Blue Jay Broadcast
October 1, 2020
Dear Families,
The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed changes that seemed unthinkable just a few months ago. It forced us to reimagine our lives both personally and professionally. It led to untold hardship and in some cases tragedy, but it also created opportunities; opportunities to reconnect with family; opportunities to try new hobbies or reconnect to ones we had lost time for; opportunities to think outside the box and find innovative ways to accomplish things. And so when I hear people say that they want to return to normal, I ask myself if that is what we really want. Furthermore, I doubt that is even possible after so many months. 'Normal' has not worked for a majority of the world's population, so why would it start working now? We should use our discomfort to forge a new paradigm instead. What we have all experienced should help to shape and reinforce our understanding of the world and the ways in which we choose to approach it. Wanting to return to "normal" constrains our ability to think expansively about fundamentally transforming ourselves and society.
None of what we are experiencing is easy – far from it. It is hard but working through it together brings us closer in many ways and my wish is that it allows us to view each other more tolerantly and more compassionately than ever. I’d like believe that we are ALL doing our best within the confines of what is possible to make this all work. Communication – respectful communication – is the key. Please reach out to us so that we can all work together to make the educational experience for our children the very best it can be.
All My Best,
Ms. Dana Chibbaro, Principal
New Jersey school districts recognize the importance of developing and maintaining positive school climates, and providing students with a safe and supportive school environment devoid of harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) encourages academic success and increased social and emotional competence. The Week of Respect and School Violence Awareness Week offer New Jersey schools an opportunity to concentrate on this effort by delivering age-appropriate instruction to students on these essential topics.
The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (P.L.2010, c.122) requires that the week beginning with the first Monday in October of each year (October 5-9, 2020) be designated as the Week of Respect in New Jersey. To recognize the importance of social and emotional learning and character education, school districts are required to observe the week by providing age-appropriate instruction focused on preventing HIB. We encourage you to speak to your child about anti-bullying efforts and to join us in teaching our students to be upstanders to stamp out bullying in our schools.
Attendance
Daily attendance is driven from period 1 class attendance but credit for individual courses is based on class attendance for each individual course. If a student isn’t in period 1 or is missing for half the class they may be marked absent for the day and absent from their class. Students are in danger of losing credit when they exceed 21 absences for the year in any single class.
We expect students to be on time for class and to keep their cameras on for the duration of the class. We respectfully request that all attempts are made to ensure that students have a home environment conducive to learning from 8am - 1pm so that they can fully concentrate on the instruction being provided.
Anticipated Move to Hybrid Learning
MHS Digital Announcement Board
Join the Principal Advisory Committee
The meetings will take place monthly in the evening via Zoom. If you are interested in participating please email me at chibbarod@middlesex.k12.nj.us
Mid-Marking Period Interim Reports
B.R.I.G.H.T. - Building Relationships and Inspiring Growth and Hope Together
This program is a dynamic partnership between the Middlesex public school district and University Behavioral Healthcare (UBHC), a division of Rutgers University. The primary objective of the program is to help assure that children and adolescents will obtain needed assistance in an accessible location. They provide a range of free and confidential mental health services at the Middlesex Public Schools.
Referrals will be accepted from the student’s counselor, CST case manager, or school administrator. Teachers, school nurse and other staff members with concerns should contact the student’s counselor. Referrals may also be accepted directly from students and/or parents/guardians. The school counselor, CST member or administrator will meet with the student to discuss the referral and obtain informed parent/guardian consent concerning their interest in making a referral. They will also advise the school counselor that they are making the referral.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's counselor.
Middlesex Public Schools Virtual Learning Expectations
Virtual Learning Parent Etiquette
For the protection of the other students:
§ Please do not appear in a Google Meet with your child or in place of your child.
§ Please do not interfere in a virtual lesson.
§ Please do not record a Google Meet.
Chromebook Not Working? Try these troubleshooting tips
2020-2021 School Goals
Goals are crucial to school success (and areas of life beyond the classroom). But goals are not checklists; they are part of a process - a collaborative one at that.
"It is not written in stone, nor is it ever truly complete. It evolves over time, becomes stronger as it adapts to new challenges even as it remains true to its core principles. Good strategy is never being, it is always becoming". ~ Greg Satell
With that in mind our goals for the upcoming year involve the following:
2. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Culturally Responsive Teaching, Equity Work, and Inclusion Strategies
3. Increasing Student Outcomes - Rigor and Relevance, Student Engagement through Project Based Learning (PBL), Professional Learning
2020-2021 Yearbook
Middlesex High School
Administration
Dana Chibbaro, Principal
Scott Walsh, Assistant Principal
Jennifer Powers, Director of School Counseling Services
Mike O’Donnell, Director of Athletics
School Counselors
Students with Last Names A-F
Karen Blumetti
Students with Last Names G-N
Gina Shehu
Students with Last Names O-Z
James Schmitt
Student Assistance Counselor
Stacy Ulmer
School Resource Officer
Officer Joleen Auricchio
Teacher Leaders English: Gabrielle Smith Fine and Practical Arts: Kelly Clark Mathematics: Jessica Bodenschatz Physical Education: Gary Brenner Science: Diane Gitler Social Studies: Paul Vernaci Special Education: Kristen Berkowitz World Languages: Ken Perez Support Staff School Nurse: Amelia Paul Librarian: Lauren Heiba Head Secretary: Theresa Cuba Main Office Secretary: Denise Calabrese School Counseling Secretary: Patricia Gardner
Email: chibbarod@middlesex.k12.nj.us
Website: www.middlesex.k12.nj.us
Location: Middlesex High School, John F Kennedy Drive, Middlesex, NJ, USA
Phone: 732-317-6000