MRHS FRIDAY FOCUS Weekly Newsletter
MRHS VOICE: Vision of Innovation, Creativity & Excellence
13th Edition December 18, 2015
Building Connections Through Communication!
Quarter 2 Student Progress Reports Now Available on Aspen
The Main Offices at MRHS will be closed for Winter Break 12/24 through 1/3
Girl's Hockey a 1st for MRHS!
Exciting to see our girls having the opportunity to compete in Ice Hockey through co-op with Nauset and CCTech. We are looking forward to following the team!
From left Delaney Agnes, Brooke Wrightington, Molly McKenna and Maura Blute.
Monomoy Shares Important Youth Risk Behavior Survey Information
Congratulations to our outstanding peer leaders who presented the data from the youth risk survey on Friday to the entire school and on Monday night to the parents. The peer leaders who presented the data are Molly Doncaster Erin Prescott - Hannah Potter - Eliza Hawthorne - Chris Jacques - Matt Hall - Samantha Morand, Carly Donovan.
Dear Parents, Staff, and Community Members,
I'd like to thank all the parents that took time out of their busy holiday schedules to come to the presentation of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey results this past Monday evening December 14. The survey was taken last November by Monomoy students in Grades 7 through 12. The presentation of the results of this survey was made by our high school Peer Leaders, who spoke before an auditorium full of their peers and then presented to their fellow students' parents, on some very challenging subjects. The presentation covered topics on drunk driving, binge drinking, depression, eating disorders, suicidality, and teenage sexuality.
Before you delve into the slides from a "heavy" presentation, let me leave you with two rays of hope. First, working together we can improve the outcomes seen in our youth risk survey data. How society addressed the needless losses due to cigarette smoking is a great example of our capacity to effect change. Most adults over 40 grew up at a time where high schools had smoking areas for students and a significant percentage of the population smoked. Today cigarette use is a mere fraction of what it once was. We learned from the loss of so many to smoking-related cancers and began to address cigarette smoking societally, through education, public service announcements, changes to the laws governing where one can smoke and at what age, and ultimately changed the norm.
The second ray of hope was seen in the individual personal strengths demonstrated by eight junior and senior Peer Leaders who stepped up to the challenge to present the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to our community. Yes, some of our teens are engaging in risky behaviors, and as a community we need to support better decision-making for all teens. AND, we have many outstanding teens attending our schools who really exemplify the great promise of this younger generation.
Statistically, children are safest while at school, and many of the topics covered within a youth risk survey happen outside of the school day, generally when children are in unsupervised settings. Please take time to review the PowerPoint presentation. Throughout the presentation there are concrete examples of how parent messaging to children can make huge differences in risky decision-making. A PDF of the slides can be found at this link.
If you have questions or thoughts about the survey findings, you are welcome to call me.
Scott Carpenter- Superintendent
Leadership Lunch with the Principal
I met today with the grade 8-12 class officers for MRHS's first "Leadership Luncheon." It is important to me as principal that we listen to our elected school leaders, develop leadership skills in them, and work alongside them to devise action steps to make our school the BEST in MA! Today we focused discussion on characteristics of role models, feedback and ideas on our recent YRBS results and finished things off with some quality pizza from George's and some intense Bingo! We are blessed to have such bright, dedicated, ethical and motivated leaders at our school. I look forward to moving the dial from good to great with this team!
Attendees included:
Seniors: Catie Barr, Molly Doncaster, Miranda Trieble, Garrett Sherman, Grade Fernandes, Sarah Simpson
Juniors: Aleczander Pavlakis, Benjamin Dube, Jack Watson, Joshua Goodrich
Sophomores: Emma Mawn, Grace Boyle, Abigail Sullivan, Francesca Barr
Freshman: Izzy O’Donnell, Mackenzie Cardillo, Kyle Charlot, Lucy Ryan
8th Grade: Noah Concordia, Sarah Babb, Julianna Smith, Brandon Willis
Important Spring Lacrosse Meeting for Boys & Girls: Tuesday December 22: 2:45 outside Caf
Museum of Fine Arts Trip
Last Friday, Ms. Trull, Mrs. Baker, Mr. Smeltzer, and Ms. Hoff visited the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Ms. Hoff’s Spanish 4 Honors students researched Hispanic and Mesoamerican works that were on display, and described these works of art to the rest of the class.
