Branagan's Bulletin
Special Edition - Covid-19
Week of March 30 - April 3, 2020
I hope this note finds you well and staying healthy and strong. This past week has been quite a challenge. As I wrote the correspondence to each of you last weekend, I was counting down the days to be back in school on April 6th. However, this changed dramatically on Wednesday afternoon when the Governor announced the extension of school closures throughout the Commonwealth until at least May 4th. This news was incredibly upsetting and uncontrollable. There is so much uncertainty as we move through the month of April. So many of the things that we would have begun to celebrate this month has come to a complete stop, which is more upsetting. However, during this time we must place focus on the health and safety of each other and our community.
Over the last few days, I have been thinking about how we must all come together and be united through his unprecedented time. How can you help those around you during this time with safe parameters? How can you ensure you are taking care of your loved ones, your friends and most importantly, yourself? Please know that your school is here for you and we are going to get through this...together.
Over the next week, our entire faculty will work to mobilize teaching and learning for the next few weeks. We are committed to make the very best out of a very difficult situation. We will do our very best to guide, mentor, teach, inspire and engage each of our students through this process. Please keep in mind this will be quite difficult when we can't be together in our beloved school. Please be patient with us as we will be patient with each of you. Every family in our school community is facing this challenge and we must unite collectively to get through to the other side of this national crisis. We will do it!
Here are a few things for the week ahead for your planning.
#StaySTRONG
Bran
Extended Learning - Update
I have been very excited to learn about the high level of engagement that has been shared from so many of you through your connections through virtual meetings and accessing your Google Classroom accounts and beyond. It is so important to keep your minds going during this time. I know that it may seem that the caliber of work has shifted...because it has. At this time, we are working with you on enrichment, reinforcement and connection.
During the upcoming week, MHS will be working on the next phase of our Extended Learning Plan under the direction and guidance of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. I will be sharing more information regarding expectations as we move forward over the next few days. Please be on the lookout.
I truly appreciate your support, patience and understanding as we move through these uncharted times.
As you engage the upcoming week...please keep in my the following:
- It is important to create a new daily schedule that allows for a balance of family time, self-care, exercise and time to simply be. However, it is important to work in time to keep up with the many enrichment or review activities that your amazing teachers have provided for you to do. Playing video games all day is not an option. Perhaps focus on school work for a few hours each morning and then again in the afternoon. Allow your evening to be for you and perhaps family and friends.
- Be sure to be checking your school email accounts daily as your teachers may be sending important updates about their respective classes. Your teachers are checking emails continually each weekday...and maybe even weekends, too!
- Keep your mind sharp! Be sure to connect with your respective online classrooms as teachers are possibly posting opportunities for a personalized learning experience.
- No new material will be presented during the time of closure. However, this time may allow for you to focus on aspects of your studies that you have found challenging and may need more attention. Spend time researching, practicing and building the important skills that you know need some focus. The work over the next few weeks is about enrichment, reinforcement and exploration.
- Keep the eye on the prize.
Quarter 3 and Beyond
More to come!
Community Service Hours - A Note from Mrs. McGurk
While you are at home the next month or so, I encourage you all, especially seniors who have not completed their 24 service hours, to engage in one of the letter writing opportunities below.
There are a lot of people feeling anxious or bored and isolated and a letter could provide them with much needed contact. You can share some things about your life and current situation, express empathy for their current lack of social interactions, and let them know that people are thinking of them.
Soldiers’ Angels: Write letters to our military members stationed overseas! Contact: Irene Wise at imw2000@comcast.net
Middleborough Council on Aging (COA): Volunteers deliver 160 meals everyday to residents who cannot go out and would love to include letters to lift spirits. You can write letters with large script and email to smcgurk@middleboro.k12.ma.us who will get them to the COA for delivery.
Shaw, Nemasket, & Oak Hill Centers: Write letters to patients in a healthcare center. These vulnerable residents are not allowed to have visitors for as long as the crisis lasts. You can share some things about yourself, your own experiences hunkering down, and let them know that their community remembers them. Send letters to smcgurk@middleboro.k12.ma.us who will get them to the healthcare centers for delivery.
Make Masks for Healthcare Professionals - Watch this video to learn how. Please email Mrs. Tumavicus at mtumavicus@middleboro.k12.ma.us once you complete your masks and she can help you with getting them to medical professionals in need.
