The Green Knight News
August 2, 2026
Homecoming Week is here! We are excited to kick off our festivities with Spirit Week and look forward to seeing our students and staff come together to celebrate the traditions and school pride that make Mount Pleasant special. Homecoming is about more than a football game or a dance. It is an opportunity to celebrate our shared identity, strengthen our connections, and remind ourselves what it means to be part of the Green Knight community.'
This past week, I had the opportunity to stop by a meeting of our Black Student Union, and I left incredibly impressed by the depth and thoughtfulness of the conversations taking place. Our students were engaging in meaningful dialogue, sharing perspectives, and challenging one another to think critically about their experiences and the world around them. I appreciated the opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand their perspectives. Moments like these remind me how important it is that we create spaces where students feel heard, valued, and empowered to use their voices.
We also welcomed visitors from AVID and the Delaware Advisory Council for Career and Technical Education (DACTE). Both visits were successful and provided opportunities to showcase our students, staff, and programs. Just as importantly, they gave us valuable perspectives to reflect upon as we continue improving our school. I believe strongly that celebrating what we do well and remaining open to opportunities for growth must go hand in hand.
One of my favorite experiences this week was meeting with students in our IB Design class, where I had the opportunity to serve as their customer! Students walked me through their design prototypes for the upcoming makeover of our Snack Shack at Green Knight Stadium. They explained their thinking, shared their creative decisions, and sought feedback as they worked toward a final product. It was a great example of our instructional focus on student ownership in action. These students are not simply completing an assignment; they are applying their learning to a real project that will become part of our school community. I cannot wait to see their final designs come to life!
As we head into Homecoming Week, I am reminded that what makes Mount special is not any single event, program, or accomplishment. It is the collective contributions of our students, staff, families, and community. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to participate, celebrate, and enjoy the week ahead.
One School. One Community. We ARE!
Bill Wells
Principal
Mount Pleasant High School
Interim Reports & Parent Teacher Conferences
Interim Reports were released on Monday, October 5, and are now available for families to review through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. With the district's transition to Infinite Campus, Interim Reports and Report Cards are no longer automatically printed or mailed home. Families must access these documents electronically.
To view your student's academic progress, select the “Grades” tab to review current marking period grades or the “Documents” tab to access a printable PDF of the official Interim Report. Families will be notified throughout the school year when Interim Reports and Report Cards become available.
As we approach Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 22–23, we encourage families to review their student's academic progress and connect with teachers to celebrate successes, discuss concerns, and identify opportunities for continued growth.
To provide flexibility for families, teachers will be available for conferences through one of the following schedules:
Thursday, October 22, from 4:00–7:00 p.m. and Friday, October 23, from 7:15–11:45 a.m.
Friday, October 23, from 7:15 a.m.–2:45 p.m.
Teachers will communicate their availability and work with families to schedule conferences. We encourage families to take advantage of this opportunity to connect directly with their student's teachers.
Need assistance? If you need help accessing Infinite Campus, obtaining your authorization code or login information, or requesting a printed copy of your student's Interim Report, please contact the school or your student's school counselor. We want every family to have access to the information needed to support their Green Knight's success.
Visitation Day – Student Volunteers Needed!
Mount Pleasant High School is excited to welcome prospective students and families for our annual Visitation Day on Thursday, October 29, at 6:30 p.m. This event provides an opportunity for future Green Knights to explore our school, learn about our academic programs, and discover the many opportunities available at MPHS.
To help make this event a success, we are seeking student volunteers to showcase our academic programs, clubs, athletics, and student organizations. Our students are our greatest ambassadors, and we want visiting families to hear firsthand what makes the Mount Pleasant experience special.
We encourage families to talk with their students about getting involved and representing our school community. Interested students should sign up to volunteer and help us welcome the next generation of Green Knights!
Panorama Student Survey: Family Information
A reminder that our 9th-grade students will participate in the Panorama Student Survey on Tuesday, October 13, and Wednesday, October 14, during their English/Language Arts classes.
The survey takes approximately 20–30 minutes and provides students with an opportunity to share their perspectives on their learning experiences, sense of belonging, well-being, and school environment. Student responses are confidential and will help us identify ways to strengthen the learning experiences and supports available to our Green Knights.
