MATHEWS LOCAL SCHOOLS November 2019
MATHEWS HIGH SCHOOL ACCEPTS RACHEL’S CHALLENGE
IN THIS EDITION: Mustangs Care
After the death of Rachel Joy Scott, the first victim of the Columbine shooting, her family quickly learned about the positive impact she had on 2
people around her. Through personal stories and entries found in Rachel’s journals, her family was motivated to develop what has become one of the largest intervention programs in the United States.
Scarecrows for a Cause
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On Monday, October 28, students at Mathews High School learned the story of Rachel Joy Scott and were challenged to start a chain reaction of
Mustangs of the Month
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kindness and compassion in an effort to make Mathews Schools and the community safer, more connected places where bullying and violence are replaced with kindness and respect.
Halloween
5 Students in grades 7-12 participated in the Rachel’s Challenge presentation,
Mark Your Calendars
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which shared the inspiring story of Rachel Scott whose example of kindness and acceptance was brought to light when she became the first victim of the Columbine High School tragedy. Cont. page 3
MUSTANGS CARE EXPANDS WITHIN MATHEWS LOCAL SCHOOLS TO HELP STUDENTS IN NEED After serving Mathews Local School students
Students at the high school are able to
for more than a year through their food
utilize the pantry whenever a need arises.
backpack program, the founders of Mustangs
The pantry contains non-perishable food
Care have expanded the program to reach
items and personal care items such as
even more students. In October, they opened
toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo,
a food pantry at Mathews High School to
deodorant
compliment their backpack program.
products.
“Our goal was to always serve the entire
“I am very pleased with the Mustangs Care
district, all ages of kids. We just started small
program. We have students stopping two
to make sure we did not over promise what
or three days a week to take home food
we could raise funds for and support. We
for
were
following day.
overwhelmed
with
community
the
and
evening
feminine
or
for
hygiene
breakfast
the
We’ve also had a need
donations last year. Those were able to
among our students for hygiene products,”
support our backpack program and so we
said Mathews High School Principal Jim
thought
Stitt.
if
we
started
the
pantry,
the
community would come through for us and support it and so far they have,” said Jessica
At the beginning of the year, registration
Licata.
forms were sent home with every student in the district. Beyond the registration
Jessica Licata and her husband Tim founded
forms, there are no other requirements for
Mustangs Care in the summer of 2018 after
the program.
partnering with the Fowler United Methodist
to any student regardless of their financial
Church and Pastor Mary Prior. In the fall of
status. Mustangs Care accepts monetary
2018, Mustangs Care sent backpacks full of
donations
food
in
Methodist Church to support their efforts
In
within the Mathews Local School District.
January of 2019, Mustangs Care expanded,
Food donations can be dropped off at the
distributing
students
Fowler General Store in Fowler or Cortland
grades 3-6. Through the backpack program,
Bank Vienna Branch in Vienna. Volunteers
students are able to receive two breakfasts,
also help pack the backpacks once a week
two lunches, two dinners, two snacks and a
for students in grades K-6. To learn more,
fruit or vegetable each weekend of the school
visit
year.
MustangsCareMathews.
home
with
students
in
need
kindergarten, first and second grades. food
backpacks
to
2
Mustangs Care is available
through
Mustangs
Care
Fowler
on
United
at
RACHEL'S CHALLENGE CONT. Conveyed through stories from Rachel's life and writings, the Rachel's Challenge presentation showed the profound positive impact we can have on those around us. It demonstrated the power of deliberately reaching out in word and action to others to start what Rachel called "a chain reaction of kindness and compassion." Students in grades 7-12 were challenged to do the following: Look for the best in others Dream big Choose positive influences Speak with kindness Start your own chain reaction After the presentation, approximately 40 students at the junior high and high school were trained to become leaders of change within the building.
CURRIE STUDENTS HELP SCARE AWAY HUNGER Kindergarten students at Currie Elementary School put their craft skills to the test, creating
scarecrows
for
a
good
cause.
Students in Sandra Williams, Michelle Bottorff and Brandi O’Connor’s classes were split into seven
groups
scarecrows.
that
were
Parents
asked
and
to
build
grandparents
volunteered to help assemble the students’ creations.
In
addition
to
practicing
their
listening skills and following directions, the kindergarten students also learned about wants and needs during the activity.
The
scarecrows were then taken to White House Fruit Farm to be included in the Scare Away Hunger Scarecrow Contest and Raffle.
White
House Fruit Farm encouraged local schools, businesses, churches, non-profit organizations, individuals and families to be part of the contest. Guests to White House Fruit Farm were able to vote for their favorite scarecrows for just $1. donated
to
The money that was raised was the
Rescue
Mission
of
the
Mahoning Valley. On Thursday, October 10, Currie’s kindergarten students traveled to White House Fruit Farm where they were able to see their scarecrows on display.
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CURRIE
MUSTANGS OF THE MONTH During the months of September and October, students at Currie focused on the character traits responsible and respect.
Teachers
talked with their students about what it means to be responsible and respectful and nominated students from their class who demonstrated these traits.
Congratulations to all of our responsible and respectful
Mustangs! Respect is also the character trait for November. September Responsible Mustangs of the Month
K: Hannah Retterer, Zach Licatta and Brooklynn Kohut First: Lukas Niddel, Jordanna Detelich and Levi Skoczen Second: Huxley Stafford and Isabella Fleeger October Respectful Mustangs of the Month
K: Adam Leach, Carter Hribar and Brynn Trebilcock First Danny Moore, Gunner Denman, Millee Bonnell Second: Jessie Choleva and Rayna Upson
STUDENT RELEASE PROCEDURES
CURRIE BAKER REMINDERS
If a child needs to leave for a medical appointment or other excusable reason, the parent/guardian must send a signed note in the morning to the classroom teacher, requesting the dismissal of his/her child and stating the time, the date, and the reason (note is to be turned in to the office), or the parent/guardian should go to the school office
TRANSPORTATION
to
request
the
release
of
their
child. Additionally, no student will be
Parents are reminded to have students at
released to a person other than a custodial
their “designated place of safety” at pick-
parent(s) or guardian without a permission
up
their
note signed by the custodial parent(s) or
“designated place of safety” may be
guardian. This person must also be listed as
missed.
an emergency contact in FamilyID.
time.
Students
not
at
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HALL
WEEN
5
NOVEMBER MARK YOUR
CALENDARS
Tuesday. November 5
Tuesday, November 19
No School for Students
Realeyes Assembly at Currie
Innovative Day for Teachers
and Baker
Election Day Wednesday, November 27 Friday, November 8
No School
End of 1st Grading Period PTO Cocoa and Canvas at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 28 Thanksgiving No School
Tuesday, November 11 MHS Veterans Day Ceremony at 9 a.m.
Friday, November 29 No School
Friday, November 15 MHS Picture Makeup Day Sunday, November 17 Soccer Banquet Cross Country Banquet Monday, November 18 Golf Banquet
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