Thank you Mr. Kelly & Ms. Coughlin- Student Teachers
Select Choir Holiday Birthday Bombs Ms. Thyng
Library-Media Center News
For the month of December & January, we have a free trial of Rosen Digital’s award-winning resource, Teen Health & Wellness. This amazing database provides high school students with nonjudgmental, straightforward information about diseases, drugs and alcohol, nutrition, mental health, suicide and bullying. It also includes teen-created content as well as a hotline help page. For the login information for, visit this document. Please let Ms. Wheaton know what you think by emailing her at wheaton@monomoy.edu.
Our eBook collection is expanding! Our digital titles are accessible through MackinVia. Following this link to learn how to register for an account. The following series have been added this month:
Britannica Guide to the Visual and Performing Arts
The Scientist’s Guide to Physics
The Biotechnology Revolution
Uncovering American History
The Age of Revolution
The Greatest Greek Philosophers
Primary Sources of the Abolitionist Movement
Exploring the Subatomic World
Designing Engineering Solutions
Congratulations November Student's of the Month
Grade 8 - Michele Lin
Grade 9 - Luke Meincke
Grade 10 - Kiara Stoebel
Grade 11 - Caty Street
Grade 12 - Salenas Burke **not in photo**
Giving Back!
great job advisor Ms. Barnes!
Stay "Connected" to MRHS on Social Media
Guidance Calendar: MRHS Guidance Calendar
Arts Calendar: MRHS Arts Calendar
School District Calendar: MRSD Calendar
Monomoy in the Morning- Daily School News presented by our talented students in Mr. Cass' TV/Production Class - Follow from our school website by clicking link: http://www.monomoy.edu/page.cfm?p=1813
**We will also post our weekly Friday Focus digital Newsletter here**
Facebook:
- Friends of MRHS Facebook Group: Click link for details https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3-dWbYvFo4_Y0NOZUVqM1pfV1E/view?usp=sharing
Twitter:
- NEW: Monomoy Guidance Department: @monomoyguidance
- MRHS: @monomoyrhs
- Athletic Department: @monomoyathletic
- MRHS Fine Arts: @ArtsMRHS
- TV/Production: @Monomoyrhs-TV
- Monomoy Library: @Monomoylibrary
Tis' the Season of Giving- great job Interact Club!
"Our Interact Club assembled and decorated over 80 wreaths to donate to the Harwich and Chatham police officers and department staff in recognition for their efforts to keep us all safe and protected. Thanks go out to Agway of Chatham and the Greenspot in Yarmouth and Hart Farm in Dennis for donating greens and supplies! Way to go girls!"
Attention Harwich & Chatham Alum:
The Alumni Show is coming January 8th right after the holidays. The art department is looking for alumni from Harwich and Chatham who would like to exhibit their art work as part of the show. Please contact Deb Donovan via email at ddonovan@monomoy.edu if you would like to participate or know of someone we should contact.
Important Mid term Information
Mid terms will be the week of Jan. 25-29 and we have full days of school this week. Grades close Jan 29 with an exam schedule in the works to be sent out in advance.
Gingerbread & Literacy: Delicious Holiday Menu
It was magical time in Room A237 when the Creative Writing classes and the after-school club, Sandscript created mini gingerbread houses for their holiday writing activity. Currently on display in front of the MRHS library, each house comes with a student-written story. A big thank you to students and parents who generously supplied all the candy, icing, gingerbread, and more. Deck the halls!!!!
**Visit these amazing displays in the glass case outside the library
Shark "Shout Outs" (SSO's) - MRHS's way of Appreciating the Great People here!
Shark Shout Outs are spreading fast & furious at MRHS. We start every staff meeting with Shout Outs to colleagues and Shout Out to students nominated for student of the month during am announcements. Now, students and Parents are welcome to send in a Shark Shout Out as a token of appreciating other students and staff in the school. Email Mr. Burkhead at bburkhead@monomoy.edu, or drop them off to Ms. Hooper in the main office! The enthusiasm is contagious!
A Hearty Shark Shout Out to Mr. Kelly for all his efforts during his student teaching assignment. Best wishes!