Families interested in learning more or previewing the survey questions can visit: https://www.brandywineschools.org/panorama
Wrapped Wishes: Help Us Support Families This Holiday Season!
Mount Pleasant High School is proud to support the Brandywine School District’s Wrapped Wishes initiative, in partnership with the BSD Student Voice Advisory Council. This effort brings our school community together to collect essential household items for families in need during the holiday season.
From September 28 through October 31, MPHS is collecting feminine hygiene products and deodorant. We encourage our Green Knight families to consider donating to help ensure that members of our community have access to these everyday essentials.
Every contribution, big or small, can make a difference. Thank you for helping us demonstrate what it means to be One School. One Community. We ARE!
Homecoming Donations Needed!
We are seeking snack and drink donations to help make our Homecoming celebration a success! Families and community members interested in contributing are asked to review the available donation slots below and sign up. When signing up, please indicate the quantity you plan to donate so we can get an idea of what will be available. You can sign-up here:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49AAA92BA3FBC34-66403647-homecoming#/
Donations may be dropped off at the MPHS Main Office throughout the school week. We will also accept donations on Friday, October 16 from 2:30–5:00 p.m. and on Homecoming Day, Saturday, October 17. If dropping off Friday afternoon or on Homecoming Day, please coordinate in advance with Ms. Emily Hunter at emily.hunter@bsd.k12.de.us.
Please note: We cannot accept homemade items or any products containing nuts. These items will be turned away due to safety considerations.
Thank you for helping us make Homecoming a great experience for our Green Knights!
Spooky Movie Attendance Incentive!
Being Accountable, Respectful, and Engaged starts with showing up—on time and ready to learn. As part of our MTSS Tier 1 Attendance Incentive, we began tracking student tardies on October 1 and will continue through October 29. Students with no more than two tardies during this period will earn the opportunity to participate in our Spooky Movie celebration on October 30!
Please remember that this includes tardiness to school as well as tardiness to class. In the Brandywine School District, when you are late to school, you are late to class. We encourage every Green Knight to demonstrate our We ARE values by being Accountable for arriving on time, Respectful of instructional time, and Engaged in learning from the very beginning of class.
The 2026–2027 Mount Pleasant High School Yearbook is now available to order! Capture the moments, friendships, celebrations, and memories that will define this year as a Green Knight.
Yearbooks are $85 from October 17–January 29, and will be $89 after January 30.
Don’t miss your chance to own a collection of the moments that make this year unforgettable!
Please reach out to Ms. Janis McKnight for more information.
AP Testing & Payment Information
This week, all students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses received an AP Testing and Payment Information Packet outlining important details regarding AP examinations, registration, payment requirements, and deadlines.
Ms. Rachel Herskowitz, Lead School Counselor, visited every AP class in person to review this information and explain the process to all students who were present.
We encourage families to review the packet with their student, pay close attention to important deadlines, and complete any required steps in a timely manner. The AP Testing and Payment Information Packet is linked below for your convenience. If you have questions regarding AP testing or payment, please contact Ms. Herskowitz or your student's school counselor.
Supporting Students & Preparing for the PSAT
As we enter our fourth week of school, the MPHS School Counseling Department has enjoyed welcoming our new students and reconnecting with those returning. As we move beyond the busy schedule-change season, we look forward to supporting students through individual counseling, small groups, classroom lessons, and postsecondary education and career planning.
At MPHS, we are committed to providing a comprehensive school counseling program and are proud to be recognized as an ASCA RAMP School. Please reach out to your child’s school counselor so we can partner with you to provide the best possible support for your student.
Looking ahead, all 11th-grade students will take the PSAT 11 on Wednesday, October 21, during the first two blocks of the school day. Students in grades 9, 10, and 12 will follow their normal school-day schedule.
Juniors can begin preparing now by using the PSAT/SAT preparation resources available through College Board and Khan Academy. We encourage students to practice ahead of time and arrive on testing day on time, well-rested, and ready to do their best!
Launch Into Your Future Week: Exploring What's Next!
