High School Happenings
March 23rd, 2023
May 25, 2023
Important Information
Senior Portraits for the Class of 2024
Attention Current Juniors and Parents/Guardians of Juniors!
It’s time to start thinking about your senior portraits!
Lifetouch will be hosting three sittings for senior portraits.
- June 19 - June 22 (cafeteria)- enter through the East Wing and ring the bell.
- July 31- August 3 (Cafeteria)- enter through the East Wing and ring the bell.
- Sept 18, Sept 19, Sept 21, and Sept 22 (LGI)- enter through the outside door to the LGI.
Sign ups are through Lifetouch (not MHS)-- once they send us the website, we will share it with you. We just wanted you to have the dates so you can compare to your schedule and plan.
Student Pickup During Final Exam Week- Important Safety Request
Similar to midterms, a student's schedule during final exam week is based on each student's individual schedule. We will provide bussing each morning, and then again at the conclusion of finals each day, but if students do not have an exam during either the first or second exam period, they are welcome to use their own transportation to be dropped off late or picked up early. Please see the exam schedule below (under "previously shared information"). If you are picking up your student during final exam week (East wing- same spot as usual), PLEASE plan to be patient during the drop off/ pickup times. It is a very congested area for about 20 minutes at the conclusion of each exam. We have requested the police to be onsite to help facilitate this. Please be mindful of our traffic patterns. If you are asked to wait so we can dismiss busses, please respect that request. Our administrators and security team will be onsite; please listen to them if they ask you to move your car up, wait, etc...
Reminders for Seniors (Class of 2023):
Senior Chromebooks
Attention Seniors: Seniors can begin handing in your Chromebooks, Cases, and Chargers starting on Tuesday, May 30th. Bring both items to the Library to hand-in. You will also be able to hand-in your Chromebook, Case, and Charger prior to Graduation practice on Thursday, June 8th or Friday, June 9th in the Main Gym Lobby. Seniors are required to have your Chromebook and Charger turned in on or before Tuesday, June 13th. Please make sure that you do not need your device for classes or exams prior to handing them in.
Graduation Reminders
We are 18 days away from graduation!! As a reminder, all information can be found on our website. A few reminders:
- All three practices are MANDATORY. Every student participating in graduation MUST attend all three practices. Here's what to expect at those practices:
- Day 1: Thursday, June 9- Students will report to the main gym at 11:30am; Practice begins at 11:40am. Students will receive a notice for any obligations at the first practice They will NOT be able to participate in practice until all obligations are satisfied. (Please check your lunch account balance NOW!--we have many seniors with negative balances.) If they do not have a period 1 and/or 2 exam, they should plan to arrive to school between 11:10-11:20am and come in through the main doors. Please be on time- we have a tight schedule on the first day due to the graduation parade.
- Any students participating in the graduation parade after grad practice will have a snack provided by Home and School, and then will board the bus to their elementary school. (You needed to sign up for this if you are participating-- details found under "previously shared info" below.)
- Day 2: Friday, June 9- Students will receive their CAP & GOWN and TICKETS on the second day of graduation practice. Practice begins at 9:30am. We will start in the gym and then transition to be outside. Please feel free to bring a water bottle. Students should report to the main gym and be in their seat between 9:20-9:30am. If they do not have a period 3 exam, they should plan to report to school between 9:15-9:25 and enter the building through the main office.
- Monday, May 12- No practice, but make sure your gown is out of the bag and hanging up so the wrinkles come out. Please be aware of the tassel and the stole- we DO NOT HAVE extras. Please don't lose them.
- Day 3: Tuesday, June 13- Their third and final graduation practice is on the morning of graduation at 9:30am. Students should meet in their seat in the gym. They should plan to enter the school any time between 9:15-9:25 via the main entrance. We will do one last walk through and then they will be dismissed home. Our graduates need to be back to school at 3pm and report to the cafeteria. (They don’t need a ticket– their cap and gown will get them in!)
- Seniors- Not sure what to wear under your gown?? Please check out the graduation information website below.
- Guests- You must have a ticket in order to be admitted to the stadium. The gates to the stadium will open at 3pm. Please do not plan to arrive before then as you will not be able to get in. The first shuttle from Fairview Village Church will be at 2:45pm. You are welcome to cheer for your graduate but please refrain from bringing air horns or anything that may drown out the names of our students as they are being announced.
- Any other questions?? Please see our graduation information below-
Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award
Seniors (or parents/guardians) - if you are an Eagle Scout or Girl Scout that earned a Gold Award, PLEASE email Dr. Gravinese immediately so your honor can be included in graduation. Jgravinese@Methacton.org.
