MDIHS ChalkTalk 2024-25

November 18, 2024 Edition

ChalkTalk logo

Good day!

Last Friday we had our first Winter Weather Warning for this school year.  Fortunately, the possible icy rain did materialize in our area and the warning was lifted.  It is a good reminder that winter weather is coming.

By 6:00 a.m. Superintendent of Schools, Mike Zboray will decide if school will be delayed or cancelled.  Families that are signed up to receive text messages will receive a message from the school notifying of the closure or delay.  We will also post notices on the district and high school website.  Local television and radio stations also post or read the notification. To sign up to receive text messages, please visit the mdirss.net website and follow the instructions to "Opt In".

Whenever you feel it is unsafe for your child to travel due to weather contact our Main Office to report the reason for the absence and it will be excused.

Upcoming Events

Nov. 18 - 1st Day of Winter Sports

November 18 - High School Board meeting. Library. 5 p.m.

November 19 - Freshman Eye Screenings, 9-11 a.m.

November 21 - Sophomore Eye Screenings, 9-11 a.m.

November 24 - Craft Fair See details below!

Nov. 27-29 - Thanksgiving Break

December 2 - Vision of a Graduate public forum. Theater. 5 p.m.

December 4 - Winter Concert

December 21 - January 1 - Winter Break

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

Gratitude image

Fall Musical

Chicago Billboard

MDIHS Travelers CRAFT FAIR!

Craft Fair items

The MDIHS Travelers are hosting our Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Sunday, November 24 from 10-3.

We have 40 vendors this year, lots of good eats, holiday greens, West Eden Pizza and chili dogs for lunch, Blue Barrens organic blueberries, ECO Team Pop-up Thrift Shop, a craft activity for children by the NAHS Students, and so much more! See a smattering of our offerings!

Winter Concert

Winter Concert

Upcoming Activities

Upcoming Art Competitions
Tri-M Jam session
Fruit Sale Price List

Florida Fruit Sale!

The MDI Music Boosters are selling fresh Florida fruit (and more!) to benefit their scholarship program, which supports middle and high school music students who wish to take private lessons or attend music camp.  Sales end on Friday, November 22, so please reach out to a music student or the boosters at treasurer@mdimusicboosters.org to place an order.  Items will be delivered between December 16-18.  Please check out the awesome variety of choices, and thank you in advance for considering supporting the Music Boosters!

<<<<<<<<<<<Prices included!

Jazz Ensemble Rehearsals
Pop Up Thrift Store

Students of the Month

Rykin Hamor SoM - Oct
Olive Mitchell - SoM Oct.

Congratulations Rykin & Olive!

From the Classroom

Visual Arts Department

Thank you Massachusetts College of Art and Design for visiting from Boston, MA last week! 

MassArt was hosted by the Visual Arts department and offered portfolio reviews to interested students, college presentations to Watercolors and Photography classes, and an open presentation and Q&A during Flextime. MassArt was founded in 1873 and is the only independent public art university in the country, with 18 BFA majors and 8 minors.

If you were unable to attend the open Flextime info session but are interested in learning more about MassArt and connecting with their admissions team, please email Ms. Adam: philippa.adam@mdirss.org

MassArt visit!

Ms. Murphy's AP Biology

Students continue to develop their lab skills during a difficult multi-step photosynthesis lab.

AP Bio students 1
AP Bio students 2
AP Bio 3
AP Bio 4

Ms. Keenan's Batik Art Gallery reception

The MDI Art department hosted a successful artist’s reception to celebrate the Beautiful Batik Wall Hangings on display in the Wing Gallery.  The Wall Hangings were the capstone projects created during Elizabeth Keenan’s Batik class using traditional Indonesian techniques. Student artists participating in the show are :  Lily Alley, Emma Astle, CeCe Blackett, Abigail Butler, Suri Corcoran, Kelsey Fales, Seneca Haney, Anakin Hudson, Sadie Joyce, L Langley, Lucy Rogers, Eliza Sprague, Alyah Stevens, Bri Swanberg. 

Students, friends and family members enjoyed some light refreshments and had a lovely time mingling and enjoying the art works on display. The show will be in the Gallery until Nov. 23, 2024

Batik Art 1
Batik Art 2
Batik Art 3
Batik Art 4
Batik Art 5
Batik Art 6

Ms. Crandall's Food 2

Ms. Crandall's new Foods 2 course practiced the elements of presentation.Each team had access to the same ingredients and were challenged to present an appealing dish. They all did an amazing job. 

Food presentation 1
Food presentation 2
Food presentation 3
Food presentation 4

MDI Adult Education

Adult Education logo

Do you want to contribute to Lifelong Learning on MDI?  Adult and Community Education is looking for instructors for Spring 2025.  If you're interested, please fill out this short proposal form:  

MDI Adult Education Teaching Proposal Form

Questions about MDI Adult Education?  Email lauren.koncinsky@mdirss.org or visit mdi.maineadulted.org/

AOS91 Vision of a Graduate

Join Us for a Vision of a Graduate Session!

We invite you to help shape the future of education at AOS 91 by participating in our Vision of a Graduate session. This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and community members to share their vision for what skills and attributes our students should have when they graduate. Your input will directly influence how we prepare our students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Come share your thoughts on the workforce of tomorrow, the pace of change, social intelligence, and more. Let’s work together to ensure that MDIHS students are ready for success!

Date & Time: Monday, December 2 at 5 p.m.

We hope to see you there! Your voice matters.

Vision of a Graduate

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.

Senior Pictures / Yearbook

Senior Yearbook Photos

From the Nurse's Office

Caring Hands of Maine DentalClinic Image

Happy Fall MDI

What great weather we have been having! I hope everyone has had some time to enjoy the outdoors so far! 

A couple of reminders:

  • A recent email went out to staff regarding the use of perfume/scents.
    "We do have a staff member who is really struggling with her asthma due to the overuse of perfume being sprayed while here at school.  I would ask that we support our colleague by doing our best to mitigate students using scents in classrooms.  If there is anything at all I can do PLEASE let me know, I would love to help any way I can."

  • NOVEMBER 19 - Vision screening for Freshman

  • NOVEMBER 21 - Vision screening for Sophomores

  • Dental Clinic scheduled for JANUARY 17, 2025

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.

Tammy Underwood
MDIHS School Nurse

Vape Prevention & Treatment Resources

Lunch Menu

Nov 18 Lunch Menu

November's Lunch Menu is available here!

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

2025 Yearbook Ads
ACT Upcoming Play

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