MRHS FRIDAY FOCUS Weekly Newsletter
MRHS VOICE: Vision of Innovation, Creativity & Excellence
25th Edition April 15, 2016
Building Connections Through Communication!
School Vacation: Monday April 18 - Friday April 22 2016
Important Program of Studies & Scheduling Information for 2016-2017
The 2016-2017 Program of Studies has been unanimously approved by the School Committee. This is an extremely important document that we at MRHS have worked hard on, and are proud of. This document reflects our value system and will provide our students a rigorous, supportive and diverse menu of opportunities. A special shout out to our dept. heads and teacher leader volunteers, who brought the words of this document to life for our school committee and then our parents this week during Program of Studies night. The response from these two presentations have been overwhelmingly positive – people are genuinely excited about this document, the opportunities for our students, and the direction of our school.
The 2016-2017 POS has been posted on the home page news feed - a direct link is here: http://www.monomoy.edu/cf_news/view.cfm?newsid=217.
Attention Current Grade 8-11 Students & Parents:
Our guidance counselors met with students this week to demonstrate the course selection process for next year. Beginning today (4.15.16), students will have access to the scheduling portal through their Aspen accounts. They have been instructed to review the Program of Studies and add their course requests to their accounts. Please be advised that teachers have worked diligently to make appropriate course recommendations, which will assist in ensuring that students are appropriately placed for next year. The scheduling window will remain open for students until Tuesday, April 26th. However, our guidance counselors will be scheduling individual meetings with all students after vacation to review their requests and make any necessary changes at that time. We feel that this process will allow for personal dialogue between counselors and students to properly guide their transition through high school.
Attention all 7th grade parents:
The guidance team from the high school will be visiting MRMS on Thursday, May 5th to begin the course selection process for next year. After vacation, you will receive a scheduling document that highlights courses available for your child for next year. Please review the document with your child and assist them in making course selections. Also, feel free to refer to the Program of Studies, which has been added to the high school website. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Police, Director of Guidance, at MRHS.
NEW SUMMER WORK PHILOSOPHY & SUMMER READING FUN AT MHRS!
I wanted to send out an update on the valuable work we’ve been doing regarding summer work for our students. This is one more area that we needed to solidify as a new district/high school. We have held several conversations with our staff & department heads, regarding our vision, values and beliefs as a school community regarding the amount of work we send home to our students in the summer. These values are consistent with many of the students and parents I have had communications with, and my own personal beliefs as a parent and principal.
Our goal is to get kids excited to read over the summer, while letting them be kids and enjoy some R & R after 10 months of hard work. Furthermore, we’d like to establish a culture where students are excited to read (having choice) and are not graded on summer reading/work (forced to read a specific book), coming in to school potentially already behind. We are starting a new summer reading plan that gets our staff involved, allows students a variety of choices and is followed up with a fun enrichment activity in the fall, where students and teachers who read the same book gather with some food and discuss the book in more detail. The only exception is Advanced Placement, because of the college board curriculum, there will be necessary summer work for those students, who will know this ahead of time. Sarah Wheaton has shared the initial philosophy and example of what some other schools are doing.
THERE WILL BE NO SUMMER WORK SENT OUT BY INDIVIDUAL TEACHERS AT MRHS THIS SUMMER!
Bill Burkhead
Principal
Summer Reading 2.0
Summer reading at MRHS is getting a makeover this year! We have been doing a lot of talking about the requirements, and we have decided that everyone needs a break over the summer. This summer we are asking students to select one book from a list of options, read it over our vacation and prepare for a special enrichment block book group that will meet in September. Like an adult book group, we will be providing food for all to enjoy.
Currently, our staff has been asked to select a book for which they would be willing host a book group. We are also asking students to recommend books that they think should be on our discussion group list.
To suggest a book, students should click on this link on the library website:
Ms. Weekes & Students organize a HUGE Surprise for Mr. Houston!
Today the entire school wore mock Boston Marathon bibs (see bib pictured below) to support History teacher Rich Houston as he prepares to run his 30th Boston Marathon. Mr. Houston has raised funds for Dana Farber Cancer research as part of his mission.
Ms. Weekes, her dedicated students and Ms. Kelly, secretly made sure everyone in our school had a bib. After 1st block the entire school surprised Mr. Houston with the bibs as Chariots of Fire soundtrack played throughout the school. Hundreds of selfies (Mr. Houston's favorite-see more at @monomoyhistory) & photos were taken to celebrate!
