Bearcat Necessities 10/07/2022
Monroe High School - 17001 Tester Road, Monroe, WA 98272
Translate into another language
Our newsletter can be translated to any language in two easy steps:
When you receive the school newsletter in your email inbox or ParentSquare homepage, click on the title in the newsletter to open it in Smore.
Next, select your preferred language in the black drop-down menu, when you click on 'translate' the newsletter will translate to the language you chose.
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRINCIPAL - Brett Wille
Happy Friday Bearcat Families!
It’s been a whirlwind of a week around here with Homecoming and all of the exciting high school activities and traditions that come with that. I have to say that it has felt amazing to be at MHS this week. It feels like high school is supposed to feel and it’s hard to put that into words after the two really challenging years that we have all lived through. I’m looking forward to the Homecoming game tonight and the dance tomorrow…it will be a great way to end the week and fun to spend time with our students in those settings - watching them enjoy the school spirit, the competitions, the celebrations, and time to connect with each other outside the classroom. The smiles on their faces this week have been really fun to observe and soak in…it truly has been a great week to be a Bearcat!
Aside from that, the school year marches forward and the great things happening here continue to be visible. A few points of celebration to share that come to mind: Our Race/Equity team (led by students and staff) and our Spanish Honor Society (led by Dr. Parmley), have done a great job of highlighting and celebrating Hispanic Heritage month this school year more than we ever have here at MHS. This supports our school vision to be a school where all students feel like they belong and our core value of Unity…recognizing and celebrating diversity here at MHS. We also continue to refine and improve our FLEX time, which is our intervention time each day where students can get extra support on what they are learning in class. We are using an on-line tool this year, called Flexisched, so that students can sign up for FLEX sessions that they need to attend. We continue to be more intentional with our support for students and I’m proud of our staff and students for working together to get Flexisched up and running and ironing out the kinks that we run into.
Finally, I’m beyond proud of our subject-area teams that are working together to figure out how to have more students learning and succeeding at a high level throughout all of our classes here. When in classes, I’ve been asking students, “What are you learning and why is this important?”. I’ve been so impressed with their answers …this speaks to students buying into the fact that what they are learning is important and it also highlights the intentionality on behalf of our teacher-teams that are focusing on what kids must learn, creating common assessments so that we can talk about strategies that are working, and begin to track student progress so that we identify which students need more support. It is remarkable for high school staff to be that focused on student learning and doing that work together, instead of in isolation - this is what really makes it powerful. .
I’m beyond proud of these celebrations, and so many more that canot be captured succinctly in a newsletter. Have a great weekend Bearcat families, and enjoy the rest of the Homecoming activities. GO BEARCATS!
CONFERENCES - SAVE THE DATE
We will have our conferences on October 24th and 25th. Families will sign up for individual conferences with their teachers using the same system from last year and we will send that out to families soon. Teachers will be available in person or on zoom depending on family preferences. Look out for more information soon!
MHS ATHLETICS
We are excited to introduce two new coaches to MHS:
Coach Ben Andrews - Head Baseball Coach
Coach Andrews is a graduate of Shorewood High School where he was a two-sport athlete; baseball and basketball. He continued his baseball career at Linfield College, where he played for four years earning the title of captain his senior season. While at Linfield, the Wildcats won two conference titles and Coach Andrews was selected to the All-West Regional team as an infielder (1B & 3B) his junior and senior seasons. Ben continued his baseball career overseas and was part of the Great Britain National Team for the 2019 European Championships. Coach Andrews is excited to work with our baseball program and to continue our success on the field.
Coach Trinity Price & Coach Caleb Cole - Co-Head Dance Coaches
Coach Price and Coach Cole are both Monroe HS alumni who were part of our dance teams. Coach Price graduated in 2019 and was involved in both band and dance. She is an aspiring professional dancer with five years experience in hip hop and pom. They are excited to come back to Monroe and provide a positive experience for our dancers.