Mr. Alexander & students
Congratulations & Shout Out to The winners of the Cape Cod Chronicle's annual Christmas story contest are as follows:
Sophie Clingan -First Place
Abby Sullivan - Second Place
Alison Barrett - Third Place
The paper will be here on Friday to take photos and the stories will be published in next week's Christmas edition.
Ms. Kelly
Shout Out to Best Buddies Advisor Ms. Dooley for receiving a $500 Mini Grant from the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank Charitable Foundation Trust. Money will be used for Best Buddies events. Thank you Cape Cod 5!
A Shout Out to the Art Club-
Thanks to the following members of the Art Club - Miah Archambault, Emma Burke, Olivia Burke, Branden Chase, Maddie Pitts and Ben Teele - for spreading holiday cheer by handing out ornaments created by the Art Club to staff members! They were lovely and most appreciated!
Mrs. Weekes and Mrs. Cote
Shark Shout Out to our Art Club! The club was able to raise $163.00 for the Hart and Holm families by selling their handmade ornaments! Thank you to all of the students who participated, and thank you to all who supported their hard work and dedication!
A shark shout out to Janet Ferro for her thoughtfulness. Thanks.
Mary D
Teachers Bonding over Bowling!
Led by team captain Doug Walsh, the first Monomoy Bowling Outing was a great success! We had a fun time, lots of laughs and hopefully no lingering injuries! Stay tuned for dates of the next outing!!!
Athletic Department News: Winter Coaches Contact Information
Boys Basketball:
Head Coach: Adam Rose arose@monomoy.edu
JV Coach : Ross Jatkola iptscapecod@gmail.com
Freshman Coach: Jon Bennett jbennett@monomoy.edu
Girls Basketball:
Head Coach: Peter Richer peteslandscapingcc@yahoo.com
JV Coach: Kellsie Sedlack kellsie.sedlak@gmail.com
Cheerleading:
Karen Norton karicann@hotmail.com
Boys Ice Hockey:
Head Coach: Shawn Chicoine schicoine@mashpee.k12.ma.us
Girls Ice Hockey:
Head Coach: Scott Rebello coachrebello@gmail.com
Caroling for the Community!
A Message from Mr. Cass
We have extended the head shaving fundraiser until December 23 when Mr. Martin and i will get our head shaved in front of the school during the pep rally. We are doing very well for our goal of $500. We have decided to still donate half of the money to the Hart family but now the other half will go the the Holm family who is also dealing with this disease. I thought it was better if we kept all the money in house to help one of our own. I appreciate all of the generous donations
Animal Welfare Club at Chatham Holiday Stroll
We are proud of the members of the Monomoy Regional High School Animal Welfare Club who collected donations for domestic and wild animals on Friday night (Dec. 11) at the Chatham Holiday Stroll. Club members who attended are: Caroline Atterstrom with puppy, Quinn; Haley Rae with puppy, Hunter; Caty Street, Bailey Rose, Lindsay MacDonald, Abbey Tyldesley, and Danny Street.
Many thanks to Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank who graciously allowed the club to erect a table on their property in downtown Chatham, and the Chatham Animal Control Officer, Diane Byers, for her assistance in many ways!
These members sang holiday songs, chatted with families and handed out mini candy canes as people donated to help animals this season. Half of the proceeds from this event will go to help Wild Care, to save the lives of wild birds and other small animals throughout the lower cape. The other half will be used toward the care of domestic animals found abandoned or stray in our local area.
The Animal Welfare Club will be holding a Photography Contest after the start of the New Year which will be open to both amateur and professional photographers. Stay tuned for details after the holiday vacation!
**Puppy, Quinn with Caroline Atterstrom-picture above
Thank you!
Paula McMahon, Advisor
Guidance Corner:
Monomoy Guidance TEAM
Ms. Police, (A-F)
Mr. Gifford, Director (G-N)
Mr. Bennett (O-Z)
Friday Focus 12/18/15
Cape Cod Community College - Onsite Admissions RESCHEDULED for 1/12/16:
Cape Cod Community College will be offering on-site admission decisions at MRHS on January 12th.
Any interested seniors must fill out the CCCC application online prior to the interviews, and schedule a time with guidance to meet with an admissions counselor.
Please follow this link to the CCCC admissions application: https://campusweb.capecod.edu/ICS/Admissions/Apply_Online.jnz
If you have any questions, please contact Guidance.
