March 2026 MRMHS Newsletter

March 2

MCVP 8th Grade Sessions Begin (During WIN)

March 7

SALT Youth Basketball Clinic

March 9

Spring Sports Info Meeting

March 10

Workshop Day (Election Day - No School for Students)

March 12 - 14

School Musical: We Will Rock You!

March 18 (This is a change of date)

8th Grade Parent Night (6:00-7:00 - or Via Zoom Link to be sent later)

March 20

Workshop Day (No School for Students)

MS School Dance

March 24
Choir Concert

March 27

Band Concert

April 3
Quarter 3 Ends

Come cheer on our student-athletes and show your school spirit. Be sure to check out the MRMHS Athletics Calendar for the most updated dates throughout the year!

Be sure to check out our Monadnock Huskies Athletics Facebook page— and give it a follow to stay connected:

👉 Monadnock Huskies Athletics (Facebook): New Facebook Page!
👉 Game schedules: https://monadnockathletics.com

🏆 Come Cheer On the Huskies!

We encourage families and community members to come out and support our athletes. Let’s fill the stands and show our Husky pride this winter!

Go Huskies! 🐺💙

Spring sports are officially underway, and we’re excited to welcome another great season of athletics! Be sure to come out and support our high school teams, including Varsity and JV Baseball, Varsity and JV Softball, Outdoor Track & Field, Girls Varsity Tennis, and Boys Varsity Tennis. Our middle school athletes are also in action this season, competing in Baseball, Softball, and Outdoor Track & Field. Let’s show our Husky spirit and cheer on all of our student-athletes this spring!

Registration:

Monadnock uses FamilyID for all athletic registrations. Students must be registered on FamilyID prior to participating in any sport.
FamilyID Support: 1-888-800-5583 | support@familyid.com

Physical Requirements:

• All athletes must have a current physical on file.

• Middle School students need a new physical after April heading into 7th grade.

• High School students need a new physical after April heading into 9th grade.

• Any new athlete to Monadnock sports must provide a physical dated within one year.

• Physicals must clearly state the student is eligible to participate in sports.
  
  

📚 Academic & Attendance Policies

• Student-athletes must be enrolled in at least 4 classes.

• Students must attend at least half of their classes to participate that day.

• Students receiving ISS, suspension, or detention may not participate in athletics that day.

• MRRMHS has a “No F” policy — students may not carry an F for more than two weeks. Previous quarter grades determine eligibility.

• School-sponsored athletics take priority over travel/club leagues (per NHIAA).
  
  

🏅 Expectations

• All athletes, families, fans, and coaches are expected to treat officials and opponents with respect.

• Only coaches and the Athletic Director may speak with officials.

• Coaches determine playing time.

• 24-Hour Rule: Please wait 24 hours before contacting a coach regarding concerns, including playing time.

• For larger or immediate concerns, contact:

  • Athletic Director: Shannon Topa | stopa@mrsd.org | 603-903-6781

  • Principal: Brett Gottheimer
    

Any middle school student with practice after 2:45 PM must be signed up for Beyond the Bell. Students report there after school and are dismissed 15 minutes before practice.

Our Athletic Trainer, Dana Dearborn, works directly with high school athletes and partners with Cheshire Medical Center’s orthopedics department. Students should check in with their coach and the Athletic Trainer regarding injuries. Referrals can often be scheduled within 48 hours.

High School

• Baseball (Varsity & JV)

• Softball (Varsity & JV)

• Track & Field

• Boys & Girls Lacrosse (Co-op with Keene; KHS is lead school)

• Boys & Girls Tennis

Middle School

• Baseball (Grades 7–8)

• Softball (Grades 7–8)

• Track & Field (Grades 5–8)

🔗 Important Websites

• Monadnockathletics.com – Up-to-date schedules

• Facebook: Monadnock Huskies Athletics & Monadnock Regional Middle High School

• NHIAA.org – Varsity standings and state information

Shannon Topa

MRMHS Athletic Director

A Focus on Scheduling, Planning, and Looking Ahead

March is an important time in the school year. While winter can feel long and energy may dip, this is also the season when we begin looking ahead, planning courses, thinking about goals, and making thoughtful decisions about next year and beyond. Scheduling is more than selecting classes. It is an opportunity for reflection, growth, and intentional planning. Across grade levels, students have exciting decisions to consider:

Do not be afraid to try a new class or topic. At the same time, reflect on where you have been most successful and what areas you may want to pursue at a deeper level. Scheduling time is ultimately about building opportunity and keeping doors open while making intentional choices.

