FRIDAY FOCUS
Monomoy Regional High School's Weekly Newsletter
Published: November 1, 2024
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REMINDER: No School on Monday 11/4 or Tuesday 11/5
There is no school for students on Monday, November 4 OR Tuesday, November 5 (for staff professional development days). When we return to school on Wednesday 11/6 it will be a Day 2!
November is Native American Heritage Month
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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MRHS Political Action Club hosts debate
On Thursday, October 24, the students of Monomoy Regional High School’s Political Action Club, a nonpartisan group, hosted a forum with the candidates for election to the Massachusetts State Senate for the Cape and Islands District with incumbent State Sen. Julian Cyr and challengers Christopher Lauzon and Joe van Nes. The event was organized by the student members of the club – the candidates answered questions from a panel of students overseen by a student moderator. All other aspects of the debate were also run by Monomoy students, including timing, lighting, and sound operations.
Happy Halloween from MRHS!
Happy Halloween from the SAND classroom!
Mr. Belleau, Ms. Coyner, Ms. Robinson, Ms. Dennehy, and Ms. Lombardo
SHORE, SAIL, SHELLS Classes
The SHORE, SAIL and SHELLS classes had a great time at their Halloween party with each other, their teachers and their buddies!
Día de los Muertos
Students in Mrs. Carey's Spanish 2 class are learning about Dia de Los Muertos. These are ofrendas made to honor a loved one or ancestor.
Annual Staff vs Students Kickball Game for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
On Wednesday, November 3rd the Annual Staff vs Students Kickball Game took place to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month! The students beat the teachers in a tight game. Fun was had and money for a great cause was raised! Thank you to Lisa Forte-Doyle, Jeremiah Nickerson, Jake Sumner, John Dickson, Domenique Gummow, Jazmyn St John, Steve Austin & Jennifer Peterson for playing, Jen Police for being the umpire and Dave Alexander and Annemarie Rita for cheering on the teachers!
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!
American Red Cross/MRHS Blood Drive: Wednesday, November 6
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
National Chinese Honor Society Club Officers 2024-2025
President:Maya Flaherty
Vice President:Ella Baum
Treasurer:Kassandra Cruz
Media Director:Emily Saliba
Secretary:Isabella Cruz
Chinese Culture Club Officers 2024-2025
President:Davion Dawkins
Vice President:Sophia Saunders & Madison Gray
Treasurer:Aurora Maguire
Media Director:Alexa Vermaak
Secretary:Sean Garland
Helpful training for parents regarding student attendance
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
Orders placed by November 1 will be delivered before the Holiday Breal. More Information below:
Seniors Yearbook Checklist
Dear Class of 2025 students & caregivers,
I hope you all had a memorable and enjoyable summer and a great first week back to school so far! Just a few reminders regarding senior portraits and your senior yearbook checklist:
SENIOR PORTRAITS
All senior portraits are due to Mrs. Francesconi by Friday, November 22nd.
BABY PHOTO & SENIOR QUOTE/PARAGRAPH DUE 11/22/24
Please read the attached Senior Yearbook Checklist for more information and our strict due dates for all things yearbook!
PURCHASE YOUR YEARBOOK and/or SENIOR AD
SENIOR YEARBOOK DISCOUNT: To purchase your yearbook go to ybpay.com and enter the code 9970025. Enter your name and grade and your senior discount will automatically be applied. Senior yearbooks are only $80 until 12/31/24 (that's $10 off!)
SENIOR ADS: You have the option to purchase a quarter/half/full page ad for a senior! Purchase your ad space with your yearbook. Ads will be designed in January.
Please contact Mrs. Francesconi with any questions: kfrancesconi@monomoy.edu
Best Regards,
Katie Francesconi
Parenting Solutions Library
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Class of 2027: Fall Clean Up Fundraiser
We will have teams of students with our own resources come to your house or neighborhood to clean up leaves and twigs from your lawns. We will be working over 2 hour periods so please contact us to inquire about timings.
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
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.)
Animal Welfare Club: Collecting linens for local animal organizations/shelters
The Animal Welfare Club is collecting towels, sheets, pillowcases, and small blankets/throws for local animal organizations/shelters, such as: Wild Care, the Animal Rescue League, and the MSPCA. There are collection boxes throughout the school's main floor and collection will run through the month of October. The Club and the animals thank you!
The Gift of Drift
The Diversity Club run Drift Club has had many students' requests for toiletries. There is a high demand for toothbrushes and deodorant. If you have any unused items that you’d like to donate it would be very much appreciated. Please have your students drop off donations in Ms. Mimi’s room, A245. Thank you.
We’d also like to thank the staff for their continued support of clothing donations.
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ATTENTION ALL STUDENTS: Peer Tutors want to help!
Are you experiencing difficulty with any of your classes? Have you seen your teacher for Jawsome support but still need an extra assist? Email the following information: Name, Grade, Course for Tutoring, What day (s) ex 2 and 4, and whether you prefer to meet Jaw A or B. Please email jbennett@monomoy.edu or mhemeon@monomoy.edu if you are interested in working with a peer tutor!
Monomoy Interns at Work
"What I like about my internship at Coastal Medical is that it allows me to help others and learn the tricks of the trade. It fills me with pride to be able to help the people on Cape Cod and pay a little back of what the community has done for me. I am proud of what I am able to do, and I plan to keep doing it. This internship allows me to get ever so close to my dream, and I am grateful." -Blake Noonan
Alumni Update
Financial Aid 101 w/ MEFA & The Southcoastal Educational Opportunity Center
MCAS Retest Dates
ELA - November 6 & 7
Math - November 12 & 13
Follow us on Social Media!
INSTAGRAM: @MonomoyGuidance
Wishing you health and safety,
The MRHS Counseling Team
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Coaches Bios
Chris Harlow: Head Boys Lacrosse Coach
Monomoy Regional High School has announced the hiring of Chris Harlow as our Head Boys Lacrosse Coach. Coach Harlow will be taking over an already successful boys lacrosse program. He comes to us with experience at Sandwich, Falmouth and SJP. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the game of lacrosse as well as vast experience teaching and coaching high school students. Coach Harlow is a Teacher at Monomoy as well as our Head Boys Ice Hockey Coach. He resides in Dennis.
Lou Elia: Head Basketball Coach
Monomoy Regional High School has announced the hiring of Lou Elia as our Head Baseball Coach. Currently residing in Irmo, South Carolina, Lou brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success, most recently serving as the assistant and head pitching coach at Irmo High School in South Carolina. Lou is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association and his coaching journey includes being part of the state championship team at North Haven High School under, Bob DeMayo, Connecticut's winningest coach, and he has served as pitching coach at both Sandwich and North Haven High Schools. As the head varsity baseball coach at Nauset Regional High School for eight seasons, Lou achieved an impressive 108-62 record, leading the program to its first ACL Championship in 2015, multiple Cape Cod Showdown Tournament wins, and six consecutive MIAA State Tournament appearances, including a top10 state ranking by ESPN in 2015. Lou’s coaching philosophy emphasizes proper mechanics and a strong mental approach, he is a Certified Mental Performance Coach and he is eager to bring these values to Monomoy as he prepares to lead the team into a new era of development and success.
Monomoy Athletics is now on Instagram
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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MRHS Attendance Form
To report your child's absence, tardy, or upcoming dismissal please use the following link:
Friday Focus Archive
Did you know? Past issues of the Friday Focus can be found on our website:
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
Contact Us!
Email: mrhs@monomoy.edu
Website: mrhs.monomoy.edu
Location: 75 Oak Street, Harwich, MA, USA
Phone: 508-430-7200
Monomoy News & Social Media
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