High School Happenings
April 15, 2020
Dear Methacton Students and Parents,
I hope that this communication continues to find you and your family in good health. With the announcement last week by Governor Wolf, we are all now keenly aware that the remainder of the 2019-2020 school year will transpire utilizing virtual learning. Our teachers and staff continue to work diligently to plan for instruction during the fourth marking period that will appropriately conclude schooling for all of the members of the Class of 2020 and also appropriately provide the necessary content and skills to all juniors, sophomores, and freshmen so that they are prepared for the start of the 2020-2021 school year.
As we enter the final marking period of the school year, there are several logistical issues that need to be addressed. Listed below are several topics of relevance to the conclusion of the year:
· Daily Attendance: It is critical that students continue to complete the attendance check-box for daily attendance on each school day. MHS staff are contacting parents and students who do not complete attendance. Parents are asked to please remind students to complete this important task each school day.
· School Nurse Office Hours: Please see the attached document located at end of newsletter outlining school nurse office hours and procedures for the remainder of the school year.
· Final Examinations, Marking Period Calculations, and Grade Point Average (GPA): Final examinations, which were to have constituted 10% of the overall course grade for both semester and year-long courses, will not be held this year. Final course grades for all year-long courses will be calculated this school year with each of the four marking periods counting for 22.5% of the overall grade and the mid-term exam from January accounting for 10% of the overall course grade. Final course grades for second semester, semester-long courses will be tabulated with each of the third and fourth marking periods counting as 50% of the overall course grade. The decision to count the fourth marking period at the same percentage as the other marking periods was made to allow students who had anticipated having a full marking period and final exam to augment overall grades to still have an equal percentage in the fourth marking period to do so. The decision was also made not to move to a pass/fail system based on the understanding that final numerical and/or letter grades and the corresponding GPA calculations associated with courses are an important component of the college and scholarship application process for students in their Senior year.
· Prom 2020: A determination will be made on or about May 1 regarding the rescheduled Prom on May 29. The decision will be based on federal, state, and local guidelines regarding social distancing and large gatherings.
· Graduation 2020: It is our intent to hold a traditional in-person graduation ceremony on June 11, 2020 at 4:00 PM if the social distancing guidelines in place at that time allow. However, we continue to have conversations and will be planning to hold some form of modified graduation ceremony as a backup. Final determinations on the exact nature of the ceremony will be made in the coming weeks as the social distancing guidelines for June become clearer. Multiple options are being considered. Please know that a graduation ceremony in July or August is not a viable alternative. Many students will have moved on at that time to other elements of their lives and it would be disingenuous to schedule a ceremony at a time when we could not reasonably expect everyone’s attendance nor be certain of any relief from social distancing restrictions.
Please know that I fully understand and appreciate, both as a school administrator, but more acutely as the father of a Senior, that there are profound emotions associated with every decision that is made to address school issues during this unprecedented time in modern history. All decisions are being made with the health, safety and overall well-being of our students as the ultimate focus. I appreciate your patience, flexibility and understanding.
I wish all of Methacton students and parents the best of mind, body, and spirit as we continue to together toward a promising and hopeful future.
Yours in Warrior Pride,
Dr. Jason Sorgini
Methacton High School
High School Happenings April 15, 2020
MHS Administration
Dr. Jason Sorgini, Principal jsorgini@methacton.org
Mr. John Smink, 9th Grade House Principal jsmink@methacton.org
Dr. Paul Spiewak, 10th Grade House Principal pspiewak@methacton.org
Mr. Dan Bontempo 11th Grade House Principal dbontempo@methacton.org
Dr. Karey Kochenour 12th Grade House Principal kkochenour@methacton.org
Dr. Jamie Gravinese, Supervisor of HS Special Education jgravinese@methacton.org
Email: rasher@methacton.org
Website: www.methacton.org
Location: 1005 Kriebel Mill Road, Eagleville, PA, USA
Phone: 610-489-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MethactonSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @Methacton