CLIPPER Life: Charting a Course to Graduation
Falmouth Public Schools is a community committed to excellence for every student, every day. The CLIPPER acronym embodies the character of our student body. Clippers are Creative learners. They are Inquisitive, as Partners and Participants. They are Effective learners who are Resilient. This is the Clipper Way.
Falmouth High Hosts 8th Grade Information Night
By Sarah E. Murphy
Eighth-graders and their families were welcomed to the Falmouth High School auditorium on December 5 to learn more about the courses, pathways, and extra-curricular opportunities available to students who forge their academic future at FHS.
Principal Alan Harris began the evening by sharing his personal perspective with the audience. Now in his second year at FHS, Dr. Harris moved to Falmouth in the summer of 2022 with his wife, Katrina, a sixth-grade teacher at Morse Pond School.
“I’m honored and proud to be principal of Falmouth High School for many reasons, one of which you’re going to hear tonight. This, in my experience in education, is the most highly-qualified, professional, capable, and caring group of professional staff I have ever worked with,” he said.
Dr. Harris explained the format for providing information about the transition from junior high to FHS has been revised and enhanced in order to offer students more comprehensive tools enabling them to make informed decisions in regard to school choice.
“I want to share with you that the “L” in CLIPPER stands for “learning,” and we’re in a learning process about this process. A year ago, we were fully back from the pandemic and were doing the same process for students that had been done here for ten years. We realized that times have changed, and we need to do a better job to try and listen here and get you the information you need to make a decision,” he said.
“You have choices, as students, and as families, where you send your students, and that’s a wonderful thing. It’s wonderful to be able to think about what you want specifically for your student, and we are proud to be one of those choices.”
Assistant Principal of Academic Programs Tom McManamon, who is also a graduate of Falmouth High School, emphasized the motto of Falmouth Public Schools and how it contributes to the Clipper experience.
“This is an excellent place to be. The education you get here and the opportunities you have give you every manner, every measure of success that you can find in any comprehensive high school and beyond. With that, we’re also adding another layer of excellence, and that is equity,” he said.
“Whatever challenge you may have, we’re going to build in the scaffolds and support for you. We’re committed to excellence for every student, every day,” he said.
“You see this at the top of our letterhead, you see it going out in messages, and it really all goes back to that idea of excellence and equity for all.”
Mr. McManamon added that although there are certain required courses for ninth and tenth grade, once completed, students will enjoy an array of options from which to choose.
“You can decide what you want your high school experience to be and then hopefully that informs your decision-making after that, whether it’s college, career, service, or anything else,” he said.
To that end, he introduced a panel of department heads to offer a brief overview and answer questions about the road to graduation, including Dr. Pat DiPillo, World Languages; Janet Rocha, Career Technical Education (CTE); Sarah Cox, English; Christine Nicholson, English Language Development (ELD), K-12; Steve Edwards, Fine Arts K-12; Laurie Gatchell, Math; Brett Gormley, Physical Education/Health; K-12; Chris Brothers, Science, 7-12; and Mike Feeney, Social Studies.
Dr. DiPillo discussed the 3 AP World Languages: French, Spanish, and Latin, each with its own honor society, and all offering course advancement and STAMP proficiency testing for 9-12.
Janet Rocha detailed the eight Career Technical Education (CTE) pathways for which students can earn technical certification: Business Marketing; Carpentry and Construction Technology; Culinary Arts; Design and Visual Communications; Early Education and Care; Food Justice initiative; Programming and Web Development; and TV Broadcasting. The programs offer students a concentrated study over the course of two years and a combination of both academics and hands-on, project-based learning. Some of the credentials earned in the pathways include: Adobe Photoshop; OSHA safety certifications, ServSafe certification; Department of Early Education and Care Preschool Teacher licensure, and First Aid certification. Students do not have to commit to just one pathway, and all freshmen are eligible to take introductory courses in multiple pathways. Internships opportunities in the community are also available to further advance skills in the workplace.
Ms. Rocha also announced that starting in 2024-2025, for the first time at FHS, any freshman who has completed Algebra 1 is eligible for AP Computer Science.
Sarah Cox outlined the English offerings, including an AP course which is the equivalent of a standard introductory college course such as the traditional English Composition 101. Students can also choose from genre and theme-based literature, such as this year’s addition to the curriculum, Folklore and Horror. Semester-long electives include Creative Writing, Intro to Podcasting, and Journalism, which can be taken multiple times.
