First Day of School

Below is the text of a Connect-Ed message scheduled for this evening. I believe this was one of the best first days here at MHS in a long time! I wish everyone continued success and a wonderful year! Please note in the Connect-Ed message that Open House is scheduled for next Thursday, September 6th from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Take care!

Good evening. This is Dr. Linkenhoker, the Principal of Monson High School. I’m calling tonight to share some important information with all families. First, I wish to thank the entire student body for an excellent first day. Our 1^st Annual Kick Off Pep Rally was a great success. I appreciate everyone’s attention and spirit and again congratulate all students recognized this morning for making last term’s honor roll. I hope to recognize more students at our 2^nd term Pep Rally to be scheduled in November.

Please mark next Thursday, September 6^th on your calendars. This is our fall open house. Open House will run from 6:30 to 8:30pm. Parents will follow their child’s schedule along with having an opportunity to meet their child’s SAP advisor. This is a great evening where you can meet the teachers and learn about classroom expectations, assessment practices, etc.

And finally, I want to remind families that school lunch prices increased this year to $2.75. If you have any specific questions pertaining to the lunches please contact Mrs. Melody Gustafson, the Food Services Director, at Quarry Hill Community School.

Once again, the school year is off to a great start. I wish everyone an enjoyable and successful year. Please do not hesitate to contact the office with any questions. Take care and good night.

1st Annual Kick Off Pep Rally

Below is the text of a Connect-Ed message being sent tonight to families who had students make the honor roll for the 4th term last year. We're beginning a new tradition this year in which we recoginize students on a quarterly basis who made the honor roll through a school-wide pep rally. This LINK is for the official schedule for next Wednesday's program.

Good evening. This is Dr. Linkenhoker, the Principal of Monson High School. I am calling tonight in regards to your son or daughter making the honor roll for the 4th term last year. We are starting a new tradition this year where we will hold quarterly pep rallies to recognize students who made the honor roll the previous term. Our first pep rally, to honor the 4th term awardees will be on the 1st day of school, next Wednesday. For an official schedule, please visit my blog at www.mhsprincipalblog.blogspot.com. Parents of awardees are welcome to join us in the gymnasium. Please arrive for 8:15am. Students will be called to the gymnasium at 8:25. The beginning of the program will be a traditional school-wide meeting with administration sharing important policies and expectations to the students. We will then transition to the pep-rally where we will introduce the entire MHS faculty and staff and then recognize the students who made the honor roll last term. I hope this is the start of a wonderful new tradition and I hope to see many of you here next Wednesday morning to celebrate your child’s success. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via email: linkenhokera@monsonschools.com or phone: 413.267.4589. Take care and have a wonderful evening.

Freshmen Cookout!

The following is the text of a Connect-Ed message going out tonight to all freshmen and new students.

Good evening, this is Dr. Linkenhoker, the Principal of Monson High School. I am calling to remind all incoming freshmen that tomorrow night is our annual Freshmen and New Student Cookout and Orientation. I hope to see you and your family beginning at 6pm. I will be assisting with the grilling! Around 7pm we’ll transition to the orientation agenda in the gymnasium. Freshmen will receive their schedules and will have the opportunity to tour the building with their big sibling. Parents will remain in the gymnasium for a short presentation and Q&A. The evening will end with students receiving an ice-cream dessert by 8pm.

Also of note, Academic Planners and Monson High School tee-shirts will be available for sale tomorrow night by the class of 2015.

Take care and good night!

New Student/Family Letter

Greetings! It's been a wonderful summer here at Monson High School with lots of planning going into this upcoming year. I'm excited for the start and am confident we're going to experience one of the best year's in history. I just finished a letter for all incoming freshmen and their families. A Connect-Ed message is also prepared for these families. I also wanted to include this letter here for everyone to see.

Expect more updates soon as we gear up for another year. Take care and enjoy the last few weeks of vacation!

Please click on this link to access the parent letter.

Equal Access Letter

I am sharing an Equal Access Letter that all families should review. The law protects students from being discriminated against or precluded from programs regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, limited English proficiency, sexual orientation, disability, or housing status.

If you feel your child has been targeted please contact my office or the Superintendent at your earliest opportunity. Thank you!

MHS Going Virtual

Monson High School is moving to the 21st century in hopes of providing relevant educational opportunities for ALL students. As part of our Innovation School initiative and our Pillar Model, MHS is unveiling an online learning program that aims to support three distinct cohorts:

1. Students who wish to take their entire high school series of courses will have the opportunity to through curriculum offered by K12. These students will be considered Monson High School students and have the full benefits of face-to-face students with access to extra-curricular activites, athletics, guidance services, graduation, etc. Students will be required to be onsite a minimum of one day per week to ensure progress is occuring.

2. Face to face students may wish to compliment their existing traditional schedule with an online course. This opportunity is available to all students wanting an online class that is not offered at Monson High School. These online classes are offered through Aventa, a subset of K12.

3. An online credit recovery program will begin in July 2012. Students who have failed a class during the school year may opt to recover this lost credit through our online program. This is similar to traditional summer school and/or night school programs except that the courses are taught online and provide more flexibility to time and location. Monson residents will be charged $150 per course while non-residents may register for $175 per course. Courses are open year-round to better service students.

The Online Learning Flyer provides a general overview of our new programs. The Full-Time Flyer provides specific information on our K12 program. Feel free to contact Mr. Robert Bardwell at 413.267.4589 x1107 with any questions pertaining to our new online program. An informational evening for interested families will be held on June 19th, 2012 in the MHS cafeteria beginning at 7pm. I encourage all interested students and parents to attend!

Athletic Banquet

Here is the text of a Connect-Ed message going out tonight referencing tomorrow's Athletic Banquet. I hope to see everyone there!

Good evening, this is Dr. Linkenhoker, the Principal of Monson High School. The varsity athletic awards banquet will be held tomorrow night, Thursday June 7th. All students athletes that played on a varsity team will be receiving an award. There will be a dessert reception in the cafeteria beginning at 6:00pm, followed by the awards banquet at 7:00pm in the gymnasium.

Please feel free to contact Mrs. Sarah Shaw with any questions.

Take care and good night!