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August 2025

_ August 2025
_August 2025

August 2025 August 2025

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Visit the MRMHS Facebook Page
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Attendance Notes and Questions
See Past Newsletters

Calendar Calendar

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  • Aug 25–26 – Soft Opening (by appointment)

  • Aug 25 – Family Zoom Cell Phone and New Administration Information Night

  • Aug 27 – First Day All Students

  • Aug 28 – CCC Students First Day Going to Keene

  • Sept 1 – Labor Day (No School)

  • Sept 2 – Late Bus Service Begins

  • Sept 15 – Picture Day

  • Sept 17 – Mini College Fair

Athletic Calendar Athletic Calendar

Dates Below Subject to Change - Visit MRMHS Athletics For The Most Reliable Info
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🏅 Fall sports are getting underway!

Come cheer on our student-athletes and show your school spirit. Only the next few games are listed below, so be sure to check out the MRMHS Athletics Calendar for the most updated dates throughout the year!

Fri Aug 22, 2025

3:30pm - 4:30pm Boys Varsity Soccer (A) vs Conant HS
4pm - 4:30pm Girls Varsity Field Hockey (H) vs Conant HS
5pm - 6pm Girls Varsity Soccer (A) vs Conant HS

Sun Aug 24, 2025

8am - 8:30am Boys MS Football (A) Laconia HSMon Aug 25, 2025
2:30pm - 3:30pm Varsity Football Sports Photo
3:15pm - 4:15pm MS Football Sports Photo

Fri Aug 29, 2025
4pm - 5pm Boys Varsity Soccer (H) vs Mascenic Regional HS
4pm - 5pm COED Varsity Cross Country (A) vs Hanover HS
4pm - 5pm Girls Varsity Soccer (A) vs Berlin HS


Sat Aug 30, 2025
4pm - 4:30pm Boys Junior Varsity Football (H) vs Brattleboro Union HS
5pm - 6pm Boys Varsity Football (H) vs Brattleboro

Tue Sep 2, 2025
3pm - 4pm COED Varsity Golf (A) vs Multiple Opponents V Golf @ Pelham
3pm - 4pm Varsity Cross Country Sports Photo
3:15pm - 4:15pm MS Cross Country Sports Photo
4pm - 5pm Girls Varsity Field Hockey (A) vs Kearsarge Regional HS
4pm - 5pm Girls Varsity Soccer (H) vs Campbell HS


Wed Sep 3, 2025
3pm - 4pm Field Hockey Sports Photo
4pm - 5pm Boys Varsity Soccer (H) vs Hinsdale HS

Thu Sep 4, 2025

All day Thu Sep 4, 2025
Soccer Boys & Girls Sports Photo - Time TBA After School
4pm - 5pm COED Varsity Golf (H) vs Multiple Opponents V Golf @ Monadnock


Fri Sep 5, 2025
4pm - 5pm Girls Varsity Field Hockey (H) vs Newfound Regional
4pm - 5pm Girls Varsity Soccer (A) vs White Mountains Regional HS
6:30pm - 7:30pm Boys Varsity Football (H) vs Somersworth HS

Sat Sep 6, 2025

9am - 9:30am Boys MS Football (H) vs Concord HS
9am - 10am COED Varsity Cross Country (A) vs OPEN Bobcat Invitational - DemerittHill Farm

From the Principal From the Principal

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It is with great excitement that I welcome you to the new school year as Principal of Monadnock Regional Middle High School. Though not new to the district, having served as Cutler's principal the last two years, I am grateful for the warm support and encouragement I’ve already received from staff, families, and community members, and I am eager to get to know each of you as we start (or continue!) this journey together at MRMHS. Thank you for entrusting us with your students. We are committed to providing them with a safe, supportive, and engaging learning environment.


Looking ahead, I am excited to return to my roots at the middle and high school level, while also bringing with me the learning, experiences, and growth I gained from working with younger students and elementary staff. That time deepened my appreciation for and knowledge of teaching foundational skills and the vital role they play in student success. I plan to apply those lessons and skills in my leadership role here at Monadnock Regional Middle High School to support our staff, students, and families to achieve the best results.


