MRHS FRIDAY FOCUS Weekly Newsletter
MRHS VOICE: Vision of Innovation, Creativity & Excellence
Building Connections Through Communication!
MRSD Shares Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results: Pictured Above L/R-Abby Sullivan, Eliza Hawthorne, Emily Greco, Ms. Angie Chilaka, Hannah Potter, Julie Locantore, Carly Donovan and Emma Mawn
MRHS has committed again this year to administrating the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to our grade 7-12 students. The survey is offered every two years so that data can be collected and compared. Our students also completed the survey in 2014. The survey asks about the health behaviors of our students. The survey asks about nutrition, physical activity, injuries, and tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. For students in Grades 9-12 only, it also asked about sexual behaviors that could lead to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. 7th & 8th grade students did not have those questions on their questionnaires. According to Superintendent Carpenter "Some of the results may be shocking to you, but the intent of our presentation is not to shock, but to begin a conversation about the results and to collectively find productive ways to support our youth."
Our outstanding student peer leaders, led by Carly Donovan, Emily Greco, Eliza Hawthorne, Julie Locantore, Emma Mawn, Hannah Potter, and Abby Sullivan, presented our Youth Risk Behavior Survey results Wednesday afternoon to the MRHS student body, and that evening to our school community. A panel discussion was held with staff, parents, community members following the presentation and led by our students. Huge Shark Shout Out to Ms. Chilaka and the peer leaders for taking the lead on this project. A Huge Shark Shout Out to Ms. Sheila House for helping fund the project through grant money and her continued support for our students and school. Thank you to Mr. Martin, Ms. Girolamo, Ms. Whitcomb, Ms. Police, Ms. Hayden, Mr. Wilson, Lt. Considine of the Harwich Police and Superintendent Carpenter for attending.
We believe it is important that the student data come from students. We have found a great deal of positive trending data from our previous survey taken during the 14-15 school year. This is largely due to our review of the survey data, conversations with parents/community, and coordinated efforts to address areas of concerns. We have also found that we have much work to do and will continue to grow as a result of this important evidence.
Please take the time to review the presentation via the link below. We strongly recommend that you pay particular attention to the parent messaging and the strong data coorelating parent communications about these topics to use or participation in each behavior. If you have any questions please contact us.
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WGXwrh587uc4h0cAiXW6frO8xwNFTpXJKOG-mLcRclc/edit?usp=sharing
**Please note, that although a handful of schools to participate in the YRBS survey, MRHS is the only one we know of the publicly shares the results with the community in an in-person presentation and panel discussion**
Annual Special Olympic school games held at Mashpee high school on Thursday - Congrats to all our Athletes!
"Remembering the Holocaust for Today and Tomorrow" with a tribute to Elie Wiesel.
Monomoy Regional high school students were very involved in a major part of this presentation.
Photo above: Emily Greco - Jana, Mr. Boenig's granddaughter, Pierre Boenig a Holocaust Survivor and featured guest speaker, and Abby Sullivan.
Photo below: Our high school ladies "A Cappella Ensemble" also performed 2 outstanding music pieces. The songs were Prayer to the children by Kurt Bestor and Sam Cardon and Fragile by Sting.
Peer Leaderhip Class Hosts Deputy Chief Steven Xiarhos
Deputy Chief Steven Xiarhos came into the peer leadership class to talk about his son Nicholas who we lost in Afghanistan. The CC Health Care Blood center is named in memory of Nicholas.
The peer leaders have decided to promote the blood drive set for May 22nd at our high school in memory for all of the military serving and those we have lost.
*Deputy Chief with class pictured below*
Summer Reading at MRHS
We are in year two of our revamped summer reading program this year. Our goal is to promote the love of reading and develop the habit of reading for enjoyment. This summer we are asking students to select one book from a list of options, read it over vacation and prepare for a special book group that will meet in September. We will be providing a notes sheet to help students prepare for their discussion group. No formal writing will be connected to this assignment. After all, how many of us pick up a book to enjoy and then write a report? Students should write what they need to make the discussion more enjoyable. In June, students will receive their summer reading book and notes sheet. Students will return the book and their notes at the end of the discussion group.
This year our student, staff and community member book selections for our summer reading program have expanded, and we have a great collection of 49 titles to pick from on our Summer Reading LibGuide http://mhs-monomoy.libguides.com/lmc/summerreading . We are asking our students to spend some time looking over the titles to pick the book that is right for them and to select their top three choices. Our students have been signing up all this week, and we need your help in getting all of our students signed up. The book sign up process for our current 7th graders will begin on Monday, May 1st. Since our list is comprised of titles meant to appeal to students in grades 8-12, we ask that you spend some time looking over the book selections with your child to help them choose books that are age and reading level appropriate.
