The MA Express!

Greetings Mustangs!

I’d like to begin by wishing all the Mothers out there a very Happy Mothers Day! 

With the first week of May completed, our Seniors are now down to 13.5 school days remaining; all other students have 27 school days left in the 2021-22 school year!  Let’s keep our focus and finish up on a strong note.  If you find yourself in need of any type of support, please don’t hesitate to connect with a staff member, your school counselor, or an administrator as we are here for YOU!

Thank You!: On behalf of the faculty and staff, I want to thank the MA Student Government; Horace Mann, the Monmouth Kwik Shop; the PTO; and anyone else who contributed to the daily festivities for our staff this week as part of the Teacher/Staff Appreciation Week.  Your thoughtfulness was GREATLY appreciated!

Meetings with the Superintendent:  RSU 2 Superintendent Matthew Gilbert will be holding community meetings this week to introduce himself; promote the district; and to share budget information.  He will be at Cumston Hall in Monmouth on Tuesday (05/10); the Cohen Senior Center in Hallowell on Wednesday (05/11); and the Richmond Senior Center on Thursday (05/12).  All three meetings will run from 9:00am - 10:00am. Community members are invited to attend.

School Budget Meetings:  For planning purposes, the School Budget meeting for the town of Monmouth is scheduled for Monday (05/16) beginning at 6:00pm at Monmouth Academy.  The district-wide Budget Meeting is scheduled for Thursday (05/26) at Monmouth Academy at 6:00pm.  These meetings will also be offered through the following link: https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/87355660943.

MVC Honors Banquet:  A reminder to those Seniors who have earned the recognition of Summa Cum Laude (as of 04/27) that the MVC Honors Banquet is scheduled to take place  in the MA Cafeteria on Thursday evening (05/12).  There will be a social time from 5:00 - 5:15 followed by a buffet-style dinner between 5:15 - 6:00.  The MVC recognitions will begin at 6:00pm.  Each of the Summa Cum Laude Seniors will be allowed to bring up to four guests with them.  Congratulations to all of these Seniors for earning this significant academic accomplishment!

Student Government Elections:  By now, all students should have had the opportunity to watch the campaign videos from the candidates running for the various student government positions.  The elections will take place online on Tuesday (05/10) beginning at 7:30am through 3:30pm.  Results will be announced no later than Thursday (05/12).

Senior Capstone Presentations:  Will be taking place on Friday - 05/13.  Seniors are reminded that this is a graduation requirement.  Any Senior needing assistance with their project should connect with their Senior Capstone teacher before the presentation date.  Best of luck, Seniors - you got this!

Early Release:  Our next early release is scheduled for Friday (05/13).  We will be running a modified schedule with students in grades 9 - 11 participating in a round-robin type of activity to serve as an audience for our Seniors as they present their Senior Capstone projects.  We will have two lunches (instead of four) on Friday.  1st lunch will be from 10:35 - 11:00 for students in grades 9 & 11 followed by advisory  from 11:05 - 11:30.  Students in grade 10 and those Seniors who are in need of school transportation to get home will have advisory from 10:35 - 11:00 and will eat 2nd lunch from 11:05 - 11:30.  Dismissal will be at approximately 11:30.

MOBY Update: Students in grades 9 and 10 have received the paperwork & permission slip for the MOBY trip taking place between 05/16 - 05/18 for grade 9 and 05/18 - 05/20 for grade 10.  Permission forms are due NO LATER THAN Tuesday - 05/10.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mr. Schultz at sschultz@kidsrsu.org.  Thanks!

Guidance Update:

NWEAs: Students in grades 9 - 11 took the NWEAs last Tuesday through Thursday.  Any student needing to take and/or complete the NWEAs will do so on Tuesday and/or Thursday of this coming week.

New Meridian Science Assessment:  This is the State of Maine science assessment that all Juniors are expected to complete.  It will be administered on 05/18.  Information about this assessment was included in the NWEA letter that went out to parents/guardians prior to the April break.

