MSHS Tuesday Newsday
January 16, 2024
Principal News
Dear NS Families,
A short week this week with Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on Monday. During this week let us reflect on the values of equality, justice, and unity that Dr. King stood for. As partners in your child's education, we encourage discussions at home about the significance of this day and the ongoing pursuit of a fair and inclusive society. Together, we can inspire our children to embrace diversity and contribute to a world that echoes Dr. King's dream.
We are headed into the end of the semester with report cards being posted on January 31, 2024. The days move fast and it will be here before you know it. Please don't forget we have an early dismissal at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, January 29, 2024 for professional development.
Students in grades 9-11 will soon be having conversations with teachers and counselors regarding next year's scheduling process and selection of classes. The recommendations and class requests helps us determine classes for next year as we develop our schedule and budget.
Great effort by both our boys and girls teams this weekend in the NS Booster Club sponsored tournament. Great team effort by both squads!
I know many of our Seniors have college acceptances rolling in. Be sure to check out the College Panel session on Thursday, 1/25/24 at 6:30pm. For more information, contact the Counseling Department, or see the Counseling Department section below.
Have a safe rest of the week,
Dr. Murphy
What's Happening - Upcoming Events
1/16 - MSHS PTO Meeting, 9am
1/17 - BOE Meeting, 7:30pm
1/18 - National English Honor Society Induction Breakfast
1/23 - Student Council Blood Drive, 12-5pm
1/25 - College Panel Night, 6:30pm
1/29 - Early Dismissal - Half Day Professional Development
1/29 - Pre-ACT, 11am-2pm
1/31 - Report Cards Posted to Portal
1/31 - Community Conversation with the BOE, 7pm
From the Superintendent's Office
Parent Workshop - DBT Concepts for Parents
January 18th @ 7PM in the MSHS Library-
Join us for an empowering workshop on bringing peace and positive communication to your family. On January 18 at 7:00 PM, all parents are invited to the MSHS Library to learn dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) strategies from expert Dr. Chad Bryce that can help reduce distress and forge better relationships. He will also discuss how parents can reduce vulnerabilities and conflicts while increasing positive outcomes and habits.
Chad Brice, Ph.D., is the Director of Training at Cognitive & Behavior Consultants and works closely with clinical teams district-wide.
Student Council Blood Drive
On Tuesday, January 23, the High School Student Council will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 12pm-5pm. Please use this link to schedule your appointment.
NYSSMA Solo Festival 2024 Information
Mental Health Information
Social Media and Depression
Studies show that depression among teenagers and young adults has gotten more common over the past decade. Social media use has also increased during the same time. It’s hard to say for sure that social media causes depression. Still, there are several ways that using social media could harm kids.
Some experts think that connecting with peers online is less emotionally fulfilling than connecting in person. Research shows that teenagers who spend more time on social media also feel more isolated. It could be that kids who already feel isolated use social media more. But it could be that using social media actually makes kids feel isolated.
Read the full article along with other links/resources here.
Social Media & Technology Parent Corner
Resources to Help Our Kids Thrive from the Child Mind Institute.
From The Counseling Department
College Acceptances are rolling in. To see the current list, click here. Students, remember to update SCOIR and/or Guidance Counselor regarding your college application outcomes.
College Admissions Panel:
The Counseling Office will be hosting a virtual college admissions information panel January 25th 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Topics will include the SUNY School System, How to Make a Big School Feel Small, Financial Literacy, Accessing Supports on a College Campus and the Selective Admissions Process. We hope you’ll be able to join us.
Please click HERE for more information and to join the session.
Juniors:
Digital SAT Exams
The SAT will transition to a digital test starting in March 2024:
What You Need to Know About the Digital SAT
New Visions Health
New Visions Health is having an open house at Northwell Northern Westchester Hospital on Wednesday, January 24th from 5pm to 7pm. Additional information can be found on the flyer. Students, parents, and school personnel are all welcome! The deadline for applications to New Visions Health will be March 31st.
New Visions Sports Medicine
PNW Boces is introducing a Sports Medicine class for Seniors. The Open House is Thursday, January 18 at 6-7pm in Yorktown. See brochure and invite for more information!
Sophomores
The PreACT will be given to interested 10th grade students on January 29th. Please note - payment is due by January 16th. Click HERE for details.
Student Essay Contest Grades 7-12
Students are encouraged to enter the 7th Annual Lifting Up Westchester Student Essay Contest. The contest is open to all students in grades 7 through 12 who live in Westchester and go to school here. This year’s topic, Walking in Someone Else’s Shoes, invites students to learn about the many programs offered by Lifting Up Westchester (LUW), and to draft a fictional story about someone who needed to access one of the programs. Students can enter through the dedicated portal. We give Appreciation Certificates for everyone who enters and cash prizes for winners in each grade category. The stories should be between 750 and 1,000 words and describe an individual or family who needed to access one of LUW’s many programs including: Emergency Housing, Housing Services, Food, Health and Life Skills Support and Next Generation Youth Programs. This will help encourage understanding and empathy and hopefully dispel myths and stereotypes about what causes individuals and families to seek help.
