Principal's Newsletter

October 18th, 2026

Good afternoon MHS Families,

While we had a short week with the holiday Monday and parent conferences, it was a great week celebrating homecoming! Students and staff participated in various theme days leading up to Friday where everyone showed their Hornet pride by wearing their representative class color. We packed the gym for a great pep rally featuring a tug-of-war competition, a competitive game of musical chairs, and an eventful new take on volleyball to round out the activities. We also celebrated students as the "Heart of the Hive," recognizing eight student who exemplify the core values of our Vision of a Graduate as empowered citizens. Staff nominated students, and then the student voted for two classmates per grade. It was a great way to recognize the great work our students are doing to create a positive culture within our building and our community. The weekend ended with students dancing the night away at our annual Homecoming Dance. The kids packed the cafeteria this year to dance, play games, and enjoy some pizza and snacks. It really was a great way to end the week of celebration!

There are a few items below to take note of. Picture retakes will be held on Tuesday, October 20th. More information is below. Our school counseling department will also host our Annual Financial Aid night on Wednesday, October 21st. Be sure to check below for the details of the night below.

I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of this beautiful but chilly weekend, and I look forward to seeing everyone back in the building tomorrow!

Class of 2027 Senior Families:

Seniors! Senior portraits and blurbs are due by October 31st. Links for submission and information can be found under the student publication link on the MHS website.

We are also collecting "senior flashbacks!" We'd love to see old photos of groups of students at events, sports, etc. Flashback photos can be emailed to yearbook@mansfieldschools.com

The 2027 Yearbook is now on sale. Cost for the yearbook is $80. Go to https://www.yearbookordercenter.com/general/homepage?portal=true . Our school number is 5468

The yearbook staff is cleaning out the closets and we have several old books from 2004-2015. If you're interested in one please email Ms.Martinelli at jennifer.martinelli@mansfieldschools.com

🍂🐝 Leaves are falling. Deadlines are calling.

Join us for Mansfield High School’s Financial Aid Night to learn more about

navigating the financial aid process, including:

• Getting started with the FAFSA

• Creating a StudentAid.gov account

• Scholarships and grants

• Understanding college costs

• Finding resources and additional support

📅 Wednesday, October 21

⏰ 6:30 PM

📍 MHS Auditorium

This program is geared towards senior families but all are welcome! Bring

your questions. We’ll help you navigate the process and connect you with

resources. 🐝💚

Questions? Contact your school counselor.

Picture retakes will take place Tuesday, October 20th during Hornet Block. The following is information regarding who needs to have their photos retaken:

• Any student who was not photographed in September on Picture Day. This includes seniors, as we need a photo of everyone for their student ID and an updated picture in our Aspen/X2 system.
• Any underclassmen who had their picture and purchased photos, but would like to have them retaken. Please bring the original photo package with you to return to the photographer.

We are excited to partner with Transitions Counseling Services, Inc. to offer convenient, in-school counseling opportunities for our students.

If you are interested in services for your child, please contact the school counseling office or scan the QR code on the flyer to complete the referral form. A member of the Transitions staff will follow up with you within 48 hours of your submission.

The MCAS Family Portal now contains final score reports for spring 2026 testing. On September 10, 2026, a communication was sent to parents/guardians designated as CONTACT 1 with instructions on how to access the MCAS Family Portal. That communication is linked below for your reference.

This email is monitored daily, and families can send daily absence notifications, excusal notes, and dismissal notes. Please be sure to include the first and last name of your student, as well as your name and contact number when sending the email.

We encourage families to use the MHSattendance@mansfieldschools.com email to make attendance related communication easier.

Late bus routes are posted in the main lobby, and any student can also ask questions in the main office prior to the bus leaving.

Students can be dropped off each morning in either the main parking lot next to the gym (door 9) or auditorium (door 5), or in the front bus loop after the buses exit at 7:15am. For those dropping off in the bus loop, please pull forward as far as possible to utilize either door 24 or door 1. Please use the map with door locations to support a smooth drop off for everyone entering the building each morning.

Students are welcome to stay after school for extra curricular activities and academic support. Students staying after school for clubs, extra help, or other extra curricular activities must be with a teacher or coach they are staying after for. Students may also utilize the library after school as long as it is open. Once a student is done with their after school activity, they must report to the lobby to wait for their ride. Students who need to take the late bus must also report to the lobby to wait, and leave through the front entrance when reporting to the bus.

