Blue Jay Broadcast
October 28, 2020
Dear Families,
With Election Day just a few days away, I find myself once again in awe of this system of government once considered the “American experiment” that was unique and improbable in 1776, when Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence and the American colonies defied Britain, the most powerful nation on earth at the time. As we look around the world at how difficult it is for democracy and freedom to take hold and flourish, America seems like a political miracle. Americans have kept their republic and built it to be strong, but it will only remain so under constant vigilance.
More than any other public institution, schools are assigned the task of producing ‘good citizens’, ensuring that when children grow up and leave school, and perhaps even before, they are prepared to practice the civic virtues most valued in their respective societies. What roles can and should schools play in educating students to sustain and strengthen American democracy for upcoming generations? Most scholars, educators, and policy makers who are concerned about these issues agree that effective civic participation requires (1) basic civic knowledge of government, history, law, and democracy; (2) verbal and critical reasoning skills; (3) social and participatory experiences, and (4) responsible character traits and acceptance of democratic values and dispositions.
The founders of the nation knew that, for the new republic to be maintained, access to education would need to be vastly expanded in order to develop citizens who would protect and nurture the new democracy and thus public education has vastly expanded over the course of American history.
Now more than ever, in the face of political polarization, students must have opportunities to practice how to engage with people and ideas across differences. They must learn to be critical consumers of information and how to engage in respectful discourse about opposing, and at times, controversial topics. That being said, schools need to be places that champion civility, equal rights, safety and civic action for social change.
In many classrooms this week, students will be discussing the upcoming election. Young people want to be part of the conversation--and should be. They are eager for information, reflection and dialogue. We encourage safe, respectful and inclusive dialogue around the various issues and know our community shares in that desire.
All My Best,
Ms. Dana Chibbaro, Principal
Days of Dialogue
As part of our ongoing commitment to Equity Work and the goals established for the school and the district, we are pleased to announce that Middlesex High School will be participating in a program called Days of Dialogue. The team representing our school is made up of 4 faculty members and 12 students from all four grade levels. As a group, we will attend 3 virtual sessions with 12 or 13 other Middlesex County schools. The sessions will be facilitated by the Center for Supportive Schools (CSS), an organization that has partnered with superintendents and schools across Middlesex County to develop this initiative. CSS is also providing training to our school’s faculty members to lead our school team.
The emphasis of the sessions is on creating safe spaces in which learning and honest dialogue can take place about the challenging issues of race, class, and gender. Each event is designed to create conversations and awareness related to issues of race, gender, and class, with the goal of participants bringing new conversations and actions into their schools.
End of the Marking Period
Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences - Virtual
We believe strongly that conferences should occur regularly not just on specified days or evenings set aside after final grades for a marking period are finalized. We believe just as strongly that at the secondary level, students should be involved in these conferences. This year conferences will be scheduled through the parent portal and will occur virtually. More information will be forthcoming about how to schedule a conference on these dates but feel free to reach out to your child's counselor if you have a concern prior to these dates or at any other time during the school year. Please note that the best point of contact for any concern should occur first with the classroom teacher as they are in the best position to address your concerns or questions.
Attendance
Daily attendance is driven from period 1 class attendance 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.
DID YOU KNOW?
Anticipated Move to Hybrid Learning
MHS Digital Announcement Board
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
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
2020-2021 Yearbook
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