Students can enter until February 16, 2024, at 5 PM. Any questions can be directed to luwessaycontest@gmail.com.
News from the Nurse
Hello, North Salem Middle/High School Families!
GET FREE AT- HOME COVID-19 TESTS!
You can order four free at-home rapid tests to be delivered to your home. Visit COVID.gov. Testing remains an important part of reducing the spread of COVID-19. All New Yorkers should get tested for COVID-19 if they have symptoms or were recently exposed to someone with COVID-19. Click on the link to Covid Tests
Absence from School: Please contact the attendance office at x2165 or mshsattendance@northsalemschools.org to report your student's absence. Do not hesitate to contact me at x2017 to discuss your child's illness. I'm happy to answer any questions and address any concerns.
Important Information -- When to keep your child home from school
Please click here for IMPORTANT information about when you should keep your child home from school.
Immunization Requirements for students in grades 6-12:
Please click here for detailed information regarding the "2023-2024 School Year New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance":
Mandatory Physical Examinations: New York State Education Department (NYSED) requires a physical exam for new entrants and students in Grades: Pre-K, K 1,3,5,7,9, and 11. Students who wish to participate in interscholastic sports (Grades 7-12) and for working papers require an annual physical. The physical exam must be completed by a NY State licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner. A physical dated September 5, 2022 on is acceptable for the 2023-2024 school year. A copy of the health exam should be provided to the school within 30 days from the start of school.
The NYS Health Examination form is REQUIRED or the health examination form is considered invalid. The healthcare provider's electronic version of this form is also acceptable (please click on the link).
This and all medical forms are located on the school website under the Health Office tab.
Additional Important and REQUIRED Health Office Forms:
Provider and Parent Permission to Administer Medication at School/School Sponsored Events: REQUIRED for students who need medication in school, such as over-the-counter (OTC) medications, prescription medicine, or inhalers (except for Epi-Pens/Auvi-Qs). Please remember to complete the parent section.
Allergy/Anaphylaxis Action Plan: REQUIRED for students who require an EPI-PENS/AUVI-Q. Please remember to complete the parent section.
Provider Attestation and Parent Permission for Independent Medication Carry and Use: REQUIRED for students considered ready and capable of self-carrying an Epi-Pen/Auvi-Q and/or Inhaler ONLY.
I know this information can be confusing. Never hesitate to contact me, I'm happy to answer any questions and address your concerns.
Enjoy the rest of the summer, I'll see you soon!
Sincerely,
Rita Driscoll, R.N.
MSHS School Nurse / 914-669-5414 x2017 / rdriscoll@northsalemschools.org
Department of Health Notifications
Important information from the NYS Department of Health as we head into Flu season:
Parents: Fight Flu at Home and School
Athletic Department
Athletic News for January 15-
North Salem Boys and Girls Varsity and JV Basketball Teams
Support the Side Out Foundation by hosting "Dunk Pink Games"
Boys-January 30th vs. Haldane
Girls- February 1st vs. Croton Harmon
The North Salem High School’s JV & Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball programs are teaming up to raise money for the Side-Out Foundation’s campaign to eradicate breast cancer. The ‘Dunk Pink’ games will take place on Tuesday January 30, 2024 when the JV & Varsity Boys teams square off at home against Haldane at 4:30 & 6:15, followed two days later on February 1, 2024 when the JV & Varsity Girls teams play at home against Croton-Harmon at 5:00 & 6:15. Here is the link to donate directly to our campaign on the Side-Out Foundation’s site: https://giving.side-out.org/campaigns/20399.
SPRING 2024 Start Dates
- Varsity and JV Sports Begin: Monday, March 11th, 2024
*Sport Offerings: Golf, Baseball, Softball, Boys Lacrosse, Girls Lacrosse, Boys and Girls Track
and Field, and Boys Tennis
- Modified Sports Begin: Monday, March 25th
Field
North Salem Athletic Calendar: https://northsalemcentral.tandem.co/
*All practices and games are posted on the Athletic Calendar. Subscribe for notifications.
LIVE STREAMING- There will now be live streaming at Tiger Stadium. The HS Gymnasium will continue to have live streaming. Local Live Link
TIGER STADIUM- Tiger Stadium Rules
FITNESS CENTER- The Fitness Center will be OPEN on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 3:05-4:05pm. Late buses are available at 3:45pm. If you go to the Fitness Center, you must remain in that location until you are leaving to go home.
SPORTS YOU: Please subscribe to Sports You and enter your code for the sport that you have signed up for in Family ID. All HS and MS coaching staff will be communicating to our families through this platform. Sports You Link: sportsyou.com
**The codes are the same from each school year for each level of the sport.
2024-2025 Start Dates for Athletics
Stay Healthy, Stay Safe, and Stay TIGER STRONG!
Sincerely,
Denise M. Kiernan, CAA
Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics