FRIDAY FOCUS

Monomoy Regional High School's Weekly Newsletter

FRIDAY FOCUSMonomoy Regional High School's Weekly Newsletter

Published: November 15, 2024

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Celebrating Education Support Professionals Day!

A message from the Health Office:

REMINDER: 10th grade health screenings start next week

REMINDER: 10th grade health screenings start next week. An email detailing these screenings was sent to 10th grade families last week. If you would like to opt your 10th grade student out of these please remember to send an email to mrhs_nurse@monomoy.edu

Pneumonia & Pertussis cases on the rise in MA

There is an increase in Pneumonia and Pertussis cases in Massachusetts. This is not cause for alarm or panic, however, we want all to be aware so you can take measures to prevent yourself and family members from becoming ill!


Mycoplasma Pneumonia (the type most commonly being seen in MA lately) is spread from person to person via respiratory droplets. Symptoms could be cough, fever, sore throat, feeling tired, short of breath, headache. Many symptoms are the same with a cold or other general illnesses. If your child has any of these symptoms that are not improving within a reasonable timeframe or seem to be becoming severe, please have your child seen by their pediatrician or go to one of the urgent care offices. Handwashing and cough covering are important for preventing spread. Children should stay home and not attend school while symptomatic.


Pertussis, also known as “whooping cough” is a highly contagious vaccine preventable respiratory illness. Pertussis illness begins with mild upper respiratory symptoms, and can progress to severe episodes of cough, often with a characteristic sounding respiratory whoop. The cough is often worse at night. Pertussis cases and symptomatic close contacts should stay home until they have completed five days of antibiotics. Please make sure your families TDaP vaccines are all up to date, as pertussis is a vaccine preventable disease.

Hand washing with soap and water or an alcohol based hand sanitizer, and covering one’s mouth when coughing and sneezing are the best ways to help spread respiratory illnesses. Thank you for doing your part in helping us keep our school community healthy and safe!


Click here for more information.

Join Monomoy's Multilingual Parent Advisory Council!

New Mass Literacy for Families and Communities resource

The Mass Literacy Guide has been empowering educators since 2020 with practical strategies and resources for preK-3 literacy. Now this hub of early literacy information includes a section designed specifically for families and communities. Families and community members can use the site to learn more about reading and writing instruction and how to support it at home.

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Monomoy Theater Company presents "Puffs"

Name of the Show: Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic


If you go: Performances of Puffs are at 7PM on Thursday, November 14th; Friday, November 15th; and on Saturday, November 16th. The show is performed in the Monomoy Regional High School Auditorium, 75 Oak Street, Harwich, MA, 02645. Ticket prices are $5 for students and $10 for the general public. Puffs is rated PG-13.


Synopsis: Puffs is the story of Wayne Hopkins: a regular boy who finds out he’s a wizard and goes to school in England where he makes two best friends and has adventures. This perhaps sounds familiar. But Wayne is sorted as a Puff; he and the other Puffs simply want to learn how to be wizards and avoid attacks from evil wizards. No matter your relationship to the series, there is something here for you. Puffs is essentially a Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead-style romp through this world of wizards. Familiar characters pop in and out, but audiences see a different side of key moments. “But don’t ruin the Potterverse form!” I hear you diehard fans shouting. Though there are plenty of references to the classic moments of the books and films, we did not take the easy route. We are fans, so we (very, very) meticulously combed through the series to make sure we never broke the rules of the world. Timelines always match up. Plus, you get new lessons and deep-cut wizard jokes. Come enjoy this spoof dedicated to “everyone never destined to save the world.”


Link to buy tickets here!

Unified Basketball

Have you heard??? Unified Basketball completed their season undefeated!


