Dear McDowell Families,

As we near the end of the first quarter on November 5th, I would like to extend a warm invitation to join us for Parent Conference Day on November 12th. Strong connections between school and home play a critical role in our students' success, and we look forward to discussing ways we can continue supporting your child’s growth and academic progress.

With the quarter’s end approaching, please encourage your student to finish strong. For those in semester courses, mid-term exams are underway, marking an important academic milestone. If your student would benefit from additional support, we offer daily Tutorial time for extra help, as well as after-school options: our Wednesday “Study Hub” for general support and Thursday Chemistry tutoring.

Last week, we hosted our Future Ready Week during Tutorial, focusing on career and post-secondary planning. For juniors, school counselors led discussions on the importance of building a strong resume with activities and experiences. They also introduced tasks to complete in Naviance, our college and career readiness platform.

As seniors prepare for their future, now is an excellent time for them to continue to explore career opportunities and other post-secondary options, from college applications and apprenticeships to potential career pathways. Our counseling department is available to assist them in finding resources and making informed choices for their next steps.

The second quarter begins on November 6th, presenting new opportunities for learning and growth. I am excited to see the continued achievements of our 11th and 12th graders, and I look forward to partnering with you throughout the year. Thank you for your continued involvement and support.

Warm Regards,

Sandra Means, M.Ed.

Senior Parents:

Please remember to order your child’s cap and gown through the School Store tab on Infinite Campus. When placing the order, note that each height option includes three weight categories, so select the one that best fits your child’s height and weight. The current price is $45.00, but it will increase to $55.00 on January 1st.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Nicole Maciulewicz at nmaciulewicz@mtsd.org or have your child visit her in room 128.

Thank you!

~The Senior Class Advisors

Nicole Maciulewicz and Kyle Bucholtz

This month, our school psychologist, Dr. Kim Quirk, highlights an important topic: Relationship OCD (R-OCD). This form of obsessive-compulsive disorder can impact teens’ relationships with friends, family, and dating partners, often leading to cycles of doubt and anxiety. Understanding R-OCD can help parents recognize signs early on and provide the support teens need to navigate their relationships with confidence. We encourage you to read this article to learn more about how to support healthy connections during these formative years.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Kim Quirk, School Psychologist (quirk@mtsd.org).

Please take a moment to review with your student the importance of charging their Chromebooks each night. Part of their preparedness expectation is they come to school with a charged Chromebook, on time and ready to learn. While we do have some Chromebooks to loan students, we want to make sure each student has access to borrow one when needed.

If your student is in need of a new charger or is experiencing issues with their device, please fill out the Parent and Student Support Form on the Technology page of the district website which can be accessed by clicking the link below.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

This November, our Student Wellness & Resource Center will be launching support groups to help students manage challenges they may face during the school year. These groups provide safe spaces to explore personal experiences and build resilience in a supportive setting.

• School Avoidance Group: This group focuses on students who struggle with attending school. Together, we will explore the reasons behind their feelings, help them understand these emotions, and introduce coping techniques to make the school day less overwhelming.

• Anxiety Group: Students will learn about anxiety, including what it is and what might trigger it. We will work together to develop strategies to recognize and manage anxiety, empowering students to face challenges with confidence.

• Caring Place Peer Grief Support Group: For students coping with the loss of a loved one, this group provides a compassionate space for sharing and healing. Through open discussions and hands-on activities, students can honor and remember those they have lost while finding comfort in a community that understands.

We encourage parents and students to reach out to the school counselors for more details on how to join. McDowell Guidance Office (814)835-5408 or contact our SAP Counselor, Mrs. Tracy Walsh, twalsh@mtsd.org.

This year’s Reflections contest is underway, inviting students to showcase their creativity and share their unique interpretations of the theme "Accepting Imperfection." Students are encouraged to submit work in categories such as visual arts, photography, literature, music composition, dance choreography, and film production. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to express themselves and gain recognition for their artistic talents.

Student entries are due by November 13, 2024. Judging will take place from December to January, with state winners announced in early March. Please share this opportunity with your children. The link for the registration form is listed below.

Let’s inspire our students to get involved and celebrate their creativity!

Senior Guidance Meetings:

• Senior 1:1 meetings occurred during the month of October with your 12th grade student and their school counselor. During this meeting, post-secondary plans/options, graduation requirements, and Naviance related tools were individually reviewed. Please look for a packet of information that was sent home regarding senior related tasks.

Junior Guidance Meetings:

• Junior 1:1 meetings will begin during the month of November with your students' school counselor. During the meetings, grades, study tips, graduation requirements, post-secondary options, resume building, and Naviance related activities will be reviewed. Please be on the lookout for informational packets to come home during this time.

Future Readiness Week:

• What is a resume, and how do we access it? During our first official "Future Readiness Week," 11th graders had the opportunity to learn about what a resume should include, as well as how to access and update their own. This was a collaborative effort between tutorial teachers, students, and school counselors. We encourage students to continue building their resumes by adding new skills, experiences, and achievements regularly to prepare for future opportunities.

ASVAB Exam:

• On Wednesday, October 30th approximately sixty students tested for the ASVAB assessment. Students received their official percentile scores at the conclusion of testing. Next week students will have the opportunity to explore their results and gain valuable insight, while linking their scores to post-secondary options.
• The next ASVAB exam will take place on Thursday, January 30, 2025.

