Principal's Newsletter
From the Desk of Russ Booth
December 8th, 2023
We have an exciting weekend ahead with the opening of our annual musical! This year our students are putting on "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown." I hope everyone can find time to attend one of the four shows. The show opens tonight (12/8) at 7pm, with 2 shows tomorrow (12/9 at 1pm and 7pm), and a Sunday matinee (12/10 at 1pm).
Our annual Winter Concert is also being held next week on Wednesday, December 13th at 6:30pm. More information can be found below.
We are also hosting a prom fundraiser this year in conjunction with Play It Again Sports. We will be collecting quality used sporting equipment over the next two week with all proceeds of donations used to defer the cost of this years prom. Equipment can be dropped off at either the main office or the athletic office from December 11th through December 21st. A flyer is below with a list of items that can be donated.
Please be sure to take a look at the information below and I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Seal of Biliteracy
We are once again offering the opportunity for Juniors and Seniors to earn the Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma and transcript. Mrs. Carolina DiBiase recently sent out information to all Juniors and Seniors. The content of that email is below.
Attention All Juniors and Seniors:
We are pleased to inform you of our participation in the Massachusetts State Seal of Biliteracy for the 2024-2025 School Year. The Seal of Biliteracy is offered to any student who demonstrates proficiency in English and any other language, whether they speak or sign the language other than English at home or learned it at school or in the community. The State Seal of Biliteracy aims to:
1. Encourage students to study and master languages;
2. Certify attainment of biliteracy skills;
3. Recognize the value of language diversity;
4. Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills;
5. Provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for attainment of high-level skills in languages;
6. Prepare students with skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society; and
7. Strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community.
Please take a look at the slide show attached below and if you have any questions, please feel free to email me. If you are interested in this experience, I will add your name to a Google Classroom for test takers this year and we will confirm dates for our testing in January.
Senior Corner
Senior Families: Graduation has been confirmed for Sunday, June 2nd at the Xfinity Center. More details will follow.
Financial Aid Night
Our annual Financial Aid Night will take place on Tuesday, December 12th at 6:30 in the MHS Auditorium. Our presenter, Susan Beard Director of Student Financial Services at Wheaton College, will provide an overview of the financial aid process, changes to the FAFSA and updates for the Class of 2024 and how to read and understand financial aid packages. This is always an informative night, and while geared towards students and parents of the Class of 2024 all grades are welcome to attend to learn more about the process. We hope to see you there!
Toys for Tots
Mansfield High School is participating in the Rotary Clubs annual “Toys for Tots” drive this year. A collection box is located in our Lobby where new and unwrapped toys may be donated to assist Mansfield families. Families who wish to participate may send a toy in with their student through December 11th.
Nomination for Staff Excellence Award - November
Can you think of a Mansfield High School teacher, coach or staff member that has made a difference for you or is making a difference for our community? Here is your chance to recognize them and let them know!
We invite all staff, students, parents and community members to nominate someone for the Mansfield High School Staff Excellence Award for November. This award is meant to recognize two members of the Mansfield High School staff who provide extraordinary service to the school community. It is a wonderful opportunity to communicate your appreciation for someone that you feel has gone above and beyond.
Award recipients will be announced at the December Faculty Meeting and in the Principal's Newsletter. Your kind words will be shared with all nominees. There is no limit on the number of individuals you may nominate but please submit a separate form for each nominee.
Staff Excellence Award Nomination Form - November 2023
NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY DECEMBER 8TH
AFL-CIO Scholarship Program - Class of 2024
The Annual AFL-CIO Scholarship Program is in its 65th year. Through the
scholarship program, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO is honored to continue a long
tradition of helping students continue their education as they work toward creating
bright futures.
The Massachusetts AFL-CIO scholarship program awardees receive between $500
and $16,000 towards their education. Over 40 unions, central labor councils, area
businesses and charitable trusts from across Massachusetts participate in awarding
scholarships that total nearly half a million dollars. Unions in Massachusetts have
given close to $10 million in scholarships since 2000. About 1,500 students take the
exam annually to compete for a scholarship. Students with a union affiliation are
eligible for both the Massachusetts AFL-CIO awards and those awards listed under
their specific local union/central labor council. Massachusetts students who do not
have union affiliation are eligible for the Massachusetts AFL-CIO scholarships only.
2023-2024 Scholarships
● The scholarship application is available online at www.massaflcio.org/scholarships
All applications must be submitted online; you do not register for the exam at MHS.
● Scholarship Applications are due Friday, December 22, 2023; late applications will
not be accepted.
● The study guide is available online and is updated annually with new information.
They have updated their website to make it more interactive for students to review
material. The study guide can be found at Scholarship Study Guide
● This year's Labor History Exam will be given electronically in school on Thursday,
February 8, 2024 first thing in the morning. More information to follow.
Various Vaping Resources
In an effort to combat the ongoing challenge of vaping within our school (and others), please take a look at and utilize the various resources provided below to learn more about vaping in order to start/continue the conversation with your child. Making progress in this area is a group effort, and we want to provide support for families at home with these resources.
General Info:
Vaping and the impact of Covid
Information on Quitting:
About Us
Russ Booth - Principal
Abigail Barlas - Assistant Principal, Student Support Services
Matthew McGuire - Assistant Principal, Grades 9 & 11
Ellen Noto - Assistant Principal, Grades 10 & 12
Timothy Tichacek - Assistant Director, Special Education
Tim Selmon - Athletic Director
Email: russ.booth@mansfieldschools.com
Website: https://mhs.mansfieldschools.com/
Location: 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA, USA
Phone: 508-261-7540
Twitter: @MHSHornets