FRIDAY FOCUS
Monomoy Regional High School's Weekly Newsletter
Published: November 1st, 2019
Table of contents:
- Important Information
- MRHS News & Weekly Review
- School Calendar
- Community Events
- Counselors' Corner
- Athletics
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A MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL BURKHEAD
I'd like to give our school family a huge shark shout out for the impressive preparation and performance during our recent NEASC visit. The committee chair, Amy Cetner, reported out Wednesday with a summary of the team's findings. In a nutshell, it was extremely positive! Ms. Cetner highlighted our school culture/climate and "family" atmosphere, along with our focus on personalized learning and getting to know and care for our students. As I've stated before, it is my belief that the foundation of all great schools is a strong and thriving positive culture - this was validated. It was also good news that the team's recommendations were no surprise and consistent with what we shared in our "very well written" self-study. Ms. Cetner and the team were especially impressed with our custodial team under the leadership of Rick Travers and Cliff Steinruck. They called them "Rock Stars!" We should be getting the report in a few months with much more detail. I look forward to sharing that with our school community so that we may celebrate our successes and continue to improve on areas of growth - exactly the formula for moving from good to great.
Thank You!
- * Deb Donovan & Rachel Barnes: 3 years work culminating in a marvelous welcoming ceremony and visit- well done!
- * Katie Kelly: amazing attention to detail and preparation for our visit
- * Janet Ferro: artistic touch in welcoming our guests- 2nd to none
- * Claire Hooper: smoothly juggling personnel and creating a welcoming environment for all our guests
- * Betsy Casey, Alison Burton & Peer Leaders: rallying our students to demonstrate kindness and family values throughout the school
- * Custodial Team- place looks brand new!
- * Amanda Schuerman: "Rallying" our Spirit Committee to provide an awesome spirit week & pep rally, followed up by the extra effort to bring our boring concrete walls to life with our Core Values!
- * Rose Richard, Amanda Kosloski, Wayne Naus & our Select Choir and Jazz Band - exemplary performance at welcoming event
- * Caroline Freitas & culinary students: delicious food prepared for our welcoming ceremony - the presentation was, according to 1 guest "breathtaking"
- * Janie Girolamo & Jen Police: 2 of the BEST AP's in the state- just doing everything 1,000% for our students, staff and school community
- * Zack Gill & NHS: over 50 students in attendance=wow! The visiting team was so impressed by student turnout and involvement throughout the week
- * Our amazing staff!!! - thank you for all our staff that attended the welcoming ceremony, reception and for those who volunteered to interview with our guests on a Sunday!
- * To our staff for your continued efforts in the day to day work of educating our children - the hardest, yet most rewarding of all professions
- * To our outstanding cafeteria team & Garth Petracca: for your dedication preparing delicious spreads for our guests- they thoroughly enjoyed the food!
- * To our parents & community guests who volunteered their time to provide feedback to the visiting team
- * To our school committee members for their continued support and attendance at our opening day event
- * To Dr. Carpenter and our central office team & district principals - thank you for your support!
- * Karen Guillemette & Suzanne Zavatsky for your continued leadership and high standards
- * To the BEST students in the state- you make us look good and we love you all
Sincerely,
Proudest Principal
https://twitter.com/bourne2lovebhs/status/1189689620381999104
FROM THE SCHOOL NURSE
Cold and Flu Season is upon us...
Cold and flu season is upon us. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children over the age of 6 months get the flu vaccine. The single best way to prevent seasonal flu is to get vaccinated each year. Good health habits may also help protect you from getting the flu. Please remind your child to wash their hands often. Washing with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds is ideal. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands. Remember to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues or by coughing into the inside of the elbow. Please keep your child home if he/she is sick with flu-like symptoms. Students should stay home until their temperature is normal for 24 hours (below 100.4 degrees) without the use of fever-reducing medication. Help your children to learn these healthy habits by setting a good example and always doing them yourselves!
Colds, coughs and sore throats are common in kids and do not require that children stay home from school, especially if symptoms are mild. However, if cold symptoms include fever, or if a cough is excessive enough to disrupt their learning, you should keep your child home to rest.
Helpful links:
Vaping Information
Quitting vapes or other tobacco products can be hard. Here are some ways to help young people get the support they need:
This is Quitting powered by truth® is a free and confidential texting program for young people who vape. Text “VapeFreeMass” to 88709. In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
My Life, My Quit TM has youth coach specialists trained to help young people by phone or text. Young people can call or text "Start My Quit" to 855-891-9989 for free and confidential help or sign up online at mylifemyquit.com.
Visit teen.smokefree.gov for tools and tips.
Encourage young people to ask their school nurse or counselor, athletic coach, doctor, parent or other trusted adult for help.
For more information, young people can visit mass.gov/vaping.
More information for parents/adults is available at GetOutraged.org.
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SHARK SHOUT OUTS
- Student shoutout wall is looking great! Thanks to Maggie Dever, Halladay Perry and Sam Morse for helping! -Mrs. Betsy Casey
- The Guidance Team is grateful for all the teachers who worked hard to get letters or recommendation in for seniors with Early Action Deadlines. We appreciate your time and efforts!