Winter Sports Season
Winter sports season is just around the corner. November 14th is the first day of practice for Girls & Boys Basketball, Girls & Boys Wrestling, Gymnastics and Boys Swim & Dive. Make sure you schedule your physicals (if you need one - physicals are good for 2 years) and start working on the online registration packet. Registration information can be found on the MHS Athletics website.
Open Gym & Weight Room
To participate in any open gyms and weight rooms, student athletes are required to have an open gym/weight room waiver on file with the athletic office. Waivers can be found on the MHS Athletics website or students can pick up a form in the main office.
Open Gym - Sundays 6:30-8:30 pm & Wednesdays 7:00-8:30 pm
Coach Prohn (prohnj@monroe.wednet.edu) & Coach Kaupp (kauppd@monroe.wednet.edu)
Open Weight Room - Mondays & Wednesdays 3:15-4:30 pm
Coach Pamanian (pamaniank@monroe.wednet.edu)
Social Media & Admission
Be sure to follow Monroe Athletics on Instagram, Facebook & Twitter.
Admission is charged at the following sporting events: Basketball, Football, Soccer, Volleyball & Wrestling. Please bring cash or check as debit or credit cards are not accepted. Ticket prices can be found online here: MHS Athletic Admissions.
Renewal of School Program & Operations (SP&O) Levy
Did you know that state and federal funding alone don't cover the cost of all of the programs, services, and essential staff the Monroe School District provides for its students? We rely on funding from the local, voter-approved SP&O levy, which makes up over 14% of the district's total budget.
The four-year SP&O is set to expire at the end of the 2022 calendar year and Monroe School District will be asking voters this November to renew this critical levy. It is not a new tax.
TESTING INFORMATION from our counseling center
PSAT
The PSAT/NMSQT can qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Program and other scholarships. Content on the PSAT/NMSQT is very similar to the SAT, with reading, math, and writing and language sections.
The test is optional and primarily meant for 11th graders.
The PSAT will be held at MHS on Saturday, October 15 at 8am.
Completed payment is how students register for the test. Spots are limited and registration will close on October 7.
The test cost is $25 per exam. Payment can be made at the cashier's office or online through the Monroe School District Online Payment System.
Questions? Please contact Analisa Nuñez at nuneza@monroe.wednet.edu
AP
Parents of students in AP classes:
This year all students that join an AP class section on myap.collegeboard.org will be included in the exam roster with an order exam status of Yes. Visit our testing website for instructions on how to join a class section.
The cost is $100 per exam. Payments can be made with cash or check in person at the cashiers office or online through the Monroe School District Online Payment System.
The payment deadline is November 15.
If your student does not wish to take an AP exam for the AP class in which they are enrolled, please let your AP Coordinator know by November 10. Exams that are cancelled after November 15 will have a $40 cancellation fee.
Your AP Coordinator is Analisa Nunez. Please email nuneza@monroe.wednet.edu or stop by the counseling office with questions.
World Language Competency Exam
Registration is open for the World Language Competency Exam.
The test includes four parts: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
The test cost is $25. Payment can be made at the cashiers office or online through the Monroe School District Online Payment System.
Sign up at this link: https://forms.gle/F4tu3VtyEZk3MMj2A
CONGRATS TO OUR BOLD BEARCATS
Every Friday we are excited to celebrate our Bold Bearcats who are living into our school values of Purpose, Lifelong Learning, Unity, and Support.
THANK YOU Takoda Bowman! You helped students and staff get another students' car started in the parking lot recently when the battery was dead. You jumped in to help immediately and even offered to help the students replace the battery. Thank you for showing our school value of support.
THANK YOU Larry Gomez! You are living out life long learning by being so helpful in Algebra 1 and FLEX.
THANK YOU Cristian Robles Garcia! You volunteered to help a fellow student. You did this without prompting from a teacher and went about it earnestly and politely. Thank you for supporting our school value of unity.
Intervention and Prevention Support for MHS Students
Monroe High School is continuing to provide a program called Project SUCCESS for our students. The goals of the program are to prevent and reduce substance use, improve mental health, and improve school performance. To accomplish these goals, students will have the opportunity to participate in school-wide awareness programs, classroom discussions, and extracurricular activities to promote healthy coping and decision making, as well as correct misperceptions of substance use and mental health concerns.
