McDowell High School

November 3 - End of 1st Quarter

November 9 - No School In-Service

November 10 - Parent-Teacher Conferences

November 25 - Early Dismissal

November 26-27 - No School

Students in Ms. MacWilliams’ CSI Forensic Science class recently stepped into the role of crime scene investigators as they learned how to develop, collect, and preserve latent fingerprints, prints that are not readily visible to the naked eye.

Students began by learning how to use forensic fingerprinting equipment, including black fingerprint powder, brushes, lifting tape, and fingerprint cards. After practicing their techniques on glass slides, students were introduced to magnetic fingerprint powder and a magnetic applicator as an alternative method for developing latent prints.

The lesson culminated in a hands-on crime scene investigation challenge. Each student brought in a personal item, cleaned its surface, and placed a single fingerprint somewhere on the object. Students then exchanged items with classmates, who were tasked with locating, developing, lifting, and preserving the hidden fingerprint without knowing its location.

This activity simulated an important aspect of real-world crime scene investigations: forensic investigators often do not know where fingerprints may be present and must carefully examine evidence to locate and recover them. Through this experience, students applied forensic science techniques, practiced evidence collection, and developed the observation and problem-solving skills essential to crime scene investigation.

We are excited to highlight the McDowell Manufacturing Internship elective, available to 11th and 12th graders during every quarter of the school year. This unique program gives students hands-on, real-world workforce experience right on campus.

Course Overview:

• Grade Levels: 11th & 12th Grade

• Credit: 0.50 Credit (Offered Quarter 1, 2, 3, and 4)

• Prerequisites: 2.0 GPA and a 90% attendance rate

Students in this internship gain practical career education by creating real parts for local manufacturing companies and directly supporting the local supply chain. Internships take place during the school day, with individualized schedules designed around student and project needs.

If your student is interested in exploring manufacturing careers and gaining real-world experience, please have them speak with their school counselor to discuss adding this real-world internship to their schedule!

Attention 9th-grade families! We have an exciting opportunity coming up for our students to explore career and technical education pathways. On Wednesday, October 21st, representatives and current students from the Erie County Technical School (ECTS) will visit during Tutorial to share information about their various programs of study. This is a fantastic chance for 9th graders to hear firsthand about the hands-on learning experiences ECTS offers.

On Tuesday, November 17, 2026, students will be able to experience the ECTS campus themselves during an upcoming field trip. Hard copies of the required permission slips will be distributed to all students during the October 21st presentation. Please look for this form coming home. The deadline to return the signed permission slip is Friday, October 23, 2026.

Important Dates to Remember:

• Wednesday, October 21st: ECTS Presentation during Tutorial (Permission slips distributed)
• Friday, October 23, 2026: Deadline to return field trip permission slips
• Tuesday, November 17, 2026: 9th-Grade Field Trip to ECTS

For additional information about ECTS, please visit the official website at www.ects.org

or contact your student's school counselor.

Helping students develop strong organizational, time-management, and study skills is an important part of academic success. From keeping track of assignments to preparing for tests, these skills can sometimes be challenging for students and families alike. This month's featured article, Homework, Organization, and Study Skills: Helping Handout for Home, offers practical, research-based strategies parents can use to establish effective homework routines, reduce procrastination, encourage independence, and make homework time more productive and less stressful.

We encourage families to explore the attached article for simple, actionable strategies that can make homework time more productive and less stressful!

Grade 12 students must have a booster dose of MCV4 (meningococcal). Many parents have already provided this proof of shot. If you have not received a phone call from the nurse your student is compliant.

Grade 11 students require a physical exam dated after 7/1/2025. This is best done at your PCP and forms are available on our district website. The form must include a "review of systems" and an updated shot record. There will be an opportunity for a free exam in December IF we receive written permission from you to do this. If you have any questions, please call the school nurse.

Click the link below for other School Health Reminders from the high schools nursing staff.

Students looking for extra academic support have several opportunities available after school at both McDowell North and McDowell South. Students can receive subject-specific tutoring, make up assessments, get help with assignments, or use the extra time to get caught up and organized. Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation home.

McDowell North

• Tuesday | 2:25–3:25 p.m. | McDowell North Library
  Math Tutoring for students in grades 9–12
• Wednesday | 2:25–3:25 p.m. | McDowell North Library
  Bonus Study Hall for homework and projects, test preparation, tests and retests, organization, and study skills

McDowell South

• Wednesday | 2:25–3:25 p.m. | McDowell South HUB
  General Tutoring and Test Make-Ups
• Thursday | 2:25–3:25 p.m. | McDowell South HUB
  Science Tutoring

See the McDowell North and McDowell South flyers below for additional information.

Hello, all McDowell students! Would you like to make a change in your community for the upcoming Thanksgiving season? Join us for the Thanksgiving Box of Love food drive to support the Erie City Mission's cause in providing for local homeless families during the holidays! We are accepting boxes of stuffing, packets of gravy, large cans of yams, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, brownie mix, and even card games. By donating these items, you can directly help those in need right here in our city.

Donations should be dropped off in Mr. Andrzejczak's room, 2-207, and Mr. Bailey's room, 121, by Friday, November 6.

