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Sandwich Public Schools

A legacy of purpose and possibility

CASTLE CHRONICLES 10.06.25

Posted Date: 10/06/25 (07:58 AM)


CASTLE CHRONICLES

October 6, 2025

K9 UNIT VISITS CRIMINAL JUSTICE CLASS

Officer with their K9 Ben in Mr. Welch's Class
K9 in Mr. Welch's class
Officers with K9 in Mr. Welch's classroom
Officers in Mr. Welch's class
Mr. Mike Welch’s Criminal Justice students welcomed some very special guests this week—the BARNSTABLE SHERIFF’s OFFICE Captain Pete Benson and his K9 partner Ben, along with Deputy Nick Fitzgerald and his K9 partner Nemo.
Students got an inside look at how police dogs are trained, the important roles they play in law enforcement, and even watched live demonstrations of their incredible skills.
  • Captain Pete Benson & K9 Ben: A narcotics detection team, Capt. Benson has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2006 and on the K9 Unit for the past six years. His K9 Ben is a 7-year-old high-drive, energetic, narcotics dog.
  • Deputy Nick Fitzgerald & K9 Nemo: A patrol and ballistics detection team. Deputy Fitzgerald has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2019 and on the K9 Unit for over a year. His K9 Nemo, who just turned 4, is a clear-headed, stable, and social patrol dog.
Both teams primarily serve Cape Cod, but can be called to assist anywhere from south of Boston to Provincetown.
The visit gave students a first-hand look at the powerful bond between officers and their K9 partners—and the vital role they play in keeping communities safe.

*For videos of the K9 demonstrations be sure to check out our SMHS Facebook & Instagram pages.
Officer on soccer field with his K9
Students on stands at the soccer field watching the officer with his K9
Drone look at officers, K9, doing live demonstrations for students on the soccer field.
 

📊 Budgeting for the Future at CREDIT FOR LIFE Fair🎓

SMHS seniors participating in the Credit for Life Fair, working with Cape Cod 5 volunteers on budgeting and financial planning activities.
The CLASS of 2026 had the opportunity to take part in the CREDIT FOR LIFE, a fun, hands-on simulation where they explored saving, spending, and budgeting based on career choices and lifestyle decisions.
Thank you to CAPE COD 5 for sponsoring this event so our students learn the importance of making smart financial choices and setting priorities as they take the next step toward adulthood.
Photo of Credit for Life Presentation in the Auditorium
Students asking questions at Credit for Life Fair
Photo of students at Credit for Life Fair
Cape Cod 5 presentation slide says "Show me your budget, and I'll tell you where your priorities are"
Students at Credit for Life Fair
Students at Credit for Life Fair
 

PRESS START ON SUCCESS: SMHS GRAD TURNS PASSION INTO A CAREER AS A VIDEO GAME DESIGNER

The Computer Science Department and Computer Science Honor Society were proud to welcome ZOE CAMPOS, SMHS Class of 2020, back to Sandwich to speak with students about her career in VIDEO GAME DESIGN.
After graduating SMHS, Zoe’s journey began at Cape Cod Community College, before she transferred to Champlain College in Burlington, VT, where she discovered her love of programming and game design. In her junior year, she interned with a game company in Kyoto, Japan. Returning for her senior year, Zoe collaborated with a team of 15 classmates to create Triage, a spooky Victorian adventure game that challenges players with multiple outcomes. The game is now published and available to play on the STEAM platform.
Thanks to her hard work and dedication, Zoe has accepted a full-time position with the same Kyoto-based game design company where she interned. She will be moving to Japan this December to begin her new career!
We are proud to see Zoe’s passion and persistence pay off, and we hope her story inspires other SMHS students to follow their dreams—wherever they may lead.
Former SMHS student Zoe Campus speaking in Library
Former SMHS student Zoe Campus speaking in Library
 

SMHS CLUB REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Students with Best Buddies sign at Club Fair
Student signing up for Key Club
Club registration for the 2025-2026 school year is officially open. Please register using the link below.


If you have any questions about clubs, please contact Sean Donovan, Student Activities and Athletic Director, at sdonovan@sandwich.k12.ma.us.
 