Maddie Louder, our Student Assistance Professional, will be responsible for implementing and coordinating Project SUCCESS prevention and education activities at Monroe High School. During the 2022-2023 school year, 9th grade students will receive the Project SUCCESS Prevention Education Series as part of their curriculum.
Maddie Louder will be available to support students individually, who are affected by substance use, are struggling with mental health concerns, are using substances, or have personal, school or family issues that could lead to substance use or other mental health concerns. If you are worried about your student’s behavior, mental health, or substance use and would like to speak to the Student Assistance Professional and/or have her see your student, please email her at louderm@monroe.wednet.edu. You may also call her at 360-804-4531. All communication will be confidential.
We are hopeful that Project SUCCESS will be effective in preventing and reducing substance use and in removing barriers to student success!
Resources for Financial Hardships
Dear Families,
We know that the economy continues to create financial hardships for many of our families and we want you to be aware of the resources available to your student(s). Through partnerships with the Monroe Public Schools Foundation, Sky Valley Food Bank, Assistance League of Everett, Clothes for Kids, and other partners we are able to offer assistance in a variety of areas.
Items available at MHS include backpacks and school supplies, limited clothing such as sweatshirts/t-shirts, socks, gloves/scarves, personal hygiene products, and emergency breakfast or lunch items.
Clothing Resources:
Teen Retail provides Fall shopping at Fred Meyer for students who have a financial need. Spots are limited, and sign-ups are first come, first served.
Clothes For Kids provides school clothing to lower-income students 2x per year who request help.
Food Bank Program: Students receive a bag of food every week to support them over the weekend.
The Monroe Public Schools Foundation Emergency Needs Vouchers:
Clothing/hygiene/housing supplies/Food - Fred Meyer/Grocery Outlet/Walmart/Goodwill/Payless online
Vision- eye exam & glasses if needed via Lions Club
Transportation assistance via Community transit or gas cards
Laundry- Monroe Laundromat
Staples- (online only) school supplies
Hairmasters & EVCC Beauty school
If you have any questions about these resources or have a student demonstrating a need that is not covered on this list please do not hesitate to reach out to Jill Vandemoortele at 360-804-4521 or VandemoorteleJ@monroe.wednet.edu.
BEARCAT PRIDE!
This Friday night is HOMECOMING! Thanks to all who have volunteered to help at one of the busiest games of the year. All proceeds go back to MHS in some way. Either in grants for teachers or coaches or scholarships to be given away in the spring.
Please take a look at the gym concession schedule. We need help during the week for volleyball and boys and girls basketball season is literally around the corner.
Please note we have an important guest at our meeting next Wednesday night.
No volunteers = No Open concessions at games
Never done it before? Don't worry we got you. Can only do one day? That's great! Sign up. Want to earn $25 toward the Sport/Club of your choice per shift? OK!
Outdoor (stadium) - Click Here
Indoor (gym) - Click Here
Email us at parents-mhs@monroe.wednet.edu if you are interested or have any questions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Our next board meeting:
When: Wednesday 10/12/22
Where: MHS Library
Time: 7:00 pm
Special guest….
Interim superintendent Dr. Marci Larsen will be present to talk about the importance of the upcoming Levy. This will be an opportunity to hear what the Levy entails and what’s at stake. It will also be a chance to ask questions that you may have. Please join us for this informative discussion.
Come and hear how you can support the staff at MHS and other ways that Bearcat Pride is making a difference and have a voice in how you would like to contribute or perhaps change some things.
Parent Hub Information
Please join the Parent HUB for coffee and pastries every Wednesday (that school is in session) from 9:00-10:00. This is a great place to get information and to make contact with other families in the Monroe School District.