Christine Nicholson underscored the journey of ELD students in Falmouth Public Schools, beginning at the elementary level all the way through FHS.
“I think it’s a wonderful honor to have our students and families here from different cultures, who speak different languages, and it really enriches our school community,” she said.
She added that the Falmouth High School ELD staff works closely with students at Lawrence School, and at the high school level, multi-lingual students can work with their peers during Clipper Time, a flexible time period FHS students can utilize for extra help, enrichment, intervention, support, and other academic or social-emotional resources.
Steve Edwards gave an overview of the music, theater, and art offerings available at FHS, including Honors and Advance Placement courses, and community events and projects throughout the year, in addition to competitions, festivals, and state and national recognitions. Mr. Edwards added that in an effort to accommodate student schedules, all freshmen are eligible to take music and theater as STEAM options.
He praised the Fine Arts staff and emphasized the quality of the FHS auditorium in regard to sound, lighting, and overall production.
“You’re sitting in one of the nicest facilities on Cape Cod,” he said.
Mr. Edwards also extolled the department as the parent of a student musician who participated in the program.
Laurie Gatchell is new to her role as head of the math department, but she is no stranger to Falmouth, having graduated from FHS in 2008.
“I can truly attest that all roads do lead back to Falmouth,” she said.
Ms. Gatchell outlined the 16 course options and highlighted the FHS Math Team, which, at the time of the event, had just been ranked #1 on Cape Cod. She also referenced the FHS Math Honor Society, which has seen a rise in inductees since the pandemic, particularly from lower grades.
Brett Gormley discussed some of the unique physical education offerings, such as Project Adventure, an experiential-based learning process, and the state-of-the-art facilities at FHS, such as the turf field and tennis courts (currently under renovation and will be complete for the 2024-2025 school year), crediting the Falmouth Road Race for its contributions as part of a community partnership with Falmouth Public Schools.
Chris Brothers highlighted another integral partnership in Falmouth Public Schools - that with the Woods Hole science community - providing students mentoring opportunities and internships, both paid and volunteer. She also referenced the Falmouth Public Schools STEAM Fair, which boasts a 46-year history and provides another outlet for students to be mentored by world-renowned scientists, many of whom also participate as judges. As an example, she cited one of her students, who started working in a Woods Hole lab with a mentor at age 13 and went on to study biotechnology at Harvard University.
“That’s the kind of pathway this school can set you on,” she said.
She also encouraged prospective students to challenge themselves by enrolling in AP courses, for not only do they help with college preparation, taking them can help save tuition money, citing the average college experience is currently not four years but 5.6.
Mike Feeney agreed, suggesting students follow their interests and have discussions with their guidance counselors and teachers to tailor their own experience. He also emphasized that AP courses aren’t about the amount of the workload but rather exploring the subject on a deeper level. In order to accommodate the demand, Falmouth High School offers four sections of AP Psychology. Additionally, nearly nearly half of the junior class is enrolled in AP Human Geography, with 70 percent scoring high on their AP exams. Mr. Feeney also spoke as a parent, for his stepson had the option to attend several schools and chose Falmouth High School, which in his stepson’s estimation was the best choice.
A student panel of FHS seniors offered their perspective on Clipper Life, including Noah Reilly, Reneelia Corniffe, Science Honor Society President Christian Sullivan, and Honor Society President Sam Collins.
Christian is enrolled in five AP courses and plays three sports at FHS.
“The teachers are super-kind and they want you to succeed. I never feel overwhelmed,” he said.
Sam Collins agreed, for he is also taking five AP courses, in addition to participating in other academic and extracurricular activities.
“Teachers are always going to work with you, not against you. It’s about finding middle ground. I was able to find the balance that worked for me,” he said.
Noah wanted to participate in the Information Night so he could share his positive experience as a member of multiple music programs at FHS.
“I really cherish all the Fine Arts programs that we have here, even the ones that I sadly can’t be part of due to scheduling issues. All the Falmouth band ensembles are fantastic to be part of, and I really can’t imagine being anywhere else,” he said.
Reneelia is active in theater and marching band, and she is pursuing the Early Education and Care pathway. From the time she was a child growing up in her native Jamaica, she knew she wanted to be a preschool or kindergarten teacher. Since moving to Falmouth in 2018 as a seventh-grader, Reneelia has actively followed that dream.
“This FHS experience has offered me the experience to move on in my career,” she said.
Upcoming Events
January 11, 12, 18 Eighth-Graders visit Falmouth High School during school day
February 1, 6-8pm, Program of Studies Night