Principal's Newsletter
From the Desk of Russ Booth
September 24th, 2023
It's hard to believe we are almost through the first month of school! There has been plenty of activity in the first few weeks and we are set for a busy October as well. This week we will be hosting a club and activity fair during the lunch block on Thursday and Friday the 28th and 29th.. All students are encouraged to check out the various activities we offer at MHS and look to get involved in something new. Freshmen families, this is a great opportunity to encourage your students to see what is offered and get involved.
We also received word this week that Mansfield High School has been recognized as a National Banner School from Special Olympics North America! Mansfield is 1 of 22 schools to receive this recognition in the state of Massachusetts. We are incredibly proud of this achievement and we look forward to releasing more information about the honor in the coming weeks!
On Friday, October 20th MHS will hold a Post-Secondary Planning and Exploration Day. An email was sent out to families in each grade regarding the plan for PSAT administration and career exploration events. Information from that email, including links for Seniors to declare how they plan to use the day, and for sophomores and juniors to opt out of the PSATs, can be found below. Any student who opts out of taking the PSATs will take part in the Career Exploration Event. Families are asked to use the links if they have not done so already so we can plan accordingly for the day.
There is also information regarding the MHS school council below. There is one open position on this year's school council and interested parents/guardians are encouraged to learn more below and use the link to express interest and get their name on the ballot.
Early Release Reminder
Post-Secondary Planning and Exploration Day: Friday, October 20th
On Friday, October 20th MHS will be hosting a unique day for students where each grade will participate in planned activities. Each event is listed below with a brief description of what to expect.
Seniors will participate in a College and Career Readiness Planning Day and are not expected to attend classes on the 20th. Seniors will use the day for a variety of college and career options including but not limited to attending a college visit, working on college or job applications, or setting up a job interview with an employer through our career office. Senior families must utilize the following Planning Day form to declare what their student intends to do on 10/20. This form will be used to excuse absences for seniors for the day. Any senior who does not complete the form will be assumed to have not participated in a Planning Day activity and will not have their absence excused. Please be sure to fill out the form completely to ensure accurate attendance is taken for your senior.
All sophomores and juniors have been signed up to take the PSAT exam during the school day on October 20th. If your child is a sophomore or junior, they have automatically been registered to take the exam on the 20th. If you would like your student to opt out of taking the exam please fill out the following form PSAT OPT-OUT by Tuesday, September 27th, 2023 so we can plan accordingly. Any sophomore or junior who opts out of the PSAT will participate in the School to Career Partnership event described below. If families do not fill out the opt-out form it will be assumed their student will take the PSAT on Friday, October 20th, 2023.
All Freshmen will participate in a career exploration and Credit for Life Fair, sponsored by our School to Careers Partnership. Students will hear from a variety of guest speakers from different careers during one portion of the morning. Students will also participate in a Credit for Life Fair where they will learn the importance of personal finance through an in-person simulation. Families can utilize the link describing the Credit For Life fair.
If you have any questions regarding the day, please reach out to the main office or the school counseling office.
MHS School Council
This year there is one open position for a parent/guardian to join. If you are interested in joining the MHS school council please fill out the form linked here. Submitted names will be compiled and a voting form will be put together and sent out to the school community. Anyone interested in serving is asked to fill out the interest form by Wednesday, October 4th.
Signs Of Suicide (SOS): Grade 9
The School Counseling staff will start the implementation of the Signs of Suicide curriculum through 9th grade English classes starting Monday, October 2nd, and will conclude on Friday, October 6th.
A letter was mailed home in August to parents/guardians about the initiative and provided families an opportunity to opt-out if they have concerns. The presentation includes an overview of the connection between mental health issues, depression, and suicide, a video presentation, a discussion, and a screening. Students will be introduced to the ACT acronym (Acknowledge, Care, Tell) and know that the staff are also familiar with the program and available to help.
This is an important part of our curriculum and helps to provide students with a common language and avenues for support for themselves or to help a friend in need.
Student Voice Summit (SVS)
Mansfield is starting back up our Student Voice Summit. SVS is designed to provide students at MHS an opportunity to discuss areas of growth within the school where students themselves can affect change. This is a great opportunity for students to have more ownership on what is going on in our school.
Students will meet three times during the school year to brainstorm and introduce ideas for growth that can be implemented into the school. Students will continue to work in groups outside of those three meetings to implement their ideas. Students should be self motivated and willing to truly help implement change.
Any students who are interested should complete the following application: SVS Application (hard copies can also be found in the main office or with Mr. Foley (Room 197 in the modulars), Mrs. Heeden (Room 196 in the modulars), or Ms. Brophy (Room 157, the Choir room). Please return the application to one of these three teachers by Monday, October 2nd. Feel free to come see one of the three teachers listed above if you have any questions.
Senior Planning Night
Two other reminders from our counseling office:
Parent Brag Sheet forms are due by October 1st. This is only seen by your child's counselor and is a great aid to us. You should have received an email from your child's counselor on either September 7th or 8th with the Google form. If you cannot locate it, please contact your child's counselor directly so that they can send the brag sheet to you again. Each counselor has their own form.
