The Rev Report - November 13, 2026

Posted Date: 11/13/26 (03:51 PM)

Dear ABRHS Community,

On Wednesday, we celebrated Veterans Day with our 14th Annual National Honor Society (NHS) Veterans Day Breakfast! Despite intermittent power outages, it was an amazing celebration. As they do every year, the Madrigals sang the official song of each military branch, and the veterans of each branch stood as their song was performed. It is a moment of great pride and gratitude for our veterans and community. Thank you to our veterans, their families, our NHS students and advisors, and the Madrigal singers.

This Week’s Deadlines

Sun, Nov. 15 - Winter Athletics registration closes. A physical exam dated within the last 13 months must be on file with the school nurse.
Fri, Nov. 20 - Seniors submit their Dress-up Day costume entries for the contest.

Update on “990” Instructional Hours
We received some good news from DESE (the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education) this week. As a reminder, “990” refers to the state requirement that high school students receive 990 hours of instruction each school year. After we petitioned DESE to reconsider the one-year timeline, citing financial, scheduling, and resource constraints, the department verbally agreed this week to a three-year rollout.

This means changes will begin next year, starting with full schedules for 10th graders. Other adjustments may also take place next year. Juniors and seniors will still be allowed free periods, though we may limit them to one free period per day. We will continue to share updates throughout this process, and our next community forum will be held on Zoom next Wednesday, November 18, at 5:00 pm.

For background, here is the School Committee Time on Learning Presentation. These are the state requirements we are working to meet:

All students must be fully scheduled.
The school year must include 18 additional hours of instruction.
Seniors’ last day of school can be no more than 12 days before the end of the regular school year.

Please submit any questions about 990 using this link. We will share answers within five days.

Thank you to our community, students, staff, and the 990 Committee for your support and hard work as we navigate this process.

Upcoming Grade-Level Assemblies

Tuesday, November 17 - 9th Grade Interrupting Hate and Bias Assembly, 10:00 am; Our 9th graders will attend a presentation on the History and Impact of the N-Word, created in collaboration with the Black Student Union. I will share more information about this assembly with families on Monday.

Last Spring, grades 10, 11, and 12 participated in this assembly, and it was a very meaningful experience for our community. All grade levels will have a follow-up Interrupting Hate and Bias Assembly in February.

Wednesday, November 25 - Thanksgiving Grade Level Assemblies for Grades 9, 10, and 11; Senior Dress-up Day for Grade 12. (Seniors must register their costumes using this form by Friday, November 20. Winners will have a pizza party.)

Superintendent Finalist Announcements and Community Forums

As you know, AB is conducting a search for a new Superintendent of Schools for next school year. For more information, see the Superintendent Finalist Announcement. All community members are invited to meet the finalist candidates on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday next week at 6:30 pm in the Administration Building Auditorium.

Please complete this Google Form Link to propose questions for these forums. After the forums, feedback forms will be shared to collect feedback.

Early Release Lunch - Wednesday, November 25

We will offer lunches on the upcoming Early Release, the day before Thanksgiving, on Wednesday, November 25. Enter your order on this 1/2 day lunch order form by 2:00 pm on Tuesday, November 24. Lunch should be picked up in the Cafeteria between 10:00 and 11:30 am.

AP (Assistant Principal) Team Standings and Upcoming Competition

After the first quarter, Team Hagopian remains in first place with 9 points, followed by Team Baker (5 points), Team Vanasse (4 points), and Team Mullin (3 points). Our next competition, AB GeoGuesser, will begin next week in the Admin Office during all lunches. Students will guess the location of each photo, and points will be awarded for participation and accuracy. All students are encouraged to participate.

Quarter 1 Report Cards

Quarter 1 Report Cards will be sent to families after school on Tuesday, November 17. Additionally, today, seniors and their families received an email with an unofficial draft of their grades. These grades are sent to colleges as part of the college application process.

