MHS Newsletter
Your news source for Mansfield High School
From the Principal's Desk...
October 23, 2020
Dear MHS Students and Families,
I’m very pleased to report that we've safely hosted well over a 1,000 spectators (limit of 50 per contest) at athletic events this fall following all DPH and MIAA health and safety guidelines. The vast majority of spectators have been incredibly cooperative in following these guidelines- parents and guardians, I can’t thank you enough for your support and unity in this regard.
As we wrap up our first season and look toward the next, I would like to remind everyone of the rules for spectators so that we may continue on a positive path:
No person may attend unless they have signed up in advance- spectators who have not signed up in advance will be turned away.
Student athletes who are participating in a contest are allowed 3 guests each, and seniors are allowed 4 guests for their Senior Parent Recognition Night.
No person who is awaiting the results of a COVID test or who is symptomatic may attend an event.
Spectators must wear a mask at all times.
Spectators must sit on the designated spots (at the designated distance) in the stands and maintain social distance at all times.
Spectators may not stand on turf or track surfaces.
We want every athlete to be able to spend at least some time with their coaches and teammates doing what they love, and we want every parent and guardian to be able to enjoy at least some time watching their child compete.
Let’s do everything we can to ensure that ALL seasons run and that spectators may continue to attend events.
As always, thank you for reading. Let’s go Hornets!
Best regards,
Mary Watkins
Principal
MHS Best Buddies Chapter wins Outstanding Chapter Award
From Chapter Advisors Kelly Kenney and Christine Riley:
"On Friday afternoon the Deputy Director of Programs at Best Buddies sent us a certificate (in lieu of the traditional plaque during Covid-19) to celebrate our award for "2019-2020 Best Buddies Outstanding High School Chapter" in all of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Our dedicated, creative and passionate eboard has been diligently working for months to invite new students to join our Best Buddies chapter and develop (remote) opportunities for our Mansfield High School community to support inclusion and engage in new and enduring friendships.
We look forward to inviting you to our virtual events in the future."
A huge congratulations is due to all past and present members- we are so proud of you!!
Flu Vaccination Reminder
Governor Baker has issued a new state mandate which requires all school aged students to be vaccinated against the Seasonal Flu before January 1.
If your student has received their vaccine please forward that document in any one of the following ways:
By email (a picture of the document or attachment is acceptable) :
christine.harrison@mansfieldschools.com
By regular mail:
250 East Street Attention : Nurses office
By Fax:
508-261-7416
Please call the Nurse's office at 508-261-7540 x 33111 with any questions.
Housing Help
The state Department of Housing and Community Development has centralized information about resources for families struggling to make rent or mortgage payments due to COVID-19. Please use this link for more information. www.mass.gov/covidhousinghelp
From the Nurses
Illness Management
Please see the Daily Self Symptom Screening Checklist which needs to be reviewed every morning before sending your student to school. If your student does not feel well and stays home, please monitor their symptoms. If your student is having concerning symptoms, please contact your physician for guidance.
If your student is not feeling well:
Stay home and call your physician for guidance regarding concerning symptoms
Physician may diagnose an illness and may or may not refer student for a COVID-19 test
Inform your school nurse of absence, diagnosis, and/or testing
Student may return per our back to school guidelines(fever free for 24 hrs without use of medication and an improvement in symptoms) and a negative COVID-19 test if one was ordered by a physician
If COVID-19 test is positive, please call your school nurse for individual instructions
Communication is key in making sure information is shared in a timely manner so contacts can be identified and informed. If at any time during this school year, your student is identified as a close contact to a positive case and is placed in quarantine, please call your school nurse for individual instructions. Please do not hesitate to call your school nurse with information or with any questions.
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-
Please see the MPS Return to School Flowchart for a quick reference guide.
SCHOOL NURSE CONTACT:
Roland Green Pre-School (508) 261-1561
Fax: (508) 261-7415
Debora.Wirth@mansfieldschools.com
Robinson Elementary School (508)261-7387
Fax: (508) 261-7389
Sue.McGinley@mansfieldschools.com or Tammy.Rozelle@mansfieldschools.com
Jordan/Jackson Elementary School (508) 261-7520
Fax: (508) 261-7522
Kristin.Haskell@mansfieldschools.com or Betsy.Johnston@mansfieldschools.com
Qualters Middle School (508) 261-7530
Fax: (508) 261-7374
Lisa.Anderson@mansfieldschools.com or Elayne.Brown@mansfieldschools.com
Mansfield High School (508) 261-7540
Fax: (508) 261-7416
Christine.Harrison@mansfieldschools.com or Betsy.Savoie@mansfieldschools.com
AP Exam Registration
IMPORTANT- AP Exam Registration
Friday, October 23rd: Deadline to register for exams for students currently enrolled in MHS AP courses
Friday, October 16th: Deadline to inform AP Coordinator of intent to take exams for students self-studying for AP exams
Friday, November 6th: Deadline for ALL students to pay for all exams
Based on research conducted by the College Board they have determined that students are more invested in their Advanced Placement classes and perform better on exams if they commit to taking the exam in the fall of the school year. The College Board has also enhanced their online platform with resources for students and faculty to help students prepare for AP exams in May.
