MRHS FRIDAY FOCUS Weekly Newsletter
MRHS VOICE: Vision of Innovation, Creativity & Excellence
11th Edition December 4, 2015
Building Connections Through Communication!
A Reminder to Parents & Students: School Doors Open at 7:15am each morning
Breakfast of Excellence Celebrates Student Achievement, Advanced Placement (AP) & New MRHS Traditions
The 2nd Annual Breakfast of Excellence took place on 11/23/15 at 7:30 a.m. in the auditorium. This year’s ceremony included several awards presented to students for excellence achieved on the MCAS, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, and/or on AP Exams. In addition, the assembly served as a kick-off for the 2015-2016 AP program at Monomoy Regional High School. Parents, district administration, school committee members, and local elected officials were in attendance. The event was followed by a breakfast social in our cafeteria. Presenters included Master of Ceremonies/AP Coordinator, Jonathan Bennett; William Burkhead, Principal; Janie Girolamo, Assistant Principal, Mike Martin, Assistant Principal; Rick Gifford, Director of Guidance; Jen Police, Guidance Counselor and Mike Westgate of the Westgate Teachers Foundation. Great feedback was received from all parties and we look forward to continuing this new Monomoy tradition for years to come.
*(Photo above): students, with AP coordinator Mr. Bennett, with there new "I took a Bite out of AP" T-shirts
Mr. Bennett, Ms. Kelly, Ms. Police, Ms. Drushella and Ms. Girolamo Ready to Give out T-shirts
Sophomore & Junior Parents- we need your HELP!
The After Prom Parent Committee is inviting all Junior class parents who are interested in helping to plan the After Prom Party to please attend our meeting on Wednesday, December 9th at 5:30pm in the cafeteria.
Parents of sophomore students are also invited and encouraged to attend in order to learn the process for next year!
If you have any questions please contact Jon Watson at 774-994-0243.
2015 Senior Football Players & Their Coaches at Banquet
A wonderful night was had by all with awards, tributes, poems and a fabulous slide show!
Top Row: Coach "Spanky" Paul Demanache, Coach Chris Barabe, Kyle Wisninewski, Drew Senatore, Garrett Sherman, Charles Amaker, Coach Ross Jatkola, Coach Jack Jatkola, Coach Derrick Roderiques, Coach Mike Lopes, Coach Larry Souza.
Bottom Row: Nick Hardaway, Gunnar Reinwald, Coach Dan Taylor & Coach Dan Robles.
Very Special Presentation:
Dear Parents,
I would like to invite you to attend a special presentation Monday evening December 14th 6:30-8:30pm in the high school auditorium. The presentation will be made by our high school Peer Leaders. These student leaders will be sharing Monomoy’s results from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) taken by our 7th through 12th graders last year. The intent of presentation is to spark conversations within our community so that together we will collaboratively work to keep our children safe.
Your presence for this presentation is very important. You may not have a teenager yet, but one day your son or daughter will be one. You may believe that your child is making and will make safe decisions, but it is not a matter of if they or their peer group will make a poor decision, it is a matter of when.
The presentation will provide information on tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, and other substance use, and will compare the Monomoy findings to state and national results. The presentation also covers topics on drunk driving, binge drinking, depression, suicidality, and teenage sexuality. Most of the Monomoy findings are on par with state and national results, but the proportion of teens across our country who are dealing with these heavy issues should give any parent pause.
Statistically, children are safest while at school, and many of the topics covered by the presentation happen outside of the school day, generally when children are in unsupervised settings. Based on survey data, the presentation will share with parents concrete ways they can help guide children towards less risky behaviors. It does take a village to raise a child, with the schools and all parents collectively working to support good decision-making in our children.
I would encourage every parent to listen to the Peer Leader’s presentation. Afterwards, I would encourage you to resist the temptation to say “not my child,” but to ask what role you could play to make a difference. Being part of the discussion after the presentation is the first step of making a difference.
Our high school students will be hearing the presentation from their peers on Friday, December 11. The presentation on Monday evening, December 14th, is open to parents of children of all ages. This presentation will likely provide you a segue to engage your own children in age-appropriate conversations related to survey topics. In the upcoming months we will hold community forums on related topics to continue the dialog about guiding our youth towards better, safer, decisions.
Together we can make the future Monomoy Youth Risk Behavior Survey results well below state and national findings.
Scott
Scott Carpenter
Superintendent Monomoy Regional SchoolsJoin us for some Pre-Season Boy's Varsity Basketball!
Monomoy Pre-Season Jamboree - Saturday December 5, 2015-9am-5pm
Teams participating:
Monomoy HS
Dennis-Yarmouth HS
Oakmont HS (central MA)
Groton-Dunstable (central MA)
South Kingstown HS (RI)
Monomoy plays at: 9am, 12pm, 3pm, 4pm.
