High School Happenings
January 26, 2023
Important Information:
Welcome to Semester 2 - We are halfway there!
In addition to the new semester, our bell schedule has been tweaked to reflect an additional minute of instructional time for each class. This change brings us back to our pre-covid passing time in the hallways of five minutes. This change gives us an additional eleven hours of instructional time for the year. Students have been notified of the change that will begin on Monday.
Course Selection Information:
Happy New Year! We hope you had a restful holiday. Now that the calendar has turned to January, we have our sights set on scheduling for next year. Below you will find information about the course selection process, our program planning guide (PPG), our scheduling website, and our timeline of important dates. Please take some time to review the PPG in detail in advance of scheduling as it is a very robust document that has everything you need to know.
The first step in course selection should be visiting our Scheduling Google Site. Please see the button below. After visiting the google site, please click on the Program Planning Guide.
Course selection process for students currently in grades 9, 10 and 11 will follow this timeline:
- January 2023 - Program Planning Guide Published and Live on MHS Website:
- January 27 - Parent email on 1/27 to inform of the scheduling process (sent 1/26- please check your email if you have a 9th, 10th or 11th grader)
- Jan 30 – Feb 3 - Counselors Speak to current MHS Students in Social Studies Classes grades 9, 10, 11
- February 6-10 - Course Recommendation Process by Teachers- completed by teachers after grades are posted on 1/31. Parents should log on to PS to check these recommendations.
- February 13-March 8 - Counselors meet with students 1:1 to do course selection. Parent verification form will be online. (Check Smartpass for appointment!) Students will be directed to contact parent before leaving meeting to inform parent selections are live in PS. Online parent verification form available for parents to review course requests and e-sign .
- Feb 13-21: Counselors meet w/ 11th graders to pick classes for 12th grade
Feb 22-28: Counselors meet w/ 10th graders to pick classes for 11th grade
March 1: Counselors meet w/ 8th graders to pick classes for 9th grade
March 2- 8: Counselors meet with 9th grades to pick classes for 10th grade
PARENTAL DUE DATES:
- February 24 - 11th grade course selection parent verification forms due (picking classes for senior year).
- March 2 - 10th grade course selection parent verification forms due. (Picking courses for junior year).
- March 13 - 9th grade course selection parent verification forms due (picking classes for sophomore year).
- March 6-March 17 - Any parental questions after verification; Final call for last minute changes and missing verification forms for all grades.
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- March 24 - Final date for course request changes by students/parents.
- April 28 - Due date for waivers.
- End of MP 3 & 4 - Teachers confirm recommendation eligibility.
Student Satisfaction Survey
We thank you and your family for being our valued partners as we work together to educate the students in our district. As part of this feedback gathering, students in grades 6 through 12 will be provided a research-based survey on February 14, 2023 on school climate, teacher-student relationships, belonging, mindset, and safety.
The online survey will be completed at school during the scheduled period determined by the building principal. The survey generally takes about 10 minutes to complete.
We are asking that all of our students participate in the survey, as their responses will provide valuable insights into their experiences and how we can improve and adapt our district to their needs. The aggregated information gained from the survey will be made available for all families online.
Parents/Guardians will receive the survey questions one week prior to the release. We will email a link to the questions/response options to the child’s primary contact in grades 6-12. If your child doesn’t feel like they have enough information to answer a specific question, they will be able to skip the item altogether. The responses to these surveys will be completely confidential. We have partnered with Panorama Education to support us in administering this survey. Parents/Guardians will also receive a link to a form to opt their child out of the survey if they so wish. That form will be included in the email detailing the survey questions approximately one week prior to February 14.
Information for Seniors
Last Chance to Get Your Cap and Gown!
Student Services Company has notified us that the final deadline for our seniors to order cap and gowns is 2/15. We have been advertising this since the fall and 95% of our students have ordered their materials. For those that have not, this is your last chance- please go to www.sscgradstore.com to enter SSC's online store and securely place your order.
This LATE ORDER PROGRAM is the company's last chance to fill your order. The final deadline for placing your order is Wednesday, February 15th.
Your cap and gown will be shipped to and distributed from your school. All other graduation products ordered through this program will be mailed to your home.
