MDIHS CHALK TALK
Week of October 2, 2023
Greetings:
The Autumn Equinox has arrived! Autumn is a beautiful time of the year in our area of the world - eye-popping foliage, crisp air, apple picking, and so much more.
Autumn also brings Homecoming to MDIHS. The week of October 2 will be Spirit Week at MDI. We'll kick off the week with a pep rally and end the week on Saturday with our Homecoming Dance.
We will be holding Parent/Teacher Conferences the first week of October and that will be the opportunity for parents/guardians of students of all grades to meet with their student's teachers. If you wish to meet with them in person, please contact them directly. Staff Directory
Sign up for Parent / Teacher conferences!!
Be sure to have a list of your student's teachers before beginning.
Click here to begin scheduling your appointments.
Oct 2-6: Homecoming Week
Oct 3-5: Parent/Teacher Conferences
Oct 7: SAT Testing, 8am
Homecoming Dance, 7pm
Oct 9: No School - Holiday
Oct 11: NWEA Testing / College Tour / Community Service / Seniors - Volta!
AOS Job Fair, 5pm, Library
Oct 14: Marathon Dinner, 5pm, Cafeteria
Oct 16: School Committee Meeting, 5pm, Library
Oct 17: Rome to Sicily Info Mtg, 6:30pm, Theatre
Oct 18: PSAT Testing
Important Information for Parents
Could this be yours?
Found in our entryway during the week of sports physicals. If you believe it is yours, please contact Mary Corrow mcorrow@mdirss.org or 288.5011 ext 3300.
Upcoming Activities
FlexTime Activities
Flex Time Is The Best Time!
Mrs. Witham will be offering several groups during flex time!
*Affirmation Boards - Come make your own affirmation board..encourage yourself
*Managing Anxiety in School
*Talk Story - come share your story with us “What makes you happy”
Grief Share- Have you experienced a loss? Know that you are not alone. You can come just listen or share your story
Mindfulness Meditation - Learn techniques to quiet your thoughts and stay in the present moment.
Friend Stop - Have you been missing your friends? Are your schedules different? Come just spend some time with your friends and catch up!
And many more! Or just come chill with Mrs. Witham, if you haven't heard..She’s Awesome : )
Hair braiding
We have a new FlexTime offering on hair braiding, initiated & led by Khalisah Williams. This picture highlights her teaching how to add extensions. Khalisah intends to pursue cosmetology post MDIHS.
Biology club
Another student-driven & led initiative is our new Biology Club. Thanks to Sig Reinholdt for getting this started! This picture shows the table Sig set up for the Activities Fair to get word out about the club.
Sig is seen here leading the very first Bio Club meeting during FlexTime.
School Board meetings - High school & District
MDIRSS School Committees & Boards
Mount Desert Island Regional School System – AOS #91 has 11 individual school committees and boards. Each elementary school department has its own school committee or board of directors.
Meeting schedules and information on board policies, along with board members
is available on the district site. www.mdirss.net
Fundraising
School Lunch
My School Bucks Reimbursement: The MDI High School is no longer using the myschoolbucks program. Lunch funds that were left on the accounts are currently being reimbursed. If you have any questions please contact Wendy Littlefield at wlittlefield@mdirss.org or 207-288-5011 ext 3352.
HCTC Students
The MDI and Ellsworth school calendars have been reviewed. Below are the conflicts in scheduling. SPECIAL NOTE: When HCTC has school and MDIHS does not, our students are expected to attend their HCTC programs. When MDIHS has school and HCTC does not, our students do not have to be here but if you do come in, please report to the Library. Transportation will be provided by MDIHS on the days that we have no school or an Early Release Schedule.
Class of 2024
Seniors!
Be sure to sign up for your senior meeting with your guidance counselor to discuss your post-graduate plans.
Ms. Gurtler: Last names begin with A-K mgurtler@mdirss.org
Ms. Rowell: Last names begin with L-Z mrowell@mdirss.org
Want to learn more about a college?
We are hosting a bunch of College Admissions Representatives who want to tell you about their schools. You can see the full schedule Here!
