FRIDAY FOCUS
Monomoy Regional High School's Weekly Newsletter
Published: April 17, 2026
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Enjoy your Spring Break: April 20-24
We will return on Monday, April 27. It will be a Day 4 in the MRHS schedule. Enjoy!
MRSD School Choice openings for 2026-2027
Monomoy is now accepting School Choice applications for the 2026-2027 school year! Visit our website for more information about availability, important dates, and the link to the application form: http://www.monomoy.edu/schoolchoice.
Food Services Updates
Based on feedback from the recent survey, the MRSD Food Services Department is making some exciting changes:
- Creating tasty and healthy breakfast options and reducing sugary options
- Adding more allergy-friendly options (please be sure to alert your school’s cafeteria staff and nurse to any allergies)
- Incorporating culturally inclusive menu options
- Offering more fruits and vegetables
- Using higher quality ingredients
- Incorporating local fish from Chatham Harvesters will be on the May menu to coincide with the Massachusetts Harvest of the Month topic: seafood
- Adding a new breakfast item – homemade egg bites – to pilot at Harwich Elementary first before rolling out districtwide
Please continue to email Food Services Director Michael ‘Mac’ Noks with suggestions at mnoks@monomoy.edu.
Middle School Renovation Project Updates
As work begins on Phase 1 on the Monomoy Middle School Renovation Project, with the siding and windows being replaced, we are planning for Phase 2 - replacing the roof. The roof replacement work is necessary to protect our Towns’ investment in the middle school and the work currently being done to install new windows and siding. The roof project must be approved at Town Meeting in both towns next month, and at the ballot, in order to move ahead. You can find Phase 1 project updates, Phase 2 information, and a number of frequently asked questions on our website.
Monomoy Staff Shoutout
Superintendent Dr. Scott Carpenter's Retirement Events
With the upcoming retirement of Superintendent Scott Carpenter from Monomoy Regional School District, a committee of volunteers has been planning events to recognize this milestone - all members of the school community are invited to participate. There is additional information on the website here, as well as links to tickets and RSVP.
Special Education Workshops
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.
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Class of 2026 Prom
Many thanks to all who made the Senior Prom for the MRHS Class of 2026 such a special event for our students! Great job by advisors Ms. Lee and Ms. Oliver and the class officers in planning a fantastic night, and thanks to Cari Long and the other parents and caregivers who put on a fabulous safe after-prom party, as well as the local businesses and organizations that donated.
Upcoming MCAS Testing Dates
- Tuesday, April 28: Grade 8–STE Session 1
- Wednesday, April 29: Grade 8–STE Session 2
- Tuesday, May 12: Grade 8–Math Session 1
- Wednesday, May 13: Grade 8–Math Session 2
- Tuesday, May 19: Grade 10–Math Session 1
- Wednesday, May 20: Grade 10–Math Session 2
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- Tuesday, June 2: Grade 9–Science Session 1
- Wednesday, June 3: Grade 9–Science Session 2
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- Thursday, June 4: Grade 8–Civics Session 1
- Friday, June 5: Grade 8–Civics Session 2
Rotary Club of Harwich-Dennis honors Monomoy students as ‘Just Good Kids’
Each year, the Rotary Club of Harwich-Dennis honors local students with its ‘Just A Good Kid’ awards. These awards are given to recognize students for character and service, who enjoy school, work hard, and volunteer to help those in need. Students are noted for being respectful, courteous, honest, responsible, and a good friend.
The 2026 Just a Good Kid awards were given to both middle school and high school students. The following Monomoy Regional Middle School students were honored as Just Good Kids: Bernardo Bandeira, Grade 5, Kathryn (Kat) Warren, Grade 6, and Autumn Pickett, Grade 7. Monomoy Regional High School seniors Amalia DeCastro, Patrick Jordan, and Joseph Ventura were also recognized as Just Good Kids.
The students, along with family members and school representatives, were honored at a recognition ceremony on April 16, 2026, at Grumpy’s Restaurant. The students received a Certificate of Appreciation as well as a gift certificate to Barnes & Noble.
