MRHS FRIDAY FOCUS Weekly Newsletter
MRHS VOICE: Vision of Innovation, Creativity & Excellence
Building Connections Through Communication!
A Message From Principal Burkhead- My Focus & Vision for 2016
A Story
Several years ago I was the head coach of the Plymouth North football team. I enjoyed having a direct impact on the lives of the student athletes I coached and also enjoyed the many lessons they taught me. One season a wonderful young man, who happened to have intellectual challenges, approached me and asked if he could be an assistant coach. I told him he had to earn the title of coach, but that I’d be happy to give him a shot. He proceeded to show up early every day, stay late, fill up the water, clean up the locker room, run errands, lug equipment, motivate players, and even draw up plays for me to use with the team. After we completed preseason the coaches and I were so impressed we decided to make him an honorary coach. I wanted to ensure that we announce it to the team and make a very big deal of it. After all, he had modeled work ethic, pride, dedication, love of team and love of the game better than any other person on that staff, including the head coach!
I went out that night and shopped for the best whistle money could buy. I came in early the next day and cleaned out the locker next to mine in the coach’s room and put his name on it. At the end of practice I called him up in front of the team and told him we’d be honored if he would accept the very important, and much deserved, title of “coach” for the Plymouth North Eagles football team. He was overjoyed and proud – I presented him the whistle and placed it around his neck. There was not a dry eye on the field. After practice I showed him his new locker. At that time he looked at me with a tear in his eye and said “thank you coach, today you made me feel important.” I smiled, gave him a hug, and said “that is because you are important.”
A Focus/Vision
It is important that we establish a school culture that is safe, caring, positive and exciting - a "Home Away From Home." To do so, we will need to focus on establishing a set of core values that reflect our collective beliefs. I am a firm believer in the Todd Whitaker doctrine that states "it's people, not programs" that make great schools. I envision our school as a place where individual relationships among students, staff, administrators, families and community are cultivated with care, and built one interaction at a time. This is extremely hard work. It takes patience and sacrifice. The best advice I've seen on this topic is from Mary Kay Ash, who once said "no matter how busy you are, you must take time to make the other person feel important." Imagine how powerful the impact if EVERY student, EVERY staff member, EVERY family, EVERY community member, and EVERY guest that walked through our doors was made to feel important? I have committed to making this happen and would love for you to join me. Long after our students graduate, they may forget the algebraic expressions, figures of speech, historical landmarks, scientific formulas, pronunciations, and techniques...but it's up to all of us to focus on making sure this year is the one that ALL our students (& your children) will never forget how we made them feel important!
We look forward to working with home and community to make this happen!
MRHS Curriculum Night Monday 9.26.16 - Join us!
We welcome all Monomoy families to join us Monday as we welcome you to our wonderful school. This is a terrific opportunity for parents/guardians to meet your child's teachers, support staff, counseling team, nurse and administrators.
We will start promptly in the Auditorium at 6:30 pm. Please arrive early if possible to receive your child's schedule outside the gym on main street between 6:15-6:30. Our guidance team will be greeting you, along with some of our outstanding students.
After opening remarks by Principal Burkhead, parents/guardians will follow their child's schedule - remember HS? We even give you 5 minutes passing time! We also have a couple of "drop in" sessions to help parents familiarize themselves with Aspen to assist in strong communication with home and school & our library (see agenda link below for details).
Looking forward to seeing you all Monday!
Monomoy Participates in School-Wide Book Club to celebrate Reading! - Students excited to see whose in their groups (pic above)
**Stay tuned for our video**
Nick Burns lives our motto "YOU ARE IMPORTANT"
Tim McCabe lives our moot "YOU ARE IMPORTANT"
*As a bonus- Tim received 2 tickets to the King Richards Faire for his kind gesture. Thank you Mr. Alexander for donating the tickets that we earmarked "to one of our students who makes others feel important."
Stay connected to MRHS by checking our Daily Announcements!
Please ensure we have updated & accurate contact Information
Monomoy Families & School Community- Join us as we start something special: Monomoy's 1st All Sports Athletic Booster Club! Tuesday September 20, 6:30 in MRHS Library
Important Parent "After Prom" Party Meeting October 11th at 6pm in the HS cafe
Contact Ms. Nicole Moniz at NicAngel76@hotmail.com
The entire community is invited to join us on October 19 at 6:30pm in the MRHS gym for the Harlem Wizards!
This event has been a sellout the last 3 years! Join us for fun & excitement as our own MRHS faculty & staff take on the Harlem Wizards. Click the link below to purchase tickets.
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 set a positive tone. 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!
A huge shark shout out to Tammy DePasquale, Ann Carpenter and Emily Milan for taking the time out of their busy schedules to host book discussion groups for our new summer reading program
I'd like to give a Shark Shout Out to everyone involved in the Summer Reading Book Groups! Rachel Barnes and Sarah Wheaton did a great job organizing the entire program. And a huge thank you to Kerri Robinson and Best Buddy Maddie Beaupre, Greg Hopkins and Andrew Spies who delivered all 800 waters and 800 snacks to the MRHS for us!
Thanks :)
-Katie Kelly
I wanted to give shark shout out to Ms. Police. I'm amazed at the job she is doing being down a guidance counselor on top of her other duties. Already this year communication on behalf of my students has increased tenfold and everything is moving in right direction with her help!!!
Thank you so much;
John Herring M.Ed
The high school students will be hosting the American Red Cross Blood Drive on Monday - Sept. 26th from 3pm - 7pm at the Monomoy Middle School.