Our juniors and seniors are invited to participate in Launch Into Your Future Week, October 26–29, featuring opportunities to explore postsecondary pathways, develop career readiness skills, and prepare for life after Mount Pleasant.
Throughout the week, students can participate in sessions focused on military careers (Monday, October 26), the ASVAB career exploration assessment (Tuesday, October 27), apprenticeships and skilled trades (Wednesday, October 28), and resume development (Thursday, October 29). Seniors will also have the opportunity to attend a FAFSA Party on Wednesday to receive support with the financial aid process.
These experiences are designed to help students make informed decisions about their futures, whether they plan to pursue college, a career, military service, or a skilled trade.
Interested students should sign up through their SCOIR account to participate. We encourage our Green Knights to take advantage of these opportunities to explore their interests and prepare for their next steps!
College Visits Continue at MPHS!
College exploration is in full swing at Mount Pleasant High School! From October 12–15, we are excited to welcome representatives from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Albright College, Goldey-Beacom College, the University of Delaware, Boston University, Washington College, and the University of Scranton.
These visits provide students with valuable opportunities to learn about academic programs, admissions requirements, campus life, and pathways to higher education. We encourage families to talk with their students about their postsecondary goals and take advantage of these opportunities to explore what the future may hold.
Interested juniors and seniors should sign up in SCOIR to attend. At MPHS, we are committed to helping every student explore their options, discover their passions, and prepare for success beyond high school!
IB Parent Network Kick-Off Meeting – Save the Date!
We are excited to revitalize the Mount Pleasant High School IB Parent Network and invite all IB families to join us for our kick-off meeting on Tuesday, November 10, from 6:30–7:30 p.m. Dinner will be available beginning at 6:00 p.m.
The IB Parent Network is an opportunity for families to connect, share ideas, build relationships, and play an active role in supporting our IB community. Whether you're new to the IB program or have been part of it for years, your voice and perspective are important as we work together to establish this network.
We hope you'll join us for an evening of conversation, collaboration, and community building. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Jeanne Beadle or Ms. Liz Tedrick. We look forward to seeing you there!
Discover IB at Mount Pleasant High School!
Interested in learning more about the International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme at Mount Pleasant High School? Join us for one of our upcoming IB Programme Information Nights on November 5 or December 10 at 6:00 p.m. Families may attend in person in the MPHS Auditorium or virtually via Zoom.
Come learn more about the IB experience, the opportunities available to students, and how the program can help prepare Green Knights for college and beyond.
If your family is interested—or if you know a middle school student or family who may be interested in IB—please share this information with them! We want prospective Green Knights across our community to learn about the opportunities available through IB at Mount.
For more information, visit: www.brandywineschools.org/IB
AVID Spotlight: 11th Grade Bed Sheet Volleyball
When AVID meets on a Friday, students get a “Choice Friday,” a chance to have some fun while building the skills at the heart of the AVID elective. Last week, our 11th grade classes put their teamwork and communication to the test with a game of bed sheet volleyball.
In this playful twist on the traditional game, teams hold a bed sheet together and use it to launch and catch the ball. There was plenty of laughter, but students also had to talk clearly and move as one to keep the ball in play.
Choice Fridays give students more than practice with key skills. They’re a chance to laugh, make memories, and strengthen the bonds they’re building with their classmates.
Celebrating Our October WE ARE Award Recipients!
At Mount Pleasant High School, our WE ARE values are more than just words. They represent the qualities that strengthen our school community and define what it means to be a Green Knight. Each month, we recognize staff members who exemplify these values through their dedication to our students, colleagues, and school.
Please join us in congratulating our October WE ARE Award recipients!
Ms. Hanson – The Standard (Accountable)
Ms. Roa – The Connection (Respectful)
Ms. Grider – The Spark (Engaged)
These outstanding staff members were selected by our September WE ARE Award recipients, Ms. Cahoone, Ms. Mullin, and Ms. Buckmaster, continuing our tradition of recognizing colleagues who make a positive impact on our school community.
We are grateful for the dedication and commitment these educators bring to Mount Pleasant each day. Their contributions help make MPHS a place where students and staff feel supported, valued, and inspired to succeed.
Congratulations to our October honorees! Thank you for demonstrating what it means to WE ARE!
