Greeting Mustangs!
I hope you all had an enjoyable February break. When we return to school on Monday (02/27), it will be a maroon day; we will be wrapping up the month of February; and we’ll be moving into the month of March! A reminder to all that we will be doing the next round of grade checks on Tuesday (02/28). Parents are encouraged to access the parent portal in IC to see how your student is doing academically in each class. Teachers have until 7:45am on Tuesday (02/28) to update the eligibility scores in each class they teach. There is a category called Monmouth Eligibility assigned to each course. Below is the key for what each of the eligibility ratings mean:
O = On pace (at a 2.5 or better; showing progression towards proficiency).
F = First time behind (below 2.5 or 70 for AP/College courses) for the past two weeks (may continue to participate in after school activities as normal, but should be completing a plan with the teacher to get that grade back up to at least a 2.5 or 70).
S = Second time behind in a row (below 2.5 or 70 for AP/College courses) or have not made progress on the previous 2 weeks (may practice; ineligible for games or other competitions until grade is up to at least a 2.5 or 70 for AP/College courses).
T = Third time behind in a row (below 2.5 or 70 for AP/College courses) or have not made progress on work from the previous 2 checks (no practices or games/competitions until grade is up to at least a 2.5 or 70).
If you have any questions about your eligibility score, please see your teacher(s) directly as they can best speak as to why your score is what it is. Please work with your teacher(s) to get yourself back on track (if you’re off track) so that you can participate in athletics and/or co-curricular activities.
Assembly Change: The next Recognition Assembly will take place on Thursday (03/16), which will also be our next early release day. Since we will be running a modified schedule for the early release, it made sense to move the assembly to that day instead of this coming Friday (03/03).
Transportation Update: Students who take bus #83 (April’s bus) will be split up between other buses until April is back. I will send out individual emails to those students affected by this change, so if you take bus 83, please check your email later today so that you get on the right bus.
Welcome to MA! We are pleased to officially welcome Lisa McDonald as the new Administrative Assistant at Monmouth Academy! Lisa comes to MA with a wide-range of experience; from serving as a long-term sub; secretary at the former Monmouth Middle School; secretary at MMS; and most recently as a secretary at the RSU 2 Central Office. Lisa is very excited to be part of our team, and we are excited to have her full time beginning on Monday (02/27). Please help us make her feel at home.
Vex Robotics: Our VEX Robotics team had an excellent showing at the Maine VEX Robotics State Championship on Saturday (02/25).
Team 93303F, Tachycardia, earned the Innovate Award for demonstrating “a strong combination of ingenuity and innovation in designing their VEX robot.”
Team 93303X, Doofenschmirtz, Inc., advanced all the way to the semifinals (only losing to the high school alliance that eventually took the championship) and earned the Build Award for building “a well-constructed robot that is constructed with a high degree of attention to detail in order to hold up to the rigors of competition.”
Team 93303M, Questionable Success, earned the High School Design Award for “an organized and professional approach to the Engineering Design Process, project and time management, and team organization. [...] The Design Award recognizes a team's ability to document and explain their engineering design process via an engineering notebook and team interview.” This team qualified for the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP for this state title! They have the distinction of being our first-ever high school team to qualify for Worlds. A shout-out to Samantha Barker, the notebook manager for this team, and to all the project and notebook managers whose teams win judged awards. These students spend tremendous time documenting the engineering process, and judges from across the state have commented on Monmouth's impressive performance in this area. This is a highly desirable skill not only in the engineering world, but in any field that requires organization, communication, and attention to detail.
NHS Update: Do you want to see our teachers looking like Tony Stark? Or maybe a pirate? Facial Hair February is continuing through Tuesday (02/28), so please don’t forget to donate money! Whichever style ends up with the most money at the end of the month will be shaved into the teachers’ facial hair. Containers for donations are in the window of the front office. All money will be going to support the heating costs of families in need. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Guidance News: Congratulations to the following Seniors on their recent acceptances and/or recognitions:
Dominic Trott: Franklin Pierce University, Curry College, University of Southern Maine, University of Maine at Orono, and Husson University
Isaac Oliveira: Bronze Medal - Law Enforcement Academy Job Skills Demo @ CATC
Isaac Fortin: Silver Medal- Plumbing competition @ CATC
Ostin-Hasenfus-Smith: Bronze Medal- Sheet Metal Mig Welding competition @ CATC
Brosnan Comeau: Graphic Design T-shirt Design competition @ CATC
Owen Harding: University of New England
Bailey Willey: Central Maine Community College
Other Guidance Updates:
There have been several new scholarships added to the document this week! Please check out the scholarship document! It is loaded with free money for seniors! Please reach out to Mrs. Knowlton for help or more information.
Course selection took place on Friday 2/17/23. If your child was absent during course selection, please encourage them to see their advisory for a course selection sheet and to complete the online course selection form.
Opportunities:
Consider Engineering is a challenging and rewarding four-day overnight summer program for high school juniors to get a taste of college life and what it takes to be an engineer.
Be one of 108 students from Maine and around the U.S. invited to spend four days at the University of Maine participating in exciting engineering experiments, problem-solving challenges, and great networking with faculty, practicing engineers, and fellow campers—at no cost to you.
This program is offered three times in July to groups of 36 students who have completed their junior year of study, excel in math and science, and demonstrate communication and leadership skills. This free-of-charge educational and inspiring program is competitive, with only half the applicants gaining admission. On-campus food and lodging is included.
If you have questions please see the email from Mrs. Knowlton.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE OUTDOORS! The Katahdin Area Council is looking to hire 50 enthusiastic camp staff members to serve at one of the premier resident Camps in all of New England. Camp Roosevelt...Are you built for scouting? See Mrs. Knowlton’s email for more information.
Senior grades will close for the purpose of determining Valedictorian, Salutatorian, and Summa Cum Laude for graduation purposes and the honors banquet on Friday, April 7, 2023. Teachers will have until Wednesday, April 12, 2023, to finalize and post grades for seniors, and seniors will be notified of their standing on Thursday, April 13, 2023. If you have more questions see Mrs. Knowlton.
Civil Rights Team: Our school is part of the Maine Civil Rights Team Project (CRTP) whose mission is to increase the safety of elementary, middle, and high school students by reducing bias-motivated behaviors and harassment in our schools. ALL students are invited and encouraged to be part of this team! For more information, please connect with Ms. Darrell and/or Mr. Shain.
Say NO to Bullying! Bullying is NEVER OK, and has NO place at MA. If you or someone you know is experiencing any type of bullying or harassment (directly or indirectly), please let a teacher, staff member, or administrator know immediately. We take great pride in maintaining a school environment in which ALL students and staff can feel safe and secure. As it’s been said before, “If you ignore it, you approve it.” Please join me in making our school a bully-free zone. Thank you!
Anti-Bullying Quote of the Week: “Knowing what’s right doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.” - Theodore Roosevelt
Athletics: We want to congratulate and recognize all of our winter sports teams; our coaches; athletic trainers; and our student fans, parents and community members for your ongoing support throughout this season. Our girls basketball team made it to the quarter finals; our boys basketball team made it to the finals; a member of our wrestling team made it to the regionals; and two of our skiers were part of the girls Class B ski team with Maranacook that took 3rd place in the State Championships held in Ft. Kent. Members of the boys hockey co-op with Cony and the girls hockey team with St. Dom’s all played hard this season and we want them all to know how very proud we are for their dedication, commitment, and effort throughout this season.
That’s it for this week’s newsletter. I hope you all have a great week! Take care and stay well.
Respectfully,
Mr. Ted Finn, Principal