Happy New Year!

2012 was a good year for Machias Memorial High School and I’m looking forward to an even better year in 2013.  It has always been my goal to work with the students, staff, parents, and community to continuously improve our school.  We must work together to make our school a place that meets all of our students‘ academic and social needs and prepares them for life after high school.

Several key steps have been taken, in the past year, to improve our school.  In September teachers, PK-12 throughout AOS 96, began the challenge of aligning curriculum with the Common Core national standards.  This is a daunting task, but when completed will be the first step in ensuring that students learn the right content.  Teachers deserve a lot of credit for the work done so far and the work they will accomplish in 2013.

In 2012 a great deal of emphasis has been put on bullying and harassment prevention.  Students, staff, and parents know the seriousness I place on this issue.  We have taken many steps to ensure that students can come to school and focus on learning.  We have policies and procedures in place to deal with bullying and harassment.  There are many messages around school that remind and educate students on how to stand up to bullying and harassing behaviors.  Formal and anonymous reporting systems are in place.  A student group is being formed to provide support for students who are being bullied or harassed.  It is my belief that if the school provides supports for students that they will be the ones to end bullying and harassment in our school.

Sports teams play a huge role in the morale and pride of the school and community.  Athletic accomplishments have been impressive in 2012.  Cross Country, Soccer, and Volleyball teams all earned DAC Championship titles.  The Volleyball program earned their first ever DAC Championship.  I give the credit to a great group of student athletes who have excellent attitudes and ability.  Credit also needs to go to Coach Cindy Rossi, Coach Bob Sinford, and Coach Kelly Woodward for the guidance they provide our athletes.  I am expecting more accomplishments from this group of students in 2013.  Go Bulldogs!

The Machias Memorial High School Sports Boosters became active again in 2012.  This highly motivated and dedicated group have raised a significant amount of money and want to support athletics at Machias Memorial High School.  I appreciate all the assistance they give me and they appreciate all the support you give them.

Partnerships within the community are beginning to form.  This fall Mrs. Michelle Jaques and myself meet separately with representatives from the Atlantic Salmon Federation’s East Machias Aquaculture Research Center to explore the science-based educational possibilities available through their work.  Machias Memorial High School Sports Boosters have teamed up with Hannaford to host half-time events at basketball games.  More recently Susan Corbett of Axiom Technologies and Machias Memorial High School have begun talks about how students can gain valuable learning experiences by working alongside Axiom employees.  The Building Trades Program has agreed to assist in renovating the old 5 & 10 Building, recently purchased by Axiom, so that community groups can have comfortable and enjoyable facilities for their activities.

The school continues to seek out educational opportunities outside our walls such as internships and apprenticeships with local businesses, online learning, early college, and new exciting Career & Technical Education Programs.

Our website is undergoing a much needed renovation.  It will take some time to complete, but it is much more functional and appealing.  The school has been assisted by Ms. Susan Bennett and Ms. Charlene Cates with this renovation.

The school added an Astronomy class this year.  This class is taught by Ralph Battaline from the Eagle Hill Institute.  This 14 week class meets on Wednesday nights from 3-6 pm and students enrolled in class will receive 3 credits from the University of Maine system.

In January a Machias Memorial High School Parent Group will be formed.  The purpose of this group is to provide input into concerns, help provide solutions to problems, and support or assist in reaching the goals of the school.  If you are interested in being part of this group please let me know.

Moving Forward in 2013…

From my viewpoint the school is going I the right direction.  But headed in the right direction is not enough.  We need to do a better job at meeting student needs.  This means that we must assess students coming into our school, place them in the appropriate classes, ask and listen to what their goals, interests, and aspirations are, and create a customized educational plan around each student before they start high school and then monitoring their progress towards graduation.  That means that every student will not take the same pathway through high school.

When students struggle with academics or life we need to provide interventions.  In 2013 Machias Memorial High School will implement a Response to Intervention plan based on NWEA scores.  This adaptive test identifies students‘ academic strengths and needs.  The challenge will be when to provide these interventions.  I have asked the staff to help me develop an implementation plan.  I am confident that a plan will be in place by, or shortly after, the beginning of the second semester.

We know that every student learns differently, in different ways, at different rates.  The days of every student learning the same content, in the same way, at the same time is going by the wayside.  The challenge is to change the delivery of education in a customized way that benefits the student most.  This is my vision moving forward in 2013.

I always welcome and enjoy hearing comments, questions, or suggestions about our school.  Please feel free to call, email, or stop in to visit anytime.

Dear Parents, Students, and Community Members,

The recent events that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut are horrific and unexplainable. The loss of innocent life, and the long lasting affect it will have on the families and community, will be hard to overcome.

Every time I watch a news report on television, or read something in the paper or online, it makes me reflect upon the policies and procedures we have in place at Machias Memorial High School. It also makes me think of my own children and how I am thankful they are safe. This week I will be reviewing with teachers and staff the emergency plan and what they should do if such an event were to take place in our school.

