due to the student’s failure to follow the dismissal policy will not be accepted. Upperclassmen with privileges are expected to follow the same dismissal procedures whenever they are going to miss class.

Parents: If you have an emergency during the school day and need to contact your son or daughter, call 978-264-4700 ext. 3430 or leave the message in person at the school store (located right next to the Main Office). Messages will be delivered to students in classrooms by our A-B Express student delivery service during selected periods during the day

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