Bearcat Necessities
May 26, 2020
MHS Community
Welcome to the final stretch of the school year. We have four more weeks and look forward to finishing strong. But before we get to looking ahead to this final month we want to start with a brief pause to reflect on the long weekend we just had. When we are in school we have an opportunity to remind our students why we are having a long weekend and what Memorial Day means. We realize it is only a small gesture on our part but do want to take a moment here to remember and honor those that have fallen in the line of service.
The rest of Bearcat Necessities:
This week's schedule
Virtual Graduation
Senior Calendar
Senior Survey
Cheer/Dance
AP Testing
Library
Weekly Social Emotional Health message
Career Center
Yearbook
Free/Reduced Lunch
Mr. Crow, Ms. Siemers, Mr. Molina, Ms. Tarrach, and Ms. Mundell
Learning for the week of May 26-29
Monday, May 25th-Memorial Day-NO CLASSES
Tuesday, May 26th-regular schedule of class periods 5-8
Wednesday, May 27th-reschedule of Monday's class periods 1-4
Thursday, May 28th-normal office hours schedule
Friday, May May 29th-normal Friday schedule
Virtual Graduation
Monroe High School’s Virtual Graduation will take place on Saturday, June 20th, 2020 at 2pm on YouTube Premiere. A link will be sent out 1-2 days before the ceremony.
Your senior has received emails to their school email account on how to log in and add the necessary information. Please have them check the account. The last email is from May 24th. If you have any questions, please email Jaime Johnson at johnsonja@monroe.wednet.edu
We are planning as close to our usual ceremony as possible. The program schedule is below:
1. Master of Ceremonies & Welcome-Mr. Crow
2. Recognition of MHS Faculty-Mr. Crow
3. Flag Salute - Senior senators: Jalen Flournoy, Kai Robertson, Garrett Mann, and Trevor Brown
4. Staff Chosen Student Speakers - Franky Hanen & Zach Humphreys
5. Musical Performance - senior jazz choir members
6. Student Chosen Student Speaker - Mikey Garcia-Ochoa
7. Mr. Crow’s Speech
8. Presentation of class: Superintendent, Dr. Blasko
9. Acceptance of Class: School Board, Jim Langston
10. Presentation of Graduates:
a. Slides of the gradua
i. Name, Picture in cap and gown or senior pic, Awards and Honors, 150 character message
11. Closing
Turning of the tassel - senior senators: Jalen Flournoy, Kai Robertson, Garrett Mann, and Trevor Brown
a. A Special Staff Goodbye
A couple of cool things about the virtual ceremony:
· You can download key pieces of it as keepsakes
· You can share it with family and friends that normally would not have made it to your graduation
· You will have a permanent reminder of your culmination of high school
· You will have an official slide to customize to fit YOU and your accomplishments
Each Senior Needs to:
1. Register
2. Upload a picture of you in your Cap and Gown OR a senior picture.
3. Add your 150 character message, if desired.
Senior Calendar of Events
While we know our seniors want to be together during this time, our current phase doesn't allow for that, so we've moved forward in planning as much as we can for a virtual version. We fully acknowledge this is not ideal and want to make sure we are providing connection, celebration and closure. We are continuing to contingency plan for a few events should Snohomish County move into Phase 2 soon.
5/28 Thursday: Monroe Public Schools Foundation Scholarship Night VIRTUAL release
6/3 Wednesday: Senior Slideshow Photos due to Mrs. Blaine
6/4 Thursday: MHS Senior Awards Night VIRTUAL release
6/9 Tuesday: Senior Survey due (details below)
6/10 Wednesday: Senior Checkout at MHS (details below)
6/11 Thursday: Senior slideshow VIRTUAL release
6/18 Thursday: Moving Up Assembly VIRTUAL release
6/20 Saturday: Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation Ceremony release
Senior Survey
Part of the senior checkout for graduation is filling out a survey about future plans after high school. This is also where you let us know where you would like final transcripts sent out to school. You will need to complete the survey by logging into your Skyward Student Access and follow the instructions provided. Please take a moment to complete this prior to June 9th.
Running Start Students: We have received a list of students that are receiving their AA from Everett Community College and will put those names in our graduation program. If you are earning an AA from one of our other college partners, please submit your name to davisme@monroe.wednet.edu by this Friday so we can recognize you in the program as well.
Senior Checkout-Wednesday, June 10th
Seniors! Please save the date of Wednesday, June 10th to complete your Senior Checkout Process. At this event, Seniors will have a chance to pay off lunch balances, turn in textbooks or library books and chromebooks they've checked out, and pay any fines that are outstanding. We highly encourage families to pay fines before June 10th and they can do so through the Online Payment Portal on the MSD website. Day of payments can be made via check, cashier's check or money order only. No cash will be accepted at the Senior Checkout event.
Much like the Graduation Gear pickup, seniors will be divided up by last name into hour-long slots.
Last Names A-CL 9-10am
Last Names Co-G 10-11am
Last Names H-K 11am-12pm
Last Names L-N 1-2pm
Last Names O-Sp 2-3pm
Last Names St-Z 3-4pm
More details will be coming out in next week's Bearcat Necessities!