Oak Street Academy celebrates
One of our very own, Jonah Lane, from Oak Street turned 18 and we celebrated him in “Oak Street Fashion”. Anyone who knows Jonah knows you will not see him without his signature bandana!! We celebrated him by donning bandanas and having the lunch of his choice, a Cookout!!! Then individual strawberry shortcakes made by your very own resident Chef Mrs. Kluza. Our Oak Street soon-to-be graduates have been applying to schools, and Lincoln Tech tops the list for many of them. There will be a field trip to tour the school in May. It is amazing to see the enthusiasm from our students when thinking about what their futures might be. Stay tuned next week for pictures of the Multicultural Fair table our students have been working hard at all week to get ready for.
Hope Squad News
Last week, a group of MRHS Hope Squad members spent the day at the middle school teaching a lesson on Healthy Relationships to all 7th graders.
Great work Hope Squad!
MRHS Wellness Fair: Thursday, April 30
The MRHS Wellness Department is happy to announce our Teen Wellness Fair on Thursday, April 30th (DAY 7 CDEFG) in the gym.
“Catch the Wellness Wave”
Our goal is to provide a mix of hands-on activities, information booths, games, and physical fitness challenges for students to explore the many aspects of wellness. Students will be issued a “passport” to travel around the fair including: Social/Emotional, Physical/Health, Environment/Occupational, and Spiritual/Intellectual.
Sign up for CMSC Driver's Ed at Monomoy!
2-week course (no weekends): 3:30pm-6:45pm
- 4/27-5/1 and 5/4-5/8
Sign up for CMSC Driver's Ed and get your driver's license for $899: https://cmscdrivingschool.com/
Call, text or email CMSC with any questions or help registering: (508) 905-9706 | jhayes@cmscautoschool.com
2026 Yearbooks for Sale
Order your yearbook today!
YEARBOOKS WILL SELL OUT!
ONLINE:
- Go to YBpay.lifetouch.com
- Enter code 9900726
- Enter your student info
IN-PERSON:
- Cash or check (made out to MRSD) to Mrs. Francesconi in the Main Office.
If you require financial assistance to purchase a yearbook, please reach out to Mrs. Katie Francesconi at kfrancesconi@monomoy.edu
Support the MRHS National Honor Society's service project!
The Monomoy Regional High School National Honor Society members selected the Sharing Kindness Suicide Awareness Walk as its spring community service project -- please help our students raise funds to support this important work! Click here to donate and sign up to walk!
Student volunteers needed for Town of Harwich events
- Harwich Tour de Trash, Saturday, April 25, 8:30am -11am, email ausowski@harwich-ma.gov to sign up
- Harwich Health & Environment Fair, Saturday, April 25, set up 9am, general help during event 11am-2pm, break down 1-3pm, email jennifer.singleton@harwich-ma.gov to sign up
Student volunteer opportunity: Let's Talk Mental Health conference
Ashley Symington, Director of Youth and Family Services for the Town of Harwich, is hosting the Let's Talk Mental Health conference on Saturday, May 2 from 9AM-1PM at the Harwich Community Center. Student volunteers are needed to help with childcare and at the welcome table. Teens are also welcome to attend the event if they would like to come learn and share their voices! Please email Ashley at ashley.symington@harwich-ma.gov to volunteer or learn more.
Volunteers needed for Harwich herring run monitoring
The 2026 Harwich volunteer herring count began on April 1. Volunteers are still needed for shifts throughout the season. Volunteer herring monitors provide vital information to natural resource managers and scientists to understand and protect herring. Being a counter also offers a great opportunity to enjoy a quiet moment in nature on the edge of Hinckleys pond or to witness the chaos of the herring run in full swing as fish fight their way to their spawning ponds. Please consider signing up to help with this important effort! Sign up here: https://harwichconservationtrust.org/volunteer-interest/.
Upcoming Arts Events
CCMA Through Young Eyes 2026
https://www.cciaea.org/through-young-eyes.html
- Exhibition Dates: March 27th - May 17th, 2026
- Artwork Drop-off: Member's Meeting at CCMoA, Thursday, March 19th at 4:30 pm or by Special Arrangement
- Museum Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 4 pm & Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm
- Artists' Reception: Saturday, March 28th from 2:00 – 4:00 pm
- Pickup of Art and CCIAEA Members' Celebration: Monday, May 18th, 2026 at 4:30 pm or by Special Arrangement at CCMoA
Join us for Art Club!