The district school calendar is linked below at the bottom of the newsletter throughout the school year. It has also been linked here for families to review. Please note, the last day of school is currently listed as June 17th, 2027. Any snow days during the year will push the last day of school into the following week. Students will have final exams during the last week of school, and snow days will push these exam dates back. Please take possible snow days into consideration when planning end of year trips, as this could have an impact on your student taking a final exam over the summer.

October 21st - Faculty meeting (after school activities impacted)

October 21st - Financial Aid Night (6:30pm)

November 3rd - No School

November 11th - No School

November 25th - Half Day, Thanksgiving Break

November 26th-27th - No School

December 24th - January 3rd - No School, Winter Break

The following information was included in Superintendent McKeon's weekly newsletter, and we want to be sure all MHS families have access to the same information and links should your family need them. Any family in need of support is encouraged to contact the Main Office at the high school, and a member of our administrative team will be happy to provide support. Please see the links below as needed:

MPS Food Services Website

https://www.mansfieldschools.com/o/mps/page/food-services

Mansfield Food Pantry

https://www.mansfieldfoodpantry.org/

WestSide Benevolent Circle

https://www.westsidebcma.org/

Town of Mansfield Social Services Department

Hockomock YMCA Food Access

https://www.hockymca.org/food-access/

Hebron Food Pantry

https://hebronfoodpantry.org/

Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline

https://projectbread.org/foodsource-hotline

MPS Website - Financial Assistance Information

https://www.mansfieldschools.com/o/mps/page/financial-assistance

Mansfield Public Schools is returning to the previous practice of having CORI's verified at the school level. Anyone needing to complete a CORI will be able to bring their completed form and a state issued photo ID to MHS during school hours and have their forms verified. Forms can also be taken to the HR Department in the Town Hall during normal operating hours.

This updated process will begin in the coming weeks, and we will provide more information once the updated process will begin.

Volunteers and visitors must provide identification when entering the school. The ID will be processed through the Raptor system which checks the Sexual Offender Registry. Any findings must be addressed before the individual is able to volunteer or visit.

The state of Massachusetts has designed a website called HandHold to support families of school-aged students focused on the area of mental health. Families can click the link provided for more information on the supports available.

In an effort to combat the ongoing challenge of vaping within our school (and others), please take a look at and utilize the various resources provided below to learn more about vaping in order to start/continue the conversation with your child. Making progress in this area is a group effort, and we want to provide support for families at home with these resources.

General Info:

What parents need to know

Quick Facts about vaping

Vaping and the impact of Covid

Vaping can't harm teens?

Information on Quitting:

How to quit

This is quitting

Nicotine withdrawal and how to cope

District Vision

The Mansfield Public Schools will foster an environment where all students share a sense of belonging and experience academic and personal growth. We will inspire and empower active and engaged learners, citizens, innovators, and communicators.

District Mission

The Mansfield Public Schools supports each student so they feel recognized and valued. All students are empowered academically, socially, and emotionally so they can reach their maximum potential.

Core Values

Belonging

We build a supportive and understanding community through kindness, respect, and empathy.

Collaboration

We work together, share ideas, respect each other, and celebrate our achievements as a community.

Curiosity

We question, explore, and discover in order to foster a love of learning, not just for school but for life.

Integrity

We are honest and do the right thing, even when no one is watching.

Resilience

We adapt and grow in the face of adversity, always persevering and continuing to try.

Families are encouraged to view our Community Backpack to view fliers that have been approved for school distribution. You can view this page by clicking above or by going to mansfieldschools.com, choosing MENU and selecting the link under the Students and Families section.

Mr. Russ Booth - Principal

Ms. Lisa Giuliano - Assistant Principal, Grades 10 & 12

Nicholas Schlierf, Ph.D - Assistant Principal, Grades 9 & 11

Eric Bruinooge, Ph.D - Director of Secondary Special Education

Mr. Tim Selmon - Athletic Director

Email: russ.booth@mansfieldschools.com
Website: https://mhs.mansfieldschools.com/
Location: 250 East Street, Mansfield, MA, USA
Phone: 508-261-7540
Twitter: @MHSHornets