September 2016 Newsletter

Congratulations to the winners of the September Monarch PTSO (Parent Teacher Student Organization) drawing.

Sam Gambee (Parking Spot)
and
Luke William (Coyote Cave Gift Card)

Coyote Parent Volunteers have come out in force and created some impressive momentum for the school year. Before school, during school, after school, and, even, on weekends our parents have been generously volunteering time, supplies and food to keep Monarch in motion.

Want to be part of the success?  Click here and complete a simple form to be added to our volunteer database.  Any way, shape, or form that you want to help, we will get your information to the correct contact!!

We also love to help match up our students with volunteer opportunities in their community – so let us know if you have any projects and we will get the word out!

Questions?  Please contact me at the e-mail address below.

Anita Harrington

PTSO Volunteer Coordinator

volunteer@monarchptso.org

Thank you to Farmer’s Market owner and Monarch Mom, Kelly Miller, and our fabulous volunteers for helping out at the first ever Monarch PTSO/Booster/After Prom booth on Saturday, August 20th! The PTSO raised $512 from the generous 5% sales proceeds on the farm and orchard vendor sales as well as our Spin the Wheel game!

This was a nice boost since we brought in thousands less than what we have traditionally generated during the annual Check-In day in August. This was a result of the new one day process with a majority of registration occurring online.

The goal is to raise approximately $18,000 each year and donate all of those funds to teachers in the form of mini-grants for classroom technology, special project, books and supplies!

Please consider a small (or large!) donation to Monarch’s PTSO here or send your donation to the Monarch PTSO Treasurer at Monarch High School, 329 Campus Drive, Louisville, CO 80027.

 Cory Nickerson

PTSO Co-President

socialmedia@monarchptso.org

Bright and early on Wednesday, August 10^th, the Monarch PTSO planned and coordinated the annual “Back to School” Breakfast for over 100 teachers and staff in the Monarch Library on their first day back in the building. Special thanks to Lynne McDonald Wexler and Cory Nickerson who helped me to execute this great, early morning event for our wonderful Monarch teachers and staff. If you’d like to help with our next staff appreciation event, please feel free to reach out to me at socialevents@monarchptso.org.

Michelle Gazarik

PTSO Social Events Chairperson

socialevents@monarchptso.org

Bookmark these websites to keep on track of what is coming up next at Monarch:

* MoHi Calendar: ow.ly/cuKK302MwAE

* MoHi Athletics Calendar: bit.ly/1NqE75v

* PTSO News: www.monarchptso.org

* BVSD District Calendar: ow.ly/4HSd302Mwyr

The PTSO is always looking for volunteers to give as little or as much time as you can offer! Financial donations welcome all year long. Donate and you could win a $25 gift card or a dedicated parking spot for a whole month with our monthly raffle!

* Donate anytime at www.monarchptso.org and look for our PayPal link

* Want to sign up for volunteer opportunities? Email volunteer@monarchptso.org

* Be sure to follow us on social media on both Facebook here and Twitter here.  Contact us at socialmedia@monarchptso.org for more information.

Lynne Wexler

PTSO Newsletter Coordinator

newsletter@monarchptso.org

Freshman Parent Night

Join the Counseling Staff as we provide information and answer your questions about the department, BVSD graduation requirements, and college entrance requirements.

September 20th, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Monarch High School (MHS) Auditorium.

Senior College Application Night

Seniors, please plan to attend. This is the time when we communicate everything you need to know about the college application process, how Naviance and Monarch “talk to each other,” updates and how to use the Common Application, and much, much more!  Really, you need to be there!

There are 420 seniors, so coming to this presentation means we can provide the info you need. Please read your e-mails and take advantage of the opportunities we give you to get the information and support you need!

September 14th, 6:30-8 pm in the MHS Auditorium.

Out of State College Fair

Boulder Valley School District high school counselors and the Colorado Council on High School and College Relations, are holding the Out of State College Fair at Monarch High School on September 28th.  There will be a Financial Aid Presentation from 5:15-6:00 pm in the Auditorium. The College Fair will take place from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Free to students and parents. This is a chance to meet with admissions representatives from around the country.   More information can be found here.

PSAT Sign Up

PSAT sign up for Juniors will take place in September.  Sign up for Sophomores will be based on a space available basis. Students must pay at time of sign up. The PSAT Test will take place on October 19th. More information to follow.

Coffee Talks

Coffee talks will take place throughout the year.  These events take place in the Monarch High School Post Grad Center and provide an opportunity for seniors to get answers to their questions about the college application process.  Seniors should come in during lunch or during an off period.  Students can ask questions on topics such as how to order transcripts, request letters of recommendation, begin the scholarship search, find a good college fit, use Naviance in the college search and application process, etc.  Dates to follow.

