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School Sites: We've also created a Web site for each of the schools within the Hudson School District. At these sites you will find the detailed and school specific information you might need.

If you are new to the district, refer to our welcome page (click here).

Best Regards,

Randy Bell
Hudson School District, Superintendent

One new facet that we will be using this year in all Project Lead the Way and Drafting classes that use 3D Parametric modeling software (Inventor^TM) is the 3D hardware catalog from McMaster-Carr. This will allow the students to expand their repertoire for design. This catalog or library has thousands of parts already modeled like fasteners, set screws, threaded rods, anchor bolts, springs and cables. The students will still have to learn how to model and use their skills to solve problems but this library will allow more time for the design versus drafting items that all ready exist and are standards throughout the industry. Drafters at BAE use this library for that very reason.

Alvirne's Class Act Thespians Truly Mind the Play

Summer vacation: lazy days at the beach, cozy camping under the stars, and, for Hudson students, the sixth annual Summer Shakespeare Project. Alvirne's Class Act Thespians, under the co-direction of Alexander LaFrance and Lauren Denis, performed The Taming of the Shrew on August 19th, 20th, and 21st at Hills-Garrison Elementary School to thunderous applause. Set at a boardwalk carnival in the early 1960s, complete with bright balloons, cotton candy, rocking retro soundtrack, and broad physical comedy, Shakespeare's Shrew came vibrantly to life.
Spoken by a minor character in the opening of the show, "You do not mind the play," is often cut from most productions. However, for Alvirne's show, "minding" the play became the essential dramatic action of the production, indicating an awareness and active understanding of the "play," or game, that is society. Carnival clowns and puppets served as concrete metaphors for the possible roles that people choose to play in the game that is human relationships. In Shakespeare's text, marriage is the primary relationship under consideration, but from this, comes the exploration of all forms of human interaction and how people play games to achieve what they want, whether they are aware of their actions or not.
Three couples represent the avenues people generally travel to attain social success. The lead characters, Petruchio (Connor Abreu) and Kate (Teresa Quintanilla) find a true, balanced relationship because they "tame" each other. Kate's misguided struggle for independence is given direction by Petruchio teachings, specifically that the people are not always what they appear to be. Together, Petruchio and Kate both learn to exist beyond the confines of the game, or "play." Petruchio finds an equal in a woman who can match his independence, in all its forms, and so surrenders to Kate, even as she realizes in choosing to be "tamed," she gains a true partner and her freedom. In contrast, the Widow (Sammi Swiniarski) and Hortensio (Scott Bernstein) demonstrate the marriage of convenience, whereas Lucientio (Beau Fisher of NHSS) and Bianca (Shawna Holt) represent the conventional understanding of ideal love, and how such an ideal cannot be achieved in reality
Class Act Thespians' technical team transformed Hills-Garrison's cafeteria to a beachside boardwalk theatre, importing dozens of lights, sound and staging equipment. Technical Director/Producer Jennifer LaFrance praised the assistance of many AHS alumni, who generously offered their talents to make the show a success, namely Megan Wolfe, Matt Odom, Zach Spaulding, John JJ Hanks, Tom Roark, Alex Jury, and Becca Paquette. Alvirne English teacher, Marianne Hedges proved invaluable as both dramaturg and production assistant, while Kelly Cummings, a former Alvirne staff member, choreographed and instructed students in dance and movement. OnStage Treasurer, Kate Olson, and parent volunteers Patty Langlais, Charlene Hanks (house management), and Sharon Gleason (costume construction) provided significant support. Student Kelly Foley served as stage manager, assisted by Sarah Petry, a recent Bishop Guertin graduate.
Taming of the Shrew also marked the second Summer Shakespeare Project that Alvirne students may participate in for high school credit. Along with the excitement and pleasure of creating a main stage production, students deepen and enrich their language arts skills. Several students enhanced their GPAs while enjoying the experience of the show. "Watching the students discover the language and bring it to life, that's got to be the best part [of the program] for me," said Denis. Jen LaFrance agreed, "Seeing students truly understand what their characters are saying and doing, and the confidence and pleasure they kids gain from the process, is what the program is all about."
Shrew is Alex LaFrance's third Summer Shakespeare Project, having (co-)directed A Midsummer Night's Dream (2006) and Romeo & Juliet (2007) in the past. A theatre professional and a 2007 graduate of Marymount Manhattan College in NY (BFA Acting), LaFrance reported, "The show was exceptional; every player had his moment!" He particularly noted Alvirne students' "strong grasp" and "consistency" with the Shakespearian language, and proudly concluded, "As directors, we provided the base structure, but it was thrilling to see the students really push to "mind the play" and prove themselves as true actors." Bravo to Class Act Thespians and a huge thanks to OnStage and all drama supporters!

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Shortly after students were released on Thursday, August 31st, there was a problem in the drain system that resulted in water backing into several rooms of the school. The problem was immediately recognized and the fire department and town water department responded. Together with the school's custodial staff, the water was shut off and all standing water removed.
A private contractor was called in and the clogged drain pipe was unblocked. School was called off on Wednesday and Rainbow International, a company specializing in water mitigation, arrived at 5 AM to begin cleaning. The affected areas were cleaned and sanitized and any damaged carpets were removed and will be replaced with VCT flooring in the classroom in time for school on the first day after Labor day.

Check out the Channel 9 Chronicle story on the Career and Technical Education Center Farm

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