MDIHS ChalkTalk 2024-25

March 3, 2025 Edition

ChalkTalk logo

Good day!

If you were not aware on Friday afternoon we had to go into lockdown due to an accidental tripping of our panic lights.  Here is the message Superintendent of Schools Mike Zboray sent to the community...
 
Good Afternoon,
This afternoon, following the close of school, an emergency alarm went off at MDIHS.  Following our protocols, the school went into a lockdown and notified law enforcement.  A thorough walk through of the building by law enforcement determined there was no threat or danger to anyone in the building and gave the all clear for our after school activities to continue.
 
The safety of all our students, staff, community, and visitors remains our greatest priority.  We want to assure you we implemented our safety protocols and will continue to review these protocols to assure they are implemented swiftly and efficiently to protect our students, staff, and community.

On Monday the high school administration, Mike Zboray, and officers from the Bar Harbor Police Department met to review the incident and our safety protocols.  

Our Guidance Counselors and Restorative Committee are working in conjunction to support the mental and emotional needs of our staff and students.

We continually review and work to improve our protocols for the safety of our students, staff, and community.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are this week.  If you haven't already click on the link later in the newsletter for more information.  

PARENTS / GUARDIANS:

If you have had any updates since the beginning of school, be sure to update the emergency contacts for your child[ren], including who they can be released to.

You can do this by updating your information in your portal or by contacting Mary Corrow @ mcorrow@mdirss.org. 

Upcoming Events

March 3 - Administration of the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey

Week of March 3 - 7 - Parent Teacher Conferences -- SIGN UP LINK!

March 6 - Incoming Freshmen Night for both parents and students. 6 p.m.

March 9 - Daylight Saving Time starts

March 10 - High School Board Meeting. Library. 5 p.m.

March 13 - Scholarship Parent Information Night. 6 p.m.

March 14 - Professional Day - no school for both MDIHS and HCTC students

March 28 - Career Day

March 31 - First Day of Spring Athletics

April 2 - High School Annual Public Budget Meeting. Theater. 6 p.m.

April 4 - End of the 3rd Term. Early Release Day (Afternoon HCTC will be in session)

April 9 - SAT

  • Seniors - Community Service Opportunities, Academic Assistance for students as necessary

  • Juniors - SATs

  • Sophomores - Community Service Day

  • Freshmen - Class Community Building Day

April 10 - Science Augmentation Testing for Juniors


More details regarding extracurriculars are listed on our homepage under the
"Events" section.

March Space Events

MIYHS Survey

MIYHS Health Survey

Our school is taking part in the 2025 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey. This survey, will be administered on March 3rd, is sponsored by Maine Center for Disease Control and Maine Department of Education. The survey will ask about the health behaviors of students grades 9-12. The survey will ask about nutrition, physical activity, injuries, tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. For students in grades 7-12, the survey will also ask about sexual behaviors that could lead to pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections; depression and suicide; and gambling.

More information and a parent consent form will be sent under separate cover.

Parent / Teacher Conferences

Parent Teacher Conferences

Lots of appointments still available!

Be sure to schedule yours today!

In Person or Virtual!

WHEN: Beginning March 3

Link: Sign Up for Conferences!

Conferences can be virtual or in-person! We ask everyone (including staff) to be as punctual as possible for both face-to-face and virtual meetings. If you wish your conference to be IN PERSON, please include that in the Special Request section when signing up.

You will receive your schedule from PTCFast that will contain both the room locations and/or Google Meet links.

Before you begin to plan your conferences, make sure you have a list of your student's teachers. You can find their names in PowerSchool or Schoology.

If you need to cancel your meetings, please contact the teacher by visiting this address:  https://www.mdihs.net/o/mdihs/staff and clicking on the “Send Message” link for the teacher you are trying to contact.

If you need assistance, please call Mary Corrow (Ph. 207-288-5011 ext 3300)

Career & Technical Education Open House!

