SOLON SALUTES
A big Solon Salute goes out to Mr. Sam Bromley who has been nominated for UVM's Teacher of the Year! Congratulations, Mr. Bromley!
Congratulations to this year's MHS Robotics Team for their valiant, gritty and persistent efforts both in preparing for, and competing in, this year's Vermont State Robotics Tournament during March 11-13. The team pulled off some amazing technical design/build feats during the season and during the competition. Well done and congratulations!!
Team members: Claire Veneziano, Alex Boes, Gitvik Mamoria, Dan Burns, Luke Brassard and Cody Smith
Coaches: Lori Boes and Richard Boes
A Solon Salute goes out to our #2 seeded Boys' Basketball teamwho will host #3 Mount St. Joseph's in the D2 semifinals this Wednesday at 6pm. You can watch on either the NFHSnetwork.com or on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/
Congratulations to Leo Riby-Williams who is only 12 points shy of a record of 1,000! Wednesday may be the night he hits it!
MHS NEWS and EVENTS
- Please view the MRPS/MHS letter of support for all affected by the most recent shooting tragedy in Atlanta. We stand united against hate and racism. MRPS is committed to the hard work around equity as we continue to educate our school community and ourselves, so that every student feels seen and heard everyday.
- School is in session for MHS this Friday, March 26th: All other MRPS schools will be hosting parent conferences; however, we used this day earlier in the year on January 26th for PSAT's, since a large number of our students were taking this assessment.
- SBAC Dates: The Smarter Balanced Assessment is upon us for the 2020-2021 school year. For 9th grade, the assessment has moved to March 30th and April 1st and again on May 11th and 13th. For our 11th grade students, they will be tested in science on April 13th and 15th. We look forward to gathering more data to see where our students' strengths are, and where we can continue to help them grow as learners--especially after the year of COVID.
- Q4 Enrichment Offerings for Students with Space in their Schedule: Quarter 4 has some fantastic enrichment course offerings. For students who have at least one unscheduled block during Quarter 4, please take a look at the Quarter 4 Program of Studies and then complete the Enrichment Course Google Form survey to choose your preferred course(s). Again, there are some really wonderful opportunities to engage in during Quarter 4 - get involved! Quarter 4 Program of Studies Quarter 4 Form Course Preference Survey - please complete this by Tuesday, March 23 at 3:00 If you have any questions, please reach out to Matt McLane - matt@mpsvt.org.
- Interested in Helping to Plan Next Year's Race Against Racism? Would you like to help plan this year’s Race Against Racism happening in September? If so, the first planning meeting is this Thursday the 25th at 7pm on Google Meets: See this google meet link. If you would like to come, or just have some questions, please reach out to Heather McLane. Hope to see you there!
- Check out our 2021-2022 Program of Studies as we begin to prepare for next school year. TAs and guidance counselors will be meeting with students over the next two months to discuss scheduling requests for next year.
- Please visit our Q3 and Q4 calendar. Quarter 3 ends on April 7th. Due to the two snow days on white days, Wednesday, April 7th will be in person and a white day.
SENIOR NEWS
- Please take a moment to read this letter that pertains to end-of-year activities for the Class of 2021.
- Check it out! Recently updated with information about VSAC offerings for post high school training and summer opportunities like Governor's Institute and UVM summer programming. Click on this link: MHS Guidance Counselor Blog
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
- Mental Health Support Web Series for Families - Send Your Questions!As we pass the one-year anniversary of schools closing and shifting to remote learning, our families’ mental health -- now and down the road -- is on a lot of our minds.
To dig into the effect this difficult period has had, MRPS PIE and the 4 school caregiver groups are creating a series of mental health support Q & A web videos featuring therapists and counselors. We hope to have an ongoing, substantive conversation about the mental health of our families during Covid-19, what to expect as we move beyond it, and what resources in our community can help us.
Please CLICK HERE to submit questions or concerns (anonymously) about the mental health of your family so they may be addressed in the videos.
The date / time (early May?) for the first of the mental health support videos will be announced here, on social media, and on MRPS and mrpspie.org websites.
**Any answer to your questions will be general guidance, not medical advice. If you think you need individualized support or services, please contact your doctor or school social worker. If you believe you may be having a mental health emergency, please call the Washington County Mental Health Line at 802-229-0591 immediately.
