Trojan Times Parent Newsletter
End-of-Year Reflections and Graduation Updates
Dear Parents and Guardians of 11th and 12th Grade Students,
As we approach the end of another school year, I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your continued support and engagement in your child's education. It has been a year filled with growth, achievements, and memorable moments, and we are proud of the progress our students have made.
I am writing to share some exciting updates regarding our upcoming graduation ceremony. This year, our ceremony will feature a new approach to celebrating our graduates' post-graduation plans. Each student's name will be read aloud, and simultaneously, their post-graduation plans will be displayed on the jumbotron along with their picture. This change allows us to focus on the individual achievements of each student while recognizing the diverse paths they are embarking upon after high school.
We believe this format will create a more inclusive and celebratory atmosphere, highlighting the accomplishments and aspirations of every graduate. By displaying the plans rather than announcing them, we aim to keep the spotlight on the students themselves and respect the many different directions they are taking, including those who may still be undecided about their future. Our goal is to honor their unique journeys and provide a platform for them to share their dreams and ambitions with our school community.
Looking back on this year, we have much to be proud of. Our students have demonstrated resilience, determination, and a commitment to excellence in all their endeavors. As we look forward to celebrating our seniors' accomplishments, we also anticipate the continued success of our rising seniors.
Thank you once again for your partnership and support throughout the year. We are excited to celebrate the Class of 2024 and wish all our students a restful and rejuvenating summer break.
Respectfully,
Sandra Means, Principal
Graduation is June 6th!
June 5th: Mandatory Practice for all Seniors walking at graduation! You must attend all practices to walk at graduation!!
Practice will be at McDowell High School in the North gym. Students must be in their seat and ready to begin at 9:30 a.m. After practice, students will be given their caps and gowns for graduation night. Students should be done with practice by 11:30.
June 5th: Baccalaureate will be held at St. Jude’s Church at 7 p.m. This is not mandatory to attend. If students are attending, they should wear their graduation gown to the service. Please do not wear your cap or tassel. Students planning to attend, should arrive at St. Jude’s Church by 6:15 p.m.
June 6th: Mandatory Graduation Practice will be at the Erie Insurance Arena. Students need to be in their seats by 9:15 a.m. The doors will open at 9 a.m. Please leave your house early enough to find parking and leave any items in your car. Due to security procedures, you may not bring in a bag, drink, or food. Practice should be done around 11:15 a.m. Do NOT wear your cap and gown to practice.
June 6th: Students must report to the Erie Insurance Arena no later than 5:30 p.m. Students should be in their caps, gowns, stole, and tassel. Dress attire for the girls is pants, skirt, or dress (color doesn’t matter). Dress attire for the boys is pants and a dress shirt. Families can begin entering the Insurance Arena at 5:30. There is no reserved seating. The Erie Insurance 8th Street parking ramp is free. The ramp will open a little after 5 p.m.
*Reminder: All student fees and obligations must be paid before participating in graduation.
*Any family that would like to order flowers ahead of time and have them waiting for you can use this link: https://www.thecommencementgroup.com/mcdowellshs/. Flowers will also be sold on site for your convenience.
*If any family member cannot attend graduation, here is the livestream link for that evening: https://www.youtube.com/live/2rV6Q1_zmrs
~ Mrs. Maciulewicz & Mr. Bucholtz, Senior Class Advisors
Well Wishes for Students from the Senior Assistant Principal
Dear Senior Parents and Guardians,
Let me begin by congratulating the 2024 McDowell graduating class as well as all of you. I want you to know it has been my honor to work with this group of students since they were juniors. Over the course of these two years, we have had so many great experiences both inside and outside the classroom; this group has grown and achieved beyond imagination. I want to commend each of them for their dedication and hard work toward their individual future goals.
I also want you to know that our McDowell staff has gone above and beyond their classroom lessons to ensure our students are as ready as possible for their future pursuits. Our teachers are second to none and truly dedicate themselves to helping our students grow. If you have a moment over the next few days, please take a minute to send an email to one of our teachers to let them know they made a difference.
Lastly, I want to thank all of you for your support during these transformational years. Without all of you we would not be able to do the important job we have here with the level of success we do. The learning journey started in your homes and paid dividends to all of us as we built upon these learning foundations.
It is never easy to say goodbye, but it is time for this group of graduates to take their next steps towards their dreams.
Wishing our graduates and all of you the best.
