Dear Parents and Guardians of 11th and 12th Grade Students,

Welcome back to another exciting school year at McDowell! As we begin this journey, I want to extend a special message to the families of our juniors and seniors. These final years of high school are incredibly important, filled with opportunities, challenges, and milestones that will shape your student's future.

For our 11th graders, this year is a crucial time for academic growth and career exploration. Juniors will be diving deeper into coursework, preparing for standardized tests, and beginning to make decisions about post-secondary pathways, whether that be college, trade school, or entering the workforce. It is a year to explore interests and set the foundation for their future success.

For our seniors, this is the final stretch of their high school experience. It is a time to finalize plans for the next chapter of their lives, whether that is applying to colleges, exploring career opportunities, or pursuing other passions. Senior year is filled with excitement and reflection, but also important deadlines and decisions that will shape their futures.

We are committed to supporting all our 11th and 12th grade students in achieving their goals and thriving during these pivotal years. Our dedicated team of teachers, counselors, and staff are here to ensure every student has the tools they need to succeed. I encourage parents to stay engaged and connected with us as we work together to guide your students through this transformative time.

Here is to a great school year filled with growth, achievement, and exciting possibilities! Please do not hesitate to contact me, our administrative team, or school counselors with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Sandra Means, M.Ed.

Principal

Senior Parent Night is Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at McDowell High School in the North Gym. The event will run from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM.

This is a great opportunity to meet the school’s administrators, guidance counselors, college connections advisor, and senior class advisors. We’ll be covering essential information regarding senior year, including career pathways, college applications, and other important topics to help support your student through this exciting time.

We hope to see you there!

Back-to-school blues can be defined as anxiety, moodiness, and a sense of increased pressure to perform well at school. Parents can also experience these feelings due to new obligations, financial implications, helping with homework, preparing lunches, and driving kids to school.

What can you do?

1. Plan in advance.
2. Allocate household responsibilities to other family members. You do not need to carry the load alone.
3. Stick to routines that have proven helpful.
4. Work on communication with your kids.
5. Plan your budget accordingly.
6. Allow yourself and your kids a downtime to unwind at the end of the day.
7. Do not hesitate to ask for help when you feel overwhelmed.

If I can be of assistance or if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Tracy Walsh

Director of SAP and Mental Health Support Services

SAP/Mental Health Counselor

Twalsh@mtsd.org

814-836-6831

2024 McDowell Homecoming Parade – Superheroes Movie Theme!

Date: Friday, September 27th
Time: 5:00 PM

Come celebrate with us and show off your superhero spirit!

McDowell Trojans vs. Villa Angela St. Joe’s
Date: Friday, September 27th
Time: 7:00 PM

Join us at Gus Anderson Field following the Homecoming Parade for an exciting game!

Tickets for McDowell Athletics events for the 2024-25 season will be exclusively sold digitally and managed via mobile device through GoFan ticketing. All individual event tickets as well as season passes will be conveniently purchasable and accessible via mobile device and GoFan ticket app.

The GoFan ticket app is the easiest and most convenient way to purchase and manage tickets via mobile device. The app is available for free download on both the Apple Store and Google Play.

Create an account and favorite “McDowell High School” so all the events for your favorite Trojan teams can be found quickly and easily.

A reference guide for managing tickets can be found on GoFan’s ticket support website, which includes instructions on how to purchase, transfer, and redeem tickets.

All MTSD buildings maintain a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors or epi-pens. The school nurse at each building maintains the emergency stock of epinephrine auto-injectors that are prescribed by the school physician and available in case a student has an emergency allergic reaction while at school. If your child should experience an anaphylactic reaction while at school, the nurse would utilize the epi-pen auto-injector as part of an emergency response protocol.

All parents have the right to opt out of the provisions of this policy. If you want to opt out of this policy you can do so by completing the “opt-out” form. This form can be obtained by calling your school nurse. Your school nurse would also be able to answer any questions about the emergency epinephrine auto-injectors.

The epi-pen opt out form is attached.

We have several important updates and upcoming events from the Guidance Office to share with you:

1. September 24, 2024 – Field Trip for Students Interested in Building Trades:
   Students interested in careers in the building trades will visit the Steamfitters to learn more about these careers. Field trip permission forms are available in the Guidance Office and must be returned to Mr. Boyd by September 20.

2. October 1, 2024 – Cosmetology Careers Field Trip:
   Students interested in cosmetology will visit Noe Noonan to explore career options in this field. Please pick up a field trip permission form in the Guidance Office and return it by September 28.

3. College Application Season:
   College application season is in full swing! If you have any questions, please contact your school counselor or our college connections counselor for assistance.

