January 2026 MRMHS Newsletter

January 5

• Students back from Winter Break

January 7

• School Counseling Begins 8th Grade to HS Transition Presentations

January 16

• Quarter 2 Ends

January 19

• MLK Day (No School)

• i-Ready Diagnostic #2 Window Open

• Q3 Officially Begins

January 20

• District Workshop Day (No School)

January 23

• Q2 Report Cards Sent Home (Approximate Date)

February 2

• NAEP Testing for Select MS Students

February 6

• Family/Teacher Conferences (No School)

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!

🐾 Winter Sports Are Underway at MRMHS!

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! 🐺💙

• Boys Varsity Basketball is currently 2–1 and will host Gilford on January 5, 2026.
  
  

• Girls Varsity Basketball remains undefeated at 2–0 and will travel to Gilford on January 5, 2026.
  
  

• Both teams participated in the Keene State Rob Colbert Holiday Tournament over winter break.
  
  

• 🏆 Congratulations to the Girls Varsity Basketball team for taking home the tournament championship!
  
  

• Monadnock Mountaineers Varsity Ice Hockey holds a 2–2 record and will host Pembroke-Campbell on January 7, 2026.
  
  

• Varsity Swimming will host a home meet at Keene State College on January 6, 2026.
  
  

• Monadnock Wrestling will compete away at Nashua North on January 7, 2026.
  
  

• Indoor Track is back in action with the next meet at UNH on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

• Middle School Boys A Basketball travels to Hinsdale on January 6, 2026.
  
  

• Middle School Girls Basketball and Boys B Basketball will host Winchester on January 7, 2026.

Shannon Topa

MRMHS Athletic Director

Finishing Strong & Starting Fresh

The new semester begins mid-month, making January a natural time for a reset. Before we officially move to Second Semester however, we encourage students - with family support - to stay focused on their current coursework in Semester 1. These final weeks are an important window to submit or revise assignments where possible and finish the semester strong!

Scheduling Process

As we approach the second half of the year, this is also a key time to think ahead. Be sure to check out the school counseling section in this newsletter for information related to the scheduling process and the upcoming 2026–2027 Program of Studies. Decisions made in the coming months can impact students’ experiences at MRMHS over the next several years and their plans beyond high school. We encourage students and families to ask questions and connect with school counselors at any time.

Middle School PLCs & Data-Informed Instruction

At the middle school level, English Language Arts and Math teachers have been working closely with district and building administrators to analyze multiple data sources, including previous state assessments, interim practice tests, i-Ready diagnostics, and daily classroom assignments. This work takes place through a Professional Learning Community (PLC) model, where collaborative teams of teachers meet regularly to review student data, share expertise, and refine instructional practices in response to student needs.

This work is already having a direct impact on instructional planning and, most notably this year, on how we use WIN (What I Need) time. While WIN has traditionally mostly served as a space for homework completion or catch-up support - and that is still in place for students who need it - it is now also being used more purposefully for targeted, explicit instruction based on identified learning needs. Some students continue to receive specialized services during this time, while others are grouped for focused skill instruction aligned to data.

In addition, teachers are collaborating around pacing, sequencing of instruction, and instructional strategies to better meet student needs. These conversations are also informing larger curriculum revisions, ensuring that our instruction remains responsive, aligned, and focused on student growth.

Communication

As we move into the new year, all of this work - finishing the semester strong, using data to guide instruction, and partnership between home and school, is connected by a shared goal: supporting every student’s growth. When students, families, and staff stay engaged, ask questions, and work together, we create a learning environment that is both responsive to individuals and proactive. Thank you for your continued partnership and for the important role you play in making this work possible at MRMHS.

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!

As we move through the season of increased respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses, we ask families to help keep our school community healthy. Please keep your child home if they have a fever, a persistent cough, vomiting, or diarrhea. A day of rest at home helps them recover and helps prevent spreading illness to others. Encourage good handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and avoiding sharing drinks or snacks. Extra sleep and keeping frequently touched surfaces clean at home also make big difference. Thank you for helping us keep our school community well!

Sincerely,

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

Our school community came together in a powerful way on December 16th for the Key Club-sponsored American Red Cross blood drive. The event was a resounding success, highlighted by the inspiring number of first-time donor heroes who stepped up to make their very first lifesaving contribution.

The impact of these donations cannot be overstated. Every single unit of blood collected has the potential to save up to three lives, providing a critical lifeline for trauma patients, those undergoing cancer treatments, and individuals managing chronic illnesses. Because blood is perishable and cannot be manufactured, regular drives are essential to maintaining a stable supply for local hospitals.

• Constant Need: Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. requires blood.

• Diverse Requirements: Hospitals constantly need all blood types, especially Type O, which is often the first line of defense in emergency rooms.

• Community Health: For many donors, the pre-donation health screening offers a quick check of blood pressure and hemoglobin levels.

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Building on this incredible momentum, the Monadnock Key Club is already planning its next drive for April 2026. Interested in blood donation? You can track your impact or find other local donation opportunities through the Red Cross Blood Donor App or by visiting RedCrossBlood.org.

Thank you to everyone who rolled up a sleeve or volunteered to help this December, you truly are Husky Heroes!

The reviews are in, and our students absolutely blew it away! The Annual Holiday Concert was a wonderful showcase of the hard work, dedication, and talent of our student musicians. From start to finish, their performances reflected countless hours of practice and a true love of music. We are incredibly proud of our students and grateful to the families and community members who joined us to celebrate a memorable evening at Monadnock Regional Middle High School.

