On Friday, November 7 it was Massachusetts DECA Day on the Hill. Over 250 DECA students from 25+ schools had the opportunity to tour the Massachusetts State House, meet with their state representatives, and learn about the pending STUDY Act, proposed legislation that would ban cell phone usage during school hours. The Sandwich Middle High School DECA students who were recognized are: Caleb Bagge, Jack Cheney, Ty Creighton, Nathan de Blank, Jenna Fay. Elyse Giannakoulis, Reece MacKinnon, Nick Pearce, Drew Peters, and Breanna Prindle.

Young scientists at Forestdale School are stepping outside to study the changing seasons firsthand—watching nature’s classroom come to life as they observe how the trees around their school transform, leaf by leaf and bud by bud.

A Schoolyard Ecology Project, conducted in conjunction with Harvard Forest, affiliated with Harvard University, has launched near the school’s outdoor classroom. Over the next two years, students will study marked branches on a designated tree, asking the same questions scientists and naturalists do: When will the leaves fall? When will buds appear? How long is the growing season in our schoolyard? Their observations will contribute valuable data to Harvard Forest’s long-term ecological research.

But don’t mistake this for an ordinary science project. These students are genuinely excited to head outdoors and visit “their tree.” They touch it, collect and examine its seeds, study it through binoculars and hand lenses, and gather fallen leaves—all while capturing their discoveries with iPads.

Their curiosity and keen observations have impressed even their teachers, who admit the students notice details adults often overlook. The result is a vibrant blend of science, technology, and wonder—showcased through photo displays and conversations that reveal just how much these young scientists are learning from the trees in their own backyard.

Congratulations to the eight outstanding Sandwich Middle High School students who on Thursday evening were inducted into the Glass Chapter of the National Honor Society These students have met the highest standards of scholarship, leadership, character, and service. They are: Madeline Brown, Abigail Cotter, Nathan deBlank, Breigh Falwell, Daniel Flynn, Lane Kraihanzel, Thomas MacDonald, and Madison Sullivan.

Please consider signing up for the annual Sandwich Public Schools Community Raking Event, where elderly residents in our community are helped by out students and families by a yard cleanup. This event will occur the weekend of November 23 & 24. If you are interested in signing you and/or your child up, please click on this link.

At last Wednesday evening's Sandwich School Committee meeting the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) Certificate of Academic Excellence was presented to Sandwich Middle High School senior Breanna Prindle. This annual award honors seniors across the state (one per district) who have demonstrated distinguished academic performance and personal contributions to their high school community. Breanna is a talented honors-AP student who is currently in the top 10 of the Class of 2026. While involved in many activities, perhaps the most significant for Breanna is being the founder and president of the Mental Health Advocacy Project, which is making a difference in the lives of SMHS students and our larger community. Congratulations to Breanna!

To access the Sandwich Middle High School Food Pantry shopping list, please click this link. For more information, please contact Nicole Alexander at nalexander@sandwich.k12.ma.us or Diana Smith at dlsmith@sandwich.k12.ma.us.

Additionally, the Oak Ridge Grade 6 Student Council is partnering with Sandwich Middle High School student and Project 351 Ambassador, Macy Christensen, to conduct a food drive to benefit the Sandwich Food Pantry. Donations will be accepted all throughout November. Donations can be brought to students' homerooms. Please see below for the list of preferred items for the Sandwich Food Pantry.

• Baby Wipes

• Diapers Size 3 + 4

• Sandwich Town Trash Bags

• Stop & Shop Gift cards

• Toilet Paper and paper towels

• Feminine Products

• Gluten-free products

• Sugar-free products

• Pancake Mix and Syrup

CANNED GOODS: Soup, Vegetables (Corn, Peas, Green

Beans, Mixed)

• Canned Fruit

• Cereal

• Crackers

• Spaghetti Sauce

• Pasta

• Rice

• Sugar

• Tea

• Coffee: regular, instant coffee, decaf

• Peanut Butter

• Jelly: strawberry, grape

• Mayonnaise

• Tuna fish

• Baked Beans

• Cake Mixes: Chocolate, Yellow,

Brownie mix, Corn muffins

• Detergents: Laundry, Dish

• Soap, toothpaste, deodorant

• Toilet paper

• Almond Milk