Volume 12, Issue 3                                                                                            January 2009

 

 

Greetings!

 

Here we are, halfway through another school year!  I’m amazed how fast the time goes, and how quickly the end of the school year will be upon us.

 

In the coming weeks, several things will be heading your way.  First, parents and guardians will be receiving a letter notifying them about a survey that Morse students will be taking in February.  The name of the survey used to be Maine Youth Drug and Alcohol Use Survey (MYDAUS), but it has been re-formatted and re-named.  It is now called Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYSH).  Morse actually took the MYDAUS survey last year, but since the state created a new survey, rather than wait three years to take the newer version, the state asked us to administer the survey again this year.  The results of this survey are very important, and the information it provides is critical.  It is vital that our students take this survey seriously because the school system uses the data to develop programs and to address areas of need.  If the data is incorrect, we could end up focusing our efforts in the wrong direction.  Please encourage your student(s) to answer the questions honestly.

 

Secondly, parents and guardians are going to be receiving their own survey in the mail.  This survey is part of the certification process that Morse High School will be participating in during the 2010-2011 school year.  The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accredits high schools every ten years.  The process for accreditation is a two-to-three year commitment and requires enormous amounts of information.  Part of that information comes from parents.  The more information we receive from parents, the better able we are to serve the needs of the community.  Please take the time to fill out this survey.  As an incentive, all those who send back their surveys will be entered into a drawing.  The person whose name is drawn will receive a one hundred dollar gift certificate to a local business.

 

Third, in March or April, parents and students will be able to register for next year’s courses online via our new student information system, Infinite Campus.  This ability to have students see the course descriptions, and then register their requests from home is an exciting function of Infinite Campus.  Students will simply enter their school ID number (found on their ID cards or the top of this semester’s schedule), use their numeric birthday as the password (for example 021594 for February 15, 1994) and then start the process of selecting courses.  As with any new technology, I am sure there will be problems we are not yet aware of and things will not go perfectly.  Please be patient with any blips we may discover.  The process will only get better with time.

 

Speaking of Infinite Campus, I have received inquiries about when the portal will be open so parents can begin to track their son or daughter’s grades and attendance.  We anticipate running a test trial sometime next semester.  As I have said before, the amount of data that had to be transferred from one system to another was enormous, and many glitches still exist within the data transfer.  We as a school do not want to open up access to Infinite Campus until we feel comfortable that the information parents receive is accurate and secure.  As with the online registration, please be patient with us.  Once the system is up and running, I know it will be a valuable source of information for parents.  In fact, I can hardly wait for it to be working properly.  Until that time, though, we have to wait to make sure it is functioning correctly. 

 

As always, it’s a pleasure to be serving as the principal of Morse High School.  A big thank you goes to the many community members who see me at events and share their kind words of support.  It makes a job that I love even better.

 

Stay warm and think spring!

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Peter Kahl

Principal

 

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NEW POLICY – SCHOOL LUNCH

 

Beginning February 9th, RSU 1 will institute a new policy in all schools.  Regardless of family circumstances, any child with an outstanding balance of more than $6.00 (the equivalent of three meals) will be fed a very basic, nutritious lunch consisting of a sandwich and milk until such time as your outstanding balance is cleared or a concrete arrangement to do so is made.  We appreciate your immediate attention to this matter so there will be no interruption to your child’s access to a hot school lunch.  In these difficult times, let’s all work together to assure that your child has a hot delicious and nutritious meal everyday.

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the

Annual Girls and Women in Sports Day at Bowdoin College!

Sunday, February 8th – Farley Fieldhouse, Bowdoin College

Time:  12 – 2 Kindergarten through Grade 3

2:30 – 4:45 Grades 4-12

 

This FREE event is designed to introduce young women to a wide range of sports.  Participants will rotate through sport stations at timed intervals.  You cannot attend just one sport; we want you to try all of them!  The potential sports this year are:  basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, rugby, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.  This year the program will run with two age groups.  Pre-registration is requested to assist with planning and event preparation.  Have some pizza and snacks with the Bowdoin student athletes after the event.  The day is a lot of fun – we look forward to having you join us!  Please complete the registration form at www.bowdoin.edu/athletics.  Contact mduffy@bowdoin.edu with any questions.