Before Winter Break, our middle school students had a fantastic opportunity to learn from Eyes on Owls, an educational program that brings live owls into schools to teach students about wildlife, habitats, and conservation.

The visit connected perfectly with students’ reading of HOOT, helping bring the themes of the novel to life in a meaningful, hands-on way. Thank you to the Eyes on Owls team for sharing their knowledge and helping create such a memorable learning experience for our students.

In the Middle School students are reading the book Hoot by Carl Hiaasen. As the book comes to a close the students are beginning their journey into an owl research project. Using the Picture in writing techniques of Beth Olshanky, which guide students through a concise, skills-focused exploration of the Image-Making Process. Students research an owl of their choice, then create a portfolio of papers they have hand painted inspired by what they learnt. Using these materials, they build a Who Am I? bifold that embeds factual clues in both the artwork and the text. Their writing will include a fact-based poem and they will finish with a reflective/opinion piece on the About the Artist/Writer page.

As crazy as it might sound, we are looking ahead to picking classes for next year, so now is an important time for parental involvement. The courses selected during high school can significantly influence a student’s post-secondary options and career plans. By engaging in conversations about academic interests, strengths, and long-term plans, parents can help their teens see the direct connection between current coursework and future goals. This approach ensures that students are not just fulfilling graduation requirements but are building a foundation of knowledge and skills tailored to career pathways. A parent's guidance can transform a potentially overwhelming selection process into a meaningful and empowering step toward career readiness.

To facilitate these important discussions, families should utilize the MRMHS Program of Studies (this site has the 25/26 school year, the new 26/27 Program of Studies will be released soon). This details all available course offerings and prerequisites, providing the necessary information to make informed choices. Parents and students can sit down together to review course descriptions and map out a plan that aligns with desired fields, whether they involve immediate entry into the workforce, trade school, or a four-year university degree.

The Cheshire Career Center is a career and technical education program for students at Monadnock, Fall Mountain, and Keene High School. These programs allow students to earn certifications, college credits, and work experiences that are invaluable to future employment in these career fields. Interested MRHS sophomores took a trip over to Keene High School to visit programs they are interested in taking next year and will be able to sign up for those classes during the course selection meetings coming up. More information about the Cheshire Career Center is available at the Keene High School CCC website.

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

In today’s connected world, social media plays a significant role in the lives of middle school students. For many, it is a way to socialize, express themselves, and stay informed. However, navigating social media safely can be challenging, especially for young adolescents who are still developing their judgment, boundaries, and coping skills. The School Counseling Department would like to offer families guidance and encouragement as we work together to help students build healthy digital habits.

Middle school is a time of rapid brain development, growing independence, and heightened sensitivity to peer approval. These factors can make social media both appealing and overwhelming. Students may feel pressure to maintain an online presence, respond quickly to messages, and keep up with trends. Without clear boundaries, this can impact sleep, academic focus, and emotional well-being.

Additionally, many platforms expose users to content intended for older teens or adults. Without guidance, children may encounter misinformation, cyberbullying, or unsafe interactions.

1. Keep communication open and ongoing.

Regular, calm conversations about what kids are seeing and doing online help build trust. Ask questions like, “What apps do your friends use?” or “Have you seen anything online that made you uncomfortable?”

2. Set clear expectations together.
Work with your child to develop a family technology plan. Establish guidelines about screen time, approved apps, privacy settings, and where devices can be used at home (for example, keeping phones out of bedrooms overnight).

3. Know the apps they’re using.
Take time to explore the platforms your child is interested in and maybe start with just one social media app to see how your child manages their content and interaction with it. Understanding how each app works—especially features like private messaging, location sharing, or disappearing posts—helps you guide your child confidently.

4. Encourage privacy and safety awareness.
Teach students never to share personal information, passwords, or photos with people they don’t know in real life. Remind them that anything posted online can be saved, shared, or misunderstood.

5. Monitor with balance.
Supervision is important, but so is helping students develop their own responsibility. Use a mix of oversight—such as checking in on device use or using parental controls—paired with conversations about trust, good judgment, and digital citizenship.

6. Model healthy tech habits.
Kids learn from what they see. Demonstrating balanced technology use—such as unplugging during meals, putting phones away at bedtime, and prioritizing face-to-face interactions—helps set positive norms.

Parents should reach out if they notice increased anxiety, sudden changes in mood, withdrawal from peers or family, declining grades, or secretive device use. These can be indicators of cyberbullying, online conflict, or exposure to inappropriate content. Our counseling team is here to help. We can meet with students, collaborate with families, and provide resources if concerns arise.

Guiding middle schoolers through social media use is a partnership between families and the school community. With consistent communication, clear expectations, and supportive guidance, students can learn to use technology in safe, responsible, and meaningful ways. Please reach out to the School Counseling Department anytime you have questions or need support—we are here to help your student thrive both online and offline.

🔥 Fire Team

🌎 Earth Team

🌟 START OF QUARTER 2 🌟

We are officially well into Quarter 2. 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.

(sent from Superintendent Rathbun on November 7th)

Dear Families,

At this week’s School Board meeting, the Board approved a change to our academic calendar. Monday, January 20, will now be a Professional Development Day for staff, and there will be no school for students on that day.

On this day, all Monadnock staff will participate in a districtwide training led by the New Hampshire Department of Homeland Security. This training is part of our ongoing efforts to ensure we are prepared to respond effectively in any type of emergency.

The updated calendar is attached for your reference.

We hope this advance notice gives you plenty of time to plan and adjust your schedules.

Sincerely,
Jeremy Rathbun