Student & Family Update

Wishing you all a restful long weekend!

Congratulations to the Class of 2024 for completing their official last day at MTRS - next week will be filled with Awards and Graduation preparation and we look forward to celebrating your many achievements with you!

Congratulations to AP students who finished testing this week!

Congratulations to Grade 10 for completing your MCAS testing. Next week there will be make ups for students who missed a testing day.

Good luck to Grade 8 who will have MCAS Civics next week and also to Grade 9 who will have Biology at the start of June.

As we did in Q2, Caregivers are invited to give feedback on their experiences of MTRS here. Feedback will be shared at the June school committee meeting.

Grade 8 students and families, don't forget that on June 7th there is the Grade 8 Celebration from 5:30-7:30 (5:30-6: Awards and slide show with parents, 6-7:30pm chaperoned semi-formal dance)

Finally, MTRS is hosting the annual D2 Wmass Track Championships today. AD Lilly and the team are working flat out to prepare. Athletics updates will be back next week!

In this week's newsletter there are also updates on:

• The combined History and Biology trip from last week
• How you can order a copy of the yearbook
• Academic, Attendance and Behavioral expectations for students on end of year trips
• Off and Away phone pilot will be extended to 7-12 next year
• Information for the Class of 24
• Athletics updates

June Student-led conferences

Advisory teachers have started to reach out to families and care providers to schedule a Student-Led-Conference

• June 5th: S2 Student Led Conferences- Early dismissal for all MS and HS Students at 11:30 (Conferences to take place virtually or in person between 12-3:30pm MS & HS and virtually)
  

• June 12th: 12:50pm Early release for students in MS and HS

• June 14th: Last day for students: 11:30 dismissal for MS and HS

If you are reading this newsletter on a phone or laptop, don't forget to click on "read entire message" in order to see the complete newsletter.

Finally, we do our best to convey information to our community from a variety of sources, lots of them community rather than school based organizations. Unfortunately we are not able to share images and posters with live links through Smore but always ensure there is an email for inquiries. If you would like an e-copy of a poster with live links, please feel free to reach out to the office directly.

See you on Tuesday!

Best wishes

Chris

Upcoming dates

• May 30th: Senior Awards evening 5-7pm

• May 31st (Friday) -6-8pm: High School Graduation. Indoors at MTRS (This is a correction to the published date of June 1st)

• June 3rd - Grade 6 Step up day

• June 5th: S2 Student Led Conferences- Early dismissal for all MS and HS Students at 11:30

• June 7th: Grade 8 Celebration: 5:30-7:30 (5:30-6: Awards and slide show with parents, 6-7:30 semi-formal dance)

• June 12th: 12:50pm Early release for students in MS and HS

• June 14th: Last day for students: 11:30 dismissal for MS and HS

Chromebook return dates (Times TBD)

• Grade 12: May 24th: 12-2pm

• Grade 9 &10: June 12th

• Grade 11 & 8: June 13th

District Calendar for 2023/24: Link (Calendar for 24/25)

Handbook

Live course catalog 2024/25

Bell schedule

MTRS MCAS and AP testing schedule

Food Services Information

Quarter 4 40 Days (5 fewer days due to Q2)

First Day: Monday April 8, 2024

Last Day: Monday, June 10, 2024

Q4 progress report grades close on: Friday, May 10, 2024

Q4 progress report grading window: Thursday, May 9 - Thursday, May 16 at 11:59pm

Q4 progress reports will be available in Aspen: Friday, May 17, 2024

Q4 grading window: May 31st - June 14th

Q4 report cards available in Aspen: June 17th

On Friday, Marine Science and US History classes headed to Boston Harbor to participate in a whale watch on opening day of the season. They braved a rough day on the seas and all made it back safely after seeing 3 humpback whales at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary between Boston and Provincetown. The students are studying the importance of whales in both courses, historically and currently, to the people of New England.

We are almost at the end of the year and there are trips and fun events for different grade levels between now and June 14th, the last day of the academic year. Some of these events and trips include:

• G 7 - June 10: Interskate Trip
• G8 - June 7 - Semi-formal dance
• G7-11 - Field Day

I wanted to reach out to ask for your help in reminding students that in order to participate in the trips and events they need to ensure that between now and the date of the trip, they need to:

• Be in good academic standing (Passing all classes)
• Be in good standing in relation to daily attendance (coming to school) and class attendance (attending classes on their schedule: p 8 of the Student Handbook)
• Have no more than two behavioral referrals between tomorrow, May 17th and the day of the trip (Code of Conduct section of the Student Handbook - p 13)

Please find a link to the Student handbook, here.