Blood is greatly needed. For an appointment please call 1-800- RED CROSS or 1 800 733-2767 or go online redcrossblood.org.
16 year olds may donate with a parental permission form.
Co chairs of this event are Sophie Clingan and Emily Greco
ATTENTION CLASS OF 2017!
The following must be submitted by OCTOBER 24th
Senior Portrait (vertical layout, minimum 300 DPI)
Baby Picture (minimum 300 DPI)
Senior Quote (maximum 250 characters including spaces and punctuation)
Senior Statement (maximum 750 characters including spaces and punctuation)
ACCEPTED ONLINE ONLY at
YEARBOOK SALES
Purchase Deadline: FEBRUARY 1, 2017
Pay on: ybpay.lifetouch.com
Enter code: 9900717
THERE WILL BE NO WAY TO
ACCEPT ANY ORDERS AFTER DEADLINES HAVE PASSEDImportant Information Regarding product recalls you may own: Please refrain from bringing these devices to school & take necessary precautions
Samsung Recalls Galaxy Note7 Smartphones Due to Serious Fire and Burn Hazards: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Samsung-Recalls-Galaxy-Note7-Smartphones/
Self-Balancing Scooters/Hoverboards Recalled by 10 Firms Due to Fire Hazard: http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Recalls/2016/Self-Balancing-Scooters-Hoverboards-Recalled-by-10-Firms/
Student Trip to James Otis Lecture in Boston
Mr. Houston and five members of the senior class traveled to Boston for the annual James Otis Lecture which commemorates Constitution Day (September 17, 1787: the day the Founders signed the Constitution). Grace Drake, Sean Walsh, Jack Watson, Julianna Locantore, and Graham Smith were recognized as James Otis Scholars. The group also toured part of the Freedom Trail, toured the Statehouse, and visit Rep. Peake's office. The theme of this year's lecture was Religion and the Constitution." The American Board of Trial Advocates sponsored the event.
Important Information for Students!
Please click on the following link to add the Library Copier to your printer list.
Please see Dan Cogswell in the Tech Office if you are having problems with this.
Thanks,
MRHS Technology
Credit for Life Fair for Senior Class at MRHS - October 13, 2016 7:45-10:30am
The Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, and Monomoy Regional High School are partnering to sponsor a Credit for Life Fair. The Credit for Life Fair will provide seniors with a unique opportunity to learn how to make good financial decisions after high school. The Fair is based on a national model and has won numerous awards. In addition to the students, approximately sixty individuals from the business community come together as volunteers to provide mentoring.
The Credit for Life Fair is an interactive simulation that requires students to select a career option and then practice managing their personal budgets based upon the projected monthly income for their job choice. Students will have to visit booths staffed by community volunteer (such as yourself perhaps?) as they make financial decisions about what they want, what they need and what they can afford. CC5 will provide the necessary materials to help the students complete their budget worksheets. Many of the booth volunteers also bring props on the day of the fair to help the students visualize that for which they are budgeting.
Parent & Community Volunteers:
- The time commitment on October 13, 2016 is any time from 8:00-10:15.
- We will hold an orientation meeting for all volunteers on September 28, from 3:00-4:00 pm in the MRHS library to highlight what happens at a booth during the Fair.
- Contact Dave Alexander at dalexander@monomoy.edu
The Fair ends with a catered lunch where students, teachers and volunteers can discuss the lessons learned during the day.
A message from our partner Cape Cod Five:
As a community bank, Cape Cod Five considers financial education an important aspect in the growth of our young adults. The Credit for Life Fair provides valuable lessons in understanding the importance of managing a budget to meet financial goals. We value your participation in this event as a booth volunteer. We recognize that our young adults are the future of this Country and together, with our guidance, they can learn to master financial management skills so that they can achieve financial independence. The Credit for Life Fair experience will help teach them how to take responsibility for their financial future.
If you are available on October 13, 2016 and would like to volunteer for the Credit for Life Fair, please contact Dave Alexander at dalexander@monomoy.edu
To get a better idea of how the Fair works, click on this link to view the Credit for Life Fair with Dennis-Yarmouth from April, 2011. Link:
Termite Infestation!!
Thank you Peer Leaders!
The following students volunteered to assist with child care for the HES parents during curriculum night this week. We truly appreciate their efforts!
Lilly MacAskill
Tessa Richardson
Carly Donovan
Hannah Novotny
Eliza Hawthorne
Kate Devers
Christine Freildel
Nathan Amaker
Shannon Smith
Hannah Potter
Maddie Kavanaugh
MRHS on the move to London in 2018!
For students CURRENTLY in grades 7 & 8 there is still time to sign up for the Monomoy trip to London over April vacation in 2018. The trip is a seven day excursion and includes touring both London and Stratford on Avon to take in the history, culture, and literary heritage of this beautiful place. Students will see several plays, participate in theatre workshops, tour Windsor Castle and other historical sites, and immerse themselves in what it means to be a global citizen. A $200 discount is currently being offered by EF, our tour company, until the end of September, so please act now to ensure a spot on the trip of a lifetime for the best possible price. To enroll, visit eftours.com/1799282zw . For more information, please contact English teacher Rachel Barnes at rbarnes@monomoy.edu or drop by room A139 during curriculum night for more information.
Follow MRHS on Twitter!
Website: https://twitter.com/MonomoyRHS
Twitter: @Monomoyrhs