Parents and guardians are invited to complete this anonymous SURVEY on school climate, engagement, and safety to help the district identify strengths and focus areas to improve family-school partnerships. The survey should take about four minutes to complete. If you have students in more than one school, please complete a separate survey for each school. The survey items are from Panorama Education and were developed by Dr. Gehlbach and his team at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The team underwent a rigorous survey development process, and the items were found to be highly reliable and valid. More than a quarter of all public school districts in the United States use Panorama surveys, as do many districts across the state, including Boston Public Schools. The survey will remain open through February 18, 2025, and can be accessed in multiple languages using the drop-down menu at the top of the survey screen.

Congratulations to all of our students who participated in the 39th annual Methuen High School Science Fair. Each and every student was a great representative of Methuen High School. All students were presented with a Certificate of Recognition and should take great pride in their work.

With 87 Science Projects on display and over 150 individual students participating, our students utilized scientific inquiry while actively learning about science and gained valuable knowledge about the world around them through active hands-on learning.

Pending an approved Individual Research Plan, the following students will proudly represent Methuen High School at the Region IV Science Fair. The Region IV Science Fair will be held March 7, 2025 at Tufts University.

Region IV Science Fair Participants:

Milo Isaacs, Elias Castillo: Green Solution: Use of Algae to Reduce Carbon Dioxide

Anthony Czyzewski: Vertex Box

Harry McPhee: Biodegradable Hydrogels and Water Conservation

Hajar Damir: Green World Hypothesis in a Computer Simulation

Award winners as selected by the Methuen High School Science Teachers. The First Place Individual and Team Winners of the MHS Science Fair will proudly represent Methuen High School at both the Regional and Massachusetts State Science Fair. The Massachusetts State Science will be held April 4, 2025 at Gillette Stadium.

Outstanding Biology Project:

Lana Nakkoul: The Effect of Different Concentrations of Pollutants on Daphnia magna

Outstanding Environmental Science Project:

Khloe Goggin: How Does Smog Affect the Growth of Coral?

Outstanding Chemistry Project:

Crystal Castro, Anwar Mamdouh: Crystal Clear: A Natural Alternative to Commercial Skin Care

Outstanding Engineering Project:

Sloan Farrell: Reflecting Brilliance: Engineering a Solar Tracking Heliostat

Outstanding Research Project:

Sophia Ferrara: What is the Best Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease?

Outstanding Laboratory Project:

Jacqueline Mastro: Fingers Crossed: How Weather Changes Fingerprints.

First Place Individual Science Project

Yasmine Bridaa: Taking Safety to the Next Level: The Design and Safety Assessment of a Magnetic Levitation Elevator

First Place Team Science Project

Tayyab Afzal, Thomas Le: Utilizing Magnetohydrodynamic Propulsion to Achieve Next Generation Solid-State Water Transportation

Each month the students are given a specific prompt and select a MHS teacher of the month. Please join us in recognizing the teachers of the month for October, November, and December

Prompt: A staff member who has great school spirit.

Winner: Marcus Maldonado - History and Social Science

Prompt: A staff member who has made you feel heard and seen.

Winner: Julia Lavoie - Math

The MCAS test was recently voted to no longer count towards attainment of the state of Massachusetts competency determination standards. Any former student in the MHS class of 2003-2024 who did not earn a diploma as a result of not meeting expectations for competency determination, is eligible to apply for a transcript review. Upon review if they met Methuen Public Schools updated expectations for competency determination, they will be eligible for a class of 2025 diploma. For more information on the expectations for competency determination or how to apply for a transcript review, click HERE.

In October a group of MHS students and staff made a roadshow presentation at all 4 grammar schools to promote Methuen High School as a destination school. After an outpouring of requests from parents to see the presentation, we are happy to present the MHS roadshow presentation to families of all 7th and 8th grade prospective MHS students. The "roadshow" will take place Tuesday February 11, from 5:30-7:00 in the Arthur Nicholson III Auditorium.

We are excited to support MHS Athletics throughout the winter months. When attending events, please adhere to the following expectations:

• Cheer positively for the Rangers and be respectful of the coaches, opponents, officials, and guests.
• Inappropriate language and behavior will not be tolerated and may result in removal from the event.
• Backpacks are not allowed. If there is a need to bring a bag, it may be subject to search.
• If you leave the facility, you may not reenter.
• School rules apply for all MHS students attending school-sponsored, extracurricular events, whether at MHS or another location. Violations of the MHS code of conduct, as outlined in the student handbook, may result in disciplinary consequences.

We look forward to an enjoyable season. Go Rangers!