This team was simply amazing to watch. We have our Jamboree at DY on November 15th. We’d love to have your support in the stands

Student volunteers needed for Toast of Harwich

The Harwich Chamber of Commerce is looking for student volunteers to help at the Toast of Harwich at the Wequassett Resort on November 23 from approximately 5 to 9 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering, email Cyndi Williams at cyndi@harwichcc.com

Credit for Life Fair 2024

Last Friday, our Senior class participated MRHS's annual Credit for Life Fair! By using an app on their computers, students create a profile and select a future profession to determine their income. Next, students move around and visit booths to purchase everything they will need to live as young adults based on their monthly paycheck, savings account, and/or a credit card. This half-day event is a great way for students to gain a better understanding of life, finances, and expectations!


Thank you so much for everyone's incredible support for the Credit for Life Fair! It was such a successful day for our Seniors.

SAIL students & interns visit Brooks Library

SAIL interns Max, Fitz and Hoku join the SAIL students on a community outing trip to Brooks Library!

Vietnam Veteran visits MRHS

Best way to celebrate our veterans? Thank them in person, and luckily, Monomoy students got to meet, thank, and listen to First Lt. Neil Dolan, a Vietnam veteran. Our students were respectful, inquisitive, and engaged. One of the photos shows some of Lt. Dolan’s items (including his two Bronze Stars and pieces of shrapnel). Many photos were shared with the students, and Lt. Dolan answered all their questions. Many thanks to the students and teachers who came and, of course, to Lt. Dolan.

New NAHS Members

Friends of the Arts (FOTA)

Dance at Monomoy

Student volunteers needed for HES Holiday Bazaar

The Harwich Elementary PTO is in need of student volunteers to help at its annual Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, December 14. Please sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0845A9AA22A6FDC52-52389772-hesholiday#/.


If you have any questions, email Mrs. Jordan at jjordan@monomoy.edu.

Family Table Collaborative Turkey Dinners Available

SHORE Food Pantry

Bags of groceries available on Fridays

The Diversity Club, with the help of donations from the community, Stop and Shop, and Google . Org Teen Mental Health Initiative, can distribute individual bags of food on Fridays. They are handed out at the end of the day and are available to anyone who needs them. Pick up in the Main Office lobby as you are heading out to your bus!

Outer Cape Health Services Navigator School-Based Service Site

MRHS has joined with Outer Cape Health Services to offer additional support to our school community. This new project aims to increase access to community supports and clinical services for students and their families. The service will provide onsite access to OCHS navigator services and tele-behavioral and telemedicine appointments. The school-based OCHS Navigator will work alongside school personnel to help students and families to access locally-based services and resources. The Navigator program will support students in connecting to the resources that they need to improve health, wellness, and academic engagement. Navigators will provide customized case management services, ensuring that students and families are connected to the supports that they need. To learn more, click here or speak to the school's nurses or counselors.

Attention SENIORS: Senior Class Rings and Jewelry Info

Seniors Yearbook Checklist

SENIOR PORTRAITS

  • LIFETOUCH/PRESTIGE PORTRAITS: If you got your photo taken with Lifetouch/Prestige Portraits please login to your account and select your chosen pose for the yearbook. If you need help doing this please see Mrs. Francesconi in the Main Office and she will select it for you. I will need the 4-digit pose code you prefer.
  • OTHER PHOTOGRAPHER: If you filled out the senior exemption form to provide your OWN senior portrait, please make sure to email your portrait to me anytime and definitely by Friday, November 22nd.


BABY PHOTO


SENIOR PARAGRAPH & QUOTE


ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK

  • We are offering a $10 discount on yearbooks for seniors until 12/31/24. Be sure to get yours! More details on how to purchase on the checklist attached.
  • If you need financial assistance to purchase a yearbook please email Mrs. Francesconi (kfrancesoni@monomoy.edu).


As mentioned above, all items for the yearbook are due by Friday, November 22nd! This deadline is incredibly important so we can meet our own deadlines with the yearbook publisher. Anything turned in after the deadline will not make it into the yearbook. Please let me know if you have any questions!


Senior Yearbook Checklist is attached.