Justin S. Izbicki
12th Grade Assistant Principal
McDowell Summer Closure
McDowell High School will be closed from June 10 to August 12 for renovations. During this period, the high school administration and secretarial staff will be temporarily relocated to MIHS. Staff members can still be reached via email or by calling 814-835-5402. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we work to improve our facilities.
Rising Seniors & Juniors Summer Picture Days
Senior pictures will be taken from August 19 to August 23 at the McDowell Senior High School building between 8 AM and 4 PM. Seniors will receive a postcard in the mail with their specific date and time, and an email with the picture schedule will also be sent.
For 11th graders, picture days are scheduled for August 22 and August 23, 2024. Make-up days for 12th graders will be on October 14 and October 15, 2024, while 11th-grade make-up and retake day is October 14, 2024.
Spring Sports enter PIAA Playoffs
- Congratulations to the McDowell baseball team for its thrilling 1-0 victory over Mount Lebanon in the first round of the PIAA state championship tournament Monday, June 3. The Trojans won in walk-off fashion thanks to a game-winning hit by junior Jake Hower in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Trojans win advanced the program to the PIAA Quarterfinal Round for the first time since 1982. The Trojans will face Hempfield from Landisville, Pa. out of District 3 on Thursday, June 6th.
- McDowell had the special opportunity to host a PIAA softball and baseball doubleheader on the new turf fields at the Hanlon Community Athletic Complex Monday, June 3. The softball program hosted Seneca Valley in addition to baseball hosting Mount Lebanon in the win listed above. In more PIAA playoff action, the McDowell girls’ and boys’ lacrosse team host Mount Lebanon Tuesday, June 4, at Gus Anderson Field in the first round of the PIAA postseason. McDowell athletics thanks everyone responsible for helping these events happen on the school campus and for all the community for their continued support of our student athletes.
- Looking ahead to the 2024 Fall Sports Season, McDowell Athletics and the Allegheny Health Network will have its annual Sports Physical Day Saturday, July 20th, at the AHN Health and Wellness Pavilion West Side Sports Medicine Complex on West Ridge Road. This is an opportunity for McDowell student-athletes to have a PIAA-official physical completed for the 2024-25 school year. Please visit McDowellAthletics.com to find the paperwork needed and more information on McDowell Athletics Physical Day.
- Please visit McDowellAthletics.com for the latest schedule updates, rosters, results and more from all your favorite Trojans teams.
~ Kevin Stoicovy, McDowell Athletics
IMPORTANT for Juniors: Vaccine Requirement for Senior Year
Seniors are required to have a booster of MCV4, Meningococcal, and may be excluded from attending school if this is not completed. Once your student receives the vaccine, please send updated shot record to the nurse.
If you have any questions, please contact McDowell Nurse, Mrs. Linda DeHart (dehart@mtsd.org).
News from the Interventionist
Parents,
Another school year is ending, and the beautiful days of summer are ahead of us. Remember to enjoy your leisure activities, but I would like to encourage your child to keep in mind their academic endeavors. The Intervention Website is here to help and can be found at: https://mcd.mtsd.org/parents/academic-support . Study tips, parent guides/strategies, and helpful links and videos are available for remediation and acceleration. Also, there is an extensive amount of research that shows reading improves academic achievement. Make reading a part of your child’s daily routine. Encourage your child to find a book or series that is on their level and of a subject or genre of their interest.
To the parents of rising seniors-If you feel that your child needs additional assistance with Academic Intervention then please contact Joseph Magorien, Academic Interventionist, to see what programs or services may be available. Mr. Magorien can be reached at magorien@mtsd.org or by calling the school at (814) 835-5403.
Message for College Bound Juniors & Seniors
Attention Parents of College Bound Juniors:
If you would like your child to get a jump start on the college application process, encourage them to attend one of the College Connections Summer Sessions. See below for more details. Students can scan the QR to register
Attention Parents of College Bound Seniors:
If you and your child have completed the 2024-25 FAFSA, your child will receive an email from PHEAA with the next steps to apply for a PA State Grant award. This process has been very slow and students may not receive the email until later in June. Remind your student to check their email every day! They should also check their junk e-mail. Click here for more information. If you have any questions, you can reach out to PHEAA at 800-692-7392.
Reach out to Mrs. Gilroy at jgilroy@mtsd.org with any questions.
Congratulations to Parents!
Message to Parents:
Raising a graduate is no small feat. It is a testament to your guidance, love, and endless patience. Well done on your unwavering dedication and commitment to guiding your child to this incredible milestone. As they now reach for their dreams, it is clear they are reaching on a ladder you provided. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
~ Tracy Walsh, SAP Coordinator
