FRIDAY FOCUS
Monomoy Regional High School's Weekly Newsletter
Published: March 13th, 2020
Table of contents:
- Important Information
- MRHS News & Weekly Review
- Counselors' Corner
- Athletics
- School Calendar
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Weekly Briefing on COVID-19 from Dr. Scott Carpenter, Superintendent
Dear Monomoy Parents and Staff,
As the reports of COVID-19 continue to expand, we are all working hard to stay updated with accurate, rational information. The good news is that as of this email, no Monomoy student, staff member, or family member of students or staff have tested positive for COVID-19, and, to date, there have been no confirmed cases in Barnstable County. At 8:30 this morning there was a statewide conference call with schools and the Commissioner of Education and Department of Public Health. DPH has advised that school districts should consider closures when a student or staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, a household member of a student or staff has tested positive for COVID-19, or when there is “sustained community spread,” none of which has happened in Monomoy at this time. I will make evidence-informed decisions regarding any possible closure of our schools, and if we receive reports of an individual testing positive in our school community, we will follow the guidance provided by DPH and local health officials and take immediate action.
Given the pervasive impact of COVID-19, I fully understand why many children and parents are anxious about this viral outbreak. Many school districts have closed in Massachusetts, even without a case of COVID-19 in their community, and I have been asked why Monomoy is not doing the same. During this unprecedented crisis, as a society we need to be thoughtful and calm. When schools close, the students are home, which generally means a parent needs to remain home. These parents are our first responders, nurses, doctors, staff at senior living centers, pharmacists, and the people operating stores and businesses in our community. Closing schools, whether for a day or for weeks, is a big decision and has far-ranging impacts potentially interfering with people getting vital services they need. In addition, schools are not only a place of learning but for many students are a primary source of sustenance, both in terms of nutrition and social-emotional well being. Closing schools is not a decision I take lightly.
Part of the Governor’s guidance under the state of emergency announced this Tuesday, directed at state employees, is that regular business will continue, but we should not bring large outside groups together for discretionary gatherings. In concert with this guidance, Monomoy continues to remain open, but we have canceled school events that involve bringing individuals beyond our students and staff into our schools and have canceled field trips where our students would be interacting with others in a public setting. This involved canceling events like the winter sports awards, the annual HES Shamrock Shimmy, and a Senior Trip to Philadelphia. Our high school musical, Les Misérables, will not be performed before the public, rather the cast will put on the show for their peers, and we will broadcast the play to family and friends beyond our school.
We are preparing as a school community to provide the best educational support possible to our students and families in a variety of eventualities. We have a commitment to educate our students, provide social-emotional support, and to feed many students through this uncertainty. We have been laying groundwork behind the scenes for possible remote learning. We have also been making arrangements to ensure all students remain connected to supporting adults and have continuity of access to healthy food for our free and reduced lunch families.
I want to reiterate that there have been no confirmed cases within our community. If you, your student, or a family member feel ill, please follow the recommended protocol and seek guidance from a health professional, in conjunction with our school nurses. If we remain attentive and responsible, while avoiding rumors and panic, we can dampen the spread of both anxiety and this virus, while protecting the most vulnerable in our community.
This is a very fluid situation. It is possible that a school closure decision may happen at the state level, as has happened in several areas of the country. We may see positive COVID-19 cases arise on the Cape and within our towns and may close following established guidance from DPH. We will continue to reassess school closures as more information becomes available, and you will hear again from me on this topic next Friday, or sooner if needed. In the interim, we have created a dedicated landing page on our website that includes additional resources and updates.
Lastly, I would like to personally thank the numerous parents and community members who have reached out to me to ask how they can help during this challenging time. Times of crisis can serve to bring us together, as schools and as a community.
Dr. Scott Carpenter, Superintendent
Monomoy Regional School District
MRHS Cancellations
- MRHS Winter Sports Awards Night has been CANCELLED for Friday, March 13th. (Please see the Athletics section to read about the awards!)
- MRHS Spring Sports have been POSTPONED until Monday, March 30th.
- MRHS Spring Theater Production of "Les Misérables" has been CANCELLED for March 18-21.
- The Senior trip to Philadelphia, PA in May/June has been CANCELLED.