The MHS Credit for Life Fair, developed in partnership with the Merrimack Valley Credit Union, will be held on the morning of Friday, February 14 2025, in the Klimas Memorial Field House. Through their participation in the fair, senior students will be presented with real-life scenarios as they experience the successes and challenges of managing a personal budget. Fair organizers are seeking volunteers who have some financial savvy and are eager to support our students. Click here to sign up to help. Donations are accepted and are greatly appreciated. Click here for information about making a donation.

The Methuen Scholarship Foundation is thrilled to announce its 34th Annual Scholarship Telethon Fundraiser, scheduled for March 18th and 19th in the Methuen High School Auditorium. This event will be televised on Comcast, Verizon, and Verizon HD.

Since 1973, the Foundation has proudly awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving Methuen High School seniors pursuing higher education. This reflects the strength of our community coming together to invest in the future of our students.

We are reaching out to local businesses, organizations, and individuals to support our fundraising initiatives by sponsoring the telethon or donating auction/raffle items for our fundraising events for the Senior Class of 2025.

Raffle and auction items will be featured in multiple events, including the Telethon, Music Bingo Night (to be held on May 3rd at the VFW Post 8349 in Methuen), and other fundraisers. Your contributions enhance these events and ensure we can continue providing vital scholarships.

All businesses that donate will be recognized during the Telethon and on social media. Viewers will be encouraged to support our generous contributors, showcasing your commitment to the Methuen community.

Donations can be mailed to:
Methuen Scholarship Foundation
P.O. Box 2005
Methuen, MA 01844

You can also email us to arrange a donation pickup. Should you have any questions, please reach out via email. Our Tax-Exempt ID is: 46-4500729

Thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of Methuen High School seniors.

Sincerely,

Ann Shapiro

Treasurer

Methuen Scholarship Foundation

Students,

Interested in showcasing your culture to the MHS community? Please fill out this form if you are interested in representing your culture at an in-school Multicultural Showcase on April 17, 2025. This will be an opportunity for you to share any aspect of your culture: arts/crafts, dance, music, clothing, cultural objects, information, language, performance, etc. This is NOT a final decision, we are looking to see which cultures could be represented by our student body. In an effort to give all students and cultures equal opportunity, we will be asking interested students/groups to submit a proposal in order to be considered for the showcase.

Berkeley Auto School is offering driver’s education classes at MHS from March 4 through March 27. This program is available to MHS students only and participants must be at least 15.9 years old. Please reach out to Berkeley Auto School by phone at (978) 685-7701 or email at berkauto@gmail.com with any questions.

Schedule:

March 4, 5, 6, 2pm-5pm

March 11, 13, 2pm-5pm

March 18, 19, 20 2pm-5pm

March 25, 27, 2pm-5pm

Location: Hempstead, NY

Mascot: Kate and Willie Pride

Average accepted GPA: 3.79

• Average accepted SAT: 1260-1440

• Average accepted ACT: 26-31

Total Fall 2024 Enrollment: 10,685
6,581 Undergraduate
2,800 Graduate
867 Law
437 Medicine

Fall 2024 First-Year Class
- 19% were in top 10% of High School Class
- 56% were in top 25% of High School Class
- 36% are from Out-of-State/International

Hofstra is a diverse, dynamic institution that honors tradition while challenging convention, always finding our own unique path. Hofstra provides students with an engaged, experiential and highly ranked education that combines an intimate learning environment with all the resources of a large university, including state-of-the-art facilities for academics and student life and competitive Division I athletics. Located just outside New York City, our traditional, tree-lined campus is home to a global, ambitious and entrepreneurial student body who take advantage of all metropolitan New York has to offer.

At Hofstra we nurture ideas. Ideas can change the world - if we’re willing to work for them. That’s why over 80 years, we’ve created an environment where new ideas take shape through collaboration, engagement and interaction. We keep our classes small. We offer tailored programs. We build spaces that encourage participation and investigation. Together, we seek creative solutions. And we look beyond our own community and experiences for inspiration, because ideas are always evolving – and so are we.

• 35 residence halls with housing capacity of about 3,500 students, 18 eateries, 6 theaters, and 205 student clubs of which there are 22 local/national fraternities & sororities
• Hofstra has a vibrant campus with hundreds of social, academic, and cultural events throughout the year.
• The Hofstra University Museum of Art is nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The Museum, with a collection of more than 5,200 works of art from the world's diverse cultures, offers 4 original exhibitions annually, along with related programs that engage varied audiences. It also oversees an extensive collection of outdoor sculptures featuring 75 works of art.
• The University libraries contain more than 600,000 volumes and provide 24/7 online access to more than 200,000 full-text journals and 900,000 electronic books
• 21 varsity sports
• 10 for men: baseball, basketball, cross-country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, track and field (indoor/outdoor) and wrestling
• 11 for women: basketball, cross-country, field hockey, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field (indoor/outdoor) and volleyball
• All sports compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Coastal Athletic Association.

