Branagan's Bulletin
Week of March 6 - 10, 2023
Welcome Back!
Hello MHS,
I hope you had a great weekend. First, I want to take an opportunity to thank everyone for your well wishes and support over the last two weeks. Recently, I was diagnosed with Diabetes, which is a life-changing experience in itself. However, without realizing it, my body was beginning to have a very negative reaction to the diagnosis and the new medicine that I was beginning to take. Over the vacation, I was placed in the ICU due to a complication from Diabetes known as DKA. This condition is very dangerous and I was very lucky for amazing friends who brought me to the hospital. I was released from the hospital on Monday, February 27th and have spent the last few days recovering and establishing my new normal. The past few days have allowed me to gain some strength back. I am excited to be back to school this week to see all of you. I have missed each of you!
I share this note to ensure that we are always looking out for each other. I am grateful for the wonderful friends who came to my home knowing something was not right. We are a family here at MHS, and with that said...we need to take care of each other. I know each of you are connected to each other. Each of you are a part of our community. Each of you belong. I am beyond excited to see you and to celebrate all of the things our students have accomplished over the last few weeks!
On another note....Quarter 3 Progress Reports will be released on Monday afternoon and I truly hope each of you will take time to assess your progress and to ensure that you will reach your academic goals. I believe in you!
Can't wait to see you!
Have a great week!
Bran
SACHEM SHOUT - OUT!
Great job to the following:
- BRAVO to the cast and crew of "The Candidate" who competed in the Massachusetts Educational Theatre Guild Festival this weekend. We are so proud of you!! The cast and crew received numerous awards at the Festival. A note of congratulations to Lucy Orcutt-Caruso for her award for prop design and management and to Adam Wolfe for lighting design. Well done, STW!
- Thank you and congratulations to the Girls Basketball Team for an outstanding season. We are so proud of you! Thank you to Lila Peddie for an outstanding four years of play!
- Thank you and congratulations to the Ice Hockey Team for an outstanding season. We are so proud of you! A first year of a new co-op and you took your place in the post season...you were amazing! Thank you to the senior members of the team and for your years of commitment to this team.
- Congratulations to the Winter Cheer Team who competed in the South Sectional Finals on Sunday at Whitman-Hanson Regional High School. I know you made your school proud today!
- Congratulations to Charlotte Pickering for her outstanding season on the ORR Girls Ice Hockey Team who took their place in the state tournament this past week!
- Thank you and congratulations to the Boys Basketball Team for an outstanding season. We are so proud of you! We know you will be back next year! Thank you and best wishes to the senior members of the team for your commitment to this program.
- Job Well Done to Keira Deane who placed 17th in the state at the State Diving Competition. We are so proud of you!
- Congratulation to the many members of the Indoor Track Team who competed at the All-State Meet and the New England Championship. Job Well done, Sachems! Also, best of luck to the 10 athletes who have qualified for the New Balance Indoor Track Championships in Boston from March 9 - 12. We believe in you!
- Congratulations to the MHS Wrestling Team! Tristan Sybertz won 1 match at the D3 State tournament. Matthew Patterson placed 3rd at the D3 State tournament and went on to place 7th at the All-State tournament becoming the 1st freshman ever from Middleborough to qualify for the New England Championships. Ayla Goldman competed in the Girls All-State tournament where she finished in 2nd place, losing a close 6-5 decision in the finals. Ayla finishes her career as a 4-time state placer and 3-time state finalist.
- Best of luck to Cristina Chane who is running for President of the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils (MASC) this week at the state convention for Student Council. We believe in you, Rina!
- Congratulations to our amazing students who were recognized by Superintendent Lyons at the School Committee Meeting on Thursday evening for their outstanding performance on the MCAS Exam last year. Job Well Done!
SACHEM PRIDE!
Quarter 3 Progress Reports Released - Monday, March 6, 2023
Job Well Done to the many students who are making excellent progress as we enter the second half of the quarter. Great work!
Parent - Teacher Conferences - March 8, 2023
You can make an appointment for a meeting with a teacher by visiting the link below.
Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BAFAD22AAFF2-quarter7
Get Those School Laptops Charged!
Thank you for your commitment to ensuring you are ready for school each day!
World Language Week - March 6 - 10, 2023
It's World Language Week!!! During this week of March 6-10, the World Language Week will be celebrating world languages with a series of events!!! It is a tradition at MHS that, during WLW, students present the morning announcements in different target languages. Please note that the TV sets will come on at 7:30 am each morning this week as different students will present the morning announcements in the language that they are studying or speak. The "newsbreak" will last no longer than two minutes. We are pleased to have seven different languages represented this year! They are Yoruba, American Sign Language, Hindi, Portuguese, Russian, French and Spanish!
Thanks to Mr. Krockta and his student staff for all of the great work they did in producing these announcements!
If you see any of our student announcers, please thank them. They all stepped up and volunteered to read in their target languages, a task that is not easy!
MHS Rho Kappa Presents - Civics Week!
Please see Mrs. Byrnes in Room C258 with any questions!
Attention Class of 2025 - Class Rings Sales - Do Not Miss Out!
If you are interested in ordering a Class Ring, you have this week to place your order with our wonderful ring company, Josten"s.
