Mahopac High School

MHS News & Headlines

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  MHS Staff Invited to Present at Regional Curriculum Council

  April Ljumic, High School Assistant Principal, and Kelley Posch, High School MHS LIFE and Math teacher have been selected to present a breakout session for the Putnam|Northern Westchester Curriculum Council’s Virtual Learning Regional Conference, which will be held via Zoom on Friday, December 4, 2020. April and Kelley are co-facilitating a break-out session entitled: “More Than Screens: Forming Lasting Relationships in a Virtual World” with Dan Novak and Catherine Leist from the Center for Environmental Education at PNW BOCES. In this session, teachers and administrators will focus on creating and fostering relationships built on trust in a hybrid and virtual setting. Mahopac High School’s “MHS LIFE” 9th grade program will be showcased for its work in building positive long-term relationships and its collaboration with the Center for Environmental Education of PNW BOCES to continue this great work in a virtual setting. Showcased practices are designed to build empathy, facilitate communication, and encourage lasting personal development and healthy relationships even through a screen. 

  "MHS Life Program is a robust and impactful course that each of our freshmen take, MHS Principal Dr. Matt Lawrence said.  "I am extremely proud that we have been asked to participate as presenters at the Regional Curriculum Council Professional Development Program."   

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  Virola Invited to Participate in the National Hispanic Recognition Program

  Jaime Virola, Jr. scored in the top 2.5% on the PSAT/NMSQT among all Hispanic and Latino test takers in the region.  As a result, he has been invited to participate in the National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP). 

  “We are extremely proud that Jaime has been honored as part of the National Hispanic Recognition Program,” said MHS Principal Matt Lawrence. “This recognition celebrates his success thus far and the brightness of all that's ahead. Please join me in congratulating him on this outstanding academic achievement.”

  When he learned that he had been recognized, Virola said, “It is not about enduring the hard work, but about loving the work you do. You will be surprised how far anyone can travel if they enjoy the journey.”

  Participation in this program enables students to highlight their outstanding educational achievement to top colleges and universities. In a statement regarding NHRP, The College Board said, “Colleges know that students who have earned this recognition are some of the most talented across the country.

   

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  October is LGBTQ History Month

  In celebration and recognition of LGBTQ history month, students in the MHS Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) wrote this history of their club to share with the Mahopac Community.

  In the spring of 2007, five Mahopac High School students had a vision of building a GSA club. 

  They started recruiting members, organized fundraisers, and presented their club plan to MOST and students at the health fair. The main goal was to be a group that was dependable, trustworthy, and act as a support system for all students. The club conducted round table discussions, jeopardy games, and performed a play focused on bullying in order to raise awareness. As GSA grew, the members took part in prideworks-a conference that brings the local LGBTQ+ community together. In addition, they hosted picnics with GSA organizations in the surrounding towns and took part in national events. The group really has taken pride in being involved on a school and community level. 

  To this day, GSA is a space for students to support each other and work together to bring awareness to the LGBTQ+ community. This has been done through events, fundraisers, round table discussions, and campaigns on a variety of issues affecting students across the country.  

  Below are current and former members of the LGBTQ+ community that have made a large, positive impact on society: 

  Dr. Renee Richards 
  (August 19, 1934)
  New York, NY
  Ophthalmologist and former tennis player 
  Now lives in Carmel, NY
  
  

  Dr. Richards became famous in the 1970’s for being a successful male tennis player who became a transgender woman. She went to court in order to compete as a woman and won. She is a very private, kind, and generous person.  Dr. Richards, a gifted eye surgeon, still practices medicine in Putnam County. She is 86 years old.
  
  

  Dr. Ben Barres 
  (September 13, 1954 - December 27, 2017)
  California
  Neurobiologist

  Ben Barres was a neuroscientist at Stanford University that revolutionized the field and helped figure out how the brain works. He was the first openly trans man offered membership to the National Academy of Science, which is very prestigious. He faced a lot of transphobia while working in the field, yet he kept going and did amazing things. 

  MHS News & Headlines
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  Selections for the NYSSMA All-State Ensembles Announced

  Max Semegran has been chosen to participate in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) All-State Festival. The festival will be held virtually.

  Over 7,000 student musicians from across the state compete for a spot in one of the eight All-State ensembles. Being named as a violinist is the result of an arduous process including performing scales, a solo or ensemble piece of choice from the designated NYSSMA repertoire, and a sight reading piece. The judges score and comment on the students' performances according to defined guidelines set by NYSSMA.

  “Participating in such a prestigious event significantly benefits students,” said Mahopac High School Orchestra Director Evan McGregor. “I truly wish Max could meet fellow musicians and perform to an in-person audience, but the experience still offers an opportunity to learn and play challenging material. Last year, Max was selected as an alternate but ultimately did not get selected to participate, so this year being able to participate as a full member of the All-State String Orchestra is particularly gratifying. I'm proud of the work he's done and I think a fine example of Mahopac's potential.”

  “In addition to earning a perfect ACT score, being named a National Merit Semifinalist, being a three season athlete, and now NYSSMA All-State, Max is a peer leader, brother, and community member,” said MHS Principal Matt Lawrence. “Over the years we’ve had the pleasure of watching him grow and flourish. We look forward to his All-State performance.”

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  Congratulations MHS National Merit Scholars: Tyberg, Semegran, and DiTocco

  Max Semegran and Alexa Tyberg who were named Semifinalists and Angelo DiTocco for being named a National Commended Scholar in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

  Over 1.5 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. 

  Each of the students shared his and her reaction to the news. Max stated, “I am thankful to my parents, teachers, and the Mahopac High School administration for all their support. These incredible people facilitated an environment that allowed me to achieve this goal.” Alexa said , “I'd just like to say that I'm excited about National Merit and it was really cool to learn I had qualified for it.” Angelo said, “I didn't expect this to happen, but I appreciate the honor!"

  They received this distinction by scoring among the top 5% of more than 1.5 million students who entered the 2021 scholarship program by taking the 2019 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors.

  To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

  Finalists will be announced in February 2021.

  MHS News & Headlines
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  Special Edition Spotlight: MHS Reopening

  Please enjoy this Spotlight especially for MHS Families about the reopening.

  https://youtu.be/cmNy5bjUnyY

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  AP Art & Design Students Share Year-End Collages

  AP Art & Design at MHS is a course for seniors who are serious art students. This rigorous course encourages students to achieve at high levels, think for themselves, develop a personal style and to search for original, inventive answers to problems set out by the teacher and by the individual student. The skills refined in the class include the ability to analyze a problem and solve it with original ideas drawn from personal artistic, academic, and life experiences. Students create works that incorporate past art experiences with new ones and focus. Technique, skill, media, visual elements and ideas are integrated into each work the student creates throughout the year. These pieces, created by the 2020 AP Art & Design students Catherine Cassidy, Sophia Cotroneo, Emily Doherty, Samantha O'Brien, Megan Pereia, and  Justin Soza-Soto, exemplify a mastery of the class.

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  MHS Band Makes Beautiful Music From a Safe Social Distance

  The Mahopac High School Band students continue to make music on a daily basis during distance learning.

  "This was our first attempt at a Virtual Ensemble performance. We learned a lot from this experience and look forward to making the next one even better. The students proved to be team players, risk takers and problem solvers," explained MHS Band Teacher Rich Williams. "This was the first time we got to hear each other playing "together" since March 13th and it felt - and sounded - great!"

  Kudos to each of these  fine musicians! Enjoy their collaboration here: https://youtu.be/d7IQXfCACu4

  MHS News & Headlines

• 2020-2021 One Page Calendar

  This Calendar includes school breaks, holidays, and color cohort days for the entire 2020-2021 school year. *Please refer to specific communications from schools for building specific changes and updates.* 

  MHS News & Headlines

• MHS Counselors Talk to Lohud About Coronavirus' Isolation, Uncertainty Affects on Students Mental Health

  Psychologist Eva Hecht and social worker Kristel Halton participate in the important conversation about high school students and mental health.

  Coronavirus: High school students stressed, sad, confused as dreams get dashed one by one

  MHS News & Headlines

• Free time = Screen time?

  It’s not going to shock any of you with teens and tweens that your kids are rather obsessed with technology. But do you have a good handle on just how they’re engaged with different types of media and how much time they’re actively spending on their devices? USA Today

  Check out this infographic with highlights from the just released 2019 Common Sense Census: Media Use by Tweens and Teens.

