MHS Newsletter
Your news source for Mansfield High School
From the Principal's Desk...
April 9, 2021
Dear MHS Parents and Guardians,
We are looking forward to welcoming our students in grades 9-12 back to full in person learning on April 28th. We recognize the importance of providing direct instruction to our students, while also having a responsibility to ensure the health and safety of our school community. We are taking measures to ensure that social distancing is provided in our buildings. The district continues to take the following measures to ensure the health and safety of all students and staff:
Each classroom has been provided with hand sanitizer and appropriate PPE for staff members
Students will follow school district policy regarding face masks
Our hallways, cafeterias, and other shared spaces have been marked to encourage proper social distancing
Classroom furniture has been arranged to provide a distance of at least 3 feet of distance between student chairs
Our HVAC systems have been inspected to insure proper air ventilation in our classrooms
With all of these measures in place, we know that there are situations that may occasionally arise that impact distancing for short periods of time. Some of our younger students and students with disabilities have needs that make social distancing a challenge at times. The school district will continue to employ multiple mitigation layers to provide for the protection of both students and faculty in these instances.
We are looking forward to many happy and safe days ahead.
Best,
Mary Watkins
Principal
MHS Celebrates!
Currently, we still have events from 2020 posted, but we hope to begin adding for the Class of 2021 shortly so keep checking back!
Updated Travel Advisory
Effective Monday, March 22, the MA Travel Order will be replaced with a Travel Advisory which will be enforced in MPS.
After consultation with Mansfield’s COVID-19 Task Force, our board of health will require staff and students of MPS to produce documentation of post-travel testing to comply with guidelines from the Massachusetts Travel Advisory as stated below. Testing is required for all destinations. There are no longer specific high risk areas of travel. MPS will also follow these additional modifications:
We will continue to accept parent/guardian post-travel tests from an unvaccinated parent/guardian for students less than ten years of age. If all parents/guardians who have traveled with the students under ten years are vaccinated, the students need to have their own COVID-19 test before returning to school.
Mansfield Public Schools will accept FDA EUA-approved molecular SARS-CoV2 tests including the PCR and Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test, and antigen tests for return from travel.
If your student is out of school while waiting for post-travel test results or are in a post travel-quarantine, please contact your school nurses who can initiate instructional delivery from classroom teachers.
Guidance is changing quickly but we need to adhere to standards that will provide the best protection for our entire school community. We understand the challenges associated with testing and we appreciate your compliance with the travel guidance. Consideration will be given to changing travel requirements for MPS as vaccination rates increase and our quarantine numbers stabilize.
From the Nurses
We would like to remind families that while the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has relaxed recommendations for in school distancing, we will still be following the Massachusetts Department of Health quarantine guidelines. A close contact continues to be an individual who has been exposed to a positive case for a cumulative time of 15 minutes or more in 24 hours at less than six feet. An important part of keeping quarantines to a minimum will be continuing with our strategy for managing student and household illness.
If your student is out for quarantine or isolation, your school nurse will initiate instructional delivery from classroom teachers.
Managing Student and Household Illness:
Now, more than ever, we need families to be aware of the health of their family and continue to keep students home when they are not feeling well.
Continue to use the Symptom Screening Checklist.
Communicate with your pediatrician with symptom concerns and discuss the need for testing.
Call or email your school nurses as your initial school contact with concerns of illness. They will communicate with your student's teachers and administration if necessary.
We are entering the season where asthma and allergies can start to flare up. We need to be aware that simple symptoms such as a scratchy throat or congestion in combination with another symptom may be indicative of COVID-19 and should not be ignored.
SCHOOL NURSE CONTACT:
Roland Green Pre-School (508) 261-1561
Fax: (508) 261-7415
Debora.Wirth@mansfieldschools.com
Robinson Elementary School (508)261-7387
Fax: (508) 261-7389
Sue.McGinley@mansfieldschools.com or Tammy.Rozelle@mansfieldschools.com
Jordan/Jackson Elementary School (508) 261-7520
Fax: (508) 261-7522
Kristin.Haskell@mansfieldschools.com or Betsy.Johnston@mansfieldschools.com
Qualters Middle School (508) 261-7530
Fax: (508) 261-7374
Lisa.Anderson@mansfieldschools.com or Elayne.Brown@mansfieldschools.com
Mansfield High School (508) 261-7540
Fax: (508) 261-7416
Christine.Harrison@mansfieldschools.com or Betsy.Savoie@mansfieldschools.com
Class of 2021
Cap, Gown & Graduation Photo Payment - $26
At this time we are collecting payment for your senior’s cap, gown, tassel and graduation photo. The photo will be taken at the graduation ceremony and mailed home in July. The cap and gown are yours to keep.
Payment of $26 can be made by check or money order payable to “Mansfield High School” and dropped off by your student at the Main Office, or mailed to us. Please include your senior’s name with the payment.
Online payment - is also an option, for a fee. On our website, go to the Parent Tab => Online Payments => Unipay Link => select “Student Activity” then “High School Student Activity”. Please be sure to enter “Cap & Gown” in the “Activity” field.
