Every year at this time, we say the same thing, "Where did the time go?" For some, you watched your children march across the stage and graduate from MHS ready to take on the world. For others, your children finished their first, second or third years of high school and will begin a new adventure as sophomores, juniors or seniors next year. And for those with 8th graders, we can only imagine how hard it is to believe your students will officially become members of our high school family next year. That includes a number of our staff, whose own kids will be freshmen at MHS next year!

Time never slows down, but we hope you are able to slow down a little bit this summer to enjoy time with friends and family, and that you savor all the moments you have together. As a school, we've enjoyed so many fantastic moments this year we won't soon forget, and that are often captured on the pages of this newsletter. We're ready to make some new memories for the 2023-24 school year, and will be working hard this summer to prepare for the arrival of our students on August 30. For those of you with a rising 9th grader, be on the lookout for a letter this summer with information on freshman orientation, which will take place in mid- to late August. Thank you to our staff, students, families, and community supporters for making the 2022-23 school year one to remember. Have a safe and prosperous summer (and of course, don't forget your summer reading)!

Over the course of the past two years, we've spent a great deal of time cultivating the skills and descriptor language for what our school and community sees as the Vision of a Millis High School Graduate. Thanks to surveys and feedback from staff, students, families, and members of the community, we've identified the values, knowledge, skills and work habits we want our students to strive for during their time at MHS so they can thrive as learners, workers and leaders of the 21st Century. Our Vision of a Graduate tells us what Millis High School graduates need to know and be able to DO in order to succeed in college, career and life.

Last year, we landed on the four essential skills we will ensure are embedded in everything we do at MHS - COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION, CRITICAL THINKING, and CHARACTER. This year, we spent time creating the descriptor language for each of our skills, and next year we will use this descriptor language to create rubrics which will measure progress in each of these areas for our students. We are also in the process of finding ways to visually represent our Vision of a Graduate, through print and online mediums, further integrating them into our school, culture and expectations.

Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback in completing this essential step for our school, and eventually entire district, as we continue to do all we can to prepare our students for their journey after Millis High School.

Below is the descriptor language for each of our essential skills, created over the course of the 2022-23 school year.

COMMUNICATION:

1. Recognizes and uses verbal/nonverbal cues in order to foster positive and appropriate relationships.

2. Respectfully exchanges thoughts and ideas in a purposeful and effective manner.

3. Self advocates effectively.

4. Conveys ideas and information clearly in a variety of contexts.

5. Actively listens to others and responds appropriately.

COLLABORATION:

1. Cooperates effectively to achieve common goals and contributes to a positive team dynamic.

2. Respects differing ideas and perspectives.

3. Inspires and motivates others towards a common vision.

4. Works collectively to create solutions for emerging challenges.

CRITICAL THINKING:

1. Analyzes complex information and evaluates arguments.

2. Assesses the credibility, reliability, and bias of sources to make informed decisions.

3. Utilizes effective problem-solving skills and generates solutions.

4. Asks probing questions to gain deeper understanding of complex issues.

5. Considers alternative viewpoints while maintaining a commitment to evidence-based reasoning.

CHARACTER:

1. Interacts with empathy and/or compassion.

2. Appreciates differences and treats others with dignity and respect.

3. Makes responsible and ethical decisions and is accountable for their actions.

4. Employs a growth mindset to persevere through obstacles and challenges.

We're proud to announce that Dulce Abreu, MHS Class of 2022, had her film, Signs of Silence, nominated for Best Film about a social issue at the 2023 Student World Impact Film Festival! Signs of Silence stood out as one of the best out of 13,868 film submissions from 120 countries.

Some of the judges' comments on Signs of Silence:

• I was deeply moved by this film. It's a deeply emotional and impactful piece of art.
• The storytelling in this film is layered and multi-dimensional. It invites multiple viewings to fully appreciate its depth.
• This film is a powerful and timely commentary on societal issues, shedding light on important conversations.

A huge congratulations to Dulce on her nomination, and to Mrs. Mannion for her support in helping Dulce earn this incredible nomination! The awards ceremony at SWIFF 2023 will take place on June 25, 2023.

Take a look at Dulce's film, Signs of Silence.

Over the course of the past month, students entering grades 9-12 were asked to choose one book out of a group of nearly 30 staff selected works, and registered for their choice. Some books will have Google Classrooms created or other forms of communication for potential projects, assignments, resources, or opportunities this summer. When we return in the fall, on Wednesday, September 6, students will report to a classroom for their particular book. There, students will meet the teacher who read that book and will participate in—among other possibilities—a discussion and/or exam on the book. The grade on that assessment will be entered as a test grade in the student’s English class.

Students must obtain their own copy of the book and are encouraged to take ample notes. Books may be brought into school on Summer Reading Day, but it’s up to the teacher’s discretion whether or not to allow books or notes to be used during the assessment.

