Mr. Brandon Woodrome, Principal Mr. Jeff Junker, Asst. Principal
Mrs. Michelle Cooley, Asst. Principal Mr. Scott Battas, Athletic/Activities Director
School Telephone: 618-566-8523, Office Hours: 7:00 am - 4:00 pm
February 2021 Vol. VII
Congratulations Senior Student of the Month CALLIE ADKINS!!!
Message from Mr. Woodrome
It has been great having in-person learners return for daily instruction five-days a week. We continue to be diligent with our safety guidelines and, as a result, we have not encountered any major setbacks with the instructional plan.
Please continue to remind your child to avoid loitering in the halls during passing periods, to complete self-health checks every morning, to wear health IDs and masks while in the building, and to continue to wash hands frequently.
If you child is experiencing symptoms, please keep him/her home and call in the absence to our attendance secretary.
Thank YOU for partnering with us to ensure the safety of everyone in our building.
A link to the complete district plan can be found here:
District Plans for Second Semester
*Information on breakfast and lunch meal plans can be found within the linked district plan.
For The Latest District Information
VISIT MASCOUTAH SCHOOL DISTRICT ONLINE: www.msd19.org
VISIT MASCOUTAH HIGH SCHOOL ONLINE: www.mhs.msd19.org
FRESHMAN ORIENTATION
A “virtual” Freshman Orientation will be posted on Mascoutah School District social media and website on Thursday, February 11. All incoming 9th graders and their parents are invited to view the orientation as important information for a successful start to high school will be shared.
If you are not in a District 19 school and plan to attend MHS next year, you should call ASAP to set up an appointment with school counselors. Information is also available on the MHS website under For Parent/Freshman Orientation tab.
Please help us spread the word by sharing with your friends and family with current 8th graders.
Click on the link above to learn about and register for College Board’s first ever Virtual College Fairs. These FREE events are intended for students in grades 9-10 and designed to allow students to establish connections with colleges.
MHS Celebrates Black History Month
Though the pandemic is keeping us from hosting a student assembly or bringing in a motivational speaker this year, our Racial Harmony and No Place for Hate organizations are organizing a number of events to celebrate BHM at MHS this month.
Plans include:
Video Montage
Library Window Decorating
Advisory Door Decorating Competition
Morning Mindfulness Quotes
FFA WEEK
FFA members from across the United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands organized events activities to foster awareness of Agriculture education and support the FFA during National FFA Week which is held February 21-27, 2021. Commitment to agriculture and developing leadership in its members are just two of the items the FFA strives to attain. To help generate and strengthen these items, the Mascoutah FFA Chapter organized several activities for FFA week.
Yearbooks - The last day to order a yearbook for this school year is February 26th. The cost is $65.00, please submit payment to the office.
BREAKFAST and LUNCH INFORMATION
The USDA has announced that school districts can offer breakfast and lunch meals at no cost. The District will follow this guidance and will not charge any registered student for their breakfast or lunch until the offer expires.
To see the daily menus, visit the Dining section of your student’s school website. The Food Service Team is serving hot lunches.
VISIT OUR WEB PAGE:
PARENTS MAY VIEW THE SMOKE SIGNALS AND DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS ON THE SCHOOL WEBSITE
FOLLOW ON TWITTER: @M19_MHS
SUMMER SCHOOL 2021
Registration for current high school students for summer school is open now! Registration will be open to incoming freshmen beginning February 16th. The first day of classes will be June 1st and the last day of class will be June 30th. Students may take two classes. Classes will be held daily from 7:30 am - 10:15 am and 10:45 am – 1:30 pm. More information can be found on the MHS Website under ‘Summer School’. Please look for Remote or In-Person.
Classes Offered (pending minimum enrollment): Health, Drivers Education, English 304, Personal Finance, and Civics (Remote Only)
Physical Education & Behind the Wheel (In-person Only)
REGULATIONS FOR SUMMER SCHOOL
ALL CURRENT SCHOOL RULES WILL APPLY
Incoming freshmen and new students should read the student handbook online at www.mhs.msd19.org.
Students are to attend all classes. An absence could result in being dropped from the class and receiving a grade of F. FINAL EXAMS WILL NOT BE GIVEN THIS SUMMER
DATES TO REMEMBER
February 1 MHS Summer Reg. .continues
February 11 Virtual Freshman Orientation posted
February 12 Teacher In-Service Day-No School
February 15 President’s Day - No School
February 16 Summer School Registration for Incoming Freshman
February 26 Last Day to purchase Yearbooks
Mar 1-Apr 30 ISA Testing
March 12 SIP Day ½ Day Student Attendance
March 12 End of 3rd Quarter
March 12 ASVAB Test 12:00 PM
March 19 Report Cards available in Skyward
April 1-5 Spring Break
April 13 SAT - Juniors
April 15 PSAT - Freshman and Sophomores
Testing Information
Illinois Science Assessment will be all 11th grade students during the week of March 1-April 30 (testing window).
