Branagan’s Bulletin

Week of March 4 – March 8, 2019

Hello Sachems!  I hope you and your family weathered the storm this weekend with ease.  I want to take an opportunity to thank each of you for the outpouring of love and support with the passing of my father last weekend.  The many emails and texts were just amazing and placed a smile on my face during a most challenging and sad time. Additionally, the flowers and cards were just overwhelming and beautiful.  My family was so appreciative.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I will never forget your kindness.   

As we hit the mid-point of Quarter 3, it is important to reflect on your progress so far this semester.  How was your progress report?  Did you feel that you are on track?  What needs to happen to ensure your success this quarter?  These questions are vital to your academic performance and your ability to achieve success.  Every teacher believes in you…so make it happen.  Take your progress report for Quarter 3 and use it to motivate you to go farther that you think you can go!  If you believe it…you will achieve it. 

We have a very busy ahead…so, let’s go!

1. Sachem Shout-Out – There is so much to catch up on!! 
• Our Swimmers had an outstanding showing at the state championship meet over the vacation and captured outstanding scores.  Congrats to Emily Geddes for her appearance in the State Championship Swim Meet at Boston University over the vacation.  You truly represented the Black and Orange!  Also, HUGE congratulations to Nicky Hart and Declan Hastings who had an outstanding showing at the State Championships for Diving.  Job week done!  Excellent Work!
• Congratulations to Jake Studley for being named the Division III Wrestling Champion for this weight class.  Job Well Done.  Also, congratulations to Jaden Estrada and Peter Calogero for participating in the State Championship Meet in Wakefield over the vacation. 
• Congratulations to Cam LaBree, Abbie Wager, Mike Neitlich, Shae Gallagher, Caitlin Swanson, Paul Giovanoni and Sophia Rusicano for their competition at the Division 4 State Track Championship Meet in Boston last weekend!  Job Well done!  Congratulations to all of the record breakers at the meet!
• Job well done to Katrina Bingham-Maas for her recent environmental work with New England Coastal Wildlife Alliance and her work with saving sea turtles. 
• Best wishes to the Majorettes for their outstanding job at their first competition last weekend.  Exciting times ahead for the teams!  Well done. 
• Congratulations to the Cheerleaders who will compete at the Regional Competition on Sunday in Natick.
• Best of luck to our Majorettes as they enter their second competition at Apponequet on Sunday.
• Best of luck to the STW as they compete on Sunday at the Massachusetts Drama Festival at Hanover High School.  
• Congratulations to the Girls Basketball Team for qualifying for the State Tournament for the first time since 2001!  We are so proud of you and the commitment to the word…TEAM.  Exciting times ahead. 
• Congratulations to the 96 students who were be inducted into the Nothing But A’s Club (NBA) last week.  You did an outstanding job academically throughout first semester.  Keep up the great work!
• Congratulations to Tori Warner for being named the Student Coordinator for StartSTRONG 2019.
• Congratulations to the Ice Hockey Team for representing the Black and Orange at your tournament game on last Tuesday evening.  Regardless of the outcome…we could not be more proud of you.
• Congratulations to Zach Silvia and Sam Crowley for being named South Shore League All Stars for Basketball.  Well done, Sachems!

2. MHS Celebrates Foreign Language Week - March 4 – 8, 2019
• It is with great excitement to announce Foreign Language Week 2019.  Please check out all of the exciting events that are taking place all this week in Foreign Language.

3. Math and ELA MCAS Re-Test – March 4 – 8, 2019

·         Just a reminder to our students who will be in need of taking the MCAS Retest Exams for ELA or Math, which will begin on Monday, March 4 and will conclude on Friday, March 8.  The testing schedule is as follows:

o   ELA – March 4 - 6

o   Math – March 7 – 8

·         I wish our small group of students who will be testing a great deal of success with this test.  I know you can do it!

4. Progress Reports - Quarter III & Parent Teacher Conferences

·         Quarter III Progress Reports will be distributed on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 during Advisory at 1:40pm.  I hope that all progress reports are in good form and you are achieving your academic goals for this semester!