In order to be in compliance with College Board rules and regulations, students will be signing up for their AP exams online in their respective AP classes. Students will have until October 23rd to decide if they are taking the exam. By this deadline they will need to have input a "yes" or "no" in the College Board portal. Teachers in each AP class will review this process with their students. This is the first step of the process.
The second step is for students to pay for the exam. The cost per exam is $95 as set by the College Board. Students may either mail in their payment and identify what exams they are taking or bring their payment into the school counseling office to Mrs. MacKillop once we have transitioned to hybrid on October 13th on their appointed school attendance day. If you are mailing in your payment please send it to Mrs. MacKillop’s attention in the School Counseling Office at Mansfield High School 250 East Street, Mansfield MA 02048.
Different this year is the late/cancellation fee from the College Board. After November 13th if a student changes their mind and decides that they want to take the exam, the College Board will assess an additional $40 late registration fee per exam. However, the College Board decided to eliminate the $40 cancellation fee for this year given the unique circumstances that schools are faced with due to the pandemic. After March 12th students may no longer decide to enroll in an exam; however they may cancel the test as late as May.
For students who are preparing on their own for AP Exams not offered by Mansfield High School (except for AP Physics - Mechanics): Students are responsible for both the cost of the exam ($95 per exam) and the proctor fee ($90 per exam). Students must let Ms. Karidoyanes (in the School Counseling Office) know if they are planning to take an AP exam no later than Friday, October 16th. They will have until November 6th to pay for the exam. Any students who register after November 13th will be assessed a $40 late fee per exam by the College Board.
All students who are currently enrolled in Advanced Placement classes at MHS will receive a letter via email.
Financial Aid Information Sessions
Members of the Class of 2021 & Families
This year instead of hosting a Financial Aid Night at Mansfield High School, MEFA, the organization that we collaborate with to put on the event is hosting virtual events every Monday – Thursday until November 5th. Our regular presenter, Susan Beard from Wheaton College, will be presenting on October 26th, though you will benefit from any presenter and have a wide variety of dates to choose from that best meet your needs. Below please find the information from MEFA with the details of the event and how to sign up.
FROM MEFA:
Beginning Monday, September 28th through Thursday, November 5th, we will host a live College Financing webinar daily every Monday through Thursday, with daytime and evening hours. All webinars will be recorded and available online for families who are unable to attend a live event. Our webinar will provide a comprehensive overview of the full financial aid application process. Presenters will include MEFA staff members as well as guests from financial aid offices across the Commonwealth, providing families the opportunity to hear from many of the most knowledgeable financial aid leaders in the industry.
Please go to mefa.org/events to register for a live webinar. If you have any questions please reach out to us at (800) 449-MEFA (6332) or collegeplanning@mefa.org.
Parent/Guardian Volunteer Group
Parents/Guardians, let's help make this a great year for our students! If you are interested in volunteering your time to support a variety of student and school-wide needs (materials distribution, holiday season decorations, fundraising support for grade levels, etc.) please sign up here https://forms.gle/t7VgdkSPsBcQTUTz5
Please contact Alexandra Piccirilli at mansfieldhsparents@gmail.com with any questions.
Yearbook
This is a very different year but the show will go on! Work on the 2021 Yearbook has started and we are looking forward to capturing this unique year. Order before Halloween and save $! Go to https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/general/homepage?portal=true
Senior Parents: Senior portraits and blurbs are due by October 31st. Please go to mansfieldhighschoolyearbook.com for more information and links for submitting.
We're also looking for photos! Sports practices, students working on projects at home, etc! Send them to yearbook@mansfieldschools.com
Substitute Teachers and Substitute Paraprofessionals Needed
Mansfield Public Schools is seeking responsible individuals to fill these positions immediately. Openings available in all schools. Flexible schedule.
Please see the PDF below for more information.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
Nov. 3 - Election Day; No school for students; PD day for staff
Nov. 6- End of 1st Quarter
Bus Information
Please click on the link to watch Thursday's presentation addressing transportation:
About Us
Mary Watkins, Principal
Zachary Abrams, Assistant Director, Special Education
Abigail Barlas, Assistant Principal, Student Support Services
James Schliefke, Assistant Principal, Grades 10 & 12
Timothy Tichacek, Assistant Principal, Grades 9 & 11
Email: firstname.lastname@mansfieldschools.com
Website: http://mhs.mansfieldschools.com/
Location: 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 261-7540
Twitter: @MHShornets