The Royals Report
February 2024
We are the Royals!
Mascoma Valley Regional High School Core Values Belief Statement
Mascoma Valley Regional High School strives to be a community of lifelong learners who demonstrate engagement and perseverance in academic and personal endeavors. Through a collaborative effort, the school community is responsible for fostering a safe and respectful environment that promotes a strong work ethic, intellectual curiosity, integrity, and movement toward academic excellence.
Academic Excellence~Lifelong Learner ~Integrity ~ Work Ethic ~ Respect
New Offering for Mental Health Services
We are pleased to share HealthFirst is now providing mental health services for children and teens. Please contact HealthFirst directly. They offer a number of ways to meet with students and take a variety of insurance.
Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma Hockey
We are proud of our hockey athletes representing Mascoma. Lebanon has a youth captain program where they invite a local youth player to be a captain at their home games. Kallum plays for Storm which both Mason and Jayden formally played for. They are having a great first season as part of the cooperative with Lebanon and Stevens. Go Royals!
Winter Athletics Calendar
Check out a hockey game!
Lebanon-Stevens-Mascoma
02/05/24 St. Thomas Aquinas 06:40 PM
02/10/24 at Kearsarge-Plymouth 07:00 PM
02/14/24 at Merrimack 04:00 PM
02/17/24 Dover 05:00 PM
02/19/24 at Timberlane 02:50 PM
02/21/24 at Mon-Fall Mountain-ConVal 01:00 PM
02/22/24 at Oyster River 06:15 PM
FAFSA Information for Seniors
On Feb 12th there will be FAFSA help with Granite Edvance 1-4pm.
A counselor from Granite Edvance will be in the building to answer any FAFSA related questions.
Students and their families are encouraged to meet with our FAFSA expert, if this time does not work for families, they can sign up for a one on one virtual or in person session with Granite Edvance here: https://calendly.com/graniteedvance
To get started on the FAFSA, students and their parents will need to create an account on https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa
It will take 3-5 business days to verify your account and then you can continue.
Gear Store Open!
Grab your Royals gear! Alumni can be placed on all items under the name selection area. The store will close February 18th.
PSAT/SAT
As you may already know, we will be using some of our FLEX time to help our students prepare for the PSAT and SAT tests which are scheduled for April 2nd.
Here is a quick list of key information:
- All NH high schools use the PSAT/SAT tests.
- Seniors, who do not take the SAT/PSAT test, will be doing Career Readiness during our test preparation times.
- Our PSAT/SAT prep is being done through the Khan Academy who partners with College Board specifically for test prep.
- Students will join a virtual classroom at Khan Academy using their school google credentials. Here's the link: https://www.khanacademy.org/join/PADDEMMP
- The Khan Academy test prep system will tailor the preparation to the learning areas of each student as they engage with the work.
- For these test prep FLEX times, we will be gathering students into classroom groups that will be very similar to their experience on test day. We hope this helps them develop a comfort and familiarity to build confidence and reduce test day anxiety.
- The first FLEX time dedicated to test prep is NEXT TUESDAY, Feb 6th.
*** Notes About The Importance of the PSAT/SAT
- The PSAT (9th & 10th graders) is a Practice version of the SAT. And we use this data as an important tool (see below).
- When chatting about the SAT/PSAT, perhaps our first thoughts are about College. Most colleges are now "test optional," meaning that they do not require an SAT for application. However, if a student is able to attain a high score on the SAT then it remains very favorable to share! Also, competitive colleges and programs remain places where a strong SAT score is very important.
- The SAT/PSAT is also important because of scholarship opportunities. Students taking the SAT will be able to opt into opportunities for exploration and scholarships through College Board.
- Speaking of $cholarships, We plan to offer the NMSQT to interested Juniors beginning in the fall of 2024. This is a special annual edition of the PSAT test calls the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Top performing juniors may find scholarship opportunities through their academic efforts.
- Perhaps most importantly, the SAT/PSAT tests are designed to measure readiness for success after high school. We use the test data as a sort of report card for us as educators. As we pour over our student's performance data, we can discover areas where there are strengths, weaknesses or gaps. This is essential feedback for us to continually improve curriculum and delivery in the educational process. As we notice trends over years of student performance, this can also be a terrific resource to inform district policy and priorities. So in a very real way, as the students take these tests seriously and simply try to do their best, the are really helping themselves and impacting their own experience of High School education.
Finally, we appreciate the family and community support for these efforts. Of course that starts at home as we partner with you to help your students work for success during and after high school. It also extends to our very supportive community. This year we are working to improve the test experience and have some ideas about snacks and incentives for effort expressed in appreciation. If our community would like to help us with this, please reach out and let me know.
Principal's Message
Dear MVRHS Community,
As we enter the halfway point of the school year, it's a natural time to reflect on student progress and consider goals for the remaining months. College and career readiness is a crucial focus for high school students, and your support as parents plays a vital role in their success.
Here are some ways you can partner with your child and our school to ensure they're on track for their future:
1. Academic Performance:
Monitor grades and progress reports in Alma: Stay informed about your child's academic standing and discuss areas where they might need extra support. Encourage them to seek help from teachers or tutors if needed.
Explore challenging coursework: Consider AP or honors classes, dual enrollment programs, or online courses to help your child strengthen their skills and prepare for college-level work.
2. Career Exploration:
Help your child identify their interests and skills: Encourage them to take career aptitude tests, job shadow professionals, or volunteer in different fields. Expose them to diverse career options and help them visualize their future.
Connect with the school counselor: Utilize the expertise of your child's counselor to access career planning resources, college application guidance, and scholarship information.
3. College Planning:
Start researching colleges early: Familiarize yourself with application deadlines, admissions requirements, and financial aid options. Discuss your child's preferences and help them create a college list.
Attend college fairs and campus tours: These events provide valuable opportunities to learn about different schools and connect with admissions representatives.
4. Develop Essential Skills:
Encourage time management and organizational skills: Help your child create schedules, set goals, and prioritize tasks. These skills are crucial for success in both college and the workforce.
Foster communication and critical thinking skills: Encourage open discussions about current events, different perspectives, and problem-solving strategies.
Remember, college and career readiness is a journey, not a destination. By working together, we can create a supportive environment that empowers your child to reach their full potential and confidently navigate their future path.
We, at MVRHS, are committed to providing your child with the resources and guidance they need to succeed. Please don't hesitate to reach out to your child's teachers, counselors, or myself if you have any questions or need assistance.
Together, we can make this a successful year for your child and their future!
Sincerely,
Tina Fleming
MVRHS Principal
Useful Information Links
Food Service with links to My Meal Time and Free and Reduced Lunch Forms: https://mvrsd.ss19.sharpschool.com/food_services
Upcoming Events
- February 3-Deliberative Session
- February 15 & 16-Winter Carnival
- February 17-Winter Carnival Dance
- February 19-23- Winter Break
Volunteer Forms
In order to join students on any school sponsored trip or attend an activity on campus during the school day, a volunteer form must be completed. Deadline is April 1st for this school year. Volunteer Form: https://mvrsd.ss19.sharpschool.com/career/volunteer_information
How to reach us:
Email: tfleming@mvrsd.org
Website: https://mvrhs.mascomaschools.org/home
Location: 27 Royal Road, Canaan, NH, USA
Phone: 603-632-4308
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MascomaSAU62/?ti=as
Twitter: @MascomaRoyalsAD