MHS Newsletter
Your news source for Mansfield High School
From the Principal's Desk...
January 11, 2020
Dear MHS Parents and Guardians,
Over the next several weeks, 9th grade students will receive "Signs Of Suicide" (SOS) curriculum in Introduction to Wellness classes. As a part of this important state mandate, students will watch a video, engage in discussion led by the School Counselors, and have the opportunity to meet with a counselor for follow-up. Parents will be contacted if their student requests to meet with a counselor as a result of the SOS lesson. A mailing was sent home to all 9th grade parents/guardians earlier this school year with information.
Please note that as a result of the SOS initiative, the MHS School Counseling Department will have limited access to email/voicemail from January 11th-January 22nd and February 2nd-February 9th. If you need immediate assistance please contact Mrs. MacKillop in the School Counseling Office, at denise.mackillop@mansfieldschools.com.
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Also, a few reminders:
- The January remote days previously designated for MCAS testing have been CANCELLED. We will let you know more information regarding MCAS testing for Grade 11 students when the information is made available to us. Please follow the regular schedule.
- Tuesday, January 26th remains a remote day for all Grade 9, 10, and 12 students. Grade 11 students (except for those who have opted out) will report to school for PSAT testing.
- No school for students this Wednesday, January 13th (Staff PD day).
- No school for all next Monday, January 18th in honor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Best regards,
Mary Watkins
Principal
Seasonal Flu Vaccine Documentation Requirement
*Extended until February 2021*
The Mansfield Public Schools adhere to Massachusetts Regulations, 105 CMR 200.000 & 220.000 which require a physical examination and up-to-date Immunizations prior to school entry.
Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, influenza vaccine is required for all students. All students must receive seasonal influenza (Flu) vaccine by February 28, 2021.
Please send confirmation of your child’s flu vaccination to your school health office. Health Office contact information can be found here.
Thank you for your adherence to this regulation. Influenza vaccine is always important to receive in order to reduce the risk of getting sick with influenza, reduce the severity of disease if one does get sick (including the risk of hospitalization) due to influenza, as well as preventing the spread of influenza to others. During the COVID-19 pandemic, influenza vaccine is especially critical to reduce the overall impact of respiratory illness on the population, protect vulnerable populations from severe illness, and decrease the overall burden on the healthcare system.
SEPAC Meeting
The Mansfield SEPAC will be holding a business meeting on Wednesday, January 13th at 7:00pm via Zoom. All are invited to attend, and if interested please register in advance using the following link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvf-mhpjwsHdR7FqnmKStg8PssIQ4_gMoY
Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021, 07:00 PM
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Parent/Guardian Volunteer Group - Calling all Senior parents and guardians!!
Parents/Guardians, let's help make this a great year for our students, and especially our Seniors! If you are interested in volunteering your time to support a variety of student and school-wide needs (materials distribution, holiday season decorations, end-of-year plans for Seniors, etc.) please sign up here https://forms.gle/t7VgdkSPsBcQTUTz5.
The group is open to parents/guardians of students in ALL grade levels.
Please contact Alexandra Piccirilli at mansfieldhsparents@gmail.com with any questions.
Class of 2023 Fundraiser
The Class of 2023 has partnered with "Ink'd" to bring you trendy and comfy sherpas! Please support the Class of 2023 by sharing or purchasing one via this link:
http://shop.inkdstores.com/mansfield_class_of_2023/shop/home
Mental Health Resources
This document was put together by our school counselors and nurses, and to provide valuable information for families.
If you need support over the break and don't know where to start or look, please consult the following document:
Breakfast and Lunch at No Cost
Breakfast and lunch at no cost to families has been extended through June 2021. In addition, Grab and Go Meals are available for pick-up every Wednesday from 3-4pm at Mansfield High School. Please see the links below for additional information.
https://sites.google.com/mansfieldschools.com/covid-19/nutrition?authuser=0
Substitute Teachers and Substitute Paraprofessionals Needed
Mansfield Public Schools is seeking responsible individuals to fill these positions immediately. Openings available in all schools. Flexible schedule.
Department of Digital Learning
Did you know there is a website that can help your student with basic questions about many of the digital resources used at MPS?
The MPS Student and Family Digital Resources Website is designed with students and families in mind. Here you will find How To Guides and Video Tutorials on digital products like Google Classroom and Screencastify, and helpful tips on using everyday tech like Gmail and Google Meet.
The website can be found under the Student or Parent tab of your school’s website. As we create additional resources throughout the year, we would love to hear from you! Is there a How to Guide or Video Tutorial for a digital resource you would like to see added to our site? Please let us know by clicking HERE.
Housing Help
The state Department of Housing and Community Development has centralized information about resources for families struggling to make rent or mortgage payments due to COVID-19. Please use this link for more information. www.mass.gov/covidhousinghelp
From the Nurses
Illness Management
Please see the Daily Self Symptom Screening Checklist which needs to be reviewed every morning before sending your student to school. If your student does not feel well and stays home, please monitor their symptoms. If your student is having concerning symptoms, please contact your physician for guidance.
If your student is not feeling well:
Stay home and call your physician for guidance regarding concerning symptoms
Physician may diagnose an illness and may or may not refer student for a COVID-19 test
Inform your school nurse of absence, diagnosis, and/or testing
Student may return per our back to school guidelines(fever free for 24 hrs without use of medication and an improvement in symptoms) and a negative COVID-19 test if one was ordered by a physician
If COVID-19 test is positive, please call your school nurse for individual instructions
Communication is key in making sure information is shared in a timely manner so contacts can be identified and informed. If at any time during this school year, your student is identified as a close contact to a positive case and is placed in quarantine, please call your school nurse for individual instructions. Please do not hesitate to call your school nurse with information or with any questions.
For more information on COVID-19 symptoms and testing, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/about-covid-19-testing#where-can-get-a-test?-
Please see the MPS Return to School Flowchart for a quick reference guide.
SCHOOL NURSE CONTACT:
Roland Green Pre-School (508) 261-1561
Fax: (508) 261-7415
Debora.Wirth@mansfieldschools.com
Robinson Elementary School (508)261-7387
Fax: (508) 261-7389
Sue.McGinley@mansfieldschools.com or Tammy.Rozelle@mansfieldschools.com
Jordan/Jackson Elementary School (508) 261-7520
Fax: (508) 261-7522
Kristin.Haskell@mansfieldschools.com or Betsy.Johnston@mansfieldschools.com
Qualters Middle School (508) 261-7530
Fax: (508) 261-7374
Lisa.Anderson@mansfieldschools.com or Elayne.Brown@mansfieldschools.com
Mansfield High School (508) 261-7540
Fax: (508) 261-7416
Christine.Harrison@mansfieldschools.com or Betsy.Savoie@mansfieldschools.com
Key Dates for Your Calendar
Jan. 13- No School; PD for Staff
Jan. 14- NHS Induction at 6PM
Jan. 18- No School; MLK Jr. Holiday
Jan. 26- PSATs at MHS for Juniors (all others remote)
Jan. 29- End of Q2/S1
Bus Information
Please click on the link to watch Thursday's presentation addressing transportation:
About Us
Mary Watkins, Principal
Zachary Abrams, Assistant Director, Special Education
Abigail Barlas, Assistant Principal, Student Support Services
James Schliefke, Assistant Principal, Grades 10 & 12
Timothy Tichacek, Assistant Principal, Grades 9 & 11
Email: firstname.lastname@mansfieldschools.com
Website: http://mhs.mansfieldschools.com/
Location: 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 261-7540
Twitter: @MHShornets