MRHS FRIDAY FOCUS Weekly Newsletter
MRHS VOICE: Vision of Innovation, Creativity & Excellence
Building Connections Through Communication!
School to School Exchange Experience Huge Success!
The first half of MRHS's school-to-school exchange with Colegio Miralba went off without a hitch these last 12 days. 13 students and 2 teachers from Vigo, Spain joined Monomoy staff and families in their homes to experience American culture, traditions, and history.
For two days, the Spanish guests and teachers explored MRHS's culture as they shadowed students and visited classrooms. The Spanish guests also visited; Plimoth Plantation, the Grist Mill, and the Plymouth waterfront thanks to a grant funded by the Art of Charity and Otis Russell; the JFK Museum, Cape Cod Maritime Museum, Wendy’s Restaurant, and the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory thanks to donations and a grant funded by the Cape Cod Museum Trail, Glenn Ritt, the Rotary Club of Harwich-Dennis, and Usama El Sehrawey; the Harwich Council on Aging, Leo and Andrea Cakounes' cranberry bog and Holy Trinity Church and Adoration Chapel thanks to Barbara-Anne Foley, the Harwich Council on Aging and Dana DeCosta; and the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History thanks to a grant funded by the Cape Cod Museum Trail and Glenn Ritt. We were also fortunate to have Patti Sowpel (wife of MRHS teacher, George Sowpel) and Mary Bantick (retired MRSD employee) step in as chaperones for a couple of these field trips.
We are grateful for the experience and we're looking forward to seeing our Spanish friends again when we visit them in April 2017.
Monomoy All Sports Booster Club News
Our club is now fully formed and we are encouraging new members to attend and become part of supporting our student athletes and athletic program.
Music Program Continues to Thrive!
On Saturday, November 19th 2016, MRHS vocalists and instrumentalists auditioned for the Massachusetts Southeastern District Music Festival. We are happy to say that 10 vocalists successfully auditioned for their spot in this year's ensemble! They will be performing at a location TBD on January 7th, 2017! Congrats to the following students! In addition, 5 out of 10 scored high enough to move on and audition for the Massachusetts All-State Music Festival! This is indicated by an asterisk(*).
Haley Kelsey* - Soprano
Jillian O'Leary - Alto
Colleen Cronin - Alto
Isabelle O'Donnell* - Alto
Sage Barnes* - Alto
Isaiah Stafford* - Tenor
Jack Watson - Bass
George Spalt - Bass
Josh Miner - Bass
Christian Pavlakis* - Bass
(photo above is of all the students who made the festival)
The Visual and Performing Arts student of the month is Eliza Hawthorne
The Athletic Department is happy to announce the hire of Robbin Kelley as our new Winter Cheer Coach. Please join me in welcoming Robbin to Monomoy
Monomoy/Mashpee Ice Hockey Coaches Update
The Monomoy/Mashpee Monarchs ice hockey team, which returns 20 players, hit the ice this week to prepare for 2016-17 campaign. Last season ended with a sting missing the tourney by one game, however there are big hopes for this season after only losing two seniors from the starting squad.
The Monarchs are ready to build a tradition of success with a strong and well-rounded group of skaters. With the guidance from Head Coach, Shawn Chicoine, and his supporting cast of Coaches, Mark McNally and Chris Peterson, the team looks to start strong.
The season opener will be Friday December 9th in Hyannis against Saint John Paul II at 8pm. No rest for the weary as the squad will lace them back up to take on rival Nauset the next night in Hyannis at 5:30pm. Get there early as good seats will be going fast.High School - Middle School Connection in Music
Abigail Kelley Reflecting Kindness, Compassion & Caring
Ms. Casey & Interact Club Members Volunteering at the Family Pantry over the Thanksgiving Holiday
Building Leaders at MRHS- 2016 Leadership Lock In
Students shared their developed core values & beliefs in a remarkably impressive presentation to Mr. Burkhead and Ms. Girolamo. These core values & beliefs will be blended with those of the teachers and the school community as we work towards developing our final draft by the end of the school year.
Great job kids!
Shark "Shout Outs" MRHS's way of Appreciating the Great People That Make Our School "A Home Away From Home"
Shark Shout Out to Sophie Clingan, Jaymie Buffington, Emma Bowden, Margo Dery, Noah Concordia, Brandon Willis, Tre Cohrs, Cam Archibald, Perry Comeau, Abby Higgins, and Trevor Russell for taking a leadership role and for coming out of your comfort zone to speak at the school committee meeting or the dessert reception on Thursday night regarding your experience with your Spanish exchange student. We also want to thank the rest of the MRHS students who hosted an exchange student and treated them like family.
Thank you to Mr. Otis Russell for joining our faculty meeting and sharing the opportunities for grants to help our teachers help kids. http://www.artofcharityfoundation.com/grants/
Shark Shout Out to Kathleen Davock, Joanne Clingan, Barbara Concordia, April Buffington, Tiff Harris, and all of the families who organized and contributed to the "hasta luego" dessert reception for our Spanish guests on Thursday. We couldn't have done it without you!
Leslie Chizek and Liz Hoff
Shark Shout Out to those who invited the Spanish teachers, Lisardo and Marian, to visit their classrooms on Thursday. They were able to see Lisa Forte-Doyle, Kari Flint, Rich Houston, Carol Trull, and Dave Alexander in action. They said they wished they could have visited more classrooms because they felt so welcome by the MRHS faculty, staff, and students during their stay.
