The Methuen High School DECA Chapter returned home triumphant on Saturday, March 1, from the 66th annual Massachusetts DECA State Career Development Conference (SCDC) at the Westin Seaport and Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) with 5 students qualifying for the International Career Development Conference (ICDC) in Orlando, FL.

Sixty Three Methuen High School students joined over 4,000 students, advisors, and business professionals for the 3-day conference where students competed in over 50 categories of marketing, hospitality, finance, and entrepreneurship. Methuen DECA earned 10 Top-12 Finalist medallions, and 5 State Champion trophies. The State Conference theme was Chart Your Course (Click here to view the Program Booklet).

This achievement is particularly noteworthy, as only about 10% of students competing at the state level qualify for nationals, making this a significant milestone in MHS DECA history. These 5 students are believed to be the 2nd and 3rd groups in MHS History to qualify for this prestigious event. We are so proud of all our participants and their dedication to excellence. Congratulations to everyone involved!

The SCDC took place from February 27 to March 1 with preliminary rounds on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, finals on Friday afternoon, and the Grand Awards on Saturday morning. Students participated in one of three types of competition:

Role Play Competition: In the preliminary round, all role-play competitors took a 100-question comprehensive exam then performed 2 role-plays with business professionals who volunteer as judges. Role-plays ask students to solve a problem and present their solution to the judge while covering specific performance indicators.

Written Projects: In the preliminary round, project competitors wrote a 10 or 20 page paper then presented their work to the judge. Written projects include project management, operations research, and entrepreneurial business plans.

Hybrid Competition: Hybrid competition includes the Integrated Marketing Campaigns and Professional Selling Events. In the preliminary round, Integrated Marketing competitors took a 100-question test, submitted a 10 page paper proposing a 45-day marketing campaign, then presented their campaign to a judge. Professional selling competitors took a 100-question test then presented their sales research in the areas of finance, hospitality or marketing to a judge.

The Top 12 competitors from the preliminary round advanced to the finals, where their previous role-play and presentation scores were dropped. In the finals, competitors performed one more role-play or presentation to determine their ranking in the Top 12. At the Grand Awards, trophies were awarded to the Top 7 in role-plays and Top 6 in written projects and hybrids and those students qualified for ICDC in Orlando, FL.

State Finalist- Role Play

Jane Lawley- Marketing Communication

State Finalist- Written Paper

Tanzim Mahmud, Tayabb Afzal , Amir Metry Samour,- Business Growth Plan

Alvin Ngyuen- Independent Business Plan

National Qualifier- Written Paper

Maya Tourkantonis, Callie Ryan, Lily Giard - Business Growth Plan

Ella Benson, Taylor Prokop- Business Solutions

DECA is a co-curricular organization of high school students that builds transferable skills for college and career with over 200,000 members in all 50 states, four US territories, Canada, Mexico, Germany, Korea, and more. DECA helps students develop skills for successful careers, builds self-esteem, provides leadership opportunities, and stresses community involvement and service.

The Methuen High DECA Program is led by Joshua Rogato and Clare Thompson , DECA Advisors & Business Teachers. The experience would not be possible without the support of faculty and staff volunteers who donated their time to chaperone the trip: Brittney Souza, Christopher Homsey, Glenda Javier and Maureen Melanson.

To learn more about DECA, visit www.deca.org and www.madeca.org.

Congratulations to the Methuen High School Red Rangers on their 4-1 quarter finals win against Malden Catholic Thursday, March 6 2025. The Red Rangers move on to the final 4 and will face Bishop Stang Saturday March 8 at 7:15pm at the Gallo Arena in Bourne, MA. Go Red Rangers!

Congratulations to the 523 scholars who were able to attain honor roll for marking period 2. The honor roll list is comprised of two categories(high honors & honors). High honors is achieved if a scholar has earned all A's. Honors is achieved if is achieved if a scholar has earned A's and up to four B's. Please find attached a list of all of our marking period 2 honors scholars.

Students in Mrs. Boudries' chemistry classes are learning about metallic bonding and alloys. They made "gold" pennies by first plating them with zinc to turn them a silver color and then heating them in the Bunsen burner to form a golden colored brass alloy on the surface.

Shown are students from Mrs. Boudries' block 7 class with their gold pennies.

On Saturday March 8th 2025, we formally invite you to the annual Coffee House at Methuen High School! There will be two showings, one at 2pm and another at 6pm. Tickets will be $8 for students, $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, and children 6 and under enter free of charge. There will be complimentary coffee and baked goods with snacks will also be available for purchase priced $1 each. The location will be the cafeteria at Methuen High, with a fun and decorative decades theme. Come enjoy some fan favorite songs such as ‘California Dreaming’ by The Mama’s & The Papa’s and “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder, we hope to see you there!

