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.

Many thanks to the Friends of Chatham Waterways! Their generous grant helped both Mrs. Doyle's Honors Junior English class and Ms. Dietz's Climate Action Club visit both White's Pond and Frost Fish Creek recently. The English class is working on their transcendental video project in which they will connect the words and values of Emerson and Thoreau to actually being out in nature, while the Climate Action Club took water samples and studied the health of the waters. In a week of rain, we were blessed with sun! Thanks again "Friends"!!

On December 20th, the last day of classes before the holiday break, we celebrated the Novena de Navidad Latina in our cafeteria, despite the season’s first snowfall. Families braved the weather to honor this cherished tradition, a heartfelt celebration of hope, community, and cultural pride. The Novena de Navidad is more than a cultural celebration—it's a profound expression of hope, fraternity, and the resilience of traditions passed down through generations. Families shared songs and stories that illuminated the warmth and magic of the holiday season. The room was filled with laughter, music, and the delicious aromas of traditional dishes, offering a taste of the vibrant Latin heritage.

Throughout the final week of classes, Spanish students explored a variety of Latin American and Hispanic holiday traditions, such as Novenas, Mexican Posadas, Puerto Rican Parrandas, the Catalonian Tió de Nadal, Three Kings Day, the 12 Grapes on New Year’s Eve, and El Día de las Velitas. These activities highlighted how language and culture intertwine, offering students a deeper understanding of traditions and fostering connections beyond the classroom. Learning a new language alongside its cultural context opens doors to empathy, global awareness, and enriched perspectives.

I am deeply grateful to everyone who attended the Novena, despite the challenges posed by the weather, to celebrate and keep alive this bond that commemorates our diverse languages, cultures, and traditions. The celebration also featured wonderful moments captured on video, including children dancing "El Pescador - The fisherman," a traditional Colombian cumbia, and reading and singing aloud in Spanish.

As a Latinoamerican Teacher and a mother in our community, I extend my heartfelt thanks to our School District. By supporting events like this, we create opportunities to grow, learn, and celebrate diversity together. These moments of shared joy remind us of the strength found in community and the importance of embracing traditions that keep us connected to our roots while bridging cultures.

May we continue to honor and share these beautiful traditions, fostering unity and understanding in our school and beyond. Here's to keeping the spirit of hope, togetherness, and cultural celebration alive for generations to come!

Profe Berbeo.

Discounted Senior Prom tickets will go LIVE on January 2nd! Prom tickets will be $70 from Thursday, January 2nd to Friday, January 17th. The price will increase after this early bird special ends. Save money and get your tickets early: https://www.msbtickets.com/monomoyregionalhighschool/event/MRHS2025seniorprom

The Class of 2025's Senior Prom will take place at Wychmere Beach Club on Friday, April 11, 2025. All seniors are invited and may bring up to 1 guest. Dress formally. The Grand March will begin at 5:30pm followed by dinner and dancing. Seniors will need to arrive at Wychmere by 5pm. If you are bringing a guest who is not a current student at MRHS, you must submit a permission slip to the Main Office by March 7th. Permission slips will be available sometime in February. Please check your email for updates.

If you need financial assistance to purchase a yearbook please email Mrs. Francesconi (kfrancesoni@monomoy.edu).

Preferred submission format is a PDF file attached to an email, sent to teppernina2@gmail.com with the Subject Line: VFP Poetry Contest. Entries can still be mailed to: Veterans For Peace, 45 Sassafras Lane, Marstons Mills, MA 02648

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!

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.

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.)

Grief/Bereavement Group offering for MRSD students beginning in January. In partnership with local organization “Sharing Kindness”, this 6-week support group will occur at school during the day and is open to any MRSD student grieving the loss of a loved one. If you would like more information and/or if your student is interested in the opportunity, please reach out to Ms. Giorgio.

All students enrolled in AP classes are expected to take the culminating exams in May 2025. Earning scores high enough on these tests could potentially lead to college credit. In addition, this exam takes the place of the course final. Exam fees are determined by the College Board; each exam is $98.00. For those on free and reduced lunch, the cost is $40.00 per test.

• One exam: $99

• Two exams: $198

• Three (or more) exams: $297

We request a non-refundable* payment by February 3, 2025. Checks should be made payable to MRSD, which should be given to Mrs. Casey, Guidance Assistant.

* All Parents/Guardians of AP Students will receive an email and snail mail regarding AP examination fees with additional information.

INSTAGRAM: @MonomoyGuidance

Wishing you health and safety,

The MRHS Counseling Team

Mon. 1/6

V Boys Ice Hockey @ 2:45

Tues. 1/7

Fr. Boys Basketball @ 2:15

Fr. Girls Basketball @ 2:15

Wed. 1/8

V Girls Ice Hockey @ 10:30am

Click here to access the Monomoy All Sports Booster Club's merch store: https://monomoy-merch.printify.me/products

Follow us on Instagram for game results, scores, updates, and more!: @monomoyathletics

To report your child's absence, tardy, or upcoming dismissal please use the following link:

https://mrhs.monomoy.edu/attendance

Did you know? Past issues of the Friday Focus can be found on our website:

https://mrhs.monomoy.edu/news/friday-focus

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

Email: mrhs@monomoy.edu
Website: mrhs.monomoy.edu
Location: 75 Oak Street, Harwich, MA, USA
Phone: 508-430-7200

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