Bearcat Necessities 4/30/2021
Monroe High School - 17001 Tester Road, Monroe, WA 98272
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From the Principal
Happy Friday Bearcat Students and Families!
It’s hard to believe we are already heading into May and that all of the end of the year flurry of festivities are just around the corner. While we are still working on the details of all of those pieces (graduation, awards, etc), what we do know is that we are super proud of our students for hanging in there and finishing the year strong! I have to say it’s so great to have kids back in the building. I’ve had the opportunity the past few weeks to be out and about throughout the day, dropping into classrooms and chatting with students during lunch. It’s so great to finally have the opportunity to get to know them better, find out what’s going well, and ask how things are going in class and at home. Our students are so cheerful, positive and insightful … I didn’t realize how much our own stresses and frustrations as adults this past year was due to not having that in-person connection with them. In any case, that is behind us and now we can focus on bringing back to life a positive and healthy student culture with our Bearcats.
This week we hosted an all-school assembly via zoom for both A and B groups. We celebrated our students for doing a remarkable job around wearing their masks at school and keeping distant … it’s a bit of a broken record with those reminders and celebrations, however they are critical to continue to keep all of us safe. We also used the opportunity to remind our students of what we need from them moving forward to continue to maintain a safe environment here at school, which means following these safety precautions and procedures, both inside and outside of school. As we talked through what we need from our students in our current reality, I shared with them my belief around creating and maintaining a great culture here at MHS. Our efforts are not purposed to foster and grow good kids (although that’s a worthy goal) … our efforts are intended to shape and mold our students to become GREAT adults. In that regard, at MHS we need to do things with our students, not to them. Building a strong and healthy student culture is about creating and improving it with our students … this creates buy-in, ownership, and lasting change versus a place where students just “comply” with all of the rules and regulations that the adults hand down from on high.
With that in mind, and as we think about wearing masks, staying distant, washing hands regularly, and staying home when sick … the message to our students was around working together, all of us, to keep these things as priorities. I’m confident in our students and their abilities to be a contributing part of this effort and I look forward to a safe, positive, and celebratory end to this crazy school year. While right now our focus is on safety procedures and precautions, looking ahead I can’t wait to roll up our sleeves with our remarkable students to celebrate the great things at MHS and dream big about what we want to build, create and change to make this an even better place for ALL.
GO BEARCATS!
Congratulations to Our April Scholars
Drama - Aiden Beerbower
Art - River Mahler
American Sign Language - Jade Wright
Engineering Design - Angel Galicia-Fraga
Foreign Languages - Carla Lozano
Counseling Support - Connor Capone & Elyssa Campbell
Sports Medicine - Makinna Gamble
Science - Aryeanna Lykke & Iasmin Fatte
Social Studies - Dexter Cummings & Elle Springer
Choir - Gina Martin
English - Jay Puett & Cesar Moreno
Friday Schedules for MHS begin May 7th
The Friday schedule moving forward is as follows:
May 7 - A Cohort: attends in-person from 7:50 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. / B Cohort: remote independent learning
May14 - B Cohort: attends in-person from 7:50 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. / A Cohort: remote independent learning
May 21 - A Cohort: attends in-person from 7:50 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. / B Cohort: remote independent learning
May 28 - No School; Memorial Day Break
June 4 - B Cohort: attends in-person from 7:50 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. / A Cohort: remote independent learning
June 11 - A Cohort: attends in-person from 7:50 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. / B Cohort: remote independent learning
June 18 - B Cohort: attends in-person from 7:50 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. / A Cohort: remote independent learning
For your planning purposes, we have created a printable calendar with the above dates. The calendar can be found here.
From the Counselors
2021-22 Class Registration:
Students will meet with teachers on May 7th and May 14th to discuss their core classes (English, Math, Science and Social Studies) for next year. Class Registration will open for students May 18-21st. There is much more information on the Counseling website. Use the FAQ sheet to get all the information you need.
Learn about opportunities to earn both High School and College Credit as an MHS Student! Here is a powerpoint explaining the following options:
College in the High School
Running Start
Advanced Placement
Dual Credit through CTE
If you are a current 10th or 11th grader and interested in learning more about Running Start for next year, here is a Powerpoint of how it works with live links.
Both of these Powerpoints will also be on the MHS counseling website.