Summer School Credit Recovery Information 2023

Failure of a course in the 55-59% range during the academic year may be made up with a grade of 70 or better in a (30) hour night or summer course during the summer immediately following failure.

Summer courses must be approved by Mark Awdycki, Principal, prior to registration if credit is to be granted. Parents and students are responsible for finding suitable course offerings and all costs relating to summer school. To request approval, please complete the MHS 2023 Summer School Approval Form.

There are three options for summer school:

This year, Millis High School has partnered with Educere as one option for your student to take summer school courses. Educere provides online courses for credit recovery and handles all the registrations and details of the classes. We’ve approved a list of courses available through Educere that will meet Millis High School standards for summer school. To register for summer school classes through Educere, please use the following link: Educere Online Credit Recover MHS

Bellingham High School is offering in-person summer school classes. For more information and directions for how to register, please visit: Bellingham Summer School 2023

Framingham High School is offering in-person summer school classes. For more information and registration, please visit: Framingham HS Summer Credit Recovery

Archived Newsletters

• An updated physical is required for all students entering grade 10
• Grade 11 and 12 entry: 1 booster dose of MenACWY received on or after 16 years of age is required (1 or more doses of MenACWY are acceptable as long as 1 dose was received on or after 16 years of age.)

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/school-immunizations#school-and-camp-requirements-

Please reach out with any questions and send all medical documentation to Lynn Molinari - lmolinari@millisschools.org

Have a happy and healthy summer!

Click here to view the 2023-2024 School Year Calendar

Bus registration for SY23-24 is open and posted on our district website.

Students had their first day of final exams today, taking exams for Period 1 and 2 classes. Final exams continue next week, ending on June 14, which is also the last day of school for the 2022-23 school year. Please note - students do not have to be present in school during a period in which they do not have a final exam. Students are welcome to come into school when they do not have an exam to study in the library. The remainder of the final exam schedule can be found below.

There will be a bus that leaves the school at 12:20pm on June 12 & 13, to drop students off after exams, or they may take their regular bus at 2:20pm. The cafeteria will be open following exams from 12:10-12:30pm for lunch and snacks on June 12 & 13. Wednesday, June 14, is an early release schedule, so buses will be ready at 10:55am. No lunch will be served on June 14.

Remaining Final Exam Schedule:

Period 3 - 8-10:00

Period 4 - 10:10-12:10

Period 6 - 8-10:00

Period 7 - 10:10-12:10

Period 5 - 8-10:00

Makeups - 10:10-12:10

Class of 2024

President: Lucy Sisto

Vice President: Maria Govoni

Treasurer: Olivia Mathews

Secretary: Lindzey Murillo

Class Representatives:

Andrew Miller, Jennifer Scolponeti, Kyra Rice, Paige Zarnofsky

Class of 2025:

President(s): Shealin Conroy & Olivia Fong

Vice President: Riley Sullivan

Treasurer: Logan Manning

Secretary: Amelia Stapels

Class Representatives:

Addison Loer, Isabella Briones, Tessa Molinari, Henry Kiggen

Class of 2026

Co-Presidents: Nicoletta Koronios & Mia Vasta

Vice President: Reagan Dilorio

The MCAS Biology tests will begin promptly at 8am each day, and student classroom assignments will be posted throughout the building (they will also be emailed to the students). Students should come in with their ChromeBooks fully charged each day. Though students have the entire school day to complete testing, each day of testing typically takes 2-3 hours.

Parents/Guardians are asked to make sure their students get a good night's sleep before each exam day, have a good breakfast, and get to school on time each day. We are confident that our students are well-prepared to be successful on these important exams. Thanks to parents/guardians for their support in helping students clear this graduation hurdle. Good luck to our 9th grade students as they take their MCAS Biology Exams on June 6 & 7!

They have been spending time in Chemistry II discussing chemical equilibriums, which most things in nature achieve unless acted upon by an outside force, and the types of outside forces that can shift these equilibriums. After discussing things such as common ion effect, temperature and pressure, they have been forcing these shifts using visible product changes in class. Students utilized different anions to shift concentrations of iron in solutions, then they used potassium thiocyanate solutions to explore the impact of temperature of the equilibrium.

Summer reading registration is now open. You can support the library and Park Street Books by purchasing the books with this order form: MHS Summer Reading Book Order

Students must register for one book (and only one book) via the link below. Most students registered already in advisory this week and should have an email confirming their registration.

MHS 2023 Summer Reading Registration All Books

Email Mr. Carter mcarter@millisschools.org with any questions.

Interested in joining the Drama Club for the 2023-2024 school year? This year, we will have a fall production and possibly compete in the METG (Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild) Festival. If you don’t want to act, there are other opportunities - organizing props, costumes, light, sound, and set design. Please contact Mrs. Bartley - vbartley@millisschools.org - for more information and to join the Drama Club Google Classroom!