Shark Shout to Emily Greco, Akeem Bucknor, Julie Locantore, Courtney Leonard, Leland Walker, Felicia Potter and Alex Pavlakis for their help in organizing Mr. Houston´s surprise. Nice job! Very much appreciated!
Best wishes and a Huge Shark Shout Out to Mr. Houston as he prepares to run his 30th Boston marathon. Appreciatively, Mrs. Weekes
Senior Sensations
MRMS - future MRHS Sharks Shine!
Human Rights Clubs Join Forces- MRHS & MRMS
Monomoy Regional MIddle and High school did an outstanding job presenting all of the things that we do at Monomoy to promote human rights awareness. Both group provided excellent power point presentations. The Barnstable Human Rights Commission was very impressed with our schools dedication to human rights and problem solving and gave our kids a great deal of praise.
Both groups plan to meet in May for a joint meeting to plan for next year and honor our dynamic seniors.
PEACE Week at MRHS
MONOMOY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY REPORT: You CAN Get There from Here
2016 was a year of record breaking numbers for college applications nationwide. Despite the intense competition, Monomoy seniors have had an unprecedented year in college admissions! Statistics from U.S. World & News Report-2015. **and we are still receiving acceptances, so this chart will grow!
This is a credit to are extremely hard working senior class, their teachers throughout their careers, strong schools/curriculum, caring adults in their lives and amazing parental/guardian support and upbringing. It takes a village, and that village is Monomoy!
Click the link to see this amazing accomplishment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3-dWbYvFo4_M0lZREN4NXdHekU/view?usp=sharing
The "Ad Lucem" School Flag (Class of 2015' Gift) Flying High
Student Art Brings School Alive! Join us at our Poetry and Pasta Night on April 29th in our cafeteria from 4:30 – 6:30
MRHS, Creative Writing, and Sandscript (our creative writing club) are celebrating National Poetry Month by adorning the high school’s walls with poetry posters made by our students from their own original poems! Look around for them and enjoy!
Want to hear more poetry from our students? Come to our Poetry and Pasta Night on April 29th in our cafeteria from 4:30 – 6:30. Eat pasta and celebrate the word!!! Certificates and prizes will be given. Full dinners are $5 for students, $10 for adults, and free for Senior Citizens and kids under 5. Such a deal!! Watching your carbs? Just come for the poetry at no charge! See Kwon Faith or Lisa Forte-Doyle for more information.
"5 Quick Things" - Our way of sharing our wonderful faculty & staff with our school community.
Ms. Kerri Robinson - Special Education Department:
1. A proud mother of 2 daughters, Kesli who is 28 years old, a 2006 Chatham High graduate and a 2011 graduate from Westfield State University and Mia who is 15 years old and a sophomore here at Monomoy. I have been a teachers assistant for 10 years, A job I took after driving a school bus and training others to drive them for 21 years!
2. A true cape codder, born in the cape cod hospital, raised in Chatham, a 1986 Graduate of Chatham High. I enjoyed cheerleading, field hockey, softball, drama, band, chorus just to name a few things.
3. I love to host parties such as family gatherings, sporting events, last minute friendly cookouts, and I even hosted my sisters wedding at my house! I host yearly parties such as ugly Christmas sweater party and friendly thanksgivings for about 40 people... last year had 3 turkeys all cooked a different way!
4. For fun.....I am on the cape cod dart league, I am a candy crush addict (level 1244), I like to craft, and really like to work in my yard.
5. Things some people may not know about me... I was a ski instructor in Vail Colorado (this explains my liking of the Denver Broncos) I love to sing..I hosted karaoke and still love to go out with friends to sing the night away. I collect Santa hats and have more than enough to wear a different one each day of December!
Classroom Spotlight: Ms. Hoff's Spanish 1 Class
Mr. Smeltzer's class joins in
Elijah Beasly & Bobby Joy Skype with Spanish friends
Emily Greco conversing in Spanish
Emily Jutras and Thomas Gunn are happy to announce our first Monomoy baby!
Meet Jameson J. Gunn - 7.5lbs born at 2:16pm on April 12, 2016. Both Emily and Jameson are happy and healthy. Congratulations to the new mom and dad!
**need to get our baby gear MRHS Shark apparel up & running**
Driver's Education Opportunity: The class runs from April 18th through April 22nd at the Harwich Community Center.