What do Human Resources Managers do?

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

What tasks do Human Resources Managers perform?

• Serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts and helping resolve work-related problems.

• Advise managers on organizational policy matters, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommend needed changes.

• Analyze and modify compensation and benefits policies to establish competitive programs and ensure compliance with legal requirements.

• Perform difficult staffing duties, including dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.

What do Human Resources Managers need to know?

Personnel and Human Resources

• Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Administration and Management

• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

English Language

• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

What skills do Human Resources Managers need?

Management of Personnel Resources

• Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

Active Listening

• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking

• Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Median Yearly Income: $135,074

Income Percentile

Income Low (10%)$79,829

Median (50%)$135,074

High (90%)$260,541

Most Common Education Level: Bachelor's degree

High school diploma or less 0.00%

Certificate 0.00%

Some college 4.35%

Associate degree 0.00%

Bachelor's degree 82.61%

Master's or professional degree 13.05%

Doctoral degree or more 0.00%

Projected Job Growth: +8.02%

Looking for guidance on what college might be a good fit for you? How about a career that might interest you? Need financial support to help you get there? HERE is a great resource to help you get to YOUR BIG FUTURE! As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to your school counselor for more support.

Seniors,

We would love to highlight where you are committing to for college. Please share your admittance letter with main office secretary Ellie Sicard and we will get you added to our newsletter.

At Methuen High School we strive to connect our students with the college, careers that they are considering. With that we have begun to invite outside organizations into our school to promote their respective military branch, educational institution, and/or career field. HERE is a list of scheduled upcoming visits. Please make sure to check back as this is a working document.

Attention students in the classes of 2026 - 2028, Brown University offers a Pre-College Program designed for high school students to explore the challenges and opportunities of the college experience. You’ll enjoy the excitement and responsibility that comes from balancing challenging academics and enriching social activities—without the pressure of formal grades.

The 2025 Brown Pre-College application opens on January 15, 2025. Click on the Learn More to learn more on important details and specifics about the various programs offered, including our Application Checklist!

The Methuen Scholarship Foundation raises thousands of dollars each year to award directly to the senior class! This year as part of the MSF's annual Telethon that will be broadcasted live on Tuesday, March 18 and Wednesday, March 19 from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., we will be creating a video that highlights each member of the class of 2025. Check out this example video clip!

We are asking for each member of the senior class to submit a 15-20 second video that includes a few of the following about themselves:

• your full name

• clubs or activities you participate in

• post secondary plans - college major/what you will be studying, technical training/program you plan to enrolling in, schools you will be or would like to attend, military commitments and/or job goals

• a thank you/shoutout to a teacher, family member or coach

When recording please keep in mind to:

• leave two seconds at the beginning and end of your video to help with our editing

• Hold your camera horizontally

• have the camera in landscape(left to right) not in portrait (long up and down)

• speak loudly and clearly

• avoid unnecessary camera movement & zooming

• have another person do the recording or position the camera away from you slightly, avoid holding your phone or iPad out with your arm

Once complete, submit your video directly to Mrs. Javier at gajavier@methuen.k12.ma.us or on the designated Google Classroom assignment by Thursday, February 13, 2025.

Are you looking for scholarship opportunities? Are you a rock star in Math? Check out this opportunity to earn a scholarship through the Association of Teachers of Mathematics in Massachusetts.

This document contains important information about Senior Week and other senior activities. There will be more detailed information provided as well as sign-up forms for each activity. Please take a moment to look it over and reach out with any questions you may have.

Only 141 more calendar days until graduation day!! Seniors…it will go by fast so get the grades and make the memories!!

The Methuen High School Senior Class of 2025 is organizing a ski/snowboarding/snow tubing trip to Pat's Peak in Henniker, New Hampshire. We will be leaving MHS on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 1:15 p.m. and should be returning at approximately 9:30 p.m.

Payment is due to Mr. Scammon's Room (room 1006) by Monday, January 27, 2025 at 2:00pm.

The price for this trip ranges from $65-$120 depending on equipment and options. Students can pay by cash or check payable to "Methuen High School Senior Class of 2025" and please put "Pat's Peak" and their ID number in the memo line.

