MRHS FRIDAY FOCUS Weekly Newsletter
MRHS VOICE: Vision of Innovation, Creativity & Excellence
20th Edition March 4, 2016
MRHS Gets even more Magnificent!
Building Connections Through Communication!
Marine Science Students Perform Sea Turtle Necropsies
Students in Ms. Picariello/Ms. Morton’s Marine Science class had the unique opportunity in class to perform necropsies (animal autopsies) on six Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles that had stranded and died on local Cape Cod beaches earlier this winter. The turtles were brought in to class by scientists from the Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary and students worked in groups to completely dissect each turtle while gathering data that will be used by the Audubon as part of their sea turtle population study. The data collected by Monomoy students will be used to determine the cause of death along with other pertinent information regarding the size and health of the animals.
Bookmark our updated District Website, "Friends of MHRS Facebook Page" & twitter account
MRSD Website: http://www.monomoy.edu/
MRSD New Twitter Handle: @Monomoyschools
Spread the Word!
Today was Spread the Word to End the R Word a National campaign by Best Buddies to raise awareness of the hurtful use of the word retarded and its negative effects on people with intellectual disabilities as well as on their families and friends.
It is more than just raising awareness of the R word it is also about changing attitudes of hate and segregation to attitudes of respect and acceptance.
The Best Buddies spoke to their classmates at lunch time in the cafeteria and asked everyone to come up and sign their name and pledge to stop the hurtful use of the R word.
The banner with over 600 signatures is now hanging in the high school cafeteria. Great job to all the Best Buddies. This event fits in nicely with the high schools mission of respect, acceptance and inclusion for all students.
Monomoy Students Conduct Exit Poll
On Tuesday, March 1, Senior U.S. Government students from Monomoy High School conducted an exit poll at the Harwich Community Center. In all, seventy students participated and 413 voters were interviewed. Most of these voters, 64%, voted in the Democratic primary. Among the Democrats, Sanders led 59% to 40%, and among Republicans, Trump led with 46%, followed by Rubio (21), Kasich (17), Cruz (8) and Carson (5). Most of the voters approved of the job Pres. Obama has done – 53% to 38%, with 9% undecided.
We would like to thank Harwich Town Clerk Anita Doucette for her continuing support of our students in allowing us to conduct this exit poll, and to thank all the voters who took the time to talk with us. The exercise offers us great insights into the electoral process as well as this election. We look forward to November!
For more detailed results, visit our Government Class blog - http://mrhsgovt.blogspot.com/ and check out WCAI's coverage at http://capeandislands.org/post/teaching-moment-high-school-seniors-take-learning-polls#stream/0
Culinary Classes Making our School Beautiful!
Check out the display case of "culinary curiosities" outside room A202.
Can you find a pie bird, an egg cup, a spider, handmade tin pastry tips, an escargot dish...?- all part of the Culinary Arts students' study of tools & equipment. (pictures above and below)
After Prom Party March 24, 2016 - The parent after prom party committee is looking for volunteers!
The Junior Prom is fast approaching it will be here before we know it. A few parents have been meeting over the past few months to initiate, organize, and create an agenda for the parent driven after Prom Party. In order to make this a fun and safe event we will need several parents, and or staff to help this event come together smoothly. We are looking for a large group of volunteers to help with set up, clean up and of course during the party as well. Please email Noreen Marchese - normarchese@yahoo.com, or Karen Small - smallconstuction@comcast.net if you are able to help out in any way, even a small amount of time is appreciated! We realize time is precious, and most of us have numerous other obligations, however if we all come together, only a small amount of time from each of us will be needed. We have a great group of Juniors, lets make this a memorable night for them!
What's Happening in Spanish Class?
Students in Ms. Hoff's Spanish 1 classes are currently learning about Hispanic foods. Ms. Hoff discussed the differences between plantains and bananas, and passed around examples of both along with canned beans and packaged rice that highlighted some of the Spanish vocabulary from this unit. Students had an opportunity to try plantain chips in class, and they observed that the flavor was very similar to potato chips.
Stay "Connected" to MRHS on Social Media
Guidance Calendar: MRHS Guidance Calendar
Arts Calendar: MRHS Arts Calendar
School District Calendar: MRSD Calendar
Monomoy in the Morning- Daily School News presented by our talented students in Mr. Cass' TV/Production Class - Follow from our school website by clicking link: http://www.monomoy.edu/page.cfm?p=1813
**We will also post our weekly Friday Focus digital Newsletter here**
Facebook:
- Friends of MRHS Facebook Group: Click link for details https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3-dWbYvFo4_Y0NOZUVqM1pfV1E/view?usp=sharing
Twitter:
- NEW: Monomoy Guidance Department: @monomoyguidance
- MRHS: @monomoyrhs
- Athletic Department: @monomoyathletic
- MRHS Fine Arts: @ArtsMRHS
- TV/Production: @Monomoyrhs-TV
- Monomoy Library: @Monomoylibrary
MRHS Musicians Representing at SE Jr. District Festival!