ICAP Lessons

Monarch Counselors will be visiting 9th through 11th grade classrooms over the next two months to talk with students about ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan) and help them update their plan. Students will learn about the ICAP program and the incredible tools available at their disposal through Naviance.

According to the CDE: The intent of  the ICAP policy is to ultimately decrease dropout rates and increase graduation rates by assisting students in developing and maintaining a personalized post-secondary plan that ensures readiness for post-secondary and workforce success. An ICAP should be designed to assist a student and his or her parent or legal guardian in exploring the career and educational opportunities available to the student, align course work and curriculum, apply to post-secondary education institutions, secure financial aid, and ultimately enter the workforce.

Students who are identified as talented and gifted will be completing their Advanced Learning Plan requirements through ICAP.

We will work with students to develop a four year plan, complete interest and career inventories, and explore career and college options. Students and parents can access Naviance through the counseling website.  Parents/Guardians can obtain log in information by contacting their assigned counselor or calling the Counseling Office at 720-561-5634.

BVSD Online Courses

BVSD Online is a District program offering online courses to students enrolled in Boulder Valley School District.  Students can choose supplemental, extension or remedial courses.

Important Dates and Deadlines for 2016-2017

Fall Term Full Courses

08.15.2016 – 09.09.2016  Registration Window Open*

08.29.2016 – 12.09.2016  Courses Open (No Extensions)

*Registrations and payments received after September 9, 2016 will result in late enrollment into the class. No extensions are granted due to late registrations.

Fall Term Credit Recovery Courses

8.15.2016 – 10.21.2016  Registration Window Open*

*Fall Term begins Monday, September 12th. Registration and payment must be received by Friday, September 9th to start on Monday, September 12th.

Enrollment takes place approximately 2 business days after registration and payment.

Credit Recovery Courses will be open for seven (7) weeks after the start date (no extensions).  All Fall Term Credit Recovery Courses must be completed by December 9th.

Contact Information
Last names beginning A–D: Thomas Hacker, thomas.hacker@bvsd.org, 720-561-4207
Last names beginning E–K: Alex Cyr, alexandra.cyr@bvsd.org, 720-561-4204
Last names beginning L–Rn: John Vidulich, john.vidulich@bvsd.org, 720-561-4210
Last names beginning Ro–Z: Jill Benisch, jill.benisch@bvsd.org, 720-561-4203

Please be sure to check out the new and improved MHS counseling website here.

Alexandra Cyr
School Counselor
720-561-4204
alexandra.cyr@bvsd.org

BVSD is involved in a district-wide initiative to improve indoor air quality in Boulder Valley Schools. To help with this project, we are making a small change in the way we collect information about health-related student absences.

Beginning this school year, when you call your school to report your child’s health-related absence, you will be asked to identify the reason for the absence from this list: *Asthma *Respiratory but not asthma (such as runny nose, sore throat, congestion or cough) *Gastrointestinal (such as stomache ache, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea) *Other health-related reason You can also report absences online via a form on your school’s website. Providing this information is optional. The information will be logged in a way that is not personally identifiable. BVSD is collecting this information to understand how air quality may be affecting student health and absenteeism. The data will be evaluated to make recommendations for building operations and occupant behavior and to identify facility renovations to improve indoor air quality.  Learn more here.

The Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) serves fresh, nutritious food cafeteria style, catering style, and even from a food truck while avoiding highly processed foods, high fructose corn syrup, chemicals, dyes and food additives. Salad Bars are stocked daily with fresh, delicious and, when possible, local farm fresh produce.

The Food Truck, “Munchie Machine” brings fresh, creative lunches to Monarch on Mondays during the two lunch periods. Munchie accepts BVSD Meal Accounts, cash or credit cards. The Munchie Machine is also available for special events and has a Facebook Page on Twitter Feed  and Instagram for the weekly schedule, menu, updates, and prize contests!

The BVSD School Food Project also has programs such as Rainbow Days, Chef Demonstrations, and School Gardens.

Discover the BVSD Farm to School program and Harvest of the Month nutrition education programs. For lunch menus, food truck schedules, and much more, please visit: BVSD School Food Project.

Lynne Wexler

PTSO Newsletter Coordinator

newsletter@monarchptso.org

Monarch High After Prom is already recruiting volunteers for the May 12^th, 2017 After Prom Party! Our fun and friendly committee is looking for the talents and enthusiasm of parents of Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors as well as any interested students (a great way to get volunteer hours!). In particular, we are looking for Decorating and Design Leads or committee members.  Please join our fun and amazing committee by reaching out to us at the contact information below.

