Greetings Mustangs!
As we prepare to kick off the fourth week of school, we are excited for BIG WEEK - ‘22 and Homecoming Week! I sent an email to students, parents, and staff last week explaining BIG WEEK - ‘22, but just to recap, I’ve included that same communication below.
Big Week - 2022: Monmouth Academy is excited to bring back BIG WEEK - ‘22! for students in grades 9 - 12. Prior to the pandemic, each grade level had the opportunity to participate in grade-level specific activities over the course of 3 - 5 days. Below is a quick overview of what has been planned for our students during BIG WEEK - ‘22!
Grade 9: Our Freshmen will be participating in MOBY (My Own Back Yard). This annual educational opportunity has been provided to MA Freshmen since 1989. Freshmen will be loading up the trailer and bus on Tuesday morning (09/20) and will be heading to Acadia National Park where they will learn about specific topics in geology, biology, history, and writing. They will return to Monmouth Academy by 2:00pm on Friday (09/23). For further information, please contact Mr. Schultz at sschultz@kidsrsu.org. Permission forms and a $50 fee are due ASAP (no later than Monday - 09/19). Any questions about medication and/or health issues/concerns should be directed to our school nurse, Ms. Sirois, at msirois@kidsrsu.org. Note: If a Freshman chooses not to go on this trip, they are still required to attend school and will be given an alternative plan for each day.
Grade 10: Our Sophomores will have the opportunity to participate in a series of leadership and team building activities at Camp Mechuwana between Wednesday (09/21) and Friday (09/23).
Specifically speaking, Sophomores will experience the following: Team Building Skills; Leadership Skills; Communication Skills; Collaboration Skills; Experiential Learning (learning by doing); Cooperative Learning; Dennis Price (guest speaker/presenter); and a low ropes course led by a certified course instructor. Prior to leaving for Camp Mechuwana on Wednesday (09/21), all students in grades 10 - 12 will have an assembly in the gym with a special guest speaker Chris Poulos - the 1991 Bicycle Stunt World Champion, a two-time US National Champion, and author of the upcoming book: TEEN EMPOWERMENT – The Formula to Xtreme Success. Sophomores will leave MA on Wednesday at approx. 9:15am and will return to MA at approx. 2:00pm. On Thursday and Friday, Sophomores will leave MA at approx. 8:00am and will return at approx. 2:00pm A bag breakfast and lunch will be provided all three days. Sophomores received permission forms a week ago and we must have all permission forms returned no later than Tuesday morning (09/20) by 9:00am. Note: Any Sophomore who chooses not to participate will be expected to come to school and will complete an alternative plan each day.
Grade 11: Our Juniors will attend the assembly in the gym on Wednesday with special guest speaker Chris Poulos. Immediately following this assembly, Juniors will have the opportunity to visit Thomas College on Wednesday; the University of Southern Maine - Gorham on Thursday; and St. Joseph’s College on Friday. Students will tour each campus and will experience lunch at each school’s dining hall. They will return to MA each day by 2:00pm. Permission forms must be returned no later than 9:00am on Tuesday (09/20). Note: If a Junior chooses not to go on these visits, they are still required to attend school and will be given an alternative plan for each day.
Grade 12: Our Seniors will attend the assembly on Wednesday in the gym with special guest speaker Chris Poulos. Immediately following this assembly, Seniors will have the rest of the day on Wednesday and all day Thursday and Friday to participate in activities aimed at preparing them for life after Monmouth Academy. Seniors will work with Mrs Knowlton on future planning. They will participate in an activity called "Let's Plan Your Life!", including discussions around budgeting, mortgages & rent, buying a car and saving. Our Seniors will show their appreciation for the faculty & staff by writing notes of appreciation, and will also leave advice for the underclassmen on how to succeed at MA & take advantage of all the things they are offered. They will visit MMS for Kinderbuddies! This is a time for our Seniors to connect with a Kindergarten student; they will make a My Buddy book together, play in the classroom, attend a special and go out for recess! This is usually the most memorable time of all of Big Week! The Seniors will get to meet up with their Kinderbuddy a couple of times during this school year and will see them when they do the Senior Stroll at MMS in their caps & gowns in June! Note: Seniors who choose not to participate in these activities are still required to attend school and will be given an alternative plan for each day.
Note: We have been in touch with the vocational school (CATC). They are expecting our Juniors and Seniors who are attending school there to continue with their program as scheduled this week. Having said that, they would support/excuse any CATC Junior or Senior for one of the three days to participate in a BIG WEEK activity as long as the student makes prior arrangements with their CATC instructor. Whether a CATC student chooses to go to CATC all three days (Wed - Fri) or two of the three days, they don’t need to be at school until 10:30 on Wed - Fri of this week (the Big Week days) if they are going to CATC.
In order for this week to be a success, we REALLY need our students to participate! I want to thank our amazing staff who have gone above and beyond to plan and organize these educational opportunities both on and off campus for our students. It’s nice to see some unique traditions return after a two year break due to Covid! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (207)933-4416.
