High School Happenings
High School Happenings- August 25, 2023
Important Information:
Parent/ Guardian To-Do List:
Please see the list of things needed to start school:
1. Please fill out and return the student emergency form that will be sent home on the first day. This should be sent in with your student and dropped off to the nurses' office.
2. VERY IMPORTANT-- We need you to log into Powerschool, click on FORMS, and e-sign the Student/Parent Handbook, Code of Conduct, Publicity Refusal Form (optional) and Emergency Contact Information.
Please follow the directions that are outlined on document below with step-by-step screenshots of how to do it.
Military Opt-Out
The law permits recruitment offices of the United State military services to have access to class lists of public high school juniors and seniors. These class lists are used in recruitment efforts by the armed services. Information contained in these class lists includes student names, addresses and telephone numbers to be used to contact prospective enlistees.
Students and parents/guardians may elect to have their contact information excluded from the class lists provided to the military services. To have your student’s contact information excluded from the list provided to the military services, you must complete this form by Friday, September 29th.
Confirm Bus Information With Your Student
Please have your bus-riding students take a picture or screen shot of their bus number so they know where to go at the end of the day. You would be shocked by how many students do not know their bus number. We want to be sure everyone is prepared and ready for a smooth end to our first day.
REMINDER: Traffic Pattern on Campus
There are a lot of cars converging on the campus in a small amount of time. Our student drivers with parking passes park in the student lot- Lot B.
Car line drop off is on the other side of the building in the East Wing (lot F). Please see the picture below as a reference.
Process for Car Line Drop-Off:
Students should exit the car as soon as your car is stopped in the driveway area. As the congestion increases as we get closer to the 7:30am bell, please be sure to follow the directions of security or administration. We may request you pull up the driveway past the doors to fit more cars before having your student exit the car.
As a courtesy to our neighbors, please try to utilize Grange Road vs. using other routes such as Anvil Dr. We know there are a lot of cars on the road and appreciate your help.
Graduation 2024
Graduation Reminder- School Obligations Up Until Graduation Day!
As a reminder, our graduation date is set for Tuesday, June 11 at 4pm. Full details will be released closer to the date. Until then, please note that students have mandatory graduation practices at school leading up to graduation, including Friday June 7, Monday, June 10, and Tuesday, June 11. The graduation parade is also scheduled for Monday, June 10. Please do not make any plans or book any trips that overlap these days as practice is mandatory on all three days for students participating in the graduation ceremony. Thank you!
Your ideas can shape the future of Methacton High School!
Call for school and community participation: Methacton High School Campus Planning Committee (MHSCPC)
The Methacton High School Campus Planning Committee (MHSCPC) is a collection of school community stakeholders (students, parents, staff and community members) who will provide recommendations to the Board of School Directors on future investments in the Methacton High School campus and its existing structures/buildings (High School Building/Transportation Building/Administrative Building/Campus Sewer Plant).
Visit www.methacton.org/mhscpc to learn more about the MHSCPC and how to volunteer for this important committee. Deadline to register for the committee is September 14, 2023 at Noon.
Back to School Night - Grades 9 and 10
Tuesday, Sep 12, 2023, 06:30 PM
Methacton High School, Kriebel Mill Road, Eagleville, PA, USA
Back to School Night- Grades 11 and 12
Wednesday, Sep 20, 2023, 06:30 PM
Methacton High School, Kriebel Mill Road, Eagleville, PA, USA
Student Spotlight
We’re Live in Times Square!
Brianna Katz, a MHS junior, who has been served by The Arc Alliance in Pennsylvania for 16 years, was larger than life on a digital billboard in the heart of Times Square in New York City on August 17, 2023. As part of National Nonprofit Day, Sephora used this valuable space to elevate the voices of marginalized communities, including people with disabilities. Approximately 330,000 people visit Times Square every day to marvel at the bright lights, and we hope this visibility creates more awareness about The Arc’s lifechanging work.
Previously Shared Information:
School Begins on Tuesday, August 29
We will see you for the first day of school on Tuesday, August 29!
You can find your bus number and times in Powerschool on Aug 21.
Students attending NMTCC will go on Tuesday, August 29. AM session will go to the cafeteria for homeroom, ID distribution and then will be dismissed to the busses. PM session will leave from the East wing lobby at 11:40 and will be bussed home at the end of the day. (There is one bus that comes back to the high school in case anyone has practice.)