Questions contact your school counselor
Student last names: A-El: Mrs. Woodard: woodardl@monroe.wednet.edu
Student last names: Em-Le: Mrs. Garcia: garciaj@monroe.wednet.edu
Student last names: Li-Q: Mrs. Parry: parrys@monroe.wednet.edu
Student last names: R-Z: Ms. Stevens: stevensj@monroe.wednet.edu
MHS Athletics
Important Bearcat Athletics Update
Winter sports are scheduled to start this next Monday the 3rd. Earlier this month, WESCO ADs voted on the following:
If Snohomish County rolls back to Phase 2, we will postpone the start of Winter Sports to Monday, May 10th.
This would allow for our high risk, indoor sports including Wrestling and Basketball, to have a better chance at competition towards the end of their season should we get to move back into Phase 3 at the next three-week metrics evaluation.
Both wrestling and basketball are considered "high risk" and are not allowed to compete in Phase 2.
What does this mean for my student-athlete on Monday?
*If it is announced we are moving back to Phase 2, there will be no practices that day. Practices will start Monday the 10th.
*If nothing is announced and we are staying in Phase 3, practices will start the 3rd. Please make sure your student is prepared to have practice AND be flexible to change that if needed.
We will send out an email Monday when we hear.
Weekend Food Bag Program
Dear Families,
We know that the economy has hit some of our families hard and the Sky Valley Food Bank is partnering with Monroe High School to help ease some of the hardship. The Weekend Food Bag program is intended for families with students receiving free/reduced lunch.
The Food Bank will deliver bags to our school to be distributed on Wednesdays for A cohort and Thursdays for B cohort. The bags usually contain a variety of snack items, canned goods, light meal foods, and weigh around 5lbs.
To enroll in the program you can return the attached enrollment form to the MHS Counseling center or call or email Jill Vandemoortele at the number below. No further paperwork or additional information will be needed.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Jill Vandemoortele, MSW
Intervention Specialist
Monroe High School
360-804-4521
Free Meal Program Update
FREE MEALS CONTINUE FOR ALL STUDENTS
Did you know we are still offering FREE meals for all students, even when they are attending in-person?!
Meals for students in grades 6-12 are a combination of in school service and take-home meals. On the days they attend in-person, students are offered a free sack lunch to be eaten at school. They also have an opportunity to receive free take-home meals at the end of their day, which includes breakfasts and lunches for the days that they will be remote learning.
We know that children learn better when they have had a meal. Please encourage your student to take advantage of the free meals both in school and take-home! We will continue offering free meals through the rest of this school year!
Class of 2021
The recording for the senior student meeting is on the website. You can find it here.
The recording for the senior family/guardian meeting will be on the website soon and located in the same spot.
If you're senior is a running start student it is imperative they make sure they're checking their school emails as important information is shared with students via their school email accounts.
Bearcat Pride
Bearcat Pride is a volunteer organization that supports teachers and sports activities through concession sales. Concession sales are not happening this year, but by the fall we hope to be back in business. If you’re looking to support MHS, we could use you! Please fill out the Google form below and join Bearcat Pride for the 2021-2022 school year. We are always looking for new and creative ways to support the high school. We would love to hear from you. Click on the link below, fill in a few questions and be added to our email list.
https://forms.gle/2LM5MNuyhmpk9a7t8
We currently have board positions open. If interested please email us at
parents-mhs@monroe.wednet.edu and let us know what you would like to do.
Current Board Members:
Seanna Sunde-President
Sara Kuntz & Alison Hurley-Co Vice President
Tiffany Martin-Treasurer
Emily Miller-Secretary
Our next board meeting: Mark your calendar!
Date: May 12, 2021
Time: 7:00 pm
Virtual: Link will be provided closer to date
Bearcat Band Boosters
MHS band Boosters has board positions open
Co-President
VP
Co-Secretary
Co-treasurer
Uniform coordinator.
Questions and interest can be sent to bearcatbandboosters@gmail.com
As always we want to hear from you! Do you have ideas? Questions? Concerns? Let us know.
You can find us here….
Facebook:
@Monroe Bearcat Pride Parent Teacher Group
Email:
Counseling Corner
TRANSCRIPTS: Do you need a transcript for your college applications? You can request them from Ms. Hutson in the Counseling Center at hutsonh@monroe.wednet.edu. If you have applied through the Coalition Application or Common Application your counselor will send those through those application processes.
APPOINTMENTS: If you need an appointment with your counselor you can email them directly or Ms. Hutson. They can meet through zoom or a phone call.
RUNNING START
Are you in 10th or 11th grade? Are you looking to earn both High School AND college credit? Explore your options through Running Start. Local community colleges have information sessions coming up soon. Check their websites for more information:
Everett Community College: https://www.everettcc.edu/enrollment/hs-programs/running-start/
MHS Career & College Center
Where Are You At In The Career & College Process? Let's Talk!