With the approval of the Methuen High School Program of Studies by the school committee on Monday February 10, 2025, we have been working hard to prepare ourselves for school year 2025-2026 course requests/selections. Please find the full write-up of everything you need to know about course request/selections HERE-English, HERE-Spanish.

Below are the MHS Athletics Spring Sports Tryout Schedule for the 2025 Season. For more information, please see the contact information for the teams coach or reach out to MHS Athletic Director Tom Ryan at tsryan@methuen.k12.ma.us

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has published the 2024 school and district report cards, which contain information about school and district performance on a variety of measures. Visit the website and search for the school or district. These report cards are now available in multiple languages using the drop-down menu.

The MCAS test was recently voted to no longer count towards attainment of the state of Massachusetts competency determination standards. Any former student in the MHS class of 2003-2024 who did not earn a diploma as a result of not meeting expectations for competency determination, is eligible to apply for a transcript review. Upon review if they met Methuen Public Schools updated expectations for competency determination, they will be eligible for a class of 2025 diploma. For more information on the expectations for competency determination or how to apply for a transcript review, click HERE.

Our Rangers are entering tournament play. For updated information on tournament schedules as they are released, please visit the Ranger Athletic Schedule or the MIAA website for more information as the playoff schedule/format comes out.

We are excited to support MHS Athletics throughout the winter months. When attending events, please adhere to the following expectations:

• Cheer positively for the Rangers and be respectful of the coaches, opponents, officials, and guests.
• Inappropriate language and behavior will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the event.
• Backpacks are not allowed. If there is a need to bring a bag, it may be subject to search.
• If you leave the facility, you may not reenter.
• School rules apply for all MHS students attending school-sponsored, extracurricular events, whether at MHS or another location. Violations of the MHS code of conduct, as outlined in the student handbook, may result in disciplinary consequences.

We look forward to an enjoyable season. Go Rangers!

The Methuen Scholarship Foundation is thrilled to announce its 34th Annual Scholarship Telethon Fundraiser, scheduled for March 18th and 19th in the Methuen High School Auditorium. This event will be televised on Comcast, Verizon, and Verizon HD.

Since 1973, the Foundation has proudly awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving Methuen High School seniors pursuing higher education. This reflects the strength of our community coming together to invest in the future of our students.

We are reaching out to local businesses, organizations, and individuals to support our fundraising initiatives by sponsoring the telethon or donating auction/raffle items for our fundraising events for the Senior Class of 2025.

Raffle and auction items will be featured in multiple events, including the Telethon, Music Bingo Night (to be held on May 3rd at the VFW Post 8349 in Methuen), and other fundraisers. Your contributions enhance these events and ensure we can continue providing vital scholarships.

All businesses that donate will be recognized during the Telethon and on social media. Viewers will be encouraged to support our generous contributors, showcasing your commitment to the Methuen community.

Donations can be mailed to:
Methuen Scholarship Foundation
P.O. Box 2005
Methuen, MA 01844

You can also email us to arrange a donation pickup. Should you have any questions, please reach out via email. Our Tax-Exempt ID is: 46-4500729

Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of Methuen High School seniors.

Sincerely,

Ann Shapiro

Treasurer

Methuen Scholarship Foundation

Students,

Interested in showcasing your culture to the MHS community? Please fill out this form if you are interested in representing your culture at an in-school Multicultural Showcase on April 17, 2025. This will be an opportunity for you to share any aspect of your culture: arts/crafts, dance, music, clothing, cultural objects, information, language, performance, etc. This is NOT a final decision, we are looking to see which cultures could be represented by our student body. In an effort to give all students and cultures equal opportunity, we will be asking interested students/groups to submit a proposal in order to be considered for the showcase.

Location: Amherst, MA

Mascot: Sam the Minuteman

Minimum GPA: no strict minimum but taken into consideration

SAT: 1310-1460

ACT: 29-33

Enrollment:

