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On Tuesday,  May 25th, 2021,  Spanish students, grades 9 -12 gathered under the tent at Triton High School to celebrate their success on the National Spanish Exam 2021.  

Students were recognized in an awards ceremony, then enjoyed refreshments with their families. The celebration concluded with a traditional piñata!  This is the first year that Triton High School has given the National Spanish Exam. 

Awards are presented by the AATSP based on a national percentile ranking of all students in each level. Students are also organized into divisions based on their previous experiences with the Spanish language. ¡Felicidades!

Triton High School Awards

Level 1

Bronze: Tessa Darke

Honorable Mention: Sophie Harrington, Carolyn Lucy, Benjamin Norton 

Distinguished Participation: Isabella Basile, Sophia Lesinski, Bryce Martis, Anna Romano

Level 2

Bronze: David Pugh

Honorable Mention: Lyla Benesh, Parker Hertigan, Natalie Indingaro, Cole Jacobsen, Neila Jones, Jakob Lennon, Isabella Oldoni

Distinguished Participation: Kiara Cataldo, Taylor Hamilton, Mackenzie Howland, Paulan Huang, Samantha Kelly 

Level 3

Silver: Kendall Hernandez 

Honorable Mention: Cole Daniels, Makala Erickson, Sophia Walsh

Distinguished Participation: Joseph Abt, Evelyn Buxton, Nathan Ewell, Zachary Godfrey, Alyssa Mullen, Christian O’Connell

Level 4

Honorable Mention: Adelaide Delmonico, Jacob Forrest, Riley Gagnon, Hailey Harden, Bennett Leahy 

Distinguished Participation: Lillian Schroeder

It’s no secret that high school can be a challenging time for many kids. There are a myriad of questions, concerns and problems; struggles both internal and external, that many kids deal with.  Talking to an adult often doesn’t feel like an option. But having the ability to talk to a peer, someone who likely can empathize with the issues facing today’s teens, makes all the difference in the world.  It is for this reason that several years ago, Triton established the Peer Mediation and Citizenship Outreach Program, led by high school world language teacher, Eben Williams.

The program is made up of students who apply to become a mediator and must get at least four recommendations from faculty/staff.  Those chosen must exemplify certain leadership qualities such as maturity, trustworthiness, confidentiality, and compassion.  Once accepted, students remain members until they graduate.  There are currently 31 members in the program, including 5 new members that were accepted this year. Peer mediators help their school peers resolve social, personal and interpersonal problems in a confidential manner and with a caring and open mind. In so doing, they make the school a safer, more comfortable place for all students.  Their support has been especially important this past year as many students faced hardships and obstacles brought on by the pandemic.  Knowing that there is someone available to be a needed friend, listening ear, and caring support has been instrumental in helping many students get through these difficult times.

Assistant Principal, Kathryn Dawe, has long been a supporter of the Peer Mediation Initiative, calling it “one of the most important programs in our school.”  She goes on to say, “Part of growing up is learning how to face, manage and deal with conflict. During times of conflict, anxieties are understandably heightened and it’s sometimes difficult to see our way out of situations. As adults, we know this and have developed strategies to address such issues. Adolescents need to learn these skills and have an opportunity to practice them. I have found that peers listening to each other and working through solutions and resolutions has often times proven to be more successful than having adults help students manage a situation.” Ms. Dawe also points out that the peer mediators themselves are given leadership tools that will serve them throughout their lives.

We are pleased to recognize the 31 members of the Peer Mediation and Citizenship Outreach Program and thank them for their commitment to the program and their peers.

Triton High School Senior, Alexander Sharpe, submitted an essay to the AATF Société Honoraire de Français annual Creative Writing Award contest which has been chosen for publication in the spring edition of the Society’s official bulletin, L’Élan. Alexander is the 2020-2021 Triton High School World Language Honor Society President.  

This year’s topic was: Si tu pouvais être le personnage d’un film francophone de ton choix, lequel serais-tu et pourquoi? ( If you could be a character in the film of your choice, who would you be, and why?) Alexander chose to be Clément Matthieu, an inspirational and transformational music teacher in the film “Les Choristes.” AATF Teacher Representatives Tracy Rucker and Kimberly Bryant Harter were impressed by the admirable character that Alexander chose to be. Roseann Lorefice, editor of the AATF SHF publication L’Élan is preparing to publish all winning entries in the Spring, 2021 edition.

The quality of the 55 essays submitted by 26 teachers from 17 different states was outstanding, and it is indeed an honor for Alexander to have been one of the seventeen students whose entries were selected for publication. 

AATF Executive Secretary Jayne Abrate and AATF SHF Secretary April Anthony have been notified of the winners. The prize for each winning essay is $100; a check will arrive from AATF headquarters in the next four to six weeks in Alexander’s name. 

It is noteworthy as well to recognize the efforts of Crista Smith and Sara Winnick. While their essays will not appear in the Élan, they should be commended for their participation in a national literary contest in French, and they will receive certificates of participation. 

Congratulations to Alexander and Compliments to Crista and Sara.

Alexander Sharpe

During the week of April 5, 2021 the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Office of Public School Monitoring (PSM) will conduct a Tiered Focused Monitoring Review of Triton Regional School District. The Office of Public School Monitoring visits each district and charter school every three years to monitor compliance with federal and state special education and civil rights regulations. Areas of review related to special education include student assessments, determination of eligibility, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team process, and IEP development and implementation. Areas of review related to civil rights include bullying, student discipline, physical restraint, and equal access to school programs for all students.

In addition to the onsite visit, parent outreach is an important part of the review process. The review chairperson from the Office of Public School Monitoring will send all parents of students with disabilities an online survey that focuses on key areas of their child’s special education program. Survey results will contribute to the development of a report. During the onsite review, the Office of Public School Monitoring will interview the chairperson(s) of the district’s Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC). Other onsite activities may include interviews of district staff and administrators, reviews of student records, and onsite observations.

Parents and other individuals may call Andrew MacKenzie, Public School Monitoring Chairperson, at (781) 338-3761 to request a telephone interview. If an individual requires an accommodation, such as translation, to participate in an interview, the Department will make the necessary arrangements.

Within approximately 60 business days after the onsite visit, the review chairperson will provide the Triton Regional School District with a report with information about areas in which the Triton Regional School District meets or exceeds regulatory requirements and areas in which the Triton Regional School District requires assistance to correct or improve practices. The public will be able to access the report at http://www.doe.mass.edu/psm/tfm/reports/.