Tag: Winchester High School

  • Families gather for Winchester High School Science & Engineering Night

    Families gather for Winchester High School Science & Engineering Night

    Science teacher Ben Lawhorn demonstrates a photosynthesis lab in the biology room during Winchester Science & Engineering Night on April 2. COURTESY PHOTO/ANN RITCHIE

    Hundreds of families funneled into Winchester High School on April 2 to look at specimens through microscopes, toy with 3-D modeling on computers and try out pulse oximeters.

    Science & Engineering Night invited parents and children in grades K-8 to visit the high school and watch 39 demonstrations of what students learn in the high school’s 13 science courses. The event, which drew 471 families, also showcased students’ projects and the school’s equipment.

    “It’s great to show people in the town what science offerings they have here,” said Brendan Connors, a parent attending the night with his son, Ian.

    Science Olympiad member Amelia Huang helps the Abbott family explore density in the chemistry room during Winchester Science & Engineering Night on April 2. COURTESY PHOTO/ANN RITCHIE

    The equipment shown to families was paid for with grants from the Winchester Foundation for Educational Excellence, a nonprofit dedicated to raising money for Winchester’s public schools. The organization also funded the event.

    The event was planned as a collaboration between the biology and engineering departments.

    Ann Ritchie, director of science for grades K-12, said she hopes the night will encourage more collaboration among departments in the school.

    High school students who were part of the National Honor Society and the school’s Science Olympiad team ran demonstrations.

    “The way the big kids and little kids interact is so inspiring,” Ritchie said. “That’s what makes this night so unique.”

    Students planned most of the activities. One student asked if they could bring in the Mystic River Association to do a demonstration about herring migration and how citizen scientists count the fish during their migration, Ritchie said.

    “The [high school] kids are excited,” said Ipshita Chakladar, one of the teachers who organized the event. “We get our energy from them.”

    Ethan and Wesley Bates test their hand-eye coordination outside the applied neuroscience room during Winchester Science & Engineering Night on April 2. COURTESY PHOTO/ANN RITCHIE

    The first floor of the high school included 3D printing, a robotics demonstration, a construction and manufacturing booth, and a booth for the foundation.

    An engineering section on the first floor showcased the engineering classes’ creations as well as the wood shop. The creations included a safe made out of wood, a xylophone and a garbage compactor.

    On the second floor, families participated in activities that showed off the biology and anatomy courses. Activities included a brain speed test that asked kids to match the hand symbols pasted to a wall within 10 seconds and test their understanding of anatomy by naming parts of a model.

    Within the high school’s library, families could test out button-making machines, music production, wood burning machines and 3D modeling computer program. There was a showcase of high school students’ projects, including a jacket that helped people with period cramps.

    National Honor Society volunteer Talia Co invites the Parikh family to explore an optical illusion in the applied neuroscience room during Winchester Science & Engineering Night on April 2. COURTESY PHOTO/ANN RITCHIE

    Anthony Zidell, a resident of Crescent Road, came with his daughter to check out what the high school had to offer.

    “It’s really remarkable to see everything the high school has access to,” Zidell said, adding he couldn’t wait to send his daughter to the high school.

    K-8 students who came said their favorite parts of the event were the wood shop, the heart monitors and the robotics.

    Aurelia Gugliotta, a student at Lynch Elementary School, went with her mother because she loves science.

    “I love it,” Gugiotta said when asked about her favorite part of the event. “All of it.”

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Winchester students speak at State House about MCAS alternatives

    Winchester students speak at State House about MCAS alternatives

    Rep. Michael Day sits and speaks with students about their experiences with the assessment tests. COURTESY PHOTO/JENNIFER ELINEEMA

    Students from Winchester Public Schools accompanied their teachers to the State House this month to share their experiences with performance-based assessments.

    Winchester school officials and teachers have attended briefings with legislators annually since 2016, but this was the first time students went with them. In these briefings, educators present their experiences with performance-based testing and how it influences learning.

    Legislators and Winchester students and teachers gathered at the State House for a briefing on performance-based assessments. COURTESY PHOTO/JENNIFER ELINEEMA

    Jennifer Elineema, assistant superintendent of the Winchester Public Schools, said the district will continue to bring students to briefings in the future.

    “This should come to the people at impact, from the people it impacts the most – the students, “ Elineema said.

    Winchester schools have been part of the Massachusetts Consortium for Innovation Educational Assessments, which champions alternatives to standardized testing and has been holding these briefings with the Legislature.

    The effectiveness of standardized testing has long been debated. Opponents say the tests have implicit biases surrounding race, class and disabilities. They also argue the tests do not provide a proper measurement of students’ learning. Proponents argue the tests have improved Massachusetts’ quality of education.