 

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VALENTINE’S DAY COMMUNITY DANCE COMES TO HUSE SCHOOL

February 14, 3-5 pm, 39 Andrews Road

 

Adventures at Huse along with the Independence Association and Volunteers of America will host a free community Valentine’s Day Dance for families, couples, and singles of all ages.  This fun and free event will feature a D.J., photograph with your sweetheart, delicious food, thirst-quenching beverages and a make-your-own valentine craft.  For details, call 386-5151 or e-mail Rachel.haddock@voanne.org.

 

Upcoming Winter Adventures at Huse include:

Saturday Adventures at Huse is an ongoing family program that features free arts and fitness activities the first and third Saturdays at Huse School.  They are hosted by the Sagadahoc Community Justice Project in partnership with the Regional School Unit #1 (formerly Bath School Department).  Children must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older).  For details, visit http://www.adventuresathuse.com.

 

 

 

 

 

OUTSIDE OF THESE HALLOWED HALLS

 

On Monday, January 19th, SCLC hosted its fourth annual Martin Luther King Memorial March.  Traditionally those assembled have marched over the Sagadahoc Bridge with candles but this year the previous day’s snow storm rendered the sidewalks impassable so the march took place throughout the downtown-library area.  The turnout of students, faculty and community members was impressive.  Our march was led by Superintendent Shuttleworth and his wife, and Senator Seth Goodall closed with a few words of what Martin Luther King Day meant to him.  The timing was especially meaningful with the historic presidential inauguration the following day.  A good experience was had by all!

 

Students from Morse High School participated in a community project with Mid Coast Hospital to prevent underage drinking.  Over the holidays students participated in Project Sticker Shock, a statewide campaign to limit youth access to alcohol.  Students placed bright orange stickers on multi-packs of beer, wine coolers and other alcoholic beverages to remind adults that furnishing alcohol to minors is illegal.  Students participating from Morse High School included Karista Chukwu, Kayla Pittman-Cahill, Dalton Cahill and Zachary Parker.  Students were supervised by staff from Mid Coast Hospital and Officer Keith Jenson from the Bath Police Department.  The event took place at Shaws Supermarket on December 30th, 2008 and was organized by Communities against Substance Abuse, a project of Mid Coast Hospital.

 

Enclosed in this newsletter is a brochure describing the proposed renovation and new construction of Woolwich Central School.  “Why Woolwich ?”, you may ask and that’s a good question!  Woolwich has been working to get a new school since 1998.  This highly competitive process only applies to those schools that submit an application to the state.  The state then reviews each building and creates a priority list based on the school building’s assessment.  After three submittals and several years later, Woolwich School was granted funding by the state.  Now is the time for RSU #1 to make this goal come to life!

 

Because these harsh economic times have called for greater need, S.C.L.C. will be collecting non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations to be given directly to the Bath Food Bank.  We are calling it our “Have a Heart” campaign.  Collection will be taking place from February 2nd until February 13th, the two weeks before February break.  Please encourage your students to bring a donation.  The class with the greatest donation wins!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MUSIC NOTES!

 

We would like to take a moment to thank everyone who attended our annual Winter Concert and thank you for your continued support of your child’s musical education.  The cash raffle was a huge success this year and raised nearly $1,500 for our music department. 

 

We would like to congratulate Justine Kendzia for her outstanding performance and representation of Morse High School at this year’s MMEA All State Jazz Festival.  The three day festival was held in Bangor this year and we are very proud of Justine for her outstanding work.  We would also like to congratulate Kait Wetmore and, again, Justine Kendzia for their acceptance into the Maine All State Music Festival.  This festival is a three day event in May and will be held in Gorham. 

