MASSABESIC HIGH SCHOOL
2023-2024
MHS STUDENT & FAMILY NEWSLETTER
Monday, September 8 - Friday, September, 12
RSU 57 & Massabesic High School
"Preparing students for success in an ever-changing world."
Hello Mustang Nation,
Congratulations to our students, staff, and families for a fantastic first week at MHS. Student energy and enthusiasm is palpable around campus, and I for one could not be happier that students have returned for the school year to breathe life back into our community. With the first week in the books we turn our attention to continuing process Add/Drop requests from students - please remember that your ticket to process any course changes is achieved by filling out the form that is linked below in this newsletter, or connecting with your Homeroom teacher for them to help you with the form. Our School Counselors are processing requests at a very high rate and will ensure that each student's request is processed before the end of the day on Friday, September 12 (the end of the add/drop period).
Wednesday, September Early Release Day: A quick reminder that our ERD bell schedule features a Mustang Time block set aside for student club meetings. Mustang Time rosters are the same as Homeroom rosters - students should report to their Homeroom/Mustang Time classrooms unless they are involved in a club that is meeting. Students involved in scheduled meetings should report directly to that meeting. Club advisors will provide a list of attendees to various meetings and the main office will adjust Mustang Time attendance accordingly. This Wednesday the Student Council will meet, and any students who are eligible for NHS (notified by Mrs. Stephenson) will report to the Auditorium for an informational meeting. Additionally, a select few students in the Zero Waste Club will be going around the building to collect recycle - Mr. Nduaguibe's students in this club will be making rounds in the building each ERD. Finally, a select few students who hold leadership roles will be joining Captain & Chief in the mega-mod each ERD.
Administration (Mr. Lavertu, Mr. Fryzlewicz, and I) met with each class this week to discuss important changes for this school year (cell phones/personal electronic devices & grading shifts). In those meetings I stressed to students the reality that we would all be working together to adapt and flex with these changes as we all will experience different impacts. I am proud of the student population in these first few days for their understanding and efforts to shift with these changes. I indicated to students that we would have some bumps and that not everything would be easy, but that it would be possible for us to make these shifts and have a successful and enjoyable school year. There will be continued growing pains, but our student population never ceases to impress me with their ability to step up.
As a reminder to students and families regarding cell phones and personal electronic devices - district policy prohibits the use of these devices during the school day, therefore school rules dictate that these devices are not to be found in a student's possession. School sanctioned options for storage as listed below - any deviation from those options will result in immediate and progressive consequences. (Of course, we want to avoid consequences if possible)
1. Leave the cell phone/personal electronic device at home.
2. Leave the cell phone/personal electronic devices in your vehicle or the vehicle of a friend/classmate.
3. Leave the cell phone/personal electronic device in your homeroom.
PICTURE DAY is Monday, September 8 - students are required to have their picture taken to update Synergy photos and student ID's. Students will be called down by last name and grade throughout the day.
As a final reminder, our Green/White day rotation for this week is below:
Monday, 09.08.25 - GREEN
Tuesday, 09.09.25 - WHITE
Wednesday, 09.10.25 - GREEN
Thursday, 09.11.25 - WHITE
Friday, 09/12.25 - GREEN
Take care,
-Mr. Thurlow
ADD/DROP PROCESS & TIMEFRAME
The Add/Drop will occur during the first ten days of school (the final day of the period is Friday, September 12). This is an opportunity for students to change their schedule. We ask that if a student would like to change their schedule, please complete the following Google Form:
School Counselors and the Main Office will schedule meetings for students to discuss their schedules and students will be called down to the office for these meetings. Priority will be given to open blocks, missing core requirements, and double-booked classes. The following considerations will not be made for schedule change requests:
-We will not be honoring request for specific teacher assignments for classes or study halls.
-If a student wants to change their Homeroom/Mustang Time, we are assessing this request using specific criteria; most changes will not be made, however, the student can email Mrs. Ellis (Dean of Academics) directly with their request.
EARLY RELEASE DAY BELL SCHEDULE
NJROTC FAMILY NIGHT - MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
For the parents of students in, or interested in, NJROTC, Monday September 8th, at 7 pm in the MHS Auditorium, we will hold an NJROTC Family Night to introduce ourselves, give an introduction to Navy JROTC, and be available for questions. Parents/Guardians are encouraged to attend, this is your opportunity to find out more about the program, and upcoming field trips, competitions, etc.
Congratulations to Colby Dyer (Class of 2025)
MHS Class of 2025 graduate, Colby Dyer, recently completed his boot camp training on August 29 and is officially a member of the US Coast Guard. Colby is pictured below and a link to a short video featuring Colby as a flag bearer during the ceremony is also included below. Congratulations to Colby and his family - making Mustang Nation proud!
RSU 57 TRANSPORTATION LATE BUS STOPS
THE BADGE BRIEF
The 'Badge Brief' is an weekly installment from our School Resource Office, Deputy Matthew Cummer, from the York County Sheriff's Office. This week's run down is below:
Deputy Cummer is ready for the 2025-26 school year! Over the summer, he attended Camp POSTCARD, a summer camp for over 150 kids (ages 10-13). Additionally, he attended the NASRO Conference in Grapevine, TX, and earned his School Resource Officer certification from the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. He's ready for a great year keeping our school safe!
SEPTEMBER - NUTRITION DEPARTMENT MENUS
MHS THEATER AUDITIONS
MHS Athletics Newsletter
MILITARY SERVICE ACADEMY NIGHT - SEPT. 9, 2025
Students & Families interested in attending one of the numerous military academies around the country should strongly consider attending this free and informative event hosted in nearby Portland. Timing, location, and registration information is provided in the flyer below.
MHS Mascot Shop
MHS is proud to expand our partnership with Josten's (think letterman jackets, graduation gear, etc.) to offer an MHS Mascot Shop for lots of great MHS Gear. Please check out the shop using the link below. This site will be available all year long.
UPCOMING DATES
Monday, September 8 - Picture Day
Monday, September 8 - NJRTOC Family Night
Wednesday, September 10 - Early Release Day (12:00 pm dismissal)
Friday, September 12 - Add/Drop Period Ends
Wednesday, September 24: NWEA for Grade 9 & 10 Only
Monday, Sept. 29 - Saturday, Oct. 4: Homecoming Week
Friday, October 3: Homecoming Dance
Saturday, October 4: Numerous Athletic Competitions
Thursday & Friday, October 23 & 24: PSAT's
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?
You are always welcome to call our Main Office at (207) 247-3141, schedule a meeting, or email members of our administrative team members directly (emails listed below):