Branagan’s Bulletin

Week of October 29 - November 2, 2018

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend! As we enter the final week of Quarter I, I sincerely hope you are feeling a sense of accomplishment for the work you have been putting into your entire school experience.  I hope you are feeling strong academically and ready to tackle your mid-semester exams, which will begin next Wednesday.  Remember, you wear the Black and Orange and you need to know that strength will allow you to achieve anything you put your mind too.  Remember, strength is how we define ourselves at MHS! I believe in you!  Here are few items for the week ahead:

1. Sachem Shout-Out:
• To the MHS Field Hockey Team for their unbelievable game against Sturgis Charter School on Friday afternoon.  Job well done, my friends!  You helped our school take another giant step as we advance into the State Tournament! 
• Congratulations to the Girls Soccer Team who qualified for the State Tournament.  You have had an amazing season and we are beyond excited to watch you play in the tournament.  You define SachemSTRONG!
• Congratulations to the MHS Cross Country Team for an outstanding season.  A special note of celebration for Abbie Wager who went undefeated this season and was named South Shore League Individual Champion on Friday.  Also, congratulations to Shea Gallagher for her third place finish in the tournament. One to the sectionals, Cross Country!
• Congratulations to the MHS Golf Team who appeared in the Division II South Sectional Tournament and the South Shore League Tournament this week!  You all made us proud!
• Congratulations to the Unified Basketball Team on their outstanding win over Seekonk.  A special note of celebration to Josh Stanbrook who scored 14 points in the game. Well done.  Our next HOME GAME is Wednesday, November 7, 2018 – Be there, Sachems!!
• Congratulations to the cheerleaders on their first competition of the season.  They represented the Orange and Black very well as they placed third in the State Invitational.  Job well done!
• Thank you to Natalia Parkinson, Lexi Bouldry, Matt Gwozdz, Lilly Kirkpatrick, Ally Kirkpatrick, Holly Jacobson, Nora Williamson, Carly Quill and Jordyn Silveira for their amazing help and voice at the Class of 2023 Open House last Tuesday evening.  I was so proud of each of you and so happy to know you love being a Sachem. 
• A note to congratulations to all of our fall athletes for a wonderful season.  Each of you made contribution to making our school even better.   It was awesome watching you play throughout the season!  Thank you for being a Sachem!
• To the Class of 2019…this is a very big week for many of you as your first college application deadline is due by November 1, 2018.  Be confident and know that with each submitted application it is another step to your future.  I am so proud of you for taking these steps.  You are ready!!
• Best of luck to all of the students take the SAT Exam on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at MHS!  Be confident that you will do well! We believe in you!

2.  Book Club Meeting – Monday, October 29
• The Book Club will host their next meeting at 2:00pm on Monday, October 29, 2018 in the MHS Library.  See Mrs. Phillips with any questions!

3. Halloween Fun Fest – Monday, October 29
• Attention all members of the Student Council!  Please consider volunteering your time on Monday, October 29, 2018 for the set-up and hosting of the annual Halloween Fun Fest, which is a wonderful event for the young children of Middleborough.  Here is what is needed:

                                         i.    Please do not forget to bring in a bag of candy for the event on Monday evening.  All candy is to go to Mr. Branagan’s office.

                                       ii.    The Student Council will need help with setting up for the event beginning after school

                                      iii.    If you are planning on volunteering for the Halloween Fun Fest, you must wear your Student Council Shirt. 

4. Student Council Update:.
• All MASC Hyannis applications are due to Mr. Branagan NO LATER than Friday, November 2, 2018.  If you need an application, you can find the document outside Mr. Branagan’s office.  Do not miss out on this great event. 

5.  Cheerleading Competition – Regional Competition – Tuesday, November 2
• The MHS Cheerleaders will compete in the South Shore League Competition at Abington High School on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 beginning at 6:00pm. 
• Let’s be sure there is a large fan base cheering on the Black and Orange.  I want to wish our cheerleaders well at this very important competition on Wednesday evening. 