 

We would like to congratulate the following students for their acceptance into the District III Honors Music Festival:  Margaret Webb, Elizabeth Young, Andrew Rines, Sarah Winglass, Kory Scarponi, Lewis Smith, Lauren Crosby, Maryanne Meservey, Christabel Frye, Amber Moore, and Autumn Greenleaf.  This two day festival will be held on January 30th and January 31st at Camden Hills Regional High School.

 

Good luck to the MHS Jazz Band and Jazz Combo as they begin their competitive season on Saturday, January 31st at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA.

 

Tuesday, April 14th, at 6:30 in the Montgomery Theatre, there will be an All Choral Concert featuring the Morse High School Mixed Choir as well as other Chamber Choirs from around the district.  Admission will be free and it should be a great concert!

 

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You Are Cordially Invited to

 

Morse High School’s Evening With the Arts 2009

 

The Morse High School Fine Arts Department will present an Evening With the Arts on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009.  The evening will include performances by the MHS Choirs, MHS Jazz Band, and MHS Jazz Combo followed by a performance of the One Act Play.  In addition the art department will have displays of student work.  The art displays will open at 6:30 pm and the music will start in Montgomery Theatre at 7:00 pm.  There is no charge for admission.  All are welcome!

 

NEWS FROM RSU 1 ADULT EDUCATION

 

The Winter/Spring semester is off and running.  And there’s still time for folks to register for classes.  The High School Diploma and GED Preparation classes are on-going.  New students are welcome any time.  Please call Pam Moody at 443-8255 for an appointment to discuss your options.

 

There are plenty of skill development classes being offered in February.  Some of them are:  Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access; Website Design; and Basic Photography.  If you have always dreamed of making your own stained glass piece, sculpting something out of stone, creating fabulous dinners from around the world, or dabbing in watercolors, we have the classes for you.

 

The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife will be joining us on February 12th at 6 pm to introduce us to the concept of being a volunteer.  These volunteers facilitate classes in Firearms, Bow and Crossbow Safety as well as Snowmobile and ATV Safety. 

 

Spring is just around the corner, we hope, and that means the great American sport of BASEBALL!  Join us to learn the ins and outs of score keeping.  We will discuss such things as why the “K” designates a strikeout, when it is appropriate to credit a player who hasn’t touched the ball with a double play and which 50 different stats are required to be kept in every game.

 

This semester some of the area’s health professionals will be joining us to discuss such topics as Supplements:  Why/Why Not; Environmental Medicine; Whole Food Nutrition; Healthy Kids…Are Yours?; Coping with Heart Health and Diabetes; Weight Management; Homeopathy for ADD/ADHD; and, Healing with the Body’s Energy.

 

You can visit us at 800 High Street.  We are in the front office of the Bath Regional Vocational Center.  Or you can see ALL of our classes on-line at www.bath.maineadulted.org.

 

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5-2-1-0 GOES TO SCHOOL

On Late Start Wednesday, March 13th, Dr. Tory Rogers from Maine Medical Center will be speaking to all RSU 1 staff on our national Obesity Epidemic.  Parents and community members are also welcome to attend.  Dr. Rogers will discuss current statistics, education and prevention techniques including the three prong approach of family, school and community working together to prevent further increases in this epidemic.  This speaking engagement is part of the partnership that RSU 1 has this year with Mid Coast Hospital and the 5-2-1-0 Goes to School Campaign.  For more information, contact Sarah Bingham at Morse High School, 443-8250 ext. 1423, or by e-mail:  sbingham@rsu.org.

IMPORTANT MESSAGES AT THIS TIME/AT THIS PLACE

 

Dear Folks,

 

On “No School” days, please remember that our schools are now listed under RSU 1.  If you are looking for any particular town you probably won’t find it, but television stations do have a special listing for just our RSU.  Thank you.