  Kids' media preferences are changing, and one of the biggest changes is time spent watching online videos. More than twice as many young people watch videos every day than did in 2015, and the average time spent watching has roughly doubled. The shift from TV to online viewing means kids are often watching content alone, and there are fewer opportunities for shared experiences with family. This also means more time engaged with unregulated and unrated platforms like YouTube. PR Newswire

  MHS News & Headlines

• A First for New York State: MHS Offers Students a Course in Substance Abuse, Addiction & Recovery with Counselor Certification

  When students learn the facts about what’s happening with substance abuse, addiction and recovery in their local environment, they have a stake in the vitality of it. This is what two Mahopac High School educators are determined to prove next semester.

  In an unprecedented feat, Davia Bugge, LCSW-R, Mahopac High School student assistance counselor, and Valarie Nierman, MS, SDA Mahopac Central School District health coordinator and high school health teacher, have designed a half-credit class “Substance Abuse, Addiction, and Recovery” for junior and senior students that not only provides an instructive immersion in substance abuse awareness, prevention and treatment but also enables a viable career path opportunity.

  “Our goal is to help students better understand the plight of those who have seen their lives thrown into chaos as a result of drugs and alcohol abuse and then offer a practical way for making a possible profession in helping with recovery,” said Anthony DiCarlo, superintendent of schools.

  Holding true to the Mahopac Central School District’s strategic plan for supporting students in becoming caring, collaborative and compassionate lifelong learners, this elective debuts in the new year offering rigorous coursework focused around three core modules:

  - Basic Knowledge of Substance Abuse Disorders:

  - Overview of the Addictions Field

  - Diversity of Intervention and Treatment Approaches

  The curriculum will include functional partnerships with local and state services, such as Arms Acres, Cove Care Center ®, Drug Crisis in our Backyard, The Harris Project, New York Department of Education and New York Department of Health.

  
  “Just with the subject nature, each lesson will root in the MHS core values of compassion, resiliency, risk taking and problem solving,” Nierman said. “Twenty-seven students have already registered for this elective and will learn to view difficult situations from a new perspective. Students may or may not have a personal connection to substance abuse and addiction issues. Regardless, this course will help them gain the knowledge and skills for challenges they may face.”

  
  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nearly 50 percent of all high school seniors nationwide have used some sort of illicit drugs in their lifetimes. Furthermore, 60 percent of them had consumed alcohol within their last year of school. As illicit substance abuse continues to increase in the United States, so does the need for qualified, dedicated professionals to treat those suffering from addiction.

  
  “This is why we included the OASAS [New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports] certification component to the elective which will provide each student the first-level of becoming a certified substance abuse counselor,” Bugge said.

  
  Mahopac High School is the first school in the entire state of New York to request and be granted approval as an OASAS Education and Training Provider. The Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) is the sole New York State credential to require the specialized addiction training needed to fully understand and treat the intricacies of addiction and at the completion of this elective, Mahopac student participants will earn their first-tier (85 hours) of certification towards the 350 hours required to be credentialed a substance abuse counselor.

  
  The certified substance abuse counselor has a wide variety of employment options and is in high demand. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, substance abuse, behavioral disorders, and mental health counselor employment is projected to grow 22 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. This job growth is expected as people continue to seek addiction and mental health counseling.

  
  Falling fourth to California, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, New York has the highest employment level in this occupation in the nation. Furthermore, the Bureau reports that the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania metropolitan area has the highest employment level in this occupation and the highest annual mean wage of $56,400.
  With just a prerequisite of successfully completing a required NYS health education class, any Mahopac junior or senior may register for this elective that offers the potential for a bright career path.

  
  In learning the reality of substance abuse, addiction and recovery together, Mahopac High School students will likely transform it. And that is promising.

   

  MHS News & Headlines

• Mahopac Teaching “Life” Beyond Academia

  A well-rounded student is often considered to have an overall understanding of the world, along with the ability to write well and calculate. But students who haven’t grasped basic life skills — such as managing their time, being organized or knowing how to care for their social and emotional well-being — may graduate from high school, but also face challenges with entering adulthood.

  This is largely why the Mahopac Central School District has created a required course for middle school sixth grade and high school freshman curriculum that focuses on helping students build and master skills for holistic success in and outside of the classroom. This also aligns with both the district’s strategic plan for supporting students in becoming caring, collaborative and compassionate life-long learners.

  The sixth grade and freshman classes were selected to participate in this credited course because they are in transition to a higher level of learning with a new (larger) school and culture. The goal of this “skills” course is to prepare each student for college and career readiness, and to educate all students to be responsible and productive members of the community.

  The need for preparing students beyond academics is not unique to Mahopac. Recently, the Pew Research Center released an analysis of Census Bureau data revealing findings that most Americans say parents are doing too much for their young adult children.  “We believe incorporating real-life learning for our middle school sixth-graders and high school freshmen will help set them up for success and overall independence in school and beyond,” said Anthony DiCarlo, superintendent of Mahopac Schools.

  Mahopac High School Life Class

  Led by Mahopac High School Assistant Principal April Ljumic, the MHS Life curriculum creation was a collaborative effort of the High School Climate Committee, in addition to feedback from a consortium of stakeholders including students, teachers, teacher leaders, clinicians, counselors and administrators. It is rooted in the high school’s core values (risk-taking, compassion, resilience and problem-solving) and the STRIVE initiative, which stands for Be Safe, Take Responsibility, Be Respectful, Act with Integrity and Value Excellence. 

  “The overarching conceptual framework behind MHS Life was born from research on organizational wellness, which is near and dear to my heart,” said Dr. Matthew Lawrence, Mahopac High School principal. “One of the key factors to wellness is “Personalization,” meaning the level to which an individual or groups of individuals feel connected to each other and the organization. MHS Life is an overt mediation to increasing our sense of personalization among staff and students.”

  “This is designed to be a high-impact, low-stress class,” Ljumic said. The goal is to introduce freshmen to the expectations and rigor of high school life and beyond, including activities and conversations centered on boosting social, emotional, non-cognitive, executive functioning and academic skills growth.  

  With tactics such as social media education, digital citizenship, meditation, practicing a growth mindset and civic responsibility, the class structure varies forms of introspection work, small groups activities, guest speakers and project-based learning. Instruction is innovative, interactive, multimedia rich, and learner-centered 

  “The organization of MHS Life provides the opportunity for high school resources that are important for freshmen to get to know, such as counselors, clinicians, and our SRO (School Resource Officer) to give instruction in a small student setting.  Also, this benefits us logistically since we do not have to take students out of class for an assembly which was how this type of instruction was previously shared,” said Dr. Lawrence.   

  Throughout the school year, the curriculum is divided into three modules:

  •     #WeEngage: Creating a supportive learning community
  •     #WeEffect: Developing self-awareness and self-management
  •     #WeUnite: Building relationships and resolving conflicts

  Perhaps the most poignant component to the class is the student self-reflection and teacher-student check-in/check-out. Students complete an individual self-reflection which allows their MHS LIFE teachers to get a pulse on how students are doing socially, emotionally and academically.  Surveys include self-reflection, goal setting and an exchange on how teachers can help their students be set for all-around success. 

  With the real-time data from students’ surveys, teachers not only are able to have a timely check-in individually but also measure curriculum impact. “The teacher-student check-in/check-out is our opportunity to connect, build positive relationships, and trust with students on a one-on-one basis and respond to individual student needs to support success. We’ve been blown away by the honesty and openness of the students’ self-reflections, and it has really made a positive effect on how we can effectively support them to meet their individual goals and the MHS LIFE curriculum therein,” Ljumic said.

  This also allows teachers to thoughtfully prepare lesson plans that are data-driven based on the needs of students.

  On any given school day, you’ll find no two MHS Life lessons are alike. For instance, Kelley Posch, MHS Algebra teacher, begins her class with a guided meditation that leads to a discussion about the growth mindset principle. The class does an exercise of matching famous people who have learned from failures and risen to success. Some of her examples include Walt Disney, who was fired from a newspaper for “lacking imagination,” and JK Rowling, who was rejected by 12 publishers for her first book. The students then share their learnings via a shared virtual Google Classroom with fifth graders in Austin Road Elementary School.

   Down the hall, Christine Honohan, MHS History teacher, is leading a discussion about effective study techniques. Upstairs, Amy Mahoney, MHS English teacher, and Dominic DeMatteo, MHS Physical Education teacher and varsity football coach, have combined classes and are discussing paradigm shifts. Leveraging text from The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey, the class is discussing methods for shifting perception with real-life scenarios that range from interacting with teachers to peers. They work in small groups and then share with the class ways to broaden their interpretation of the way they view day-to-day situations and the world.

  “There are kids on all social and academic levels in the class and this gives each one tools for success in the next level of their education and then adult world,” DeMatteo said.