SAT - All juniors will be taking the exam on Tuesday, April 13.
PSAT - All freshmen and sophomores will be taking the PSAT on April 15.
For more information on the SAT/PSAT format, visit https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat
ACT - April 17 (Not offered during the school day). Students must sign up on their own. Information will be made available through the counseling office.
SEMESTER 2 LEARNING REMINDERS
Remote learners are expected to follow the instructional schedule and participate in all daily class Zooms. Absence from Zoom will be recorded as an absence from class.
Tech Issues:
Contact the technology department Help Desk for any student technology concerns or questions.
Health/Wellness:
In-Person Students self-certify their health daily by wearing their self-certify lanyard as they enter the building. Students without a lanyard must report to nurse upon arrival to school.
Masks covering the nose and mouth are required when in the building.
Food Service
In-Person students will complete an order form daily by first hour for lunch and to pre-order breakfast for their next attendance day.
Reminder about Cell phones & Earbuds:
Students are not to use cell phones or Earbuds in the halls or in the classrooms without teacher permission. Cell phones must be turned off and placed in the locker at the start of school at 7:35am.
Health Safety Reminders
Mask: Are to be worn properly at all times while in the building. Nose and mouth are to be covered
Health certification IDs are to be worn while in the building to signify you have no fever or symptoms connected to COVID
Together - we can work to keep our building open for in-person instruction!
Attendance Protocols
In-Person Attendance
For a student to be counted as present they must physically be present in their classroom at school.
If not present, a parent must call the office to have absence excused.
Remote Attendance
Remote students (remote-only and due to a quarantine) MUST Zoom for attendance and instruction. Students are to attend school in their classroom Zoom each period.
If a student is going to be absent, for in-person or remote attendance, parents must call the office at 618-566-8523.
PRE-ARRANGED ABSENCES
Notice must be made in writing to the Main Office 3 school days prior to absence.
COLLEGE VISITS
Students and their parents are encouraged to visit colleges during the second semester of their junior year and first semester of their senior year. We suggest that these visits be made during school holidays. Seniors are encouraged to use April 13 (SAT Test Day) as a college visit day.
SCHOOL MESSAGING SYSTEM
Mascoutah Schools notify parents through phone calls, text alerts, and emails about important issues and information. Please keep the Counseling Office updated with changes to your contact information.
FROM THE NURSE:
Attention 11th Grade Parents:
Now is the time to start scheduling an appointment for your child's required immunizations. Prior to enrollment in the 12th grade, students must submit proof of meningococcal vaccination after their 16th birthday. Please take the time to schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider so your child can be immunized prior to the new school year. Updated records being accepted now!
Attention 9th Grade Parents:
All 9th grade students are required to have a dental examination performed by a licensed dentist. For this school year’s qualifications, the exam should be performed after November 15, 2019 and before May 15, 2021. Please have your dentist fill out the dental form required by the State after your child’s exam and return it to the Health Office no later than May 15, 2021.
COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
The world as we know it has changed. COVID-19 affects us all everyday. As we prepare to return to school in the near future, please review the precautions listed below and prepare to follow these guidelines.
Wash your hands frequently
Use soap & water when available
Make sure to scrub hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds. Singing Happy Birthday will take about this long!
Use hand sanitizer when soap & water are not available
Wear your mask at all times
Do not touch your face or the outside of your mask
Be sure both your mouth and nose are covered
Use a new, clean mask everyday
Remove and apply the mask holding only the ear loops or strings. You can adjust the mask touching the upper and lower edges only.
Social distance
Keep at least 6 feet away from each other
Monitor your health daily
If you have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 (Fever (100.4°F or higher), new onset of moderate to severe headache, shortness of breath, new cough, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain from unknown cause, new congestion/runny nose, new loss of sense of taste or smell, nausea, fatigue from unknown cause, muscle or body aches.), please stay home and contact the school nurse and your physician for further recommendations. All household siblings must also stay home per Illinois Department of Public Health protocol.
Complete the in-person certification for your school daily
Do not touch anyone or share food or drinks
No hand shakes or fist bumps
Use elbow bumps
You can remove your mask only if you are seated for eating or drinking
Limit your movement in the classroom as well as around the school
Cover your cough or sneeze
Cough into the bend in your arm
Use tissues when sneezing or coughing and immediately discard in a waste can after use
Wash your hands after coughing or using tissue
Remember to get your flu shot
This year’s flu season will run at the same time with the COVID pandemic.
Protecting yourself from the possibility of the flu will help to lessen the severity of symptoms and possible hospitalizations, protecting some of the valuable healthcare resources available.