 

Most of us are doing our best dealing with the economic crisis in our country and state.  It is affecting all of us in some way or another.  I want to make sure that all of you know that if your financial situation changes, please contact the school secretary and get an application for Free and Reduced Lunch.  This is a very confidential form and though there is personal information to report, we hold that report with the greatest privacy.  Please do not feel embarrassed or awkward as we all cope with the uncertainties before us.  The Federal Government created the Free and Reduced Program for families needing this support, and actually the more families that qualify for this service increases funding to our school for our reading programs.  If you have any questions, please talk to your school secretary and if you want or need a special appointment with Ellen Beal, our Director of Nutrition and Food Service, please do not hesitate to call her at 443-6601.

 

Sincerely,

 

William C. Shuttleworth, Superintendent of Schools

 

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Want to Know What Your Son/Daughter is Doing on a Weekly Basis

 in Class?  Up-Coming Exam Dates?  Homework?

 

If your child is a student in one of the following courses taught by Richard Joyce,

 

Sophomores:  World and American History

Juniors:  American Experience

Seniors:  Politics and the Law (fall semester), Justice Under the Law (spring semester)

 

Just follow these steps:

  1. Plug in this URL (and then list it under “favorites”): http://moodle.rsu1.org.
  2. Follow the directions for logging in as a “guest”.
  3. Click on “Morse High”.
  4. Click on “Social Studies”.
  5. Click on your son/daughter’s class (all have “Joyce” in the name).
  6. You are there!

 

You may contact Mr. Joyce at rjoyce@rsu1.org for more information.

 

EXTRA, EXTRA READ ALL ABOUT IT

 

Information for parents of Seniors:

 

Fund raising for Project Graduation has begun and we need YOUR help.  Numerous events are scheduled.  We need to raise approximately $35,000 to send the 2009 class white water rafting.

 

Events include:

 

If you have little time to help but would still like to contribute, there are many ways to do so.  Please contact Barbara Boyce, Boyce@gwi.net, or Lorna Brown, 443-1278, for more information.  Thank you.

 

You are always welcome to join the Project Graduation Committee at their meetings which are usually held on the first Wednesday of each month.  The schedule for the next couple of months is:

                Wednesday, February 4th – Room 104, Morse High School – 5:30

                Wednesday, March 4th – Room 104, Morse High School – 5:30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE DRAMA DEPARTMENT?

 

Kevin O’Leary, Director, responds:

 

Morse High School Drama announces the world premiere of junior Alex McCoy’s RABBIT DOWN THE FOXX HOLE, Morse High School’s entry into the 2009 MPA One-Act Festival.  The story is a young woman’s journey coming to terms with decisions taken and mistakes made, grappling with inner demons and being freed from fear.  Morse High School is the only high school in the state that only brings original material to the festival every year.  Please join us on Fine Arts Night, Wednesday, Marcy 4th at 7 pm and be the first audience ever to see this play.  And then, if you’re able, travel with us to Freeport High School that Friday night, March the 6th at 8 pm as we perform at the festival itself.

 

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NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTS MEMBERS

 

Congratulations to the following members of the Class of 2009 who were inducted into Morse High School National Honor Society Chapter #119 in a formal ceremony on December 10th in the Montgomery Theatre:

 

Katherine Birdsall                                                Sonya Malcolm

Kelsey Boyce                                                       Kelsey Marco

Jillian Brown                                                         Amy McCabe

Parker Bunce                                                         Ashley McDougal

Tucker Cook                                                         Holly Ostlund

Jessica Dolloff, Treasurer                                   Emily Powers

Clementine Eberhart                                            Christopher Roche

Victoria Haggett                                                   Joshua Rossetti

Caitlin Harrington                                                Maxine Secskas, Secretary

Berkley Heath                                                       Brianna Shirley

Cletus Jacobs, President                                     Margaret Shute

Adrienne Jaeger                                                   Jamie Wallace

Benjamin Malcolm, Vice President                    Angela Willette 

 

Mr. Brian Hatch, retired MHS teacher and administrator, and Mrs. Colleen Madden, instructor in the MHS English Department and SCLC Advisor, were guest speakers during the ceremony which was followed by refreshments prepared by the BRVC Culinary Arts students and served in the cafeteria.