FREE ADMISSION to all!
Mandarin Class Eating In
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
Senior Haley Rae keeping a sense of “humor” in Ms. Flint’s Anatomy & Physiology class during an eye dissection!
Making Connections with our Future Sharks
On November 17th, Mr. Gifford, Mr. Martin, and Mr. Case represented Monomoy Regional High School at the High School Showcase held at Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School. They met with many prospective 9th graders and their parents who are interested in attending Monomoy. As a follow up, on January 12th, Lighthouse Charter School students will have the opportunity to tour our school and learn more about our curriculum in the afternoon.
**Stay Tuned for School Choice Information & Program of Studies Night Dates**
Important Mid term Information
Mid terms will be the week of Jan. 25-29 and we have full days of school this week. Grades close Jan 29 with an exam schedule in the works to be sent out in advance.
Wellness Department Receives Art of Charity Grant!
The Wellness Dept. of MRHS is excited about receiving a check for $1660. to be used for purchasing a music cardio sport curriculum, and some of the funds will help us off set the cost of a dance instructor. Our Dept plans to hold a Monomoy Version of Dancing with the Stars in the spring 2016.
On behave of the Wellness Dept. - Thank you to the Arts of Charity Foundation for sending us an early Christmas Present!
Photo: Spanky DeManche- Angie Chilaka - Caroline Freitas - Stacy Yarnall - Justin Medeiros - Otis Russell (Arts of Charity Co-Chairman)
Mr. Alexander's "Kennedy Years" Class on the Road to learn about President JFK
Man about town
MRHS Well Represented
Visiting the JFK Memorial
Vaughn Yerkes introduces himself to the 35th President!
We knew President Kennedy was a Shark fan!
We Want Your Input! Letter from Superintendent Carpenter
Dear Parents, Staff, and Students:
One of our goals this year is to improve the Monomoy website to provide our users more of the information that they need, up-to-date content, and more news about the great happenings in our schools and the successes of our students and teachers. Towards this end, we’ve designed a short survey to better understand what types of information you want to see on a school’s website. That survey can be accessed by this link:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/monomoywebsitesurvey
We are also happy to have one of our Monomoy parents, Joy Jordan, helping our principals enhance the content and look of each school’s website. Our principals and Joy will be using your feedback from the survey to gradually redesign the Monomoy website over the upcoming months to better provide all users the information they need.
Thank you for providing us feedback to improve the Monomoy website.
Scott
Ms. Flint’s CP Biology After School Study Group working together to understand cellular respiration and photosynthesis! The group meets every Thursday after school!
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!
Congratulations and thank you to Grace Drake and Sage Barnes for participating in NPR’s Great Thanksgiving Listen. Both students interviewed elders in our community on Thanksgiving and uploaded their stories to Story Corps, the NPR oral history project. To hear their interviews visit NPR’s Story Corps website and type in the keyword Monomoy.
Click Link to Listen: https://storycorps.me/?s=monomoy&post_type=interviews
Cliff, You and the custodial staff are so awesome, I hope you know how much you're appreciated throughout the school!
Happy Friday!
Ms. Faith
Big shout out to Leslie Baker for arranging a field trip to Boston's MFA Museum on December 11 for Level IV honors language classes and a few select art students. She not only handled the many details required for scheduling the trip but also secured the funding for the bus and admission to the museum through an Art of Charity grant.
Mr. Smeltzer
I would like to give a Shark Shout Out to Mr. Bennett and Ms. Kelly. The Breakfast of Excellence was Excellent! Our amazing students were celebrated for their achievements and new traditions started. The event couldn't have run smoother due to the several hours of preparation you both put in. It was a class event and your hard work made sure of it- thank you!
Mr. Burkhead
MRHS Students- Cape Cod Chronicle Christmas Story Contest!
Get involved! Let's win this & have fun writing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3-dWbYvFo4_Zmc0LWc1UkRzSmM/view?usp=sharing
A Message from Mr. Cass
We have extended the head shaving fundraiser until December 23 when Mr. Martin and i will get our head shaved in front of the school during the pep rally. We are doing very well for our goal of $500. We have decided to still donate half of the money to the Hart family but now the other half will go the the Holm family who is also dealing with this disease. I thought it was better if we kept all the money in house to help one of our own. I appreciate all of the generous donations
Mr. Sowpel's Class & Guests Enjoying their Annual Thanksgiving Day Celebration: So much to be Thankful for!
Local Celebrity/SRO Officer Clarke is a special guest each year
Ms. Chisek Always Brings her Smile!