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) Learning Area will hold an open house on Tuesday, March 4, and Wednesday, March 5, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 5:25 p.m. to  6 p.m., in lieu of Parent-Teacher Conferences*. This event is open to all, whether you currently have a student taking one of these classes or are just interested in what we offer. Visit us in rooms 121, 128, 129, 130, and 131. 

CTE Course List

If you need a private meeting, please schedule with the teacher directly.

Music Boosters Fundraiser

Music Boosters Fundraiser

2025 Prom Planning Group

Prom Planning Group

Community Service Opportunities

SAVE THE DATE:

Sophomore Community Service Day, Wed, Apr 9th, rain or shine

Community Service 1
Community Service 2
Community Service 3
Community Service 4

Guidance Office

Scholarship Night for Seniors
Job Fair
Junior SAT day

Husson Tour

Husson1
Husson2
Husson3
Husson4
Husson5
Husson6
Husson7
Husson8
Husson9

Upcoming Activities

Rome to Sicily Trip Talent Show!

Rome to Sicily Talent Show

MDIHS Rome to Sicily Trip is hosting a Talent Show on March 28th at 6pm.

We are looking for performers and acts to showcase the talent of this island! Acts are open to the public, but performers must fill out the proposal form (can be accessed by scanning the QR code in the flyer or by clicking this LINK).

Please help us spread the word!

National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

National Honor Society Induction

One Act Play

"Eurydice" premiering March 1!

Eurydice

MDI Drama is thrilled to announce its upcoming one act production of "Eurydice", Sarah Ruhl’s lyrical and thought-provoking reimagining of the ancient Greek myth.

Performances will be Friday, March 7th at 9PM at the Downeast Regional hosted by MDI Drama, and Wednesday, March 19th at 6PM. 

Directed by MDI Drama Director Casey Rush, its unique blend of magical realism and poignant emotional depth, Eurydice promises to captivate audiences with its exploration of love, grief, and the power of memory. 

More info? Please visit www.mdidrama.org.

Students of the Month

 SoM - Feb
SoM Feb

Congratulations Luci & Gabby!

From the Classroom

ART 1 Filmmaking

This week the Art 1 film rotation did a production unit where they film and produce a scene using professional protocols and standards. Every student has a different position and they all must work together to bring the scene to life.

Filmmaking1
Filmmaking2
Filmmaking3

AP Bio

AP Biology students practice loading gels in their gel electrophoresis lab.

AP Bio1
AP Bio2
AP Bio3
AP Bio4

Underwater Aquarium

The NAHS students are hard at work to complete their Underwater Aquarium mural they started this week. Their mission was to immerse students and faculty into an "aquatic experience" while they traverse the hallways. The mural will be complete by the afternoon of Wednesday, February 5th, and will stay up for about a month.

Underwater Aquarium1
Underwater Aquarium2
Underwater Aquarium3
Underwater Aquarium4
Underwater Aquarium5
Underwater Aquarium6

Forensics - Crime Scenes

Crime Scene 1
Crime Scene 2

Honors World History

A rare moment of tech-free cooperative learning groups where students use the List, Group, Label protocol to sort vocabulary words from our first Honors World History Unit in preparation for sorting through documents in their upcoming DBQ essay writing assignment.

Hon World Hist1
Hon World Hist 2
Hon World Hist 3
Hon World Hist 4

MDI Adult Education

Adult Ed ad for Teachers

AOS91 Reorganization

AOS91 Reorganization Page

Welcome to the information page about the reorganization process for Mount Desert Island Regional School System-AOS 91. Here, you will find information about the history of the journey to becoming a regional school system and the work the Reorganization Planning Committee completes at its monthly meetings.

Click here for more information.

Graduation

Ordering cap & gown announcement

Yearbook 2025

Yearbook Sales

(Click on banner above to go to Josten's MDI Yearbook page to purchase a yearbook)
Students/Parents can also secure a yearbook order by cash/check - See Mr. Arnold @ school.