Cheer Update
Are You Interested In Joining Cheer For The 2020-2021 School Year?
While things are going to look different this year, we are working hard on ways to make sure our Cheer program continues. We want to make sure we have your information to be able to stay in touch as information is learned.
If you would like to stay informed, please fill out this Google Form:
https://forms.gle/W2YvrKnDuudbhbCL9
*you must be logged in with your school district email*
The Cheer Coach will be holding an informational Zoom meeting for you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) to attend!
Cheer: May 26th @ 7PM
**to gain access to the meeting, please fill out the form above**
If you have any questions, you can email the coaches at:
Laira (Cheer) Bernhardtl@monroe.wednet.edu
Please Note: Anything Dance related will be postponed until a new coach can be hired later this spring or early summer
AP Testing
A message from the College Board:
As the primary AP® Exam testing window comes to a close, we couldn't be more proud of the students who tested over the past two weeks. We want to ensure that you and members of your school community are aware of key dates over the coming week.
May 26
For AP students:
May 26, 11:59 p.m. ET, is the deadline for AP Capstone™ (AP Seminar and AP Research) and AP Computer Science Principles students to submit their performance tasks through the AP Digital Portfolio, and for AP Art and Design students to submit their digital portfolios via the digital submission web application.
May 27
On the morning of May 27, AP coordinators will have access to updated information in AP Registration and Ordering indicating which students took the May exams and which students are eligible to take a June 1–5 makeup exam.
May 28
AP students who requested a makeup exam will be notified via email on May 28.
Two Days Prior to Each Makeup Exam
AP students who've been scheduled for a makeup exam will automatically receive an email containing their unique makeup exam e-ticket two days prior to each of their exams. Get the makeup exam schedule.
MHS Library Happenings
Did you know you may sign on to your Follett Destiny school library account and hold a book? The library page is located on the school district website under the Students tab. Here is a direct link - http://destiny.monroe.wednet.edu/ then click on Monroe High School Library.
Log in to your account using your school username and password. Go to Catalog and select Destiny Quest or Destiny Discover to view books. Look for books that are “In”. Books that are “Out” will not be available this school year. Once you locate a book, click the hold button to request the book. You may request more than one book.
Mrs. Conklin will have a table in front of MHS on Friday, May 29th from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm to pick-up requested books and return books. There will be a small assortment of books available for checkout if you did not request one in advance. Masks and gloves are worn when handling books. Returned books are placed in quarantine.
If you have any questions feel free to email Mrs. Conklin at conklinj@monroe.wednet.edu
Weekly Social Emotional Health Connection
When we are little and get a cut we learn to heal it by cleaning the cut and putting on a band-aid. And for little kids, including my own, we often like to put band-aids on even when we think we have a cut. However, when we experience unpleasant emotions like sadness or loneliness (just to name a few) we cannot run to the bathroom and put a band-aid on it to make it all better. But the good news is that gratitude, the act of showing appreciation or being thankful acts as an emotional band-aid.
Dr. Robert Emmons of the University of California states: “Without gratitude, life can be lonely, depressing and impoverished. Gratitude enriches human life. It elevates, energizes, inspires and transforms, and those who practice it will experience significant improvements in several areas of life including relationships, academics, energy level and even dealing with tragedy and crisis.”
Here is one idea to incorporate gratitude into your life: Go on a Gratitude Scavenger Hunt! Find these 7 things over the course of this week: 1. Find something that makes you smile, 2. Something that is in your favorite color, 3. Find a favorite quote and post it where you can see it each day, 4. Something that makes you laugh, 5. Something that you love to smell, 6. Find something you can give to someone else as a gift, 7. Something in nature that you are thankful for. You can write down your answers in a journal or make a video log of what you come up with. This can be done individually, with family or friends. And remember that together, we are a strong Bearcat community and we will get through this. Moving forward, one day at a time, together.
*If you or someone you know is having trouble with obtaining enough food, or other necessities, please call (360) 804-2528 to be connected with a member of the Monroe School District Behavioral Health Team.
For more information on the power of gratitude check out this article: https://www.rickhanson.net/how-gratitude-can-change-your-life/
From the Career Center
Senior Awarded Scholarships
Are needed for the Class of 2020 Total and Graduation Program that is handed out to students and families. Submit Senior Awarded Scholarships here!
Sno-Ilse Senior Scholarships
There are scholarships opportunities specifically for you! Don't wait - Apply Now!! More information here
May 28th 10 AM - 2 PM
Includes Aviation, Medical, Nuclear, Reserves and much more!
Info for Students & Families: Financial Aid Appeals
How to Ask Teachers for Recommendation Letters During Quarantine
Summer Plans Fell Through? Here's How to Pivot
The Class of 2021 Will Make History with a New College Admissions Process Due to COVID-19
Lake Washington Institute of Technology
Apply Now - Applications last for one year. So, even if you aren’t sure what you want to do right now, but 6 months from now you choose your program, you will already have your first step complete. Advantages to applying today:
Access to our Navigators. They can look over your transcripts from your previous education and let you know what classes will transfer over. They can also create and academic plan for you and register you for classes.