Incoming Seniors: Finishing Strong and Planning What’s Next

For our rising seniors (current juniors), this is the final stretch! Now is the time to ensure all graduation requirements are on track and that any remaining credits are clearly planned. It is also an important moment to solidify post-secondary plans, whether that includes college, military service, employment, gap year experiences, or technical training.

Counselors are working closely with students to review transcripts, confirm credits, and help navigate next steps. Families can support by checking in about deadlines, financial aid, applications, and celebrating the progress students have already made.

Incoming 9th Graders: Understanding the Program of Studies

For students entering high school next year, scheduling is about building a strong foundation. Our updated Program of Studies outlines new state graduation requirements, credit expectations, and new opportunities available to students. Thoughtful course selection in 9th grade sets the tone for the next four years.

We encourage families and incoming ninth-grade students (current eighth graders) to attend the March 18 (this is a change of date) Parent Night from 6:00–7:00 p.m. The event will be held in person, with a Zoom link shared closer to the date. During the session, MRMHS division leaders and school counselors will provide additional details about high school course offerings and be available to answer questions.

7th and 8th Graders: Exploring Opportunities

Middle school scheduling is an exciting opportunity for exploration and growth.

Students will have the chance to consider Vocational Exploration Choice options and begin thinking about pathways that may connect to future interests.

Students are also encouraged to explore taking Band and Chorus, two classes that offer exciting performance experiences and meaningful collaboration. These ensembles help students grow musically while building confidence, teamwork, and school spirit through concerts and special events throughout the year.

Taking Spanish in 8th grade for the full year is another excellent option that can create greater opportunities in high school scheduling. If you’re not quite ready to commit to a full-year course, consider the Spanish VEX opportunity in your choices!

A Few Important Reminders

There are plenty of detailed thoughts and important information from our School Counseling Department included below in this newsletter. I encourage families to take time to review that information carefully. It is always best to reach out directly to teachers, counselors, and administrators as questions arise. We are here to help students make thoughtful, informed decisions.

Nothing is set in stone. Schedules can evolve. That said, it is best to think things through now as a family and give yourself plenty of options moving forward. Aim to stretch, but not overwhelm. Balance matters.

As always, thank you for your partnership in supporting our students.

Brett Gottheimer
Principal
Monadnock Regional Middle High School

As part of our ongoing NEASC reaccreditation process, we’re collecting feedback from families to help us understand what we’re doing well and where we can continue to grow. NEASC (the New England Association of Schools and Colleges) is the organization that reviews schools to ensure we meet rigorous standards and continue improving for all students.

Your perspective matters. Please take a few minutes to complete the Family Survey linked below—your input directly supports our accreditation work and helps guide future decisions at MRMHS.

👉 Family Survey Link: https://surveys.neasc.org/s3/CPS-2028-Family-Survey?id=42

Thank you for partnering with us!

Winter is here and while we love the snow, the germs are a little less welcome. The cold weather brings dry air and germs that love to make the rounds. A few simple habits can help students stay healthy: washing hands often, covering coughs, getting enough sleep, staying hydrated, eating well, and dressing for the cold. Please remember that if your child has symptoms such as fever, vomiting, body aches, or is feeling unwell, the best place for them to recover is at home. Keeping sick students home helps to prevent the spread of illness and keeps our school community healthier. Thank you for your continued support and partnership in keeping our students healthy this winter.

Sincerely,

Lisa Brooks, RN
MRMHS School Nurse
603-903-6701

Scheduling for the 26-27 school year is underway and school counselors have been meeting with students to select classes for the upcoming school year. We encourage families to look over selections in Alma with their students and to reach out to their school counselor if there are any questions or concerns.

School counselors approach scheduling with a few different things in mind. First of all requirements for graduation. Graduation requirements for the Monadnock Regional diploma are determined by the School Board and the state of New Hampshire, and are outlined in the Program of Studies. These courses are required to earn a diploma through MRMHS. The next thing school counselors consider is college and career goals, if a student is considering a certain college, or a career in a particular field they can recommend courses that are helpful in exploring and achieving access to those goals. Then we look at student interests, the courses and learning that expand student’s experiences in the topics they enjoy. We try to create a balance between all of these different elements to select courses to best meet student’s needs.