SHARK SIGHTINGS
Happy Halloween!
Happy Halloween! Thank you to Ms. Manning & her grade 8 scientists for my surprise delivery of "molecular spaghetti" - delicious! Hopefully no side effects. -Mr. Burkhead
Human Rights Academy
Laura Brown, Emma Santoni, Drew Ryan, Amy Hinesley, Libby Anderson, and Olivia Hayden represented MRHS in a very positive light. They brainstormed many things that they would like to do at Monomoy to promote civil and human rights.
They were introduced to:
1. Pamela and Dave Chatterdon Purdy from Harwichport. Pam designs amazing icons of the civil rights movement up to the present time. The students were quite impressed by her.
2. John Reed - President of the NAACP and head of the Zion Union Museum. The students were invited to come to the museum.
3. Nancy Thompson - a Cape Cod activist who is trying to get many more folks to vote. She spoke to the students about some of the fun ways to engage young people to sign up to vote. One way was to team up with Ben and Jerry's Ice cream company. She has many other ideas that she would be willing to share.
Monomoy educators complete graduate training in trauma and learning
A cohort of 20 Monomoy Regional School District educators have spent the last few years taking graduate-level classes to better prepare them to support students by offering trauma-sensitive practices. These teachers, counselors, and administrators have successfully completed all four courses in Lesley University's graduate certificate program in Trauma and Learning, taught by Donna Desrosiers and Sal Terrasi.
Congratulations to these Monomoy educators for their hard work and commitment: Katherine Andrews (MRMS); Cheri Armstrong (MRMS); Nanci Barnett (HES); Leslie Botsford (MRMS); Erin Cronen (HES); Sally Davol (MRMS); Shana Grogan (MRHS); Kristen Hayden (MRMS); Mary Hemeon (MRHS); Beth Herbst (MRHS); Mary Levy (HES); Christy Lin (HES/MRHS); Jen McIlvin (HES); Mary Oldach (HES); Julia Randall (MRMS); Pam Reuss (MRMS); Amanda Rice (MRM); Joan Richardson (CES/MRMS); Susan Rusch (HES); and Laura Weatherup (CES/HES).
This 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Trauma and Learning, offered through Lesley's Center for Inclusive and Special Education, is designed for educators seeking to become knowledgeable about trauma and its impact on children's learning. The program focuses on examining the impact of traumatic experience on student learning, both academic and social/emotional; identifying and implementing classroom and school-wide approaches that remove trauma as a barrier to learning; and conducting action research projects designed to improve the trauma sensitivity of schools.
There are additional cohorts of Monomoy educators currently participating in the program and working toward the Certificate in Trauma and Learning.
Welcoming Reuben Bowman as New Tennis Coach
Mr. Bowman is also a Mathematics teacher here at MRHS.
Christmas Wreaths
THE 30 DAY ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE
IT'S BACK!
OCTOBER 15 - NOVEMBER 26
Come to school all day, every day for thirty days and enjoy being celebrated throughout the month of December. Encourage your friends to join in to meet the challenge.
Previous winners reported how they were able to make it to school every day. These suggestions included:
Parents setting bed times and encouraging the use of strategies to maintain wellness
Stay healthy by getting at least 8-9 hours of sleep, frequently wash hands and eat breakfast
Hydrate throughout the day
Turn off all computers and devices one hour prior to bed time to allow yourself to unwind
Do not watch over stimulating tv shows one hour prior to bed time
Set morning alarm to when you absolutely have to get out of bed rather than hitting snooze button
Limit caffeine intake in the afternoon
To relax listen to soothing music, white noise (fan etc.), relaxation program or nature sounds
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The events listed below are Upcoming MRHS Events!
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Wednesday, November 6th
Quarter 1 Term Closes
MCAS Retest: ELA Composition Sessions A & B
Thursday, November 7th
MCAS Retest: ELA Reading Comprehension Sessions 1 & 2
MRSD School Committee Meeting
TIME: 6:30pm
LOCATION: MRHS Library
For agenda and minutes please visit: https://www.monomoy.edu/Page/3390
Friday, November 8th
MCAS Retest: ELA Reading Comprehension Sessions 1 & 2
8th Grade Dance: Out of this World, Galaxy Theme Dance Party
LOCATION: MRHS Cafeteria
8th Grade Dance
Out of This World, Galaxy Theme Dance Party
Friday, November 8th
7-9:00 PM
@ MRHS Cafeteria
$5 Entry
Dressy Casual or Semi-Formal Attire Suggested
Parent/Guardian Food & Beverage Donation Sign Up: https://mealtrain.com/w35qre
Monday, November 11th
Tuesday, November 12th
Principal Advisory Council
LOCATION: Sharkness Room (A186)
Join Mr. Burkhead at the Sharkness Table to have meaningful conversations, share ideas, collaborate, and enjoy each others company!