✨ Meet the Class of 2026: Weekly Feature by Lillian Barbosa✨

CAILYN WHEARTY

ALL ABOUT CAILYN WHEARTY:

@SMHS-SPORTS: Soccer 9-11 
CLUBS: Best Buddies, Eye to Eye, Adaptive Dance and Peer Leader

Outside SMHS- REPRESENTED SMHS AT the NEURODIVERSITY alliance summit for Eye to Eye in Denver, Colorado over the summer 

What senior event are you most excited for?- BOSTON Boat Cruise

What’s your go to song?
Vienna, Billy Joel 

Dream job?- Special Education teacher
 
What’s your favorite lunch spot on cape?- JD’s 

Favorite beach- Carlton Shores
 

REECE MACKINNON

LL ABOUT REECE MACKINNON:

@SMHS- (SPORTS); (CAPTAIN) of both Varsity Hockey, Lacrosse team. 

Accomplishments- South shore league all star team junior year
Hockey State championship appearance freshman year

What senior event are you most excited for?- 6 FLAGS AMUSEMENT PARK

What’s your go to song?
Back in Black, AC/DC

Dream job?- Entrepreneur

Fun Fact- Plays Guitar

What’s your favorite lunch spot on cape?- Tomatoes

Favorite beach- Beach Comber
 

SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY COUNCIL (SEPAC) MEETING ON OCTOBER 10 AT 9:00 AM

COFFEE AND CONNECTION
Join the Sandwich SEPAC for an informational meeting / parent support on Friday, October 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM at Café Chew located at 4B Merchants Road, Sandwich, MA.
Questions? 
Please email Mary Kate Lott at sepacsandwich@gmail.com
 

CONFERENCES ARE OCTOBER 15

Parent Teacher Conferences are October 1 from 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM and on October 15 from 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM and from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Please sign up here: https://www.myconferencetime.com/smhsconferences. 
Questions? Please call (508) 888-4900 or send an email to Colleen Davidson at cdavidson@sandwich.k12.ma.us.
Schedule a conference with your student's school counselor! Image of the Blue Knight on a pencil cap.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR CONFERENCES!

Please join us for the second round of Conferences on October 15 ! These 10-minute, individual meetings with your student’s teachers and counselor are a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the school-home partnership, hear about your student’s progress, and work together to support their success.

Parents can select the time that work best for their family schedule, and students are always welcome to attend.

COUNSELOR CASELOADS:
Grades 7 & 8: NICOLE ALEXANDER

GRADES 9-12 / ALL STUDENT LAST NAMES STARTING WITH A: KATHY LUCAS

GRADES 9-12 / STUDENT LAST NAMES STARTING WITH B THROUGH G: SERENA SIMMS

GRADES 9-12 / STUDENT LAST NAMES STARTING WITH H THROUGH M: LYNNE DONOGHUE

GRADES 9-12 /STUDENT LAST NAMES STARTING WITH N THROUGH Z: CHRISTINE CARROLL

Please remember, we are happy to communicate at any time. You don’t have to wait for conferences if a question or concern arises.

If you have questions about the sign-up platform, please reach out to our Technology Department Chair, Colleen Davidson, for assistance.

We look forward to seeing you at conferences!
 

MATH: IT ALL ADDS UP TO ENGAGEMENT!

Middle school math classes are strengthening their problem-solving skills through CHOICE MENUS which offer the flexibility to work in small groups and build confidence together.
Sentence starters are on display in classrooms to support MATH DISCOURSE: helping students explain their thinking, challenge ideas respectfully, and grow as collaborative learners.
Interactive tools like the number wall and clothesline math warm-ups bring fractions, decimals, and percentages to life — making number sense hands on and fun!
At SMHS, math isn’t just about getting the answer — it’s about building strategies, confidence, and teamwork!
A collage of classroom photos with the title “Engaging Math at SMHS – Choice • Discourse • Number Sense.” The top row shows two sample math menus with student tasks and materials. The bottom row features a “Let’s Talk Math” bulletin board with sentence starters, a handwritten math discourse chart, a clothesline math activity on a whiteboard, and colorful fraction and percentage circles on display. The background is blue with a large Blue Knights mascot graphic.
 

