Greetings Mustangs!
And just like that, Winter Carnival - 2023 is in the books! Congratulations to the Class of 2023 for winning this year’s Winter Carnival! I’d like to recognize all four classes for taking advantage of the various opportunities last week to show off your collaboration skills; problem solving skills; tech skills; communication skills; and just solid all-around good sportsmanship skills! A special thank you to the student government advisors (Mr. Pascarella and Ms. Menice) for working with our student government to ensure we had a successful week. I also want to thank Mr. Pascarella, Ms. Menice, Ms. Huckey, and Mr. Bell for joining me with the Winter Carnival Dance and Social supervision last Thursday night; and another thank you to all faculty and staff who supervised the many events that took place before, during, and after school last week! Teamwork makes the dreamwork! Well done everyone!
Academic Grade Checks: We will be doing the next round of eligibility grade checks on Tuesday (03/28). ALL students will be receiving a hard copy of their report during advisory on Wednesday (03/29), so parents are encouraged to check with your student about their report on 03/29. Students and parents WANT to see the letter “O” next to each class as that means the student is on-pace (at least a 2.5 and showing progress towards proficiency). If a student receives an “F” for a score, that means it is the first time since the previous grade check that the student dropped below a 2.5. They may still participate in after school activities (sports and co-curricular), however they have two weeks to get their grade(s) up to at least a 2.5 before ineligibility consequences kick in. If a student receives an “S” for a score, that means for the second time in a row, the student is below a 2.5 in at least one class. They may still participate in practices and meetings, but they may not participate in any countable game or competition until they can get their grade(s) back up to at least a 2.5. If a student receives a “T” for a score, that means it’s the third time in a row that they have been below a 2.5 in at least one class, therefore they may not participate in any practice, meeting, or countable game or competition until they can get their grade(s) back up to a 2.5. As always, we encourage students and parents to connect with the teacher(s) if you have any questions/concerns about a student’s performance.
Spring Parent/Teacher Conferences: These conferences are scheduled to take place on Thursday (04/13) from 2:30 - 5:00 and 5:30 - 8:00. These conferences will be in-person; and parents will have the opportunity to sign-up for their conferences beginning on Monday (03/27). Seth Mitchell has created an updated version of this online sign-up that he will be sending out to all MA parents on Monday (03/27).
One Act Play: The MAD Players represented Monmouth Academy admirably at the MPA State Drama Festival this weekend. We were able to tell our little story for the last time to a room full of support and laughter, just the way we like it. Congratulations to our special award winners:
All Festival Cast - MacKenna Cote and Reilly McCabe
Costume Design - Adam Knell
Huge thanks to our parents - who coordinated our meals, took care of us, and were so much fun to have on this journey - and to our audiences - which included friends, family, faculty, administrators, and theater lovers. Your support is truly appreciated. Once again, this program proved it can do incredible things and we are proud!
NHS Update: Any Sophomore or Junior who was academically eligible to receive an application to apply for our National Honor Society received this information and had a group meeting on Friday (03/10). All applications must be returned no later than tomorrow - 03/27. If you have any questions, please see our NHS Advisor (Mrs. Arsenault).
Guidance News:
Attention Seniors: Senior grades will close for the purpose of determining Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Summa Cum Laude for graduation purposes and the honors banquet on Friday, April 7, 2023. Teachers will have until Wednesday, April 12, 2023, to finalize and post grades for seniors, and seniors will be notified of their standing on Thursday, April 13, 2023. If you have more questions see Mrs. Knowlton.
Congratulations:
Madison Desrosiers: Northern Maine Community College
Orion Mercado: Central Maine Community College
Ostin Hasenfus-Smith: Central Maine Community College
Benjamin Dumont: Central Maine Community College
Megan Blasius: Central Maine Community College, Southern Maine Community College
Updates from Guidance:
SCHOLARSHIPS! Mrs. Knowlton added four new scholarships on 3/24/23, and there are plenty more with upcoming deadlines. Please check out the document here!
If you haven’t already done so, please let Mrs. Knowlton know as soon as possible if you wish to attend CATC next year, and what program you are looking forward to. Interviews have been scheduled and Mrs. Knowlton will be submitting the CATC wish list on April 1, 2023.
Opportunities:
DIRIGO STATE is a unique summertime educational program that does not emphasize classroom lecture and textbook learning. Instead, it focuses on experiential learning in a model state, complete with governing bodies and elected public officials. Students will spend a week participating in the same political and governmental process as citizens and public officials of the State of Maine. Please see your email for more information.
Interested in learning how to write a better college essay? The weekend of April 1st and 2nd there is a Personal Statement Weekend Bootcamp that is free. This Bootcamp will be powerful for two reasons:
Students will acquire foundational knowledge of the Personal Statement, including how to generate the "right" content and analyze effective example essays.
Students will receive feedback on their topic choices, outlines, and what parts of themselves they want to include (and leave out) in the personal statement.
Civil Rights Team: Our school 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! Bullying is NEVER OK, and has NO place at MA. If you or someone you know is experiencing any type of bullying or harassment (directly or indirectly), please let a teacher, staff member, or administrator know immediately. We take great pride in maintaining a school environment in which ALL students and staff can feel safe and secure. As it’s been said before, “If you ignore it, you approve it.” Please join me in making our school a bully-free zone. Thank you!
Food for Thought: Spread awareness about bullying. Most victims of bullying find it difficult to open up about their struggles because they fear judgment. The more they stay silent about it, the more people will think that bullying is tolerable. Talk about it as much as possible so everyone will realize how deep this issue goes. Once we truly understand how damaging it is to bully and to be bullied, we’ll be ready to stand up against it. (Mobile Cuisine)
Athletics: The Spring Sports Season is officially underway! Student-athletes should have received team-related information (to include their practice/game schedules) from their coaches. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your coach first before going to the Athletic Director. We wish all of our sports teams a very successful season! GO MUSTANGS!
That’s it for this week’s newsletter. I hope you all have a great week! Take care and stay well.
Respectfully,
Mr. Ted Finn, Principal