• How do I submit an excuse within three days of an absence?
  • Infinite Campus
  • Email: mtsdattendance@mtsd.org
  • Send in a paper excuse

• How many absences before I need a medical excuse?
  • Per attendance Policy 204 - after a student has accumulated 15 absences, a medical excuse is needed for any absence after the 15th day absent.

Restrictions to Student Accounts:

• You can specify what your child is allowed to purchase on their account by emailing foodservice@mtsd.org. Include your student’s name and the restriction to be placed on their account. Restrictions are general (snacks, second meals, milk) and cannot be specific to a day or item.
• If you do not want your child to be able to charge a lunch to their account when they have run out of funds, you must send an email to foodservice@mtsd.org. The law does not permit us to deny students a meal, so if they run out of money in their account, meals will still be charged to their account and you will be sent a bill.
• Please note that by restricting meal charges to the account, your student will be denied a meal in the cafeteria.
• If your child’s account runs out of funds, they will not be permitted to charge ala carte items: snacks, second meals, milk, etc. They are only permitted to charge one meal each day.

Refunds:

• Refunds can be requested for positive funds in your child’s account by emailing foodservice@mtsd.org. Include your child’s name and the mailing address for the refund.

Transfers:

• Funds can also be transferred between accounts (student to student, student to staff, student to donation account) by emailing foodservice@mtsd.org. Include the names of the student/staff that the funds are from and going to and the amount to be transferred.

See attached menus for October 2026 High School Breakfasts and Lunches.

• Junior girls' cross country athlete Bella Hebner set a new McDowell record with a time of 18:39.13 at the Trojans' region meet October 6 at Brown's Farm. Both the boys' and girls' subregional meet will be October 31.
• McDowell Marching Band earned first place in the AAA division of all of its LMBA competitions this season. The Trojans head to Harbor Creek October 24 and finish the season at the LMBA Championships October 31 at Veterans Stadium.
• Football holds a 5-2 record entering its senior night showdown vs. St. Francis on Friday, October 16. The Trojans will conclude the regular season at Meadville October 23.
• Boys' soccer has had a stellar season so far with an 11-1-1 record entering its October 17 match vs. Allderdice.
• Girls' soccer is also putting together a strong 2026 campaign, sporting a 10-3-2 record before heading to Harbor Creek October 15 and hosting Fairview October 19.
• Girls' Tennis competes in the District 10 Team Championships Tuesday, October 20, at Westwood Racquet Club.
• Boys' and girls' water polo compete among the state's best in the Cumberland Valley Screaming Eagle tournament October 16-17 before hosting Cathedral Prep October 20 and North Allegheny October 21.

Support James Conner Field every time you fill up and you could win, too! Through a partnership with Country Fair, members of our community can use their Club CITGO loyalty ID at participating Country Fair gas pumps to automatically contribute 2¢ per gallon to the James Conner Field campaign at no additional cost to you!

Even better, your participation gives you a chance to win one of 16 weekly prizes, available for pickup at McDowell. It’s an easy way to support our students, our school, and the James Conner Field project just by doing something you already do—filling your tank!

Check out the flyer below for details on how to sign up, participate, and enter the sweepstakes!

As part of the upcoming renovations to the McDowell Athletic Complex (MAC), a new paver plaza is being planned for the stadium entrance. The Gus Anderson Legacy Plaza will feature engraved pavers that are now available to purchase and customize! All purchases support the renovations, which include necessary updates to the track, bleachers, addition of visitor bathrooms, turf drainage and more.

Leave your mark on the MAC and purchase a paver in honor of an alumni, your graduating class, or yourself! Purchase a paver or make a general donation here: Sponsorships & Naming Rights Opportunities

Curious why the renovations to the MAC are needed? Or where the funding is coming from? Or what the cost breakdown is? Find answers to all these questions at: Millcreek Township School District

• You can find the latest schedules, rosters, updates, and content at mcdowellathletics.com and by following McDowell Athletics on Instagram, Facebook, and X.

• You can get tickets for McDowell home events through HomeTown ticketing. Download the HomeTown Fan app to manage your individual tickets or season passes.

• You also have the option to print your tickets to be scanned at the gate. Learn more about tickets for this season here: 2026-27 Ticket Information.

• Watch McDowell home events on Hudl Fan for free. Access the live stream menu from the Fan Zone on McDowell Athletics' home page or search McDowell High School on the Hudl Fan app

• 🏈 Varsity football's first home game marked the kickoff for the McDowell Athletic Complex (MAC) renovation project fundraising campaign. Learn more about the renovation plans for the new facility, including the new turf field named after 2013 graduate and NFL star James Conner here: MAC Project.

• You can get involved with the fundraiser by purchasing a James Conner Field t-shirt at and Erie County Country Fair or by filling up your gas tank at Country Fair using a Club CITGO loyalty ID. All proceeds from t-shirt sales and 2-cents per gallon from your loyalty program gas purchase go directly to the MAC fundraising campaign. Sign up for the Club CITGO loyalty program and directly benefit the McDowell Athletic Complex!

McDowell Boys Basketball is offering the Navy Blue Hoops Academy this fall for Erie County boys in PreK through 10th grade. The academy will focus on developing basketball skills and fundamentals through instruction, games, and contests. Sessions will be held at McDowell South High School on October 17, 24, 31, and November 7.

See the attached flyer for session times, cost, and registration information.