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SHARK SHOUT OUTS
- A "Shout Out" for our awesome students. They have stayed focused and done a wonderful job this week given these unusual circumstances. -Mr. David Alexander
- Shark Shout-Out to the MRHS students who volunteered at the Middle School Social at the Chatham Community Center last Friday evening! They were a huge help and we appreciate them giving of their time for our younger students! Many thanks to: Jenna Greco, Julie Slade, Samantha Morse, Erin DeSouza, Abby Considine, Justin Sneed, Maddi McDonough, Evie Sheeran, Megan Montiero, Kaitlyn Lyons, Alyssa Lyons, Charlotte Blute, and Holly Evans! -- Harwich Youth Services and Chatham Recreation
- I want to offer a Shark Shout Out to Ms. Hooper, who every day goes above and beyond, whenever the opportunity arises, to help our students. I have seen Ms. Hooper give her patience, time, and empathy while truly investing in a particular student, daily. Thank you Ms. Hooper for showing students that they indeed are Important! -Mrs. Janet Ferro
- Thank you to Anne D’Urso and her friends at the Family Pantry for all the wonderful formal wear donations for students going to the Monomoy prom at Wychmere! We have dresses, suits, shoes and purses. Please grab a friend and come to guidance to “shop for free!” -Mrs. Betsy Casey
Thank you to the Nicholson family for donating local cranberries to our Culinary Arts & Nutrition class. We churned up a beautiful and delicious batch of cranberry sorbet! -Ms. Caroline Freitas
Senior Trip to Philadelphia has been CANCELLED
Please read this letter below that was sent out on Thursday, March 12th to all Seniors and their parents/guardians:
Dear Students and Parents,
Yesterday the governor declared a state of emergency in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This morning we received a visit from Dr. Carpenter regarding the senior field trip to Philadelphia. After speaking to Dr. Carpenter, all out of state field trips have been cancelled, including the senior field trip to Philadelphia. We are currently working with Gateway Student Tours to see if we can get the initial deposits that some students have already paid returned to them. If you have sent in a check as payment that has not been cashed, we would suggest you stop payment on the check as we don’t know if the travel company will return the deposits. We will keep you informed as soon as we hear back from the Gateway Student Tours.
In the meantime, we are also working on trying to come up with a contingency field trip within the state of Massachusetts. Under the circumstances, we are still trying to make their senior year as special as possible and give them something to remember.
Sorry for any inconvenience that this has caused, but the safety of our students is our main concern. If you have any questions, please email Ms. Creedon.
Best Regards,
Denise Creedon and James Otto
Spring Musical: 'Les Miserables' has been CANCELLED
The students will be conducting a performance that we will videotape and share with our school community- and it will be must-watch tv!
MRHS' Ed Waugh speaks to Creative Writing class about writing comedy
Please donate to Cape Cod Cares for the Troops
Thank you for helping to support our military by showing your appreciation for their dedication and service to our country!
Visit their website for more information: http://www.capecod4thetroops.com/
Stay tuned for a possible competition to see who can collect the most items!
Autism Awareness Badges for All Cape Special Olympics
How does your Autism Awareness grow? In partnership with Harwich Police Association, we are raising money for the All Cape Special Olympics on June 4th at MRHS. All proceeds go directly towards our event that hosts more than 600 athletes and Best Buddies 🧩
Each badge is $10. Free shipping 🤩
Sold at the school store, SHORE classroom at MRHS, or shipped to your house
Through Young Eyes 2020, a show celebrating Youth in Arts month
Through Young Eyes 2020, a show celebrating Youth in Arts month, will be on exhibit at the Cape Cod Museum of Art from Thursday, March 12th through Sunday, May 3rd.
An opening reception will be held on Thursday evening, March 19th from 5:30 to 7 pm.
Pictured is "Dragon Circle" by Sharon Rodriguez
& "Antelope Canyon Dreaming" by Laura Brown
Students in the Visual & Performing Arts Department exhibiting in the show are:
Laura Brown, Abigail Gates, Emily Gray, Alice Murphy, Sharon Rodriguez and Edrian Wright.
Donations for Family Pantry
Monomoy Interact Club is collecting donations for the Family Pantry and the homeless program StreetReach in Hyannis. We are collecting non-perishable food items for the Family Pantry and travel size toiletry items (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, etc).
