See the attached flyer on how you can easily give back to MHS when you shop at Stop & Shop!
Seniors: Please click on this link to fill out the parking application for the 2019-2020 school year.
October 2019
Dear Parents and Students:
Amazingly, we have already reached the end of the first interim period (five weeks) at MHS. Soon your child’s progress report will be visible on the Parent Portal. This is just a “window” into the progress in your student’s courses this year. It is critical that you follow up with your child’s teachers regularly ! Please make the point to email your student’s teachers as a form of introduction and open the lines of communication!
If you see that your student needs more support, please reach out to the teachers to discuss extra help. MHS does offer STEP on Tuesdays and Thursdays - you can discuss your student’s suitability for this program with your teachers and counselor.
We have started a new notification system to communicate attendance rates per course. In addition to having absences, per course, listed on report cards, we will be mailing home letters to families of students who are accruing too many absences and have reached attendance notification thresholds as per our Attendance Credit Policy. If you get one of these letters, please be sure to follow up with your child’s teacher(s) and counselor.
As a reminder - please do not discharge students on Baldwin Place Road or adjacent streets. Discharging students on active streets is extremely dangerous.
Please visit our web page regularly to view new postings and daily announcements.
Thank you,
#WeAreMHS
Matthew Lawrence, Ed.D.
Principal - Mahopac High School
(845) 628-3256 Ext. 11510
Follow me on Twitter: Dr. Matt Lawrence@PacHS_Principal
Mahopac alumni reflect with students about everything from the “ache for the Lake” to “the year that changed history” with the Vietnam War, Woodstock and the landing on the moon
While Mahopac High School students were on the turf field for their Homecoming pep rally, the class of 1969 alumni were returning to campus to reminisce, come together with former classmates and create new memories. A time capsule reveal, a tour of the school district’s original school building Lakeview, boat rides on Mahopac Lake and a celebratory banquet were highlights of a weekend of reunion events organized by the 1969 classmates Tina Stokes and Leonard Shore.
While some have traveled far and some still call Mahopac home, members of the first class to graduate from the Mahopac High School building filled the hallways with big hugs and laughter. Linda Whalen, who now lives in Albany, said “although some things have changed in Mahopac, it still feels the same to me as it did in 1969.”
As the marching band could be heard coming in from the pep rally, Donna Jagger, who lives in New Jersey, recalled a favorite high school memory. “I was a cheerleader and loved the pep rallies before the big Homecoming football games. Each year, we would burn an effigy of the opponent in a bonfire on a neighbor’s lawn that was just across Lakeview.”
Much like today, Mahopac Lake was an integral part of social life fifty years ago. “I have a lot of fun memories of being at the Lake. I still ache for the Lake and get back whenever I can,” said Judy Brady Witherspoon who now lives in the Chesapeake area in Virginia. Her uncle was the late Art Brady who owned A.C. Brady Store, a general store and fuel oil business on Myrtle Ave. in Mahopac Falls, which was originally founded by his grandfather and father in 1912.
A highlight of the reunion was the reveal of the Class of 1969 time capsule. This copper metal box was dug up during the high school renovation 12 years ago and had remained in a safe until last Friday evening. Class of 1969 alumni, high school students, teachers and administration filled the auditorium for a reflection exchange before the time capsule opening.
Mahopac (MOST) student government students fueled the discussion by asking alumni questions such as, “What made your time at Mahopac unique?” This fostered moving responses as memories of Vietnam and Woodstock were shared.
“Vietnam had a big impact on us. Some young men who graduated before us were drafted and I remember one coming back with half a leg,” Russell Plaeger recalled. “Billy Todd was lost to Vietnam,” another alumnus added.
“And Woodstock changed everything,” Witherspoon added. She said on the heels of Woodstock she believed the Women’s Liberation Movement really could be felt across the country. “I was in college in the South during this time, and we went from never leaving our dorm without wearing gloves, pearls and dresses to wearing jeans all in one year,” she added.
The conversation also included watching Apollo 11, the first manned mission to land on the Moon, on black-and-white televisions and what they were doing when Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. “I never saw a teacher cry except for that day,” Plaeger recalled.