·         Parent-Teacher Conferences for Quarter III will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 from 6:00 – 8:30pm.  I hope you have shared your appointment forms with your teachers and your parents/guardians that were distributed on Thursday, February 28, 2019.

5. FinishSTRONG:
• On Monday, March 4, 2019 please vote for the faculty or staff member in our school who will be named as the February recipient of StaffSTRONG.  Please be watching for the online ballot in your email on Friday morning.

6. Class of 2019 - Senior Class Trip to Florida:
• Just a reminder to the seniors going to Florida over April vacation, there is a very important meeting of all seniors and their families on Monday, March 11, 2019 at 7:00pm in the MHS Auditorium.  This meeting is mandatory. 

7. STW - Massachusetts Drama Festival – March 3, 2019
• The Speech and Theatre Workshop has been quite busy preparing for their annual performance in the Massachusetts Drama Festival, which will take place at 11:15am at Hanover High School on Sunday, March 3, 2019!  We wish you well as you prepare for the performance on Sunday. We hope to see a large group of supporters at the STW performance on Sunday!  Make us proud, STW!

8. StartSTRONG 2019 - Orientation Leaders Needed!

·         If you are interested in serving as an Orientation Leader for the StartSTRONG Program this summer, please pick up an application in the main office beginning on Monday, March 11, 2019.  Be a part of welcoming the Class of 2023 to our school.  Please see Mr. Branagan or Tori Warner with any questions.

9. Attention Class of 2022 – Consider taking AP Capstone

·         Attention to the members of the Class of 2022!  Please consider taking a very cutting edge program offered to the rising sophomore class.  Consider engaging in the Advanced Placement Capstone Program.  This outstanding program will allow you to study topics of your own choosing, in depth.  It will allow you to master key skills you will use in college and career.  Most importantly, it will stand out in your college applications and interviews. 

·         Please reach out to your guidance counselor today if you have not signed-up for the AP Capstone Program.  Rising sophomores will engage in the first of two AP courses….AP Seminar. 

10. MASC State Conference - March 6 – 8, 2019
• The Middleborough High School Student Council will be attending their state conference this week.  I am proud of the 29 students who will be representing our school at this conference.  Also, five students under the direction of Mr. Pelletier from TV Production will capture all the special moments of the conference that will host over 1,100 student leaders from across the state.  A special note of luck to Shannon Hurley who is running for State President of MASC!  Make us proud, Shannon! 

11.  Music Department Pops Concert - March 8, 2019
• The MHS Music Department will host their annual Pops Concert on Friday, March 8, 2019 at 7:00pm in the MHS Gym.  Please come and support the MHS Music Program.  The night will be filled with the incredible sound of the MHS Band and Orchestra and the Fine Arts Department. 

12.  Boys State & Girls State Conference:
• Attention all JUNIORS!!  If you have a love of government and leadership than you might want to consider applying for the Boys State and Girls State Conference, which is sponsored by the American Legion.  If you are interested, please see Mr. Branagan right away!

13.  Massachusetts State Police Student Trooper Program:
•  Attention all JUNIORS!!  If you have an interest in law enforcement than you might want to consider applying for to represent MHS at the Student Trooper Program this summer, which is sponsored by the American Legion.  If you are interested, please see Mr. Branagan right away!

14.  Massasoit On-the-Spot Admissions – March 18, 2019
• Massasoit Community College will be hosting an On-the-Spot Admissions Day at MHS on Monday, March 18, 2019.  Please see your guidance counselor immediately to make an appointment to meet with a representative from Massasoit. 

15. Middleborough Public Library – Upcoming Events
• Monthly Pop-Up Library – Tuesday, March 5 – All Lunches

                                          i.    Be sure to stop by the tables to enter the special raffle.

• Chain Maille Workshop and Author Talk – Saturday, March 9 – 1:00pm

                                          i.    Join the Middleborough Public Library and author J.W. Elliott who writes the Archer of Heathland series.  Learn about medieval archery, take a look at real bows and chain maille, and make your own piece of chain maille to take home.  Call or stop by the Library to register for this free program

Have a great week and be good to each other!   

Branagan J

We Are Sachems!