Please find below a reminder of attendance expectations taken from the Student handbook:

• Mohawk Trail Regional School attendance policy requires that students be in attendance for 90% of scheduled classes in order to receive academic credit.
• For students in grades 7-12, absences exceeding 10% of class time will result in a loss of credit. Any student who misses ten (10) classes in any semester course (either a course that meets daily for one semester or meets every other day for a full year) will not receive credit for that course. The course must be retaken for credit. For a course that meets on alternating days for a semester, any student who misses five (5) classes will not receive credit for that course; missing 19 classes for a yearlong course (one that meets every day for the full year) will also result in loss of credit. Students in grades 7-12 who miss 30% or more of a class on a given day will be considered absent from that class. This is due to the requirements of the time on learning standards set by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as managed by our student attendance system.

MTRS Yearbooks are for sale!

Don't forget to order the 2024 edition of Massamet, Mohawk Trail's yearbook. You or your student can order the yearbook through TreeRing.com. Follow the link below for more information. If you haven't ordered an MTRS yearbook in the past 4 years, you'll have to make an account. Seniors have had yearbooks purchased for them with Class of 2024 funds. Yearbooks ordered before 5/10 will be shipped to the school by the end of the month, yearbooks ordered after 5/10 will be shipped directly to your home. Please reach out to Mr. Leowolf at bleowolf@mtrsd.org with any questions.

Purchase link: https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1015542201951246

School Passcode: 1015542201951246 "

Mohawk Trail Regional is proud to offer Advanced Placement classes. It’s one more way that students are blazing their trails at MTRS.

AP Classes Offered and Teaching Staff at MTRS

In the 2024-2025 school year, Mohawk Trail Regional will list 13 AP courses in its curriculum guide. However, due to our size and the availability of teaching staff, six AP courses are likely to run in any given year, pushing the balance of the courses to run every other year. Students work with their guidance counselor when choosing courses to understand whether opting for an AP course in their junior (or even sophomore) year may be a good strategy. In the 2023-2024 year, 5 AP courses ran: Chemistry (full year, 5 students); Computer Science (semester 1, 6 students); English Literature And Composition (semester 1, 14 students); English Language and Composition (semester 2, 17 students); and US History (semester 2, 12 students).

Mohawk Trail Regional’s list of certified teachers and the AP courses they are prepared to teach include:

• Stacie Beck: AP Biology
• Eric Colbeck: AP Computer Science Principles; AP Computer Science A
• Bill Drake: AP English Literature and Composition
• Judy Licht: AP Chemistry; AP Environmental Science
• Bob Mastorakis: AP Calculus AB; AP Calculus BC
• Erik Sussbauer: English Literature And Composition; AP English Language and Composition
• Julia White: AP US History 1; AP US History 2

Inside the AP Classroom

The 40 students who are enrolled in AP courses this year are taking 54 exams this month, with the hope of earning credit for their future. But before they sit for the tests this month, they have put in a considerable amount of preparation. Seeing the students in action, there is natural curiosity and drive to do well. What they have in common is that they are there to work hard, collaborate, seek out answers, understand and excel.

In Mr. Sussbauer’s AP English Language and Composition class, the focus is on the synthesis of ideas and argumentation. Students engaged in a first-time format of conducting research in groups on topics of consumerism, capitalism and philanthropy. This year’s format adds the life skill of public speaking to the mix. When the three groups presented their findings, these were some of the topics shared:

• Capitalism is a key driver in climate change. Capitalism keeps us from being sustainable.

• We value consuming. The US creates 30% of the world’s waste.

• 59% of Americans think money can buy happiness.

• Wealth can be less about what you have but the experiences you collect.

• Carbon safe practices are expensive. Companies are prioritizing profits over the environment. Renewable energies are expensive in the short term but cheaper in the long term.

The students shared data points, trends, deductions, and realities for their audience to consider. At that point in the semester, the 12 students were preparing to take an online practice test in which they were expected to write 3 essays and complete a section of multiple choice. Practice tests help students understand what to expect before a final score is determined, possibly affecting the validity of earned college credit.

As a feature of this year’s AP English classes, students engaged with Pulitzer Prize finalist Lydia Millet. Her book A Children’s Bible is read in junior year with Mr. Sussbauer. This in-school field trip gave students access to the author to hear about what inspires her and her methods. She also shared insights into her position with Center for Biological Diversity where she writes and edits communications materials as they relate to the organization’s work in conservation.

