FRIDAY FOCUS

Community partners including Children’s Cove, Barnstable County, the Cape & Islands District Attorney’s Office, Monomoy Regional School District, and the towns of Chatham and Harwich are coming together to offer information and education to parents and caregivers on digital safety for young people. The event, titled Keeping Kids Safe Online: Learn how to navigate safety discussions, will be held on November 4, 2026 at 5:30 p.m at Brooks Free Library in Harwich and on November 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Chatham Community Center. Both sessions will share the same information, so attendees can select the one that better suits their needs. Childcare will be available at both sessions. Registration is requested for these events:

• Harwich, 11/4/26, Registration Link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/sqqptp0XjK
• Chatham, 11/9/26, Registration Link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/8uRAbkC6vE

Parents, caregivers, and anyone engaged with youth are encouraged to attend this important conversation.

We appreciate your patience and flexibility as our towns undergo a variety of roadwork projects. You will find the most accurate and current information about road closures and detours on our town websites and on the social media pages of local public safety:

• Town of Harwich Website - this page has weekly updates from the contractors, along with detours and recommended school transportation pickup and dropoff spots
• Harwich Police Facebook Page
• Town of Chatham Website
• Chatham Police Facebook Page
  
  

These resources are also linked on our website. We ask that everyone be prepared for some slight delays as road construction projects continue in the coming weeks.

"Charity is one of the first faces when students get off the bus in the morning as they grab breakfast, and she greets every student with a genuine smile. She knows children's preferences, and even though there is a large group of students getting breakfast, she never makes anyone feel rushed. This compassion continues into lunch service as she makes every Shark feel valued and appreciated. Even in brief interactions, one can see that Charity values each and every student in the building. Charity's positivity extends to her interactions with coworkers throughout the building as she helps everyone find a smile."

Way to go, Charity!

Who will you nominate for October? Click here to recognize one of our staff members for going above and beyond!

Monomoy Regional School District participates in the National School Lunch (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). As part of these programs, all schools offer healthy meals every school day at NO COST to the students, due to the implementation of the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for school year 2026-2027. Students receive Breakfast and Lunch (1st meal) at school without having to pay a fee or submit a household application. Find more information on our Food Services website.

Our district is a member of the Federation for Children with Special Needs and we have access to monthly workshops under an All-Access Pass. You can find the full calendar of events, as well as links to register, at https://fcsn.org/events/. You can register for multiple workshops at that link. Once registered, you will receive a link for the virtual session.

The Chatham Elementary PTO is looking for high school volunteers to help with their Halloween Parade from 3:45 to 5 p.m. on Friday, October 30. Students are needed to help ensure safe crossing at intersections in downtown Chatham. Please email chathampto@monomoy.edu if you can help. Thank you!

Monomoy Regional School District is participating in the Town of Harwich’s America 250 celebrations this weekend at Evergreen Cemetery in East Harwich and the Harwich Community Center. Monomoy High School History teacher Mr. Dickson and his students will read the Declaration of Independence during the dedication ceremony. The Monomoy Regional High School Select Choir will also be performing during the ceremony.

Are you looking for something fun to do during the Thanksgiving break and earn community service credit at the same time? If so, the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History on Route 6A in Brewster is seeking volunteers ages 16 or older to serve as docents during the Thanksgiving holiday. The dates are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 27, 28, and 29. The shifts can be for two or four hours. Most students have found this very engaging, and several have applied to the museum and been hired. Please see Ms. Armstrong in Room C115 if you would like more information or would like to volunteer.

ONLINE

• Go to: YBpay.com
• Enter code 9900727
• Enter student name & grade
• Order your yearbook!
  
  

IN-PERSON

• Cash or check (made out to MRSD)
• Deliver payment to the Main Office to Mrs. Francesconi
  
  

If you require financial assistance, please email Mrs. Francesconi at kfrancesconi@monomoy.edu

We have a small amount of 2026 yearbooks remaining from last year. They are for sale at a discounted price of $50 each. Please bring cash or check (made out to MRSD) to Mrs. Francesconi in the Main Office to get yours!