  Mahopac Middle School Success

  Like MHS Life, the middle school curriculum, MMS Success, emphasizes strategies for personal growth and development to help sixth graders figure out their place as good citizens in their community and the world. The half-credit MMS Success class are comprised of four components: technology (including topics such as key boarding skills, Chromebook care, and responsible media usage); organization (time management, collaborating for project-based learning and making reading selections); character building/social and emotional wellness (mindfulness and positive peer interactions); and middle school logistics/safety (ranging classroom expectations to safety procedures in and out of the classroom, including the use of social media) 

  “Middle School is a big change for sixth-grade students, no matter where they are academically. Some students are adept in coursework but lacking the skills of navigating life as a new middle-schooler,” said Tom Cozzocrea, Mahopac Middle School principal.

  With full class discussions, small groups and individual reflections submitted via Google Classroom, teachers work with students on learning and understanding different learning styles. From there, students can self-identify what type of learner they are and establish the study habits and time management techniques that work best for them. Teachers then weave in strategies for students to explore, such as note-taking methods, establishing a study routine to accommodate their busy schedules and how to access help for emotional self-care.

  A recent lesson in teacher Paula Frey’s class focused on the importance of morning routines. She encouraged the students to share their routines with each other in detail, including the time their alarm goes off, morning hygiene regimes, eating breakfast and getting to school. With no right or wrong answers, she skillfully pointed out examples of growth mindset in the discussion. For example, one student commented on wanting to get up a little earlier after listening to another student talk about waking up early, so he doesn’t have to rush.

  Digital citizenship is another major focus for MMS Success. “We see a big disparity among sixth-graders on this issue. Some sixth-grade students have had a cellphone for a while and are very adept with social media and others do not yet have a phone,” Cozzocrea said. “Our goal is for MMS Success to help build a foundation for our students with responsible digital citizenship for years to come." 

  As the sixth graders learn how to set themselves up for success in and out of the classroom, the teachers also tie in the importance of community. Embracing the core value of giving back to those in need, the sixth graders chose to collect the following items for the Putnam Humane Society through December 12:

  •     Pro Plan Canned Chicken & Rice for Dogs
  •     Pro Plan Dry Chicken & Rice for Cats
  •     Friskies Canned Pate Cat Food -Kitten Food (any brand) *
  •     Kitty Litter
  •     Dog Treats*
  •     Dog & Cat Toys
  •     Large “Bully Sticks”
  •     XL Red & Black Kongs
  •     6 ft. 1 in.-thick Nylon Leashes
  •     Large & Extra-Large Elk Antlers
  •     Blankets, Comforters & Towels **
  •     Gift cards to office supply stores
  •     Postage stamps
  •     Paper towels
  •     Dishwashing liquid
  •     Large Black Industrial-Sized Garbage Bags
  •     Hose Nozzles

  * Please no treats or food that is made in China

  **Please no sheets, pillows or mattress pads

  Anyone interested in donating items can deliver them to the Mahopac Middle School main office.

  As these freshmen and sixth graders continue their education at Mahopac, it will be interesting to follow their progress. “Something magical is going on here,” says Ljumic. 

   

  • MCSD_Teaching Life Beyond Acacemia.docx

  MHS News & Headlines

• Living Environment Teacher Inducted into NYS Master Teacher Program

  Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced the selection of Mahopac High School Living Environment teacher Tricia Fuller-Johnson, along with 228 other educators from across the state, to join the New York State Master Teacher Program (NYSMTP) in partnership with the State University of New York and Math for America.  Fuller-Johnson has been a teacher with Mahopac High School for over a decade and a science educator for over two decades.

  In effort of strengthening the state’s K-12 STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, the NYSMTP honors the work of the highest-performing STEM teachers by establishing an expert community dedicated to developing expertise in teaching science, technology, computer science, robotics, coding, engineering, and math courses across grades K-12, including Advanced Placement, honors, Regents and International Baccalaureate levels. These educators will join the network of Master Teachers created in 2013, bringing the total number of Master Teachers across New York State to 1200.

  "I salute these brilliant and dedicated teachers who have made an incredible, lasting impact on New York's future leaders," Governor Cuomo said. "These 228 new members of the Master Teacher Program will join the ranks of the state's top educators, a group who strive every day to enrich and expand the horizons of countless students in every corner of the Empire State."

  Throughout their four-year participation in the Program, Master Teachers:

  • Receive a $15,000 stipend annually.
  • Engage in peer mentoring and intensive content-oriented professional development opportunities throughout the academic year.
  • Work closely with pre-service and early career teachers to foster a supportive environment for the next generation of STEM teachers.
  • Attend required regional cohort meetings, participate in and lead several professional development sessions each year.

   

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