Principal's Newsletter

From the Desk of Russ Booth

May 12th, 2024

Good morning MHS families,

We are rapidly approaching the end of the school year! This is the last full week for seniors before they take final exams and enjoy an exciting senior week leading up to graduation. The prom is being held this Saturday at the Four Points in Norwood, and sophomores will be taking MCAS next week (see info below). There are plenty of things happening between now and the end of the year, but summer will be here before we know it!

This past Thursday we hosted the Annual District Art Show and in typical fashion it did not disappoint. It was great to see the artwork from every student in the district, but it was especially cool to see so many of our young students and their families looking at the pieces done by our high school students. The night gave families a glimpse of what they have to look forward to from an art perspective when they get to MHS. Congratulations to our Art Department on another job well done this year!

Be sure to take a look at some of the updates below. Some sections have been updated to include senior exam schedules and new information.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there! Enjoy your day and the remainder of the weekend.

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Senior Corner

Senior Families: Graduation has been confirmed for Sunday, June 2nd at the Xfinity Center with the ceremony beginning at 1pm. More details will follow.

Senior Final Exams:

The last full day for Seniors is Friday, May 17th. All lockers must be cleaned out by the end of the day on May, 17th and you must take care of all obligations prior to receiving your cap and gown. The senior exam schedule is as follows:

Friday, May 17th: Period 7 exam, during Block 4 (10:22-11:17)

Monday, May 20th: Period 4 exam, during Block 2 (8:24-9:19) and Period 5 exam, during Block 3 (9:23-10:18)

Tuesday, May 21st: Period 6 exam, during Block 6 (12:58-1:49)

Wednesday, May 22nd: Period 3 exam, during Block 6 (12:58-1:49)

Thursday, May 23rd: Period 1 exam, during Block 2 (8:24-9:19) and Period 2 exam, during Block 3 (9:23-10:18)

Friday, May 24th: Make-up exams as needed (Set-up with teacher)

Friday, May 17th is a full day of school for seniors that includes a final exam during Block 4. Students who are exempt from this final exam will be asked to report to the library to check in. All other exam days please see below.

Senior please note, you only need to be in school if you have any exam on these days. Seniors who are exempt do not need to report to their class. Seniors will be made aware if they are exempt from the final exam prior to the end of this week.

Reminder to Seniors: The last day for Chromebook repairs will be Tuesday, May 14th, and all library books are due by Friday, May 17th. Get your books in so you are not put on the obligation list. Chromebooks will be returned according to the schedule below during the final exam period.

Friday, May 17th: 1:50pm-2:15pm

Monday, May 20th: 10:20am-10:40am

Tuesday, May 21st: 1:50pm-2:15pm

Wednesday, May 22nd: 1:50pm-2:15pm

Thursday, May 23rd: 10:20am-10:40am

The deadline to order a 2024 Mansfield High School Yearbook has passed. If you would like to be put on a waitlist for books in May please email jennifer.martinelli@mansfieldschools.com. Any available waitlist books will be available at the end of May for $90 and they will be given out on a first come, first served basis.

For more yearbook information check out our google site: https://sites.google.com/mansfieldschools.com/mhsyearbook/order-a-yearbook?authuser=0

Annual Perception Survey

Each year The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education requires all school districts to administer an annual self-evaluation and school perception survey. The purpose of the evaluation is to document the district's efforts to create and maintain a school system that is non-discriminatory and accessible to all.

We invite you to complete this 10-minute survey as your voice is critical to inform this process and to understand the current state of equity within the district and your school. This survey is anonymous and will be used to surface trends so that we can continue to create a more equitable, inclusive, and accessible learning environment for each member of our community.

Please complete the survey by Monday, May 13th. The family survey is linked here.

Students will be provided the opportunity to complete the survey starting on May 13th. Any family that would like to opt their student out of taking the survey should contact one of the school administrators by Friday, May 10th.

MCAS Reverse Half-Days

A reminder to families that the Math MCAS will take place on Tuesday, May 21st and Wednesday, May 22nd. Any student in grades 9, 11, and 12 will have a reverse half-day where school will start at 10:25am on both days. Students who ride the bus should be ready at their bus stop 3 hours after their normal pick-up time.

Students in grade 10 should report to school for the normal start time of 7:25am to take their Math MCAS.

Virtual Service Academy Night

Congressman Auchincloss’ office is hosting a Virtual Service Academy Night on Tuesday, May 28th from 6:00-7:30pm. This is an opportunity for high school students in grades 9-11 to learn more about the application process for the five United States Service Academies: West Point, Navy, Air Force, Merchant Marines, and Coast Guard.

During the Academy Night, students will get to hear from Congressman Auchincloss’ staff about the Congressional nomination process required for four of the five service academies (Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination). We will also be joined by representatives from each of the service academies to hear about the individual schools’ application processes.

Please distribute this information to students who may be interested in applying to attend a United States Service Academy. Pre-registration for the webinar is required.

Students and parents may register for the webinar at this LINK.

Changemaker Series: Action To Affect Positive Change In The Community

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Various Vaping Resources

Vaping in high school continues to be a concern across the country. At MHS we have hired 2 hall monitors, instituted a digital pass system, and developed a vape education program in order to continue to try and support a safe and healthy environment for all our students.

In an effort to combat the ongoing challenge of vaping within our school (and others), please take a look at and utilize the various resources provided below to learn more about vaping in order to start/continue the conversation with your child. Making progress in this area is a group effort, and we want to provide support for families at home with these resources.

General Info:

What parents need to know

Quick Facts about vaping

Vaping and the impact of Covid

Vaping can't harm teens?

Information on Quitting:

How to quit

This is quitting

Nicotine withdrawal and how to cope

Mansfield High School DESE Report Card

MHS Bus Route Information

Mansfield Public Schools News Blog