MAYNARD HIGH SCHOOL
TIGER TALK -- NOTES FROM THE PRINCIPALS' OFFICE
IN THE AUGUST, 2023 ISSUE
- August Calendar
- Important Links
- Summer Reading
- Freshman Barbecue
- New Homework Procedures Pilot this Fall
- Maynard High School PTO
- Community Resources in the Summer
AUGUST 2023 CALENDAR -- FOLLOW LINK TO ADD TO GOOGLE CALENDAR
Tuesday, August 15 -- Virtual Information Session for Families of New Students -- 7:00 PM
Wednesday, August 16 -- Fall Sports Information Session -- Gymnasium -- 6:00 PM
Monday, August 21 -- Senior Barbecue -- 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Monday, August 28 -- Freshman Barbecue -- 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Wednesday, August 30 -- First Day of School for All Students
FALL SPORTS TRYOUTS AND FIRST PRACTICES
Cross Country: Monday, August 21st, 2023, 10:00 am, MHS Athletics Entrance
Field Hockey: Monday, August 21st, 2023, 9-11am & 2-4pm, MHS FH/Baseball Field
Football: Friday, August 18th, 2023, 9-11:30am, Meet at Locker Room at 8am
Golf: Friday, August 18th, 2023, 12pm, Maynard Golf Course
Boys Soccer: Monday, August 21st, 2023, 4pm, Fowler Fields (Grades 9-12)
Girls Soccer: Monday, August 21st, 2023, 7:30am, Fowler Fields (Grades 9-12)
Middle School Soccer: Wednesday, August 30th, 2023, 3pm, Fowler Fields (Grades 7-8)
SUMMER READING
Have you read a good book this summer? There's still time!
Each of our English teachers expects you to read at least one book this summer. It needs to be a book you haven't read before, and it needs to be appropriate for a student your age. Fiction, non-fiction, e-reader, audiobook -- it doesn't matter. Just read a book.
For specific instructions on how to find a good book, document your summer reading, and complete the extra assignments for honors classes, please visit the Maynard High School Library website, and click on the teacher for your grade:
Grade 9 -- Ms. Steigerwald
Grade 10 -- Ms. Lind
Grade 11 -- Ms. Gerondeau
Grade 12 -- Mr. Luther
FRESHMAN BARBECUE AUGUST 28 6-8 PM
If your student will be new to MHS this fall, please plan to attend the Freshman Barbecue. This is a fun evening designed for families. We invite all adults who support new students to attend!
In addition to a great burger buffet, parents and guardians will have a chance to meet some of the freshman teachers and support staff, to tour the building, and to visit information booths.
Meanwhile, students will meet upperclass mentors, will visit the classrooms on their schedule so they will know where to go on the first day, and will enjoy the burger buffet with old and new friends.
NEW HOMEWORK GUIDELINES TO BE PILOTED FOR 2023-2024
During the final months of the 2022-2023 school year, Mr. Paterno's A Block Juniors finalized their Civics Action project on the topic of homework. New guidelines were proposed to the faculty by the students, and the faculty voted to try them out. Congratulations to Mr. Paterno's students for initiating real change in our school! Here is what the handbook now says, with the new language in bold:
Homework should be an outgrowth of and a preparation for class activities; a vehicle to develop or reinforce skills and knowledge. Homework is based upon the course level and is assigned accordingly. Generally, homework will average 2 - 2½ hours per course per week and/or a sum of 2 - 2½ hours per day for all courses. Homework is to be completed as assigned for full credit. Partial credit for homework may be granted at the discretion of the teacher for work handed in late.
Pilot procedure for 2023-2024
Students will not be assigned more than three homework assignments per class per week (with the exception of AP, VHS, and Dual Enrollment classes). Generally, individual homework assignments will average 20-40 minutes each. This procedure will be reevaluated in January of the 2023-2024 academic school year to determine whether it will become a permanent policy.
Vacations/Long Weekends: Homework will not be assigned with the expectation that it be worked on and/or completed during any school vacations. Long-term projects assigned before a vacation cannot have a due date earlier than the 2 days following vacation. Homework will not be assigned over long weekends, including those due to religious holidays and those marked by a district-wide closing. When there is no school on Monday, in-class assessments will not be scheduled earlier than the following Wednesday.
Exams and Assessments: No assessments or homework will be given during the mid-year week, except for homework directly related to exam or assessment preparation. Nights prior to MCAS testing are to be homework-free for the grade being tested.
SUPPORT OUR PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION
The PTO is here to encourage, enhance and promote the development of our high school students, to support an inclusive educational and social environment, and to promote communication among the school, teachers, students, families, and the Maynard community. We're a group of volunteer parents/guardians who collect food/goods and fundraise using the donations to support the high school students, faculty, and staff with appreciation events and enrichment opportunities.
This year we will be holding our monthly meetings via Google Meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at 7pm.
Please follow the PTO on: Facebook: Maynard High School PTO Instagram: Maynard_HS_PTO
If you'd like to be added to our mailing list, please send an email to: maynardhighpto@gmail.com
Participate in our Donation Campaign supporting the PTO's mission!
It is a simple request for monetary donations without strings attached, items to sell, or volunteering your time. All parents/guardians are members of the MHS PTO, but we collect no dues. Rather, we rely on donations and fundraising. A suggested donation of $25 per family is requested, although any amount is appreciated. Checks (payable to Maynard PTO with Donation Campaign in the memo line) or cash can be dropped off at the MHS front office.
We're always looking for volunteers and new ways to support our students, teachers, and parents.
If you have questions or suggestions, please contact us via our email at maynardhighpto@gmail.com
Stacey Peters and Lizza Smith, PTO Co-Chairs
COMMUNITY RESOURCES IN THE SUMMER
FIND HELP THROUGH EMERSON HOSPITAL
FIND HELP We are excited to partner with @EmersonHealth to launch the new Find Help website. If you or someone you know needs assistance, use the site to search for support like food pantries, financial aid, transportation, and more. Visit EmersonHealth.FindHelp.com. Please share and bookmark the site to make it easy to find when you need help
COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRIES
The Open Table Food Pantry (www.opentable.org; 33 Main St, Maynard) is open on Tuesdays, 3:30 - 6:30 PM and Thursdays, 1 - 4:30 PM and offers free bags of groceries 1x/week. Open Table also allows families to pick up frozen meals for family members weekly.
The Maynard Food Pantry (www.maynardfoodpantry.com; 82 Main St., Maynard) is open on Mondays from 10 AM - 12 noon 1-2x/month
WELCOME BACK FROM MPS SEPAC
The mission of the Maynard Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) is to work for the understanding of, respect for, and support of all children with special needs in the community.
Maynard SEPAC works in collaboration with MPS community members to:
· Promote a network of parents and forums to share information
· Advise the school district on special education programs, training needs, and policy
· Promote communication between PAC members; local, state and national organizations, councils and groups
· Promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion within the community
· Provide informational forums for parents, students, educators, and professionals
Joining is easy - any community member who attends a SEPAC meeting or event during the year is considered a voting member. There are many ways to contribute and we will work with you to identify something that works with your schedule and responsibilities.
Please reach out to our Public Outreach Coordinator Kim Baldasaro, sepacoutreach@maynard.k12.ma.us with any questions or for more information about joining.
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Look out for our Calendar of Events in upcoming newsletters!