Yearbook - Parent Best Wishes

Link: Parent Best Wishes Submission Form

Siblings Photo for the Yearbook

From the Nurse's Office

Winter evening

Happy March MDI !

I hope everyone is well and staying warm! The clinic has been busy due to so much crud going around. We are seeing some COVID as well as Pneumonia and just really bad colds. Symptoms are hanging on for several days to weeks. Unfortunately, these viral illnesses just need time and rest before resolving. Students are committed to class work and athletics so I am finding they are not taking the time they need to get better, therefore prolonging the illness. We encourage students to stay home and rest until you are feeling better. As winter break approaches, if you are traveling, remember to practice good handwashing and steer clear of people who are symptomatic.

A couple of reminders:

If your student carries an inhaler and/or has serious allergies and you have not spoken to me, please contact me as there is paperwork to be completed for the student to self carry any type of inhalers or medications. As always if you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me.

A reminder that all Freshman and Juniors need an updated physical. If your student has a well child check, I would appreciate it if you can have the provider fax a copy of it to the high school. As always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email or call me.

Tammy Underwood
MDIHS School Nurse

Lunch Menu

Mar 3-7  Lunch Menu

Parent Information

2024-25

Bus Schedules

bus

This information contains both elementary and high school bus routes.

2024-25

Academic Calendar

school calendar
To view the complete calendar, click on the image above

FAQs from the Main Office

main entrance

Need a locker?
~ See Mrs. Littlefield in the Main Office

Student Absences:
Parents/Guardians: Please contact the school at 288-5011 to report an absence on the ‘Attendance Line’--Option 1
It is very important that parents/guardians contact the school, using the above method, when your child is out of school.  It is vital that we know when someone is out due to illness, so that our school nurse, Tammy Underwood, can reach out to the family and ensure a safe return to school that will keep us all healthy. Approved list of excused absences according to Maine State Law. MDIHS also accepts legal appointments.

Late to school? 
All students must check-in at the Main Office upon arrival, even if tardiness is excused.

Need to be dismissed from school? 
Calling or sending a note in the morning allows us to give your student a pass to get out of class at the appropriate time.  If a student feels sick once they arrive, they need to be dismissed by our nurse, Tammy Underwood. Students cannot leave the building without permission from a parent/guardian AND checking out at the Main Office.

Forgot something at home? 
A parent may drop off items at the main office, and the student will be called down between classes. 

Extracurricular Information? 
All Extracurricular Information can be found on the Athletics tab on our homepage, www.mdihs.net.  Cancellations and changes will be posted by 1pm, or as soon as possible. Want to find out if school is canceled or delayed? Call 288-5011, ext 7, or check our webpage, www.mdihs.net.

Student  Absence for 3 days or more of school
It is important to notify the school when your student is going to miss 3 days or more of school. The Extended Absence Form should be completed ahead of time by your student and their teachers. Completed forms are turned in to Mr. Braun’s office.

Community News

Intro to Chess Workshop
YWCA Rose Sale
March Driver's Ed class
UPDATE: Class 1 & 2 will take place in the CAFETERIA due to Parent/Teacher Conferences!!
Acadia Youth Conservation
The Landing School Open House

Narcan and Stop the Bleed Training: January 7th and March 11th at MDI High School, 6:00pm.

Stop the Bleed image

Need only attend one night of your choosing

Class info and registration through MDI Adult and Community Education: https://mdi.coursestorm.com/

Stop the Bleed
You will learn how to control bleeding. Participants gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act quickly and effectively control it with three quick techniques. The number 1 cause of preventable death after injury is bleeding. Stop the Bleed classes are public presentations that empower citizens to make a difference in a life or death situation.

Narcan Training
Will teach students how to recognize signs of an opioid overdose, and how to administer the opioid reversal drug Narcan/Naloxone.

Have a community event that you want high school students or parents to be aware of, or
a community service opportunity for MDI students? 
Contact Mary Corrow at
mcorrow@mdirss.org