Students can sign up for this trip by completing the form found in the Class of 2025 Google Classroom. Students should please open the MEDICAL RELEASE FORM from Pat's Peak, fill it out and attach it to the completed google form as a pdf. This needs to be done first before they can move forward.

There is also a cafeteria in the lodge (with the largest cookies you've ever seen) and the famous Unlawful Waffle House on the slopes. Students are able to bring their own food/snacks, but they can also make purchases there.

On Thursday January 9, 2025 MHS held its annual Senior Scholarship Information Night. If you missed it please check out the MHS Scholarship Process Information Sheet HERE, and the Class of 2025 Scholarship presentation HERE

All information regarding the MHS Class of 2025 Yearbook, including guidelines and deadlines can be found in this document. For questions about the yearbook and senior photo submissions please contact the MHS Yearbook Advisor, Ms. Varasconi.

We are asking that all seniors please take a moment to check Infinite Campus and make sure that their name appears correctly in our system. This is what we will be using for their diploma and it is important that the name appears correctly. If there is a mistake in the name or the spelling, please email Mrs. Javier immediately (gajavier@methuen.k12.ma.us) so that it can be corrected.

If you are looking to make a contribution or know of someone who may be interested in making a contribution to the Methuen Scholarship Foundation, please check out the attached images on how to contribute a gift, and/or a monetary contribution.

The Academic Support Center (ASC) is available for students to get extra help/tutoring to complete their coursework. The ASC, staffed with certified MHS teachers, will be open from 2:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday in the Media Center. Students who desire a quiet space to complete assignments individually may also access the center. All students are encouraged to have conversations with their teachers about completing assignments and utilizing the ASC.

All electronics including cellphones, smartwatches, and headphones are to be away during instructional time. Teachers have been provided clear pocket holders. Best practice would be to store electronics in the provided pocket holder. This is a students best method for ensuring that the electronics do not come out during instructional time. If electronics do not go into the pocket holder they should remain away for the duration of the period. This includes if students leave the room on a pass. If electronics are out for any reason, teachers have been instructed to assign a teacher detention and to communicate with parents/guardians. During transitions and lunches we are okay with students using their electronics so long as it is done so responsibly. This means at no point should students be taking video's, or pictures, and/or making social media posts, and one headphone should be out so that students can hear staff in the event that they need to speak to them. Teachers have been reviewing all expectations over the past few days to support student understanding of these very essential expectations. We want to reiterate that while many schools are going to full electronics bans in schools. That is not how we want things to be for our students. Our goal is for everyone to use technology appropriately, and with our 1-1 iPad initiative, there is no reason for personal electronics to be out during instructional periods. We appreciate your understanding on why this is important, and we appreciate students cooperation with following this policy so that teachers can provide your children with the learning opportunities that they deserve free of the distractions that come with technology.

Looking for updates on what's happening around MHS. Check out Methuen Minutes.

Episode 7

Episode 6

Episode 5- Holiday Special

Episode 4

Episode 3

Episode 2

Episode 1

Seeking New Members

The Mental Health Parent & Student Advisory Council was formed in order to give students and

parents a voice regarding the mental health initiative in Methuen. The goals of the MHPSAC will

be to identify steps to reduce stigma related to mental health problems, promote health and

wellbeing through increased awareness and prevention, improve students’ access to and use of

mental health services and supports, and continue to strengthen and unify our community

regarding mental health awareness and access to quality services and supports.

Interested students and parents/guardians are encouraged to join these monthly, virtual

sessions to engage in discussion and collaborative planning that will guide the continued design

and implementation of social emotional and mental health services and supports across

Methuen Public Schools. This year, we are especially interested in expanding membership of

the council to include students and caregivers in grades 5-8.

If you are interested in joining the Mental Health Parent & Student Advisory Council, please

email John Crocker, Director of School Mental Health & Behavioral Services at

jncrocker@methuen.k12.ma.us. The meeting dates and times for the 24-25 school year are

listed below:

February 26 (4:45-5:30)

March 26 (4:45-5:30)

April 30 (4:45-5:30)

May 28 (4:45-5:30)

The student newspaper club (The Blue & White) finished their first issue of the paper this week. Check it out HERE.

For more information how to connect to Infinite Campus, or how to update personal information, click HERE

Daily Schedule

Early Release Schedule

Two Hour Delay Schedule

Lunch Schedule

For more information on parking expectations and how to purchase a permit, click HERE.

For more information on bussing, parent drop-off, and pick-up, click HERE

For more information on student attendance, tardies, dismissal, and credit denial policies, please click HERE

MHS Handbook

MHS Website

MHS Program of Studies

MHS Twitter Page- @MPS_MethuenHigh

Methuen Public Schools has secured a resource to support matching students, staff, and their families to mental health services. Care Solace draws on a national database of mental health providers and manages complete coordination of the service matching process all the way through to intake. Support is available in multiple languages for all forms of insurance 24/7/365.

