High School Happenings
March 23rd, 2023
Important Information
End of the 3rd Marking Period
The end of the 3rd marking period is two short weeks away, April 4, 2023. Please make sure to check Powerschool and have your students check Google Classroom to be sure everything is handed in and grades are where they want them to be.
Summer School 2023
Attached please find information regarding Summer School 2023. Information on ACCELERATION or REMEDIATION can be found in the document attached.
Final Exam Schedule
Attached please find our final exam schedule for seniors; final exam schedule for underclass students; and a schedule for our NMTCC students.
Assessment Schedule
Assessment Schedule
AP exams and Keystone exams are scheduled for the month of May.
- AP exams run from May 1-15.
- Keystones exams are May 15 (Algebra), May 17 (Biology), and May 18 (Literature).
- ******We will operate on a 3-hour delay on 5/17 and 5/18 to administer the exams.****** Students taking the test will arrive at our normal start time via bussing or parent drop off; The busses will run again 3 hours later to pick everyone up.
- The makeup window for Keystones exams will be May 19- 25.
Upcoming Days Off
This is the last newsletter before spring break. We will be off for Spring Break Wednesday, April 5- Monday, April 10. We are wishing everyone a restful spring break!
(Please note, NMTCC is closed on April 3 and 4 and we are open. Part-time NMTCC students may come in late/ leave early with their own transportation and parental permission, or students will be in study hall during the time in their schedule when they would be at NTMCC.)
We Belong! Workshop
Thank you to Mr. Albert Jones for sharing his time with us this week and delivering his second workshop: We Belong! Students who volunteered to attend learned how to create a sense of belonging in our school, how to create positive relationships with peers, faculty and staff, and how to improve the climate and culture of our school.
Mini-Thon 2023
Congratulations to our Mini-thon team for raising $70,520.31 (just $300. short of our all-time record) for the 4-Diamonds fund. It was an amazing event!
Art Show
Art Show: April 21 and April 22
Mark your calendars-- our ART SHOW: "Perspectives" is next month! You're invited to come to the high school to see the work of our amazing art students. The show will be open (in the library) Friday, April 21 from 6-9pm and Saturday, April 22 from 12-4pm.
Congratulations All State Orchestra!
Three MHS students, Haley Chung (Violin), Matthew Chung (Cello) and Victoria Fan (Violin), were given the honor of advancing to the PMEA All State Orchestra Festival which will be held April 19-22, 2023 at the Kalahari Resort in the Poconos. Congratulations to these students for this tremendous accomplishment!
Congratulations to our Swimming State Finalists!
This past weekend we had 5 boys and 1 girl swim at Bucknell University for the 2023 PIAA State Championship meet. Overall, the boys finished 25th in the state among 65+ teams who had swimmers competing in the meet.
On day 1 of competition, the boy's medley relay consisting of Christopher Groff, Christian Lebold, John Du, Eric Zang, and alternate Jake Kallal, finished 11th in prelims which qualified for a spot in consolation finals which took place in the evening. In prelims, Christopher Groff also swam the 200 freestyle which he placed 21st. At finals, C. Groff, C. Lebold, J. Du, and E. Zang competed in the medley relay one last time of the season and went their best time together, 1:36.13 which placed 13th overall. The time they went was only 0.1 of a second off the school record!
On day 2 of competition, Christopher Groff swam in 100 backstroke and Christian Lebold swam in the 500 freestyle. Christian finished in 31st place for his first ever individual event at States. Christopher finished 2nd in his event in prelims going 50.10 which lowered his previous school record of 50.13. In the evening, he swam the 100 backstroke for one final time of his high school career. He swam his personal best race going 49.75, once again lowering his current school record. He finished the event with a bronze medal. The difference between 1st place and 3rd place was only 0.32 of a second!
The boys all earned All-State certificates for their performances at the State Championship meet. If you see any of the following boys in the hallway, please congratulate them on their success at states and the hard work they put in all season: Christopher Groff, Christian Lebold, John Du, Eric Zang, Jake Kallal, and Madison Wimmer.
Madison Wimmer took 8th place in the PIAA state meet in the 200 free and placed 9th in the 500 free with a lifetime best time 5:01.29.
Teacher Highlight
Earlier this year I shared that 9th grade English teacher, Lee Ann van der Kwast, was published in the National Council for Teachers of English (NCTE). We just found out that she was published AGAIN! We are so proud of her and thankful our students get to work with a published author. See her article below:
Final Farewell to Audubon Elementary School
Join us for a final farewell to the former Audubon Elementary School. The building is scheduled for demolition in June 2023, and the district has organized a walk-through event to be held at the site tentatively on March 23, 2023 from 5pm-7pm.
Address: 2765 Egypt Road, Audubon, PA 19403
This event provides an opportunity for community members to come together to tour the building, share their memories of the school, and celebrate the many years of learning and growth that took place within its walls. We hope that you will be able to join us for this special occasion.
