Page 10 - Newsletter_Summer_2018

From the

HALLS By Marty Bouchard ‘87,

Principal

Greetings fellow alumni. The long, harsh winter is finally to Madison in the state championship game by a
behind us here in Northern Maine, as the ice is now out score of 56-50. This was the fourth consecutive state
of the lakes, the black flies are buzzing, and the leaves championship appearance for these senior girls. Overall,
have arrived on the trees. As usual, Houlton Middle/ outstanding seasons for our athletic teams.
High School is a hopping place. We were very pleased to
see we were recently named to the U.S. News & World The Music department has had a busy spring concert
Report’s Best High Schools list for the state of Maine. season. In April, several people enjoyed the middle
This is the third time in the last four years that we school musical, Once on this Island. In May the middle
have made the list as a nationally recognized school. school band presented a concert focused on the theme
We are very proud of the hard work our staff and of planes, trains, and automobiles, the high school band
students have put in the past year helping us gain this a space themed concert, and the middle and high school
prestigious honor. choruses a movie music themed concert. All of these
concerts were highly attended and our students did an
In other news, we are getting ready to graduate the class outstanding job. Our newest program, “Modern Band”
of 2018. As I have written about in previous newsletters, has had a great first year. Our school was picked as one
this is the first class that will graduate with a transcript of the 10 pilot schools in Maine to offer Maine Kids
indicating both grades in classes AND proficiency on Rock, which is sponsored by the Maine Department
identified graduation standards. In order to graduate, of Education and Little Kids Rock. The students learn
students in the class of 2018 must attain their 24 credits how to perform as a pop/rock band. They played for
by achieving a 70 or higher in each of their classes. In Governor LePage in Augusta on May 8, 2018. Students
addition, they must also have a score of a 3 on identified are very excited that Houlton Middle/High School will
graduation standards in English, math, physical offer this as an official class in the fall of 2018.
education, and health. This blended system seems to
be working well as we explore and adjust to measuring In closing, this article is a tad bittersweet for me, as it
student proficiency in a standards based educational will be the last alumni newsletter I will be writing from
system. The class of 2019 will be demonstrating the chair of principal of Houlton Middle/High School.
proficiency in science and social studies, along with It has been an honor to lead such a fine school with a
English, math, health, and physical education. dedicated staff and outstanding students the past 14
years. I have accepted a position to be principal of The
This past winter our athletic teams were very successful. Middle School of the Kennebunks beginning July 1.
Our ice hockey team had a fine season, qualifying Even though my role and job will be changing, I will
for the playoffs and losing to a talented Hampden always be a Houlton High School alum and a proud
Academy team. The cheering squad also had a solid supporter of HHS and the alumni association. Thank
showing, finishing 4th in the northern Maine regionals you all for the support!
and qualifying them for states where they finished in
seventh place. The boy’s basketball team was able to win Marty Bouchard
14 games during the season and defeated Lee Academy
in a preliminary contest before losing to eventual class Editor’s Note: Marty will be greatly missed by the HHSAA as he
C state champion George Stevens Academy. Our girl’s has been a board member for many years, always providing great
basketball team won 21 straight games before losing insight. Best wishes Marty.

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