MTRS Student and Family Update
10/23/2020
Dear MTRS Community,
I’m not sure how we did it, but we’re approaching the final week of October! Yesterday, we held our second round of material distributions for high school students. If you weren’t able to stop by yesterday, and still need to pick-up materials, please call the main office or email Christie Niles (cniles@mtrsd.org) to schedule a pick-up time. Students will need these materials for their Trimester 1 courses (as a reminder, there were NO new materials distributed for our middle school students).
REMINDER: Wednesday, Oct. 28 is a full day of school for students (see schedule below). Additionally, take note: Friday, Oct. 30 is a professional day for educators and no school for students.
Wednesday, October 28 Schedule
Virtual Open House
Middle School Open House
5:00-5:10- Advisory
5:15-5:30- Class 1
5:40-5:55- Class 2
6:05-6:20 - Class 3
6:30-6:45- Class 4
6:45-7:00 - Optional Sessions: Guidance, technology or specialists
High School Open House
7:00-7:10- Advisory
7:15-7:30 - Class 1
7:40-7:55 - Class 2
8:05-8:20 - Class 3
Using Cameras During Class Time
MTRS does not require students to turn-on cameras during class time. However, as our high school students begin their Trimester 1 classes and meet their teachers for the first time, we want to strongly encourage students to turn cameras on for brief periods of time during the first few weeks of classes. This allows the teacher and students to connect; nonverbal / visual cues help teachers recognize when a student may need additional help. This is especially important as teachers get to know their students and recognize when / if they need additional supports. A blurred background feature is now available in Google which provides students with some privacy. We encourage students to turn their cameras on and give this a try. As we continue to plan for a possible return to in-person learning, it would especially helpful for teachers to recognize their students visually--not just their bitmoji or picture icon. Cameras don’t have to be on for the entire class (we know this can impact bandwidth), but ask that students turn them on for a short period of time (ex: when you’re called on or the start of class) each day in order to build community connection within their classes.
Message from the Health Office
Please click here for a reference chart regarding COVID symptoms.
Student Services Update
For 7th Grade:
Middle School Report Cards are issued four times per year- at the end of each quarter: Quarter 1 - first day of school through mid November
Quarter 2 - mid November through early February
Quarter 3- early February through early April
Quarter 4- early April through last day of school
Interviews- 7th grade students will be invited to short interviews with Ms Ruggeri over the next few weeks. The purpose of the interviews is to get to know the students, and start the process of thinking about goals for the future.
For 8th Grade:
Middle School Report Cards are issued four times per year- at the end of each quarter: Quarter 1 - first day of school through mid November
Quarter 2 - mid November through early February
Quarter 3- early February through early April
Quarter 4- early April through last day of school
For 9th Grade:
Selection of Honors Classes for Trimester 1- In class, teachers are explaining the expectations for taking the course as Honors. Students are then given an electronic form to submit in order to select to take that course as Honors. A separate form needs to be submitted for each course taken as honors. The deadline to submit Honors Forms is Friday, October 30th.
High School Students
HONORS CREDIT in ACADEMIC COURSES
Mohawk Trail offers students the opportunity to take honors credit in all academic courses. Teachers will be discussing the honors credit option in their courses through next week. Students will fill out and submit a form for each course they would like to take for Honors credit. These forms need to be submitted by October 30th.
District Calendar
I wanted to make sure that you have received a copy of the updated district calendar published on Sept. 14. Please follow this link for the calendar.
The Art Garden
Sharing information from our local artists at the Art Garden (www.theartgarden.org). Due to the pandemic, The Art Garden's Fall 2020 ARTeens program will meet online once a week on Tuesdays (3:30–5:30 p.m.) from Oct 20 thru Dec 8. The program will provide art prompts, art supply deliveries, and an exposure to a wide range of techniques, artistic styles and artists. In addition, they will have a few outdoor, in-person, meet-up art adventures. These in-person meetings will follow all safety protocols. Online applications are available at
MTRS Local Education Council (LEC) Meetings
You’re invited! The MTRS LEC is looking for members to serve during the 2020-21 year. Meetings will be held virtually via Google Meet. If you are interested in participating, please email Principal Mendonsa at mm@mtrsd.org
Upcoming meeting dates (all meetings are held from 5-6 p.m.)
Monday, Oct. 26
Monday, Dec. 14
Monday, Jan. 25
Monday, March 29
Monday, May 24
Marisa