Trojan Times Parent Newsletter

We are thrilled to celebrate McDowell’s own Rob Hodgson, who was recently honored as one of the 12 finalists for the 2025 National State Teacher of the Year (NSTOY) for Pennsylvania! I had the pleasure of attending the NSTOY conference with Rob earlier this month in Hershey, PA, where his dedication and excellence in education were recognized on a state level.

With 14 years of experience teaching academic, honors, and AP Chemistry and AP Research, Rob’s background is impressive. A biochemistry graduate with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa, Rob transitioned into teaching after earning his education degree from Edinboro University. He has since become a cornerstone of our school, earning recognition as McDowell’s Teacher of the Year and receiving Edinboro University’s Golden Apple Award in 2018.

Rob is celebrated for his commitment to student success, having developed the AP Research program at McDowell, which has opened doors for students to secure opportunities in prestigious research labs. He continues to mentor and advocate for his students long after they graduate, fostering a growth mindset and an inclusive environment where all students can excel. Outside the classroom, Rob also mentors new educators, supports AP programs in other districts, and serves as one of McDowell’s robotics coaches.

Rob's passion for teaching, his innovative leadership, and his unwavering commitment to student growth make him an invaluable asset to our McDowell community. We are incredibly proud of him and grateful for his continued impact on our students and the broader educational community. Please join me in congratulating Rob on this well-deserved recognition!

As we celebrate Rob’s achievements, I also want to take this opportunity to wish all our school families a wonderful holiday season. May this time be filled with joy, peace, and time spent with loved ones.

Happy Holidays!

Sandra Means, Principal

New this year at McDowell is SAT School Day Testing! On Friday, April 25th, juniors will have the opportunity to take the SAT during the school day. Registration will be available through a Google form emailed to all juniors in January. The exam fee is $68, payable through the school store on Infinite Campus after registration.

Participation is optional, and students must register using the Google form—registration cannot be completed on SAT.org. This convenient option allows students to take the SAT in a familiar setting without the need for weekend scheduling. Be on the lookout for the registration email in January!

Instant Decision Day is an exciting chance for students to meet with admissions representatives from PennWest University and potentially receive an admission decision immediately. This event will be at McDowell on December 17th; it can simplify the college application process and offer students quick clarity about their college options.

Even if students are still exploring their plans, applying on Instant Decision Day keeps doors open and expands their choices for the future. Interested students should sign up in the McDowell High School Guidance Office to take advantage of this valuable opportunity! No application fee!

Please do not forget to order your child’s cap and gown through the school store tab on Infinite Campus. Each height option includes three weight categories, so please select the size that best fits your child’s height and weight. The current price is $45.00 but will increase to $55.00 on January 1st.

If you have any questions, please email Nicole Maciulewicz at nmaciulewicz@mtsd.org or have your child stop by room 128. Thank you for your attention to this important detail!

~The Senior Class Advisors

Nicole Maciulewicz and Kyle Bucholtz

As we embrace the holiday season, it is the perfect time to nurture gratitude in our children. Our featured article, 10 Tips for Raising Grateful Kids, offers practical strategies to help families cultivate appreciation and kindness in everyday life. Discover simple ways to inspire a mindset of thankfulness that lasts well beyond the holidays!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dr. Kim Quirk, School Psychologist (quirk@mtsd.org).

Honors Spanish 4 is learning the history of art in Spain and started at the true beginning! The Caves of Altamira, with prehistoric art dating as far back as 35,000 BCE, holds fascination for art aficionados and historians alike. The class was given the task of creating an informational display to educate the Honors Spanish 3 class on this amazing site. After brainstorming and collaborating, the students devised a plan to recreate the caves in our classroom complete with their own artwork, informational cards, and fun facts. They were given the questionnaire the Spanish 3 students had to answer as their “end goal” and then worked together through research, collaboration, and planning to create the three-dimensional interactive display for the classroom!

The experience did not stop there for the Spanish 3 students. Since their topic is travel, not only did they investigate the recreated “site,” they connected this to their learning by planning a December trip to the caves from Erie. They took on the roles of travel agent and clients, created a “mini-skit” in which they interacted in Spanish to discuss the planning of the trip, the actual flights available and the cost, available accommodations for their trip, and a meal at a nice restaurant (including the food they plan to order). Thanks to the wonders of the internet, they were able to use authentic websites to find and integrate the information into their task. The goal was to make the Spanish tasks as “real-world” as possible so the language can step out of the textbooks and come alive for them!