Graduation Gowns
Senior parents and guardians- if your child has not yet entered their height for grad gown measurement, please enter it here. Thank you!
Local Scholarships
The Mansfield Local Scholarships are now available through Naviance. Please do not miss out on this great opportunity to access scholarship funds to help support your college education. We are so fortunate to have so many generous sponsors across the Mansfield community that value the opportunity to support our students. Seniors have received an email from the School Counseling Office reminding them of this important opportunity and instructions for accessing transcripts and recommendations if needed. If you have any questions please see reach out to your child's counselor.
Senior Celebration Donations
Donations are requested for the Class of 2021 for the Senior Celebration Fund! The suggested donation per Senior student is $35.00.
If you wish to donate, you may do so online, or via check mailed to Mansfield High School, with "Senior Celebration" noted on the Memo line. Online donations can be made via the UniPay Link on the District website, for a fee (accepting electronic check and credit/debit card payments, except Visa):
Click here for the High School Student Activity Unipay link. Be sure to type "Senior Celebration" in the "Activity" field.
Thank you for your contributions!! Keep Updated with Senior Activities and Volunteering on Facebook at the group Mansfield Class 2021 Celebration our Seniors.
Lawn Signs
Please click on the PDF below (under the Tech Fundraiser) to learn how to order a lawn sign for a graduating senior! Order forms are due by April 16th.
MHS Senior Lawn Signs and We Support Signs will be distributed on the following days and times:
- Saturday, April 17 – 2:00 – 3:30pm
- Saturday, April 24 10:00 – 11:30am
- Wednesday May 5 1:45pm - 3pm (after school)
The Saturday pick ups will be in the white tent in the front of the school (next to the front door) to drive up and pick up the signs you ordered for your student and any We Support signs. May 5th pick up near the Field Hockey field on the side of the school.
Tech Fundraiser
Available for order April 10th - April 25th
Show your Hornet pride and get this awesome tech gear while it’s hot!
Makes a great gift for Grads, Teachers or any Mansfield Students.
Thank you for your support of the Class of 2021!
SEPAC General Meeting
Managing Your Child’s Stress and Anxiety
Dr. Mills Smith-Millman from McLean School Consultation Service will be presenting information about Anxiety and Stress in your child. They will discuss how anxiety works, when to worry about your child's anxiety level, and cover specific strategies you can use to support your child when they are anxious.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAlc-GvpzgjGtFSLVbea673iRpwRB03cW8g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
BIO:
Dr. Mills Smith-Millman is a post-doctoral fellow at the McLean School Consultation Service. Dr. Smith-Millman completed their graduate training in clinical psychology at Miami University in 2019. They specialize in child and adolescent psychology and school mental health.
Tuesday, Apr 13, 2021, 06:30 PM
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Color Guard Named MJA State Champions
MHS Choir
Check out the new MHS Choir website- we can't sing together at MHS, but we can sing at home!!
MHS Juniors to Compete in USA Cricket Under 19 National Championship
Sagar and Sahil Koul have been selected to represent East Zone in the USA Cricket Under 19 National Championship, being held in Houston from April 4th thru April 10th.
The event is being organized and hosted by USA Cricket which is affiliated to the International Cricket Council (ICC) and responsible for overseeing the game of cricket in the USA.
Competitors who perform well may selected to the USA National Cricket Under 19 Squad to compete in the Cricket World Cup.
Good luck Sagar and Sahil!!
https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/squads-for-mens-under-19-national-championships-announced/
From the Health Office
Contact betsy.savoie@mansfieldschools.com to report any illness, COVID diagnosis or that your student was identified as a close contact of someone who tested positive for COVID. We continue to put together the pieces of the puzzle and this information is essential in giving us a better handle on keeping our school community safe and healthy.
Student Mental Health Support
Housing Help
The state Department of Housing and Community Development has centralized information about resources for families struggling to make rent or mortgage payments due to COVID-19. Please use this link for more information. www.mass.gov/covidhousinghelp
Breakfast and Lunch at No Cost
Breakfast and lunch at no cost to families has been extended through June 2021. In addition, Grab and Go Meals are available for pick-up every Wednesday from 3-4pm at Mansfield High School. Please see the links below for additional information.
https://sites.google.com/mansfieldschools.com/covid-19/nutrition?authuser=0
Key Dates for Your Calendar
April 19-23- April Vacation
April 27- SATs at MHS for registered Juniors; remote day for all others
April 28- Return to Full In-Person
Bus Information
Please click on the link to watch Thursday's presentation addressing transportation:
About Us
Mary Watkins, Principal
Zachary Abrams, Assistant Director, Special Education
Abigail Barlas, Assistant Principal, Student Support Services
James Schliefke, Assistant Principal, Grades 10 & 12
Timothy Tichacek, Assistant Principal, Grades 9 & 11
Email: firstname.lastname@mansfieldschools.com
Website: http://mhs.mansfieldschools.com/
Location: 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA, USA
Phone: (508) 261-7540
Twitter: @MHShornets