6.  Winter Sports Sign-Ups Begin – Can You Believe it?
• Attention all MHS Students!  Please consider representing the Black and Orange and play a winter sport!  Sign-ups for Winter Sports will take place on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 2:00pm in the MHS Gym.  Please see Mr. Sylvia in the MHS Gym with any questions. 
• Looking forward to an amazing season ahead!

7.  21^st Century Learning Conference – November 9
• The 21^st Century Learning Conference is approaching and I am so excited to see this day coming together for each of you.  The online schedule of the conference will open on Monday, November 5, 2018 for you to review the numerous workshops you can choose from. 
• Beginning November 5th…please register for the workshops you want to attend.  All students will choose FIVE workshops to attend that cover a wide variety of different skills to help you navigate the Amazing Race of  the 21^st century world. 
• Please be watching your school email for the invitation to entire the online program “Sched” to begin signing-up for the workshops that interest you!
• Get ready for a great conference. 

8. 2018 National Student Mock Election
• The Rho Kappa History Honor Society will be sponsoring the 2018 National Mock Election on Friday, November 2, 2018 during all four lunches.  Take a moment and stop by and be a part of the National Mock Election. 

9. Friendship Bracelets – On Sale
• The Futures Program will begin their Friendship Bracelet sales on Thursday, November 1, 2018 during all lunches.  Take a moment and purchase a really cool bracelet in the very trendy Black and Orange.

10.  Home Sporting Events This Week:
• Tuesday, October 30

                                          i.    Boys/Girls Cross Country Vs. Norwell – Varsity – 4:00pm – MHS

• Saturday, November 3

                                          i.    Football Vs. Abington – JV – 3:00pm – Battis Field

• Friday, November 2

                                          i.    Football Vs.  TBD – Varsity – 7:00pm – TBD

• TOURNAMENT PLAY

                                          i.    Stay tuned for the tournament schedule for Girls Soccer and Field Hockey

11.  Mid-Semester Examinations – November 7 & 8
• We have two very important days that will be happening next week.  Please know that November 7^th will be FULL Day of school and will include TWO mid-semester examinations.  November 8^th will be an early release day (for the high school only) with a dismissal at 11:00am and will include TWO mid-semester exams.  The exam schedule is below.

DAY 1 – Regular School Day                        

November 7, 2018                              

   Announcements ~ 7:20 to 7:25                             

   Block 1 - 7:25 to 8:55 (Exam-90 minutes)                      

          Passing 5 Minutes                                         

   Block 2 - 9:00 to 10:30 (Exam-90 minutes)                             

          Passing 5 Minutes                                               

   Block 3 - 10:35 to 12:44                                                    

     Lunch 1 ~ 10:35 to 11:05                                

          Passing 2 Minutes                                      

     Lunch 2 ~ 11:07 to 11:37                                

          Passing 2 Minutes

     Lunch 3 ~ 11:39 to 12:09

          Passing 2 Minutes

     Lunch 4 ~ 12:11 to 12:41

          Passing 2 Minutes

   Block 4 - 12:43 to 1:50

DAY 2 - Early Release

November 8, 2018

Announcements - 7:20 to 7:30

   Block 3 - 7:30 to 9:00 (Exam~90 minutes)

    Break ~ 9:00 to 9:20

              Restroom Break

               Lunches sold in Cafeteria ~

              Food may be eaten in Cafeteria or

              Brought to Block 4 Classroom

   Block 4 - 9:30 to 11:00 (Exam~90 minutes)

Have a great week and be good to each other!   

Branagan J            

We Are Sachems!

Branagan’s Bulletin

Week of October 22 – 26, 2018

I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend!  Homecoming 2018 is now complete and what a wonderful week it was.  So many of you participated in the Spirit Days and the energy and school pride was evident in every hallway throughout our school.  The weekend was a blast…and the crowds at the Homecoming Game on Friday night and the Homecoming Games on Saturday morning/afternoon were AWESOME.  As I drove home from the dance on Saturday night, I could not help but reflect on an amazing week it has been.  Furthermore, I thought of how honored I am to serve as your principal.  Each of you truly adds a piece to our family and is helping make this school incredible.  It was a great ride home thinking of the great moments of this past week…especially the great new traditions for our school. 