Undergraduate students: 23,694

Graduate students: 7,874

University of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large, 4-year, public university. This coed college is located in a large town in a suburban setting and is primarily a residential campus. It offers certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. This college has an acceptance rate of 58% and a graduation rate of 83%.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst is the flagship campus of the Commonwealth, combining the academic resources of a nationally-ranked research university with the support and individualized attention usually reserved for a small college. Students come from 50 states and over 80 countries, making this New England campus a national and international center for intellectual and cultural activity. With over 110 associates and bachelor's degree programs, UMass Amherst offers its students a wide array of academic disciplines and nationally-known programs of study, including the Bachelor's Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC), which allows students to create their own major. The 1,400 outstanding full-time faculty are the best in their fields and they take teaching seriously. Students complement their classroom work with internships, co-ops, and research, working side-by-side with their faculty. Students take what they learn in the classroom and apply it in the studio, the lab, the concert hall, and the field. With this intersection of learning and doing, students find their intellectual voice and independence. The Commonwealth Honors College Residential Complex is a national model and welcomes students who seek additional academic challenge and meet the requirements for acceptance. The extensive library system is the largest at any public institution in the Northeast, and offers students a state-of-the-art learning environment through the Learning Commons, a place that fosters academic collaboration. The campus is undergoing a facilities renaissance, with new cutting edge academic buildings that emphasize team-based learning. UMass Amherst is also ranked one of the most sustainable "green" campuses in the country. UMass Amherst competes in NCAA Division I Intercollegiate Athletics. Students attend every home game free in regular season, and wear their Minutemen and Minutewomen maroon proudly. All students can work out at the immensely popular Recreation Center, and any student who enjoys athletic competition can participate in an extensive intramural sports program. UMass Dining Services is consistently ranked top in the country with students and families raving about the food.

Schedule your visit

Virtual Tour

What do Veterinarians do?

Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.

What tasks do Veterinarians perform?

• Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.

• Inoculate animals against various diseases, such as rabies or distemper.

• Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries.

• Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.

What do Veterinarians need to know?

Medicine and Dentistry

• Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Biology

• Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Customer and Personal Service

• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

What skills do Veterinarians need?

Reading Comprehension

• Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Active Listening

• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Active Learning

• Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Median Yearly Income: $115,978

Income Percentile

Income Low (10%)$66,969

Median (50%)$115,978

High (90%)$215,292

Most Common Education Level: Doctoral Degree or more

High school diploma or less 0.00%

Certificate 0.00%

Some college 0.00%

Associate degree 0.00%

Bachelor's degree 0.00%

Master's or professional degree 9.10%

Doctoral degree or more 90.90%

Projected Job Growth: +14.88%

Looking for guidance on what college might be a good fit for you? How about a career that might interest you? Need financial support to help you get there? HERE is a great resource to help you get to YOUR BIG FUTURE! As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school counselor for more support.

Seniors,

We would love to highlight where you are committing to for college. Please share your admittance letter with main office secretary Ellie Sicard and we will get you added to our newsletter.

At Methuen High School we strive to connect our students with the college, careers that they are considering. With that we have begun to invite outside organizations into our school to promote their respective military branch, educational institution, and/or career field. HERE is a list of scheduled upcoming visits. Please make sure to check back as this is a working document.

Attention students in the classes of 2026 - 2028, Brown University offers a Pre-College Program designed for high school students to explore the challenges and opportunities of the college experience. You’ll enjoy the excitement and responsibility that comes from balancing challenging academics and enriching social activities—without the pressure of formal grades.

The 2025 Brown Pre-College application opens on January 15, 2025. Click on the Learn More to learn more on important details and specifics about the various programs offered, including our Application Checklist!

The Methuen Scholarship Foundation raises thousands of dollars each year to award directly to the senior class! This year as part of the MSF's annual Telethon that will be broadcasted live on Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., we will be creating a video that highlights each member of the class of 2025. Check out this example video clip!

We are asking for each member of the senior class to submit a 15-20 second video that includes a few of the following about themselves:

• your full name

• clubs or activities you participate in

• post secondary plans - college major/what you will be studying, technical training/program you plan to enrolling in, schools you will be or would like to attend, military commitments and/or job goals

• a thank you/shoutout to a teacher, family member or coach

When recording please keep in mind to:

• leave two seconds at the beginning and end of your video to help with our editing

• Hold your camera horizontally

• have the camera in landscape(left to right) not in portrait (long up and down)

• speak loudly and clearly

• avoid unnecessary camera movement & zooming

• have another person do the recording or position the camera away from you slightly, avoid holding your phone or iPad out with your arm

Once complete, submit your video directly to Mrs. Javier at gajavier@methuen.k12.ma.us or on the designated Google Classroom

Are you looking for scholarship opportunities? Are you a rock star in Math? Check out this opportunity to earn a scholarship through the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Massachusetts.

This document contains important information about Senior Week and other senior activities. There will be more detailed information provided as well as sign-up forms for each activity. Please take a moment to look it over and reach out with any questions you may have.

Only 141 more calendar days until graduation day!! Seniors…it will go by fast so get the grades and make the memories!!