We learned a lot from our first year. One of the bumps from last year was students switching books over the summer. We were unable to plan for group sizes when that happened, which made some too large and others too small. If your child happens to select a book that is not working out, we ask that you email Sarah Wheaton (swheaton@monomoy.edu) over the summer so we may plan for the groups. Students will not be able to switch books without us hearing from you.
Congratulations Winners of the Barnstable County Bar Association Law Day Essay Contest!
The following juniors in Mr. Houston's AP US History class won prizes as part of the Barnstable County Bar Association Law Day essay contest which focused on the 14th amendment this year. The awards will be presented at the Orleans District on May 1st in a ceremony commemorating the principle of the "rule of law" in a constitutional government.
Francesca Barr First
Owen Van Sickle Second
Livia Graham Third
Jacob Poitras Honorable Mention
"Cape Cod Gems" Videos Presented by MRHS's TV Production Students (Mr. Cass' Class)
ATTENTION: AP STUDENTS, TEACHERS & SUPPORTORS OF OUR AP PROGRAM.
We will have a kick-off breakfast for you to enjoy on Monday, May 1st, 2017 @ 7:20 in the Café.
We would like for all of these folks to join us to eat a bite, prepare mentally for the exams coming ahead and reflect back upon their AP experience(s)!
The event will culminate with the annual Rich Houston “Selfie” of all testers on Kick-Off day.
Students are encouraged to wear clothing representative of the AP subject they are testing in. Or they can wear their AP shirts from years prior!
GOOD LUCK ON AP 2017 EXAMS!
Mr. Bennett, AP Coordinator
Creative thinking in Ms. Flint's Environmental Science class!!
Environmental Science students have voiced concern over the number of plastic water bottles being used in the school and wanted to come up with a way to re-purpose them. This week, they turned plastic water bottles into "TerrAqua Columns" in order to grow a few "oxygen-producing, carbon-dioxide-reducing" plants!! Fingers crossed for lots of basil, oregano, and cilantro!
Shark "Shout Outs" MRHS's way of Appreciating the Great People That Make Our School "A Home Away From Home"
Mr. Burkhead,
I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support that Dan has received, not only as he prepared to leave Monomoy High School, but throughout all of his years there. With so many people to thank and let know how much I appreciate, I was wondering if it may be possible to somehow get the attached letter out there (see link below for letter from Ms. Brady).
Thank you so much to you, as well, for all your leadership, and what you have done and accomplished within our school. Its an amazing place full of amazing people and you have done an incredible job at joining the two towns together as one caring environment for all of our children to learn and grow in.
Thank you
Sharon Brady, Dan's mom
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6-2IRFs1Afrd2VPVEJENmhKRXBZVnBmR05sbEQ0M1ZLWl9F/view?usp=sharing
*Dan is pictured above with Christine Friedel
A huge thank you to Mr. Randall. He has been one of Monomoy Boy's lacrosse team's most loyal fans. He doesn't have a son on the team but is there to support the students rain or shine . He has been at home and away games and he even braved the rain and cold to come to Tuesday's win against Falmouth Academy. Thank you Mr. Randall!
I just am constantly impressed with the staff of Monomoy and their support of the students.
Thank you,
Julie Santoni
Please congratulate Ms Mimi and Ms Kerri for helping the juniors have a terrific prom. Everyone looked wonderful.
Also - please congratulate Anne Marie Dooley and the 22 kids who attended the Best Buddies Ball. It was great to see over 300 kids dancing the night away. Surprisingly - a shark showed up on the dance floor along with Elvis (see picture in our best buddies ball section below).
It was a great night for all.
Thanks
Angie
Good Morning Bill,
Sending a Shark Shout Out to the members of the junior class and their dates who attended the After Prom. When the photobooth vendor was breaking down for the evening, he stated "This is the most polite group of kids I have worked with". A very true statement! It was a great evening all around!
Kristen Hayden
A HUGE Shark Shout Out to all the parents of our junior class who volunteered countless hours organizing and raising funds to plan and run our highly successful After Prom Party. A safe and enjoyable celebration after a wonderful prom. Special thanks to Ms. Moniz for her amazing efforts in making this special night happen!
Bill Burkhead
Great Time at the Best Buddies Friendship Ball!
