The Family "Celebration" Chronicle
December, 2024
A Message From The Principal
Greetings Margaretta Middle & High School Families,
We hope you had a relaxing Thanksgiving break filled with family, friends, and great memories. As we approach the final weeks of the semester, I want to take a moment to reflect on some incredible events and achievements at Margaretta Middle and High School.
On November 11th, we had the privilege of hosting a special Veterans Day Program to honor the brave men and women who have served our country. It was a meaningful occasion for our school community to express gratitude and reflect on the sacrifices made by our Veterans. Thank you to all who joined us in making this day so special.
Our Career Connections class recently had the opportunity to visit Terra State Community College for the "Total Patient Encounter." This hands-on experience allowed students to explore allied health programs such as Health Care Administration, Medical Assisting, Nursing, and Health Information Technologies through interactive lab tours and activities. We are so grateful to Terra State for giving our students this insightful experience that connected classroom learning to real-world career opportunities.
In our 6th-grade social studies classes, students brought history to life with a unique and engaging lesson on ancient Egypt. Through a hands-on activity, they explored the mummification process by creating "mummies" out of hot dogs. From removing "organs" to wrapping their creations in "linen" and placing them in custom sarcophagi, students combined history and science to gain a deeper understanding of ancient Egyptian culture and the importance of preservation and the afterlife.
Our teachers also had a valuable professional development day, where nearly 300 educators from 23 school districts came together to learn from Behavior and Mental Health Specialist Missy McClain from Akron Children’s Hospital. This training focused on strategies to support student well-being and emphasized the importance of self-care for educators.
Thank you to all the families who attended conferences; your partnership and involvement are invaluable to your student’s success. Strong connections between school and home play a crucial role in supporting academic achievement and personal growth. We appreciate your dedication to working with us to ensure the best opportunities for our students to grow.
Winter sports are now underway, and we are excited to cheer on our Polar Bear athletes as they compete this season. In addition, we look forward to celebrating the arts with our upcoming holiday choir and band concerts, as well as two performances of the high school theatre production of "Mutually Assured Destruction: 10 Plays About Brothers and Sisters."
Finally, we were thrilled to launch our new Chill Zone Activity Hour on Tuesday, November 26th. This exciting opportunity offers students the chance to connect with peers and teachers who share similar interests, fostering community and exploration. Our goal is for every student to feel connected and engaged in our school community. Students were asked to select a group of their interest they wished to be a part of such as yoga, fishing, t-shirt making, crocheting, gardening, gaming, etc. Students will participate in their activity monthly to help foster a sense of involvement and belonging at Margaretta. We look forward to seeing the meaningful connections, creativity, and excitement this program will bring for our students.
Thank you for your continued support of Margaretta Middle and High School. Together, we are creating an amazing community where learning, growth, and connections thrive.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, concerns or need further information about upcoming events at 419-684-5351 or at jtheis@margarettaschooldistrict.com.
Dr. Jennifer Theis
SAVE THE DATE
Main Office Information
Attendance reminders: Please email jmorriscox@margarettaschooldistrict.com or call 419-684-5351 to report your child’s absence. Dr. Notes can be emailed to jmorriscox@margarettaschooldistrict.com or dropped off in the student services office.
Enjoy your holiday break with your family!
Registrar and Testing Information
We will give the Juniors (class of 2026) the ACT on February 25, 2025. The test is now optional for Juniors. Please complete the form using the link below on or before December 2nd, 2024, and let us know if your student will or will not be taking the ACT.
High Counselor's Corner
Buckeye Girls State
Buckeye Girls State is a week-long program designed to educate Ohio's young women in the duties, privileges, rights, and responsibilities of good citizenship. By getting involved in the process, BGS delegates learn more about city, county, and state government in one week than they will in an entire semester of high school.
This year's experience will be at BGSU main campus from June 8th through June 14th.
Our local American Legion will be sponsoring junior female students from our school district this year. We will have an informational meeting on December 3, 2024 at MHS. Interested students are invited to the official Buckeye Girls State website www.ohiobuckeyegirlsstate.org to explore opportunities Girls State can offer.
Buckeye Boys State
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024 Representatives from The American Legion will be here to meet with all Junior boys. They will have a presentation by The Legion and three Margaretta students that attended Boys State last year.
The Ohio American Legion presents the American Legion Buckeye Boys State program at Miami University. June 8 - 15, 2025. Interested students are invited to the official Buckeye Boys State website www.ohiobuckeyeboysstate.com to explore opportunities Boys State can offer.
If students are interested in signing up for Buckeye Boys State please let Mrs. Lott know. You can do so in person or send an email to hlott@margarettaschooldistrict.com. We will then give your name to our local representative and he will contact you.
Below you will find some further information about these two experiences.
As a junior, within a year students will be headed for college, the military, or the pursuit of a vocation. The summer of 2025 will be a pivotal one in many ways as students prepare themselves for their futures. These programs can assist students in their preparations by providing an experience of living in a college environment; learning of leadership and management skills to serve in any career path and; the formation of friendships which may last a lifetime; combined with teaching about a vital part of every citizen’s life; how our Government operates and functions.
Job Shadow Opportunities
Students have the opportunity to participate in job shadows. A job shadow allows students to observe, first-hand, what a job/career is like in the workplace by visiting an actual work site. Students will gain a better understanding of the identified career and may begin to make connections between their talents, skills, and interests and the career. Over all the job shadow experience will help students make viable educational and career choices.
If students are interested in participating in a job shadow they should see Mrs. Lott to discuss student responsibilities and to obtain an informational packet.
Scholarship Information
Please refer to our Guidance website for scholarship information including scholarship application procedure, scholarship application tips and all current available scholarships through our office.
Our website can be accessed by completing the following steps:
log on to the Margaretta website at Margarettaschooldistrict.com
Go to the breadcrumb trail across the top titled Parents/Students and click on this.
You will then see a list of available options. Follow the list down and click on Guidance.
Once you click on Guidance you will see our page.
For the most recent scholarships please click on Scholarship Program Link. You will then see the available scholarships organized by name, eligibility requirements, deadlines and application availability.
Mrs. Lott, High School Counselor
Middle School Counselor's Corner
SAVE the DATE
Make plans to visit us on January 30 for our Explore your Future: Enlist, Enroll, and Engage Night! We will be offering new and exciting information regarding the transition from 8th grade to High School as well as our scheduling process and graduation requirements!
Mental Health Concerns
Just a reminder to reach out to school counselors with concerns for your child. We also have Family Health Services available in our building. Contact information is found on the Margaretta website at www.margarettaschooldistrict.com
If you have questions or concerns about your student(s), please contact me at hwiley@margarettaschooldistrict.com or call the MS/HS office at 419-684-5351.
Mrs. Wiley, Middle School Counselor
Upcoming Dates
December 2nd - MARMO Meeting @ 6:00 p.m.
December 2nd Athletic Booster Meeting @ 7:00 p.m.
December 7th - OhGo Food Drive 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
December 11th - Academic Challenge @ EHOVE 9:45 a.m.
December 13th - HS Theatre Production of "Mutually Assured Destruction: 10 Plays About Brothers and Sisters" @ 7:00 p.m.
December 15th - HS Theatre Production of "Mutually Assured Destruction: 10 Plays About Brothers and Sisters" @ 2:00 p.m.
December 16th Board Meeting @ 6:30 p.m.
December 17th - Middle School Holiday Concert @ 6:00 p.m.
December 18th - High School Holiday Concert @ 7:00 p.m.
December 23rd - Winter Break Begins