***Please note that due to the required abatement process and removal of supplies from the building, the planned date for the walk-though could be rescheduled. We will communicate a date change should the need arise.***
Religious Holidays
As we enter into the spring holiday season, we may have some students in need of an accommodation for observing a religious holiday at school. Ramadan is celebrated from the evening of Wednesday, March 22 through the evening of Friday, April 21, 2023. Lent is Wednesday, February 22 through Saturday, April 8, 2023. Passover begins Wednesday, April 5 through the evening of Thursday, April 13, 2023. If students observe any of the holidays and are in need of accommodation, they should follow this process:
- An email from the caregiver to their student's grade level administrator requesting a Smartpass to the library for their student during lunch and/or time of prayer. Smartpasses are required for accountability purposes. Grade level administrative assignments are as follows:
- Gr 9 Last name A-GO, and Grade 11: kkochenour@methacton.org
- Gr 9 Last name GP-O, and Grade 10: dbontempo@methacton.org
- Gr 9 Last name P-Z, and Grade 12: pspiewak@methacton.org
The email to the admin should include the student's name, grade, lunch period, and/or time of prayer needed. Students should also work with their teachers(s) to make any necessary arrangements for any work missed.
Course Selection Information
PARENTAL DUE DATES:
- March 24 - Final date for course request changes by students/parents.
- April 28 - Due date for waivers.
- End of MP 3 & 4 - Teachers confirm recommendation eligibility.
Upcoming Dance Information
Prom 2023
The Prom is Friday, April 28 at the Sheraton in King of Prussia. It is for our 11th and 12th grade students. They may bring a guest.
Ticket sales will be the week of 3/20 – 3/24 during at all lunches for $90. After that, tickets will be on sale for $100 during homeroom in either Mrs. Emery’s room (A105) or Mrs. Dunbar’s room (A107). Tickets to prom will be $100 from 3/27 – 4/7. All prom tickets are final sale and non-refundable.
Please be sure to read the Prom Website below before purchasing tickets (see button below). ALL information about the prom, guest forms, Q&As, and POST PROM can be found by accessing the tabs at the top of the site.
Please note, our 11th and 12th grade students do NOT need to attend the prom to sign up for the post prom. See the website below for full details.
Post Prom - Friday, April 28
Post Prom is a highly-anticipated, overnight event immediately following the MHS Prom. Year after year this event draws over 90% of prom-goers and an additional 75 Methacton Juniors and Seniors who didn’t even attend prom.
This amazing event is held in the high school, which is completely transformed by our decorating committee. The event includes inflatables, a casino, escape rooms, cash cab, silent disco, mini golf, race car simulator and volleyball and dodgeball tournaments! There’s entertainment such as a hypnotist, balloonists, caricaturist, and tattoo artists! There’s unlimited food and drink, and a coffee house with live music, and so much more! To top it all off there are spectacular prizes at the end of the night including iPads, laptops, cash and more!
This event is completely FREE! All Methacton Juniors and Seniors and their prom dates are welcome and encouraged to attend even if you do not attend the prom. Everyone (Prom guests included) must fill out a registration form. (You do not need to attend the prom to attend post prom!)
You MUST REGISTER to attend. Parents must register their student by Friday, April 21st.
All students registered by April 7th will be entered in a drawing for a Fast Pass. 15 passes will be given out.
Click here to register https://www.methacton.org/postprom
If you have any questions contact Tara Thomas at methactonppregister@gmail.com.
Information for Seniors:
Graduation Information
Parents of Seniors- the document below was emailed to you on March 1st. Here it is again in case you missed it, inclusive of how to buy the senior graduation signs sponsored by Post Prom.
Voice of the Class- Speaking at Graduation
Attention Seniors! "Voice of the Class of 2023" Submissions are Open!
Have you have ever dreamed about giving a speech at Graduation? This may be your opportunity!!
Several years ago, Methacton created a speaking opportunity during Graduation called “The Voice of the Class.” All students in the Class of 2023 are eligible to apply to be the Voice of the Class. If interested in applying for this honor, seniors must completely write their intended speech and submit it to Dr. Gravinese and Mrs. Deegan via email (jgravinese@methacton.org; ldeegan@methacton.org) by 3:00pm on Friday, April 14, 2023.
All submitted speeches will be anonymously reviewed by a committee of teachers, staff and select members of the Class of 2023. The Voice of the Class will be chosen from among those submissions.
Graduation
Tuesday, Jun 13, 2023, 04:00 PM
Methacton High School, Kriebel Mill Road, Eagleville, PA, USA
From the School Counseling Office...
