FRIDAY FOCUS
Monomoy Regional High School's Weekly Newsletter
Monomoy is now accepting School Choice applications for the 2026-2027 school year! Visit our website for more information about availability, important dates, and the link to the application form: http://www.monomoy.edu/schoolchoice.
As work begins on Phase 1 on the Monomoy Middle School Renovation Project, with the siding and windows being replaced, we are planning for Phase 2 - replacing the roof. The roof replacement work is necessary to protect our Towns’ investment in the middle school and the work currently being done to install new windows and siding. The roof project must be approved at Town Meeting in both towns next month, and at the ballot, in order to move ahead. You can find Phase 1 project updates, Phase 2 information, and a number of frequently asked questions on our website.
"Ms. Coles goes above and beyond for her SHELLS students!"
"She brings unwavering dedication, creativity, and heart to everything she does. Her commitment to ensuring that each student builds independence, confidence, and real-world skills is evident in her classroom and in every interaction."
"Wherever you find her, you can be sure she is promoting skill development, scaffolding for increased independence, or supporting an inclusion opportunity for her students."
Each month, the district features a staff member in our Staff Shoutout series. Staff members can be nominated by students, parents/caregivers, and colleagues for outstanding positive contributions to our schools at www.monomoy.edu/staffshoutout.
We’re excited to welcome the next class of Sharks! Monomoy has opened online registration for incoming Kindergarten students at Chatham Elementary School and Harwich Elementary School. All children residing in Chatham or Harwich who reach the age of 5 before September 1, 2026, are eligible for enrollment in Monomoy’s Kindergarten program for the 2026-2027 school year.
To access the link to register, the list of needed documents, and other information, visit Monomoy’s Enrollment page.
The necessary documents must be uploaded to the registration portal in order for the enrollment to be processed.
Students should be registered by April 15, 2026, in order to be scheduled for a Kindergarten Screening appointment in May.
Students who currently attend Monomoy’s preschool programs do not need to register for Kindergarten, as their enrollment will roll over.
Families needing assistance with the online registration process, including translation support or access to technology, can contact Central Registrar Roberta Simmons at rsimmons@monomoy.edu or 857-777-5863 to schedule an in-person appointment.
It's Prom Night for the MRHS Class of 2026! Wishing our students a wonderful evening filled with fun, friends, and fond memories! The Grand March will be livestreamed on Facebook starting at 5:30 p.m.
Monomoy senior Sean Needham honored with Award for Academic Growth and Student Leadership in Learning
Monomoy Regional High School Senior Sean Needham was selected by the high school’s administration to receive the 2026 NSDC Award for Academic Growth and Student Leadership in Learning.
The National School Development Council is a network of regional school study councils that supports excellence, equity and continuous educational improvement. The NSDC network assists hundreds of schools and school districts nationwide in becoming high-performance organizations. The regional affiliation is the New England School Development Council (NESDEC).
This award is presented to high school seniors who have consistently pursued a high level of academic effort, and who have also served as positive role models for the student body. Recipients of the award exemplify admirable character and accomplishment.
In presenting this award, Superintendent Scott Carpenter shared the following excerpts from the nomination from Sean’s counselor:
Sean is one of the most exceptional, engaging, and dynamic students I have had the pleasure of working with in my career as a school counselor. He has a natural ability to influence others; while I often discuss the need to use these powers “for good” with high school students, Sean has never been one to need the push in the right direction. His influence is innately positive, and his impact on our school community has been significant. Over the years, I have watched as he has racked up awards, recognitions, volunteerism, and leadership positions. A constant supportive presence at student orientations and parent evenings, Sean is the student who stops when he sees me walking the hallways with a new student, introduces himself, and makes a point to continue the connection beyond the initial meeting. He remembers faces and details, making others feel important and seen. He can be found in our hallways fostering discussions with peers and adults alike, in bleachers cheering on our teams, and hyping up crowds during pep rallies. He is a consistent volunteer, particularly events which involve networking with adults and supporting underclassmen. While his resume speaks for itself, I feel it cannot go understated how deeply he cares about those around him - from his deep respect for his family to the more global belief that everyone deserves to be heard.
Sean floats to the mark that is set for him; when he is held to high standards, he rises to them. Perhaps the best representation of Sean’s core beliefs is held in his response when I proposed this year’s demanding schedule that required concessions of the more “fun” senior courses: “I don’t want to, but I need to, and I can.” And speaking from his high-achieving performance thus far in the school year with that course rigor, he without question can. “But I need to, and I can” will carry Sean through any postsecondary goals he sets. His character will carry him through leadership opportunities. His discipline and drive will carry him through a rigorous academic and physical program. And his sheer likability will make him an incredible asset to any institution.
