Image: DECA Student Organizing for District IV Meet
108 members competed, and 50+ members medaled and will compete at
DECA states in March.
THIS WEEK:
December 18 - Day 4 B-A-Flex-G-E
December 19 - Day 5 C-B-D-F-G
December 20 - Day 6 E-A-Flex-C-F
December 21 - Day 7 A-B-D-G-E
December 22 - A-G Half Day 11:10 Dismissal
Vacation Monday, December 25-Friday, December 29, 2023
LOOKING AHEAD 2024:
January 1 - NO SCHOOL
January 2 - Day 8 B-Flex-D-C-F
January 3 - Day 1 C-A-Flex-E-G
January 4 - Day 2 E-B-D-G-F
January 5 - Day 3 A-Flex-D-F-C
HELPFUL INFORMATION:
- If you are having trouble accessing your ASPEN account - email aspenhelp@email.medfield.net for assistance
- Check out the Medfield High School FAQs Center for information regarding our HS Schedule, School Calendars, Bell Schedules, Technology, and more!
- Here is the 23-24 HS Monthly Bell Schedule for your reference. Please check it regularly as information may change.
- 2023-2024 MPS District Calendar
HANDBOOK HIGHLIGHT #16
Class Dues reminder: Students at Medfield High School must pay class dues each academic year. The monies collected reduce the need for class-sponsored fundraisers and subsidize the expenses associated with class events. For seniors, the class dues cover the cost of graduation caps and gowns.
Each student will be assessed class dues of $20 per year via invoice through the My School Bucks platform. Please log in to your account and pay all outstanding class dues invoices. Questions about Class Dues should be directed to Maura Fitzgerald.
For more information, please visit the MHS Student Handbook.
FROM THE SCHOOL COUNSELING OFFICE
Attention Juniors and Seniors:
2024 Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
On Wednesday, February 7th, Medfield will be offering the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). Students should report to the counseling office at 7:45AM on test day. Students can register here:
The test, optional and open to all CURRENT JUNIORS & SENIORS, is approximately 3 hours in length. Students are reminded that they are responsible to approach teachers in order to make up all missing assignments. Students will check-in to the MHS Counseling Office the morning of the exam.
The ASVAB is an interest inventory that allows students to explore potential career options. The ASVAB is designed to help students learn more about themselves and the world of work, to identify and explore potentially satisfying occupations, and develop an effective strategy to realize potential career goals.
There is no fee to take the test. If you have any questions about registration please contact the counseling office.
*************************
Attention Grade 11 Students and Families:
PRE-ACT TEST
Dear Sophomore Families and Students,
In February of 2024 Medfield High School will be offering the PRE-ACT for all sophomores. This OPTIONAL practice test for the ACT is normed for sophomores and is a great low-stakes introduction into the college admissions testing window.
The PRE-ACT will be held at MHS on Saturday, February 10th at 7:45AM. The test is approximately three hours long.
To register, families should follow this link and fill out all the information necessary. The fee for the test will be $35.00 with an option for a fee reduction. The registration window will be from Monday, December 4th through Friday, January 19th, 2024.
For more information about the PRE-ACT feel free to contact your guidance counselor, read this document, PRE ACT AT A GLANCE, or reach out to me with any questions or concerns.
Alice Luczak
PSAT, SAT, and Pre-ACT Coordinator
Medfield High School
aluczak@email.medfield.net
MASSACHUSETTS STATE SEAL OF BILITERACY
The Medfield Public Schools has proudly participated in the State Seal of Biliteracy program since 2019 and so far has awarded 136 state seals to our graduating seniors beginning with the class of 2020. The languages honored have included Spanish, Portuguese, Latin, French, Mandarin Chinese, Lithuanian, and Japanese. Students earn this honor upon their graduation from high school. They must demonstrate proficiency in English by attaining a score of 472 or higher on the ELA MCAS and a score of Intermediate High in each domain of the second language: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. The assessment in the second language must be approved by DESE. Full guidance can be found on the state seal website: https://www.doe.mass.edu/scholarships/biliteracy/
The Massachusetts Seal of Biliteracy program was signed into law in 2017 for the following reasons:
- Encourage students to study and master languages;
- Certify attainment of biliteracy skills;
- Recognize the value of language diversity;
- Provide employers with a method of identifying people with language and biliteracy skills;
- Provide universities with a method to recognize and give credit to applicants for the attainment of high-level skills in languages;
- Prepare students with skills that will benefit them in the labor market and the global society; and
- Strengthen intergroup communication and honor the multiple cultures and languages in a community
While the seal itself is a graduation award, it helps us to verify and honor the diversity of languages and cultures within our community. To develop high-level skills in any second language can require hundreds of hours of immersion/ exposure. Therefore, we want all families to be aware of our participation in this program.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Ellen Toubman, department chair for World Languages and Cultures at 508-359-4367 ext 11015 or one of the school principals.