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!
I would like to give a shark shout out to the TV students who went to Boston to televise the girl’s basketball game on Wednesday. Molly Doncaster, Eliza Hawthorne, Emma Mawn, Jan Lapinski, Sarah Simpson and Ben Thomas. They did a great job and to be able to let the community watch the game that couldn't travel was great. Also like to give a shout out to Mr. Case for setting this up with the AD from Cathedral so we could stream the game.
Mr. Cass
Cliff, I want to let you know that custodian Jon Peterson, who is in charge of the cleaning downstairs, is doing a great job keeping my classroom and hallways clean. I deeply appreciate Jon and all your staff for their hard work and effort!
Best,
Jenny Gao
Shark Shout Out to John Dickson and the government students. They did a great job doing exit polling during the primary election on Tuesday. They have already collated, shared, and done a press release with the information gained. Thanks, Rich Houston
Dear Mr.Burkhead,
This is Sarah Babb Vice President of the 8th grade class. I have a shark shout out for people that helped at our dance.
8th grade Student Government would like to thank Sheila House,Mrs.Gleason, Barbara Segal, Mr.Martin. We also want to thank the DJ Saied Forister and Matt Veary and the awesome photographers Emily Greco and Karley Marchese and the custodial staff for helping set up and clean up.We would also like to thank Mrs.Chilaka and Spirit Committee for helping. Lastly we would like to thank Ms.Creedon and Ms.Police for helping us through this year and especially with the dance.
MRHS Human Rights Club Connects with MRMS!
Mr. Wilson, I wanted to say it was such a pleasure having your middle school Human Rights Students working our high school kids yesterday afternoon. The kids were brainstorming and sharing all of their ideas and projects over the year.
Please give your students and Mrs. Reuss a "High Five."
Our joint team will be making a presentation to the Human Rights Commission on Wednesday - April 13th. I know our kids will be impressive.
Thanks
Angie Chilaka
‘EARTH FIRST’ GRANTS AWARDED
The Garden Club of Harwich has awarded 'Earth First' grants to five local teachers. This is the first year of the grants, which are designed to promote environmentally friendly practices through education. Grant recipients at Monomoy High School are George Sowpel, for a Reflective Garden named 'Peace Place;' Elizabeth Hoff for 'El Jardin Hispano;' and Caroline S. Freitas for an 'In Caring For The Earth, We Are Caring For Ourselves” program. At Monomoy Middle School the teachers are Cheri Armstrong for 'Feed Our Souls, Feed Ourselves' and Melinda Forest for 'Living Lab, Vernal Pools.' The Garden Club of Harwich thanks the teachers for their contribution initiative and looks forward to the completed projects in May.
Students Shine at State Wide Art Exhibit
The Mass. Art Educators Association sponsored their annual statewide exhibition for Youth Art Month K-12. It is on display through March 31 at the State Transportation Building in Boston. Work by Christian Pavlakis and Emily McIlvin are in the show representing MRHS. They are among 875 students representing 94 cities and towns across the state.
Guidance Corner:
Monomoy Guidance TEAM
Ms. Police, (A-F)
Mr. Gifford, Director (G-N)
Mr. Bennett (O-Z)
“The Cape Cod Tech field trip for 8th graders has been rescheduled to Thursday, March 3. The bus will leave here at 9am and bring students back at 1pm. Students will return to their last block of the day.”
Are you interested in a sailing career?
Apply for the 2016 National Maritime Sailtraining Scholarship and sail aboard a tall ship! Additional information may be found in the guidance office, at http://www.sailtraining.org, or you may speak with the Monomoy Sailing coach.
Deadline for applications is March 31st!
Information on the new SAT’s is available for download on the guidance website on the presentations page or by clicking here.
Follow us on Twitter @MonomoyGuidance!
Monomoy Regional High School students participated in the national Letters about Literature contest as part of the ELA curriculum
Sponsored locally by the Massachusetts Center for the Book and affiliated nationally with the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, students wrote a letter to the author of a book that had a profound impact on his or her life.
This year, the Massachusetts program read over 3,000 letters on three levels in grades four through twelve. Commonwealth judges select one top winner from each level and also recognize students in honors, honorable mention and semi-finalist categories. Monomoy is proud to celebrate the work of our thirteen students whose writing stood out among the thousands of letters submitted in Massachusetts.
Sophomore Lizzy Pandiscio advanced to the final round where her heartfelt letter to Alex Flinn, author of Breathing Underwater, earned Honorable Mention. Representing the top 5 % of writers, Lizzie will be receiving a certificate of merit.