MTSD offers Qustodio for all district devices, which offers parents the ability to restrict their student's district device outside of school hours. Qustodio has provided a guide for parents and a FAQ link to their website with helpful tips on how to implement various parental controls. Check out these resources below.

We are excited to announce that various college representatives will be visiting McDowell throughout November. This is a great opportunity for students to learn more about different universities and explore their options for higher education. Students are encouraged to sign up through Naviance or see their school counselor for more details.

Participating Colleges:

• Cleveland State University
• Chatham University
• St. Bonaventure University
• Lycoming College
• The University of Alabama

Encourage your student to take advantage of these visits to ask questions and gather information about their future college plans!

We invite all parents and guardians to join us for Parent Conference Day on November 12th! This is a valuable opportunity to connect with teachers, discuss your child’s progress, and strengthen the home-school partnership. We look forward to seeing you and working together to support your student’s success!

With a deep passion for Secondary Transition, Samantha Keyes believes that every individual can contribute to society in a way that is meaningful to them. Her role focuses on preparing students with disabilities for life after high school by guiding them through the formal transition process. This includes setting up a Transition Plan tailored to each student’s needs, which covers areas such as post-secondary education, employment, independent living, and self-determination. Samantha emphasizes the importance of collaboration between students, families, staff, and community resources to build a bridge to adulthood that reflects each student’s unique goals. Engaging both students and families is central to achieving these goals and ensuring a successful transition.

For more information on resources for high school students and families, please visit her webpage MTSD Secondary Transition Newsletter.

Please join us in welcoming Samantha to MTSD!

For all students taking the SAT this Saturday, please ensure you arrive at McDowell by 7:30 AM. Be sure to bring the following items: your fully charged Chromebook, Chromebook charger, printed admission ticket, photo ID, calculator, and a snack. If you have any questions, please reach out to Mrs. Maciulewicz at nmaciulewicz@mtsd.org. Good luck to all our test-takers!

The Academic Interventionist works closely with teachers, counselors, and administrators to monitor and identify students who may be at risk of falling behind in their current courses. This support includes developing tailored Academic Plans and strategies aimed at improving areas like homework completion and test-taking skills. Academic Intervention also involves monitoring credit recovery, specifically for cyber-based courses, which will begin in Quarter 2. These courses are designated collaboratively with our Guidance Counselors to help keep students on track to meet MTSD graduation requirements.

For additional information on academic supports and tutoring opportunities, please visit the Academic Intervention webpage. For any questions or concerns, contact Joseph Magorien at magorien@mtsd.org or extension 5446.

Powered by College Board, BigFuture® is the free online planning guide that helps all students take the right first step after high school. Informed by student and educator feedback and with detailed information provided by thousands of colleges, BigFuture simplifies the college and career planning process. Click here for more information on how BigFuture can help your child plan for college.

For more information and college related help, please encourage your child to either stop in to see Mrs. Gilroy in the guidance office or email her at jgilroy@mtsd.org

The McDowell PTSA is thrilled to announce our upcoming fall fundraiser! Join us for a night of live music featuring The Geek Army at the Sunflower Club on Saturday, November 30th, from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Admission is free, and this event is open to the public—adults only!

Enjoy an evening filled with music, a basket raffle, 50/50, and more! This is a wonderful opportunity for teachers, staff, and parents to relax, connect, and support our PTSA in a fun and lively setting. We hope to see you there for a fantastic night out, all while contributing to the programs and activities supported by the McDowell PTSA.

• Registration for winter sports is now open and will remain open until Friday, Nov. 8 with the first official date of the winter season being Friday, Nov. 15. Please visit the McDowell registration page to review what is needed to complete registration. Here are the sports that begin in the winter:
• Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball
• Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming and Diving
• Girls’ Bowling
• Boys’ and Girls’ Indoor Track and Field
• Wrestling
• Unified Bocce
• Congratulations to the following teams on joining the Girls’ Golf team as District 10 champions this Fall: Girls’ Cross Country, Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Soccer, and Girls’ Volleyball.
• Football plays its D10 title game vs. Erie High Friday, Nov. 1, at General McLane starting at 7 p.m.
• McDowell cross country will be well-represented at the PIAA State Championship race in Hershey Nov. 2. The girls’ team will race for placement in the team competition as well as individual placement while three boys’ runners will also be running individually.
• McDowell Fall Signing Day will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at 10:30 a.m. in the McDowell North Gym. Join us in congratulating the first group of Trojans this school year to commit to competing in collegiate athletics and continuing their academic careers.

Stay up to date with schedules, results, and the latest news from all your favorite Trojans teams by visiting McDowellAthletics.com.

Go Trojans!
McDowell High School Athletic Department

• November 5th ~ End of 1st Quarter
• November 8th ~ In-service ~ No school
• November 11th ~ In-service & Recording Day ~ No School
• November 12th ~ Parent Conference Day ~ No School
• November 27th ~ Early Dismissal for Thanksgiving Holiday
• November 28th - 29th ~ Thanksgiving Holiday ~ No School

Please mark your calendars for the remaining high school early dismissal dates for the school year.

• Wednesday, December 4
• Wednesday, February 19
• Wednesday, March 26
• Friday, April 25

Please note, the early dismissal dates are only for the high school grades 9 – 12 students. All other MTSD school buildings remain on their normal daily schedules.