Please check Naviance for updates and to sign up for the college visits!
Visits are also listed on the Guidance calendar which you can link to your personal google calendar!
Other Guidance Announcements:
Mary Cronin is offering a workshop on writing the college essay at Brooks Free Library. Please see the link below for more details. http://www.eventkeeper.com/code/friend_captcha.cfm?curOrg=BFL&curHelp=&tEvt=4373213
Massachusetts Maritime Academy Dual Enrollment:
This program provides qualified high school students the opportunity to take a transferable, introductory college course at no cost. Courses offered this year include English Composition (3 credits), The Business of Shipping (3 credits) and Introduction to Emergency Management (3 credits). To qualify for dual enrollment, students must have greater than a 2.5 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale), submit current transcripts, and be endorsed by their guidance counselor or school principal and parent/guardian.
Classes will be held from 6-9pm on Wednesday evenings, beginning on March 2nd. Registration forms are attached, and are also available on our website at http://www.maritime.edu/dual-enrollment
Please note that textbooks are required for most courses. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify.
The registration deadline is February 1st.
FREE Help Applying for Financial Aid for College!
FAFSA Day Massachusetts: January 31, 2016 1PM @ Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School
FAFSA Day Massachusetts (A College Goal SundaySM Program) is a non-profit, volunteer-driven effort providing FREE assistance to students and families seeking to complete the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Families will receive:
• Free assistance completing the FAFSA.
• Access to experienced financial aid administrators and FAFSA experts to answer questions.
• Guidance on the financial aid process and next steps after filing the FAFSA.
Many locations include online FAFSA filing capabilities and translation services.
Visit www.FAFSADay.org to register and to view directions, a list of services, and information on what to bring.
Information on the new SAT’s is available for download on the guidance website on the presentations page or by clicking here.
Follow us on Twitter @MonomoyGuidance!
Friends and Family Holiday Skate For The Holm Family
Where: Charles Moore Arena
When: Sunday December 20th 6-7pm
Come with your skates, smiles and holiday spirit – donations of food, gift cards or holiday gifts for the Holm Family are welcome!!
A.C.T. PREP CLASS @ The Harwich Community Center
This includes:
· 24 hours of instruction (12 sessions @ 2 hours each).
The Class Meets On:
Monday 3/14/16 6-8pm
Tuesday 3/15/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/16/16 6-8pm
Monday 3/21/16 6-8pm
Tuesday 3/22/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/23/16 6-8pm
Monday 3/28/16 6-8pm
Tuesday 3/29/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/30/16 6-8pm
Monday 4/4/16 6-8pm
Tuesday 4/5/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 4/6/16 6-8pm
The ACT Spring 2016 Offerings: 2/6, 4/9, 6/11
Important Information:
· Admission will be on a first come first served basis.
· The class size will be kept small.
· The course is taught by experienced Massachusetts Certified Teachers (Mr. David Alexander & Mrs. Kelly Terrenzi).
· The cost of the course is $610 (tuition is $550 plus $60 for three workbooks--English/Reading/Writing, Math, & Science).
· Please submit your payment by check or cash at, or before, the first classJ
· Checks should be made payable to the Town of Harwich.
· Reserve your spot by emailing Mr. Alexander @ seasidescholar@gmail.com
S.A.T. PREP CLASS @ The Harwich Community Center
This includes:
· 16 hours of instruction (8 sessions @ 2 hours each).
The Class Meets On:
Monday 3/14/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/16/16 6-8pm
Monday 3/21/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/23/16 6-8pm
Monday 3/28/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 3/30/16 6-8pm
Monday 4/4/16 6-8pm
Wednesday 4/6/16 6-8pm
The SAT Spring 2016 Offerings: 3/5, 5/7, 6/4
Important Information:
· Admission will be on a first come first served basis.
· The class size will be kept small.
· The course is taught by experienced Massachusetts Certified Teachers (Mr. David Alexander & Mrs. Kelly Terrenzi).
· The total cost of the course is $430 (tuition is $375 plus $55 for books).
· Please submit your payment by check or cash at, or before, the first classJ
· Checks should be made payable to the Town of Harwich.
· Reserve your spot by emailing Mr. Alexander @ seasidescholar@gmail.com
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Website: https://twitter.com/MonomoyRHS
Twitter: @Monomoyrhs