There is a collection box outside the MRHS library. Thank you!
Summer Job/Internship Station at FinFest 2020
2020 Harwich Polar Plunge! Coming in March
MRHS School Store Hours
Open DAILY from:
12pm-1:15pm
& 3:12pm-3:30pm
Check out our website on the Monomoy website or come in for a visit.
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Instagram!
MEFA
MEFA
Please look at www.mefa.org for useful information regarding college financing.
SAT - College Board
The SAT at Nauset High School scheduled for this
Saturday, March 14th, has been cancelled.
The College Board will contact all registered students regarding next steps.
Go to the College Board website to register for future dates.
Thank you.
***Please check College Board websites for updates!***
College Tours
Many college have postponed tours and info sessions. Please be checking their individual school websites to confirm your plans.
Seniors
Time to be actively working on scholarships. Please be checking Naviance for the multitude of scholarships that are posted. It is the students responsibility to research, apply and monitor deadlines for scholarships. Mrs. Casey can mail the scholarships for you and print letters of recommendation and transcripts.
Cape Cod Foundation Scholarships are due April 1.
Dollars for Scholars application deadline is April 1 with no new profiles started after 3/25.
AP Exam
Last call for AP fee’s! Please turn in the funds to Mrs. Casey.
AP Exams will be held during the weeks of May 4-May 15.
Scheduling Meetings
Scheduling Meetings have been scheduled and all students will be meeting individually with their counselors to verify their selected courses for 2020-2021 school year. If a student has missed their meeting, please encourage them to reach out to their guidance counselor.
Please turn the waiver forms in ASAP!
Junior Family Meetings
If families have not met with their guidance counselor’s for their junior family meeting, please contact with Mrs. Casey to schedule.
Service Academy information Night
***Please check though as this date may be adjusted.
College Updates
College Updates - The senior class has been hard at work with their college applications and lots of great news! Here is a sampling of colleges that the Monomoy Class of 2020 has been accepted to -
College Updates - The senior class has been hard at work with their college applications and lots of great news! Here are more colleges that the Monomoy Class of 2020 has been accepted to -
Air Force Academy
Syracuse University
Coastal Carolina
St. Olaf’s College
St. Mike’s College
Assumption College
Villanova University
Arizona State University
Becker College
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Assumption College
Catholic University
Stay tuned for next week’s addition to Friday Focus for more!
Listed in previous Friday Focus lists:
Bryn Mawr College
Syracuse University
Union College
Virginia Tech
Texas A & M
Endicott College
Merrimack College
Tulane University
Bridgewater State College
All UMass Campuses
Vanderbuilt University
Salve Regina University
University of Tampa
URI
Suffolk University
Stonehill College
St. Mikes University
Roger Williams University
UNH
Cape Cod Community College
Quinnipiac University
University of Maine
Regis College
Thomas Jefferson University
Hillsdale College
High Point University
University of Maryland
Loyola University
Colorado State University
Bryant University
Centenary University
Roanoke College
Catholic University
Rhodes College
Lasell University
Keene State University
Next SAT Dates
Next SAT Dates:
May 8 (Register by April 3)
June 6 (Register by May 2)
Please follow us on Twitter @MonomoyGuidance
and Instagram @monomoyguidance
Best Regards,
The School Counseling Team
Caitlyn Hall - Grade 8 Counselor & Peer Leadership Instructor
Lindsay Ginnetty, A-F
Sean Burke, G-N
Jon Bennett, Instructional Leader, O-Z
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WINTER SPORTS AWARDS
The Winter season was filled with excitement where all of our teams made us proud. Thank you to all the game workers this winter. The season would not have run as smoothly without them. Thank you to Mr. Burkhead for his continued support. A special thank you to Ms. Police for her support and attendance throughout the winter season. A huge thank you to my Assistant Jenn Peterson and my interns Sean Gould and Emma Santoni for all of their hard work this winter.
The following is a summary of awards for our student-athletes:
- Boys Basketball was the Cape and Islands League Lighthouse Division Champions.
- Cheer competed in the South Regional Competition.
- Girls Ice Hockey played in the Division 1 South Tournament for the first time.
- Jamie Routhier was Cape and Islands Lighthouse Division MVP for Boys Basketball.
