FRIDAY FOCUS

Congratulations to Monomoy’s February Staff Shoutout honoree, Grace Galloway! Grace is an Instructional Assistant at Harwich Elementary School and was nominated by her colleagues. Some of their comments include:

Grace is an example of quiet professionalism. She provides a steady, reliable presence that students can count on. She observes carefully and provides calm support when a student needs it. This quiet approach preserves a student's dignity and fosters independence. By modeling patience and composure, she creates a safe space where students feel seen and valued. To me, Grace is an unsung hero, and her impact on students' emotional and academic well-being is immeasurable.

There are not enough words to fully capture how invaluable Grace is to Monomoy Regional School District. The knowledge, professionalism, and collaborative spirit she brings each day have strengthened not only our program but also my own growth as a staff member. Grace truly serves as the backbone of our team - consistently exceeding expectations in the support she provides to both students and colleagues. Her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment make a lasting difference in our school community. Thank you, Grace, for continually going above and beyond for our Harwich Elementary School family.

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. Nominations for March are now open! Any staff members nominated previously can be nominated again, except for those already honored this year.

Future Sharks, it's almost time! Kindergarten Registration for Chatham Elementary School and Harwich Elementary School will open next week. Stay tuned for a link and more information.

Monomoy's multilingual families, staff, and community are invited to the next meeting of the Multilingual Parents Advisory Council meeting! Connect with other families, learn how to help support your student at school, and share your experiences, needs, and ideas. The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. in the Monomoy Regional High School cafeteria. All are welcome.

Did you know that you can use tools right in your web browser to translate any website you are visiting?

• The Monomoy website has translation tools accessible by clicking the button at the upper left corner of the site.

• When visiting any website, you can set your browser to translate the content.

• Aspen is our Student Information System, where you can see your student’s grades and other important information. Aspen allows users to change the default language from English to Haitian Creole, Spanish, or Portuguese. If you need translation to another language, you can use your browser settings to do so.

• We have shared details and instructions on our website for how to adjust these settings.

• You can find more information on our website about other translation tools we have available in our schools.

If you have problems using any of these tools, please email webmaster@monomoy.edu.

Our district is a member of the Federation for Children with Special Needs and we have access to monthly workshops under an All-Access Pass. You can find the full calendar of events, as well as links to register, at https://fcsn.org/events/. You can register for multiple workshops at that link. Once registered, you will receive a link for the virtual session.

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

With the upcoming retirement of Superintendent Scott Carpenter from Monomoy Regional School District, a committee of volunteers has been planning events to recognize this milestone - all members of the school community are invited to participate. There is additional information on the website here, as well as links to tickets and RSVP.

Get your tickets for the spring musical, "The Addams Family": https://www.msbtickets.com/monomoyregionalhighschool/schoolevents

It's time for the annual Shamrock Shimmy at Harwich Elementary School - student volunteers are needed to help with the fun! The family dance will be Friday, March 13, from 4:30-7 p.m. at HES. Sign up here if you can volunteer!

Student volunteers are needed to help with Chatham Elementary's Book Fair event on Thursday, March 19, from 5-7 p.m. Volunteers would help with crowd control, book checkout, and general support. If you can help, email CES PTO President Jennifer Coffey at jennifer.coffey73@gmail.com.

Student volunteers needed to help run hands-on learning stations at the Monomoy Family S.T.E.A.M. Night on Wednesday March 25 at the Harwich Elementary School. All Harwich and Chatham families with children ages 3 - 6 (preschool and Kindergarten age) are invited to this no cost event. Set-up begins at 3:30pm, the event is 5 - 6:30 followed by clean up, ending around 7pm. Community Service hours certificates will be provided. Use this link to sign up.

Nick G gave Claire his hockey jersey and she went to the game on Thursday to cheer him on!