In Ms. Licht’s tightly knit AP Chemistry class of 5 students, they worked in groups on an experiment about electrochemistry. They used a watt meter to measure which elements were the better conductors of electrical current to form a battery. Laboratory experiments and content acquisition allows AP Chemistry students to learn through rigorous inquiry. There was humor and a bit of competition in doing the experiment and in the discussion that followed.

Data from the 2022-2023 school year reports:

• 68% of 11-12th graders completed advanced coursework (which includes AP and honors courses)

• 67% of students earned scores of 3 or better (college credit threshold)

• Tests were given in 7 different AP courses

• 30 students took 53 exams (some students took 2 or more exams)

This year, 10 more students are taking AP courses than last year, with two fewer offerings.

The integrity of the AP classes trusts that the teacher and students will rise to a quality of work that merits college credit. This is done at Mohawk Trail Regional by assessing the students’ ability through past work and perceived readiness, incorporating hands-on elements that demonstrate principles, and allowing students to come to conclusions and collaborate with fellow classmates. The relationship between MTRS teachers and their students, and that between students, are important to create a learning environment that fosters the learning necessary to succeed.

Additional Information

The College Board

The College Board is the governing body that sets the rigor, curriculum, materials, support and tests for every school offering AP courses. Additionally, all teachers who are AP instructors must access College Board-sponsored online workshops and/or attend a week-long summer institute to become officially certified to teach an AP level course. This means, the AP courses offered at Mohawk Trail Regional are of the same content and calibur of any other school.

AP Testing, Costs and College Credit

Though students and families have many reasons for including an AP class on their schedule, to earn both high school and college credit is the most popular. Each AP course is modeled after an introductory college course. At Mohawk Trail Regional, each student who takes the course is required to take the related AP exam. Auditing the course without taking the related exam is not an option. Scoring is on a scale of 1 to 5, with one being “No recommendation,” 3 being “Qualified,” and 5 being “Extremely well qualified.” Students who score a 3 or higher on the 5 point scale may receive credit at the college level, if their chosen institution of higher learning accepts AP credits. There are costs associated with taking the test, but Mohawk Trail subsidizes the fees so that they are not a barrier to students wishing to take an AP class.

Many other schools in the region have looked at a program like Yondr as a solution to combat excessive phone use in schools. As an alternative, we developed our own pilot program earlier this year which intends to support students with appropriate phone use during the school day.

As a result of the pilot which has been in place in grades 7 and 8 during S2, we have seen a reduction in behavior referrals and issues between Middle school students in school in relation to social media usage. Consequently, for the school year 24/25, we are going to extend this pilot into high school in order to maximize student and staff time on learning, free of digital distraction.

We hope that this pilot provides a supported approach for grades 7-12 to use their phones in a responsible way whilst also removing technological distraction from the learning environment.

We will include a specific section on the phone pilot as part of the student, staff and family feedback surveys during 2024/25.

Short version

• Phones should be off and away from 7:45-2:20 each day for all students in grades 7-12
• Grades 9-12 will be allowed to use phones at lunch time only. Grade 7 and 8 will remain unable to use phones during breaks or lunch
• No phone use will be permitted during transitions
• Caregivers can communicate with their student by calling the office. Students are permitted to call home by using the phone in the front office.

Progressive discipline

1. Phone out first time - Verbal warning to put your phone away
2. Phone out second time - Teacher to take the phone for the remainder of the lesson. Phone is returned at the end of the class. Teacher makes a behavior referral, "phone infraction."
3. Phone out third time, administration is called and the student phone is kept at the front office until the end of the day. The student can collect the phone at the end of the day and the parent/ caregiver is notified.
4. A further infraction will result in the phone being taken to the office and the parent/ caregiver being required to come into school to speak with admin and pick up the phone. The student will go onto a phone plan for 10 school days; dropping off their phone in the front office at the start of the day and collecting it from the office at the end of the day.
5. An additional infraction after successfully completing a phone plan will result in the student being unable to have a phone in their possession for the remainder of the current grading period.

Awards Night

Awards Night is Thursday, May 30th at 5 pm. At this ceremony, we will announce the recipients of the scholarships. Most scholarship disbursements will be made after the students submit their semester 1 transcripts from college. The certificate that you receive on Awards night will provide directions on how to receive the disbursements.