I take the safety and well being of our students and staff very seriously. In preparation for each school year I review the emergency plan and procedures to identify areas that need improvement. In Machias we are fortunate to have three law enforcement agencies. Annually all administrators from AOS 96 meet with the Washington County Sherriff’s Department, Machias Police Department, and the Maine State Police to become educated on the latest trends in crimes and discuss how to make our schools safer. Law enforcement agencies also conduct risk assessment services and consult school officials of potential risks and safety hazards to our schools.

We also have access to Machias, Marshfield, East Machias, and Machiasport Volunteer Fire Departments and their Emergency Medical Response Teams. During a recent response, related to a small isolated fire, law enforcement and fire department officials were at the school within minutes. The hospital, with LifeFlight services available, is just up the road. To me this is very comforting to know that help is only minutes away.

I also am very concerned with bullying and harassment in our school. This year our school has created a plan to eliminate these types of behaviors. The most significant work will be when we educate students on how to stand up to a bully or harasser. This will require an change in the culture of our school and the attitudes of students. Adults and students will need to create a culture of empathy for others and begin to accept people for their differences or uniqueness. Every student deserves to come to school, concentrate on learning, and not worry about being bullied or harassed just because they may be different in some way.

The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School affects everyone in America. It saddens us, it makes us ask, “What if that were my children?”, and it angers us. But it also provides us with a reminder that we need to be vigilant and prepared against such situations so that we can protect ourselves and others.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of a few things happening at Machias Memorial High School.

Student-Led Conferences will take place November 15 and 16.  This is similar to a Parent-Teacher Conference except the student facilitates the conference by presenting their portfolio to their parents.  Teachers and advisors are available for individual conferences.  If your student has not yet scheduled an appointment for you they will need to do so this week.

Winter is finally here and I would highly encourage you to consider using the school’s buses to transport your student to and from Machias Memorial High School.  Road conditions can change quickly in our area and become dangerous for all drivers.  It is a fact that “School buses are the safest mode of transportation for getting children back and forth to school” (U.S. Department of Transportation, 2012).  The NHTSA also states that student fatalities during normal school travel hours are 58% traveling by teen driver, 23% traveling by adult drivers, and 1% traveling by school bus (www.nhtsa.gov).  Please consider these facts to keep our students safe this winter.

This year our school is focusing on bullying and harassment prevention.  I have done a lot of research, read books, and received professional development in bullying and harassment prevention.  Our school has placed a high priority on identifying, intervening, and changing these types of behaviors.  We are also working with organizations around the State to teach our students how to stand up to bullying in appropriate and effective ways.

It is essential to the learning process that students feel safe and wanted in their school environment.  Every student deserves to be treated with dignity and respect despite their individuality and no student should ever be physically threatened or verbally degraded while at school.

The Official Machias Memorial High School Facebook Page is a great resource for keeping up on the events happening at our school.  I update this page often and encourage you to “Like” us.  Don’t forget about PowerSchool for checking grades and the Machias Memorial High School website.  If you need help accessing either of these resources please call the school and ask to speak with Ms. Moores.

There are several ways to become more involved with your student’s school.  You may join the Machias Memorial High School Parent Group, Sports Boosters Club, or Literacy Team.  You may attend any assembly, event, or athletic event at school.  You may also arrange to visit one of your student’s classes or stop in anytime to have a discussion with me.  I welcome feedback from all interested parents and community members who want to help improve our school.

Finally, you may have noticed our new logo at the top of this letter.  “My Education, My Way” is a message that we want to get out to all students and their families.  At Machias Memorial High School we want to provide opportunities that will customize each student’s education based on their needs and interests.  It is possible to develop a plan, before entering high school, that includes a strong academic foundation, opportunities to pursue personal and career interests, and to gain invaluable knowledge, skills, and experiences that will benefit them in the future.

Teachers are working hard to implement national Common Core Curriculum Standards in all content areas.  Students may take advantage of Career & Technical Education, online classes from around the world, apprenticeships and internships, or get a early start on college through the Early College Program at the University of Maine at Machias.  We are also continuously exploring and developing partnerships with outside organizations such as Eagle Hill Institute to deliver classes such as Astronomy to our students.

Educators know that all students do not learn the same things, at the same pace, in the same way.  So why do schools make all students do it the same way?  This is what “My Education, My Way” is all about.  Customizing the educational process for each student so that they can find the pathway that leads them to academic and personal success.

I take my responsibility as Principal of Machias Memorial High School very seriously.  I want the very best for our students and expect their very best efforts in return.  If you ever have any concerns or questions please call or email me.  Thank you for allowing Machias Memorial High School the opportunity to educate your student.

Sincerely,

Mr. Brian Leavitt                                                               Contact Information:
Principal                                                                              Email: bleavitt@mmhsbulldogs.org
Machias Memorial High School                                     School Phone #: 207.255.5979                                                                                                              Cellular Phone #: 207.263.4999