Branagan's Bulletin
Special Edition - Covid-19
Week of June 8 - 12, 2020
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! It is hard to believe that we are days away from beginning the well-deserved summer break. I know remote learning has not been the easiest and I am so proud of each of you to doing the very best job you can. Let the countdown begin to summer!
It was so great to see so many of you at the parade this weekend for the Class of 2020. It was so great to see so many smiles, cheers and laughter. I think we all really needed it! Thank you for representing the Orange and Black each and every day....especially yesterday as we celebrated the Class of 2020.
We have a very busy week ahead....so, here we go!
Have a great week. Proud of you!
Bran
"Be the Change You Want to See in the World" ~ Gandhi
It is important to recognize all that is happening in our country right now with the powerful movement for Black Americans and the demand for justice and equality. Like you, Black Lives Matter. Like you, I have been watching, listening, reading, researching and reflecting. Like you, I am trying to find the right words to explain my feelings. I recognize there are so many lenses to consider.
I deeply know that our school is committed to show kindness, acceptance and love towards each other. Through our important work with Character Strong this year, we made a commitment to ensure that our school values each other, regardless of who we are. Additionally, I have been so proud of our partnership with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) that began this year. This partnership has brought the World of Difference Program and the training of a tremendous group of peer leaders to engage our students and staff about the importance of addressing unconscious bias and fostering a community of acceptance, awareness and equity. The school closure prevented these powerful conversations from beginning this year. I am excited to continue this program in the fall. Lastly, I am proud of our insightful work with Boston University who helped our school create a baseline for our partnership with the ADL. The creation of this baseline was powerful, hopeful and truly eye-opening of how our students feel about our school. We began to navigate the important steps we need to take as a school community this year. I have been so proud of our school for taking these steps...together.
One of my favorite authors is by a man by the name of John Gordon. Recently, Gordon said "Discomfort leads to growth. If you want to get better you have to be willing to be uncomfortable". This statement speaks volumes to me. I hope it resonates with you as well. Our country is going through a very difficult time and you are experiencing history in the making. This uncomfortable feeling is alright to feel as it means you are willing to learn and grow. I want our school to be better. You want our school to be better. It will be better. We must take a step together in unity and collective love and resolve for our school and everyone in it.
I know that our school can be the place where every student, alumnus, teacher, staff person and community member can be proud of as we model and learn the importance of a culturally responsive classroom, cultural proficiency and love. As Brene Brown shares, "Daring leaders who live into their values are never silent about things". MHS, we must be daring leaders now and when school returns in the fall to engage in important conversations about how to grow from what we are all experiencing now to ensure that every student has a seat at the table. Our collective voice of a school will guide us through this and help with the greater conversation we will have as a school community and how we will model this for the world. If there is ever a team who has a deep pride and love for our school it is us...we will be the catalyst for the change that is needed. Our home is for everyone.
In closing, I hope each of you are watching, listening, reading, researching and reflecting to allow your voice to be empowered. I thank you for the work we will do together to strengthen our school and the world around us to foster our resolve for justice, acceptance, equity and most importantly....love.
Thank you for your heart and your commitment to the Orange and Black. Now more than ever...we must be and always remain #SachemSTRONG.
Sincerely,
Bran
Quarter 4 Reminders!
Here are some important reminders as we prepare to close the 2020-2021 School Year.
- Grades will officially close on Thursday, June 18th at 8:00am. This will allow your teachers to finalize all grades to ensure we can publish report cards with accuracy and completion.
- This week will be the final week of "new" work being assigned, which will be due by June 12, 2020. Please commit yourself to ensure that you FinishSTRONG!
- The week of June 15th will be a "make-up" week. Your teachers will work with you for any outstanding assignments and make-up that must be done before grades close. It is important to check your email and engage with your teachers.
- Remote Learning will officially come to a close on Thursday, June 18, 2020 for the summer..and hopefully for good!
Distance Learning Assignments - Mathematics - Week of June 8 - 12, 2020
Link to your assignments for this week:
Department Chair - Mrs. Miles - vmiles@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - English - Week of June 8 - 12, 2020
Please see the assignments from the MHS English Department. Any questions...please reach out to your English Teacher.
