Manhattan High School Update

Hello MHS students & families,

Happy New Year! I am excited to welcome everyone back to school and hope you all had a wonderful winter break. January brings about the end of our first semester, which means we will start cruising right into the second half of our year. Students will partake in semester exams Wednesday-Friday, January 11th-13th. We will be implementing a new, hybrid schedule for semester tests where students will have class-based test blocks in the morning with regular periods in the afternoons. Teachers will review this schedule with students on the days before exams. Students who are not scheduled to complete a semester test during the morning blocks will not be required to attend school during those scheduled times, however, all students will be required to attend the afternoon class periods. Designated study rooms will be available to students who choose to attend school during the morning blocks where they are not scheduled to test. Also, please know that some exams will not require a 90-minute testing block and as such will take place during the afternoon periods.

We also have numerous home events this month and would love to see as many supporters as possible out to cheer on our Tigers. Our wrestlers, cheerleaders, and basketball players have put in a tremendous amount of time practicing and have successfully competed in their first competitions of the season. Our Speech & Drama team continues to work hard and will be competing in their post-season meets this month. There will be a community invite on Monday the 16th where people are encouraged to come and watch our students show off what they do! The state competition will also be held in Manhattan on January 27th-28th, and as hosts, we are looking for volunteers to help run and judge events! If you are interested, please contact one of our coaches for more information: Julie Frank (jfrank@mhstigers.org) & Becky Frank (bfrank@mhstigers.org).

A few important dates to note:

• 1:00 Early Release -- Friday the 13th
• No School -- Monday the 16th & Friday the 27th

I hope this newsletter finds you healthy and in good spirits. As always, a huge thanks for the support and encouragement you bring to the MHS community. I am extremely grateful to be part of a school with such remarkable students, teachers, and staff.

Wishing everyone a prosperous year ahead!

Go Tigers!

Mr. Ayers previously introduced our new School Resource Officer, Patrick Harris, in an email to parents and guardians back in November. We are pleased to announce that Officer Harris will serve a part-time, on-site position starting this month and move to a full-time role next school year! His office will be located inside the High School's main office.

In case you missed the initial information, SROs are sworn law enforcement officers responsible for safety and crime prevention in schools; fostering positive relationships among law enforcement, educators, and youth; and helping to promote a positive school climate.

Officer Harris has been in Law Enforcement in Montana for three years and with Manhattan for six months. He serves as a Detective as well as our School Resource Officer. Before Law Enforcement, Officer Harris served 10 years in the US Army and Texas National Guard as a Special Forces Engineer. Officer Harris enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and daughter on the way. He also enjoys spending time outdoors, hunting, and recreational shooting.

Please join us in welcoming Officer Harris to our community and school! Should you see Officer Harris around the school, please feel free to introduce yourself and extend a welcome to him.

The Manhattan Police Department had the students at Manhattan Schools submit drawings for their new police patch. After much deliberation, they chose to go with 2 patches, one for Officers and one for our School Resource Officer. A huge thank you and congratulations to all the students who submitted drawings! The submissions were all very creative, and well-done! Officer Harris and Chief Hengel presented the winners with custom-made cups that showcased their submitted drawings and the final patch design. Morgan drew the main police patch and Chaya drew the SRO patch!

Manhattan High School is proud to recognize some of our amazing students through the Manhattan Rotary Club Student of the Month. The following students have been selected to be the recipients of Manhattan Rotary's Student of the Month award. Students chosen for this recognition model qualities that truly reflect what it means to be a Tiger! They are kind and respectful, excel in academics, and are involved in activities beyond the classroom. This is recognition well deserved by our very own. Congratulations!

January - Morgan Friese

Hello! My name is Morgan Friese and I am a senior at Manhattan High School.

I have lived in the Manhattan/Churchill area since I was in fourth grade. My family moved here from Minnesota in 2014 and has loved the transition to this beautiful state ever since.

I am blessed to have parents who support me every step of the way and siblings who cheer me on as well. I have two siblings, a sister who graduated from MHS two years ago, and a brother who is in eighth grade. I am the middle child, aka the mediator.

Some of the activities I have been involved in include volleyball, basketball (up until my senior year), and softball. I have also been the class president for three years, am the secretary of the National Honor Society, and am Vice President of the club FCCLA. I am also going to be leading a club called FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) which allows students the chance to learn more about the Word of God on campus.

Throughout my high school career, I have received Academic All-State each year I have competed in athletics, and my GPA has remained at a 4.0 each of those years.

I am looking forward to continuing my academics as I go to college next year. Though the destination has not been nailed down quite yet, I am planning on studying a mix of architecture and interior design.

Thank you for this recognition!

* dates/times are subject to change *

5-12 Activities & Athletics Director

· Brad Ballantyne (bballantyne@mhstigers.org)

• The Tiger Softball Field is on track to be completed in time for our spring season. A big thank you to our community and corporate donations in getting this project off the ground and across the finish line!
• Manhattan Public School's radio station KPWS 93.1 will be broadcasting boys and girls basketball this winter!