    In 2024, Massachusetts voted to repeal the requirement that high school students obtain a specific competency level on MCAS – the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System – to graduate. Students are still required to take the test so that families see their child’s and the school’s academic progress.’

    Josh Perez, a junior at Winchester High School, stands at a podium to speak to legislators while visiting the State House. COURTESY PHOTO/JENNIFER ELINEEMA

    In Winchester, educators are using performance-based assessments to measure students’ academic learning and career-related skills. The district hopes these assessments will replace the MCAS as a measurement tool.

    Each department has created different assessments for its students.

    The high school’s English department ran its performance-based assessments from the summer of 2024 to the summer of 2025. The assessment had students create a portfolio of their English work.

    Each department had different criteria for selecting which students would come to the State House.

    Carolyn Plosky, the English director for grades 6-12, said the English department had teachers select students who had experience presenting in front of government officials from being part of the School Committee in December 2024.

    Math teachers at Muraco Elementary School selected four students who persevered through the assessment and were able to explain the steps they took to get to their final results.

    Stephanie Andella, a fifth-grade teacher, said one of the students was hesitant at first, but found their footing.

    “I can’t tell you how proud they were of themselves and how proud we were of them,” Andella said. “It was probably one of the highlights of my academic career to see this.”

    Winchester tudents showcase their article on neuroscience to legislators. COURTESY PHOTO/ANN RITCHIE

    For students, the trip was one to remember. It offered them an opportunity to take control of their learning and feel heard by legislators.

    “It was really transformative for me,” said WHS junior Josh Perez. “This should really become commonplace where students get a say in how their learning experiences are.”

    Tavishi Chattopadhyay is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Winchester students earn spots in competitive music festival

    More than half of the Winchester High School students who auditioned for the Senior District Festival have been selected for the competitive music event.

    The Senior District Festival, hosted by the Massachusetts Music Educators Association Northeast District, is scheduled for Jan. 10, with the concert band and orchestra performing at 10 a.m., followed by the jazz band and chorus at noon.

    Students performed Nov. 15 for judges who ranked their auditions, selected top performers for ensembles, and recommended standout musicians for All-State Festival auditions, said Mary Costello, music director for Winchester Public Schools.

    “So it’s kind of an all-star type of experience for the kids,” Costello said. “It’s really quite an honor for the kids to be selected and then be part of a whole series of festivals.”

    Musicians from the Northeast Senior District Festival stand with their instruments moments after completing their performance. COURTESY PHOTO/CAMILLE GLANCEY

    For many students, such as Ha Yong Choi, a senior at Winchester High School, the process involves a blend of independent practice and mentorship. She is part of the choir and auditioned as a singer for the festival.

    “I practice two days per week. And I keep listening to my solo.” Choi said. “Mr. [Joel] Buford, my choir teacher, he helped me a lot. I came to Mr. Buford and checked sometimes, like, ‘Do I seem right?’”

    Camille Glancey, a Winchester senior who plays the cello, recalled being overwhelmed the moment she walked into North Andover High School.

    “Everyone is carrying some sort of case, or they’re singing to themselves, which is, I think, really fun to see,” she said.

    ​​When her number was called, she and the only other Winchester cellist were led to the quieter audition rooms. Waiting outside, she said, her nerves peaked.

    “Once the person before you leaves the classroom, then the judge will call you in,” Glancey said. “Then the next thing you know, it’s over and you’re walking back.”

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    Costello said the courage to audition is as commendable as success itself.

    “Auditioning is a scary thing,” she said. “It’s an intimidating thing. It takes a lot of preparation. It’s brave.”

    That bravery paid off for Winchester students this year. Out of roughly 60 auditionees, 30 were selected for the festival, and 18 moved on to All-State auditions, including Choi and Glancey.

    Glancey said she improved each year, moving from the 16th chair as a sophomore to the 4th chair this year, earning her the chance to audition for All-State.

    For Choi, who had auditioned since her sophomore year, success came with its own mix of relief and excitement.

    “I was kind of nervous this year because I thought I did really bad on my solo piece,” she said. “But I also really [wanted] to get [into] All-State also this year. So I was like, even if I get into senior district, I might not get into All-State. But I got a really high score. I was really happy.”

    Both she and Glancey highlighted the support and encouragement from teachers and peers as essential to their preparation. Students often practiced together, offered feedback and motivated each other despite the event’s competitive nature.

    Selected students will spend three days in intensive rehearsals, culminating in a final performance in early January. Those moving on to All-State will face even more practice and competition, including auditions in late January and a performance in March.

    Costello reflected on what makes the process meaningful.

    “I’m actually more proud of the number of kids who took the audition than I am for the ones that I’m obviously proud of, the kids who were successful in their audition,” she said. “We’re happy for the kids who were successful. It shows their commitment, how hard they’ve been working.

    Aayushi Datta is a student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.