Link to your assignments for this week:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BEbExgcOlNP4PBs_pj_6Rhykhdvwpl_kMSI5gkHUdRs/edit?ts=5eac737e
Department Chair - Mrs. MacLeod - jmacleod@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - Science & Technology - Week of June 8 - 12, 2020
Link to your assignments for this week:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q0zxGi3oCNalia_Lz32jrfUWd1hKYLjoYf37Vrc_7BU/edit?ts=5eccfc50
Department Chair - Mr. Roensch - kroensch@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - History - Week of June 8 - 12, 2020
Link to your assignments for this week:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DGn9EOyyIYMgeYxFte-lzfuM5mhFUWNJjbJ--4f0sN8/edit
Department Chair - Mr. Osgood - mosgood@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - World Language - Week of June 8 - 12, 2020
Link to your assignments for this week:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vorZVEAEqo8YTT9zcXEdTjtURfI6rflVUFUVLVyrwgA/edit?ts=5eda4419
Department Chair - Mr. Kinney - skinney@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - Fine Arts - Week of June 8 - 12, 2020
Link to your assignments for this week:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zUE9ezE5A94prGKuBuL5SKIIhmTqqVkxAeH47wdZnsU/edit?ts=5eaee659
Department Chair - Mrs. Duggan - dduggan1@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Distance Learning Assignments - Physical Education - Week of June 8 - 12, 2020
- Please check your Google Classroom and Email for information from Mr. Kingman, Mrs. Morano and Mr. Morocco.
Athletic Director - Mr. Sylvia - rsylvia@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Some Cool Ideas from Mrs. Phillips - MHS Librarian
Please check out some cool opportunities from the MHS Library:
A Note from Mrs. Phillips:
Sick of so much screen time? Download an audiobook to your phone or other device! Students and staff can borrow ebooks and audiobooks for free with Sora, using your school login and password. (Password is all lowercase, even if it normally uses capital letters.) This slide presentation walks you through how to access them. Most of the titles on Sora are like regular library books, once someone checks one out, other readers/listeners have to wait until they return the book or the loan period ends before they can check it out. You can place a hold, and you will be notified when the book is available. Another way to get more books and audiobooks is by adding your public library card to your Sora account. If you don't have one or can't find it, you can get an ecard that is good for 60 days on the Middleboro Public Library website.
Want to read or listen to a book with friends? Check out this link:
And don’t forget to download this week’s free audiobooks at https://www.audiobooksync.com
Collection of School Materials - Grades 9 - 11
- Monday, June 15 - 4:00 - 7:00pm
- Tuesday, June 16 - 4:00 - 7:00pm
- Wednesday, June 17 - 4:00pm - 7:00pm
- Thursday, June 18 - 9:00 - 11:00am & 4:00 - 7:00pm
Collection of all school materials will take in the MHS Gym Parking Lot.
Accessing MHS for Personal Belongings
- Tuesday, June 9 - Friday, June 12 - 9:00am - 10:00am - Please come to the front door and ring the buzzer.
- Monday, June 15 - 4:00 - 7:00pm - Please come to the MHS Gym Entrance
- Tuesday, June 16 - 4:00 - 7:00pm - Please come to the MHS Gym Entrance
- Wednesday, June 17 - 4:00 - 7:00pm - Please come to the MHS Gym Entrance
- Thursday, June 18 - 4:00 - 7:00pm - Please come to the MHS Gym Entrance
Class of 2021 - Senior Internships - Important Information
Please see the note from Mrs. Miller in regard to securing your Senior Internship for next year.
If you are interested in a senior internship next year, but did NOT submit your yellow Internship Interest Form prior to the school closure on March 12th, you need to email Mrs. Tammy Miller at millert@middleboro.k12.ma.us the following information as soon as possible:
- Your preferred email address and cell#
- Will you have transportation available to you in September? If not, will you have transportation available to you in January?
- Where and with whom would you like to intern, OR what are your future career interests ...1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice.
Please keep in-mind that the internship process can be a competitive one, and often times potential sites will request a resume and interview from students prior to making a final decision. Also, due to these unprecedented times, it is unclear when businesses will return to "normal" operations and be able to accept student interns. Mrs. Miller is cautiously optimistic that she can provide meaningful internship experiences, but your patience and flexibility may be needed.