Students must have a parking permit to park on campus. Seniors were issued over the summer.
The Junior lottery is open from 8/7-8/11. Our junior lot can accommodate 44 spots. Announcements of who received a spot and who is on the wait-list will occur the week of August 14. Junior parking tag pickup will be on 8/23 from 10-11am. (Juniors- check your school email! You have until the end of this week to enter!)
Don't forget to check out the summer school work website below -- this applies to all students!
Food Service for Next Year
**IMPORTANT** Our Food Service Program Has Changed-- What Does That Mean For You?
We have moved off of the National School Lunch Program for this school year. That means that we have MANY changes that are important for our students and families to understand.
First, you will see sample menus below. They are color coded -- gold is our standard meal; blue is our premium meal that costs extra. The price for the gold meal is $3.35; the pricing for the premium entree-only is $4.45. (Please note, the menus are samples so you can see what kinds of foods to expect. Final menus will be sent out before school begins.)
Second, we have a coffee bar this year- The Windy Hill Cafe. It will be open before school until 7:30am, and open during lunches. It will be a cashless system and students must have money on their school account/ student ID in order to purchase items from the coffee bar. Students will be getting a new ID on the first day of school to use this year.
(See directions for adding $ onto your child's account below.)
My School Account.com Instructions
Please visit this site for step by step instructions on how to set up your student's point of sale debit account and manage your account at myschoolaccount.com. From this unique website, you can view your child's lunch account activity and add money to the account as often as you wish.
PLEASE NOTE: If your child's ID number starts with a zero, you must leave off the first zero when beginning the search. For example, if the student ID number is 012345, type in 12345, leaving off the first zero.
https://www.myschoolaccount.com/
Three ways to add money onto your account:
Option 1: Add funds to the account online at www.myschoolaccount.com. This can be via online check or now you can use a credit/debit card. There is a fee is charged by the vendor to use this option, which varies by payment method.
Option 2: Mail a check or money order made out to Methacton School District to the following address:
Food Services at Methacton School District
4001-A Eagleville Road
Eagleville, PA 19403
Option 3: Pay by cash or check directly to a cafeteria staff member, asking that the funds be added to the account. Please send cash or check in an envelope labeled with the student’s first and last name.
Questions? Contact Michele Pischl, Aramark's Food Services Director at Methacton. Ms. Pischl can be reached at Mpischl@methacton.org, or by calling 610-489-5000, ext. 30408
Procedural Updates
Cell Phone Usage at the High School
Our teachers will be clearly communicating their procedures for cell phone usage in the classroom at the beginning of the school year. We respectfully request students follow the classroom procedures outlined by the teacher as cell phones ended the year as a large distraction in the classrooms. We appreciate your support on this matter.
9th Grade Class Congress Elections
Attention Incoming Freshmen:
Interested in being a Class Officer? Please find our elections timeline below:
- Between September 5th and September 8th - Students interested in applying for officer positions must apply through their class sponsors, Mrs. Emery and Mrs. Dunbar. The hard-copy application must be handed in to the sponsors by the end of the day on September 8.
- September 11-15- Students will need to make a campaign video through our TV studio with Mr. Clark. Speeches should run no longer than 60 seconds. Speeches should be emailed to Mr. Clark (wclark@methacton.org) as attached rich text files one day in advance so that he can prep them in the teleprompter.
- September 20 - Videos will be viewed in English classes and elections would be done via google form with voting closing on Sept 21.
- September 21- We will announce winners. A meeting will be scheduled shortly thereafter for Homecoming planning.
Information for the Start of the School Year (Powerpoint)
Logistical Information
Parents,
This is information I have previously shared but I put it in a different format and put it all in one place for ease for you. After looking through this, if you have any specific questions about your child, please reach out to your grade level administrator:
- Gr 9, Last Names A-FP & Gr 11 - Dr. Kochenour: kkochenour@methacton.org
- Gr 9, Last Names Fr-Nf & Gr 10- Mr. Bontempo: dbontempo@methacton.org
- Gr 9, Last Names Ng-Z & Gr 12- Dr. Spiewak: pspiewak@methacton.org
We Need Your Help!
