Apponequet Regional High School Alumni

Apponequet Regional High School is inviting all of its alumni to take part in its 50th jubilee by submitting stories from their high school years.

"Suggestions for the 'Best of Apponequet' list would include our alumni's greatest memories or accomplishments during their time at ARHS, the biggest events or even the biggest personalities in the history of Apponequet," Principal Gary Lincoln said.

Entries for the "Best of Apponequet" must include the year the story took place and be sent to Lincoln at glincoln@freelake.org or to the school at 100 Howland Road, Lakeville, MA 02347 by Oct. 30.

By Joao Ferreira
Standard-Times staff writer
June 12, 2008 6:00 AM

LAKEVILLE — People who know Joe Simas — pretty much everybody in town — know he is quite the gabber.

Mr. Simas, the beloved, retired Apponequet Regional High School principal, talks to people in supermarkets and restaurants, and even talks back to the television during sports events.

On Wednesday evening, however, Mr. Simas used few words — a simple "thank you" — during a dedication ceremony to express his gratitude for the naming of the high school lecture hall in his honor.

"To everyone here this evening, let me say from the bottom of my heart, thank you," Mr. Simas, 74, said before expressing his gratitude to everybody from officials in Freetown and Lakeville to the "cafeteria ladies" for what he called a "wonderful adventure."

"All of you have enriched my life beyond measure," Mr. Simas said. "You have given me more than I can ever give in return."

Mr. Simas' career spanned 32 years; he was a guidance counselor, assistant principal, principal at Apponequet and acting superintendent of the Freetown-Lakeville district.

Large burgundy letters now identify the lecture hall as the "Joseph C. Simas Jr. Lecture Hall." The dedication stemmed from an effort started by former colleague Claudia Soares.

The dedication ceremony attracted a large crowd to Apponequet, and Mr. Simas seemed to greet each person individually.

Mr. Simas' daughter, Leah Callan, said it was only fitting that a lect

By KIM LEDOUX
Standard-Times correspondent
June 12, 2008 6:01 AM

Apponequet Regional High School is preparing for its decennial reaccreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges by naming a steering committee to handle the required self-study and formal evaluation.

"Following a suggested timeline and the guidance of members who recently attended the self-study seminar, the steering committee will coordinate a schedule of events for the school's self-study, collect reports from various subcommittees and make necessary preparations for the evaluation of the committee's visit in the fall of 2010," said Claudia A. Soares, chairwoman of the Mathematics Department.

Steering committee co-chairwomen will be Social Studies Department Chairwoman Kahlan Dessert, English Department Chairwoman Barbara Starkie and Susan Brelsford, a member of the Science Department.

Other members of the committee are Amanda Andrews, Donna Dobrowsky, Lisa Foley, Andrew Kelley and Claudia Soares.

The New England Association of Schools and Colleges awards accreditation to public and independent schools, colleges and universities, as well as vocational, technical and career institutions, throughout New England.