The class of 2023, State Seal of Biliteracy (at the time of graduation)
FROM THE ART DEPARTMENT
Check out the MHS Arts Collective Fall Issue and get a look at some of the incredible artwork from our talented students!
SCIENCE OPPORTUNITIES
Apply to the National High School Data Science Competition (NDSC)
The National High School Data Science Competition is the world’s largest AI and data science competition for high school students. The competition is founded by Harvard graduate students and presented by a consortium of organizations, including the Harvard Undergraduate Open Data Project. It is a platform for students to showcase their data science skills and creativity and compete on a national level. You can find the competition brochure here and the application form here. The application deadline is January 19, 2024. The competition is free and has $10,000+ in scholarships for winners.
FROM MEDFIELD TV
2024 is right around the corner, and with that comes Senior Projects!
Medfield TV is a popular resource for Medfield High School seniors seeking mentors and equipment to create a digital media project. All interested seniors are invited to check out the work of previous seniors and fill out an application form on our website. https://www.medfield.tv/learn/seniorprojects/. Space is limited, so we encourage you to apply as soon as you are ready. Email info@medfield.tv or call 508-359-8888 if you have any questions. We look forward to working with you this spring!
FROM THE PTO
The FUNTASTIC AND HIGH-FLYING Harlem Wizards are returning to Medfield High School on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 at 7pm!!
This event promises to be high energy, fun-filled, great for kids and adults and will guarantee to put a smile on all your faces! Extremely talented basketball players will play against your teachers from all Medfield District Schools. (We say ‘play', but we all know they’ll run circles around them in a very entertaining way!!)
The event is a fundraiser for the Medfield High School PTO, to help raise funds for scholarships, deserving awards, inspirational speakers, grant requests to enrich classroom experiences and so much more. Please help support us by purchasing tickets to this great show, bringing the whole community together. Tickets would make great Holiday Gifts giving you all something to look forward to in the New Year!
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE - Hurry before they sell out!
Thank you for your support.
MHS WRITING CENTER TERM 2 NEWS
It's been a busy term and a half in the Writing Center this year!
Since the first week of September, Writing Center Director Bonnie Wren-Burgess (WB) averaged 4 appointments per Flex period, primarily working with seniors on their college essays and supplements.
Due to the nature of college application deadlines, it can be difficult for anyone other than seniors to schedule Writing Center appointments During Term 1 and 2. Therefore, in order to assist other students, we developed a pilot program of permanent Writing Center Senior Tutors. Our inaugural group of Writing Center Senior Tutors are Oona Greeley, Trenton Louis, and Olivia Stanton. They all had WB as sophomores, worked incredibly hard and made such impressive progress. Then they took Honors Writing Seminar, where they continue to enhance and elevate their writing skills. This year Olivia, Oona, and Trenton will be found during most Flex periods in the Writing Center. They are popular with underclassmen, who often request them by name!
In addition, the Senior Tutors are often joined by Semester 1 Honors Writing Seminar students Sean Graham, Maeve Naughton, Daniel Terpinas, and Katie Wellenius, for whom editing and peer tutoring are part of the curriculum. Once trained, they also are scheduled to tutor students in the Writing Center or complete peer editing occasionally as homework for the class.
Students have certainly responded well to the peer tutors. For instance, between mid October and mid November between them they had over 60 appointments!
A reminder to all students and parents/guardians that it's easy to sign up for Flex periods in theWriting Center using the MyFlexLearning app. If it looks full, please don't hesitate to email WB (bwren-burgess@email.medfield.net) to be scheduled with one of the Senior Tutors or HWS peer tutors.
And remember: it never hurts and always helps to make a Writing Center appointment! |
GELI 2024
The Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women will be hosting an event called GELI on April 20, 2024 at Simmons University. This event is a day of programming for young women that will prepare them to fight gender equity through civic engagement and leadership. Food and transportation will be provided. This program is open to girls ages 14-22. For more information please check out the GELI website https://masscsw.org/programs/girls-empowerment-leadership-initiative-geli/ or email MSCWGELI@mass.gov with questions. Additionally, you can email Mia Remington at mzremington2024@email.medfield.net.