Student TED Talks Hosted by Human Rights Council

We are excited to hear our students’ TED Talks on the theme “Pieces of Us” next Thursday, November 19 at 6:00 pm in the Auditorium. The AB Human Rights Council is hosting this event to highlight student experiences and perspectives. Everyone is welcome, and admission is free.

Graduation Diploma Name Confirmations for Seniors

Seniors, stop by the Admin Office to check your name, which is posted on the wall next to the copy machine. This is how your name appears on PowerSchool and the way it will appear on your diploma. If you would like to request a change or correction (spelling, accents, punctuation, etc.), you must see Ms. Dempsey in 147S by Tuesday, December 1.

32nd Annual Cabaret Night - Friday and Saturday, November 20 and 21

ABRHS Choruses will present the 32nd annual Cabaret Night on Friday, November 20 & Saturday, November 21. All styles of music, with plenty of acting, dance & instrumental groups, will be featured. Purchase tickets here.

Science Family Night - Friday, November 20

Science Family Night is on Friday, November 20, 6:30-8:30 pm in the Cafeteria. Students in the Science Team, DNA Club, Envirothon, and other STEM clubs will offer fun, hands-on activities in science, engineering, and computer science for AB children and their families. All elementary children are welcome!

Winter Athletics - Registration Closes on Sunday, November 15

Registration for the Winter Athletic Season closes this Sunday, November 15. A physical exam dated within the last 13 months must be on file with the school nurse, Erin Doherty (edoherty@abschools.org). The Winter Preseason Athletic Meeting will be on December 8 at 7:00 pm.

Congratulations to AB Athletes Competing at the Next Level

On Tuesday, we honored 11 AB seniors who will compete at the post-secondary level next year. Congratulations to the following Class of 2027 student-athletes:

Gabby Calvo - Soccer, The College of the Holy Cross
Charlotte De Schepper - Field Hockey, Harvard University
Grace Fitzgerald - Soccer, SUNY Geneseo
Chloe Kivela - Lacrosse, University of New England
Abigail Lewis - Field Hockey, Connecticut College
Oscar Maxwell - Crew, Colby College
Thomas Quirk - Football, Hamilton College
Alice Rosecan - Softball, Colby College
Natalie Stouch - Soccer, University of New Hampshire
Allison Werner - Track and Field, Connecticut College
Charlotte Wren - Lacrosse, James Madison University

Toys for Tots

The sophomore class is organizing the annual Toys for Tots drive. Donate to children in need this holiday season by dropping off unwrapped, unopened toys. The donation boxes are in the Main Lobby and Counseling Center until December 11.

Project Graduation Message - Caregiver Volunteers Needed

We are grateful to our community’s Project Graduation, which plans an all-inclusive, substance-free celebration for our seniors. AB Project Graduation 2027 needs parents and caregivers of students in all grades to keep this tradition going for the 38th year! Click here to volunteer and RSVP here for the kick-off meeting on Monday, November 16, in the Cafeteria.

Have a relaxing weekend!

Sincerely,

Joanie Dean, ABRHS Principal

Upcoming Dates

Sat, Nov. 14: Elite 8 Field Hockey Game vs. Walpole at Leary, 3 pm - Go AB!
Sun, Nov. 15: Winter Athletics Registration Deadline
Mon, Nov. 16: Early Release for Students 1:15 pm
Tues, Nov. 17: 9th Grade Interrupting Hate and Bias Assemblies,10:00 am; Quarter 1 Report Cards issued after school; Superintendent Finalist Community Forum, 6:30 pm
Wed, Nov. 18: 990 Community Forum (Zoom Link), 5:00 pm; Superintendent Finalist Community Forum, 6:30 pm
Thur, Nov. 19: Student TED Talks, Human Rights Council, Auditorium, 6:00 - 8:00 pm; Superintendent Finalist Community Forum, 6:30 pm
Fri, Nov. 20: Muslim Student Association Bake Sale, Front Lobby, 3:00 pm; Science Family Night, Cafeteria, 6:30 - 8:30 pm; Cabaret Night, Auditorium, 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Sat, Nov. 21: Cabaret Night, Auditorium, 7:00 - 9:00 pm