Please find important information from our School Counseling Office:
Scholarship days are here! Two of our school counselors, Mrs. Hartson and Mrs. Langan, have been walking around at lunch this week, handing out paper applications for students to apply to scholarships. We want to be sure our students are aware of the many scholarship opportunities that exist and are sometimes missed. Questions about scholarships? Please see our Virtual Bulletin Board to see all of the many opportunities that exist. Please also see the attached document for webinars and scholarships.
SPRING 2023 SAT Registration Dates Have Been Released:
Test Dates:
- SAT: 5/6/23; Registration Deadline: 4/21/23; Late Registration Deadline:4/24/23
- SAT: 6/3/23(MHS Hosting); Registration Deadline:5/19/23; Late Registration Deadline: 5/23/23
College Rep Visits are back in person this year! Students may sign up through Naviance, make a smart pass and then report to the area for the visit. 60 schools and counting have signed up so far!
Save the Date:
The Pennsylvania Association of College Admissions Counselors will be hosting their annual In-Person College Fair this year.
Main Line Villanova at Villanova University
May 24th
6:00 - 8:30 PM Eastern
If interested in attending, please register using the link below. All students in attendance will need to register and secure a bar code prior to joining this fair.
College Planning for Juniors
A note to Juniors: Counselors will continue to meet with their students to talk about post-secondary planning. They will also be hosting some afterschool drop in workshops to review the college search process, starting the common application, as well as looking into career options on the following dates in room C133. These workshops are not to take place of the students meeting with their individual counselors, but to supplement the extra time to work on activities.
- Wednesday, March 29
- Wednesday, April 12
- Tuesday, April 18
- Thursday, April 27
Methacton High School Look Ahead
Upcoming Events (subject to change):
March 23- Spring Athlete Leadership Academy
April 4- End of the 3rd marking period
April 5- Beginning of 4th marking period
April 5-10: Spring Break
April 11- School resumes
April 21 & 22: MHS Art Show
April 26- Marking period 3 report cards posted
April 28- Prom and Post-Prom
May 1-5: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 5- Film Festival
May 10- Mid-point in the 4th marking period- interims sent out
May 16- Inservice Day
May 24- Senior Awards Night
May 25- Senior Breakfast
May 26- Flex-inservice Day
May 29- Memorial Day Holiday, schools and offices closed
June 13- Graduation, 4pm, MHS stadium
June 14- Last Day of School for Underclassmen
June 21- MP 4 report cards posted
Supports for Students and Families:
Curricular Support Room (CSR)- Room C136 (Across from the Library)
Our Curricular Support Room (CSR) has a math and English teacher available for assistance every period of the day. Need help with a math concept or math homework? Need help with writing an essay? The CSR is the place for you! Students should write a Smartpass to the CSR during their study hall or lunch period, and help will be readily available.
Math Help
Our virtual math tutoring is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 7pm-8pm, Mrs. Gallagher will be online and available to help anyone that needs assistance with math. The sign up directions are contained in the flyer attached:
National Honor Society Peer Tutoring
Our National Honor Society offers peer tutoring for students in need of assistance. If your student is interested in being peer tutored, please email our sponsors: LDacri@methacton.org or GWinters@Methacton.org for more information.
Universal Free Breakfast Program
On Friday, September 9, 2022, Governor Wolf announced a Universal Free Breakfast program for all Pennsylvania students to begin on October 1, 2022 through the end of the 2022-2023 school year. As a result, all Methacton School District students will have the option to receive breakfast each morning at no cost. Our building principals are working on a plan with Aramark to roll out this new program and will be providing additional information in the coming days. Monthly menus can always be found at: https://methacton.schooldish.com/
Methacton School District Backpack Program
How can I donate to the Backpack Program?
There are several ways you can contribute to the Backpack Program:
Collection Bins
· Donations can be dropped off (Monday thru Friday) at the Methacton High School East Wing or Arcola Intermediate School. Collection bins are located near the entrance.
Amazon
· You can place an order through Amazon and ship it directly to the High School. Please remember to select, "No Weekend Delivery." The address is:
Methacton High School
c/o Backpack Program
1005 Kriebel Mill Rd.
Eagleville, PA 19403
What items can I donate?
Individual Serving Food Items Needed
· Single serving boxes of milk (shelf-stable/not refrigerated)
· Mini Cereal Boxes
· Canned Soup (cans with "pop tops")
· Oatmeal packets or cups
· Applesauce and Fruit Cups
· Chef Boyardee, Hormel, Dinty Moore Meals, etc.
· Easy Mac Cups
· Cracker packs
· Sweet Snacks: Fruit gummies, pudding, granola bars, etc.
· Salty Snacks: Pretzel packs, Goldfish, Popcorn, etc.
· 100% Juice boxes
Community Ed Needs YOU!
Share Your Talents!
Methacton School District’s Office of Community Education is looking for instructors to lead enriching activities in Fall 2023 and Winter 2024:
· Friday Night Swims
· Basketball
· Ski Trips
· Line Dancing
Please email your interest to information@methacton.org by May 15, 2023.