BUY YOUR TICKETS HERE

Early Bird Discount Extended

• The Early Bird ticket discount has been extended through March 7th

Last Day to Purchase Tickets

• The final day to purchase prom tickets is Friday, March 13th
• If your student is unsure whether they have already purchased a ticket, please encourage them to reach out so we can double-check. If finances, finding a date, or meeting the deadline are concerns, please connect with your student’s guidance counselor or Mrs. Oliver. We are happy to help

• If your student is bringing a guest who does not attend Monomoy, a guest permission slip must be submitted to the main office by Friday, March 13th.
• Copies are available from Mrs. Casey, the main office, and were shared with students.

• Table requests are due by Friday, March 27th.

• Song requests are also being collected — if your student has a must-play song, we encourage them to submit it!

Location: Wychmere Beach Club
Date: Friday, April 10th

Schedule for the evening:

• 5:00 PM – Student Arrival for Grand March

• 5:30 PM – Grand March Begins

• 6:30 PM – Dinner & Dancing

• Students are expected to be in school on Friday, April 10th, if they plan to attend prom. Students attending prom may be dismissed after the second block with permission. A dismissal permission slip will be shared soon. Please note that dismissal calls on the day of prom will not be accepted.
• We are looking forward to a beautiful and memorable evening for the Class of 2026. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

We are excited to share some details about After Prom, which will take place immediately after prom at the Chatham Community Center. This event is a fun way to keep the night going with your classmates. There will be activities, food, prizes, and of course, your After Prom T-shirts!

Please take a few minutes to complete the After Prom T-shirt form by Tuesday, March 10, so we can ensure there are enough of each size.

If you are bringing a guest who is not a Monomoy student, please be sure to include your date/guest’s T-shirt size on the form as well.

You will also need to complete and return the After Prom permission slip. (These are attached below/posted in Google Classroom and available in the main office) This form must be signed by both you and a parent/guardian. If you are bringing a guest who is not a Monomoy student or part of the Class of 2026, they and their parent/guardian must also sign the form. The permission slip includes important information about arrival, departure, and contact information for the night.

We’re looking forward to a great night celebrating with all of you.

If you have any questions, please reach out.

Mrs. Oliver & Ms. Lee

We are looking forward to celebrating our Class of 2026 at their graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 6 at 6:00 PM on the MRHS Turf Field. We have included detailed information for our seniors and their families regarding end-of-year responsibilities, schedules, and graduation event details. Please review this important information and let us know if you have any questions.

The 2026 Senior Newsletter includes:

• Senior Obligations Checklist

• Graduation Ceremony Information

• Schedule of Upcoming Senior Events

• Senior Final Exam Schedule

Check out the MRHS Graduation website for this information and any updates as the end of the year approaches.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school with any questions. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026!

• Go to YBpay.lifetouch.com
• Enter code 9900726
• Enter your student info

If you require financial assistance to purchase a yearbook please reach out to Mrs. Katie Francesconi at kfrancesconi@monomoy.edu

Learn more about the Monomoy SEPAC at https://www.monomoy.edu/parent-caregiver-resources/sepac

MRHS is on Instagram at @monomoyhighschool!

The MRHS Class of 2028 is hosting an Indoor Yard Sale on Sunday, March 15, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the high school gym. The cost to rent a table to sell items is $20. Items are also being accepted for donation. For more information or to reserve a table, contact Class Advisors Tammy Dennehy at tdennehy@monomoy.edu or Elsa LaLone at elalone@monomoy.edu. All funds raised from this event will support the Monomoy Regional High School Class of 2028.

• Cape Cod Foundation has extended their deadline through March 8 due to the storm.
• Monomoy Dollars for Scholars Application is open.
• Many scholarships are posted in Naviance for students to be applying to.
• Do not delay!

Thursday, March 19 · 6:00 – 8:00pm

Google Meet joining info

Video call link: https://meet.google.com/kym-zhcr-rax

Or dial: ‪(US) +1 218-460-1447‬ PIN: ‪427 521 691‬#

Presented by MEFA Ambassador: Hosted by the MRHS School Counseling Department

Massachusetts had the highest scores nationwide for all 2025 AP testers!