On Sunday April 9th Twenty Five enthusiastic and very well dressed Best Buddies from Monomoy High School boarded their luxurious limo bus to attend the statewide Best Buddies Friendship Ball at White’s of Westport in Westport Ma.
The local special needs students and their Best Buddies joined other high school Best Buddies Programs from across the State for an evening of dining, dancing, karaoke, and games. Chaperones Ann Marie Dooley and Angie Chilaka reported that the students truly “danced the night away” it was such a fun night for everyone.
This special event was made possible via the generosity of Chatham based Art of Charity who donated funds to purchase the tickets and Cape Destinations who donated a limo bus so the students could ride in style to the event.
Best Buddies is a program that promotes friendships between students with intellectual disabilities and their regular education peers.
The Monomoy Best Buddies Club sends out a big thank you to the event donors and to Best Buddies of Massachusetts for making such a memorable event possible
Thank you to our students who participated in the 2017 National Day of Silence.
Our students were equipped with a white board, marker, and eraser to use to communicate with you and participate actively in class without speaking. The message of awareness by our students was:
Please understand my reasons for not speaking today. I am participating in the Day of Silence (DOS), a national youth movement bringing attention to the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by anti-LGBT bullying, name-calling and harassment. I believe that ending the silence is the first step toward building awareness and making a commitment to address these injustices. Think about the voices you ARE NOT hearing today.
Thank you Ms. Robinson for your guidance in organizing this important event.
Emma Burke pictured above with proud father Bill Burke and her beautiful art exhibit.
Spring Sports Synopsis
WEEK OF: April 24th - April 30th
By: Hannah Potter
On Tuesday this week, all of our sports games got cancelled due to rain except for Boys Lacrosse who prevailed through the downpour with a win, 15-6. Junior, Connor Santoni, was a strong offender for the sharks. The Varsity Boys Baseball team lost to Nantucket on Thursday, 5-2. The Girls Softball team however played Nantucket as well on Thursday and mercy ruled them, 12-0. Track had a hard fought meet on Thursday against Sturgis. Girls Golf got a nice win against Falmouth. The Sailing team lost to Nauset on Thursday, 3-1. Go Sharks!
Whitehouse Field- WE are Fortunate to play baseball on such a beautiful field!
Monomoy RHS Athletics Weekly Schedule
WEEK OF: May 1st - May 7th
MON, 5/1: Boys Tennis @ Sacred Heart 3:30 pm
Girls Tennis vs Sacred Heart 3:30 pm
Boys Track vs Sandwich 4:00 pm
Girls Track vs Sandwich 4:00 pm
Girls Golf @ Silver Lake 3:30 pm
Sailing @ SJP (Hyannis Yacht Club)
TUES, 5/2:
Varsity Boys Baseball @ Rising Tide 3:30 pm
Freshman Baseball vs Nauset 4:30 pm
Varsity Softball @ Rising Tide 3:30 pm
Boys Tennis @ SJP 4:00 pm
Girls Tennis vs SJP 4:00 pm
Boys Lacrosse vs Nantucket 4:00 pm
Girls Lacrosse @ Nantucket 3:45 pm
JV Girls Lacrosse @ Nantucket 5:00 pm
Girls Golf vs Cardinal Spellman 3:30 pm
Sailing @ Bishop Stang (New Bedford Community Boating)
WEDS, 5/3: JV Boys Baseball vs Sturgis East 4:00 pm
Freshman Baseball vs Barnstable 4:00pm
JV Girls Softball vs Barnstable 4:00 pm
Girls Golf vs DY 3:30 pm
Sailing vs DY
THURS, 5/4: Varsity Baseball @ CCT 4:00 pm
JV Baseball vs CCT 4:00 pm
Varsity Softball vs CCT 4:00 pm
Boys Tennis vs CCA 4:00 pm
Girls Tennis @ CCA 4:00 pm
Boys Lacrosse vs CCT 4:00 pm
Girls Lacrosse @ CCA 4:00 pm
Girls Golf vs Barnstable 3:30 pm
Sailing vs Falmouth
FRI, 5/5:
Varsity Boys Baseball vs Sacred Heart 3:30 pm
Girls Lacrosse vs DY 4:00 pm
JV Girls Lacrosse vs DY 5:30 pmIMPORTANT 1ST MAJOR BOOSTER CLUB FUNDRAISER IN MAY: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
The MRHS All Sports Booster Club's first major fundraiser is rapidly approaching. On Sunday May 7th from 10 am - 5 pm we will be turning the high school gym into a Mattress showroom. If you are in the market for a mattress or know someone who is, please come and support our athletic teams while getting a major discount off a brand new mattress!