Best Regards,
Katie Francesconi
MRHS Yearbook Advisor

Parenting Solutions Library

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Student Council: Thanksgiving Food Drive

Student Council is excited to announce our Thanksgiving Food Drive. From November 1-15 we will have multiple boxes around the school where you can drop off canned food. Every donation will be going to the Family Pantry of Cape Cod.

Robotics Club: Holiday Wreath Fundraiser


Or, see a Robotics Team member to order!

Interact Club: Winter Clothing Drive

Monomoy Interact Club is collecting warm clothing for Cape Cod residents via the StreetReach program. We'll have boxes outside the high school library and cafeteria. Adult clothing only (new or gently used.)

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Intern of the Week: Olivia Wragg

"I have really been enjoying my internship at Today Real Estate! I have a fabulous mentor, and I am comfortable asking questions whenever I need help. I have been taking photos of properties, editing before-and-after pictures, and listening in on calls with mortgage brokers. I work in the field and in the real estate office. I am learning so much about the real estate process and how many steps—and people—it takes to buy or sell a home." -Olivia Wragg

ATTENTION: Eighth Graders!

Are you interested in applying to Cape Cod Tech? On Tuesday December 3rd from 9am-1pm, we will be hosting a field trip to CCT! Students will be able to tour the school and learn more about the tech programs.


Please stop by the guidance office to pick up a permission slip. A signed permission slip is REQUIRED to attend the field trip and must be returned to Ms. Beebe by 11/25/24 at 3:15pm. Email Ms. Beebe with any questions/concerns at jenna.beebe@monomoy.edu.

Upcoming SAT Date

The final SAT test date for 2024 is Saturday, December 7. You must register by Friday, November 22nd.


(Late registration deadline is November 26, 2024. Additional fees may apply.)

United States Naval Academy: Admissions Forum

This USNA Admissions Event on November 30th in Falmouth, MA. They will have MIDSHIPMAN, Blue & Gold Officers, Congressional Staff, and more. Open to 9, 10, 11 and 12th grade high school students, parents, and college students interested.

https://youtu.be/rAlsfQrmsBs?si=e60LRFdJbEJE-v5G
MRSD Cape Cod Community Resources
This document is updated regularly! Please check for amazing resources available to the MRSD community.

Follow us on Social Media!

INSTAGRAM: @MonomoyGuidance

Wishing you health and safety,

The MRHS Counseling Team

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MRHS Fall/Winter Sports Update

The fall season is wrapping up in the next few weeks and we will be looking to start winter sports the Monday after Thanksgiving.

Two Important Reminders for High School Fall and Winter Athletes and Families:

1. Meet The Winter Coaches Night: Monday, November 18th at 6:00pm in the MRHS Auditorium

2. Fall Sports Awards Night: Monday, November 25th at 6:00pm in the MRHS Auditorium (All fall athletes and their families are invited)

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Athletic Office.

Monomoy Athletics is on Instagram

Follow us on instagram: @monomoyathletics

Monomoy All Sports Booster Club Merch Store is open!

Click here to access the Monomoy All Sports Booster Club's merch store: https://monomoy-merch.printify.me/products

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School Bus Drivers Wanted!

MRHS Attendance Form

To report your child's absence, tardy, or upcoming dismissal please use the following link:

https://mrhs.monomoy.edu/attendance

Friday Focus Archive

Did you know? Past issues of the Friday Focus can be found on our website:

https://mrhs.monomoy.edu/news/friday-focus

MRHS Student/Parent Handbook

Monomoy Regional High School operations and activities are guided by Monomoy Regional School District policies and school-specific procedures. The MRHS Handbook is a resource for families and students, providing information and guidelines for a variety of topics. If you have additional questions not covered here, contact MRHS at (508) 430-7200.

https://mrhs.monomoy.edu/parent-caregiver-resources/school-handbook

Monomoy News & Social Media

Updates, school news, pictures & MORE!


MRSD Latest News/Updates: https://www.monomoy.edu/our-district/latest-news

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monomoyschools

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monomoyregion

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@monomoyschools

Official Monomoy Regional SD App: Download from App Store or Google Play

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Monomoy Regional High School
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