Information from Home and School
We can't thank our Home and School enough for their amazing support throughout the year. Even with kids in high school, we still need you! Below please find three opportunities to support our school:
School Supplies
What do you NEED for your student for the start of the year?
Your student needs to figure out a system of organization. Please have the conversation with them about how they want to take notes in class. Do they want a notebook for each class or just one with different sections for each class? Do they want a binder with dividers? Do they want to use folders for each class? Whatever system works for you, works for us!
One thing that you should definitely discuss is their system of recording homework. Some want an assignment book, some want to utilize Google Keep. Again, whatever system works for you and your student works for us, but figuring that out in advance of the start of school will set everyone up for success.
Expectations for what each student should bring to school every day:
Pens, pencils, something to write on (paper/ notebook), something to hold papers (folder/ binder), assignment book, calculator, Chromebook and charger, and student ID (they will get a new ID once school begins).
For physical education- students need to change into a crew neck t-shirt (full length, not cropped), shorts or sweatpants, and sneakers that tie. Students need a bathing suit and towel when they have swimming.
Teachers may have specific needs for their classes (the majority do not). They will share that when school begins at the end of August and will provide ample time for you to get whatever is needed.
School Counselor Update
Dear Methacton Families,
In June, Mrs. Cindy Hartson retired after 22 years with the Methacton School District. She served our students as a high school counselor and as the Secondary Counseling Department Coordinator. Mr. William Peck has been selected to replace Mrs. Hartson as the department coordinator. We are also thrilled to welcome Ms. Lauren Wells as a school counselor with the high school team.
With these changes, we need to realign the counselor/student distribution. As of July 1, the new student distribution is as follows:
- Mr. William Peck – Students whose last name begins A to B
- Mrs. Roxane Henning – Students whose last name begins C to Fp
- Mrs. Lianne Langan – Students whose last name begins Fr to Ki
- Mr. David Ruminski – Students whose last name begins Kj to Nf
- Mr. Robert Howard – Students whose last name begins Ng to Sc
- Ms. Lauren Wells – Students whose last name begins Sd to Z
With regards to senior letters of recommendation, the counseling office will work closely with you and our students to help navigate through the college selection and application process. Each counselor utilizes “brag sheets” as well as surveys to assist in the letter writing. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your counselor. We are here to assist you and we appreciate all your support and understanding as we navigate these changes. The counselors look forward to an excellent year in working with the Methacton students and their families.
Final Sitting of Senior Portraits for the Class of 2024
Attention Seniors and Parents/Guardians of Seniors!
It’s time to start thinking about your senior portraits!
Lifetouch will be hosting the third and final sitting for senior portraits: (Please note, we have not yet received the updated flyer for the Sept. sitting from Lifetouch. The flyer below is from the July sitting. We will send the updated one as soon as we receive it.)
- Sept 18, Sept 19, Sept 21, and Sept 22 (LGI)- enter through the outside door to the LGI.
Sign ups are through Lifetouch (not MHS)-- Click on the website below, scroll down to "Step 1. Locate Your School" and enter State: Pennsylvania, and City: Norristown. Methacton High School will pop up. You will get an individual code for your child and will be able to schedule their appointment from there.
Summer School Work
For all students in grades 9-12:
From the School Counseling Office...
Please find important information from our School Counseling Office:
FALL 2023 SAT Registration Dates Have Been Released:
Go to your College Board account to register.
Test Dates:
- August 26- register by July 28
- October 7- register by September 7
- November 4- register by October 5
- December 2- register by November 2
Methacton High School Look Ahead
Upcoming Events (subject to change):
August 29- First Day of School!
September 1- No School
September 4- Labor Day, No School
September 12- Back to School Night- grades 9&10- 6:30pm-8:30pm
September 14- Home and School Meeting- 9:15am-10:15am
September 20- Back to School Night- grades 11 & 12- 6:30-8:30pm
September 25- Yom Kippur, No School
October 7- SATs at MHS
October 9- Inservice Day, No School
October 11- PSAT day: gr 10&11; Career Day at MHS: gr 9; College Visit/Work Study/ Community Service offsite: gr 12.
October 12- Home and School Meeting- 7pm-8pm
October 16-20- Spirit Week! (Details to follow)
October 20- Homecoming
October 21- Homecoming Dance, 6:00-8:30pm
October 31- Halloween Costume Contest at Lunches