The reflection appropriately concluded with advice from Class of 1969 to Mahopac High School students, including:
The time capsule was opened by 50th reunion co-chairs Tina Stokes and Leonard Shore, and high school Principal Dr. Matthew Lawrence. There seemed to be minimal to no memory of the box’s contents before two issues of The Chieftan (student paper), an issue of the literary magazine, a course listing, a typed staff manual, a graduation program, an invitation from the Board of Education to dedicate the new high school building, and a few coins were revealed. “Everything is in pristine condition,” commented Shore.
“Hearing the Class of 1969 share memories instills what makes Mahopac a special place. It also shows us how as much things change the more things stay the same, like how to pronounce Mahopac,” said Anthony DiCarlo, superintendent of schools.
The time capsule and its contents will now live at the Town of Carmel Historical Society for public viewing.
We usually think of “the important stuff” being taught in the classroom, however, on Friday, October 4, Mahopac students were taught a powerful life lesson about commitment, service and integrity and it took place right before the Mahopac vs. Suffern varsity football game.
With an opening ceremony that rivaled a Big 10 football game, dozens of first responders, active military, and veterans were escorted by the Mahopac Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5491’s Color Guard through a massive Mahopac Indians helmet and red, white and blue fog tunnel which led them to the turf field. From there it was difficult to determine whether the outpour of emotion was due to the cheering in the stands, hearing “Proud to Be an American” by the Mahopac PACapellas or witnessing the modified football team lined up with American flags forming an archway for the entering honorees to walk through onto the field.
As the local heroes joined the Kozloski family on the 50-yard line, a Westchester County Police helicopter circled the stadium causing more eruptions of cheering and tears. Just moments before, Brie Kozloski, along with her four children and family, were part of a tribute to the late Michael Kozloski that included a spoken narrative of his life in Mahopac and 17-year service in the Coast Guard. Last winter, Kozloski suffered fatal injuries after a crane tipped over and fell on top of him while working in a buoy yard in Homer, Alaska, at the end of January, according to the Coast Guard.
As a Mahopac alum and former offensive and defensive tackle for the Indians, Kozloski’s number “62” was officially retired. Dominick DeMatteo, varsity football head coach, Franke Miele, athletic director, and Anthony DiCarlo, superintendent of schools, presented Kozloski’s wife and children with his number 62 jersey. There was also the unveiling of the “62” on the scoreboard. “The number 62 will forever be in our hearts,” said Miele.
Many hours and many people were vested in making the evening a night to remember. Led by the Mahopac athletics department, the event was a collaborative effort of high school buildings and grounds crew, coaching staff, teachers, staff and local business owners, including Chili's Grill & Bar of Somers, Cross Roads Deli, Hudson Valley Beverage, Jersey Mikes Subs of Fishkill, Kobu Asian Bistro, The Mahopac Inn, McDonalds of Mahopac and Mike and Joes Pizzeria.
“Seeing the community come together to show our appreciation for our local heroes is what Mahopac is all about. This is an invaluable example for our students,” said DiCarlo.
Check out this video created locally to inform and empower parents!
Vaping among youth is being described as an epidemic. A recent outbreak of pulmonary disease and several deaths may be related to vaping. The CDC is actively investigating, but the cause(s) remain unknown. A great concern is that many young people think vaping is not really a big deal.
See our Fact Sheet for more information.
Mahopac High School is pleased to announce our LocalLive web channel for live and on-demand video that keeps us connected with our athletic team games.
https://events.locallive.tv/schools/guest/mahopacny
Go Pac! For more information about Mahopac High School Athletics go to https://www.mahopac.k12.ny.us/groups/11071/athletics/home
Mahopac is offering to parents an informational night regarding youth, gaming and problem gambling. This will be held at the Falls School auditorium on Tuesday, October 29, from 7-8:30 pm. The Mahopac Central School District is partnering with the Prevention Council of Putnam and the Mid-Hudson Problem Gambling Resource Center to share important information that you can use to help encourage healthy limits with gaming, identify warning signs of "problem" gaming and video game "addiction," as well as resources for getting help in our community for children, teens, and families. We look forward to seeing you!
