Branagan’s Bulletin

Week of March 11 – March 15, 2019

Hello Sachems!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  There is so much to celebrate at MHS this week!  So many of our students represented our high school with tremendous Sachem Pride and leadership this week!  As a principal, I am beyond proud of the accomplishments of all of you each and every day!  Please keep up the great work both inside and outside of the classroom!  Your hard work does not go unnoticed. 

Here are a few items this week to bring your attention for this week...

1. Sachem Shout-Out:
• Congratulations to the members of the Student Council for an outstanding representation at the annual state conference for Student Council.  The Student Council was named a Five Star Council and received the Gold Council of Excellence Award. Also, special congratulations to Anna DiBona for receiving the James Rokas Award for outstanding leadership. Finally, a special note of congrats and appreciation the 28 student council members who attended the state conference for plunging into the Atlantic Ocean to help raise money for Special Olympics.  It was great plunging with you all! 
• Congratulations to Shannon Hurley for taking a leap of faith to show the State of Massachusetts the true leader that she is.  Shannon ran for the State President for the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils (MASC) and she did an outstanding job.  Although, the election did not work the way we hoped…she led with grace and determination.  We are beyond proud of you, Shannon.  We are so lucky Shannon is a Sachem!
• Congratulations to Chase Holyoke for serving as the MASC State Delegate for the past year.  Your service to your school and state has been beyond compare.  Thank you for your leadership and being a Sachem!
• A special note of thanks and appreciation to Jake Stiner, Aaron Conley, Noah Miles, Aileen Peddie and Kaylee Tobin for their incredible talent as they served as the media crew for the MASC State Conference in Hyannis!  Check out their conference video on the TV Production website!  Outstanding job!
• Congratulations to Natalia Parkinson and the leaders of the Class of 2022 as they hosted a very successful Paint Night on Thursday evening.  Well done, Sachems!
• Congratulations to the members of the Band, Orchestra, Concert Choir and Sachem Singers for an outstanding night at the Pops Concert on Friday evening.  The celebration of the 350^th birthday of the Town of Middleborough was absolutely incredible.  The music and energy of our performance groups were incredible.  Additionally, congratulations to the Speech and Theatre Workshop and the Art Department for their contributions to the concert.  Job well done!
• Thank you to the many AP English Students who participated in their Saturday Session on Saturday morning.  Job Well Done!
• Congratulations to Jade Almodovar for being recognized by the College Board for her outstanding work on the PSAT Exam given in October.  Jade scored in the top 2.5% on the PSAT among all Hispanic and Latino test-takers in our region.  Well done, Jade!
• Congratulation to the MHS Winter Cheerleading Team as they represent our school on Sunday afternoon (March 10) at Tantasqua Regional High School.  We know you will compete for the love of the Black and Orange.  Updates to come as scores are posted Sunday evening.
• Best of luck to the MHS Majorette Team as they compete today at Seekonk High School.  We know you will represent the Black and Orange today!

2. ELA MCAS is coming - March 26 – 27, 2019
• The Class of 2021 will be participating in the ELA MCAS Exam on Tuesday, March 26 – Wednesday, March 27, 2019.  We are quite confident that our sophomores are ready for this very important assessment.  You can do it!  Be on the look-out this week for your testing location assignments that will be posted throughout the high school this week. 
• Please be reminded that this exam will be administered completely on-line as the paper MCAS Exam has been terminated for ELA and Mathematics.  It is vital that all sophomores PLEASE be sure that your laptop is charged and ready for the testing days. 
• All sophomores will engage in a very important Infrastructure Exam to all for a test-run for the MCAS on Friday, March 15, 2019 during Block 1.  More information to come for sophomores.  However, please be sure that you are charging your school-issued laptop each night.

3. Exciting Opportunities for the Class of 2020:
• The following exciting opportunities for the members of the Class of 2020

·   Boy’s State & Girl’s State

·         If you have a true interest in government and leadership, then you may want to sign up to be a nominee to represent MHS as the representative at the Boys State and Girls State Conference in June.

·   Student Trooper Program

·         If you have an interest in Law Enforcement, you may want to consider being a candidate for the Student Trooper Program.

• Please see Mr. Branagan for more information.  These exciting opportunities are sponsored by the American Legion Post 64 of Middleborough!
• You must sign-up with Mr. Branagan NO LATER than Friday, March 15, 2019 to be considered for either of these programs. 

4. StartSTRONG Program - Orientation Leaders:
• Just a reminder that StartSTRONG Orientation Leader applications will be available for pick-up beginning on Tuesday, March 12, 2019.  You do not want to miss out on welcoming the Class of 2023 to MHS!

5. Senior Class Trip to Florida Parent/Guardian Meeting – March 11
• Attention all seniors going to Florida!!  The important meeting for all seniors and parents/guardians attending the trip to Florida in April will be held on Monday, March 11 at 7:00pm in the MHS Auditorium. 
• Please reach out to Mr. Branagan with any questions and/or concerns. 
• Get ready for a great trip.

6. Science Café – Thursday, March 14 – 6:00pm
• The next Science Café will be held on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 6:00pm in the MHS Library.  We welcome David Cavanaugh from the Middleborough-Lakeville Herring Fishery Commission to discuss the importance of the Herring in Middelborough. 

     7.  Winter Sports Celebration – Wednesday, March 13

·         The annual Winter Sports Celebration will take place on Wednesday, March 13, 2019 at 6:00pm in the MHS Auditorium.  We very much look forward to a great evening of celebrating our winter athletes.

     8.  Spring Sports Information Night – Thursday, March 14

·         Can you believe that Springs Sports are here?  The very important meeting for all spring athletes will take place on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at 6:00pm in the MHS Auditorium.  Please see Mr. Sylvia with any questions or concerns.

     9.  Class of 2022 – Road to College Night – Tuesday, March 12, 2019

·         The MHS Guidance Department will be hosting a special evening for the parents/guardians for the Class of 2022 on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 at 6:30pm in the MHS Library.  The scope of the evening will be to review the Grade 9 PSAT Exam that all freshmen took in October.  All grade nine families received PSAT Scores in the mail over the last few weeks.  Please join us for an evening outlining the Road to College.  We hope to see you there.

·         Please reach out to the MHS Guidance Department with any questions. 

    10.  Pennies for Patients – Key Club:

·         The Key Club will be hosting their annual Pennies for Patients during the next four weeks.  Please be on the look-out for the donation boxes located throughout the school or see a member of the Key Club or Mr. Reynolds and Mrs. Snook with any questions.  Thank you, Key Club for supporting this very important cause.

     11.  Coffee with the Guidance Counselors – March 19

·         Mark your calendars!  Attention all MHS parents/guardians…the next Coffee with the Guidance Counselors will take place on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 at 9:30am in the MHS Guidance Office.  We hope you can join us. 

Have a great week and be good to each other!   

Branagan J

We Are Sachems!