Financial Aid Night is Tuesday, December 12th at 6:30 in the MHS Auditorium (weather permitting). Susan Beard, Director of Financial Aid from Wheaton College will review the process and educate us on all the updates from the federal government with the new FAFSA form and guidelines.
Send Silence Packing Event
"For over 10 years, Active Minds’ Send Silence Packing exhibit has worked to raise awareness and encourage activism around critical mental health discussion. The exhibit features nearly 100 backpacks containing the personal stories of young people who have lost their lives to suicide. Participants are able to engage with these stories to form a deeper understanding of what mental health struggles can look like and how to understand signs of mental health challenges for themselves and their peers. Individuals have the opportunity to engage with the exhibit and speak with Active Minds staff and onsite mental health professionals about help-seeking tactics and detecting signs of distress in peers."
Mansfield High School Staff Excellence Award
Can you think of a Mansfield High School teacher, coach or staff member that has made a difference for you or is making a difference for our community? Here is your chance to recognize them and let them know!
We invite all staff, students, parents and community members to nominate someone for the Mansfield High School Staff Excellence Award for September. This award is meant to recognize two members of the Mansfield High School staff who provide extraordinary service to the school community. It is a wonderful opportunity to communicate your appreciation for someone that you feel has gone above and beyond.
Award recipients will be announced at the October Faculty Meeting and in the Principal's Newsletter. Your kind words will be shared with all nominees. There is no limit on the number of individuals you may nominate but please submit a separate form for each nominee.
Temporary Student ID's
All students are expected to wear their ID daily in a visible location either around their neck or on their belt/waistline. We recommend students put their ID in their backpacks each afternoon before leaving school so everyone has it available when they return to school the next day.
Health and Wellness Advisory Council
The Mansfield Public Schools Health and Wellness Council has two vacant parent/guardian seats this year. The Council works to provide guidance and feedback on things such as (but not limited to): school wellness policies and programs regarding nutrition, physical activity, and social-emotional health for staff and students. The Council is composed of representatives from school administration, health services, school counselors, teachers, parents, community leaders, and student delegates.
There are four scheduled meetings: October 16, December 18, February 12, and April 8. Meetings are held in person at Jordan/Jackson Elementary School from 1:30 to 2:30pm. A one-year commitment is required.
If you are interested in serving on the council or have any questions, please email christine.dooling@mansfieldschools.com.
Health Screening Reminders
The nurses would like to remind parents of upcoming 9th and 10th grade health screenings and physical requirements. All screenings are performed in accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts regulations.
Physicals: All students in grade 10 are mandated by the state to provide an updated physical exam dated within the past year. Physicals may be mailed, sent with your student, faxed to 508-261-7416 or emailed to Christine.Harrison@mansfieldschools.com.
Screening Grade 9: All students in Grade 9 will participate in state mandated scoliosis (postural) screening beginning the first week in October.
Screening Grade 10 screening will begin early November. All students in grade 10 will participate in state mandated Hearing, Vision, BMI & SBIRT screening.
Parents/guardians will be notified in writing if a vision, hearing, or postural screening requires further evaluation. Included in this notification will be a request for a report from your health care provider of their findings so that the nurses are aware of any problems which may interfere with learning and can accommodate any needs that are identified.
We recognize that some parent(s)/guardian(s) may prefer to have the screening performed by their student’s primary care provider. Opting out of screening must be done annually. For your child to be exempt from screening in school, please provide the following documentation to Betsy.Savoie@mansfieldschools.com by Sept 29th:Hearing & Vision: Copy of the screening results from the physician for the current school year. Postural(scoliosis): Copy of the screening results from the physician for the current school year or documentation that the student is under care for scoliosis for the current school year. Height/Weight/BMI Parent/Guardian must provide a written request to the school nurse that they do not want their student to participate in this program. SBIRT: Parent/Guardian must provide a written request to the school nurse that they do not want their student to participate in this program.
Senior Portrait Update:
For those families who would like to sign up for a senior portrait session, please use the link provided here: Senior Portrait Sign Up
Families will need their 8 digit code that was sent from Prestige earlier this summer, or they can search by student name to register for a date.
The summer mailing to Senior families included a pink sheet titled "2023 Senior Yearbook Deadlines." Please be sure to reference that sheet to ensure your senior portrait and senior blurb information are included in this year's yearbook. The deadline to submit senior portraits is October 31st.
About Us
Russ Booth - Principal
Abigail Barlas - Assistant Principal, Student Support Services
Matthew McGuire - Assistant Principal, Grades 9 & 11
Ellen Noto - Assistant Principal, Grades 10 & 12
Timothy Tichacek - Assistant Director, Special Education
Tim Selmon - Athletic Director
Email: russ.booth@mansfieldschools.com
Website: https://mhs.mansfieldschools.com/
Location: 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA, USA
Phone: 508-261-7540
Twitter: @MHSHornets