Student Obligations
We are now collecting obligations for the year. Seniors with obligations will be asked to resolve them before being able to participate in graduation practice. This includes outstanding lunch balances. Please look under your bed, in the trunk, anywhere that textbooks or school materials may have been stored. It's time to turn them in.
Underclass obligations will be collected during finals.
Band Concert
Spring Concert
Congratulations to our band for an amazing spring concert. We had a phenomenal show last week that featured the many talents of our band students. Please congratulate Mr. McCoach and our band members if you see them!
Shark-Tank Methacton
Incubator.Edu
Congratulations to Mr. Urbassik and his Incubator.Edu class for their participation in our second annual pitch day. Students in four groups created a product and presented "Shark-Tank" style to our panel of judges for a stake in the company and monetary backing. Thank you to all of the volunteers that are part of this fantastic program.
Hydroponic Farm in the News!
Yesterday, 6ABC took a look inside Methacton High School's Windy Hill Hydroponic Farm as students prepared produce for delivery to Tosco's and Elmwood Park Zoo. Click below to watch and fast forward to the 21:29 minute mark. We are so thankful of the efforts of our farm students, led by Mr. Jeremy Walton and Mr. Steve Savitz. They are making history for us!
A longer form story is to come! Stay tuned!
Summer Work
Next newsletter-
In the next edition of the Happenings, we will have our summer work website and summer reading assignments. Once published and shared, ALL current 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students should check the site to see if they have summer school work to complete.
Previously Shared Information:
Attention Senior Class
Your Methacton account will be disabled on June 30, 2023. After this date, you will no longer have access to your School Account Google Drive/Gmail account. Here are directions to copy your files to your Personal Account. It’s recommended that you begin these steps now as we begin to get closer to the end of the school year.
Directions to Copy Google Drive Files: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13on4UrIwwN5KeQEK3SwIopKATR9bR_6b99M0MXcQBOY/edit?usp=sharing
Video Instructions to Copy Google Drive Files: https://tinyurl.com/y5gu6hq5
STUDENT PARKING PASSES
Attention CURRENT Juniors-- Senior Parking Information Below
The Senior parking pass registration information for 2023-2024 has been posted on the HS website under Featured News and Announcements. Parking registration will open on Tuesday, May 16th starting at 10:00 am on the HS website under Site Shortcuts, the 2023-2024 senior parking sign-up will be displayed. You can click there and the form will open for you to be able to sign up for senior parking.
Please read all the parking pass registration information so you know exactly what you will need to have on hand to sign up and to complete the registration. .
Sticker distribution date will be held on Tuesday, July 11th at 8:00 am to 11:00 am in the HS auditorium lobby. If you have any questions please email Mrs. O’Neil at koneil@methacton.org or stop down to the East Wing Athletic/Activities Office.
Attention CURRENT Sophomores -- Junior Parking Information Below
The Junior parking lottery (44 spots) will occur the week before school begins. Details will be shared over the summer.
Element, Creative Arts Magazine
Element is a student-run interest group that produces an annual magazine showcasing Methacton High School students’ and staff’s creative writing and art. It is a Methacton High School publication that creates a space for the talented students and staff at Methacton High School to submit their writing and art. Element builds community through art and gives students an opportunity to share their creative expression with our school and community. This year's publication is a double publication containing the submissions from volume 8, 2021/22 school year and volume 9, 2022/23 school year. The cover contest winners are Kaylee Martin (2021/22) and Raymond Tai (2022/23).
Please support this publication! All proceeds of Element sales go directly to the activities fund to publish Element volume 10, 2023-24 for the upcoming school year.
Purchasing Options:
- Amazon link: https://amzn.to/3pltvSn
- Pen & Publish link: http://www.penandpublish.com/element-8-9
Graduation Parade Sign Ups
The graduation parade will be held this year on Thursday, June 8th after graduation practice. Participation in the graduation parade is voluntary.
For any senior wanting to participate in the graduation parade, you need to sign up in advance which elementary school you wish to visit on the attached Google-Doc. You will also need to pick up a permission slip from the East office by June 7th. The signed permission slip will be your ticket onto the bus.