Thank you for your hospitality, Liz Hoff and Leslie Chizek
Thank you so very much for the delicious turkey dinner!!! The students did such a fine job. Be very proud of them!! And... please pass this THANKSGIVING THANK YOU to all who made it possible - including the principal.
Gratefully,
Ethel and Peter Debakker
I want to give a shout out to the indomitable Leslie Chizek for helping to make the school-to-school exchange dreams come true, and for graciously hosting Lisardo and Marian. Much love, Liz
A tremendous thank you to Garth Petracca, Kristi Hall, Jackie Leger, Delores Sherry, and Jeannine Windle for their extra time and energy in making lunches for our Spanish guests during their stay.
We would like to extend our gratitude to the following people/organizations for their support and generous donations regarding the school-to-school exchange with Colegio Miralba:
The Monomoy Regional School Committee members
Scott Carpenter, Superintendent of Monomoy Regional School District
Bill Burkhead, Principal of Monomoy Regional High School
Otis Russell and the Art of Charity
Brad Boyd and Glenn Ritt and the Rotary Club of Harwich-Dennis
Glenn Ritt and the Cape Cod Museum Trail
Barbara-Anne Foley of the Harwich Council on Aging and Holy Trinity Parish
Dana DeCosta of the Harwich Council on Aging
Mary Taylor and Chris Galazzi of the Cape Cod Maritime Museum
John Alan and Jennifer Papalardo of the John F. Kennedy Museum of Hyannis
Leo & Andrea Cakounes
Usama El Sehrawey of Wendy’s Restaurants
Patti Sowpel and Mary Bantick, our gracious field trip chaperones
Kathleen Davock and Joanne Clingan, our dessert reception organizers
All of the Monomoy students and families who participated in the exchange
The entire Monomoy School District Community for treating our guests like family
Sincerely,
Liz Hoff and Leslie Chizek
Engaged!
Art and Animal Welfare Club Cooperative Projects!
Since the start of school the members of the Art and Animal Welfare clubs have been working cooperatively to make magnets, ornaments and plaques to sell during the upcoming holidays and beyond! The funds will go toward helping a number of stray and neglected animals who needed help this fall, and others who will need help in the future! The Animal Welfare Club provides shelter, medical care and supervised adoption of these animals with the guidance of the Chatham Animal Control Officer, Diane Byers.
Please watch for our table at the Chatham Christmas Stroll on December 9, 2016 in front of the Cape Cod Five Bank in downtown Chatham. Every donation will help a homeless animal! Thank you very much! Donations are gladly accepted to help us continue our important work saving homeless animals.
For more information about donating or purchasing our items please email:
pkmcmahon@monomoy.edu and/or ctrull@monomoy.edu
Thank you!
Carol Trull, Art Club Advisor
Paula McMahon, Animal Welfare Club Advisor
STE Bright Lights Students of the Month
8th Grade Science - Devinne Wilson
“Devinne is extremely hard-working and responsible. She always works to figure things out on her own and then asks excellent questions based on where she is after trying...awesome!! Devinne is a great lab partner and works well with everyone in class to cooperate and meet the goals. She doesn't give up on work when it is difficult and she has a wonderful sense of humor.” ~Ms. Karen Manning
9th Grade Honors Biology - Brandon Willis
“Brandon Willis is incredibly committed to doing well in Honors Biology. Brandon does not hesitate to ask questions and he is an active participant in every class! Brandon is bright, kind, and a joy to have as a student.” ~Ms. Kari Flint
10th Grade Chemistry - Sean Stone
“Sean Stone is a dedicated student who loves questioning and learning about science.” ~Ms. Beth Dietz
10th Grade Applied Technology - Taylor Morris
“Taylor Morris is a highly motivated student who works diligently, independently, and with others, to complete her woodworking projects with a high degree of skill and craftsmanship.” ~Mr. Charles Cataldo
12th Grade Astronomy - Karley Marchese
“Karley Marchese is a model student who strives hard in everything she does. She is very friendly and gets along with all her fellow students.” ~Dr. James Otto
Driver's Education Opportunity
Griffin spent weeks making a massopoly game using Mass sports teams for his Best Buddy Friends
Harwich PTO Holiday Bazaar this Saturday Dec. 2 -
This Saturday (12/3) the Harwich PTO will hold its annual Holiday Bazaar at Harwich Elementary School - as always, they welcome high school volunteers to help the younger kids shop! Volunteers are needed between 8:45 and 11 am Saturday.
Thank you!!
"Interact Club Shines"
Chatham Rotary Club working with MRHS Interact Club- Students of the Month
September - Colleen Cronin: Congratulations!
October - Erin Smeltzer: Congratulations!
November - Lauren Handle: Congratulations!
Congratulations Mr. Demanche!
Congratulations to Spanky Demanche for being selected into the Barnstable Hall of Fame for his outstanding accomplishments as a coach and teacher. This is Coach Demanche's 2nd induction into a Hall of Fame (other is at his HS alma mater as an athlete). *Mr. Demanche pictured below with his son Riley.
8th Grade Students (pictured above & Below) Receive MONOMOY SHARK CITIZEN AWARDS
Follow MRHS on Twitter!
Website: https://twitter.com/MonomoyRHS
Twitter: @Monomoyrhs