Please keep an eye out for communication from teachers about Soft Opening appointments by August 21st, and don’t hesitate to contact your school counselor with any schedule questions.

Together, let’s make this a strong and memorable start to the year!

Brett Gottheimer

Principal

Monadnock Regional Middle High School

From the Health Office From the Health Office

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As we prepare for the start of the school year, I’d like to share a few important reminders from the Health Office:

  • Tdap Vaccination Requirement
    Middle school students are required by state law to have a Tdap vaccine, typically administered around age 11 or 12. This requirement aligns with CDC guidelines for state-mandated vaccinations. Please be sure to send me a copy of your child’s most recent physical that includes the Tdap. I’ve noticed that some students who are otherwise fully vaccinated are still missing this one.

    Families may also submit an exemption form if they choose not to vaccinate, but it is important that I receive either proof of vaccination or the completed exemption form.

  • Medication Orders
    If your child requires medication during the school day, please fax a copy of the medication orders to the Health Office. Having these in advance allows me to enter them into our system before the first day of school.

Thank you for your help in making sure our students have a healthy and smooth start to the year!


Sincerely,
Lisa Brooks, RN
MRMHS School Nurse

High School Family / Student Handbook High School Family / Student Handbook

This will be published and shared before the first day of school.

August 25th Cell Phone and New Administration Meetings August 25th Cell Phone and New Administration Meetings

12:00 PM - Zoom Only || 6:00 PM - Zoom and in Person at MRMHS

https://mrsd-org.zoom.us/j/7780867898

https://mrsd-org.zoom.us/j/7780867898
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Cell Phones and Personal Devices Updates Cell Phones and Personal Devices Updates

As Superintendent Rathbun has notified families through his letter to the school district, and as New Hampshire has enacted into law, we will be implementing a bell-to-bell personal communication device-free school policy. This means that all personal communication devices must be turned off and stored away for the entire school day (7:30-2:30 pm). Please note that exceptions are made for those with medical needs documented through the 504, Health Office, Administration, or Special Education Departments.


As this is a significant change for our students, families, and staff, we will all be learning and adjusting our process to best serve students throughout the year. We appreciate your patience, understanding, and partnership as we move through this transition.


District Message Regarding New Cell Phone and Personal Devices Policy
MRMHS Message Regarding New Cell Phone and Personal Devices Including FAQ

📱 Frequently Asked Questions: Phone-Free Policy

Q1: Why are we adopting a phone-free policy?

This is now state law (RSA 189:11). More importantly, school is when students need to focus, learn, interact, and build community. Research shows that even a turned-off phone in a backpack can lower test scores. A device-free school supports student growth and development.


Q2: What counts as a “personal electronic device”?

  • Cell phones

  • Tablets & video games

  • AirPods, earbuds, Bluetooth/wired headphones

  • Smartwatches & fitness trackers that connect to the internet


Q3: What if my child needs their phone during a crisis or lockdown?
Experts agree phones can make students less safe during emergencies by:

  • Distracting from staff directions

  • Spreading rumors that delay safety response

  • Drawing parents to the scene too soon

  • Jamming communication lines for first responders

Lockboxes are portable and will be taken out during evacuations. Learn more at schoolsecurity.org.


Q4: How do I contact my student during the school day?
Call the main office or one of the AP assistants:

  • Main Office: (603) 352-6575 | lellis@mrsd.org

  • HS AP Office: (603) 903-6715 | vtupper@mrsd.org

  • MS AP Office: (603) 903-6764 | hhazen@mrsd.org


Q5: Why should I contact my child through the school instead of calling directly?
Direct contact interrupts learning. School channels help students build independence, problem-solving, and in-person connections.


Q6: Why is independence during the school day important?
Constant contact can fuel anxiety for both students and parents. Encouraging independence builds resilience, confidence, and problem-solving skills.


Q7: What if my child needs to reach me?
They can use a phone in the main office or either AP office.