OCTOBER CALENDAR

October calendar:
9.29: school picture day
9.30: last day to order a discounted yearbook
10.01: parent teacher conferences 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM
10.02: CREDIT FOR LIFE (grade 12)
10.06: Financial Aid Night / 6:00 PM in the SMHS library
10.13: NO SCHOOL
10.15: Conferences 1:15 PM - 3:15 PM and 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
10:17: Homecoming Game at 6:00 PM
10.18: Homecoming Dance at 7:00 PM SMHS
10.21: PSAT / NMSQT 7:30 AM
10.24 and 10.25: Spooky Knights Halloween at Heritage Museum and Gardens
10.29: Senior Masquerade at 6:00 PM
 

JUMPING INTO FRENCH

On a bright September morning, 7th graders traded their desks for the outdoors—jumping rope to the rhythm of a lively FRENCH song. But this wasn’t just fun—it was language learning in motion!
Reviving a childhood favorite, Madame Walsh gave the classic jump rope game a cultural twist: students leapt in on their birthday month and jumped out on their birth date, all while chanting months and numbers in French.
The result? A joyful mix of rhythm, laughter, and learning—where every jump became a vocabulary word and every skip a step closer to mastering the language and culture behind it. 💙🤍❤️
Students in French class jump rope outside while chanting months and numbers in French, with photos arranged on a French flag-themed background.
Pictures of Madame Walsh's class jumping rope outside of the front entrance of SMHS
Pictures of Madame Walsh's class jumping rope outside of the front entrance of SMHS
 

GOT MATH? WE'VE GOT A TEAM FOR YOU!

DO YOU LIKE SOLVING PROBLEMS? Join the MATH TEAM!
There will be a brief interest meeting on Tuesday, October 7 at 2:00 PM in Ms. Fougere's classroom, C231.

Questions? Please contact Dominique Fougere at dfougere@sandwich.k12.ma.us
 
Image of an orange background with the title: Spooky Knights Halloween October 24 and October 25 at Heritage Museum and Gardens. Images of bats, a full moon, a tree and a ghost decorate the post.
Spooky Knights Halloween:
A Community Fundraiser at Heritage Museums & Gardens

Join us for Halloween fun that benefits the Sandwich community! We are pleased to continue our collaboration with our partners from Heritage Museums & Gardens to put on a spooktacular (but not too scary!) family festival on Friday, October 24, and Saturday, October 25.

Note that this year’s event has been redesigned, so please click here for more information about the event offerings. With your admission, you can join DJ Ooch’s dance party, play carnival-style games, try your luck during a musical cakes game, get a temporary tattoo or face painting, make a take-home craft, enjoy Halloween-themed décor and photo opportunities both inside and out, and more. Many activities are run by student and parent volunteers! Snacks and drinks will also be available for purchase. 
 
Spooky Knights serves as an important fundraiser for the SMHS Parent Teacher Student Association, the SMHS Junior and Senior Classes, the SMHS National Art Honor Society, and Heritage Museums & Gardens. Tickets are $14 for everyone age three and over, and children two and under are free. 

Ticket entry times are at 4:30-5:45 pm, 5:45-6:45 pm, and 6:45-8:00 pm nightly, with an additional entry from 3:30-4:30 pm on Saturday only. Visitors can continue to enjoy the event until 8:30 pm. 
All tickets are date and time specific, and attendance is limited to provide a safe, high-quality experience for all. Tickets are non-refundable and are only valid for the date and entry time for which they are purchased.

To purchase your tickets to the Spooky Knights event, please follow the directions below. 
Please note that we expect this popular event to sell out extremely quickly. We hope to see you there!

Ticket Purchase Directions
 

FINANCIAL AID EVENT: OCTOBER 6, 2025

Parents and guardians of the Classes of 2026 & 2027:

Please join us on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM in the SMHS Library for an informative evening on how to navigate the financial aid process.

Experienced financial aid advisor, JODI CONWAY, will provide an overview of financial aid procedures and share helpful tips on completing the FAFSA.

Don’t miss this valuable opportunity to learn about the financial side of the college application process.
Flyer for Sandwich Middle High School’s Financial Aid Night on Sunday, October 6th at 6:00 PM in the SMHS Library. Guest speaker Jodi Conway will give an overview of the financial aid process and FAFSA tips. Recommended for parents/guardians of seniors, with junior parents/guardians also welcome.
 

HOMECOMING IS COMING… MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

HOMECOMING DANCE ANNOUNCEMENT:
SMHS students in grades 9-12 are invited to the Homecoming Dance at SMHS Gymnasium on October 18 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Tickets are $20.00 and will be sold in October.
HOMECOMING TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE BEFORE SCHOOL AND AFTER SCHOOL IN ROOM C231 AND DURING LUNCH FROM OCTOBER 6 - OCTOBER 10.