Classes of 2025 & 2026
Attention all Sophomores and Juniors
PSATs will be given on October 18th during the regular school day and times. There is no need to sign up - all 10th and 11th graders are already registered.
FAQs from the Main Office
Need a locker?
See Mrs. Littlefield in the Main OfficeStudent Absences
Parents/Guardians: Please contact the school at 288-5011 to report an absence on the ‘Attendance Line’--Option 1 It is very important that parents/guardians contact the school, using the above method, when your child is out of school. It is vital that we know when someone is out due to illness, so that our school nurse, Tammy Underwood, can reach out to the family and ensure a safe return to school that will keep us all healthy. Approved list of excused absences according to Maine State Law. MDIHS also accepts legal appointments.
Late to school?
All students must check-in at the Main Office upon arrival, even if tardiness is excused.
Need to be dismissed from school?
Calling or sending a note in the morning allows us to give your student a pass to get out of class at the appropriate time. If a student feels sick once they arrive, they need to be dismissed by our nurse, Tammy Underwood. Students cannot leave the building without permission from a parent/guardian AND checking out at the Main Office.
Forgot something at home?
A parent may drop off items at the main office, and the student will be called down between classes.
Extracurricular Information?
All Extracurricular Information can be found on the Athletics tab on our homepage, www.mdihs.net. Cancellations and changes will be posted by 1pm, or as soon as possible. Want to find out if school is canceled or delayed? Call 288-5011, ext 7, or check our webpage, www.mdihs.net.
Student Absence for 3 days or more of school
It is important to notify the school when your student is going to miss 3 days or more of school. The Extended Absence Form should be completed ahead of time by your student and their teachers. Completed forms are turned in to Mr. Braun’s office.
Community Service Opportunities
For a detailed listing of Community Service opportunities visit:
https://sites.google.com/mdirss.org/mdihs-community-service/home
Message from the School Nurse
Happy Fall MDI
I hope you have been able to enjoy some of the unseasonable warm days that we have had, they are well deserved! Now that school is in full swing I am busy with making sure all students are up to date with all required vaccinations that are mandated by the state. What that means is going through all 500 records and checking vaccination status of each student. If your student needs a vaccine you have likely received a phone call from me letting you know. According to the state of Maine all students who are not up to date should not be permitted to attend school in person until compliant. This is definitely not something we want to do however, compliance is expected. If your student needs a vaccination please contact the clinic where your student is seen and make arrangements for them to get the vaccine they need and notify me when completed.
A reminder that we are a SHELLFISH FREE SCHOOL. Please refrain from bringing any seafood into the building.
It's Flu clinic time of year! We will be having our student Flu Clinic here at the HS on October 17th from 9am -11:00. Please complete the flu vaccine form which will need to be filled and turned in no later then Friday 10/13. Students should bring the completed forms to the clinic or it can be emailed to me.
Tammy Underwood RN
MDIHS School Nurse
Email: tammy.underwood@mdirss.org
Phone: 207-288-5011 ext. 3305
Community News
Who We Are:
Anne Patterson, Director, apatterson@mdirss.org
Michelle Brzezowski, academic teacher and coordinator, michelle.brzezowski@mdirss.org
Rebeccah Brann, part time workforce and enrichment program coordinator
MDI Adult Ed Programming:
High School Completion via the HiSET (think GED) or a credit based diploma: Free! Students who complete their high school credential/diploma in years 2020-2025 may qualify for FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE in Maine.
English Language Acquisition: Free!
Workforce Development and Training- fees may apply, though there may be some financial supports available. Most available programs are within Hancock County.
College Preparation, including referrals to other programs and educational institutions - Free
Enrichment: The Fall Catalog was just delivered to all local postal patrons. Class descriptions and registrations are on our website for Art, Language, Health and Exercise, Budgeting, Technology, and much more!
Driver's Ed is offered through Driver's Edge Driving School: Call 941-9494 to register.
We are actively looking for anyone interested in teaching or presenting a class for our enrichment program. We may also be looking for volunteers to work with our quickly growing English Language Learner program.
Have a community event that you want high school students or parents to be aware of, or
a community service opportunity for MDI students?
Contact Mary Corrow at mcorrow@mdirss.org
For more information, visit our website at www.mdihs.net