Help plan this fantastic party designed to keep Monarch Prom goers and their dates highly entertained and safe following the dance. There will be two meetings in the Fall for a Meet ‘n Greet  and Fundraising, two meetings in February to create the game plan, and then weekly meetings beginning in March through the week of the event with the exception of Spring Break.  Meetings typically occur at Monarch from 7-8 pm.  The dates will be set after the initial meeting at the end of September.

Can’t join the planning committee? There will be plenty of opportunities to help with volunteering or donations for the event itself. Please watch for future school emails about the After Prom Event.

For more information, please use the contact information below. Also, be sure to visit our website here for more information!

Sharon Reese

After Prom Chair

afterpromevent@gmail.com

303-995-8060

The cross country team kicked off their racing season last Saturday, August 27th with the annual Coyote Chase Race and Fundrasier. This year’s race saw fast times and over 200 participants. Isaac Green took home the win for the boys and Hailey Leader won the girl’s race.

The cross country team has been training since June with their eye on bringing home hardware at the State and Nike Southwest Regional meets. The summer training included a trip to Leadville, Colorado to bond and experience quality workouts at high elevation.

On the girl’s side, seniors Holly Bent, Audrey Lookner, and Sam Wexler look to close out their careers at Monarch with wild success. Juniors Hailey Leader, Liz Hogan, Libby Moore, and Abby Hein as well as sophomore, Brooke Forsythe, and freshman, Anna Wexler, will also be key factors in that success.

On the boy’s side, reigning state champion and senior, Isaac Green, looks to defend his title and lead his team to success. The boy’s team is also full of seniors looking to cap off their Monarch careers with a HUGE team success. Zach Litoff, Greg Hibl, Declan Stone-Murphy, and Brandon Wallace are all seniors in search of a great last season. Charlie Perry, Will Dixon, and Paxton Hansburg will also be important components of the team’s success.

It looks to be another great year for the Coyote runners!

Samantha Wexler

Mohi XC Runner and Reporter

snwexler01@bvsd.org

Yearbook Senior Page:  Click here

Senior Quotes:  The link for senior quotes will appear on the yearbook senior page on September 7.

Quotes are due by October 7.

Senior Portraits:  Portrait and upload directions are on the Yearbook Senior Page.  Please follow all guidelines–non-conforming photos may be rejected for technical or content reasons.  We do not recommend using cell phone photos for this purpose, as the yearbook company may reject them for insufficient resolution. Seniors not submitting photos will appear in the book using their school ID photo.

Senior photos are due are due by October 7.

Senior Dedication Ads:  Parents, buying an ad is a fun chance to congratulate your senior.  Many families use family photos or baby or elementary school photos for this purpose.  If you do not have a scanner, we will be providing an evening for families to come use our scanner.  Watch for an email soon with date and time.  All other ad information is on the Yearbook Senior webpage.

Senior dedication ads are due by October 7.

Bonnie Katzive

Language Arts and Journalism Teacher

Adviser, The Howler and Yearbook

bonnie.katzive@bvsd.org, 720-561-4312

PEN (Parent Engagement Network)
Engage  *  Educate  *  Empower

PEN’s Mission is to increase youth resiliency and parent skills by:

• Engaging and supporting all parents, the community, and youth
• Providing research-based information and best practices on preventing high risk behavior
• Identifying parent, community, and youth strengths, and building on them
• Fostering thriving, resilient youth

Boulder Valley PEN will hold their first event and kick-off on Wednesday, September 21st from 6:30-8:30 pm at Centaurus High School. It will be a fun, interactive event called “Laughter is the Best Medicine”. Please see the this brochure for PEN Speaks 2016 to learn more about this event or register as well as preview the rest of the speaking engagements for the year.

If you are new to Monarch and have questions about anything, we are here to help. PEN’s Parent Mentor Program is a great resource and will answer questions and direct you to solutions.

More details to follow on upcoming PEN events at MHS. Please contact us if there are specific parenting issues which you would like addressed at mhs.parent.mentors@gmail.com.

Upcoming Boulder Valley PEN Fundraising Events

WHAT: CU Football FUNDRAISER-  CU vs ASU 

WHEN:  Saturday October 15th. Time TBA

COST: $30 (regularly $40)

PEN earns $10 for every ticket purchased when you use the promo code below!

DOWNLOADABLE FLYER

WHAT: The DENVER PRESS CLUB 

An evening of fun at the oldest Press Club in the nation! Buy a drink, schmooze & hear an inspirational message from celebrity bartenders.\

WHEN: OCTOBER 18, 5:30 – 8:00pm or until the party ends!!

WHERE: 1330 Glenarm Pl, Denver, CO 80204

COST: Free entrance and appetizers, plus discounted drinks. 

PEN receives 80% of the “TIPS” you give.  

REGISTER

Lori Dulberg

Monarch PEN Liaison

loridulberg@gmail.com

 PEN Website