To design and purchase a Class Ring, please visit https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/customer/1065726/Middleborough-High-School/
MCAS Testing - March 8 - 9, 2023
We wish our students well who will engage in the MCAS RETEST this week!
Community Service Requirement Reminders!
As you know, MHS has a graduation requirement that involves the participation and completion on community service. All students must meet the 24-hour minimum requirement before the completion of senior year.
Mrs. McGurk coordinates all community service programming at MHS and provides some great options to help our students with finding meaningful ways to pay it forward and to help our community. Please visit the Community Service Page
https://www.middleboro.k12.ma.us/domain/1022 to learn more.
Please reach out to Mrs. McGurk with any questions. Her email is smcgurk@middleboro.k12.ma.us
School Counseling Department Newsletter - Check It Out!
Link to "Sachem Counseling Scoop" https://www.smore.com/gf860
Science Café - Thursday, March 9, 2023
Thank you, Mr. Harris for making these monthly event happen!
LEARNING COMMONS (LIBRARY) EXPECTATIONS AND PROTOCOLS!
The Learning Commons (Library) is a great place to gather, collaborate, read and study. It is important the the Learning Commons is always an area that is conducive to learning. With this in mind, please make note of the important protocols for the use of the Learning Commons:
LEARNING COMMONS/LIBRARY PROTOCOLS
FROM A CLASS:
All students must have an E-hall Pass from their teacher, check in with Mrs. Phillips, and sign in on the clipboard. Students must sign out when they leave. (Teacher will call x3131 first.)
FROM LUNCH:
Students who want to come to the Learning Commons during lunch must get a paper pass from Mrs. Phillips in the morning before 7:20. Students will show their pass to a teacher or administrator in the cafeteria, turn in their pass to Mrs. Phillips, and sign in at the library on the green clipboard.
No food or drink is allowed at any time, except water.
Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
Clean up after yourself and push in your chair before you leave.
Get an E-hall Pass for the restroom or to leave for any other purpose.
Please see Mrs. Phillips in the Learning Commons with any questions.
Math MCAS Prep Course - Begins February 1, 2023
Mrs. Salamone and Mr. Darling will host an afternoon MCAS Prep class for all Sophomores. The MCAS Review Course will be held every Wednesday from 2:00 - 3:00pm in Room C267. The Review Course will begin February 1, 2023.
As we approach the MCAS test date, or if demand dictates, more afternoon sessions will be scheduled.
The primary goal will be to refresh the student’s Algebra skills and to practice using the Geometry Formula Sheet to solve problems. We will use previous MCAS test questions to ensure the students are aware of the language used. We will also offer different test taking strategies that will be helpful during the test.
Mrs. Salamone and Mr. Darlin have created a Google Classroom to allow all students to take advantage of practice tests, videos or other materials if they can not attend during live sessions. The code to join is th4ymoc. Join Today!!!
The weekly Review Course will be held through the Math MCAS Exam in May.
Please reach out to Mrs. Salamone or Mr. Darling with any questions.
Mrs. Salamone - jsalamone@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Mr. Darling - rdarling@middleboro.k12.ma.us
LATE BUSES - MONDAY - WEDNESDAY EACH WEEK!
Late Bus Expectations:
Late buses are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Late buses arrive at MHS at approximately 3:45 p.m. and pick up students at the Bus Loop.
Students must have a valid, school-based reason to stay after (club meeting, extra help).
Students seeking a late bus pass must sign up for the pass in the Main Office before 1:50 p.m. on the day of issuance. The Main Office will verify the school-based need with the staff person with whom the student is staying.
Students must report to the Main Office upon the conclusion of the after school session with a timed pass from the sending staff person.
ATTENTION ALL MHS STUDENTS - MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Spring Sports Night - Tuesday, March 7, 2023 - 6:00pm
The Spring Sports Parent/Guardian Meeting for all students who are interested or planning to play a spring sport must attend this important pre-season meeting with Mr. Syliva and the spring coaching staff.
The meeting will begin at 6:00pm in the MHS Auditorium. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Mr. Sylvia, Athletic Director at rsylvia@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Class of 2025 Present - Student Vs. Teacher Basketball Game
KEY CLUB MEETINGS!
GAME CLUB IS BACK!
GSA MEETINGS!
JOIN YESS CLUB!
JOIN THE NEW CREATIVE WRITING CLUB!
MHS DEBATE CLUB
MHS BOOK DRIVE - THANK YOU ETHAN FOR YOUR WONDERFUL PROJECT!
Family Resource Center - Resource Roundup! - Check it out!
Link to Resource Roundup: https://www.smore.com/p065v1
Also, be sure to check our the Family Resource Center Facebook Page that is packed with resources and events for the families of Middleborough.
Inclement Weather Protocol - A Message from Superintendent Lyons
Please see Mrs. Lyons special newsletter regarding inclement weather days:
We are SachemSTRONG!
A FINAL THOUGHT!
Paul Branagan
Email: pbranagan@middleboro.k12.ma.us
Website: www.middleboro.k12.ma.us
Location: 71 East Grove Street, Middleborough, MA.
Phone: 508-946-2010
Facebook: facebook.com/MiddleboroughHighSchool
Twitter: @principalbran