FRIDAY FOCUS

The Bureau of Special Education Appeals, which derives its authority from both federal and Massachusetts statutes and regulations (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; "IDEA"; MGL ch.71B; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) conducts due process hearings and renders Rulings and Decisions concerning eligibility, evaluation, placement, individualized education programs (IEP), provision of special education and procedural protections for students with disabilities.

• To join an Informational Session: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/mediation-and-facilitation-informational-sessions
• To learn about BSEA Mediation: https://www.mass.gov/mediation-at-the-bsea
• To learn about Hearings at the BSEA: https://www.mass.gov/due-process-hearings

• Shout-out to Mary Drake and Mike Turner for the work they do with all of our students. They have been an asset in helping the students who come to my room and on my caseload each and everyday. The students' success is a great example of the work they do!! Thank You, Ms. Drake and Mr. Turner!!! - Mr. Herring

The Monomoy Regional High School Select Choir, under the direction of Rosemarie Richard, was selected to perform the National Anthem at the opening of Governor Maura Healey’s State of the Commonwealth address on Wednesday, January 17, 2024. The students performed in the House Chamber of the Massachusetts State House at the start of the event.

The recording of the event can be watched at http://mass.gov/SOTC. The anthem comes at ~52:45 min into the stream. Photos from the event can be found here: All photos can be found here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/massgovernor/albums/72177720314164202

Many thanks to State Senator Julian Cyr and Governor Maura Healey for this amazing opportunity for our students. It was an incredible honor for us!

We love "Up Up"!!!!

Wildlife Volunteer, Amy Sanders of WildCare, a wild animal rehab hospital in Eastham, visited a recent meeting of the Animal Welfare Club to talk about Up Up, an Eastern Screech Owl. Students experienced a wonderful up close (but not too up close) visit with this beautiful little owl. The meeting was open to all Monomoy students and several students and teachers dropped by for a peek. The Club learned so much about Up Up's habitat, his extraordinary senses and abilities, and what to do if wild animals seem hurt or babies abandoned. The Animal Welfare Club has sent a generous donation to WildCare, as well as some towels and sheets, to thank them for the fabulous visit and all the great things they do for animals.

If anyone has large reusable bags, please bring them to Mrs. Casey in Guidance before Jan. 26. The homeless use the bags to gather items they need at the StreetReach event.

Join us in the MRHS Library from 3:30 - 4:30 pm on select Tuesdays for Free Yoga Classes!

Students can take the Late Bus or get picked up afterward.

Classes are on the following dates:

• January 23 & 30
• February 6
• March 12, 19 & 26
• April 9 & 30
• May 7

Happy Chinese New Year!

Join us on Saturday, February 3rd to help celebrate the Lunar New Year! Learn to Play Mah Jong! Eat Delicious Food! Learn Chinese! And Have Fun!

We are looking for MRHS Students to volunteer and help with the event. This is a great opportunity to earn Community Service Hours! Contact Ms. Jones (mjones@monomoy.edu) to sign up!

The Bite student newspaper is proud to present our Website!

Please peruse the articles written by our amazing student journalists, and check back frequently for updates!

Dr. Kim Mead-Walters, Executive Director of Sharing Kindness, joined the staff this morning for their Breakfast for A Cause. We are so appreciative of the support from Sharking Kindness and were honored to have Dr. Mead-Walters join us!

• FASFA is now available!
• Please adhere to all the financial aid deadlines that are listed for each college as each school has specific deadlines and requirements.

January 30, 2024 - Jawsome B - Cape Cod Foundation

February 6, 2024 - Jawsome A - Monomoy Dollars for Scholars Presentation

To register/apply for the Cape Cod Foundation & Cape Cod Association Scholarships, Click Here!

Seniors, there are SO MANY scholarship opportunities. Take some time each week to check Naviance and apply for as many as you can!

For IMPORTANT and USEFUL information on Scholarships, Click Here!

Deadline is March 1 at 11:59 pm

Students are required to have all their supporting documents, including academic information, a letter of recommendation from a counselor, and a second letter of recommendation from a professional such as a teacher, coach, employer, etc., by the deadline. Please note that CCF uses the universal application which automatically pairs students with ALL the opportunities they are eligible to apply for based on the information they provide.

CCF Links for Staff & Students

• CCF Financial Assistance Overview
• 2024 Scholarship Listing
• CCF FAQs

Deadline: April 1 by 11:59 pm

Our partner, The Cape Cod Association, offers heritage-based scholarships for high school students who were born and currently reside on Cape Cod or the Islands. There is a separate application for this scholarship, but it can be accessed through the same online scholarship portal as CCF. Students are required to have all their supporting documents, including academic information and a letter of recommendation from a counselor.

CCA Links for Staff & Students

• CCA Website
• CCA FAQ page

Students in Grades 9 & 10 have all completed Career Interest Inventories in Naviance over the past few weeks. Please check in with your student and ask them to share the results with you!

Junior meetings will be starting soon and continue over the next few months. Parents/Guardians are invited to attend an individual meeting with a school counselor to discuss individual plans. You will be contacted via email in the near future with the date and time.

During the February School Vacation at the Harwich Community Center from 8:30 am - 2:00 pm. This 4-day program will focus on self-control, respect, teamwork, integrity, and positive communication.

Space is limited, so all students should apply by February 7, 2024.

*There will be a similar Youth Academy over spring break**

Next Meeting: January 25

Harwich Youth & Family Services presents the Parent Workshop Series, which covers a wide range of topics! The next discussion is on Thursday, March 5th

TWITTER: @MonomoyGuidance

INSTAGRAM: @MonomoyGuidance

Wishing you health and safety,

The MRHS Counseling Team

Wed. 1/24

• Fr. Boys Basketball @ 1:45 pm

We will be having a meeting to introduce the new Head Boys Track Coach on Wednesday, January 24th, at 6:00pm in the MRHS cafeteria. All returning players, new players, and their parents are welcome to attend this meeting. We are excited to have Coach Syty join our staff!

• They must be purchased in advance as there will be NO Cash option available.
• Season passes for Basketball will be available at the games for $30 Cash only by the Booster Club.
• Save this link to buy your tickets for upcoming games: MRHS -MSB Ticket Sales

• Tickets are $5 for general admission plus a small service fee.
• Monomoy Students get in for free with student ID.

Please click the link to see the MRHS Performing Arts Department Calendar 2023-2024

Click here to access the 2023-2024 School Handbook:

https://mrhs.monomoy.edu/our-school/school-handbook

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MonomoySchools

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monomoyschools/

Official Monomoy Regional SD App: Download from App Store or Google Play.