Branagan's Bulletin
Special Edition - Covid-19
Week of May 11 - 15, 2020
I hope this note finds you well. It is hard to believe that we are entering a new week and it seems that the month of May is certainly flying! The countdown is on for the Class of 2020 who will finish their high school career on Thursday, May 28, 2020! Seniors...you are so close and I want you to be sure that you work hard until the end. Be sure you complete all of your assignments and FinishSTRONG.
To the underclassmen...you are working so hard and I am proud of you for your commitment to your work. June 18th will be here before you know it!
Lastly...to all of our students engaging in AP Exams that begin this week...GOOD LUCK! Your entire school is behind you and believes in you! I know you will do great on your respective exams.
Here are a few items for your planning for this week! Please be sure you plan out your assignments for the week by checking out each department to identify your assignments.
Have a great week, Sachems!
Bran
Quarter 4 Reminders!
As we navigate Quarter 4...please keep in mind the following expectations for the final quarter of the school year.
- Quarter 4 will begin on May 4, 2020 and end on June 18, 2020 for students in grades 9 through 11. The final day of Quarter 4 for seniors is May 28, 2020.
- Each individual assignment will receive a score of “credit” or “no credit”; no letter grades will be issued for assignments during Quarter 4. Each assignment is expected to be completed--they are not “optional” unless otherwise noted by your teacher.
- All assignments for Quarter 4 will count toward students’ final quarter grade of “Credit” or “No Credit.” Letter grades will not be issued for a Quarter 4 grade this year.
- Following direct guidance from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) teachers will begin to engage all students with new course content.
- The high school protocols for Quarter 4 are in concert with the Updated Extended Learning Plan that was shared with the Middleborough Community on Friday, May 1, 2020 by the school district.
- Assignments will continue to be posted on a weekly basis, often being posted on Monday and due by Friday each week.
- Students in need of assistance should connect with the appropriate staff person. If there is any question as to whom that may be, students should contact either Mrs. Jameson or Mr. Dizel via email at djameson@middleboro.k12.ma.us or adizel@middleboro.k12.ma.us for guidance.
I know you will do amazing things this quarter. It is very important that you complete all of our assigned work each week. Your teachers are working very hard for you and it is important you do your very best to work hard for each of them. I know you can do it!!
I wish you the very best for a wonderful Quarter 4.
Quarter 3 Report Cards - May 13
Just a friendly reminder that Quarter 3 Report Cards will be posted to Aspen on Wednesday, May 13, 2020. We will be distributing report cards electronically through Aspen. Please be on the lookout for the email from Mrs. Goodine sharing the directions of where you will find your Quarter 3 Report Card in Aspen.
I feel confident that all of our students did well Quarter 3 despite these challenging times.
Distance Learning Assignments - Mathematics - Week of May 11 - 15, 2020
Link to your assignments for this week:
Department Chair - Mrs. Miles - vmiles@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - English - Week of May 11 - 15, 2020
Please see the assignments from the MHS English Department. Any questions...please reach out to your English Teacher.
Link to your assignments for this week:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BEbExgcOlNP4PBs_pj_6Rhykhdvwpl_kMSI5gkHUdRs/edit?ts=5eac737e
Department Chair - Mrs. MacLeod - jmacleod@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - Science & Technology - Week of May 11 - 15, 2020
Link to your assignments for this week:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_WhFaRSatcnUWGnNzh9wfv9NHslbv2AtPiSZcIh3pW0/edit
Department Chair - Mr. Roensch - kroensch@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - History - Week of May 11 - 15, 2020
Link to your assignments for this week:
MHS HSS Department Remote Learning Assignments Week of 05.11.20 - 05.015.20
Department Chair - Mr. Osgood - mosgood@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - World Language - Week of May 11 - 15, 2020
Link to your assignments for this week:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oXMgC8POr0p3hKSJtlNkEX4gk9JhROHEKmNyVSRQ7iE/edit?ts=5eb572f5
Department Chair - Mr. Kinney - skinney@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - Fine Arts - Week of May 11 - 15, 2020
Link to your assignments for this week:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zUE9ezE5A94prGKuBuL5SKIIhmTqqVkxAeH47wdZnsU/edit?ts=5eaee659
Department Chair - Mrs. Duggan - dduggan1@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - Physical Education - Week of May 11 - 15, 2020
- Please check your Google Classroom and Email for information from Mr. Kingman, Mrs. Morano and Mr. Morocco.