It is amazing how quickly the month of October is going!  As we begin this week, please know that there are only a few weeks away from the close to Quarter I, and the administration of mid-semester exams.  I hope that each of you are taking a good look at your personal goals that you set in this year and making sure that over the course of the final days of the term…you are working to meet those goals.  Please remember…at Middleborough High School failure is not an option!  Here are a few things for the week ahead!

1. Sachem Shout-Out:
• Thank you to the Student Council Officers, Class Council Officers and the members of Club US who were instrumental in the planning and energy of the Class of 2023 visit to MHS on Wednesday.  You were awesome!!  Thank you for sharing why you love MHS…I think our 8^th graders loved their visit.  Also, a note of sincere thanks to the members of the Concert Choir for their participation in the singing of the National Anthem. 
• Congratulations to the Concert Choir for hosting an outstanding Talent Show last week!   Congratulations Ian Bielski for his incredible drumming!
• To the members of the TV Production for the outstanding “Choice Is Yours” Video that celebrates the great things happening at MHS!  Thank you!!
• To all of the sports teams for a great week of games!  You really helped celebrate our Homecoming with excitement. 
• Congratulations to the MHS Golf Team for making the Tournament for the South Shore League.  Well done, Sachems!
• Thank you for the student council for planning an incredible Homecoming Week.  The events were outstanding.
• Congratulations to Logan Duphily and Bridget Lynch who were named the 2018 Homecoming King and Queen. 
• Congratulations to the Class of 2018 for the Best Float in the annual Homecoming Parade!
• Thank you to the MHS Band, Majorettes and Concert Choir for being a part of a great weekend of Homecoming Events.  The half-time how was awesome.
• Congratulations to the Unified Basketball Team for their outstanding win over Dighton-Rehoboth on Wednesday.
• Thank you to everyone who participated in the annual Homecoming Dinner on Thursday night.  We raised over $1,000.00 for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.  Well done, Sachems!!
• A note of thanks and appreciation to the MHS Cheerleaders for all of their appearances this past week…from Unified Basketball to the many events on Saturday morning…you were awesome!  Thank you!
• Thank you to the Key Club and GSA for their participation in the Saturday morning events for Homecoming!

2.  Mid-Semester Exams are coming – November 7 & 8, 2018
• Mid-semester exams are quickly approaching and it is important to know how the exam schedule will work.  On Wednesday, November 7, mid-semester exams will take place for all Block 1 & 2 classes.  Block 1 and 2 will be extended a bit to allow for maximum time in these exams.  Please be reminded that November 7 is a full day of school.  On November 8, mid-semester exams will take place in all Block 3 & 4 classes and all students will be dismissed at 11:00am.  A formal schedule of the two days will be included in the Bulletin over the next few weeks!  Be sure you begin studying.  J

3.  Student Council Update:
• Executive Board Meeting – Monday, October 22 – 6:00pm
• The next Student Council meeting will be held Wednesday, October 24, 2018 at 7:00pm in the MHS Cafeteria.  The theme of the meeting is Halloween…so, come in your best costume!
• MASC Hyannis Applications are due no later than Friday, November 2, 2018 to Mr. Branagan.
• Halloween Fun Fest – Monday, October 29 – 6:00 – 8:00pm

·   All student council members MUST bring bags of candy to Mr. Branagan’s office for this event!  Remember this event is for the little children of Middleborough! 

4. The Amazing Race:  21^st Century Learning Conference – Its coming!
• MHS is excited to launch the second annual 21^st Century Learning Conference for all students on Friday, November 9, 2018.  Information will be coming out shortly for planning.   You will be selecting the workshops and presentations that you would like to attend beginning next week. 
• Get ready for an exciting day at MHS.