Seeking Artists, Designers, Makers for SparkRoom
Parents and Caregivers needed to support the arts!
The Monomoy FOTA (Friends of the Arts) is a parent/caregiver-led group that supports the arts in our schools, including purchasing props and set elements for school plays, sending students on field trips to attend concerts and plays, providing scholarships to students that go on to study the arts, and much more. The current FOTA leadership is moving on after many years, and new members are needed to continue this important work. Please join FOTA for its next meeting on Wednesday, May 6, at 6:30 p.m. at MRHS Room A139 (directly across from the main office) or online via Google Meet at meet.google.com/ezx-sqee-jbg.
2026 Senior Graduation Newsletter & Senior Calendar
We are looking forward to celebrating our Class of 2026 at their graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 6 at 6:00 PM on the MRHS Turf Field. We have included detailed information for our seniors and their families regarding end-of-year responsibilities, schedules, and graduation event details. Please review this important information and let us know if you have any questions.
The 2026 Senior Newsletter includes:
Senior Obligations Checklist
Graduation Ceremony Information
Schedule of Upcoming Senior Events
Check out the MRHS Graduation website for this information and any updates as the end of the year approaches.
Please do not hesitate to contact the school with any questions. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026!
UPDATED NEWSLETTER: 3/27/26
We have added the Senior Stroll event information to the newsletter. This event will take place from 9:30-11:30am on Thursday, May 21.
Monomoy Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)
Learn more about the Monomoy SEPAC at https://www.monomoy.edu/parent-caregiver-resources/sepac
Attendance Matters - in every class!
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
Follow MRHS on Instagram!
MRHS is on Instagram at @monomoyhighschool!
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Young Women's Club Mother's Day Tea Party: Sunday, May 3
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AP Exam Schedule 2026
Monday, May 4
- Biology—8:45am—A258
Tuesday, May 5
- US Gov & Pol—12pm—A158 & A159
Wednesday, May 6
- Eng Lit & Comp—8:45am—A202
- Physics—12pm—A209
Thursday, May 7
- Statistics—12pm—A233 & A234
Monday, May 11
- Calculus AB—8:45am—A222
- Seminar—12pm—A217 & A256
Tuesday, May 12
- Pre-Calculus—8:45am—A218 & A219
Wednesday, May 13
- English Lang & Comp—8:45am—A231, A233, & A234
Thursday, May 14
- Comp Sci-CSP—12pm—A149
Friday, May 15
- Enviro Sci—8:45am—A179 & A181
- Comp Sci-A—12pm—A149
Monday, May 18
- European History—8:45am—A217, A256, & A258
Tuesday, May 19
- US History—8:45am—A158, A159, & A165
Friday, May 22
- Psychology—12pm—A231, A233, & A234
SAT Test Dates
Register here: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration
Work Permits
The last step with the work permits is bringing the completed copy to the main office at the high school. Work Permits are needed between the ages of 14-17.
https://www.monomoy.edu/parent-caregiver-resources/work-permit-application
School Counselors
Audrey Brewer, Grade 8, abrewer@monomoy.edu
Lindsay Ginnetty, Instructional Leader, Grades 9-12 (last names A-F), lginnetty@monomoy.edu
Caitlyn Hall, Grades 9-12 (last names G-N), chall@monomoy.edu
Jonathan Bennett, Grades 9-12 (last names O-Z), jbennett@monomoy.edu
Follow us on Instagram: @MonomoyGuidance
Wishing you health and safety, The MRHS Counseling Team
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MRHS Athletics Schedule: Week of 4/20
MRHS Athletics Schedule: Week of 4/27
MRHS Athletic Dismissals: Week of 4/27
Mon. 4/27
V/JV Boys Lacrosse @ 1:45
V/JV Baseball @ 2:15
V Boys Tennis @ 3:00
Tues. 4/28
V/JV Softball @ 2:15
Wed. 4/29
V Boys Tennis @ 11:15
Unified Track @ 2:00
V Girls Golf @ 2:30
Thurs. 4/30
V Sailing @ 1:45
V Girls Lacrosse @ 2:15
V Boys Lacrosse @ 2:45
Fri. 5/1
V Track @ 1:00
V/JV Girls Lacrosse @ 1:15
V Softball @ 2:15
V Boys Tennis @ 2:30
Monomoy All-Sports Booster Club Mattress Fundraiser: Saturday, May 9
Save the date for MASBC's annual Mattress Fundraier at MRHS.