- Governor's Institute of Vermont: The screens between us can't stop you from making new friends and pursuing your passions. Come connect with Vermont's brightest high schoolers for a summer of learning, friendships, and fun at the Governor’s Institutes of Vermont! At GIV’s online STEM Immersions, you’ll join a community of curious and engaged peers for 1-2 weeks, diving deep into a topic of your choosing. With offerings in Engineering, Environmental Science, Health & Medicine, Mathematics, and Tech & Design, and more, there’s something for everyone at GIV! You won’t have to worry about money or tech issues either - tuition is “pay-what-you-can,” and GIV’s tech support team is ready to help out with any internet or device issues. Visit https://giv.org/institutes/
summer-2021/ for more info and to apply today! More details on each STEM Immersion are below. We are also having free events open to everyone called Serious Talk for Silly People and this Sunday our talk will be about music and math. The link is here to sign up: https://giv.org/for-students/ serious-talks-for-silly- people/.
- Engineering
- You’ve got the power – literally! Join us for an online deep dive into all things engineering, where you’ll work in small groups to learn more about our electrical grid and renewable energy, construct your own models of wind turbines and solar panels, go behind-the-scenes at Vermont energy-related businesses, challenge your thinking with design puzzles, and gain exposure to multiple engineering fields and career pathways. By the end, you’ll have the skills to make your family more energy secure - and a whole host of new friends as passionate about creatively solving problems as you are! https://giv.org/institutes/
summer-2021/
Environmental Science & Technology
What's in your local stream and how could it affect your community? Join a team of environmental scientists in collecting, compiling, and comparing data about Vermont’s environment. You’ll get all the materials and tools needed to conduct guided field sampling, data collection, observation, and environmental analysis in your town. Juniors and seniors have the opportunity to earn college credits for this Immersion through The University of Vermont! https://giv.org/institutes/summer-2021/
Health & Medicine
Are you called to do the hard work of preserving and improving human health? Want to become knowledgeable about careers in the medical field and gain a cohort of young people that support your professional dreams? You’ll explore everything from sports medicine and psychology to biology and biochemistry, learning alongside practicing med students and professionals all the while. Dive into guided patient interviews and case studies, participate in panels and workshops, and discover career opportunities that match your interests! https://giv.org/institutes/summer-2021/
The Kenneth I. Gross and Tony Trono Governor’s Institute for Mathematical Sciences
Math lovers unite! There’s a whole state full of math-lovers just like you, and we’re getting ready to bring them together. You’ll challenge your mind with puzzles and mentored problem-solving activities and contests, learn about the real-world and theoretical applications of mathematics, solve problems alongside professional mathematicians, and discover career pathways open to people who love math! https://giv.org/institutes/summer-2021/
Technology & Design
Do you love technology? Are you an inventor or a dreamer? You’ll participate in fast-paced design challenges to build and prototype solutions to real-world problems big and small, with opportunities to focus on programming, design thinking, microcontrollers, and graphic design. Work with media and technology professors and professionals, expand your technical skills and knowledge, and come discover where design and technology can take you! https://giv.org/institutes/summer-2021/
- Have you heard about MyRide? It's like Uber Carpool or a Shared Lyft but it's free, handicapped-accessible, and specifically designed for the Montpelier area. If you want to travel within the designated area, you can use their App, the website, or call them to schedule a ride. They'll come to wherever you are and drop you off at the doorstep of wherever you're going, at whatever time you specify.
DISTRICT NEWS
- We're so excited to introduce our new MRPS podcast - "In the Schools." Visit https://www.mrpsvt.org/
podcast for the podcast or find it on Spotify. You can also visit https://www.mrpsvt.org/ budget for more information on the proposed FY'22 School Budget and opportunities to participate in the process. - Please check out the 2021-2022 District Calendar for next year.
COVID INFORMATION
- Masks are a Must : Per Superintendent Bonesteel's letter at the start of the school year, masks are required by the State and AOE. Students must wear masks that cover their mouth and nose at all times while on school grounds. Please see our MHS poster that is posted around school.
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
- Research shows that well-designed, well-implemented school-based STD prevention programs can significantly reduce sexual risk behaviors among students. Outcomes of such programs include a delay in first sexual intercourse, a decrease in the number of sex partners and an increase in condom or contraceptive use. There is no evidence of increased likelihood of students having sex through participation in such programs. To support preventative health and wellness initiatives for Montpelier High School students, condoms and dental dams along with educational pamphlets will be made available at the school in the following locations: Nurse’s Office, Guidance Offices, Athletic Trainer’s Office, and the Health room. Additionally, condoms will soon be available through a dispenser in the second floor bathrooms. These efforts have been adopted by Montpelier High School and adheres to the VT law that will go into effect July 1, 2021. Please see this VPR article for more information.
- Please visit our MRPS District Health and Wellness Page for all COVID-19 related documents and information. COVID Return to School for Students Information Document
SYMPTOMS/ILLNESS:With any cold or illness, regardless if it’s a mild symptom or not, you MUST stay home. Please review the following link about signs/symptoms of Covid-19.https://www.healthvermont.gov/
response/coronavirus-covid-19/ about-coronavirus-disease- covid-19#symptoms