On Thursday January 9, 2025 MHS held its annual Senior Scholarship Information Night. If you missed it please check out the MHS Scholarship Process Information Sheet HERE, and the Class of 2025 Scholarship presentation HERE

All information regarding the MHS Class of 2025 Yearbook, including guidelines and deadlines can be found in this document. For questions about the yearbook and senior photo submissions please contact the MHS Yearbook Advisor, Ms. Varasconi.

Reminder for Senior Parents + Guardians:

The deadline to submit a Congrats ad in the yearbook has been extended to Monday March 10. To purchase ad space and order the yearbook, head to buytheyearbook.com and use school ID: 726143. For any questions, please email Ms. Varasconi at jevarasconi@methuen.k12.ma.us

We are asking that all seniors please take a moment to check Infinite Campus and make sure that their name appears correctly in our system. This is what we will be using for their diploma and it is important that the name appears correctly. If there is a mistake in the name or the spelling, please email Mrs. Javier immediately (gajavier@methuen.k12.ma.us) so that it can be corrected.

If you are looking to make a contribution or know of someone who may be interested in making a contribution to the Methuen Scholarship Foundation, please check out the attached images on how to contribute a gift, and/or a monetary contribution.

The Academic Support Center (ASC) is available for students to get extra help/tutoring to complete their coursework. The ASC, staffed with certified MHS teachers, will be open from 2:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday in the Media Center. Students who desire a quiet space to complete assignments individually may also access the center. All students are encouraged to have conversations with their teachers about completing assignments and utilizing the ASC.

All electronics including cellphones, smartwatches, and headphones are to be away during instructional time. Teachers have been provided clear pocket holders. Best practice would be to store electronics in the provided pocket holder. This is a students best method for ensuring that the electronics do not come out during instructional time. If electronics do not go into the pocket holder they should remain away for the duration of the period. This includes if students leave the room on a pass. If electronics are out for any reason, teachers have been instructed to assign a teacher detention and to communicate with parents/guardians. During transitions and lunches we are okay with students using their electronics so long as it is done so responsibly. This means at no point should students be taking video's, or pictures, and/or making social media posts, and one headphone should be out so that students can hear staff in the event that they need to speak to them. Teachers have been reviewing all expectations over the past few days to support student understanding of these very essential expectations. We want to reiterate that while many schools are going to full electronics bans in schools. That is not how we want things to be for our students. Our goal is for everyone to use technology appropriately, and with our 1-1 iPad initiative, there is no reason for personal electronics to be out during instructional periods. We appreciate your understanding on why this is important, and we appreciate students cooperation with following this policy so that teachers can provide your children with the learning opportunities that they deserve free of the distractions that come with technology.

Looking for updates on what's happening around MHS. Check out Methuen Minutes.

Episode 9

Episode 8

Episode 7

Episode 6

Episode 5- Holiday Special

Episode 4

Episode 3

Episode 2

Episode 1

Seeking New Members

The Mental Health Parent & Student Advisory Council was formed in order to give students and

parents a voice regarding the mental health initiative in Methuen. The goals of the MHPSAC will

be to identify steps to reduce stigma related to mental health problems, promote health and

wellbeing through increased awareness and prevention, improve students’ access to and use of

mental health services and supports, and continue to strengthen and unify our community

regarding mental health awareness and access to quality services and supports.

Interested students and parents/guardians are encouraged to join these monthly, virtual

sessions to engage in discussion and collaborative planning that will guide the continued design

and implementation of social emotional and mental health services and supports across

Methuen Public Schools. This year, we are especially interested in expanding membership of

the council to include students and caregivers in grades 5-8.

If you are interested in joining the Mental Health Parent & Student Advisory Council, please

email John Crocker, Director of School Mental Health & Behavioral Services at

jncrocker@methuen.k12.ma.us. The meeting dates and times for the 24-25 school year are

listed below:

March 26 (4:45-5:30)

April 30 (4:45-5:30)

May 28 (4:45-5:30)

The student newspaper club (The Blue & White) finished their first issue of the paper this week. Check it out HERE.

For more information how to connect to Infinite Campus, or how to update personal information, click HERE

Daily Schedule

Early Release Schedule

Two Hour Delay Schedule

Lunch Schedule

For more information on parking expectations and how to purchase a permit, click HERE.

For more information on bussing, parent drop-off, and pick-up, click HERE

For more information on student attendance, tardies, dismissal, and credit denial policies, please click HERE

MHS Handbook

MHS Website

MHS Program of Studies

MHS Twitter Page- @MPS_MethuenHigh

Methuen Public Schools has secured a resource to support matching students, staff, and their families to mental health services. Care Solace draws on a national database of mental health providers and manages complete coordination of the service matching process all the way through to intake. Support is available in multiple languages for all forms of insurance 24/7/365.