Athletic Director - Mr. Sylvia - rsylvia@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Some Cool Ideas from Mrs. Phillips - MHS Librarian
Please check out some cool opportunities from the MHS Library:
A Note from Mrs. Phillips:
Sick of so much screen time? Download an audiobook to your phone or other device! Students and staff can borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free with Sora, using your school login and password. (Password is all lowercase, even if it normally uses capital letters.) This slide presentation walks you through how to access them. Most of the titles on Sora are like regular library books, once someone checks one out, other readers/listeners have to wait until they return the book or the loan period ends before they can check it out. You can place a hold, and you will be notified when the book is available. Another way to get more books and audiobooks is by adding your public library card to your Sora account. If you don't have one or can't find it, you can get an ecard that is good for 60 days on the Middleboro Public Library website.
Attention SENIOR SPRING ATHLETES!
Mr. Sylvia emailed all of you a very important email in regard to celebrations the MHS Athletic Department is planning for all of our Senior Spring Athletes. If you have not completed the modest survey....we kindly ask that you please take a moment to complete the survey and provide Mr. Sylvia some important information.
Please see below:
We are currently creating a virtual senior day experience that we will invite all team members and their families to attend if they choose. Additionally we will be sending out social media posts and recognizing every senior athlete. However, we need some information from you and/or your parents to make your senior day great!
1. Please fill out this brief survey ASAP. This is very important! Senior Spring Athlete Survey
2. Please send a photo of your choice of you in action in your sport. This could be from recently or years ago. This is your choice, but we intend to share whatever photo you send with our teams and community. Please email it to Mr. Sylvia at rsylvia@middleboro.k12.ma.us ASAP.
Advanced Placement Exams - Week of May 11 - 15, 2020
The AP Exam Schedule will begin on Monday, May 11, 2020 and conclude on May 22, 2020. The entire school is behind you as you give the final preparations and review for your respective exam. I know you will do amazing on your exam. You must believe in yourself and know that you have been well prepared for this exam. You are ready!
The AP Exam Schedule is as follows for Middleborough High School:
Tuesday, May 12
- Calculus AB - 2:00pm
- Calculus BC - 2:00pm
Wednesday, May 13
- English Literature - 2:00pm
- European History - 4:00pm
Thursday, May 14
- Chemistry - 2:00pm
- Physics - 4:00pm
Friday, May 15
- US History - 2:00pm
Monday, May 18
- Biology - 2:00pm
- Environmental Science - 4:00pm
Tuesday, May 19
- Music Theory - 12:00pm
- Psychology - 2:00pm
Wednesday, May 20
- English Language & Composition - 2:00pm
Friday, May 22
- Statistics - 2:00pm
Please reach out to your AP Teacher or Ash Baron at abaron@middleboro.k12.ma.us with any questions.
You got this!
Advanced Placement Testing Information - Please Review
You will be receiving important emails from College Board in preparation for the upcoming AP exams. Please make sure you read these emails and all attachments. The links for the AP Testing Guide, the Exam Day Checklist, and the AP Exam Video Tutorials are below for your convenience, as well as the SSD accommodations information:
1) 2020 AP Testing Guide containing the exam day process, the steps students need to take before exam day and details about the e-tickets students will need to participate. You must read this testing guide to make sure you understand the technology you will be using, the format of your exam (s), what you will need day of exam, your registration E-ticket information etc.
2) 2020 AP Exam Day Checklist to utilize for each exam to organize yourself prior to the AP exam.
3) Take a video tour of the 2020 AP Exam experience. The video covers what types of devices students can use to take the exam, how students will sign in on exam day, the different ways they can submit their responses, and more. Click the link below to access the video tour. https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/educators/taking-the-exams/exam-day-experience
4) Link to General AP Exam information: https://apcoronavirusupdates.collegeboard.org/
Take notice of the testing start time for your AP exam(s). We operate on Eastern Time. All exams begin at either 12pm, 2pm or 4pm. Please review the testing schedule below to determine the times each exam begins.
Community Service Hours - A Note from Mrs. McGurk
While you are at home the next month or so, I encourage you all, especially seniors who have not completed their 24 service hours, to engage in one of the letter writing opportunities below.
There are a lot of people feeling anxious or bored and isolated and a letter could provide them with much needed contact. You can share some things about your life and current situation, express empathy for their current lack of social interactions, and let them know that people are thinking of them.
NEW COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY: CRADLES TO CRAYONS!
Cradles to Crayons: Create handmade cards for needy children in MA about
going back to school and offer encouraging words. These cards will be added to care packages and collected when we are back at school.
Soldiers’ Angels: Write letters to our military members stationed overseas! Contact: Irene Wise at imw2000@comcast.net
Middleborough Council on Aging (COA): Volunteers deliver 160 meals everyday to residents who cannot go out and would love to include letters to lift spirits. You can write letters with large script and email to smcgurk@middleboro.k12.ma.us who will get them to the COA for delivery.