 

 

 

FROM THE DESK OF THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

 

The best part of being involved in athletics is the relationships that are developed with other administrators in the field, with your student-athletes as they strive to reach their potential and with the coaches with whom I work.  Morse coaches are the most dedicated, committed, professional group with whom I have worked.  That being said, it becomes doubly difficult when one of them decides to move on and leave the coaching profession.  I would like to thank Dave Plummer and Billy Eberhart for their loyalty, friendship, and commitment to our student-athletes.  The two have stepped aside for different reasons and will be missed by the individuals within their programs and by everyone within the athletic department.  Coach Eberhart was the most energetic person I have ever met.  He went well beyond his coaching responsibilities and gave countless hours to his program and the members of his team.  He became a beloved coach and friend to many.  Good luck to both in their individual endeavors.

 

The winter season is nearly over and there has been a lot to celebrate.  The boys’ and girls’ swim teams have dominated their KVAC opponents yet again.  James Wells (Morse’s Michael Phelps) has set numerous pool and state records this winter.  The cheering squad has performed brilliantly at competitions, receiving some of their highest scores in recent years.  The Morse wrestlers set a school record for dual wins, going 22-6 this winter.  They won the Sullivan Tournament, took second at the Cony Duals, and finished 3rd in Class A at the KVAC’s.  D. J. Brackett, competing at 112 lbs., finished the regular season undefeated and looks to win his second consecutive state title.  Tyler Russell recorded his 100th victory on January 24th.  The boys’ basketball team is off to a 12-2 start and is currently 2nd in the most recent league standings.  Led by Alex Kee, the team hopes to equal the success of our football team this past fall.  The girls’ basketball program, led by Coach Mike Hart, has struggled to find its identity this winter.  Coach Hart is an outstanding teacher and is focused on developing a program built on hard work, great attitudes, unselfishness, and strong fundamentals.  With his determination and energy, he will undoubtedly achieve his goals.

 

The spring season will soon be here.  March 23rd is the start date for softball and baseball pitchers and catchers.  March 30th is the start date for all spring sports.  There will be mandatory student-athlete/parent meetings prior to the start of the season for each sport.  Those meeting dates and times will be released soon.  Student-athletes should see Mr. Campbell for all necessary forms prior to the start of the season.  All athletes need to have a yearly physical, so if he/she has not had one in the past year, they must get it scheduled by mid-March at the latest.

 

All spring schedules will be available at www.highschoolsports.net.  Parents can register and receive cancellations and postponements directly on their email.  Please take advantage of this service.

 

Probably most have heard and/or read about the MPA athletic proposal to shorten individual sport seasons in order to save schools money.  The proposal provided uniform cuts in order to create a level playing ground between the “haves” and “have nots.”  The Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference (the conference in which Morse is affiliated) drafted a proposal with recommendations that would maintain the integrity of the varsity schedules while saving individual schools a greater amount than proposed by the MPA adhoc committee report.  Athletic administrators and conferences around the state must now diligently work to creatively address the issues and create budgets palatable to administration while maintaining school programs.  There are a number of ideas to reduce travel, which is the greatest expense to an athletic budget, playing more varsity/varsity doubleheaders, reducing sub-varsity contests, regionalizing a sub-varsity schedule, sending multiple teams on one bus,  and sharing a bus with another local school.  The KVAC will begin its work at its February meeting.  If you have suggestions, please feel free to contact me at bcampbell@rsu1.org or at 443-8250 x 1106.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Brian Campbell

Athletic Administrator/10th Grade Assistant Principal