- The following student athletes were Cape and Islands League All Star:
Boys Basketball - Jamie Routhier, Aidan Melton, Jason Ready, Joe Demango
Girls Basketball - Leah Nash, Caroline DiGiovanni, Melissa Velasquez
Boys Ice Hockey – Lucas Tambolleo, Wyatt Archibald, Charlie Southworth
Girls Ice Hockey – Nicole Awalt
- The follow student athletes earned the Scholar Athlete of the Month Awards:
January – Jamie Routhier, Nicole Awalt
February – Lucas Garneau, Leah Nash
- The following student athletes earned high honor roll:
Ava Barbella-Ranello, Kaeleigh Bourgea, Katelyn Groves, Shelby Mainini, Lucy Mawn, Aidan Melton, Kathryn Nash, Leah Nash, Aliza Pillsbury, Sarah Poskanzer, Kyle Richman, Alexer Rodriguez, Tanaporn Saengarayakul, Jasmine Silva, Mitchell Silva, Erica Slade, Charles Southworth, Melissa Velasquez, Brandon Willis
- The following student athletes earned honor roll:
Eve Abboud, Sergi Alexis, Wyatt Archibald, Nicole Awalt, Elijah Beasley, Anna Bianco, Chandler Cheron, Jayden Daluze-Starks, Sean Davock, Caroline DiGiovanni, Helen DiGiovanni, Lucas Garneau, Daniel Gould, Alexis Hyora, Courtney Kelley, Owen Lucey, James Machnik, David Malone, Sabrina Morand, Joao Pedro Paixao, Caleb Parsons-Gomes, Jacob Routhier, Jamie Routhier, Emma Santoni, Eli Stafford, Lucas Tambolleo, Alexander Tosi, Braedin Yarletts
Go Sharks!!
Thanks,
Karen Guillemette, CAA
Director of Athletics
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The events listed below are Upcoming MRHS Events!
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Friday, March 13th
CANCELLED: NO Winter Sports Awards Night
The Winter Sports Awards Night has been postponed indefinitely. Please see message below from Athletic Director, Karen Guillemette:
"Out of an abundance of caution, it has been recommended from the state level that we limit large group gatherings. We also would like to limit the number of individuals entering our schools. With all that being said, the high school Winter Sports Awards Night scheduled for Friday March 13th, has been postponed indefinitely. Our coaches will be in touch with the student athletes to set up a time where all awards and gifts can be distributed to the players. We understand this is upsetting and we are hopeful we will be able to celebrate the winter athletes at some point in the future. Thank you to all the winter student-athletes for an amazing season.
Thank you for your understanding with this matter."
Karen Guillemette, CAA
Director of Athletics
Monday, March 16th
Day 1 Advisory Jawsome Scheduling
LOCATION: Advisory Teacher's Room
Students are expected to attend their advisory Jawsome scheduling during their assigned Jawsome A or B.
Spring Sports Begin!
Family ID for high school spring sports will open on February 3rd. All student athletes must have a current physical, be registered on Family ID and have a current IMPact Test prior to March 16th. For any information regarding IMPact Testing please contact Taylor Murray our Head Athletic Trainer at tmurray@monomoy.edu.
Tuesday, March 17th
Conversation with the Superintendent
LOCATION: Monomoy Regional High School Library
Please join MRSD Superintendent Dr. Scott Carpenter for an open discussion of all things Monomoy on Tuesday, March 17, at 6:30 p.m in the Monomoy Regional High School Library.
Members of the School Committee will also be in attendance to listen to your wants, hopes, and appreciations of our schools. We encourage parents and caregivers of students from across the district -- as well as interested community members -- to attend. This is the second in a series of open forums that will take place during this school year.
If you have any questions, please email Joy Jordan at jjordan@monomoy.edu.
Hope to see you there!
Wednesday, March 18th - Saturday, March 21st
Les Miserables theater production has been CANCELLED
Tuesday, March 24th
Wednesday, March 25th
Day 1 Jawsome Advisory Scheduling
LOCATION: Advisory Teacher's Room
Students are expected to attend their advisory Jawsome scheduling during their assigned Jawsome A or B.
Thursday, March 26th
Monday, March 30th
School Council Meeting
LOCATION: Sharkness Conference Rm (A186)
School Council members will meet on Monday, March 30th for their 3rd meeting of the year.
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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