For those who have expressed interest in a driver's education program over spring break, here is the enrollment link for MRHS students: http://professionaldrivinginc.com/enroll/mrhs/
It gives you access to a special rate of $675. The class runs from April 18th through April 22nd. ~ There are also two other options for the summer, if that works better for your family's schedule. You'll see them in the drop-down menu under "Select Class."
A big thank you goes to Mike at Professional Driving Schools, Inc. for making this available to our Monomoy families!
* Walk-in registrations on Monday, April 18th are welcome. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before class starts and we'll get you registered.
Shark "Shout Outs" (SSO's) - MRHS's way of Appreciating the Great People here!
Shark Shout Outs are spreading fast & furious at MRHS. We start every staff meeting with Shout Outs to colleagues and Shout Out to students nominated for student of the month during am announcements. Now, students and Parents are welcome to send in a Shark Shout Out as a token of appreciating other students and staff in the school. Email Mr. Burkhead at bburkhead@monomoy.edu, or drop them off to Ms. Hooper in the main office! The enthusiasm is contagious!
Shark Shout Out to Ms. Dietz, Mr. Dickson and all our wonderful students in GSA and STAND who helped organize PEACE week at MRHS!
Congratulations to Art Club students who made, decorated, and glazed 18 bowls to donate to Soup Bowls for Hunger 2016. This annual fundraising event is held at Cape Cod Tech every April. Members from Cape Cod Potters, Inc., and students from schools all over the Cape make and donate the bowls. Students from Cape Cod Tech make the soup. All proceeds go to the Family Food Pantry. This year they raised over $14,000. Thank you especially to Brandon Chase, Kaylee Cox, Miah Archambault, Olivia Burke, Emma Burke, Jenny Jackson, and Maddie Beaupre. Thank you too to Ms. Trull!!
Shark Shout to Emily Greco, Akeem Bucknor, Julie Locantore, Courtney Leonard, Leland Walker, Felicia Potter and Alex Pavlakis for their help in organizing Mr. Houston´s surprise. Nice job! Very much appreciated!
Best wishes and a Huge Shark Shout Out to Mr. Houston as he prepares to run his 30th Boston marathon.
Appreciatively, Mrs. Weekes
**Special thanks to Mrs. Weekes for organizing this event and to Ms. Kelly for all her hard work too!
Shark Shout Out to Ms. Terrenzi for making all of us AP Stats students lunch for today in celebration for finishing the curriculum ahead of schedule. We got to enjoy her pasta, meatballs and salad during lunch in between taking our first practice exam. She also offered to meet with all of us over vacation for study sessions. Ms. Terrenzi personifies selflessness in and out of the classroom. She is truly a role model! Thanks, Ms. T!
Laine Kotoski
I’d like to commend Mr. Dickson, not only for bringing in an excellent guest speaker, Mr. Wilkens, but also for taking his prep period to work with my AP psych class when I had to be out. We are very lucky to have him on board, and I am glad he was able to fill in for me when the AP exam is coming up.
Matt Brown
This week was National Assistant Principal's Week - We'd Like to dedicate a few Shout Outs to our 2 dedicated, caring and committed AP's Janie Girolamo and Mike Martin!
https://www.nassp.org/recognition/national-assistant-principals-week?SSO=true
We ARE blessed to have two of the hardest working, dedicated, and effective Assistant Principals around! Though wary at first; being hired as Administrative Assistant to one AP, turning quickly into being assigned to a second AP… but not to worry! I’m happy to report that days go quickly, efficiently, and productively around both Janie and Mike. Their humor sustains us, their professionalism makes us proud, and their knowledge of our school, its policies, procedures, protocols, and people are second to none. Well done AP team, I’m pleased and proud to work alongside both of you every day!
Janet Ferro
Big shout out to our assistant principals, Mike and Janie, for all they do behind the scenes to support both teachers and students.
Bob Smeltzer
Janie -
Hard work, integrity, never flustered, even with a crazy schedule in and out of school she makes the time to help others - a problem solver - never complains - extremely loyal and committed to our school and staff - effective - always supportive - professional - she brings people together - humble - strong - she has been an example to me in my work and my life and to so many others.
Mike -
Always energetic - student focused - extremely helpful - model to all of respect, compassion and empathy - when he walks in the room you genuinely and immediately feel uplifted - always has helpful advice and cares so much about kids
George Sowpel
Janie: you have been “my rock” for the last 14 years in Harwich and now Monomoy. You hired me( good call) and have supported me through the ups and downs over the years. It is obvious you are a tremendous AP, but you are an even better mentor and friendJ- Jon
Mike: In such a short amount of time you have brought great energy and new ideas into the mix. I enjoy your quirky sense of humor, both with adults and kids. You have been such a huge addition to our school, it is hard to think how we functioned before your arrival. Having worked with many 8th /9th graders in both my guidance and coaching roles I have come to recognize how much respect our younger students have for you.