Information for the Class of 2024

• Finals and rehearsals for Awards/ Graduation - Tuesday 28th May and Wednesday May 29th

• Elementary school visit and MTRS staff cookout - Wednesday 29th May

• Awards Event - Thursday 30th May (5-7pm)

• Graduation Celebration - Friday May 31st 6-8pm indoors at MTRS (auditorium)
  

Please note:

Grade 12 Q4 Progress Grading Window: Wednesday, May 1 - Wednesday May 8, 2024 @ 11:59pm

Grade 12 Progress Reports available: Thursday, May 9, 2024

Grade 12 Q4 Term Grading Window: Wednesday, May 22 - Wednesday May 29, 2024 @ 11:59pm

Grade 12 Reports Cards available: Thursday, May 30, 2024

Please see our May newsletter, here

Student Services Update

Also don't forget to be checking the Senior Scholarship Bulletin.

Students and parents, please reach out with any specific questions - happy to help! Mrs. Cairney acariney@mtrsd.org Students to book an appt visit: https://acairney.youcanbook.me/

Please make sure that you check the Bus routes on district site. Care providers can call Dawn at the bus company on 413-489-3195 at ext 3304 or call the school and ask to speak to Robin Pease.

Local Education Council (LEC)

This meets virtually every second Wednesday of the month between 3:45 and 4:30pm. More information can be found here. The next meeting will take place on June 12th.

The virtual joining information is as follows:

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/gzo-toke-ibz

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 813-435-9650‬

PIN: ‪741 012 215#‬

MOHAWK TRAIL ATHLETES POISED FOR POSTSEASON!

After a very successful spring season, four of our five varsity athletic programs have qualified for MIAA postseason berths! This includes both our boys and girls track and field teams, our softball team, and our tennis team! While softball and tennis await their seedings in their upcoming tournaments, our track and field athletes are already making noise across the state!

JUNIOR CHAY MOJALLALI ETCHES NAME INTO MOHAWK TRAIL RECORD BOOK

This past Friday, we at Mohawk Trail once again hosted the Annual D2 WMass Track and Field Championships under the lights of Pollard Field. However, the lights were not too bright for junior Chay Mojallali as he broke the Mohawk Trail Outdoor High Jump record by clearing a height of 6’6” on his way to a first place finish! In front of a home crowd of well over 1,000 fans, Mojallali put on a show as he had everyone holding their breath as he nearly cleared 6’7” on his final jump! Congratulations Chay, and good luck at States!

Not to be outdone, freshman Morgan Raffa threw a personal best of 94’3” in the discus at the D6 State Track and Field Meet this past Thursday at Merrimack College in Andover. With this throw, Raffa secured a 7th place finish overall, and top honors from Franklin County! Congratulations Morgan!

Mohawk Trail SEPAC Member and Parent

Join us for the Caregiver Workshop to:

* understand DESE's new IEP Process

* become familiar with the new forms

* learn to navigate the new processes

Follow the link to the virtual session on May 20 here:

https://collaborative.zoom.us/j/84763305906#success

Follow us on Facebook

Do you have a question about your child, their services, or resources specific to your needs? If you or someone you know would like to be added to the private list and receive emails and event notifications, please send an email to: MOHAWKSEPAC@gmail.com Please indicate your email, title (such as parent of a student with IEP/504), District, Interested Party or other)

Disclosure: SEPAC maintains the list of contacts and keeps the information private. This email is maintained by a parent and volunteer. Our goal is to respond in a timely manner. We will get back to you as soon as we can. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Special Education Contact Information

Person

Leann Loomis

Melissa Plesnar

Erin Beaudet

Carolyn Goodnow

Kate Dwyer

Amy Socquet

About Mohawk Trail SEPAC

The Special Education Parent Advisory Council is an advisory group led by parents within our community. We are looking to support each other and help the school district to better serve its students. The SEPAC is open to all caregivers within the district with an IEP or 504 plan, and to interested members of the community. Please reach out to us to learn more!

SEPAC meetings

We meet monthly via Zoom.

We welcome caregivers, staff, and interested members of the community to learn about SEPAC and meet local families. The public meeting will be followed by a private caregiver support discussion.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81146390541?pwd=cGVyR0hFelYrTWhTZ2pzK0kwWnBWQT09

Meeting ID: 811 4639 0541

Passcode: 453118

One tap mobile

+13126266799,,81146390541# US (Chicago)

+16468769923,,81146390541# US (New York)

Email us to learn more: mohawksepac@gmail.com

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MohawktrailSEPAC

Email: cbuckland@mtrsd.org
Website: www.mtrs.mohawktrailschools.org
Phone: 413-625-9811
Facebook: facebook.com/mohawktrailregional