On June 8th, we will leave MHS at the conclusion of graduation practice (approximately 1:00pm). There will be a bus for each elementary school. Seniors will parade through the elementary school, and then will take the bus back to the high school. Bus transportation is the ONLY OPTION for participation. Home and School will have a snack prepared before seniors leave for the parade. Seniors who participated in the parade will then be dismissed home with their own transportation once they return to campus (* Students who do not want to participate in the parade are dismissed home at the conclusion of graduation practice.*)
Graduation Flowers
Methacton Education Foundation- Flower Sale
The Methacton Education Foundation has again partnered with Penny's by Plaza Flowers to offer graduation flowers for our families to pre-order. All flowers pre-ordered through the link will be available for pickup behind the press box at graduation. https://www.methactonfoundation.org/news-events/graduation-flowers.html
Information for Parents of Seniors
Important Information for Parents of Seniors:
Senior Parents will be receiving letters from the counseling office asking for information about their child’s post-secondary plans. Whether it be work, military, gap year, or attending college, we need to know your child’s plans for state reporting data. All college decisions and scholarship offer letters/emails should be copied and shared with the counseling office. All scholarship offers, even to schools that the student will not be attending, should be included. All scholarship award names will printed in the graduation program (individual dollar amounts will not be shared). This information needs to be returned by the date noted. Scholarship awards received after the deadline will not be included in the program due to our deadline with the printer.
SUMMER SCHOOL
Summer School 2023
Attached please find information regarding Summer School 2023. Information on ACCELERATION or REMEDIATION can be found in the document attached.
FINAL EXAMS
Final Exam Schedule
Attached please find our final exam schedule for seniors; final exam schedule for underclass students; and a schedule for our NMTCC students.
From the School Counseling Office...
Please find important information from our School Counseling Office:
SAT- June 3
We are hosting the SAT on June 3. If you have signed up to participate, please plan to enter the building via the front doors.
FALL 2023 SAT Registration Dates Have Been Released:
Go to your College Board account to register.
Test Dates:
- August 26- register by July 28
- October 7- register by September 7
- November 4- register by October 5
- December 2- register by November 2
Methacton High School Look Ahead
Upcoming Events (subject to change):
May 29- Memorial Day Holiday, schools and offices closed
June 8- Mandatory Graduation Practice # 1; Graduation Parade
June 9- Mandatory Graduation Practice # 2
June 13- Mandatory Graduation Practice # 3
June 13- Graduation, 4pm, MHS stadium
June 14- Last Day of School for Underclassmen
June 21- MP 4 report cards posted
Supports for Students and Families:
Curricular Support Room (CSR)- Room C136 (Across from the Library)
Our Curricular Support Room (CSR) has a math and English teacher available for assistance every period of the day. Need help with a math concept or math homework? Need help with writing an essay? The CSR is the place for you! Students should write a Smartpass to the CSR during their study hall or lunch period, and help will be readily available.
Math Help
Our virtual math tutoring is on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 7pm-8pm, Mrs. Gallagher will be online and available to help anyone that needs assistance with math. The sign up directions are contained in the flyer attached:
National Honor Society Peer Tutoring
Our National Honor Society offers peer tutoring for students in need of assistance. If your student is interested in being peer tutored, please email our sponsors: LDacri@methacton.org or GWinters@Methacton.org for more information.
Universal Free Breakfast Program
On Friday, September 9, 2022, Governor Wolf announced a Universal Free Breakfast program for all Pennsylvania students to begin on October 1, 2022 through the end of the 2022-2023 school year. As a result, all Methacton School District students will have the option to receive breakfast each morning at no cost. Our building principals are working on a plan with Aramark to roll out this new program and will be providing additional information in the coming days. Monthly menus can always be found at: https://methacton.schooldish.com/
Methacton School District Backpack Program
How can I donate to the Backpack Program?
There are several ways you can contribute to the Backpack Program:
Collection Bins
· Donations can be dropped off (Monday thru Friday) at the Methacton High School East Wing or Arcola Intermediate School. Collection bins are located near the entrance.
Amazon
· You can place an order through Amazon and ship it directly to the High School. Please remember to select, "No Weekend Delivery." The address is:
Methacton High School
c/o Backpack Program
1005 Kriebel Mill Rd.
Eagleville, PA 19403
What items can I donate?
Individual Serving Food Items Needed
· Single serving boxes of milk (shelf-stable/not refrigerated)
· Mini Cereal Boxes
· Canned Soup (cans with "pop tops")
· Oatmeal packets or cups
· Applesauce and Fruit Cups
· Chef Boyardee, Hormel, Dinty Moore Meals, etc.
· Easy Mac Cups
· Cracker packs
· Sweet Snacks: Fruit gummies, pudding, granola bars, etc.
· Salty Snacks: Pretzel packs, Goldfish, Popcorn, etc.
· 100% Juice boxes