4. PSAT Testing – October 16, 2024:
   PSAT testing will take place on October 16, 2024 for all juniors who have not opted out.

5. ASVAB CEP Testing – October 30, 2024:
   ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) testing will be offered on October 30, 2024 for students interested in military careers, exploring career opportunities, or using it as a Keystone graduation pathway. Watch for an email from Guidance to sign up.

6. Wellness Room Support:
   Our school counselors are available daily in the Wellness Room to assist students experiencing emotional, social, or relational challenges. This is a safe space for all students.

7. Student Assistance Program (SAP) Services:
   SAP services are provided through Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center, with Mrs. Walsh as the director. We also offer Drug and Alcohol support through Pyramid Healthcare, providing education and outpatient counseling as needed.

8. Senior Parent Night – September 17, 2024:
   A reminder that Senior Parent Night will take place on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, from 6:30-7:30 PM in the North Gym.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the Guidance Office. (814-835-5408)

The 2024-25 school year is off to a great start, and we are committed to maintaining strong academic support for all students. As part of this effort, we want to remind you that Academic Interventions are available at McDowell High School for students who may need additional assistance.

What is Academic Intervention?

Academic intervention refers to targeted support provided to students who are struggling in their coursework. The goal is to help students close any gaps in their understanding and improve their academic performance, ensuring that they have the skills needed for success.

Purpose

The primary aim of academic intervention is to identify and address areas where students may need extra help in specific subjects. This can involve additional instruction, tailored resources, or specialized teaching methods to meet the unique needs of each student.

Types of Academic Interventions Available

1. Individual Support: One-on-one or small group sessions focusing on areas where a student is experiencing difficulty. This may include cyber instruction or credit recovery courses.

2. Instructional Adjustments: Modifications in teaching strategies or materials to suit students' learning needs. This is often accomplished through academic plans tailored to individual students.

3. Additional Resources: Providing extra practice materials or educational tools to reinforce concepts and promote mastery.

If you have any questions or would like more information about Academic Interventions at McDowell High School, please feel free to contact Joseph Magorien at magorien@mtsd.org.

We are here to support your child's success and look forward to working together this school year.

Did you know that through the generosity of the Jim Conner Memorial Foundation, McDowell High School has a College Connections Advisor? In collaboration with our guidance counselors, Mrs. Gilroy works with McDowell students to provide the resources, tools, and support they need to successfully navigate the college process. Read below for some of the ways she can help.

• Works with students to locate schools that best meet each student's goals and interests.
• Provides guidance and feedback on each student’s college admission applications, essays, and other forms.
• Helps students find scholarships that they are eligible for and assists students in the scholarship application process.
• Assists students with the Free Application for Federal Aid (FAFSA) and other aspects of the financial aid process.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Jenn Gilroy, jgilroy@mtsd.org or 814-835-5418

• McDowell Athletics will be inducting its 15th Hall of Fame Class with its 2024 inductees. Congratulations to Courtney Mercier Chouinard (2008, Soccer), J.J. Delsandro (2001, Basketball), Aaron Slocum (1999, Football), Chris Spurlin (1990, CC/Track) and Michael Swift (Wrestling/Football) along with the 2012 Wrestling team on being inducted!
• The Hall of Fame banquet will coincide with Homecoming Weekend and take place Saturday, September 28, at 1 p.m. at the Colony Banquet Hall. Tickets are available online at McDowellAthletics.com/Tickets.
• The McDowell Cross Country Team has had an outstanding beginning to the 2024 Fall season. Both the boys’ and the girls’ teams were victorious in the McDowell Invitational August 31 at Browns Farm. On the boys’ side, senior Kamden Kramer has been exceptional with a couple of race wins and breaking the Browns’ Farm record for the third time.
• The McDowell football team earned a thrilling 28-24 win over Erie High School at Gus Anderson Field to improve to 2-2 this season. The Trojans will face Meadville September 20 before returning home for Homecoming Weekend against Villa Angela St. Joe’s September 27.
• The McDowell boys’ and girls’ soccer teams are both off to hot starts in their seasons. The girls’ team holds a 6-1-1 overall record and the boys also boast six wins with just one loss.

September

Senior Parent Night ~ September 17th

College Night ~ September 26th

Early Dismissal Grades 9 - 12 ~ September 25th

Homecoming Parade & Football Game ~ September 27th

Homecoming Dance ~ September 28th

October

Junior Parent Night ~ October 1st

In-service / No School ~ October 14th

PSAT Test (11th grade) ~ October 16th (*Virtual learning day for seniors!)

Early Dismissal Grades 9 - 12 ~ October 23rd

ASVAB Test ~ October 30th