Guidance Corner:
Monomoy Guidance TEAM
Ms. Police, (A-F)
Mr. Gifford, Director (G-N)
Mr. Bennett (O-Z)
This past Wednesday, over 50 parents gathered in the auditorium to learn more about financial aid through the Massachusetts Educational Finance Authority. For more information, please visit the MEFA website at www.mefa.org.
Upcoming College Visits to Guidance – next week:
Cape Cod Community College - Onsite Admissions RESCHEDULED for 1/12/16
Johnson State College Guidance 12/7/15 11:00 AM
Montserrat College of Art Guidance 12/10/15 9:15 AM
Please check Naviance for updates and to sign up for the college visits!
Visits are also listed on the Guidance calendar which you can link to your personal google calendar!
Other Guidance Announcements:
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Dual Enrollment:
This program provides qualified high school students the opportunity to take a transferable, introductory college course at no cost. Courses offered this year include English Composition (3 credits), The Business of Shipping (3 credits) and Introduction to Emergency Management (3 credits). To qualify for dual enrollment, students must have greater than a 2.5 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale), submit current transcripts, and be endorsed by their guidance counselor or school principal and parent/guardian.
Classes will be held from 6-9pm on Wednesday evenings, beginning on March 2nd. Registration forms are attached, and are also available on our website at http://www.maritime.edu/dual-enrollment
Please note that textbooks are required for most courses. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.
The registration deadline is February 1st.
FREE Help Applying for Financial Aid for College!
FAFSA Day Massachusetts: January 31, 2016 1PM @ Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
FAFSA Day Massachusetts (A College Goal SundaySM Program) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven effort providing FREE assistance to students and families seeking to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Families will receive:
• Free assistance completing the FAFSA.
• Access to experienced financial aid administrators and FAFSA experts to answer questions.
• Guidance on the financial aid process and next steps after filing the FAFSA.
Many locations include online FAFSA filing capabilities and translation services.
Visit www.FAFSADay.org to register and to view directions, a list of services, and information on what to bring.
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!
Mr. Herring's Jiujitsu club catching fire at MRHS
http://chathamcapecodchronicle.ma.newsmemory.com/publink.php?shareid=02191b43f#.Vl93mXLARP8.twitte
A.C.T. PREP CLASS @ The Harwich Community Center
This includes:
· 24 hours of instruction (12 sessions @ 2 hours each).
The Class Meets On:
Monday 3/14/16 6-8pm
Tuesday 3/15/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/16/16 6-8pm
Monday 3/21/16 6-8pm
Tuesday 3/22/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/23/16 6-8pm
Monday 3/28/16 6-8pm
Tuesday 3/29/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/30/16 6-8pm
Monday 4/4/16 6-8pm
Tuesday 4/5/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 4/6/16 6-8pm
The ACT Spring 2016 Offerings: 2/6, 4/9, 6/11
Important Information:
· Admission will be on a first come first served basis.
· The class size will be kept small.
· The course is taught by experienced Massachusetts Certified Teachers (Mr. David Alexander & Mrs. Kelly Terrenzi).
· The cost of the course is $610 (tuition is $550 plus $60 for three workbooks--English/Reading/Writing, Math, & Science).
· Please submit your payment by check or cash at, or before, the first classJ
· Checks should be made payable to the Town of Harwich.
· Reserve your spot by emailing Mr. Alexander @ seasidescholar@gmail.com
S.A.T. PREP CLASS @ The Harwich Community Center
This includes:
· 16 hours of instruction (8 sessions @ 2 hours each).
The Class Meets On:
Monday 3/14/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/16/16 6-8pm
Monday 3/21/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/23/16 6-8pm
Monday 3/28/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/30/16 6-8pm
Monday 4/4/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 4/6/16 6-8pm
The SAT Spring 2016 Offerings: 3/5, 5/7, 6/4
Important Information:
· Admission will be on a first come first served basis.
· The class size will be kept small.
· The course is taught by experienced Massachusetts Certified Teachers (Mr. David Alexander & Mrs. Kelly Terrenzi).
· The total cost of the course is $430 (tuition is $375 plus $55 for books).
· Please submit your payment by check or cash at, or before, the first classJ
· Checks should be made payable to the Town of Harwich.
· Reserve your spot by emailing Mr. Alexander @ seasidescholar@gmail.com
Christmas Stroll in Harwich
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3-dWbYvFo4_ZXg2U0lqc0I1blE/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3-dWbYvFo4_anExTVdCY2k0Smc/view?usp=sharing
Check out the Aspen App for notifications-click link below
Follow MRHS on Twitter!
Website: https://twitter.com/MonomoyRHS
Twitter: @Monomoyrhs