If you have any questions, please contact SSC via either phone (610.539.1330), or email at info@studentservicesco.com
Graduation Date
Graduation has been set for Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 4pm at Methacton High School. Full graduation details will be released in February.
Methacton Advanced Placement (AP) Late Ordering
Upcoming Dance Information
Semi-Formal for Grades 9 and 10
The dance is from 7pm-9:30pm in the cafeteria. Students should be dropped off via East wing car line no earlier than 6:50pm as there will not be anyone to receive them.
Rules for the dance:
- Students MAY NOT bring an overnight bag. Please make those arrangements before arriving to the dance.
- Students need their student ID to check in.
- Students will be searched upon entry- all school rules are in effect- no weapons, drugs, alcohol, vapes, open containers, or medicine is permitted.
- Students may leave up to 30 minutes before the end of the dance without a call home.
- If a student needs to leave earlier than that, please have them submit a note in advance to their grade level admin.
In the event that there is inclement weather and school is closed that day, the dance would be cancelled and the makeup/snow date will be Friday, February 10th. We don't anticipate having an issue at this point but wanted everyone to be aware of our backup plan.
Senior Banquet for Grade 12
The dance is from 6:30pm-10:00pm. Students should park in the lot behind the hotel and come in through the back entrance.
Rules for the dance:
- Students MAY NOT bring an overnight bag. Please make those arrangements before arriving to the dance.
- Students need their student ID to check in.
- Students will be searched upon entry- all school rules are in effect- no weapons, drugs, alcohol, vapes, open containers, or medicine is permitted.
- Students may leave up to 30 minutes before the end of the dance without a call home.
- If a student needs to leave earlier than that, please have them submit a note in advance to their grade level admin.
In the event that there is inclement weather and school is closed that day, we will have a makeup day. We are waiting to hear from Normandy about the date and will communicate it asap.
Prom 2023
The Prom is Friday, April 28 at the Sheraton in King of Prussia. It is for our 11th and 12th grade students. They may bring a guest.
Ticket sales will be the week of 3/20 – 3/24 during at all lunches for $90. After that, tickets will be on sale for $100 during homeroom in either Mrs. Emery’s room (A105) or Mrs. Dunbar’s room (A107). Tickets to prom will be $100 from 3/27 – 4/7. All prom tickets are final sale and non-refundable.
Please be sure to read the Prom Website below before purchasing tickets (see button below). ALL information about the prom, guest forms, Q&As, and POST PROM can be found by accessing the tabs at the top of the site.
Please note, our 11th and 12th grade students do NOT need to attend the prom to sign up for the post prom. See the website below for full details.
Community Ed Needs YOU!
Methacton School District’s Office of Community Education is looking for instructors to lead enriching activities in Fall 2023 and Winter 2024:
· Friday Night Swims
· Basketball
· Ski Trips
· Line Dancing
Please email your interest to information@methacton.org by May 15, 2023.
Opt-In to Text Messaging
Methacton High School Look Ahead:
Jan 30 - Beginning of semester 2
Jan 30- Feb 1: Benchmark testing in class for English, Math and Science- gr 9, 10, 11
Jan 30- Feb 3: Counselors in History class explaining the scheduling process
February 3- Gr 9 and 10 semi-formal at MHS (snow date 2/10)
February 6- February 10: Teachers complete course recommendations for next year in PS
February 6-10: School Counseling Appreciation Week
February 9- Marking period 2 report cards posted
February 10- MHS Social Emotional Learning Student Voice meeting
February 13-21: Students in grade 11 complete scheduling for next year
February 16- Senior Banquet at Normandy Farms
February 17- Flex-inservice day
February 20- President's Day Holiday- schools and offices closed
February 22- MHS teacher visit to NMTCC
February 22-28: Students in grade 10 complete scheduling for next year
February 23, 24, 25- Footloose the Musical
March 1- Students in grade 8 complete scheduling for next year
March 2- 8: Students in grade 9 complete scheduling for next year
March 3- Mr. Methacton
March 7- Mid-point in the 3rd marking period- interim reports sent out
March 16- Mini-thon
March 22- Student/faculty basketball game
April 4- End of the 3rd marking period
April 5- Beginning of 4th marking period
April 5-10: Spring Break
April 11- School resumes
April 21 & 22: MHS Art Show
April 26- Marking period 3 report cards posted
April 28- Prom and Post-Prom
May 1-5: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 5- Film Festival
May 10- Mid-point in the 4th marking period- interims sent out
May 16- Inservice Day
May 24- Senior Awards Night
May 25- Senior Breakfast
May 26- Flex-inservice Day
May 29- Memorial Day Holiday, schools and offices closed
June 13- Graduation, 4pm, MHS stadium
June 14- Last Day of School for Underclassmen
June 21- MP 4 report cards posted
Are you ready for Dodgeball!?!?