Attached is a flyer with more information. We hope to see you there!
Karen Guillemette, Director of Athletics
File attachments:
flyer 2 SHARE from Monomoy Booster Club.pdf
Save the date info: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6-2IRFs1AfreVZKdmxyeWtwbkU/view?usp=sharing
Informational Flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6-2IRFs1AfrcG42NU91cUxpNEU/view?usp=sharing
Civic Representation at State House
House in Boston by Ben Dube and Colleen Cronin. They are spending the
day debating bills about privacy and motor vehicle laws, and will be
addressed by the Governor and other officials. This is the 70th Annual
Student Government Day.
Show your team spirit by joining us for a fundraiser to support Monomoy Key Club.
Junior Prom....Simply Stunning!
Thank you to officer Clarke, Ms. Vagenas, Ms. Girolamo, and Mr. Martin for Chaperoning the event.
Chatham Rotary April Student of the Month
Women's Club of Chatham Awards $7000 *via the Cape Cod Chronicle*
The Women's Club of Chatham has awarded $7000 in Community Investment
Grants 2017. Purposes of the ten grants that will benefit our
students, fishing families, library users, museums, dancers, writers,
needy families will have a positive impact for many Chatham residents
and visitors. Grants include: continuing an archaeological dig for
1630's relics on the Caleb Nickerson Homestead; supporting the Food
Pantry's new mobile food and fish delivery system; transportation of
Monomoy Regional High School creative writing students to visit, view,
write about art at the Cape Cod Art Museum; tuition aid towards MRHS
collaborative summer program; purchasing dance-wear for the "Chance to
Dance-Youth Ballroom" program; purchasing an Optelec Clear View Speech
desk-top magnifier for the Eldredge Public Library; funding First
Night's youth teen activities-laser tag; restoring an antique diary of
Marconi center's first superintendent-1919: charitable aid for Women
of Fishing Families; purchasing exhibit materials to inspire young
women in the new "Breaking Barriers-Women Service Pilots of WW II.
Photo Above: Dick Kraycir & Frank Messina ( Chatham MArconi Maritime
Center), Edie Crowell (Marconi Diary), Ron Clark (First Night), Kerry
Brown (FEPL), Anne Emerson (MRHS Faculty); Lisa Forte-Doyle (MRHS),
Patrick Brophy (Family Pantry), Ron Nickerson (Caleb Nickerson homestead), Karen Murdock(WOFF).
Congressman Keating is once again hosting a Service Academy Information Night at Mass Maritime Academy on Friday, April 28, 2017 at 6 PM.
The attached flyer contains all the details. Please feel free to share with any interested students. And feel free to call me should you have any questions or concerns.
Michael P. Jackman, District Director
Office of Congressman William R. Keating (MA-09)
508-746-9000
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6-2IRFs1AfrbXBqdFhycnU2QlFSTkQ4S0t4R3MtQWhvREtV/view?usp=sharing
COMMUNITY RESIDENTS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE IN ACCREDITATION OF MONOMOY REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
Principal Bill Burkhead of Monomoy Regional High School has invited parents of school children and other interested community residents to assist in a self-study which is currently being conducted by the school’s professional staff. The self-study is a significant component in the accreditation process of the Commission on Public Schools for the Accreditation of Monomoy Regional High School by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Principal Burkhead noted that all aspects of the school will be evaluated during the self-study. Volunteers are most urgently needed, however, to serve on committees which will evaluate the areas of Core Values, Beliefs, and Learning Expectations; Curriculum; Instruction; Assessment of and for Student Learning; School Culture and Leadership; School Resources for Learning; and Community Resources for Learning.
The New England Association of Schools and Colleges is a voluntary membership organization of more than 2,000 public schools, colleges and universities, independent schools, and vocational/technical and career institutions. Approximately 630 public schools throughout New England are currently accredited through the Association's Commission on Public Schools. The committee works with individual schools to improve the quality of their programs at all levels through a process of self-study, evaluation, and follow-up activities.
Anyone interested in volunteering time or in learning more about the self-study should contact Rachel Barnes or Deb Donovan, who are coordinating the Accreditation process at the school. They may be reached at 508-430-7200 during school hours.
For more information contact:
Rachel Barnes and Deb Donovan
Monomoy Regional High School
Harwich, MA 02645
508-430-7200
April 11, 2017Follow MRHS on Twitter!
Website: https://twitter.com/MonomoyRHS
Twitter: @Monomoyrhs