Blue Jay Broadcast
January 13, 2021
Dear Families,
Let me begin by wishing you all a Happy New Year filled with many successes and continued progress. During winter break, I hope you had the chance to relax and rejuvenate. I certainly spent some time reflecting on 2020 and think about the work and opportunities that lie ahead in 2021.
As we approach the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. King’s work, and his legacy, I am reminded of so many of his speeches and sermons; they were bold and triumphant though he was only 39 years old when he was tragically taken from us. I have so many favorites but I will defer today to this one that he wrote for his college newspaper when he was an 18 year-old senior at Morehouse College: “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.” This was written in 1947 during a time when segregation was legal and white supremacy reigned unabashedly and unreservedly with power and force. Even at a young age, King’s writing demonstrates both a broad intellect and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by society at the time—and the best ways to overcome them.
His conclusions remain just as poignant today—as America faces significant societal, cultural, and technological change. We must commit ourselves to creating learning environments that challenge students to genuinely care for each other in addition to critical thinking. Our students should leave our classrooms with a conviction to fulfill their moral responsibility of seeking the betterment of all persons in this world. America’s schools have an important role to play in leading the national conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion and I’m extremely grateful to be a part of a district that is working hard toward that goal.
I hope you’ve all had a chance to see the video below featuring some of our students and their experiences during a program called Days of Dialogue. I believe this is an important step toward what Dr. King was advancing with this quote.
#InThisTogether #WeGotThis
All My Best,
Ms. Dana Chibbaro, Principal
Advanced Placement Parent Information Night
We will host an Advanced Placement Informational Evening on Thursday, January 21st at 7 pm for anyone interested in learning more about the AP program at Middlesex High School. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and you must register in advance for this meeting. Registration information can be found below:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMsduGopzosHdBwNlizeHsUj-QCKzqr1J9a
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Scheduling for Next Year
The 2021-2022 MHS Program of Studies was approved by the Middlesex Board of Education on Monday evening. This booklet is designed to assist you in planning a course of study appropriate to your needs, interests and aptitudes. Please review it, as it contains important information regarding course offerings, prerequisites and graduation requirements. A digital copy can be found on the MHS Counseling website found here:http://www.middlesex.k12.nj.us/msd/Departments/Counseling/Program%20of%20Studies.pdf?1610642533
Over the next several weeks, the counselors will hold academic planning meetings with each student individually. In preparation for this meeting, we ask that each student complete the Google Form for their "Class of" to prioritize their elective choices by January 27th.
Class of 2024- Rising Sophomores: https://forms.gle/HvUEtWHUYBMNUKaHA
Class of 2023- Rising Juniors: https://forms.gle/1xP59zu75LQtezoR7
Class of 2022- Rising Seniors: https://forms.gle/hpHV1dfuGbxobWxR6
Once teachers have completed academic recommendations and students have prioritized their choices of electives, you will be notified to view the GENESIS Parent Portal. Your child's school counselor is available if any questions or concerns arise as we prepare for your next year at Middlesex High School.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Powers
District Director of Guidance
PSAT Testing
On Tuesday, January 26th, MHS will be administering the PSAT/NMSQT or Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test to the junior class and a select group of seniors. These students will be given the opportunity to take this assessment at no cost to them which is not only a practice SAT but counts as a NJ graduation pathway requirement and for juniors is the only qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship. This is a national exam that is administered through the College Board. As such, the dates are set by them and there is no option for a virtual administration of the test.
In order to maintain social distancing protocols, only students taking the exam will be in person that day and assigned to classrooms of no more than 9 students with desks placed at least 6 feet apart. Students who are testing in person will need to complete the Covid-19 Symptom tracker in Genesis, wear masks, and have their temperatures taken upon arrival at school. A separate email will be sent the week of January 19th to students testing to explain the exact procedures for the day.
All students not taking the exam in person that day will be virtual and assigned asynchronous lessons to complete as staff will be proctoring the exam for students. Students taking the exam will be dismissed at the end of the exam time which should be completed by noon.
Marking Period 2 Report Cards
Please make sure you regularly check the parent portal and contact your child's teacher if you have any questions.
2020-21 Winter Concert
Coming the Week of January 25th. We will be sending more information soon. Stay tuned!
Thank you so much for you time and support!
Mr. I and Mr. Adams
School Photos
2020-2021 Yearbook
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.
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.
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
Featured Student Work-Ceramics
Featured Student Work - Digital Photography
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