Monomoy certainly contributed! For the Monomoy Regional High School 2025 graduating class, 72% of seniors took at least one AP Exam during high school, 43% of seniors scored a 3 or higher, and 29% of seniors took 5 or more AP exams during high school.

Here is some helpful information as we head into Exam season!

• Your Guide For Advanced Placement Exams: This is a great article from MEFA discussing the upcoming AP Exams and their benefits. The official schedule for 2026 exams should be in our next Friday Focus!

Register here: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration

Monomoy students planning on attending CCCC - Placement Testing will be March 20 at MRHS.

• Cape Cod Foundation Scholarships: The deadline to apply is March 1 at 11:59 PM. Staff will begin reviewing third-party uploads for completeness when we return to the office on Monday.
• Video Tutorials for Students: We’ve updated and refreshed two video tutorials for students:
• Scholarship Portal and Application Overview Tutorial
• Next Steps After a Universal Application is Submitted Tutorial
• Cape Cod Association Scholarships: The deadline for high school seniors is April 1 at 11:59 PM, so there is still plenty of time to apply. Please note that this requires a separate application through our online scholarship portal.
• Other Resources:
• Postsecondary Success Series – Video presentations from industry experts on important topics related to postsecondary success.
• Student Emergency Financial Relief Program - For students from Barnstable County enrolled in a postsecondary program who encounter urgent, unanticipated financial hardship and need help with immediate needs, such as food, housing, medications, and transportation assistance.

• Scholarships officially open Feb 1 and Close at 6 pm on April 1 – start your profiles anytime!
• Scholarships are available for students who reside in Chatham or Harwich or who are graduating from Monomoy Regional HS
• Click here for: Seniors General Instructions
• Click here for: Checklist for Seniors
• All information is available at Monomoy Dollars for Scholars Website: http://www.monomoy.dollarsforscholars.org/

Reminders for students:

1. You must use an email not connected to their HS so we can reach you after graduation AND you should check it often it is our only means of communication with them
2. Please respond to the welcome email that you “Got It” so that we can assist you after they have completed their application
3. Tell your references to not use the student’s name in the reference as the awards committee receives all information anonymously for confidentiality and fairness.

Here is the link for work permits. The last step with the work permits is bringing the completed copy to the main office at the high school. Work Permits are needed between the ages of 14-17.

https://www.monomoy.edu/parent-caregiver-resources/work-permit-application

Audrey Brewer, Grade 8, abrewer@monomoy.edu

Lindsay Ginnetty, Instructional Leader, Grades 9-12 (last names A-F), lginnetty@monomoy.edu

Caitlyn Hall, Grades 9-12 (last names G-N), chall@monomoy.edu

Jonathan Bennett, Grades 9-12 (last names O-Z), jbennett@monomoy.edu

Follow us on Instagram: @MonomoyGuidance

Wishing you health and safety, The MRHS Counseling Team

Luke Raftery is a senior captain and exceptional leader of the hockey team. Luke had an amazing month on the ice including moments like his goal in the second round of the MIAA playoffs to help defeat the 1 seed Stoneham. Luke strives for excellence away from the rink as well. As a National Honors Society member, Luke has received honors or high honor roll every term, the Spanish Book Award, and carries a 4.23 GPA. - Coach Chris Harlow

Autumn perfectly embodies the balance of a true student-athlete, demonstrating that her effort on the basketball court is matched only by her dedication in the classroom. Whether on the court or in the classroom, Autumn approaches every challenge with a relentless work ethic and a "team-first" mentality. This award is a testament to her discipline, her ability to lead by example, and her commitment to maintaining a high standard of academic success while competing at a high level.

Meet The Coaches Night for all players and families is Monday March 9th at 6pm in the MRHS Gym

The first day of practices/tryouts is Monday March 16th.

The Monomoy Booster Club is hosting a Comedy Night Fundraiser to support our student-athletes! The event will be held Friday, March 20, 2026, at the Pelham House Resort. Find more information and get tickets at https://www.funny4funds.com/events/monomoy-booster-club-comedy-show-fundraiser/1636. We hope you can join us!

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

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

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)

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