Shaw, Nemasket, & Oak Hill Centers: Write letters to patients in a healthcare center. These vulnerable residents are not allowed to have visitors for as long as the crisis lasts. You can share some things about yourself, your own experiences hunkering down, and let them know that their community remembers them. Send letters to smcgurk@middleboro.k12.ma.us who will get them to the healthcare centers for delivery.
Make Masks for Healthcare Professionals - Watch this video to learn how. Please email Mrs. Tumavicus at mtumavicus@middleboro.k12.ma.us once you complete your masks and she can help you with getting them to medical professionals in need.
Each letter will earn you one hour of Community Service credit. Ms. Wise and Mrs. McGurk will keep track of the letters and input your hours. If you want to know more about the Community Service requirement follow this link https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/domain/1022.
Feel free to email me with any questions! smcgurk@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Thank you for spreading cheer to those in need of it! - Mrs. McGurk
Class of 2020 - Celebration - May 16, 2020
Please check out this wonderful celebration sponsored by NBC Channel 10 - Boston on Saturday, May 16, 2020!
Note from NBC 10 Boston
Join NBC10 Boston, NECN, and Telemundo Boston as we celebrate the achievements of the class of 2020 in a star-studded half-hour special Saturday, May 16th at 7:30pm! The pandemic is forcing these high school and college seniors to miss out on so many incredible moments. To lift their spirits, this show will celebrate them and everything they’ve worked hard to accomplish. The special will be packed with inspiring and heartfelt messages of praise from community leaders, celebrities, and athletes, all to honor the Class of 2020.
We hope that you and your students will tune in to this celebration as we honor everything they’ve done. We want these students to feel recognized and supported, and we hope this show will help make up for the fun they’re missing during these last few weeks of their high school and college careers. Please pass this message along to your students so that they can see their class being honored by so many people who care about them and appreciate how hard they’ve worked to graduate.
StartSTRONG Orientation - August 18 & 19, 2020
Mr. Branagan - pbranagan@middleboro.k12.ma.us OR
Maggie Desrosiers at 21desrosiersmargaretl@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Come and be a part of a great team to help make our incoming freshmen excited about their start at MHS!
WellnessSTRONG - Important Resources for you!
Please consider the following:
Office Hours:
Please reach out to our school adjustment counselors:
Joelle Maczko, jmaczko@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Mary Tumavicus, mtumavicus@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Jason Carroll, jcarroll@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Office hours are being held for 1:1 counseling sessions or general check in’s via online venues and cell phones. If you are experiencing an emergency crisis, please call 911. It is important to our mental health to remain connected to others, to use coping skills to manage the stress and angst we are all experiencing, and to seek support when needed. Please use the support that’s available to you and your classmates. We’re all in this together!
NEW RESOURCES FOR THIS WEEK - MAY 11 - 15, 2020
https://images.app.goo.gl/N3hw1HNKCVp75SPq7
Please reach out if you need support or would like to check in with a counselor for any reason. Be well!
Middleborough Nurse's Update - May 2020
Great information provided by the amazing Nurses of Middleborough Public Schools.
Hello Middleborough Community,
As the nursing staff for the Middleborough Public Schools we are writing to let you all know that we are here to help during these very challenging times. Below we have included some tips and resources for staying safe and healthy during our extended closure. We have also included our contact information in case you might have a question about your child or if we can be of assistance in some way. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to text or call or email.
MECC - Lori Johnson (774) 384-5440 lori_johnson@middleboro.k12.ma.us
MKG - Kelly Santos (774) 384-5435 kellysantos@middleboro.k12.ma.us
HBB - Laurie Perkins (774) 384-5434 lperkins@middleboro.k12.ma.us
NMS - Karen Betram (774) 384-5431 kbertram@middleboro.k12.ma.us
MHS - Jen Garanito (774) 384-5430 jgaranito@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Tips For Staying Healthy…..We ALL Need To Do Our Part!
We all want to be with our friends and family but if we all stick to these important guidelines, we will all be able to get back to "normal" sooner.
Stay home
Maintain social distance - keep at least 6ft away from other people
Wash hands. If soap and water are not available, you can use an alcohol based hand sanitizer.
Cover our cough/sneeze with a tissue and throw it in the trash. If a tissue is not available, cough/sneeze in your elbow.
Do not gather in crowds. we all want to be with our friends and family, but if we all stick to these important guidelines, we will all be able to get back to "normal" sooner.
