FRIDAY FOCUS

Friday Focus is a weekly newsletter that is sent out to the MRHS community, students, caregivers, and staff. It includes:

• District News & Important Information
• School Calendar & Upcoming Events
• MRHS News & Weekly Updates
• Counseling Department Updates
• Class/Club Events & Fundraisers
• Athletics Review & Schedule
• Community Events
• Important Resources and much more!

School pictures are now available! To view them online, please log in to your account at mylifetouch.com. If you don’t have an account yet, you can create one using your email address. You’ll need your student’s ID number or their portrait ID and access code to locate their photos.

We want to hear from you! We know that Monomoy is filled with great people - here's your chance to help highlight them! Our Staff Shoutouts recognize a member of our team each month, and nominations are now open. While it's still early in the school year, we're sure there are Sharks who have gone above and beyond - go to www.monomoy.edu/staffshoutout and tell us about them.

As noted in our School Handbooks, Monomoy Regional School District is committed to developing a comprehensive program that provides support and services that address the five core competencies of social and emotional learning (SEL). This goal has been developed and supported by members of the school community in alignment with the district's strategic plan. The five core competencies of SEL are: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. In order to gain a better understanding of the needs of our students, assessment tools are used to obtain baseline data regarding the social and emotional competencies of the students in grades 3-12, including the SELIS and SSIS. These questionnaires are administered a few times a school year to collect data and identify trends. Data from student responses are collected and analyzed to assist in developing a strategy for implementing SEL throughout the curriculum as well as analyzing trends throughout the student body and school year. If you would like to opt your child out of participating in these questionnaires, please email Melissa Maguire at mmaguire@monomoy.edu by October 1, or within 30 days of enrollment.

We appreciate your cooperation as our bus drivers navigate their routes for this year. During the first two weeks of school, check the posted schedules periodically, as times may be slightly adjusted as students and/or stops are added or removed from routes. Please be at your stop at least 10 minutes ahead of pickup time, as traffic, student absences, and other factors may impact the bus arrival time.

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.

It's Hispanic Heritage Month! National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

Spirit Week is NEXT WEEK!

• WHERE: MRHS Gym
• WHEN: Saturday, October 3 from 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM
• TICKETS: You must purchase your ticket online. Please see Mrs. Oliver or Mrs. Carey if you need financial assistance.
• OUTSIDE GUEST PERMISSION SLIPS: If you are bringing a guest from another school you MUST fill out the Guest Permission Slip and return it to the Main Office by Friday, September 25. You can pick up the permission slips in the Main Office or outside of Mrs. Oliver's Room (A221).

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE:

https://www.msbtickets.com/monomoyregionalhighschool/event/MRHShomecoming2026

Student volunteers are needed for Barks in the Park, a fun event for pets and their families. The event will be held Sunday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. behind the Harwich Community Center. If you are able to help at this event, please email Harwich Chamber of Commerce Director Cyndi Williams at cyndi@harwichcc.com.

We look to build a strong school advisory council this year to guide our important work. A school council is a representative, school building-based committee that meets quarterly and is composed of the principal, parents, teachers, community members, and students. School councils are to assist principals in:

1. Adopting educational goals for the school that are consistent with local educational policies and statewide student performance standards

2. Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school

3. Reviewing the annual school building budget

4. Formulating a school improvement plan

5. Review the student handbook
   
   

If you are interested please send an email message to principal Jennifer Police at jpolice@monomoy.edu indicating your interest in serving on the school council.

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! 💓

Reese Labinski is the official Stop and Shop Food Pantry Ambassador for Harwich! I am so proud of her. She is a beacon of happiness and pureness that makes every customer feel welcomed. I am so proud of her, and the entire SHORE Food Pantry community. -Mrs. Shana Grogan

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!

✅ Finalize a list of 8-12 schools.

✅ Determine when you will apply to each school: early action, early decision, or regular decision.

✅ Open a CommonApp.org account and complete as much as possible. Sign the FERPA waiver, then link your Common App and Naviance accounts.

✅ Ask at least 2 teachers for letters of recommendation. Fill out brag sheets for teachers and counselor.

✅Consider signing up for the SATs in October, November, and/or December. Sign up via CollegeBoard.

✅ Open an account on StudentAid.gov to get ready for the FAFSA on October 1.

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. Register on Naviance!

• Monday, Sept 28: Eastern Connecticut State University

• Tuesday, Sept 29: UMass Dartmouth

• Friday, Oct 2: Stonehill College

• Monday, Oct 5: Mass Maritime Academy

• Tuesday, Oct 6: Lesley University

• Wednesday, Oct 7: University of Rhode Island

• Friday, Oct 9: Bridgewater State University

• Tuesday, Oct 13: UMass Boston

• Wednesday, Oct 14: Rollins College

• Thursday, Oct 15: College of Charleston

• Friday, Oct 16: College of the Holy Cross

MRHS provides the opportunity for all students in Grades 10 and 11 to take the PSATs in school. All students will be registered; students may opt out through conversation with their counselor.

• Grade 11: Wednesday, October 21 8:45-11:45 AM

• Grade 10: Wednesday, October 28 8:45-11:45 AM

The PSAT is an authentic and important practice for the SAT, and students receive personalized feedback on their performance to help improve their skills before taking the SAT. If your child is a junior, the PSAT offers them the opportunity to become eligible for National Merit Scholarships based on performance.

To learn more about the exam format, questions, and preparation, please visit PSAT.org

Instead of asking “how was your day,” try these questions to help you understand your student’s day at Monomoy:

• What did you do for Jawsome today, and what are you signed up for tomorrow?

• What was something that felt challenging today or took a minute to figure out?

• Who did you spend time with today during Jawsome or group work?

• What is something coming up this week that feels exciting or overwhelming?

The Annual All-Cape College Fair Day will be held at Barnstable High School on October 14, 2026 from 3:30-5:30. For up to date information, please look here.

https://thecisca.org/all-cape-college-day-information-for-students-and-families/

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

Attention students and families of the Class of 2029: All hands on deck, it's time to plan for the Harlem Wizards' visit. Join this first monthly volunteer meeting on Tuesday 9/22/26 at 5:30 in MRHS 217 to hear what we need to do and partner with us. Can't attend but still want to help? Let the Class Advisors know: speters@monomoy.edu and rsmillen@monomoy.edu

Mon. 9/28

V/JV Boys Soccer @ 2:30

Tues. 9/29

V Boys Golf @ 2:00

Wed. 9/30

V/JV Boys Soccer @ 2:45

Thurs. 10/1

V/JV Field Hockey @ 2:30

HAVE FUN! PLAY GOLF! SUPPORT MONOMOY STUDENT ATHLETES!

All proceeds directly support Monomoy student athletes through scholarships, special equipment, and more!

WHERE: Cranberry Valley Golf Course, 183 Oak Street, Harwich MA 02645

WHEN: 12 p.m. Registration • 12:30 p.m. shotgun start

REGISTER: Register online OR make checks payable to MASBC and mail completed form and payment to Monomoy All Sports Booster Club, c/o Monomoy Regional High School, 75 Oak St., Harwich MA 02645. Remember that your sponsorship is tax-deductible! Tax ID 81-4866447

Register Here!

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