Homecoming Weekend: On 09/23, our cross country team will have a meet at UMA at 3:30, and our Golf team will be at Winthrop for a 3:30 game. There will be a Homecoming Semi-Formal Dance for MA students on Friday (09/23) from 7:00pm - 10:00pm; and four soccer games on Saturday (09/24): JV girls soccer at 12:30pm vs. Wiscasset; JV boys soccer at 2:30pm vs. Richmond; Varsity boys soccer at 5:00 vs. Winthrop; and Varsity girls soccer at 7:30pm vs. Spruce Mountain. On Monday (09/19) all students and staff are encouraged to wear maroon & white; and on Tuesday (09/20), the theme will be Dress Like Adam Sandler Day. We hope to see our students, staff, parents and the Monmouth community out supporting and enjoying our student athletes next weekend!
Civil Rights Team: Our Civil Rights is back up and running; picking up where they left off last school year! 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! 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!
Anti-Bullying Quote of the Week: Strong people stand up from themselves. But the strongest people stand up for others.
Eligibility Checks: Just a reminder that we will be doing academic eligibility checks for ALL students (9 - 12) - whether or not that are participating in athletics or other co-curricular activities - on Friday (09/30). All students are expected to maintain a minimum of a 2.5 in each course they are enrolled in (which indicates that they are making progress towards proficiency for a given course). If a student has a grade below a 2.5, they will be expected to create an academic support plan with their teacher(s) and will have two weeks to get their score(s) up to at least a 2.5 before other consequences/conditions kick in (based on the individual student plan). If you have any questions or concerns about your student’s academic performance at any time, please don’t hesitate to connect with their teacher(s) directly.
Infinite Campus Update: Please take note: The parent meeting about Infinite Campus that was scheduled for Monday (09/26) has been moved to Tuesday (10/11) beginning at 5:30 at Monmouth Academy in the Gym. At this meeting, parents will receive their usernames and passwords to access Infinite Campus (IC) which will give them access to their student’s demographics, attendance, lunch, and academic information when IC goes live (currently planned for Friday - 10/14). Between now and then, feel free to connect with your student’s teachers directly with any questions or concerns.
Athletics: In addition to the game schedule for 09/23 & 09/24 mentioned above, below are the athletic events currently schedule for 09/19 - 09/22:
Monday (09/19) - Girls soccer home vs. Buckfield 3:30 start (no JV after); Golf home vs. Oak Hill 3:30 start
Tuesday (09/20) - Boys soccer @ Spruce/Dirigo 3:30 start
Wednesday (09/21) - Golf @ Mt. Abram 3:30 start
Thursday (09/22) - Open as of 09/18/22
From the Nurse: Permission forms will be sent home this week for students to participate in the Maine School Oral Health Program. This is a free service that offers dental screenings and fluoride treatments twice a year. Previously it was only available through Grade 6 but starting this year, the service is extended through Grade 12. Sherry Laliberte, RDH, will be the hygienist doing the screening and fluoride here at MA (and MMS). Permission forms will also be sent home this week for Covid Testing. If your student becomes ill with Covid symptoms while at school and you would like a Binax Now Covid test done, we need to have the permission form on file. If your student is sick, the student should stay home and if you need Covid Kits (5 tests per box) please contact the school and I will be happy to supply you with some test kits. Reminder: flu vaccine permission forms were given to students and should be returned as soon as possible, preferably by Monday, September 26th. Thanks!
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. Seniors may pick up their permission form beginning on Monday (09/19). 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. Juniors may pick up their permission form on Monday (10/31).
Movie in the Park: The United Way is pleased to share that they will be hosting their annual Movie in the Park on Friday, September 30th at 6:00pm in Mill Park in Augusta. They will be showing the film Encanto! This is a free and outdoor event open to the public. Donations will be accepted throughout the event and concessions will be available for purchase. They hope to see you there!
Yearbook: Yearbooks went on sale Thursday (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.
Volunteer Opportunity: Friends of Cumston Hall is looking for volunteers to help out at Apple Fest on Saturday 9/24. If you are interested, please email Mr. Pascarella or see him in person.
Day of Caring: Monmouth Academy has once again joined forces with the United Way and will be participating in the Day of Caring, scheduled to take place on Thursday (10/06) with a rain date of Friday (10/14). Although we have a few projects we are in the process of planning to complete for the Day of Caring, if you know of anyone in our community who may need some volunteer work that can be done in the course of a few hours on 10/06, please contact the MA Main Office Secretary (Deb Hewitt) at (207)933-4416 or at dhewitt@kidsrsu.org and she will gather your information and we’ll see what we can do to help. Thanks!
Picture Day: On Tuesday (09/27), Lifetouch will be in to take school pictures. Students should have received picture information from their homeroom advisor last week. If they didn’t, they should connect with their homeroom advisor this week for this picture information.
On-Campus Evacuation Drill: I want to thank our students and staff for another successful on-campus evacuation drill (our 2nd of the year) which we completed this past Thursday (09/15) at 9:30am. Students were cooperative and appropriately responsive during this drill. Thanks again!
That concludes this week’s edition of The MA Express! Take care and stay well.
Respectfully,
Mr. Ted Finn, Principal