Make An Appointment with the MHS Career & College Ready Specialist
Click to schedule an appointment here.
$CHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHT$
A Scholarship is financial support awarded to a student, based on a variety of criteria. Scholarships and grants are funds for college that do not need to be paid back. Sounds great right! Learn more here.
Construction Trade Scholarship
Building Industry Association of Washington
Who Should Apply? Washington state residents only, Students who will be applying to any Washington state accredited community, vocational/technical college, or university, Students who can demonstrate a need for additional funding to complete their programs in a construction industry-related field of study
Deadline May 14th - Grades 6-12
Girls Impact the World Scholarship Awards
Various awards available. Through the ConnectHER Film Festival, high school students submit original short films focused on critical women’s issues such as girls’ education, ending violence against women, poverty & economic independence, and authentic beauty/body image. Requirements: Films must be 3-6 minutes long, Film file formats accepted: .mov and .mp4, They must focus on a Girls Impact the World topic and/or propose solutions to one critical challenge within that topic Films must be created after January 1, 2020.
Deadline June 15th - Grades 9-12
Other Helpful Resources
Career & College Events & Opportunities
Local Jobs & Volunteering Opportunities
What Careers Are Right For ME?
SENIOR $CHOLARSHIP HIGHLIGHT$
A Scholarship is financial support awarded to a student, based on a variety of criteria. Scholarships and grants are funds for college that do not need to be paid back. Sounds great right! Learn more here.
$1,000 Essay Scholarship - Describe the three characteristics of leadership you value most. Discuss why you believe that these traits are so important and how you feel that they are developed in an individual.
Deadline 5/22
Skagit Valley College Fire Science Program Scholarship
This scholarship opportunity covers the cost of tuition, fees, books, uniforms, and certificates for the entire two-year degree program (approximately $8,000 annually) and membership as a firefighter/EMT in a participating Skagit County fire agency.
Deadline 5/14
$500.00-$1,000.00 The PB&J Scholarship is for students who have experienced personal challenges that may not have allowed them to perform well academically, but who still have the drive to succeed. Applicants will be evaluated based on their essay and letters of recommendation; there is no GPA requirement. Please note: letters of recommendation must directly reference the student’s challenges. If the applicant does not wish to share their challenges with their recommender, then the recommendation must reference the student’s personal character.
Deadline 5/31
Looking For A Job After Graduation?
Take a look at local jobs opportunities here.
Washington STEM Signing Day
CLASS of 2021 - SHOW US YOUR SCHOLARSHIP MONEY!
Pandemic EBT Emergency School Meals Program or P-EBT.
Due to COVID-19 school closures, families enrolled in school may be eligible to get help with food benefits. These food benefits are called Pandemic EBT Emergency School Meals Program or P-EBT.
School Offices
Our school office remains closed to the general public. We recognize there are needs that require in-person meetings. On-site visits are allowed by appointment only and require a
pre-scheduled meeting. If you are in need of an in-person meeting, please contact the Main Office by calling 360-804-4500 Option #9 to schedule. All visitors will be required to answer a set of questions to ensure it is safe to have them on campus. For their appointment, visitors are required to wear a cloth mask and are required to sign in and out while on campus.
Who's Who at MHS
Brett Wille- willeb@monroe.wednet.edu
Principal
Shannon Tarrach - tarrachs@monroe.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal
Jeannette Siemers - siemersj@monroe.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Hugo Molina - molinah@monroe.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal
Melissa Myers - myersme@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Manager - 360-804-4502
Oscar Hanson - hansono@monroe.wednet.edu
Main Line - Front Desk - (360) 804-4500
Janet Smith -smithja@monroe.wednet.edu
Attendance -(360) 804-4501
Jacci Rasmussen - rasmussenj@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Financial Office/ASB - (360) 804-4513
Tara Weyrick- weyrickt@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Athletics - (360) 804-4511
Denise Palmer - palmerd@monroe.wednet.edu
Registrar - (360) 804-4524
Helen Hutson - hutsonh@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Counseling - (360) 804-4520
Sarah Tucker - tuckers@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Counseling - (360) 804-4503
Michelle Dickinson - dickinsonm@monroe.wednet.edu
Career & College Ready Specialist - Career Center - (360) 804-4507
Geneva Padilla - padillag@monroe.wednet.edu
Health Room RN/ (360) 804-4532