Sean is a Hope Squad representative, a peer leader, and a member of the MRHS football team, indoor track and field team, and outdoor track and field team, among numerous other activities. Sean plans to attend Massachusetts Maritime Academy in the fall.
Sean was presented with the award at the School Committee meeting on April 9, 2026.
Get your tickets here: https://www.msbtickets.com/monomoyregionalhighschool/event/MRHSPopsConcert2026
Dreaming of April vacation? Next year, MRHS students will be travelling to Italy for April vacation. Come to an information and registration meeting on Wednesday 4/15 at 6:30pm in MRHS room 217 to learn more and to secure your spot. Itinerary and pricing can be found at www.acis.com using Trip ID: 351018 and Teacher Name: Peters.
Ready to register before the meeting? There are 18 spots left! Use that same link and Trip ID to sign up anytime. Send any questions to Ms. Peters at speters@monomoy.edu
Ashley Symington, Director of Youth and Family Services for the Town of Harwich, is hosting the Let's Talk Mental Health conference on Saturday, May 2 from 9AM-1PM at the Harwich Community Center. Student volunteers are needed to help with childcare and at the welcome table. Teens are also welcome to attend the event if they would like to come learn and share their voices! Please email Ashley at ashley.symington@harwich-ma.gov to volunteer or learn more.
CCMA Through Young Eyes 2026
https://www.cciaea.org/through-young-eyes.html
- Exhibition Dates: March 27th - May 17th, 2026
- Artwork Drop-off: Member's Meeting at CCMoA, Thursday, March 19th at 4:30 pm or by Special Arrangement
- Museum Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm & Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm
- Artists' Reception: Saturday, March 28th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm
- Pickup of Art and CCIAEA Members' Celebration: Monday, May 18th, 2026 at 4:30 pm or by Special Arrangement at CCMoA
On Thursday, Monomoy's School Committee approved student travel to Italy for April Break of 2027. I am super excited to share this news with you! The trip will feature 3 nights in Sorrento and 3 nights in Rome, and all of the trip details can be found at this website.
There will be an in-person registration and information event on Thursday April 2nd at 6:00pm at the High School in Room 217. If you are certain that you would like your student to travel with us, you are welcome to register at that same link to secure a spot before the meeting.
This news comes at a great time. A feature post that I wrote about this past February's trip went live with the travel company's (ACIS) website last night. You can read all about my insights on that trip here. The biggest takeaway is: travel is transformative!
I hope there are some Italian-themed discussions at home this weekend, and I look forward to seeing many of you next week at the information and registration event.
All best,
Sara Peters
Latin Teacher
World Languages Instructional Leader
Monomoy Regional High School
Learn more about the Monomoy SEPAC at https://www.monomoy.edu/parent-caregiver-resources/sepac
MRHS students are marked present or absent for each class. Students who exceed 10% absence in classes are at risk for losing credit in that class. For example, students may lose credit if they have:
- 5 absences in a term course
- 9 absences in a semester course
- 18 absences in a full-year course
- By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th-grade test scores
- Chronically absent high school students had an average GPA of 2.8 vs. non-chronically absent classmates who had an average GPA of 3.5
- When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating
Register here: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration
Teen Grief Group
Virtual Grief Group
The Monomoy All Sports Booster Club now has an online merchandise store!
Grab spirit wear for the whole family and support our student-athletes at the same time.
Shop now: https://nausetscreenprinting.printavo.com/merch/monomoy-sharks/
Every purchase helps support all Monomoy sports programs - thank you for backing our Sharks!
Senior Parents! Are you looking for the perfect graduation gift for your senior? The Monomoy All Sports Booster Club is offering you the opportunity to purchase a brick with your student's name and Class of 2026 that will be installed around the concession area at the Monomoy Athletic Complex Turf.
The cost of the brick is $125.00 and can be paid via Venmo once you have placed your order. If you would like to place an order, please email Boosterclub@monomoy.edu with your order. Each brick is 4x8, has two lines of print (students name, up to 21 characters) with Class of 2026 as the second line.
The deadline to place your order is Friday, May 1, 2026.
Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you have any questions, please email Boosterclub@monomoy.edu
Thank you!
The Monomoy All Sports Booster Club
Annual Service Academy Information Night on Friday, May 1st, 2026, from 6 to 8 pm at the Maritime Conference Center on the campus of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. They will have representatives from West Point, the Naval Academy, the US Air Force Academy, the US Merchant Marine Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, as well as Mass Maritime. Students and their families are welcome to attend—as well as counselors/teachers/school personnel who want to know more about the process! We do ask that folks pre-register for our planning purposes.
--Michael Jackman, District Director
Office of Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09)
Contact Us!
Email: mrhs@monomoy.edu
Website: mrhs.monomoy.edu
Location: 75 Oak Street, Harwich, MA, USA
Phone: 508-430-7200