If you require financial assistance, please email Mrs. Francesconi at kfrancesconi@monomoy.edu

• Email your senior portrait to MRHSyearbook@monomoy.edu
• Email your baby photo to MRHSyearbook@monomoy.edu
• Submit your senior quote and paragraph on this Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfBrGpKneepxJZgspXz6jRLXAEMvSyHKd4DoOuPs8lJ0v08bA/viewform?usp=publish-editor

There is STILL plenty of time to register for Monomoy's trip to Italy April 17-24, 2027. Interested in joining us for the trip of a lifetime? Check out the trip website: www.acis.com Trip ID: 351018 and Leader Name: Peters. Find the itinerary, cost, and way to register on that website. Questions? Email Mrs. Peters: speters@monomoy.edu

The pantry is open to everyone, and no sign-up is required. Families can simply drive up, fill their bags with the items they need, and take them home.

When & Where

• Date: Every Thursday
• Time: 9:15 AM–12:00 PM
• Location: Outside Mrs. Grogan's room by Building B, Door 4
  
  

Families are welcome to stop by during the pantry hours and take what they need ... no registration or appointment necessary.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Shana Grogan at sgrogan@monomoy.edu.

In partnership with Stop & Shop, we look forward to supporting our families through the SHORE Food Pantry! 💓

The SHORE Food Pantry at Monomoy Regional High School has been selected again as a nonprofit partner in the Stop & Shop Bloomin’ 4 Good Program! The SHORE Food Pantry will receive $1 for each $11.99 specially marked Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet sold throughout the month of October 2026 at the East Harwich Stop & Shop location. The funds raised will help eliminate food insecurities for our Monomoy students, families, and community. Find more information on the food pantry at https://www.monomoy.edu/shore-food-pantry.

Learn more about the Monomoy SEPAC at https://www.monomoy.edu/parent-caregiver-resources/sepac

MRHS students are marked present or absent for each class. Students who exceed 10% absence in classes are at risk for losing credit in that class. For example, students may lose credit if they have:

• 5 absences in a term course
• 9 absences in a semester course
• 18 absences in a full-year course

• By 9th grade, attendance is a better predictor of graduation rates than 8th-grade test scores
• Chronically absent high school students had an average GPA of 2.8 vs. non-chronically absent classmates who had an average GPA of 3.5
• When students improve their attendance rates, they improve their academic prospects and chances for graduating

Monomoy is excited to offer free English classes for multilingual adults in our community. These classes would be held twice a week for four weeks, located at Monomoy Regional High School. We are hoping to gather information about how many people are interested, and about which nights of the week are most convenient. If you would like to participate in these classes, please complete the brief form on our website. We also wanted to share that the Massachusetts Department of Education offers free online academic and English language courses for adults, as well as GED courses.

MRHS is on Instagram at @monomoyhighschool!

MEFA - the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority - will present to families on Monday, October 26 at 6 PM. While geared towards senior families, this event is open to everyone.

This presentation is VIRTUAL. Link to join: https://meet.google.com/wtn-mqti-rkp

If your senior is applying Early Action to college on November 1st, ensure they have done the following:

🔲 Requested letters of recommendation from teachers on Naviance for all schools.

🔲 Submitted a brag sheet to their counselor (this was due on October 15!)

🔲 Notify their counselor once applications are submitted - students do not need to wait for letters. Once their application is ready, they can submit it.

What Happens After a Student Submits Applications?

• Counselors send letters of recommendation, transcripts, and school materials to colleges linked on Naviance. Please be aware there is a grace period for counselors for submission of materials. Students may see on college portals that materials are “missing.” It takes colleges time to review and match materials with individual applications, so there may be a delay in portal updates.

• Students may need to complete a STARS: Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System. This would be available on the portal of each school a student has applied to. Students must type in each individual course, grade, and credit. This is in addition to the transcript sent by the counselor.

• Students may also need to send official SAT scores directly to schools from their CollegeBoard account in addition to self-reported scores on applications.

• Students & families should complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile (if CSS is required).

College admissions reps visit the Guidance office regularly during Jawsome to meet students, answer questions, and provide information about their school. All students - including underclassmen - are strongly encouraged to attend. Students should register on Naviance.