This service can be accessed confidentially without informing any MPS staff. Click here to access the Methuen webpage to search for mental health services and begin the matching process. Students under the age of 18 will need the consent of their caregivers to begin the process of accessing mental health services.

The family letters, available in English and Spanish, describe how individuals can initiate a referral. Thank you for partnering with MPS as we work to ensure all students and families receive quality and timely support.

For more information on Care Solace, watch this video HERE

Have a child that you are concerned may be experimenting with substances? HERE are some resources that may help with supporting our youth. For more information on resources/support that MHS may be able to provide, please reach out to their school counselor or grade level AP.

Addressing substance use without understanding the role of mental health is like solving half the puzzle. Often, when a student is struggling with one, the other follows. For many young people, substance use becomes a way to manage emotional challenges they can’t easily express. Please see the article The Impact of Mental Health on Youth Substance Abuse article for more information.

Every student at MHS can access support from the School Counseling Department for problems large and small. Counselors do not only assist students with postsecondary planning and academics. All school counselors are licensed professionals who provide free, confidential counseling services to students to address mental health concerns, personal problems, conflicts, and crises. If a student is struggling with a personal issue, needs help supporting a friend, or simply needs advice about how to manage a stressful situation, please reach out to the School Counseling Department. Families are encouraged to reach out to counseling staff to request support for their student (including group and individual counseling services), request assistance navigating difficult situations and family crises, and learn about how to access community resources. Counselors are available throughout the school day and can be contacted in person and through email. Students can simply visit the counseling office or reach out in any way they feel comfortable and a counselor will provide the help they are looking for.

• Counseling Department Services (English; Español)

• Counseling Department Overview (English; Español)

• Mental Health Screening FAQ for Students

• Student Mental Health Resources Organized by Topic

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the appropriate grade-level associate principal for assistance. Communication along with a strong partnership between families and the school will provide students with the necessary support to be successful throughout high school.

Glenda Javier - Grade 12 AP gajavier@methuen.k12.ma.us (978) 722-6040 ext. 2623

Matthew Curran - Interim Grade 11 AP mwcurran@methuen.k12.ma.us (978) 722-6040 ext. 2363

Jackie Rubino - Grade 10 AP jerubino@methuen.k12.ma.us (978) 722-6040 ext. 2362

Kevin O’Loughlin - Grade 9 AP knoloughlin@methuen.k12.ma.us (978) 722-6040 ext. 2669

March 2025

Saturday, March 8, 2025:

• SAT Exam
• Coffee House

Thursday, March 13, 2025:

• Connections
• Winter Athletic Awards Ceremony

Saturday, March 15, 2025:

• JROTC Drill Competition
• Winterguard Friends & Family Show
• AP Science Mock Exam

Sunday, March 16, 2025:

• Winterguard Friends & Family Show

Monday, March 17, 2025:

• Department Meetings

Tuesday, March 18-Wednesday, March 19, 2025:

• Methuen Scholarship Foundation Telethon

Friday, March 21, 2025:

• Early Release - Professional Development

Saturday, March 22, 2025:

• AP Science & Math Mock Exams

Tuesday, March 25 - Wednesday, March 26, 2025:

• Grade 10 ELA MCAS

Wednesday, March 26, 2025:

• District Band Jamboree

Thursday, March 27, 2025:

• MHS Connections
• MHS Future Freshman Night

Friday, March 28, 2025:

• JROTC Military Ball

April 2025

Thursday, April 3, 2025:

• MHS Thinkfast Interactive Safe Driving Assembly (Juniors)

Friday, April 4, 2025:

• End of Marking Period 3

Saturday, April 4, 2025:

• JROTC Drill Competition

Monday, April 7, 2025:

• Faculty Meeting

Tuesday, April 8, 2025:

• MHS Connections

Thursday, April 10, 2025:

• MHS Junior Prom

Friday, April 11 - Saturday, April 12, 2025:

• Spring Musical

Wednesday, April 16, 2025:

• MHS Report Cards Released

Thursday, April 17, 2025:

• MHS Multicultural Festival
• MHS Early Release (Professional Development)

Friday, April 18, 2025:

• Good Friday-No School

Monday, April 21-Friday April 25, 2025:

• MHS Spring Recess- No School

Monday, April 28, 2025:

• MHS School Resumes

Wednesday, April 20, 2025:

• MHS Connections

Are you interested in supporting our students by working in the Methuen Public Schools? Click here to view employment opportunities. Please contact Director of Human Resources Colleen McCarthy by email at cnmccarthy@methuen.k12.ma.us or by phone at (978) 722-6013 with questions.