5. Mark Your Calendars – Winter Sports is Approaching:
• The Winter Sports Sign-Up Meeting will take place on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 2:00pm in the MHS Gym.  This sign-up will be followed by a special presentation by the Boston Bruins B-Fit Performance Presentation for all MHS Athletes.  This presentation will last from 2:45 – 3:30pm in the MHS Auditorium.
• Please see Mr. Sylvia with any questions.

6.  STW Presents – “Our Town”
• The Speech and Theater Workshop will proudly present their Fall Show, “Our Town” on Friday, November 9^th and Saturday, November 10^th in the MHS Auditorium. 
• Best wishes to the STW as they prepare for their fall show. We are very much looking forward to it!

7. Book Club  Meeting – October 29
• The next Book Club Meeting will take place on Monday, October 29 at 2:00pm in the MHS Library.  Please see Mrs. Phillips for more information.

8. Yearbook Deadlines – Friday, October 26
• Attention all seniors!!  Yearbook photos are due to the Yearbook Staff NO later than Friday, October 26, 2018.  Please email Mrs. MacLeod at jmacleod@middleboro.k12.ma.us or MHS_Yearbook@middleboro.k12.ma.us

9. Early College Event – Monday, October 22
• Attention all students interested in the Early College/Dual Enrollment Opportunities through MHS and Massasoit Community College!  Please join us for a special informational meeting on Monday, October 22, 2018 at 6:30pm in the MHS Library.
• Please see Mrs. Tammy Miller in the Guidance Office for more information.

10.  Home Games This Week:
• Monday, October 22, 2018

·   Field Hockey Vs. Wareham – Varsity – 3:30pm – MHS

·   Field Hockey Vs. Wareham – JV – 5:00pm – MHS

• Tuesday, October 23, 2018

·   NO HOME GAMES

• Wednesday, October 24, 2018

·   Field Hockey Vs. Cohasset – Varsity – 4:00pm – MHS

·   Field Hockey Vs. Cohasset – JV – 5:15pm – MHS

·   Girls Soccer Vs. Carver  - Varsity – 4:00pm – MHS

·   Girls Soccer Vs. Carver – JV – 4:15pm – Field Of Dreams

• Thursday, October 25, 2018

·   Football Vs. New Bedford – Freshmen – 4:00pm – Battis Field

·   Girls Soccer Vs. Abington – JV – 5:00pm – Field of Dreams

·   Girls Soccer Vs. Abington – Varsity – 6:30pm – Battis Field

• Friday, October 26, 2018

·   Field Hockey Vs. Sturgis Charter – Varsity – 4:00pm – MHS

·   Field Hockey Vs. Sturgis Charter – JV – 5:15pm – MHS

·   Volleyball Vs. Apponequet – Freshmen – 3:30pm – MHS Gym

·   Volleyball Vs. Apponequet – JV – 4:30pm – MHS Gym

·   Volleyball Vs. Apponequet – Varsity – 5:30pm – MHS Gym

·   Boys Soccer Vs. West Bridgewater – Varsity – 6:00pm – Battis Field

• Best of luck to the many away games this week!  Sachem Pride!

Have a great week!  Be good to each other.                

Branagan                                                      

We Are Sachems!

Branagan’s Bulletin

Week of October 15 – 19, 2018

Welcome to HOMECOMING WEEK 2018!!  I hope all of you had a wonderful weekend.  I want to thank our entire school community for the outstanding job you did with the PSAT Exam on Wednesday of last week.  I know the schedule was a bit long for the morning hours…but, you were amazing and I could not be more thankful for your help and cooperation in allowing the sophomore and juniors to fully engage in their PSAT Exams.  As we enter one of the greatest weeks at our school…I hope each of you engage in the numerous events to take place over the next week.   An exciting time to be a Sachem!!  Additionally, we have a very busy week ahead as we prepare to welcome the Class of 2023 for their visit to the high school on Wednesday.  I know Sachem Pride will be in full force this week.  So, here we go….