The Methacton Education Foundation Dodgeball Tournament is on March 26, 2023, located at the Methacton High School! The focus of this charity event is to bring the Methacton community together for a fun-filled day and to raise awareness and money for the Methacton Education Foundation.
Proceeds from the event will be used to fund grants within the Methacton School District!
Start forming your team! Registration opens in January!
Counseling Corner
SPRING 2023 SAT Registration Dates Have Been Released:
Test Dates:
- SAT: 3/11/23 (MHS Hosting); Registration Deadline: 2/24/23; Late Registration Deadline: 2/28/23
- SAT: 5/6/23; Registration Deadline: 4/21/23; Late Registration Deadline:4/24/23
- SAT: 6/3/23(MHS Hosting); Registration Deadline:5/19/23; Late Registration Deadline: 5/23/23
College Rep Visits are back in person this year! Students may sign up through Naviance, make a smart pass and then report to the area for the visit. 60 schools and counting have signed up so far!
Supports for Students & Families:
Curricular Support Room (CSR)- Room C136 (Across from the Library)
Math Help
National Honor Society Peer Tutoring
UNIVERSAL FREE BREAKFAST PROGRAM
On Friday, September 9, 2022, Governor Wolf announced a Universal Free Breakfast program for all Pennsylvania students to begin on October 1, 2022 through the end of the 2022-2023 school year. As a result, all Methacton School District students will have the option to receive breakfast each morning at no cost. Our building principals are working on a plan with Aramark to roll out this new program and will be providing additional information in the coming days. Monthly menus can always be found at: https://methacton.schooldish.com/
Methacton School District Backpack Program
How can I donate to the Backpack Program?
There are several ways you can contribute to the Backpack Program:
Collection Bins
· Donations can be dropped off (Monday thru Friday) at the Methacton High School East Wing or Arcola Intermediate School. Collection bins are located near the entrance.
Amazon
· You can place an order through Amazon and ship it directly to the High School. Please remember to select, "No Weekend Delivery." The address is:
Methacton High School
c/o Backpack Program
1005 Kriebel Mill Rd.
Eagleville, PA 19403
What items can I donate?
Individual Serving Food Items Needed
· Single serving boxes of milk (shelf-stable/not refrigerated)
· Mini Cereal Boxes
· Canned Soup (cans with "pop tops")
· Oatmeal packets or cups
· Applesauce and Fruit Cups
· Chef Boyardee, Hormel, Dinty Moore Meals, etc.
· Easy Mac Cups
· Cracker packs
· Sweet Snacks: Fruit gummies, pudding, granola bars, etc.
· Salty Snacks: Pretzel packs, Goldfish, Popcorn, etc.
· 100% Juice boxes
Methacton High School
MHS Administration
Dr. Jamie Gravinese, Principal
Dr. Paul Spiewak, 9th (P-Z) and 12th Grade Assistant Principal
Dr. Karey Kochenour 9th (A-Go) and 11th Grade Assistant Principal
Mr. Dan Bontempo 9th (Gp-O) and 10th Grade Assistant Principal
Mr. John Smink, Athletics and Activities Director
Dr. Erika Thomas, Supervisor of HS Special Education
Email: ldeegan@methacton.org
Website: www.methacton.org
Location: 1005 Kriebel Mill Road, Eagleville, PA, USA
Phone: 610-489-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MethactonSchoolDistrict/
Twitter: @Methacton