Each letter will earn you one hour of Community Service credit. Ms. Wise and I will keep track of the letters and input your hours. If you want to know more about the Community Service requirement follow this link https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/domain/1022.
Feel free to email me with any questions! smcgurk@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Thank you for spreading cheer to those in need of it! - Mrs. McGurk
Winter School and Credit Recovery Program
Keep the eye on the prize, Sachems!
Class of 2020 Scholarships - Update
If you have any immediate questions, please email Mr. Goldman at sgoldman@middleboro.k12.ma.us.
2020 - 2021 Academic Schedule
During our time of closure, we are still working on building the Master Schedule for next year. On March 9th, each of you received your Schedule Verification Sheet that showed all the courses that you selected and would be scheduled for next year. Please take a moment to do the following:
- Please review the courses that you have registered for and be sure it is what you are looking to take next year.
- Please scan or email your guidance counselor with any changes that you would like to make and they would be happy to help you.
- If everything on your Verification Sheet is in good form....please let your Guidance Counselor know.
- Mrs. Beirne - abeirne@middleboro.k12.ma.us
- Ash Baron - abaron@middleboro.k12.ma.us
- Mr. Goldman - sgoldman@middleboro.k12.ma.us
- Our Guidance Counselors will continue to work with students on their verification sheets upon our return to school if needed.
Early College Programming - Massasoit Community College
These classes will be moving to an online/virtual format and your engagement is very important in these classes. Remember...you are receiving college credit from Massasoit Community College, so it is imperative that you follow their protocols. Mrs. Miller has been working very hard to plan with your professors, who have been amazing during this time.
These classes will resume on Monday, March 30th. Please reach out to Mrs. Miller with any questions. Her email is millert@middleboro.k12.ma.us
WellnessSTRONG - Important Resources for you!
Please consider the following:
Office Hours:
Please reach out to our school adjustment counselors:
Joelle Maczko, jmaczko@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Mary Tumavicus, mtumavicus@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Jason Carroll, jcarroll@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Office hours are being held for 1:1 counseling sessions or general check in’s via online venues and cell phones. If you are experiencing an emergency crisis, please call 911. It is important to our mental health to remain connected to others, to use coping skills to manage the stress and angst we are all experiencing, and to seek support when needed. Please use the support that’s available to you and your classmates. We’re all in this together!
Free outpatient resource for Middleborough families:
https://interface.williamjames.edu/community/middleborough
This is a Help Line, not a Hotline- you should NOT call this number in case of an emergency.
The phone number is 888-244-6843 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
Yoga - 22 minute practice to address feelings of insecurity
William James College
We Believe in You!
Mindset Shift During a Pandemic
Work Permits - Middleborough High School Students ONLY!
If you are in need of a work permit, please do the following:
- Email Mrs. Holmgren at mholmgren@middleboro.k12.ma.us AND myself pbranagan@middleboro.k12.ma.us and we will walk you through the process.
- You will need to have the actual job application and the ability to send a copy of the application electronically.
We will do our very best to accommodate your request.
School Communication
- It is my goal to send out a communication through email throughout the week with important updates of our work and announcements from stakeholders as the DESE and College Board.
- This Bulletin will be giving you guidance in planning for the week ahead. However, as warranted...I will send a note to give important updates as they become available.
- I deeply appreicate your support during this time as we are navigating something collectively that is beyond compare.
Important Items
- The College Board has shared some significant changes in regard to the AP Testing on April 3, 2020. It is our goal to provide official guidance for our entire AP Program. Please be on the lookout of this guidance as we learn more from the College Board.
- Spring Sports is scheduled to begin on Monday, April 27, 2020. The MIAA Board of Directors will meet on Monday, March 30, 2020 to discuss next steps. All spring athletes should be exercising and getting ready for the spring season. Fingers crossed, Sachems!
Character Strong - Week of March 30 - April 3, 2020
- Engage in the daily Kindness Challenges that will continue to be shared on all of our social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter and Instragram)
- Engage in the weekly Family Character Dare (See Below)
Family Character Dare
Virtual Spirit Week - March 30 - April 3, 2020
SachemSTRONG
Paul Branagan
Email: pbranagan@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Website: www.middleboro.k12.ma.us
Location: 71 East Grove Street, Middleborough, MA.
Phone: 508-946-2010
Facebook: facebook.com/MiddleboroughHighSchool
Twitter: @principalbran