Q8: Why not let teachers manage phones in their classrooms?
Consistency matters. A building-wide policy reduces pushback and frees teachers to focus on instruction rather than monitoring devices.


Q9: What about medical exceptions?
With documentation from a licensed medical professional (e.g., for diabetes or seizure monitoring), a student may be exempt for that specific need. This must be documented in a 504, IEP, or Health Plan.


Q10: Will being offline all day hurt friendships?
Actually, it helps. In-person socializing builds stronger, healthier connections than social media, which often increases anxiety and loneliness.


Q11: Don’t some students benefit from social media?
Even for positive uses, it’s a distraction during school hours. Our focus is on inclusion and minimizing disruption.


Q12: Isn’t it better to teach responsible phone use?
Experts say the adolescent brain is not yet able to manage the addictive design of phones and social media. Teaching responsibility includes creating clear phone-free zones and modeling balanced use.

Welcome New Staff Welcome New Staff

New to MRMHS

Monica DeVito (Administrative Assistant to Principal)

Heather Keyes (Admin Assistant for Special Education)

Catlin McLaughlin (MS AP)

Cameron Spiess (Math)

Bethany Plummer (Math)

Brett Gottheimer (Principal)

Cheryl Costa (MS At-Risk Counselor)

Shawn Yager (HS Special Education)

Toni Martinez (Paraprofessional)
Lisa Wiley (Librarian)
Lindsey Charron (MS School Counselor)
Kristen Amend (Social Studies)
Cameron Taber (FACS)
TBA (New Athletic Director)
TBA (Band/Music)

Position Changes Within MRMHS:
Sam Sestito (HS School Counselor L-Z)

Melissa Alexander (HS Science)

Lisa Ellis (Front Desk)

Alan Givetz (ELO / Interventionist)



Soft Opening Appointments Soft Opening Appointments

August 25th and 26th

ℹ️ What is a Soft Opening? Soft Opening days are a chance for families and students to come into the school, meet and discuss the start of the year. For High School, Monday WIN teachers will be reaching out. For MIddle School, a teacher from your Child's Team will be reaching out. These appointments are not full conferences with all teachers, nor are they intended as student concern meetings. They are simply designed to help students get comfortable and start the year with confidence. Expect to hear from your child's WIN teacher by August 21st. If you have not, please contact your child's assistant principal for assistance. (MS - mclaughlin@mrsd.org) (HS - rrussell@mrsd.org)

Nutrition Services and Calendar Info Nutrition Services and Calendar Info

MRSD Nutritional Services

Be sure to fill out the free and reduced lunch form!

Free and Reduced Lunch Form

More Information Regarding Free and Reduced Price School Meals

Contact Beth Cox, Director of Nutrition Services, with any questions

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Menus Menus

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2025-2026 District Calendar 2025-2026 District Calendar

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Administration Administration

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Brett Gottheimer

Principal

bgottheimer@mrsd.org

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Rebecca Russell

High School Assistant Principal

rrussell@mrsd.org

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Catlin McLaughlin

Middle School Assistant Principal

cmclaughlin@mrsd.org

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Kathryn Schnare

MS and HS Special Education Administrator

kschnare@mrsd.org

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Athletic Director

TBA

School Counseling School Counseling

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Samantha Sestito

High School Counselor (A-K)

ssestito@mrsd.org

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Bethany Maynard

High School Counselor (L-Z)

bmaynard@mrsd.org

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Lindsey Charron

Middle School Counselor

lcharron@mrsd.org

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Elizabeth Simmons

High School At Risk Counselor

esimmons@mrsd.org

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Cheryl Costa

Middle School At-Risk Counselor

ccosta@mrsd.org

Administrative Assistants Administrative Assistants

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Hailey Hazen

MS Admin Assistant

mailto:hhazen@mrsd.org
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Victoria Tupper

HS Admin Assistant

vtupper@mrsd.org

Monadnock Regional Middle High School
https://mrmhs.mrsd.org/

(603) 352-6575

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