You have access to taking our Assessment Center. We are currently conducting these tests over Zoom and your scores will last you two years. So, if you choose to attend later, that will still be available for you.
More Online Opportunities. Our Summer and Fall Quarters have moved to all online and hybrid classes. Taking 15 minutes to apply today can set you up to achieve your dreams in the future! So do your future self a favor and apply today! It lasts a year.
New Student Resources and Opportunities here including Northwest Youth Corp Programs, High School Job Tips, multiple Virtual College Tours including Cascadia Community College and more!
STEM Signing Day is a day where students publicly commit to pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) — whether through a 2-year degree or 4-year degree. Seniors can apply now through May 15th to be recognized for commitment to a STEM program.
Take a look at Work Source Online
May is Career Connected Learning Month - Weekly Live Discussions with Employers
Students can hear about Washington-based jobs that might align with their interests and goals, and engage in employer-created challenges.
Week 4 (May 25 – May 29): “Lead Your Community Week”: Education, Health Care, Government, Non-profits (note: no session on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25)
Colleges Adjust Requirements and Deadlines in Response to COVID-19
Everett Community College Scholarship
EVCC is awarding a scholarship for up to $1,200 every quarter for one academic year! APPLY NOW by completing this form. The DEADLINE IS MAY 31st!
Everett Community College Accuplacer Placement Test Now ONLINE
CLASS of 2020 - SHOW US YOUR SCHOLARSHIP MONEY!
Seniors you have worked hard for your college scholarships and we are very proud of you! Let's celebrate these accomplishments together! Help us tally the total for the Class of 2020 by submitting your awarded scholarship information here.
CURRENT TOTAL: $3,848,832
Yearbooks
While our year was sadly cut short, the yearbook staff still documented this year up until the last days. Our publisher generously designed and gave all schools 8 pages of COVID coverage we included to help us document this unique and unprecedented school year. You won't want to miss out on owning a 2020 book. Copies will be available for sale starting Tuesday, May 26 until we are sold out. Books will be $50 with ASB and $55 without. At that time, online sales will be opened and checks can be mailed to the high school marked for yearbook. If we are not sold out, cash payments on the unpurchased books will be available on distribution days for exact change only until sold out. Distribution days and methods are still being determined and are being pushed later due to shipping delays and our current Phase One status. We hope that yearbooks will be available sometime in the second half of June.
Free/Reduced Meal Application
Families who qualify for Free and Reduced meals may get discounted internet rates from carriers. If you already qualified and need a confirmation letter, please email Tammy Gregory (gregoryt@monroe.wednet.edu)
Some families have found, during this time, that income has drastically reduced. Please know you can complete the Free/Reduced application at any time during the school year. You can access the forms by going through links below (English/Spanish)
https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/uploaded/Food_Services/Free_Reduced_Lunch/ENG_2019-20_Application.pdf
https://www.monroe.wednet.edu/uploaded/Food_Services/Free_Reduced_Lunch/SPN_19_20_Applicaton.pdf
Once you have the form filled out you may print and leave in drop box at District Office/ mail to the District Office (200 E. Fremont, Monroe, WA 98272) or email to Tammy Gregory (gregoryt@monroe.wednet.edu)
Another benefit for families with free/reduced form on file is the qualification will carry over for the first month of school next fall. If you have any questions please contact Tammy Gregory. (360-804-2510)
New Translation feature for Bearcat Necessities
Who's Who at MHS
Ed Crow - crowe@monroe.wednet.edu
Principal
Shannon Tarrach - tarrachs@monroe.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal
Jeannette Siemers - siemersj@monroe.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal/Athletic Director
Hugo Molina - molinah@monroe.wednet.edu
Assistant Principal
Dani Mundell - mundelld@monroe.wednet.edu
Dean of Students
Melissa Myers - myersme@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Manager - 360-804-4502
Oscar Partida - partidao@monroe.wednet.edu
Main Line - Front Desk - (360) 804-4500
Lauren Martin - martinl@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Attendance - (360) 804-4510
Michelle Gallik - gallikm@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Financial Office/ASB - (360) 804-4513
Tara Weyrick- weyrickt@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Athletics - (360) 804-4511
Denise Palmer - palmerd@monroe.wednet.edu
Registrar - (360) 804-4524
Helen Hutson - hutsonh@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Counseling - (360) 804-4503
Jacci Rasmussen - rasmussenj@monroe.wednet.edu
Office Support - Counseling - (360) 804-4520
Michelle Dickinson - dickinsonm@monroe.wednet.edu
Success Coordinator / Career Center - (360) 804-4507
Geneva Padilla - padillag@monroe.wednet.edu
Health Room RN/ (360) 804-4532
DISTRICT NOTICE OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
Notice of Non-Discrimination:
Monroe School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.
The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination:
Civil Rights Coordinator:
Joanne Dickinson and Title IX Coordinator, 360-804-2539, dickinsonj@monroe.wednet.edu;
504 Coordinator: David Paratore, 360-804-2609, paratored@monroe.wednet.edu.
Address: 200 E Fremont St., Monroe, WA 98272.