CLASS FUNDRAISING
From the Class of 2025:
Medfield's class of 2025 student government is selling dog leashes to fundraise this holiday season! Buy one today, supplies are limited! Happy holidays! - class of 2025
Order HERE
From the Class of 2026:
Do you plan to purchase gift cards for the holidays? Maybe you could purchase a gift card for yourself to do all your holiday shopping with? The Class of 2026 would like to make the holidays even easier for you!
The Class of 2026 is running a Gift Card fundraiser from now through the holidays. Simply create an account, purchase your gift cards, and your gift cards will be mailed directly to you or delivered to you electronically. You will pay no additional charge for the gift card but RaiseRight will donate a certain percentage back to the Class of 2026!
Thank you for supporting the Class of 2026!
Sincerely,
Kate Mioduszewski and Kayla Spinello
Class of 2026 Advisors
FROM THE NATIONAL ART HONOR SOCIETY
Please consider supporting NAHS by purchasing a pack of student illustrated winter gift labels. All proceeds go to the arts scholarship fund. Reach out to Meg Drew with questions.
FROM THE WELLNESS DEPARTMENT
All grade 10 and grade 12 students enrolled in wellness classes for semester one are now participating in the American Heart Association's C.P.R Training. Students will be trained in Adult, child, and infant C.P.R and A.E.D. training. After completing the training, students will have the opportunity to become certified and obtain a certification card valid for 2 years.
The cost is $10, and checks should be made out to:
ABC Community Training Center
We will be testing after the holidays so no need to bring in the checks until January.
Semester two students in 10th and 12th grade wellness classes will begin their training as the first wellness unit starting January 22nd. Certifications will be in February.
CLUB NEWS
The Ski & Snowboard Club still has openings!! Please consider joining the fun at Wachusett Mountain!! Trips are Thursdays after school starting after winter vacation. Please contact gkincaid@email.medfield.net if interested.
FROM MEDFIELD OUTREACH
FROM SEPAC
Medfield SEPAC is offering Parent Connection Groups this year in response to feedback in meetings and after-meeting surveys. A SEPAC parent volunteer will coordinate each, focusing on a different diagnosis. These informal groups will connect parents and caregivers of children of all ages with the specific diagnosis to share experiences and resources.
Our Parent Connection Group, focusing on Down Syndrome, is holding its second meeting on December 21st from 11:30 am-12:30 pm at the Medfield Public Library. If you want to join this group, please get in touch with Michelle, this group's parent volunteer, at mebrien@gmail.com.
We are looking to form groups for the following diagnoses: ADHD, Dyslexia + Language-based Learning Disabilities, and Autism Spectrum. If you want to join one of these groups, please email sepac@email.medfield.net to connect with our parent volunteers for more information.
If you haven't taken our website survey yet, there is no time like the present. Access the survey directly HERE.
Check out our website, Facebook, and Instagram social media pages. We share area events and more!
If you haven't taken a second yet to pre-order a yearbook copy now while supplies last, please do so ASAP. Luckily, the price has been frozen at $95 for the rest of this school year, which is a good deal since the final price has long been $100. Here is the ordering link. If you have any questions, please read through this FAQs doc for more information. Thanks!
FROM THE ALL NIGHT GRAD PARTY
Please PAY IT FORWARD
Every year the graduating class experiences the party of all parties in a very SAFE environment. The only way the kids (who do say it’s one of the most memorable ’school’ events they have ever experienced) can enjoy this is from the amazing generous time from volunteers pulling it all together. Many hands make light work - and fun ‘work’ too!!
Join our committee with friends or even to make new like-minded friends whose mission is to create FUN.
Please consider helping out this year - in ANY capacity.
Underclassmen parents can be part of the planning ready for new parents to take over the reins by the time your kids are in Senior Year. Senior parents can of course help out too, but not the night of however.
Let's create fun together…
Reach out today to find out how you can help.
Email: angpmedfield@gmail.com
CLICK HERE:
FOR OUR DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS!
COMMUNITY NOTICES
Please visit our district website for community notices and announcements.
https://www.medfield.net/o/medfield-public-schools/browse/103792
To submit items to the MHS WEEKLY NEWS UPDATE, please email Maura Fitzgerald at mfitzgerald@email.medfield.net by 8:00 AM on Monday mornings. If you would like to submit photos or flyers, please convert to .jpg files.