Jon Bennett
A Shark Shout Out to Ms. Giralomo and Mr. Martin! They are always willing to go those extra steps to help a student and support their staff. Thank you for all you do!
Ms. Baker
A hearty Shark Shout Out to both Janie & Mike for everything they do! Their "can do" attitude is much appreciated by students & staff:)
Dave Alexander
Janie - She is always there when needed and handles even the most difficult situations with a smile. I can always count on her to be a listening ear and to be direct. I've never felt more confident in an administrator before working with Janie. She's simply the best!
Mike- It's been wonderful to work with Mike. He understands the needs of the 8th grade which has been so valuable this year. He's approachable and straightforward and I feel he has the staff and student's best interests at heart. He's wonderful at communicating- even goes as far to seek us out for a face to face rather than email. Plus, he fearlessly wears great sweaters at the holidays.
Emily Jutras
A big shout out to Mike for always being there, for always checking in, for his positive attitude and his big smile !
Jan McGrory
I have had the pleasure of working with Janie for many years. I have found her to be the most professional asst. principal that I have had to work with over the years.
Mike Martin has also made a positive impression as a first year asst. principal. He has made a definite move to actually get out and mix with the students and staff. He has a positive attitude and a professional manner when working with everyone.
Wishing them both the very best throughout their careers.
Angie Chilaka
Mike is fabulous !! Hard to believe that he is not a seasoned professional ... he sure has been performing as such. We are so fortunate to have him.
Janie Girolamo
A shark shout out to Janie, for being the most patient and professional mentor that I have encountered- #APoftheYear
Mike Martin
On Saturday, April 9th, MRHS's Art Club and the NAHS hosted a "Play with Clay" event for children ages 3-5.
Credit for Life Fair for MRHS Seniors- What an opportunity!
Check out article in the Cape Cod Times: http://www.capecodtimes.com/photogallery/CC/20160414/MEDIA01/414009998/PH/1
On Thursday, April 14th, our seniors participated in MRHS's first Credit for Life Fair.
Credit for Life is a financial literacy program sponsored by the Cape Cod 5, and has been a great success at many local high schools. At the fair, students choose their occupation and spend the next few hours making the various financial decisions they will make as an adult, ranging from choosing where to live to buying a TV. Nearly 50 volunteers were on hand from real businesses in our community including banks, automotive dealers, clothing retailers, higher education, insurance and more.
Mr. Alexander's Class & Alum at the JFK Youth Ambassadors Conference
Join the "Tour de Trash" Community Town-Wide Clean Up!
The Town of Harwich Conservation Department in cooperation with the Harwich Conservation Trust will be putting on its 2nd Annual “Tour de Trash” town-wide cleanup event on Saturday, April 30th, from 10am-12pm. I was hoping you could disseminate this information to your teachers and other staff, who could then give it to students. The goal of this event is to remove garbage from our town, but it also serves to provide a sense of pride in the community. Last year we had over 100 volunteers! We hope to double that this year.
The event starts and ends at Monomoy Regional High School in Harwich. Volunteers work in teams to cleanup roadsides. This would also count for volunteer hours if the students have a requirement. Below is the link the the Harwich Conservation Trust website, where people can sign up for the event and pick the route they wish to clean up with friends and family. Oh, and lunch is provided after! If anyone has any questions, please have them contact me. Thank you!
Check out what our future Sharks are up to at MRMS!
Below is the link to the NPR radio program regarding the middle school students assisting in the construction of the vernal pool on the conservation commission’s property adjacent to the school.
http://capeandislands.org/post/cape-students-help-conservationists-restore-lost-wetlands
Roaring 20's Party!
Mrs. Forte-Doyle’s Honors English class hosted a 1920’s “Gatsby” party last week. Students had to “become” an icon from the 20’s or a character from the novel. They were graded on how well they knew their person, how closely they dressed like their person, and how much they contributed to the party through musical and/or dance numbers, silent movie clips, gangster skits, etc.
Follow MRHS on Twitter!
Website: https://twitter.com/MonomoyRHS
Twitter: @Monomoyrhs