Additionally, twelve other sophomores advanced to the second round of judging, seven of whom were selected as semi-finalists, the top 10% of letter writers in the state. Those certificates of achievement are extended to Abigail Sullivan, Rachel Smith, Tara Barry, Katie Dever, Eli Nickerson, Haley Kelley and Emma Burke who also won in the Honorable Mention last year.
The recipients are students of ELA teachers Erin Hofmann and Karen Kelly.
English Classes Collaborate in Mock Trial
The English classes of Ms. Kelly, Mrs. Cote, Mrs. Hofmann, and Mrs. LeVangie collaborated in a recent mock trial on The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Ms. Kelly and Ms. Cote’s class worked on defense and prosecution teams led by seniors Cameron Gonella and Wievnor Celin. Ms. Hofmann and Mrs. LeVangie’s students represented the jury. Our special guest, public defender, Robert Hofmann from the Barnstable Superior District Court, presided as judge over the courtroom. This was a great opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and think critically in a judicial setting that simulated real life.
Follow MRHS on Twitter!
Website: https://twitter.com/MonomoyRHS
Twitter: @Monomoyrhs
From the Wellness Department
Seniors Mike Pandiciso and Mr. Sam McCormack Sr. have been staying after school every Monday to help teach self defense to our students. (below)
Library-Media Center News
Our Library Media Center has been extremely busy since coming back to school from holiday break. Eighteen classes across all 5 grades have visited the media center multiple times to work on research assignments. All of our 8th graders have been trained to compile works cited pages, take original notes, and organize information into an outline in NoodleTools. Additionally, our students are learning to take advantage of our online databases and eBooks so they have access to our collection 24/7.
This week marks the annual celebration of Fair Use Week, an event with the goal of increasing awareness of the fair use exception in U.S. Copyright Law. Fair use facilitates the use of copyrighted materials for education, research, news reporting, creative projects and much more. Here are links to The Association of Research Libraries commissioned two infographics illustrate fair use in action:
Amazing Art Work by MRHS Students!
The Cape Cod and Islands Art Educators Association and the Cape Cod Museum of Art present an exhibition each year called "Through Young Eyes". The reception was held on Saturday afternoon and we had 9 students from MRHS exhibiting their work at this prestigious regional museum.
The students from Monomoy that Carol, Deb and I submitted are:
Laura Brown, Grade 8
Malinda Gauruder, Grade 8
Jenna Grecco, Grade 8
Ethan Hanley, Grade 11
Nicholas Hardaway, Grade 12
Kylie De Oliveira, Grade 12
Annie Howard, Grade 11
Seamus Sartin, Grade 11
Dalia Pen, Grade 11
Members of the Harwich Chatham volunteer woodworkers group helped Mr. Sowpel's class design a bench for their Peace Garden to be built this spring. They will also help build it! Many thanks.
Check out MRHS Friends of the Arts (FOTA) - So Much To Offer! Please get involved
Major Fundraiser March 5th!! Contact Ms. Gallant for Details kelly.gallant@comcast.net
Who we are:
We are Monomoy Regional High School Friends Of The Arts. “FOTA” We are a non-profit, independent organization of parents, educators, students and friends working to support, encourage and enhance the Arts education programs at Monomoy Regional High School. We have provided financial support, equipment and scholarships to Harwich students since 2004 and more recently to the entire Monomoy district. To this end, we work to build awareness of our Arts students' efforts, accomplishments and shows through programs, projects and fundraising.
What we do:
· 2013 – we donated $10,790 to the Arts Dept for new Mac Computers
· Annually – we give scholarships to Monomoy students going on to study “Arts” related higher education. Last year we gave $500 each to five individual students.
· We provide financial support for biennial fieldtrips to New York City. On these trips the students see Broadway shows, attend backstage workshops, visit news studios, and multiple art museums
How we do it:
· We sell baked goods at all Monomoy Productions
· We involve the Arts students in the Fall to help us create Holiday Baskets to raffle off at our Winter Concert
· Our current fundraising endeavor is a wine and beer tasting with silent auction event. Our “Spring Fling Fundraiser” is planned for Saturday March 5th from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the 400 East Restaurant in Harwich. We will sell tickets for $35 per person. Each ticket holder will receive a souvenir tasting glass and enjoy delicious self-serve finger foods and live music by Harwich alum, Catie Flynn while browsing and bidding on what we hope will be a fantastic array of silent auction items.
How to find us:
· We have a private website we use to communicate at Shutterfly.com. Email kelly.gallant@comcast.net to be invited to our site.
· Like us on face book. https://www.facebook.com/Monomoy-Regional-High-School-Friends-of-the-Arts-308525662559923/?fref=ts
· Follow us on twitter. @MRHS_FOTA