Meeting location:
Wagner Center, Room 13
639 W Main Street
Monroe, WA
Meeting dates:
10/12 - The Village Mentorship
10/19 - Tutor, Canvas, Skyward
10/26 - How to navigate an IEP or 504 in the MSD
MHS Career & College Center
Helpful Resources
Career & College Center Website
Career & College Events And Opportunities
Local Jobs & Volunteering Opportunities
Junior/Senior College Workbook
October 10th @9am-10:30am Eastern Washington University
October 12th Sno-Isle Information session 9am-11am
October 13th @11am-1pm University of Washington
October 19th @11:06am-11:36am University of Oregon
November 1st @11am-1pm WSU
November 3rd @11:15am-12:15pm FAFSA Workshop & Grand Canyon University
November 7th @11:00am-1:00pm Saint Martin's University *Virtual*
November 8th @11am-1pm Shoreline Community College (Automotive and Basic Car Maintenance Presentation)
November 14th @11am-12pm Seattle University
November 16th @11am-12pm Central Washington University
November 17th @11am-1pm Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Greetings from EvCC
We've teamed up with Snohomish STEM, the Washington Student Achievement Council, and Economic Alliance Snohomish County to provide FREE expert help completing the FAFSA or WASFA at this Financial Aid Workshop on October 15th!
This event is open to ALL high school seniors who need help completing their FAFSA/WASFA, even if they do not plan to attend EvCC.
SNO-ISLE INFORMATION SESSION
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12th AT MHS LIBRARY
9:00-9:45am Sophomores
10:00-10:45am Juniors
Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jVKVDtpFO4ZWozh2t0Mx1nzK1OgwT9Q3ofCQiOH05n4/edit
Who's Who at MHS
Brett Wille - willeb@monroe.wednet.edu
Principal
Rachel Bleakney-Bailey - bleakneybaileyr@monroe.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal
Theresa Vander Vaart - warrent@monroe.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal
Noah Wallace - wallacen@monroe.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal
Shannon Tarrach - tarrachs@monroe.wednet.edu
Director of College and Career Readiness - (360) 804-4508
Ashley Tuiasosopo - tuiasosopoa@monroe.wednet.edu
Athletic Director - (360) 804-4542
Liz Holton - holtonl@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Manager - (360) 804-4502
Oscar Hanson - hansono@monroe.wednet.edu
Main Line - Front Desk - (360) 804-4500
Kelsey Osness - osnessk@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support -Attendance/Communications
(360) 804-4510 Direct Line
(360) 804-4501 Attendance Line
Theresa Mee - meet@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Financial Office/ASB - (360) 804-4513
Sarah Tucker - tuckers@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Athletics - (360) 804-4511
Shannon Barksdale - barksdales@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - CTE - (360) 804-4512
Tammy Berreth - berretht@monroe.wednet.edu
Registrar - (360) 804-4524
Junelle Lewis - lewisj@monroe.wednet.edu
Attendance Intervention Specialist - (360) 804-4518
Analisa Cisneros Nunez - cisnerosnuneza@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Counseling - (360) 804-4520
Brenda Renteria-Silva - renteriasilvab@monroe.wednet.edu
Career Center Outreach Specialist - (360) 804-4583
Michelle Dickinson - dickinsonm@monroe.wednet.edu
CTE Program Support Manager - (360) 804-4507
Geneva Padilla - padillag@monroe.wednet.edu
Health Room RN - (360) 804-4532
NOTICE OF NON-DISCRMINATION
The Monroe School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Title IX Coordinator, Compliance Coordinator for 28A.640 and 28A.642 RCW
Dan Johnston
14692 - 179th Avenue SE, Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 804-2530
johnstond@monroe.wednet.edu
Title IX Training Materials
Section 504/ADA Coordinator
David Paratore
14692 - 179th Avenue SE, Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 804-2609
paratored@monroe.wednet.edu
The Monroe School District will also take steps to assure that national origin persons who lack English language skills can participate in all education programs, services and activities. For information regarding translation services or transitional bilingual education programs, contact:
Chris Cronas
14692 - 179th Avenue SE, Monroe, WA 98272
(360) 804-2558
cronasc@monroe.wednet.edu