High School Happenings
August 20, 2019
News & Information:
Methacton High School
High School Happenings August 20, 2019
MHS Administration
Dr. Jason Sorgini, Principal jsorgini@methacton.org
Mr. John Smink, 9th Grade House Principal jsmink@methacton.org
Dr. Paul Spiewak, 10th Grade House Principal pspiewak@methacton.org
Mr. Dan Bontempo 11th Grade House Principal dbontempo@methacton.org
Dr. Karey Kochenour 12th Grade House Principal kkochenour@methacton.org
Dr. Jamie Gravinese, Supervisor of HS Special Education jgravinese@methacton.org
News & Information:
School Day Schedule for 2019-2020: Please note that a change has been made to the school day schedule. Students will now report directly to their assigned first period class when the bell rings to start the school day at 7:30. First period will officially begin at 7:35. First period will be extended a short duration of time to allow for homeroom-related activities including the viewing of the Warrior News program. Students will no longer report to a separate homeroom period. It is essential that all students are in first period on time no later than 7:35. Unexcused tardiness will result in both disciplinary as well as academic consequences. Please reference the student handbook for additional information.
Freshman and New Upper Classmen Orientation Tuesday, August 27: Visit the MHS website for all information about orientation to be held on the morning of 8/27. As a reminder, this event is scheduled for students only. Parents and families are encouraged to visit the school website at the above link to view a welcome video.
Picture Day: Fall Picture Day for students in Grades 9, 10, & 11 will be held on Thursday, August 29th. Order forms can be found on the MHS website . Pictures can be ordered online at the listed link or order forms can be generated. Students will also receive hardcopies in first period on 8/28.
Parents of Seniors: If you have been receiving notices for the need of a Meningococcal A vaccine, please know that this must be completed prior to the first day of school. Those not receiving the vaccine may not start school as mandated by the PA Department of Health. Please contact your primary care physician for an appointment. Many local pharmacies can also provide the vaccine.
Student I.D.’s: All Students are expected to have their ID with them each day. This will provide staff and students with a quick visual indication of who belongs in our school and increase our overall security. We appreciate your help in assisting with this safety concern. Student ID’s are used for student attendance in some areas as well as being required to purchase tickets to various events, purchase food in the cafeteria, to borrow books from the library, and to access the Chromebook Service Station in the library. A lost ID can be replaced for a $5 fee with the receptionist in the Main Office. We thank you for your support on this initiative.
Aramark Food Services: Get ready for the new school year with Aramark Food Services at Methacton High School! Download 10 Things to Know About Your Cafeteria, and review other links and information below. Questions? Aramark's Director of Food Services at Methacton is Zachary Lindeman. Mr. Lindeman may be reached Lindeman-Zachary@aramark.com, or by calling 610-489-5000, ext. 30408.
Online Deli Pre-Order – Students and faculty can skip the line at the deli by submitting a pre-order online.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus - September 2019
Free/Reduced Meals Information
Back to School Nights: There will be two nights to allow for easier parking and movement through the building. This year’s dates will be on September 10th, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. for parents/guardians of 9th and 10th graders, and September 18th, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. for parents/guardians of 11th and 12th graders. Please know that if you are unable to make the night designated for your grade level, you are welcome to come on the other night. All teachers will be available both nights. We look forward to providing parents with the opportunity to meet the teachers and hear what will be taught in the classes your child is taking. Please see the “Back-to School” letter and schedule on our High School Website.
Home and School Association: The Home & School Association is gearing up for another year of providing extra support for our students, parents, and staff. Please reference the summer mailing that includes information about signing up for Konstella to receive the Warrior News program announcements, dates of upcoming meetings, and information on how to provide needed support through the No Frills Fundraiser. Further information is on the school website under the Home & School tab on the right. Any problems or questions, please email the Home & School Board at: MHS_HS@methacton.org
Post Prom: Due to scheduling conflicts with Back to School nights, there will not be a September meeting. The first meeting of the year will take place on October 8th at 7:00 pm in the MHS library.