              

1. Sachem Shout-Out:
• Congratulations to Chase Holyoke for serving as the MASC State Delegate and for leading the charge in the MASC State Officershop on Friday at the College of the Holy Cross.  Your leadership is truly incredible.  Thankful you are a Sachem!  Also, a job well done by the Student Council Executive Board members who represented MHS at the annual Officershop.  You were amazing!
• Thank you for the many AP English students who participated in the AP Saturday Session at New Bedford High School on Saturday!
• Congratulations to Sarah Bourget and Megan Doherty for their outstanding video submission to the MIAA on the importance of Sportsmanship.  I think Middleborough has a true example of what good sportsmanship. 
• Congratulations to the Class of 2020 for an outstanding Touch-A-Truck on Sunday.  The event was great and the community involvement was excellent.  A special note of thanks and appreciation to Carissa Chane who was instrumental in the planning of this event.  Well done, team!
• Congratulations to the newest officers of the MHS  Best Buddies Program – Sydney Jutras, Matt McNaughton, Maddie Canavo, Bella Ruggiero, Bridget Lynch and Sydney Montross. 
• Congratulations to the MHS Volleyball Team for raising $250.00 for The Dana Farber Cancer Institute for their recent Pink Out Game last week!  Well done, Ladies!!

2. Homecoming Week – It is Here!! 
• Homecoming Week is finally here!  So…let’s use this week to show our Sachem Pride and make this week incredible!
• Homecoming Dance tickets will go on sale beginning on Monday, October 15, 2018 during all four lunches.  Tickets are $20.00.  Remember, if you are bringing a guest from another school you MUST complete a “guest permission form” ASAP!  Forms are available in the main office.  ALL COMPLETED GUEST SIGN-UP FORMS MUST BE IN MY OFFICE NO LATER THAN THURSDAY OF THIS WEEK FOR APPROVAL.  IF YOU BRING A GUEST WITHOUT AN APPROVED FORM…YOUR GUEST WILL NOT BE ATTENDING THE DANCE! Please see Mrs. Jameson with any questions.  The Homecoming Dance will take place on Saturday, October 20, 2018 from 8:00 – 11:00pm in the MHS Gym.
• All Guest Permission slips are due to Mrs. Jameson no later than Thursday, October 18, 2018
• The voting for the 2018 Homecoming King and Queen will take place on Thursday and Friday of this week during all four lunches.  This is a school-wide election.  Do not forget to vote!
• I am honored to announce that the charity for the 2018 Homecoming Dinner will be for Breast Cancer Awareness and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.  The annual Homecoming Dinner will take place on Thursday, October 18, 2018 at 6:00pm in the MHS Cafeteria.  Be sure to wear pink as our theme day on Thursday is Pink Out!!
• Float Building will take place this Friday (October 19) after school the annual Homecoming Parade will take place on Friday, October 19 at approximately 5:45pm from MHS to Battis Field.  Theme Days:
• Theme Days for the week are as follows:

·   Monday:  PJ Day

·   Tuesday:    Hawaiian Day

·   Wednesday:  Class Color Day

·   Thursday:  Pink Out Day

·   Friday:  Sachem Pride Day

3. Unified Basketball Game – Thursday, October 18 – 4:00pm
• Come and support the newest sport at MHS…Unified Basketball!  The school is so excited to host Dighton-Rehoboth for our first home game of the season.  The theme for this game is Pink Out….so, let’s fill the bleachers for our Unified athletes with a sea of pink!  Look forward to seeing our school community come together for this amazing event. 

4. The Class of 2023 Visit to MHS – Wednesday, October 17, 2018

·         The Class of 2023 will be visiting MHS on Wednesday morning to help our 8th graders make the best choice about their high school experience.  We want that choice to be Middleborough High School.   I want our school to show our guests what it means to be a Sachem as we celebrate our Homecoming.  Let’s roll out the welcome mat to our future Sachems!  A special thanks to the many student leaders who will serve as tour guides for the morning.  We could not make this happen without you!

