Ninth Grade Matters
Ninth grade is a key year for students both academically and socially. Freshman year is essential in deciding whether a student drops out or stays in school. The transition from middle school can be challenging –harder classes with higher stakes, new social pressures, changing friend groups, and a desire to assert independence and become their own person.
High school is a new environment with a lot more freedom and more homework. It is not uncommon to see a drop in grades. The possibility of developing bad habits such as skipping class can also grow especially if a student is struggling.
Three signs—attendance, behavior, and course performance—are believed to be the most accurate way to predict the likelihood to either quit school or complete it.
The biggest risk factor for failing ninth grade is the number of absences during the first 30 days. Missing more than ten percent is cause for concern. First-year high-school students are ‘on track’ if they earn at least five full year course credits, and have received no more than one F per semester. Students who fail more than one core class in their freshman year are more likely to drop out of high school without graduating.
How is your child doing? Supporting your teen through this important year is critical. Share ways to beat the beginning high school blues with your teen, like going to school (if you’re not in class, you can’t learn!), getting involved in school activities and clubs, asking for help if you need it, and having older students and adults serve as mentors
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| Senior Class Meeting
Jostens will be here at MHS on Thursday, October 19th during T3, to meet with the seniors. They will be providing seniors with information about ordering their caps and gowns for graduation. Information will be available in the office, after the meeting, for the students that at not able to attend. |
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Washington State Healthy Youth Survey 2023
MHS is participating in the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey (HYS) during fall 2023. Students in all four grades will complete the survey on Monday, October 30, 2023.
The HYS includes questions related to physical activity and diet, unintentional and intentional injury, substance use, sexual behaviors, abuse, risk and protective factors, and access to school-based services. Survey results are used by schools, communities, and state agencies to plan programs to support our youth and reduce their risks.
Below is a link to a letter that provides additional information about the HYS.
https://www.askhys.net/HYS/GetDocument?path=Administration%5C2023&fileName=Parent%20and%20Student%20Information%20Letter%20English.pdf
Students and families can also review the questions on the HYS by opening the link below.
https://www.askhys.net/HYS/GetDocument?path=Surveys&fileName=HYS%202023%20Secondary%20Student%20Questionnaire.pdf
Participation in the survey is voluntary and the students’ answers are anonymous. There are no codes or information used to match a survey to a student. Students can opt out of the survey. More information for how to opt out will be shared later this month.
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| Introducing PSE’s Bill Discount Program
Income-eligible customers can now reduce their PSE energy bills by up to 45% a month through the Bill Discount program. It only takes a few minutes to fill out the online application, and no income documentation or social security number is required to apply.
Program participants will get an automatic discount on their energy bills every month in addition to any other assistance they may be receiving. If a household has received energy assistance in the past, it is likely that they qualify for the Bill Discount program.
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| Universal Technical Institute Trailer Visit
On Monday, Universal Technical Institute will be at MHS all day with their display trailer either in the parking lot or by the CTE building. They will be putting on a presentation about how STEM and the trades coincide. They will have a Toyota Supra, a motorbike, some sort of a HVAC display and a virtual reality welder as part of their presentation. Mr. Feller’s CTE classes will be attending the presentations and other students will have the opportunity to visit the trailer as well. This is a rare opportunity, as the UTI trailer is only in Washington State for a week and it is the first time that the trailer has been north of Everett. |
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| National School Bus Safety Week – October 16th-20th
Held during the third full week of October each year, National School Bus Safety Week is an active and evolving public education program and an excellent way for parents, students, teachers, motorists, school bus operators, school administrators, and other interested parties – to join forces and address the importance of school bus safety. Designed to promote school bus safety, school districts throughout the country observe School Bus Safety Week. |
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| School Hot Lunches This Week
Monday – Corn Dog w/Fries
Tuesday – Beef and Cheese Nachos
Wednesday – Teriyaki Bowl
Thursday – Spicy Chicken Burger on WG Bun
Friday – No School
Other Daily Offerings May Include:
Pizza
Variety of Fresh Made Salads
Variety of Fresh Made Wraps
Deli Sandwiches
Yogurt Parfait |
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| National Apple Day – October 21st
National Apple Day falls on October 21 and is a day dedicated entirely to celebrating all things apple: apple pie, apple sauce, apple crisp… The list goes on and on. This holiday reminds us to appreciate the apple in its myriad forms. On October 21st, pick out your favorite variety and celebrate with apple lovers across the world. |
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