Families can see the courses selected for the 26-27 school year in Alma, if any questions arise please contact Ms. Maynard and Mrs. Sestito.

Summer is on the horizon, and that crucial pre-senior year time will fly by! Before the spring and summer rush hits, start discussing post-graduation plans with your student.

• Considering a Trade? Research apprenticeships and post-grad certificate courses now via the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Finder.

• College Bound? Plan summer visits. While quieter than the academic year, these trips help narrow down the "best fit" early. Once fall arrives, schedules tighten—save that time for follow-up visits to your top-tier choices.
  
  

Don’t think that it is too early or too late, now is the time to start these plans so that next year students have a clear idea of what they want and how they hope to get there.

This free, statewide event gives New Hampshire high school juniors and their families a chance to explore life after high school in a supportive, hands-on environment. Students can attend sessions like:

• The College Admission Process

• Understanding Financial Aid & Scholarships

• Building a College List

• Choosing a Major

• Gap Year

• College Athletics

Students will also visit a college fair with more than 60 colleges and universities, offering a unique opportunity to connect directly with admissions representatives and learn about programs across New Hampshire and beyond.

Destination College helps students gain clarity, confidence, and inspiration as they start planning their next steps. Registration is: graniteedvance.org/dc

Granite Edvance is a NH based education non-profit group that helps students navigate financial aid packages and FAFSA filing questions for free. Here is the link to their site. You can go here to book an appointment with a specialist. These can be online or in person!

Decisions are arriving for high school seniors, as well as financial aid packages. Loans? Pell? Grant money? Fees? Scholarships? These can be difficult to decipher and navigate. Granite Edvance can help! Their specialists can meet with you and look over all of the package information for each school so you and your student can make the best decision.

All local scholarship applications are available in the School Counseling Office. There are scholarships for all types of post-secondary education, including college, trade school, and 2 or 4-year programs. All scholarship applications are due on March 26th.

On March 12th, we will have a day to support scholarship applications for seniors in the library. All seniors applying for scholarships can attend for some extra support!

Middle school is a time of rapid social shifts. One day, your child and their best friend are inseparable; the next, they aren’t on speaking terms. While these "friendship fires" can be stressful, they are actually vital opportunities for students to build conflict resolution skills they will use for the rest of their lives.

At this age, the goal isn't to avoid conflict, but to handle it with maturity. We encourage students to move away from "ghosting" or "venting" on social media and toward direct communication. When a conflict arises, you can help your student by coaching them through these three steps:

1. The "Cool Down" Period: Encourage your child to wait until they aren't deep in their feelings before reaching out. High emotions often lead to impulsive texts or statements that escalate the situation.
   
   

2. Using "I" Statements: Instead of saying "You ignored me at lunch," try "I felt hurt when I didn't have anyone to sit with today." This lowers the other person’s defenses.
   
   

3. Apologize if needed: Taking accountability for where you could have done something differently is an important skill. Make sure in conversations with your child, you are helping them accept responsibility for their actions. This can help diffuse conflict and promote resolution.

Helpful Resources for Parents & Students:

• CDC: Essentials for Parenting Teens: Comprehensive guides and videos on building positive connections with youth ages 11–17.
  
  

• Conflict Resolution Scenarios for Kids & Teens: A guide to help your teen through conflict resolution strategies.
  
  

Ms. Charron is always open to help facilitate these conversations if students need a neutral space to talk through a disagreement. Let’s work together to help our students grow through these challenges!

The assignments page on each site is a good place to look to see if your child has homework.

🌊 Water Team

https://teamwater.my.canva.site/team-water-website

🔥 Fire Team

https://sites.google.com/a/mrsd.org/fire-team-website/home

🌎 Earth Team

https://sites.google.com/mrsd.org/teamearth/home

🌟 QUARTER 3 🌟

We are in the middle of Quarter 3. Some things to remember as we forge ahead.

• All assignments are important assignments no matter what they are weighted. Formative Assignments help students to get ready for Summative Assignments, so although they count as less, they are just as important to complete.

• When your child is absent from school, they miss class instruction and assignments. It is your child’s responsibility to make sure they catch up with whatever they miss at an appropriate time (WIN, after school, activity or lunch if the teacher is available).

🥶 OUTDOOR ACTIVITY 🥶

The temperatures are beginning to drop but we are still going outside for activity time. There is no inside option for students so be sure they have appropriate dress for being outside.