Students Late to School and School Visitors: All late-arriving students and visitors will be required to enter the building via the main entrance or flagpole entrance to the High School. Students will check in with attendance personnel and will be issued a Smartpass to their proper location. Visitors will be required to sign-in with their driver’s license at the main High School office. This visitor sign-in helps to screen visitors to ensure the safety of our students.
Absent From School: When students are absent from school, we ask that parents/guardians contact the High School Child Check line via telephone (610-489-5000 ext. 25601 or 610-831-5329) to report the name of the student, reason for absence, and name and relationship of person reporting. We encourage you to follow any phone call with a written note that the student can turn in at attendance upon his or her return to school. For an absence to be considered EXCUSED, the attendance office must have this information within 24 hours of the absence.
Early Dismissals: When students are signing out early from school to go to an appointment, they are required to present a note from a parent/guardian to Attendance as soon as they enter school in the morning. If students are dismissed due to an illness while in school, they must first be screened by our nurses. Parents and Guardians, please do not accept phone calls from your students during the day asking to be picked up. These early dismissals must be preapproved by an administrator or member of our office staff who will need to speak with you before the student may leave. We need your help in making sure we are releasing your child to the right person and with the appropriate permission. When leaving, students must sign-out through the attendance office. Additionally, they are requested to bring a note from the doctor’s office back to the attendance office upon their return to verify the visit. This note can be turned in when they sign back in, or the day they return to school. Additional information is available in the online Parent-Student Handbook.
Cell Phones/Electronic Devices: Please be reminded that personal cellular phones and electronic devices are subject to restrictions in the High School and will be confiscated if they are being used inappropriately. Teachers may collect all cell phones at the beginning of class as they deem necessary to minimize distractions and maintain confidentiality of quizzes/tests. Additionally, please be aware that all electronic equipment (I-pods, MP3 players, PDAs, etc.) are your responsibility.
Dress Code: Students are reminded that the school will be enforcing the dress code outlined in the online Parent-Student Handbook. We would like to encourage everyone to dress appropriate to the climate in the building and dress in layers.
North Montco Technical Career Center (NMTCC) There will again be three sessions at North Montgomery Technical Career Center this year. Our 10th grade will continue to leave the building at 7:42am from the East Wing, our 9th grade will depart from their class at 9:24am for departure from the Main Lobby at 9:30, and our 11th and 12th grade students will depart at 11:40am from the East Wing.
Publicity Refusal: If you do not want photos, videotape footage or interviews featuring your child, please return this form to high school office by Friday, September 27, 2019. The form is available on the High School website.
Military Letter: For parents of Juniors and Seniors, if you wish to have your student’s contact information excluded from all lists provided to the United States military services, the form located on the High School website must be returned to the Counseling Office by September 13.
Pennsylvania Children’s Health Insurance Program: Flyer can be found on the High School Website.
Theater and Dance Program Information Meeting: On September 4th at 7:00 p.m. there will be an informational meeting for parents who have students interested in participating in our theatre and dance program. Meeting will be held in the theatre. Auditions, rehearsals, and volunteer opportunities will be among points discussed. Please see the flyer for additional details .
Athletics: Visit our athletic website for ongoing updates and information.
Handbook Corner-
Morning Arrival:
--Arrival Time: The doors to the building will open each morning at 7:15 AM. Parents are asked not to drop off their children prior to this time unless a prior arrangement has been made with a teacher and the student has been given a pass from the teacher. Any student drop-off with a pass prior to 7:15 AM MUST take place only at the East Wing Main Entrance where School Officer Valdes will be stationed.
--Student Drop-Off: Student drop-off in the morning may only take place at the East Wing Main Entrance. Parents are asked not to drop off in the West Wing as the lane closest to the building is used for bus traffic and the lane above that is utilized for staff parking. When dropping off, please make one single-file line. Attempting to circumvent this line and create a second lane outside the East Wing creates a danger to students exiting vehicles. Under no circumstances should students be dropped off on the adjacent streets surrounding the building. Thank you for your cooperation and patience as we all work to keep our students safe.
Email: rasher@methacton.org
Website: www.methacton.org
Location: 1005 Kriebel Mill Road, Eagleville, PA, USA
Phone: 610-489-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MethactonSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @Methacton