MHS STUDENT & FAMILY NEWSLETTER

RSU 57 & Massabesic High School

"Preparing students for success in an ever-changing world."

Hello Mustang Nation,

Congratulations to our MHS Theatre Troupe for their wonderful presentation of 'It's A Wonderful Life'. It was a special treat to see so many dedicated students come together to bring this special holiday story alive. A special nod to several middle school & grade-school thespians who joined the production.

This Thursday, December 18 our MHS Choir & MHS Band programs will present our MHS Winter Music Concert starting at 6:30 in the gymnasium.

Morning Meetings this week:

Tuesday 12.16.25 from 7:25 - 7:50:

The Resiliency Project (Mrs. Desjardins - Room 43)

Math Team (Mrs. Blair - Room 18)

Band & Percussion Rehearsal (Mr. H-D, Room 2)

Zero Waste Recycling Club @ MHS West

Thursday 12.11.25 from 7:25 - 7:50:

Math Team (Mrs. Blair - Room 18)

Culture Club WW2 Trip Meeting (Mrs. Carroll - Room 36)

Band & Percussion Rehearsal (Mr. H-D, Room 2)

Zero Waste Recycling Club @ MHS West

As a reminder, our Green/White day rotation for this week is below:

Monday, 12.15.25 - WHITE

Tuesday, 12.16.25 - GREEN

Wednesday, 12.17.25 - WHITE

Thursday, 12.18.25 - GREEN

Friday, 12.19.25 - WHITE

Take care,

-Mr. Thurlow

As we head into the holiday season, we will be having our annual holiday spirit days. Below is a list of the spirit days. It will span next week and the two days before break. Please enjoy the festivities. Don't forget to decorate your homeroom door!

Spirit days

Monday (12/15): Snow wear (ski equipment, snow pants, etc.)

Tuesday (12/16): Dress like a holiday movie

Wednesday (12/17) : Ugly sweater

Thursday (12/18) : Awkward holiday family photo (coordinate with your friends) [Examples below]

Friday (12/19): Candy cane day (wear red and white)

Monday (12/22) Holiday hats

Tuesday (12/23): PJ Day

Enjoy your holiday season!

Please consider supporting the MHS SWIM TEAM by purchasing exclusive Swim Team gear with the link below.

The Finance Authority of Maine (FAME) is visiting Massabesic High School on December 17th to directly support students with the

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

A FAME financial counselor will meet with students to start the FAFSA process. Students will then bring home information on what was done and how to finish the rest of the FAFSA, as well as contact information for a FAME financial counselor.

Students will need to know/bring:

Their full legal name

Date of birth

Social Security Number

Email address for the parent/guardian who will complete their portion later

What is the FAFSA?

Colleges, trade schools, and some scholarships use a student’s FAFSA to help build a financial package to continue their education. This helps students understand what grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans they qualify for as they continue their educational journey.

Do you think meeting with FAME will help with the FAFSA?

Sign up in the Guidance Office or email Ms. Kearney!

Each year, more than 120 high school sophomores from across Maine participate in the Maine Youth Leadership Seminar. Local leaders and decision-makers donate their time to the program; in the past Angus King and "Survivor" winner Bob Crowley have attended! Students partake in group decision-making exercises, creative problem solving, and hands-on volunteer projects, as well as social activities, while they make friendships with peers from across Maine - and it is all free! Each high school selects one nominee and one alternate (the alternate is able to attend if the nominee is unable to do so...or sometimes if space allows.) If you are a sophomore and are interested in attending, please complete the application (available in the high school guidance office) by January 16, 2026! Questions? Please look at the MYL website or contact Deborah Curtis in the MHS Guidance Office (deborahcurtis@rsu57.org). ...and if looking at the MYL website, you might even see MHS 2025 graduate, Elsie Wehrman!

Are you age 16-20 and interested in a career in the trades?

Maybe this opportunity is for you!

Next summer, explore construction crafts and careers with the Maine Construction Academy's Immersion Program offered at multiple sites around the state but locally in Sanford, Standish, Gorham, and Hiram - to name a few locations! This summer construction immersion program for students provides basic certifications and hands on career exploration with industry qualified professionals. The program runs 5 days a week from 8AM - 2PM for approximately 4 weeks. There is no cost to participate and all necessary personal protective gear will be provided by the program including safety toe boots. For more information, to hear testimonials from past participants, or to apply - use this link. bit.ly/mca_2026

As we enter the colder and more problematic months of the school year we want to ensure that families are aware of support that exists to help those experiencing challenging times. The link provides information for food assistance programs by town throughout the state for families in need.

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.

SENIORS & Families - please see the important message from our Yearbook Advisor, Mrs. Fryzlewicz:

Hello Seniors!

Senior pictures and quotes/bequeathments will be due by/before the Holidays, by December 21. They need to be emailed to yearbook1@rsu57.org. and MUST have your name in the subject field- if it is not there it will not be able to be found again.

When we leave for Christmas break I should have them. Our MHS team and I can get them started and see who's missing, etc..

The Rubric for these pictures are:

** Vertical shots

** Just you in the shot

** Must be able to see your face/eyes

** Must be appropriate- by school standards: dress/apparel, items in picture, etc.

** Cell phone pictures have been able to be used in the past, we can try it...

** Can have pets, favorite car, etc. in the shot.

** min 175 kb

** If no photo is received by this date we will use the Lifetouch school picture taken for school.

** Your photo does not have to be a professional shot. Yearbook can make arrangements with you to take your senior picture as well.

If you have any questions about an item or scene, etc. please do not hesitate to connect with me and we can discuss it, no problem.

**December 21st - to yearbook1@rsu57.org and MUST have your name as the subject

* YOUR NAME ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF ANY EMAIL!

**Finding your picture and labeling it as YOU in the book depends on this happening!

This cannot be stressed enough!

*Our email site will have been sent submissions from many different sources: several photographers, individual parents, step parents, grandparents, quardians, students, etc.. to list a few.

*Please let your families and photographers know to use your name on the subject line in the email with your photos.

Senior Write-up:

Leave your personal mark on the 2025-2026 yearbook. It can be a favorite memory, quote, poem, song verse, or words of wisdom that you like.

*What you choose needs to be accompanied by who said it or where it was pulled from. For example:

"You just try saying 'no' to these salty parabolas!"

-Jillian Holtzman, Ghostbusters

"...of all the things these hands have held, the best by far was you."

- Cecilia and the Satellite, Andrew McMahon

Otherwise, not necessary if the writer is you:

" To all my friends that remain at Massabesic High, I leave all my unused passes, the locker I would've been assigned and never was able to use, and my favorite pencil- that I swear had enough lead to last through my whole senior year. "

** Yearbook staff and Advisor reserve the right to refuse, or redirect back to the student for re-write, any submission that does not reflect respectfully on the staff, students, and seniors of Massabesic High school or RSU57.

Oh!! and don't forget that yearbooks are at their least expensive right now, on jostens.com, for $80!!

Any questions? Please come by, find me, or email me at heidifryzlewicz@rsu57.org.

Mrs Fryzlewicz

MHS Yearbook Advisor

2025-2026 Book!

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.

Wednesday, Dec. 10 - Tuesday, Dec. 16 - Door Decorating (Homeroom)

Monday, December 15 - Tuesday, December 23 - Dress Up Spirit Days

Thursday, December 18 - MHS Winter Music Concert

Wednesday, Dec., 24 - Friday, January 2: School Closed

Monday, January 5 - Return to School

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):