AP Calculus Exam:  To be administered on 05/09 between 7:30am - 12:00pm in the band room.

AP Biology Exam:  To be administered on 05/11 between 11:30am - 4:00pm in the band room.

MA will be offering free PSAT testing next October but we need to know now who is interested in taking this optional test so we can order them.  If you are interested, please  let Mrs. Knowlton know and she will put you on the list.  We would like to have all responses by Friday (05/13).  Thank you! 

Civil Rights Team:   The next Civil Rights Team meeting is scheduled for Monday (05/09) at 2:30pm in the Art Room. Our team is part of the Maine Civil Rights Team Project (CRTP) whose mission is to increase the safety of elementary, middle, and high school students by reducing bias-motivated behaviors and harassment in our schools.  ALL students are invited and encouraged to be part of this team!  For more information, please connect with Ms. Darrell and/or Mr. Shain.

Say NO to Bullying!  Quote of the week: “Never put someone else down to make yourself feel better.”  If you are experiencing bullying directly or if you see it happening to someone else, please report it to a staff member or administrator immediately.  

Travel Abroad: Mrs. Arsenault is excited to announce that our next European Adventure has been selected.  We will be traveling to Italy in April of 2023! What is a sampling of what you will experience?   You  will start with Venice, then Florence, Assisi, Rome, the ruins of Pompeii, then Sorrento and Capri on the Amalfi Coast. Mrs. Arsenault is  planning a Google meeting for Wednesday, May 25--at 6:30 PM.  She  will be sending an RSVP soon so that she can send out a link to those who are interested.  This meeting is just informational.  You can decide after if you wish to join the trip.  If you are unable to attend the meeting and are interested, please let her know and she will forward you the information from the meeting. If you have any questions,  please email her at carsenault@kidsrsu.org or stop by her room. 

Pool Testing:  The last day for pool testing (for those who are registered) will take place on Wednesday (05/11) after block 1 on the stage.

Yearbook Update:  If you ordered a yearbook, you should have received an email from Dr. Ross two weeks that shows if you are paid up or what you owe. If you did not receive an email, you have not ordered a yearbook. If you feel there is an error, please reach out to Dr. Ross ASAP. We have a limited supply left, so if you want to order one, please bring $60 to Dr. Ross before May 13. These few extra copies are on a first paid, first given basis.  Thank you!

Prom: Open to Juniors, Seniors, and their invited guests. Guests include underclassmen, anyone ages 14-20, no middle school students. A guest form is required if your guest is from a different school or an adult that does not attend high school - please see Ms. Littlefield for the form. Forms are due no later than May 13th to Ms. Littlefield or place them in her mailbox in the office.

Where: The Vista of Maine - 146 N Hills Ridge Rd. Greene, ME 

When: Saturday - May 21st from 6:00pm - 10:00pm. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm.

Tickets: Tickets will be on sale May 5th - 13th and can be purchased from Ms. Littlefield at any time she is not teaching a class. Tickets cost $45 a piece and include a catered dinner, beautiful venue, and all the makings of a magical evening.

Covid Guidelines: As of the time of this email, there are no active Covid restrictions, however please note that can be changed or altered based on conditions at that time.

Attire: Formal - Black Tie Optional (see Ms. Littlefield if you need clarification, if you're not sure please ask). 

Dates to Note:

05/09 =  Maroon Day

05/10 =  White Day

05/11 =  Maroon Day

05/12 =  White Day

05/13 =  Modified Maroon Day (Senior Capstone Presentations followed by early release at 11:30)

Note:  Please check out the MA website for a list of all scheduled events between now and the end of this school year.  Thanks!

That’s it for this week’s edition of The MA Express!.  I hope you all have a GREAT week.  Take care and stay well.

Respectfully,

Mr. Ted Finn, Principal