When: Saturday, May 9th | 10AM - 4PM
Where: Monomoy RHS Gym (75 Oak St, Harwich)
The Deal: Prices from $199. All sizes. 0% Financing. Luxury for less.
The Impact: Every purchase supports our student-athletes... and your back!
Facebook: Join and share the event here: https://www.facebook.com/events/4446368815609188/
MASBC Buy a Brick for your senior
Senior Parents! Are you looking for the perfect graduation gift for your senior? The Monomoy All Sports Booster Club is offering you the opportunity to purchase a brick with your student's name and Class of 2026 that will be installed around the concession area at the Monomoy Athletic Complex Turf.
The cost of the brick is $125.00 and can be paid via Venmo once you have placed your order. If you would like to place an order, please email Boosterclub@monomoy.edu with your order. Each brick is 4x8, has two lines of print (students name, up to 21 characters) with Class of 2026 as the second line.
The deadline to place your order is Friday, May 1, 2026.
Please see the attached flyer for more information. If you have any questions, please email Boosterclub@monomoy.edu
Thank you!
The Monomoy All Sports Booster Club
Get Monomoy merch!
The Monomoy All Sports Booster Club now has an online merchandise store!
Grab spirit wear for the whole family and support our student-athletes at the same time.
Shop now: https://nausetscreenprinting.printavo.com/merch/monomoy-sharks/
Every purchase helps support all Monomoy sports programs - thank you for backing our Sharks!
Monomoy Athletics on Instagram
Follow us on Instagram for game results, scores, updates, and more!: @monomoyathletics
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Get summer food support
SUN Bucks applications are now open! SUN Bucks is a food benefit for families with children during the summer months, previously known as Summer EBT. SUN Bucks provides a $120 lump-sum summer benefit per school-aged child for income-eligible families. The program is administered by the state Department of Transitional Assistance in partnership with DESE and with assistance from schools. All enrolled students identified as meeting the income eligibility standards for free or reduced-price lunch during school year 2025-26, either through an NSLP household paper application or direct certification, are automatically eligible for SUN Bucks. Students identified as homeless, migrant, runaway or participating in Head Start are also automatically eligible. Students who do not meet the aforementioned criteria can apply for SUN Bucks benefits through DTA by visiting www.DTAConnect.com.
Service Academy Information Night: Friday, May 1
Annual Service Academy Information Night on Friday, May 1st, 2026, from 6 to 8 pm at the Maritime Conference Center on the campus of Massachusetts Maritime Academy. They will have representatives from West Point, the Naval Academy, the US Air Force Academy, the US Merchant Marine Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, as well as Mass Maritime. Students and their families are welcome to attend—as well as counselors/teachers/school personnel who want to know more about the process! We do ask that folks pre-register for our planning purposes.
--Michael Jackman, District Director
Office of Congressman Bill Keating (MA-09)
Harwich Youth and Family Services Events
Keeping Kids Safe & Secure Online webinar: Thursday, May 7
Suicide Awareness Walk: Saturday, May 16
- at Veterans Park Beach, Hyannis
- Learn more & register: www.Sharingkindness.org/suicide-awareness-walk
Resources for Grieving Families and Teens
MRHS Attendance Form
To report your child's absence, tardy, or upcoming dismissal please use the following link:
Friday Focus Archive
Did you know? Past issues of the Friday Focus can be found on our website:
MRHS Student/Parent Handbook
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
Contact Us!
Email: mrhs@monomoy.edu
Website: mrhs.monomoy.edu
Location: 75 Oak Street, Harwich, MA, USA
Phone: 508-430-7200
Monomoy News & Social Media
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