Class of 2021 - College Boot Camp - Save the Date!
Here are the dates:
- August 3 - 7 (12:00-2:00pm) or (5:00 - 7:00pm)
- August 10 - 14 (12:00 - 2:00pm) or (5:00 - 7:00pm)
An email will be sent to all Juniors this week with important registration information.
2020 - 2021 Student Council Executive Board Elections - June 9, 2020
Class Officer Nominations - Class of 2021, 2022 and 2023
If you would like to serve your class of the Class Executive Board - please complete the Nomination Form by clicking on this link: https://forms.gle/eLJY7xqQSdme8yqn6
Positions Include:
- President
- Vice President
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Member At Large
The nomination process will close on Thursday, June 11, 2020
Class Elections will take place on Friday, June 12, 2020 - More information to come!
Community Service Hours - A Note from Mrs. McGurk
While you are at home the next month or so, I encourage you all, especially seniors who have not completed their 24 service hours, to engage in one of the letter writing opportunities below.
There are a lot of people feeling anxious or bored and isolated and a letter could provide them with much needed contact. You can share some things about your life and current situation, express empathy for their current lack of social interactions, and let them know that people are thinking of them.
Cradles to Crayons: Create handmade cards for needy children in MA about
going back to school and offer encouraging words. These cards will be added to care packages and collected when we are back at school.
Soldiers’ Angels: Write letters to our military members stationed overseas! Contact: Irene Wise at imw2000@comcast.net
Middleborough Council on Aging (COA): Volunteers deliver 160 meals everyday to residents who cannot go out and would love to include letters to lift spirits. You can write letters with large script and email to smcgurk@middleboro.k12.ma.us who will get them to the COA for delivery.
Shaw, Nemasket, & Oak Hill Centers: Write letters to patients in a healthcare center. These vulnerable residents are not allowed to have visitors for as long as the crisis lasts. You can share some things about yourself, your own experiences hunkering down, and let them know that their community remembers them. Send letters to smcgurk@middleboro.k12.ma.us who will get them to the healthcare centers for delivery.
Make Masks for Healthcare Professionals - Watch this video to learn how. Please email Mrs. Tumavicus at mtumavicus@middleboro.k12.ma.us once you complete your masks and she can help you with getting them to medical professionals in need.
Each letter will earn you one hour of Community Service credit. Ms. Wise and Mrs. McGurk will keep track of the letters and input your hours. If you want to know more about the Community Service requirement follow this link https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/domain/1022.
Feel free to email me with any questions! smcgurk@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Thank you for spreading cheer to those in need of it! - Mrs. McGurk
Attention MHS Student Council
You can register for FREE at www.nascconference.org
It would be great to have a group from MHS attend this summer.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Thank you for your service, Mia and Mya!
WellnessSTRONG - Important Resources for you!
Please consider the following:
Office Hours:
Please reach out to our school adjustment counselors:
Joelle Maczko, jmaczko@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Mary Tumavicus, mtumavicus@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Jason Carroll, jcarroll@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Office hours are being held for 1:1 counseling sessions or general check in’s via online venues and cell phones. If you are experiencing an emergency crisis, please call 911. It is important to our mental health to remain connected to others, to use coping skills to manage the stress and angst we are all experiencing, and to seek support when needed. Please use the support that’s available to you and your classmates. We’re all in this together!
Please reach out if you need support or would like to check in with a counselor for any reason. Be well!
Work Permits - Middleborough High School Students and Middleborough Residents
If you are in need of a work permit, please do the following:
- Email Mrs. Holmgren at mholmgren@middleboro.k12.ma.us AND myself pbranagan@middleboro.k12.ma.us and we will walk you through the process.
- You will need to have the actual job application and the ability to send a copy of the application electronically.
We will do our very best to accommodate your request.
Character Strong - Week of June 8 - 12, 2020
- Engage in the Character Dare for this week (See Below)
- Engage in the weekly Family Character Dare (See Below)
Character Dare
Family Character Dare
We are SachemSTRONG
Paul Branagan
Email: pbranagan@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Website: www.middleboro.k12.ma.us
Location: 71 East Grove Street, Middleborough, MA.
Phone: 508-946-2010
Facebook: facebook.com/MiddleboroughHighSchool
Twitter: @principalbran