Greetings Mustangs!
I hope you have enjoyed the AMAZING summer weather we have had. With the summer break winding down, I wanted to get the Back-to-School Edition of the MA Express! out to you so that we are all on the same page as we enter the new school year!
Phone System: The phone system throughout the district is being upgraded. The technicians have been at MA & MMS for the past two weeks installing new phones in the office spaces as well as the classrooms. The installation piece is just about done, and we are now in the process of getting trained on how to use these new devices with the various functions. If you have tried to call and have been unable to leave a message, please be patient and/or send us an email. We will respond as fast as we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Office Return: The Guidance Department and the Main Office Administrative Assistant returned from their summer break last Monday (08/15). If you have any questions or concerns about your schedule/classes, please make an appointment with Mrs. Knowlton (MA School Counselor) ASAP.
Office hours for both offices are from 7:00am - 3:00pm Monday through Friday.
Room/Space Changes: A reminder that several changes have been made at MA over the summer.
What used to be the Main Office is now the Guidance Suite where you will find the Guidance Secretary (Mrs. Beaudoin); the school Social Worker (Mrs. Foyt); and the School Counselor (Mrs. Knowlton).
What used to be the Guidance Office is now the Main Office where you will find the Administrative Assistant (Mrs. Hewitt); the Dean of Students/Athletic Director (Mr. Bell); and the Principal (Mr. Finn).
The Nurse (Ms. Sirois) is now located where Mr. Bell’s office used to be (basement level; just outside of the Gym). What used to be the Nurse’s Office on the main floor will now be a staff/meeting room.
What was the Main Office Conference Room (room 106) will now be the new JMG classroom with Ms. Huckey. The former JMG classroom (room 109) is now the new French classroom with Ms. Simpson.
The Health/Wellness classes (with Ms. Menice) will now be taught in room 5 (the former French classroom located on the basement level). The former Health/Wellness room has returned to its original purpose of being used as a staff/meeting room.
Guidance Update:
Shout-Outs:
Kyle Clavet has been accepted to the Automotive Training Center!
Upcoming Events:
Mrs. Knowlton is available to discuss your educational needs NOW! Have a schedule question? Need help with college stuff? Want to talk about school? Send Mrs. Knowlton an email and get an appointment before they fill up!
Educational Opportunities:
The Winthrop-Monmouth Adult Education program is now offering driver’s education! For more information call 207-377-2265 or visit https://winthrop-monmouth.maineadulted.org for more information.
The U.S. Senate Page Program is now accepting applicants. Today, Senate pages come from all 50 states. Still appointed and sponsored by a senator, they must be high school juniors, at least sixteen years old, and attend school. Senate page duties consist primarily of delivery of correspondence and legislative material within the Congressional complex. Other duties include preparing the chamber for Senate sessions, and carrying bills and amendments to the desk. Pages attend classes in the early morning at the United States Senate Page School, a program fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Contact your Senator’s Office for more information on applying to be a Senate Page. For more information see Mrs. Knowlton.
SERVICE ACADEMY NIGHT: Thursday, September 15, 2022 (6-8pm) Clarion Hotel (Portland, Maine) Join to learn more about the world-class educational opportunities that service academies offer, the Congressional nomination and academy selection process, and ways to achieve your career goals. For more information visit: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.collins.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/september_2022_service_academy_night.pdf
Travel Abroad: Mrs. Arsenault is pleased to announce that our next European trip will venture to Amsterdam and Paris in the spring of 2023. This will be the 27th tour she has led with Monmouth Academy. There will be an important Parent/Student meeting (in person) at Monmouth Academy in Room 210 on Thursday, September 8 at 6:30 PM. This is an informational meeting to learn more about the trip and to ask questions. Students entering grades 9-12, parents, and teachers are welcome to travel. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Arsenault at carsenault@kidsrsu.org.
Workshop Days/Student Return Dates: Faculty and staff will be returning to school for two workshop days on 08/29 and 08/30. The first school day for Freshmen will be on Wednesday - 08/31. All students (9 - 12) will return to school on Thursday - 09/01 and we will follow our White Day schedule.
Attention Freshmen: A copy of the schedule for the first day of school (for Freshmen only; 08/31) was sent to your school email earlier today (08/23). Please review that schedule so that you are prepared for your first day at Monmouth Academy!
Junior/Senior Privileges: Seniors will be eligible for privileges beginning Monday (09/26) assuming the permission form has been completed & turned in AND that they have met the privilege eligibility guidelines. Juniors will be eligible for privileges beginning Monday (11/07) assuming the permission form has been completed & turned in AND that they have met the privilege eligibility guidelines.
Parking at MA: All students and staff are required to complete a vehicle registration form for any vehicle they plan on parking at MA/MMS during the school year. Staff can get their parking forms beginning on Monday (08/29); students can get their forms beginning on Thursday (09/01). All vehicle registration forms need to be completed/returned to the Main Office by Wednesday (09/07). Thanks!
Start and End Times: The school day at MA will begin at 7:45am with a warning bell at 7:40am. Students may enter the school beginning at 7:20am. The school day is over at 2:20pm on regular school days; and at 11:20am on early release days. For planning purposes, there will be NO late bus available this school year.
Back-to-School Supplies: At the high school level, much of what students do is on the computer (provided by the school/district). Teachers will take time during the first couple of days to review with their students exactly what is needed for their particular class. I have put together this general list of recommended supplies that should help students be prepared for any class they will be taking:
Blue and/or Black ink pens
#2 Pencils
Assorted highlighters
Scientific Calculator
A one subject notebook for each class
Assorted folders (one per class)
A package of 3x5 index cards
A back-pack of some sort to carry around their materials
Required School Paperwork/Laptop Distribution: Students will be receiving the required school paperwork on their first day of school. It is imperative that we get this paperwork completed and returned ASAP. Our goal is to have all paperwork in by Tuesday (09/06) so that it can be sorted and organized appropriately by Thursday (09/08). As of this communication, our goal is to begin the laptop distribution process (beginning with grade 12; then 11; then 10; and then 9) on Thursday (09/08). Those students who are enrolled in college/dual enrollment classes should be coming in on Wednesday (08/24) or Thursday (08/25) with the laptop paperwork completed so that they can pick up their device in order to begin their classes next Monday (08/29). Any questions, please contact Mrs. Knowlton.
Yearbook: Yearbooks are on sale Day 1 (09/01). Take advantage of the lowest price of the year ($50) and order by the end of September. Bring your payment or a $15 deposit to Dr. Ross to reserve your copy. Senior Pictures are due to Dr. Ross by Halloween (October 21).
On behalf of the faculty and staff at MA, I want to welcome you all back to school! We wish you all much success as you begin a new school year. Take care and stay well!
Respectfully,
Mr. Ted Finn, Principal