Sign up in Enriching Students under:
‘Burkhead-PrincipalAdvisoryCouncil-Admin’
The PAC is open to ALL MRHS students!
Wednesday, November 13th
Thursday, November 14th
Monomoy HS Theater Company presents Fall Production of "Done to Death": OPENING NIGHT!!
TIME: 7pm
LOCATION: MRHS Auditorium
Tickets available at the door.
Monomoy HS Theater Company presents Our Fall Production of "Done to Death"
Friday, November 15th
Monomoy HS Theater Company presents Fall Production of "Done to Death"
TIME: 7pm
LOCATION: MRHS Auditorium
Tickets available at the door.
Monomoy HS Theater Company presents Our Fall Production of "Done to Death"
Saturday, November 16th
Monomoy HS Theater Company presents Fall Production of "Done to Death"
TIME: 7pm
LOCATION: MRHS Auditorium
Tickets available at the door.
Monomoy HS Theater Company presents Our Fall Production of "Done to Death"
Monday, November 18th
Tuesday, November 19th
Club Photos/Senior Class Photo Day
LOCATION: Auditorium
Club photos will be taken in the Auditorium for the yearbook! Listen for your club to be announced and head down to the Auditorium to get your photo taken.
Seniors will have their photo taken outside on the bleachers during Jawsome A.
Wednesday, November 20th
Thursday, November 21st
MRSD School Committee Meeting
TIME: 6:30pm
LOCATION: MRHS Library
For agenda and minutes please visit: https://www.monomoy.edu/Page/3390
Monday, November 25th
MRHS Fall Sports Awards Night
TIME/LOCATION: 6pm ceremony // 6:30pm auditorium
Wednesday, November 27th - Friday, November 29th
NO SCHOOL: Thanksgiving Recess
- Wednesday, November 27th
- Thursday, November 28th (Thanksgiving)
- Friday, November 29th
Enjoy your holiday! Students and staff will return to school on Monday, December 2nd.
Monday, December 2nd
Winter Sports Begin
High school winter sports start Monday December 2nd. Coaches will have specific practice times at Meet The Coaches Night.
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College Visits
Juniors and Seniors should be checking their Naviance accounts and visiting the Guidance office to keep up to date on the college info sessions that happen here at MRHS. Meeting with the reps is a great way to hear more about the schools and to ask any specific questions one may have.
If you do not know your password, please email Mrs. Casey!
College Paperwork
Seniors - Please get your counselors the paperwork necessary for your college applications at least two weeks in advance. If your school is not using the Common App or information is needed to mail to the schools, please make sure that you note that on the yellow information sheet.
Students - Please stay in touch with her your counselor’s and your teachers who are writing letters of your deadlines.
SAT Scores
Students and Parents - Khan Academy is a great resource for those who are looking for some free SAT Test Prep! Sign up and register through the College Board, in addition to signing up for the SAT’s.
FAFSA
The FAFSA opened on October 1 for the 2020-2021 year.
Please be mindful of the various deadlines that each school has. CSS Profiles are required by certain schools.
A great resource for Financial Aid information -
Upper Cape Tech is once again hosting FAFSA Day on on Wednesday, November 6, from 6-8 PM. Below is information about the event to share with your students and senior parents so they can take advantage!
Upper Cape Tech is proud to be the regional host for FAFSA Day Massachusetts, a non-profit, volunteer driven program providing free assistance to students and families seeking to complete the free application for federal student aid. This year, the event will take place on Wednesday, November 6, from 6-8 PM.
If your student plans to enroll in a college or technical school next fall and you would like direct assistance with completing the FAFSA, please register to attend this event by visiting www.fafsaday.org. Select "register" and be sure to choose the Bourne site. (If you cannot make the November 6 event, the event is also being held in Bridgewater and Fall River on other dates.)
This event is free and open to the public, so feel free to pass this along to friends with seniors at other area high schools!
Best Regards,
The School Counseling Team
Alison Burton - Grade 8 and Peer Leadership Instructor
Lindsay Ginnetty, A-F
Sean Burke, G-N
Jon Bennett, Instructional Leader, O-Z
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High School Reminders:
1. High School Fall Sports Awards Night is Monday November 25th. Refreshments at 6:00pm in the cafe followed by the ceremony at 6:30pm in the auditorium. All high school fall athletes and their families are invited.
2. High School Meet The Winter Coaches Night is Monday November 18th at 6:00pm in the gym.
3. Family ID for winter sports will open on November 1st. All high school student athletes must register on Family ID, have an updated physical on file with the school nurse and see our Athletic Trainer, Taylor Murray for an Impact Test prior to the first practice/tryout.
4. High school winter sports start Monday December 2nd. Coaches will have specific practice times at Meet The Coaches Night.
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Contact Us!
Email: mrhs@monomoy.edu
Website: https://www.monomoy.edu/Page/15
Location: 75 Oak Street, Harwich, MA, USA
Phone: 508-430-7200
Follow MRHS on Twitter!
Website: https://twitter.com/MonomoyRHS
Twitter: @MonomoyRHS