This service can be accessed confidentially without informing any MPS staff. Click here to access the Methuen webpage to search for mental health services and begin the matching process. Students under the age of 18 will need the consent of their caregivers to begin the process of accessing mental health services.

The family letters, available in English and Spanish, describe how individuals can initiate a referral. Thank you for partnering with MPS as we work to ensure all students and families receive quality and timely support.

For more information on Care Solace, watch this video HERE

Have a child that you are concerned may be experimenting with substances? HERE are some resources that may help with supporting our youth. For more information on resources/support that MHS may be able to provide, please reach out to their school counselor or grade level AP.

Addressing substance use without understanding the role of mental health is like solving half the puzzle. Often, when a student is struggling with one, the other follows. For many young people, substance use becomes a way to manage emotional challenges they can’t easily express. Please see the article The Impact of Mental Health on Youth Substance Abuse article for more information.

Every student at MHS can access support from the School Counseling Department for problems large and small. Counselors do not only assist students with postsecondary planning and academics. All school counselors are licensed professionals who provide free, confidential counseling services to students to address mental health concerns, personal problems, conflicts, and crises. If a student is struggling with a personal issue, needs help supporting a friend, or simply needs advice about how to manage a stressful situation, please reach out to the School Counseling Department. Families are encouraged to reach out to counseling staff to request support for their student (including group and individual counseling services), request assistance navigating difficult situations and family crises, and learn about how to access community resources. Counselors are available throughout the school day and can be contacted in person and through email. Students can simply visit the counseling office or reach out in any way they feel comfortable and a counselor will provide the help they are looking for.

• Counseling Department Services (English; Español)

• Counseling Department Overview (English; Español)

• Mental Health Screening FAQ for Students

• Student Mental Health Resources Organized by Topic

Please do not hesitate to reach out to the appropriate grade-level associate principal for assistance. Communication along with a strong partnership between families and the school will provide students with the necessary support system to be successful throughout high school.

Glenda Javier - Grade 12 AP gajavier@methuen.k12.ma.us (978) 722-6040 ext. 2623

Matthew Curran - Interim Grade 11 AP mwcurran@methuen.k12.ma.us (978) 722-6040 ext. 2363

Jackie Rubino - Grade 10 AP jerubino@methuen.k12.ma.us (978) 722-6040 ext. 2362

Kevin O’Loughlin - Grade 9 AP knoloughlin@methuen.k12.ma.us (978) 722-6040 ext. 2669

February 2025

Monday, February 10, 2025:

• Department Meetings

Tuesday, February 11, 2025:

• Parent Roadshow

Friday, February 14, 2025:

• Credit for life fair
• Midpoint Term 3
• Early Release

Monday, February 17-Friday, February 21, 2025:

• Winter Recess-no school

Monday, February 17, 2025:

• Presidents Day-All school buildings closed

Monday, February 24, 2025:

• School resumes

Tuesday, February 25, 2025:

• Connections

Tuesday, February 25, 2025:

• Senior Class Trip-Pats Peak

Wednesday, February 26, 2025:

• District Choral Jamboree
• 9-12 Mid year assemblies

March 2025

Monday, March 3, 2025:

• Faculty Meeting

Wednesday, March 5, 2025:

• Art Show

Thursday, March 6-Friday, March 7, 2025:

• ELA MCAS Retest

Saturday, March 8, 2025:

• SAT Exam
• Coffee House

Tuesday, March 11-Wednesday, March 12, 2025:

• Math MCAS Retest

Thursday, March 13, 2025:

• Connections

Saturday, March 15, 2025:

• JROTC Drill Competition
• Winterguard Friends & Family Show

Sunday, March 16, 2025:

• Winterguard Friends & Family Show

Monday, March 17, 2025:

• Department Meetings

Tuesday, March 18-Wednesday, March 19, 2025:

• Methuen Scholarship Foundation Telethon

Friday, March 21, 2025:

• Early Release - Professional Development

Tuesday, March 26 - Wednesday, March 27, 2025:

• Grade 10 ELA MCAS

Wednesday, March 27, 2025:

• District Band Jamboree

Thursday, March 28, 2025:

• MHS Connections

Are you interested in supporting our students by working in the Methuen Public Schools? Click here to view employment opportunities. Please contact Director of Human Resources Colleen McCarthy by email at cnmccarthy@methuen.k12.ma.us or by phone at (978) 722-6013 with questions.