If you have to go to work, keep your germs at work and be sure to cover up, wash your hands and change your clothes when you get home.
Think positive - enjoy the time with your family (we aren't stuck at home, we are SAFE at home)
Only refer to trusted resources for information such as http://www.mass.gov/covid19
Take care of your emotional health and help others do the same. Call 2-1-1 and choose the CALL2TALK option if needed and read below for more info on dealing with anxiety.
Tips For Managing Anxiety in Children
Watch for behavior changes in your child
Not all children respond to stress in the same way.
Some common changes to watch for include
Excessive crying or irritation in younger children
Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting)
Excessive worry or sadness
Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits
Difficulty with attention and concentration
Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
Unexplained headaches or body pain
Ways to support your child:
Keep routines in place
Even if you are home all day, setting and sticking to a regular schedule is important. To help reduce stress, kids should get up, eat and go to bed at normal times. Children, especially younger ones or those who are anxious, benefit from predictability.
Be creative about exercise and activities
Try new activities such as doing a puzzle or having family game time in the evening. Try rock painting with positive phrases or turning them into animals. Build in activities that help everyone get some exercise. Take a daily family walk or bike ride or do yoga — great ways to let kids burn off energy and make sure everyone is staying active. Many schools have remote learning at this time and being involved in your child’s learning can help reduce stress in the household.
Managing Anxiety
How we manage our anxiety has a big impact on our kids. For the moments when you feel anxiety, try to talk about it in a place that is not within earshot of the child. Try to take a break, whether that includes taking a shower, meditating or just having a step outside. If you have a partner at home, have an agreement that you’ll trade off when it comes to childcare. Be vocal about what you need and if you need a break. Trading off responsibilities ensures that way everyone gets a break and some breathing room.
Limit consumption of news
Although staying informed is important, it can lead to increased anxiety. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand. Talking to children in a clear, reasonable way about what’s going on is the best way to help them understand. Try a TV or social media break, or follow content that helps take your mind off the crisis, whether its about nature, baking or arts and crafts.
Stay in touch virtually
Socializing will help in regulating you and your child’s mood and help you stay grounded. Using FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, or even phone calls and texting can help people feel less alone. You can try having family members video chat and read a bedtime story to your child or even have a videochat with multiple members at the same time.
Don’t be so hard on yourself
Remember that you are not alone. Be reasonable and kind to yourself. Routine is important but rigidity can be harmful. We can give ourselves license to relax and not try to model perfection. It may be better to let another episode of their favorite show play so you can catch up on bills or have a minute to decompress. Remind yourself and your children that this situation is unique and strict rules and boundaries can be reintroduced when things go back to normal.
Content Sources:
Jacobson, Rae, and Child Mind Institute. “Supporting Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis.” Child Mind Institute, 2020, childmind.org/article/supporting-kids-during-the-covid-19-crisis/.
“Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 Apr. 2020,www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html.
Also, a friendly reminder from our awesome Nurse at MHS...Mrs. Garanito:
DON"T BRING YOUR GERMS HOME FROM WORK!!
When you're done with your shift:
- Dispose of your gloves properly.
- Wash your hands and forearms well with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, paying close attention to underneath your fingernails and rings.
- Dry hands well with a clean paper towel which you can now use to grasp the door handle and open the door. Dispose of properly.
- Wipe your door handles and steering wheel often.
- If you can leave a spare pair of shoes in the car, change out of your work shoes there. If not, leave your work shoes by the door at home.
- Change out of your work clothes and put them right into the wash if you can. If not, designate a place to fold or hang them neatly out of the way.
- Wash your hands again.
- Take a nice warm shower, put on your most comfortable clothes and relax...
You guys are AWESOME!
A Friendly Reminder from Nurse Garanito - Wear a Face Covering!
Here is the link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtUJPizQVPI
Work Permits - Middleborough High School Students and Middleborough Residents
If you are in need of a work permit, please do the following:
- Email Mrs. Holmgren at mholmgren@middleboro.k12.ma.us AND myself pbranagan@middleboro.k12.ma.us and we will walk you through the process.
- You will need to have the actual job application and the ability to send a copy of the application electronically.
We will do our very best to accommodate your request.
Character Strong - Week of May 11 - 15, 2020
- Engage in the Character Dare for this week (See Below)
- Engage in the weekly Family Character Dare (See Below)
Character Dare
Family Character Dare
We are SachemSTRONG
Paul Branagan
Email: pbranagan@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Website: www.middleboro.k12.ma.us
Location: 71 East Grove Street, Middleborough, MA.
Phone: 508-946-2010
Facebook: facebook.com/MiddleboroughHighSchool
Twitter: @principalbran