~Laurie Wagner, Spanish Teacher & World Languages Department Chair

INSTANT DECISION DAY with PENNWEST UNIVERSITY

Date Change: Tuesday, December 17, 2024

Interested students will have the opportunity to interview with the Admission representative from PennWest University where they can receive an instant admission offer.

WELLNESS ROOM UPDATE:

We are excited to announce that McDowell High School will be offering Healthy Relationship Groups in conjunction with NAMI and Sarah Reed. If you feel that your student would benefit from a support group, please contact your child's School Counselor.

ASVAB UPDATE:

McDowell will administer the Winter ASVAB exam on January 30, 2025 to any interested junior or senior. All juniors and seniors will receive an email the first week of January for sign-ups. Why take the ASVAB? The ASVAB is an excellent way to gain insight for career exploration, college readiness, or to enter the United States Armed Services.

Self-care is essential for maintaining balance and well-being, especially during the busy high school years. By focusing on various aspects of self-care—physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and social—you can nurture both your mind and body. Below are practical tips to help students prioritize self-care and build habits that promote overall health:

• Physical: Take care of your physical health and well-being by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, and staying active with regular exercise.
• Spiritual: Engage in faith-based or personal practices that help you reconnect with yourself and align your mind and body.
• Mental: Participate in activities that stimulate your cognitive well-being, such as reading, puzzles, or other brain exercises. Prioritizing mental health is key.
• Emotional: Develop and maintain emotional health through journaling, meditation, and mindfulness practices.
• Social: Build and sustain meaningful relationships by spending quality time with loved ones, seeking support from friends, and joining social or community groups.

For more information about the school's SAP program, please contact Mrs. Tracy Walsh at twalsh@mtsd.org.

Attention Parents/Guardians of Seniors:

FINANCIAL AID NIGHT is tomorrow!

Monday, December 16th

5:30 pm

MIHS Little Theatre

An expert from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will share important information to help you plan for paying for school. At the event, we'll talk about financial aid, scholarships, creating your FSA ID, completing the FAFSA, and student and parent loans.

If you are unable to attend or are looking for more help with the FAFSA, there will be a virtual event offered through PHEAA. The FAFSA Line-by-Line Webinar will be on December 18th @12:00. To register, please click here

We’ll see you there!

Mark your calendars for these upcoming home games at McDowell:

• Girls’ Basketball: Monday, Dec. 16 vs. Fairview, 7:15 p.m.
• Boys’ Basketball: Friday, Jan. 3 vs. Fairview, 7:15 p.m.
• Swimming & Diving: Monday, Jan. 13 vs. Warren, 6:00 p.m.
• Wrestling: Wednesday, Jan. 15 vs. Harbor Creek, 7:00 p.m.

Congratulations to our varsity girls’ wrestling team for competing in its first-ever PIAA-sanctioned event at the Hickory Invitational on Dec. 8! Chloe Zacherl went 3-0 with three falls to win her division, while Gianna Italiani and Isela Coto both earned wins. Great job, Trojans!

The varsity boys’ basketball team also had a strong showing, finishing as runner-up in the Marsha Marsh Roundball Classic Dec. 7-8. It’s great to see the team back on the court—best of luck this season!

Ticket Information: All McDowell home event tickets are available online through GoFan. Visit McDowellAthletics.com/Tickets to purchase tickets or season passes. For the latest schedules, results, and updates, head to McDowellAthletics.com.

Go Trojans!

The first semester is flying by, and Quarter 2 will end on January 24th. Staying on top of your classwork is essential—don’t hesitate to seek help if needed! Here are five tips to keep students focused on their goals:

1. Stay organized: Use a planner or calendar to track assignments and test dates.
2. Avoid procrastination: Putting off work leads to unnecessary stress and scrambling.
3. Remember your efforts: Reflect on what you’ve achieved and where continued effort will take you.
4. Take care of yourself: Eat well, stay active, and get enough sleep to keep your energy high.
5. Visualize success: Focus daily on achieving your goals and the finish line ahead.

Don’t forget about our after-school Tutoring Sessions:

• Study Hub: Wednesdays, 2:25–3:25 p.m., in the McDowell Library.
• Chemistry Tutoring: Thursdays, 2:25–3:25 p.m., in the McDowell Library.

For additional academic support, contact Joseph Magorien, Academic Interventionist, at magorien@mtsd.org or (814) 835-5403 to explore available programs and services. Let’s finish the semester strong!

• December 23 - January 1 ~ No School

Please mark your calendars for the remaining high school early dismissal dates for the school year.

• Wednesday, February 19
• Wednesday, March 26
• Friday, April 25

Please note, the early dismissal dates (December - April) are only for the high school grades 9 – 12 students. All other MTSD school buildings remain on their normal daily schedules.