Upcoming visits:

• Monday, Oct 26: UMass Lowell

• Tuesday, Oct 27: Salve Regina University

• Wednesday, Oct 28: Northeastern University

• Thursday, Oct 29: University of Maine

• Friday, Oct 30: Lasell University

• Monday, Nov 2: Roger Williams University

• Tuesday, Nov 3: Keene State

• Wednesday, Nov 4: Rivier University

• Thursday, Nov 5: Johnson & Wales Providence

• Friday, Nov 6: Plymouth State

✅ Open an account on StudentAid.gov and complete the FAFSA.

MEFA is hosting a FAFSA Festival - geared towards parents who need support completing the FAFSA for Federal Financial Aid - on Wednesday, October 21st, 4:00-6:00 PM: Register Here

MEFA offers a range of resources for families in different stages of college financial planning. Visit MEFA.org to register for live webinars and to access resources based on age level.

High school is a transition period where students move from direct supervision to self-direction. Use these three actionable strategies to coach your students towards independence while staying connected to their daily progress:

1. Build the “4 Questions” Daily Habit: What do I have to do? When will I do it? If I get stuck, what can I do? How is my current plan working?

2. Use Tech Tools as Talking Points: Review Aspen, Google Classroom, and MyFlex daily.

3. Executive Functioning Takes Practice: identify organizational systems, model and guide through management of your own daily tasks/competing demands, and embrace the learning process. Development of executive functioning is rarely linear!

Audrey Brewer, abrewer@monomoy.edu

Lindsay Ginnetty, lginnetty@monomoy.edu

Caitlyn Hall, chall@monomoy.edu

Jonathan Bennett, jbennett@monomoy.edu

Follow us on Instagram: @MonomoyGuidance

Wishing you health and safety, The MRHS Counseling Team

We are selling the Class of 2029 t-shirt again! In January when we host the Harlem Wizards, we hope that all student volunteers will be wearing their class shirt to show class pride. Didn't order one the first time? No worries -- orders are open now through the end of October via this form. Questions? Email Ms. Peters and Mr. Millen

Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Ice Hockey, Boys and Girls Indoor Track, Cheerleading

1. Meet The Coaches Night is Monday November 23rd at 6:00pm in the MRHS Auditorium
2. The first day of practices and tryouts is Monday November 30th (Practice schedules will be posted to the MRHS Athletics website and coaches will provide)
3. All student-athletes must be registered on Arbiter Registration prior to the first day of practices/tryouts. Arbiter Registration is open. Here is the link to the high school registration page. https://students.arbitersports.com/monomoy-regional-school-district/high-school-winter-2026-2027-athletics-registration
4. All student-athletes must have an up to date physical on file with the school nurse. They can be emailed to the school nurses and/or our Head Athletic Trainer Taylor Sliney at tsliney@monomoy.edu.
5. All student-athletes must have an up to date SWAY Test with Taylor prior to the first practice. You can reach out to Taylor to schedule it.
6. All student-athletes must complete the free online Concussion in Sports and Implicit Bias courses at nfhslearn.com and send the certificates to tsliney@monomoy.edu.
7. All student-athletes must complete a pre-participation head injury form and return it to Taylor prior to the first practice. The form is attached.

Mon. 10/26

V/JV Girls Soccer @ 1:30

Tues. 10/27

V/JV Field Hockey @ 2:00

Wed. 10/28

V/JV Girls Soccer @ 2:45

Thurs. 10/29

Freshman Boys Soccer @ 2:45

Order here: https://nausetscreenprinting.printavo.com/merch/monomoy-sharks

20% of all sales from our online merchandise store support the Monomoy All Sports Booster Club, helping fund athletic programs, equipment, and events.

Follow us on Instagram for game results, scores, updates, and more!: @monomoyathletics

To report your child's absence, tardy, or upcoming dismissal please use the following link:

https://mrhs.monomoy.edu/attendance

Monomoy Regional High School operations and activities are guided by Monomoy Regional School District policies and school-specific procedures. The MRHS Handbook is a resource for families and students, providing information and guidelines for a variety of topics. If you have additional questions not covered here, contact MRHS at (508) 430-7200.

https://mrhs.monomoy.edu/parent-caregiver-resources/school-handbook

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

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/monomoyregion

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@monomoyschools

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