Blue Jay Broadcast
December 23, 2020
Dear Families,
As I write this we sit on the cusp of our Christmas break and perhaps more than ever, we can all appreciate the need for a pause. I am so proud of our school community and the resilience that our students, staff, and families have demonstrated this school year. We have certainly encountered many challenges, as we navigate this historic time together. I am continually grateful for the thoughtfulness, flexibility, and positivity that our Middlesex community has brought to this school year. On behalf of all – thank you for your ongoing efforts which have made the school re-opening process possible, and for adhering to public health and safety measures that have ensured we all remain safe.
The holidays are going to look a little different this year. We understand that there may be challenges as the winter break approaches but we encourage all families to consider what we can all do to make the return to school in January 2021 as safe as possible. What one of us does, affects all of us.
I also wanted to take this opportunity to speak to you about our upcoming transition back to hybrid currently planned for January 25th. You will be receiving instructions on January 4th on how to let us know your preference for hybrid instruction or remaining virtual in the third marking period. You will need to respond by January 15th. This choice will apply for the entire third marking period.
We sincerely thank you for journeying with us. May each of you and your families enjoy a beautiful holiday season. Perhaps it is entirely fine that it will be less social, less focused on material goods, much simpler in every way but firmly focused on family, for isn’t it true that family comes first. Please reach out to us if you need help or guidance, and remain confident that we are here to support you, as we walk together as a hope-filled community. #InThisTogether #WeGotThis
All My Best,
Ms. Dana Chibbaro, Principal
Digital Holiday Greeting Card from the Staff of MHS
It has become a tradition here at MHS to, every four years or so, mount a production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol for our fall play. We did not want to interrupt that tradition this year. Since we could not get up on stage, we decided to create a virtual, staged reading to share with the community. As we do every year, we held auditions and rehearsed daily to prepare the show. New this year was the requirement to do all of this virtually! It was quite a challenge, but we recorded our production in sections, and then put it all together to share with you!
Enjoy the show and have a wonderful winter holiday!
Sally Siegrist
Fall Drama Director
2020 Holiday Concert Sampler
Greetings!
Please join us on Instagram tonight at 7pm for an Instrumental Music/Music Scene sampler of our upcoming Virtual Winter Concert! (IG @mhsnjmusicscene)
Come see what our students have been up to since September! While you're there, feel free to hit the follow button to keep posted on music department events!
If you do not have an account, simply click the link below for our 7pm posting!
http://www.instagram.com/mhsnjmusicscene
Thank you so much for you time and support!
Mr. I
DAYS OF DIALOGUE
Attendance
Daily attendance is driven from period 1 but credit for individual courses is based on class attendance for each individual course. If a student isn’t in period 1 or is missing for half the class they may be marked absent for the day and absent from their class. Students are in danger of losing credit when they exceed 20 absences for the year in any single class.
We expect students to be on time for class and to keep their cameras on for the duration of the class. We respectfully request that all attempts are made to ensure that students have a home environment conducive to learning from 8am - 1pm so that they can fully concentrate on the instruction being provided.
Class Attendance in the Parent Portal
We have now added a new tab in the parent portal for parents and students to see attendance for each class that a student is enrolled in. It is found under the ATTENDANCE tab----- Class Attendance tab. If you should have any questions please contact the teacher first with regard to class attendance.
College Board National Recognition
Last spring we had two students that scored in the top 2.5% of PSAT/NMSQT test takers who identify in certain categories. Both students are being recognized by the College Board as Hispanic Scholars for Excellence in Academic Achievement:
Daniel Galvan
Ruben Rodriguez
Congratulations to both MHS students!
Amnesty International Holiday Food Drive
During the 1st of two Amnesty meetings in December, it was decided that Amnesty would organize a food drive to benefit local communities in Middlesex County including the Middlesex Township. In an effort to add a little motivation behind the food drive Amnesty partnered with Student Council and with the help of Ms. Smith were able to turn it into a class competition event. Although originally scheduled for the week of 12/14-12/18 a bit of a snow storm got in the way. But they were able to pivot and collect food into the following week. The event also allowed them to use non-perishable items that were still in the foods room to be donated as part of the event. Well over 200 individual items were donated on the afternoon of the 22nd. We thank all students, teachers, administrators, and parents who helped with this event.
Paul Vernaci
Amnesty International Club Advisor
Join the Principal Advisory Committee
The meetings will take place monthly in the evening via Zoom. If you are interested in participating please email me at chibbarod@middlesex.k12.nj.us
MHS Digital Announcement Board
B.R.I.G.H.T. - Building Relationships and Inspiring Growth and Hope Together
This program is a dynamic partnership between the Middlesex public school district and University Behavioral Healthcare (UBHC), a division of Rutgers University. The primary objective of the program is to help assure that children and adolescents will obtain needed assistance in an accessible location. They provide a range of free and confidential mental health services at the Middlesex Public Schools.
Referrals will be accepted from the student’s counselor, CST case manager, or school administrator. Teachers, school nurse and other staff members with concerns should contact the student’s counselor. Referrals may also be accepted directly from students and/or parents/guardians. The school counselor, CST member or administrator will meet with the student to discuss the referral and obtain informed parent/guardian consent concerning their interest in making a referral. They will also advise the school counselor that they are making the referral.
If you have any questions, please reach out to your child's counselor.
2020-2021 Yearbook
Middlesex Public Schools Virtual Learning Expectations
Virtual Learning Parent Etiquette
For the protection of the other students:
§ Please do not appear in a Google Meet with your child or in place of your child.
§ Please do not interfere in a virtual lesson.
§ Please do not record a Google Meet.
Chromebook Not Working? Try these troubleshooting tips
Middlesex High School
Administration
Dana Chibbaro, Principal
Scott Walsh, Assistant Principal
Jennifer Powers, Director of School Counseling Services
Mike O’Donnell, Director of Athletics
School Counselors
Students with Last Names A-F
Karen Blumetti
Students with Last Names G-N
Gina Shehu
Students with Last Names O-Z
James Schmitt
Student Assistance Counselor
Stacy Ulmer
School Resource Officer
Officer Joleen Auricchio
Teacher Leaders English: Gabrielle Smith Fine and Practical Arts: Kelly Clark Mathematics: Jessica Bodenschatz Physical Education: Gary Brenner Science: Diane Gitler Social Studies: Paul Vernaci Special Education: Kristen Berkowitz World Languages: Ken Perez Support Staff School Nurse: Amelia Paul Librarian: Lauren Heiba Head Secretary: Theresa Cuba Main Office Secretary: Denise Calabrese School Counseling Secretary: Patricia Gardner
Email: chibbarod@middlesex.k12.nj.us
Website: www.middlesex.k12.nj.us
Location: Middlesex High School, John F Kennedy Drive, Middlesex, NJ, USA
Phone: 732-317-6000