Mascoutah High School Counseling Office
Sarah Gordon -- Last Names A-G Christine Renth -- Last Names P-Z
Matt Carr-- Last Names H-O & Running Start Coordinator
Monica Lynch -- School Social Worker Brandi Garlich -- School Social Worker
Stacey Beisel - MFLC
Follow us on Twitter: @MHS19Counselors
Information from Your Counseling Office
Senior Guidebook:
Senior year can be an exciting, but also stressful time as students plan for their next stops. The counselors have created a senior guidebook with information and resources to assist in this process. You can view the senior guidebook here.
FAFSA:
The FAFSA filing date is October 1st. Beginning with the class of 2021, the Illinois State Board of Education has mandated FAFSA completion as a graduation requirement. If you need to request a waiver in regards to this graduation requirement, please reach out to your counselor or you can download the waiver here.
SAT & The Khan Academy:
In preparation for the SAT/PSAT, students are strongly urged to visit the Khan Academy {www.khanacademy.org} website to prepare for the test. Through the Khan Academy, students are able to create their own personal account, answer questions that will in turn generate a unique educational roadmap specific to their needs, and begin working in the areas of English, writing and math to help improve their skill sets before starting practice tests. All students who are planning to take the SAT are encouraged to utilize this free test prep site to help prepare for the test.
Scholarships:
All scholarships that come into the Counseling Department are posted on the MHS Website, under Counseling Department. Please explore all tabs for scholarship opportunities including ‘Scholarship Resources on the Web’ link. This link will take you to many scholarship search engines that will allow you to search for nationwide scholarships. Keep checking for scholarships! More will be added as the year continues.
College and Career Planning:
If your student needs help choosing the right career path or college, students are encouraged to utilize the Illinois Career Information System. Most students already have an account. If a student needs login assistance, please contact a counselor.
ACT:
Upcoming ACT test dates include February 6, 2021, April 17, 2021, and June 12, 2021. Please visit www.act.org to register.
SAT:
Upcoming national SAT Test Dates include March 13, 2021, May 8, 2021, and June 5, 2021. Please visit www.collegeboard.org to register.
School Wide Testing
The school day SAT will be offered to all juniors on Tuesday, April 13, 2021. Completing the school day SAT is a graduation requirement per ISBE. This test will take place during the school day and no action is needed from the student to register for this exam. The tentative date for the school day PSAT, required of all freshman and sophomores, will be Thursday, April 15, 2021. This test will take place during the school day and no action is needed from the student to register for this exam.
Course Selections for the 2021-2022 School Year
Counselors have met with sophomores and freshman in January. They will be meeting with juniors this month to discuss course recommendations and course selections for the upcoming school year. Students will be entering their course requests in Skyward. Any changes needed after students meet with their counselor must be submitted via a schedule change form which can be found on the counseling website and Google classrooms. Course descriptions and graduation requirements can be found in the course catalog linked here. This can also be found on the high school website → departments → counseling → registration. Students may make changes to their course requests until April 1. All registration information can be found under academic planning on Counseling Department website or by clicking here.
Running Start
Invitations have been sent to you if you qualify (passed Adv. Geometry & Adv. Algebra II & have a 3.2 Cum. GPA.) The Running Start meeting will be on January 20, 21, 27, 28 or February 3rd at 6:30 pm and our virtual through SWIC. Paperwork is due back to Mr. Carr by Feb. 8th in order to take the placement test. The placement test will be after school on Wednesday, Feb.10th at 12:45PM. Classroom locations will be announced closer to the date on Google Classroom and announcements.
Schedule Changes
Schedule changes for the 2021-2022 school year are due by April 1st.
Social/Emotional Needs:
Just a friendly reminder if a student needs social/emotional assistance, the social workers can be reached via email (lynchm@msd19.org and garlichb@msd19.org), phone (extensions 5190 and 5191), or in person within the Counseling Office. Teachers can also refer students to our services. They are happy to help with emotional support and connecting students to community services as well!
Transcripts:
Any senior requesting a transcript should access their Parchment account. Please contact the registrar, Mrs. Kearney (kearneya@msd19.org), with any transcript concerns, questions, needs, or issues.
TAG:
Teens and Grief (TAG) Program will be offered again this year at MHS; however, due to COVID, how this is going to be offered is currently being discussed. Be on the lookout for more information in the upcoming weeks.
Information from Your School Counselors and Social Workers
MHS Wellness Guide
Promoting physical, emotional, and mental well-being among our students, families, and staff through helpful tips.
February Tip: Set Goals
“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”-Martin Luther King, Jr.
Think of something in your life you want to improve, and figure out what you can do to take a step in the right direction. Then set SMART goals to take that step!
At MHS we have PBIS. Positive Behavior Interventions & Support. We call it Mascoutah Pride. Information can be found on the website by clicking on the tab on the left labeled Mascoutah Pride/PBIS.
MHS Word of the Month
