Good morning,
One more week! Although we've had the summer to prepare, it feels as though we have created an entirely new school from the ground up in a matter of two months. The staff continue to work hard on getting their classrooms, instruction, and curriculum ready for the new year, and we all are looking forward to some friendly student faces next week.
Since we are in the last week before school begins, please expect more frequent communication coming to you this week. I know there is a lot of information to digest, but there are a number of changes and important information to sort through. You can also access all prior information/communication on this blog in past posts.
- Student Schedules: Schedules were sent out by mail on Saturday, so all students should receive their schedule by Tuesday at the latest. Students can also find their schedule on PowerSchool.
- Please note: There was an error when we committed student schedules for 2020-2021. PowerSchool committed to the course requests that were submitted in the spring. This means any student who worked with Mr. Sather or Mrs. Knauss on course changes over the summer (June-August) were not saved. We are currently working through this issue today, and we hope to have it resolved by the end of the day today. Students will need to get on to PowerSchool (https://www.mrpsvt.org/mhs-links) to check their schedules again later this evening and over the week. If a student sees a mistake in their schedule, please have them reach out directly to their guidance counselor.
- Should a student not have access to PowerSchool because they are new to MHS, we are working to get that information out to you in the mail tomorrow. If a returning student does not have their user name/password, please contact Nancy Fitzpatrick at nancyc@mpsvt.org.
- Assignment of Cohorts: Because of the error in PowerSchool, it has created a hold elsewhere including assigning cohorts. Teachers should be reaching out to all students/families, via email, by tomorrow evening with cohort information. Please know that the preference survey that was sent out was based on preference only. We cannot guarantee that students will be placed based on preference. We will do our best, but inevitably some students will not be placed where they wanted to be nor will be able to change those placements. There is a lot of time that goes into this process; therefore, we will be unable to make changes for Q1.
- AM Cohort Times: 8:30-11:00 am (8:15 arrival--students will not be permitted to enter the building until 8:15)
- PM Cohort Times: 12:30-3:00 (12;15 arrival-students will not be permitted to enter the building until 12:15)
- Individual Meeting with Teacher Advisor (TA) and Student: TA's will be virtually meeting with individual students this week to review their year-long schedule and Quarter 1 schedule.
- 1:1 Student/Teacher Virtual Communication Survey: As faculty/staff work with students to develop and enhance knowledge, understandings, skills and dispositions, it may require, at times, 1 to 1 teacher/student virtual communications. If you do not want your child to have a 1-1 virtual communication with a faculty/staff member in a virtual setting for educational purposes, please note this desire below. Please complete this form by September 3rd ONLY IF YOU DO NOT GRANT PERMISSION for 1 to 1 virtual communications. If you are ok with your student meeting virtually with a teacher 1-1 for educational purposes, please do not complete this survey. If you have more than one child at MHS and you do not want to grant permission for 1 to 1, please complete this form for each child. Virtual Meeting Permission Survey
- Enrichment Courses: For those students who have availability in their schedule for Quarter 1, we will reach out to them directly with enrichment course descriptions this week, and we will include a Google Form to solicit students' top three choices for enrichment courses that are offered on the days those students are not scheduled. Enrichment courses will not start until the week of September 14th. For each future quarter, enrichment course offerings will be delivered directly to the group of students about two weeks in advance of the next quarter to select courses that fit their schedule. We highly encourage all students to take advantage of these opportunities to stay connected to school and find ways to enrich their learning experience beyond the traditional course offerings at MHS.
- Appointments During School Hours: Due to the safety protocols we have in place, all outside appointments for students should be made outside of their assigned cohort time. Students will not be able to leave the building and return.
- Safety Video: Some of our MHS staff has created a video that will show many of the procedures for school this year. This will come in your mid-week communication, but please spend some time watching the video as a parent and student. If you have questions, please email your TA or administration.
- New Student FAQ's-We are working to create a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) sheet for our new students to the district and rising 9th graders. This will be sent directly to students, and it will also be a part of my communication out to you later this week.
- Rising 9th Grader Information-MSMS Yearbooks: Ms. Parker will be outside of MSMS from 3:00-3:15 Monday through Thursday this week to hand out MSMS yearbooks. It is important that families email (melissa@mpsvt.org) ahead of time so that she has their book ready to go.
District Communication:
Seeking a Bus Monitor
MRPS is seeking a 10-hour per week bus monitor to join our team! The hours will be approximately 7:00am-8:00am and 12:45pm-1:45pm Monday-Friday. We're welcoming applicants who are only available for the morning shift. Please email Anna Hipko for more information and to apply: annahipko@mpsvt.org.
VTVLC Communication:
https://mrpsvirtualacademy.blogspot.com/
Renée DeVore
Principal