5.  Open House for Nichols Middle School - StartSTRONG
• The Nichols Middle School students and parents/guardians will have an opportunity to visit the high school and learn about the great things happening at MHS Wednesday, October 23, 2018 at 7:00pm.  Thank you to Natalia Parkinson and her team of freshmen who will be helping with open house dates.

6.  Guidance Department Updates:
• Common Application and Naviance Help Day – October 16 – 2:00pm

·   If you need assistance with the Common App and Naviance for the Class of 2019…please swing by Guidance at 2:00pm on Tuesday for some assistance and personalized help as needed. 

• On The Spot Admission Day – Bridgewater State University – November 14

·   If you would like to interview with Bridgewater State University as part of their On The Spot Admissions Day…you must sign up with Mrs. Amaral in the Guidance Department NO LATER than Friday, October 19, 2018.

7.  Class of 2019 - Financial Aid Night – Wednesday, October 17, 2018
• A friendly reminder to all members of the Class of 2019.  A very important evening for you and your family regarding the financial aid process will be held on Wednesday, October 17, 2018 at 6:30pm in the MHS Auditorium.  This meeting will be hosted by a financial aid expert who will be visiting MHS for his very important process in regard to college planning.  Please attend this meeting.  Please see your guidance counselor with any questions. 

8. Class of 2019 – Yearbook Reminder
• Attention all seniors!  Please be reminded that you have a very important deadline for yearbook submission.  All senior pictures are due to the Yearbook by Friday, October 26, 2018.  Please email Mrs. MacLeod jmacleod@middleboro.k12.ma.us or the Timaron at mhs_yearbook@middleboro.k12.ma.us with any questions. 

9.  Talent Show – Tuesday, October 16
• The annual Talent Show will be held on Tuesday, October 16 at 7:00pm in the MHS Auditorium.  The admission price is $5.00 and all proceeds will go to the MHS Concert Choir.  Look forward to seeing a full house to support our talented students. 

10. Best of luck to our fall sports teams this week with your games! Make us proud!  Here are the home games this week!
• Monday, October 15

·   No Home Events

• Tuesday, October 16

·   Girls Soccer Vs. East Bridgewater – JV – 3:30pm – Field of Dreams

·   Girls Soccer Vs. East Bridgewater – Varsity – 4:00pm – MHS

·   Volleyball Vs. Abington – JV – 4:00pm – MHS

·   Volleyball Vs. Abington – Varsity – 5:30pm – MHS

• Wednesday, October 17

·   Field Hockey Vs. Carver – Varsity – 4:00pm – MHS

·   Field Hockey Vs. Carver – JV – 5:15pm – MHS

• Thursday, October 18

·   Unified Basketball Vs. Dighton-Rehoboth – 4:00pm – MHS

·   Field Hockey Vs. Norwell – Varsity – 4:00pm – MHS

·   Field Hockey Vs. Norwell  – JV – 5:15pm – MHS

·   Boys Soccer Vs. Rockland – JV – 3:30pm – Field Of Dreams

·   Boys Soccer Vs. Rockland – Varsity – 4:00pm – MHS

  

• Friday, October 19 – Homecoming Games

·   Volleyball Vs. Wareham – JV – 3:30pm – MHS

·   Volleyball Vs. Wareham – Varsity – 4:30pm – MHS

·   Football Vs. Norwell – Varsity – 7:00pm – Battis Field

• Saturday, October 20 – Homecoming Games

·   Field Hockey Vs. Apponequet – Varsity – 10:00am – MHS

·   Field Hockey Vs. Apponequet- JV – 11:30am – MHS

·   Boys Soccer Vs. North Quincy – JV – 12:00pm – Field of Dreams

·   Boys Soccer Vs. North Quincy – Varsity – 12:00pm – MHs

·   Girls Soccer Vs. North Quincy – JV – 10:00am – Field of Dreams

·   Girls Soccer Vs. North Quincy – Varsity – 10:00am – Field of Dreams

• Best of luck to our many away games this week!

Have a great week!  Be good to each other.                          

Branagan                                            

We Are Sachems!