TICKETS ARE $20.00 AND CAN BE PAID BY CASH OR CHECK MADE OUT TO SANDWICH MIDDLE HIGH SCHOOL.
 

COSTUMES READY? THE SENIOR MASQUERADE AWAITS!

SENIOR MASQUERADE ON OCTOBER 29 AT 6:00 PM IN THE SMHS CAFETERIA. INCREDIBLE PRIZES FOR BEST COSTUME, BEST DUP, GIFT CARDS AND MORE!
 

STUDENTS, STAFF & PARENTS/GUARDIANS NEEDED FOR SMHS's SCHOOL COUNCIL. THE FIRST MEETING IS OCTOBER 20, 2025.

SMHS School council volunteers needed. The School Council meets on the 3rd Monday of every month from 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM in the main office conference room. Advise on school policies, promote school improvement, facilitate communication, organize events and activities and support strategic planning. Interested? 
Please complete this form. https://forms.gle/occicHRf2oErkQit7
 
Black background with a camera, the Blue Knight icon and the words: Senior Portraits due on November 3, 2025

Smile, Seniors! Portrait Submissions Close Nov. 3

Upload your SENIOR PORTRAIT by NOVEMBER 3, 2025.

Please include your senior quote and list of activities along with your portrait. Scan the QR code to go to our website and follow the directions. 

Note: REMEMBER to choose PORTRAITS as the category to upload your photos. 


Questions? Please contact Mr. Childress at schildress@sandwich.k12.ma.us
 
Poster of a small book being open with 2 hands with a trophy, graduation cap, pencil and the words: Order your 2026 Yearbook with a Blue Knight icon.
High school families,
Order your high school yearbook now!


Contact Mr. Childress at schildress@sandwich.k12.ma.us with any questions. 

Middle school families,
Information regarding the middle school yearbook comes later during the school year.
Thank you!
 

ADVENTURE AWAITS WITH TROOP 47: JOIN NOW!

POST WITH THE FOLLOWING TEXT:
READY TO START YOUR SCOUTING ADVENTURE?
SANDWICH TROOP 47 WELCOMES NEW SCOUTS AGES 11-18

JOIN OTHER SANDWICH TEENS AND ENHANCE YOUR LEADERSHIP SKILLS, SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY AND HAVE FUN! ACTIVITIES INCLUDE CAMPING, HIKING, SERVICE PROJECTS AND SOCIAL EVENTS.
SCOUTS DEVELOP OUTDOOR SURVIVAL SKILLS AND SELF-CONFIDENCE THROUGH ACTIVITIES PLANNED BY THE SCOUTS, FOR THE SCOUTS!
FOR INFORMATION, EMAIL TROOP47SANDWICHMA@GMAIL.COM
 

THE RESULTS ARE IN...

Thank you to the entire Sandwich Middle High School community for your incredible support of the PTSA and for making the Activities Fund Campaign a tremendous success! Your generosity has a meaningful impact, helping to enrich school activities and experiences for both students and teachers. 

Congratulations to the winning grades for earning the top cash awards for their class accounts:
Image of the top three grades whose classes won the cash prizes as a result of the PTSA Fundraiser:
First Place: Grade 9 winning $1000.00 with 19.8% of the class participating.
Second Place: Grade 10 winning $750.00 with 15.38% of the class participating.
Third Place: Grade 11 winning $500.00 with 15.17% of the class participating.

SANDWICH YOUTH BASKETBALL: REGISTRATION CLOSES 10.09.25

Sandwich Youth Basketball 2025-2026 season is now open! 
7th and 8th grade Boys and Girls Rec League: one week night practice and one Thursday night game.
7th & 8th grade Boys and Girls Travel Program: Travel Try-out registration is now open!
Dates: Town Rec - Early November to March
Town Travel: Tryouts Oct. 10-17, season is Nov. to March
Cost varies by program. See the Sandwich Youth Basketball website for details: www.sandwichyouthbasketball.org
Registration closes on October 9.
 
SANDWICH CREST: bLUE AND WHITE WITH A KNIGHT ON HORSEBACK HOLDING A FLAG WITH AN S ON IT. UNDER THE HORSE IS THE WORD BLUE KNIGHTS.

SMHS BLUE KNIGHTS