February, 2010
Principal’s Message

As we enter the second semester of the 2009-2010 school year, we applaud the hard work and achievement of our high school students and encourage all students to continue in their efforts to reach their full potential for academic success.

Middlesex High School is a key motivator for families moving into the borough of Middlesex. Although we are a small high school, Middlesex offers a comprehensive educational program with many opportunities for our students to excel academically as well as develop their artistic, musical and athletic abilities.

Please use the links listed to the left to access further key information about the high school.

We continue to encourage all students to take advantage of the Enrichment Period available each day from 7:40 am – 7:56 am and/or 2:35 pm – 3:00 pm. The purpose of the Enrichment Period is to expand the educational and extra curricular activities offered to our students for the school year. Students will have the opportunity to use the facilities of the high school (computer labs, library, classrooms etc.) under the supervision of professional staff. Students may make an appointment with teachers for extra help or to make up missed work during this time period.

We continue to encourage all students to investigate and participate in the athletic and extra curricular clubs and activities available to all students. Please see the Student Handbook for a complete description of these activities. Meetings are announced during homeroom. The Student Handbook also includes all school policies for student attendance and conduct. We encourage all families to become familiar with this pertinent information.

Please visit our teacher websites and electronic gradebooks for individual class information as it pertains to your student.

With teachers, parents and administration working together, we can continue to guide our students to reach their full potential for academic excellence and maximum level of success.

Gregory Freeman

Mr. Greg Freeman, Mrs. Nadine Chemey, Dr. Baker

See Advanced Ceramics and Brian Schauer raku artist

Please click the following link in order to obtain information regarding your child's registration for Family and Consumer Sciences Preschool Registration.
Preschool Registration

Click below to access the MHS Robotic Team Web Site!!
Robotics

Click the following link in order to check individual teacher websites that will provide information regarding class activities and student assignments.
Teacher Websites

Student Resource Site For English Click the following link to access the E-board and type English as your ppassword:
MBOE-English.eboard.com

Middlesex Public Schools
The Middlesex Public Schools, in partnership with the community,
believe
all students have the capacity to learn,
and resolve to provide
the knowledge and skills for students to become
confident in their abilities to face challenges,
compassionate and respectful of themselves and others, and
committed to overall excellence in a diverse world.

“Confident, compassionate and committed to excellence”

Enjoy a copy of Middlesex High School's literary magazine Out Of The Blue

Attached is the summer reading list for the summer of 2009. Summer reading materials and assignments will be available after the first week in June. These materials will also be provided at the Middlesex Public Library, Barnes and Noble Bookstore, as well as Borders Bookstore.
Summer Reading List
English Honors Assignment

What is "Project Graduation"?Project Graduation was created to provide the graduating seniors with a fun filled night on graduation night that is safe and drug/alcohol free. The seniors get to take a cruise around New York on the "Spirit of New J ersey". There is a buffet , DJ with games and activities throughout the night. This event costs approximately $18,000. It takes all year to fund- raise and plan for this event. We need your help this year to reach this goal. Please click the following to find out about how to get involved with Project Graduation.
Hypnotist
Project Graduation
Fly A Flag For Project Graduation

APPROPRIATE DRESS PLACES RENEWED EMPHASIS ON SAFETY AND A POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Middlesex High School has made some modifications to its procedures in order to promote a more positive school climate. While most rules and procedures listed in the Student Handbook are unchanged, there were some changes made that should help to create a comfortable, safer and more secure learning environment.

The school setting is a work place, and students need understand that in order to do their best, they need to be focused on their work. The changes that were implemented are really minor and emphasize common sense, good judgment, and safety.

The rules governing student dress were adjusted for two major reasons: First, to create a more appropriate “work environment” that is more conducive to learning, and second, to reflect safety concerns that are being looked at nationally. For example, students are not permitted to wear the excessively long T-shirts that over the last few years have become fashionable with some male students. Students will be directed to tuck in the shirt if it hangs lower than the bottom of the pants pockets. Sadly, in too many places students have brought weapons into school hiding them under those long shirts. It has not been an issue at Middlesex but it was felt that eliminating that situation was a positive pre-emptive action. The action was taken in consultation with School Resource Officer Detective Scott Johnson of the Middlesex Police. It should be noted that the very long shirts also tend to be a safety hazard in just moving about the building.

For the same reason, students are being asked to pull up baggy pants so they are worn at the waist as designed. The baggy pants also tend to be a safety issue in walking.

In promoting a good work environment, it is expected that students and parents will use good judgment and exercise decorum in their clothing. Recent fashion trends have seen the “belly” shirt and rolled down waistbands. The high school is looking for tops and bottoms of students’ outfits to “meet in the middle”. Pajama wearing has also become a fashion statement; pajamas are for wearing to bed and will not be allowed in school. Students wearing pajamas will be made to call home to have appropriate clothing brought to school so they can change. Also, flip-flops are a true concern for safety reasons; it is advised that students do not wear flip-flops in school. Fashion is one thing, but you can be fashionable while also being appropriately dressed for school and the workplace.

Cell phones are everywhere today and Middlesex High School is working to be reasonable while also taking an approach that allows for learning to go on. Students may be in possession of them during the day, but they must keep them put away during school hours. Whether kept in their lockers, backpacks, or pockets, as long as the phone is turned off and out of sight, it is not a problem. With the prevalence of the phones, it was unrealistic to ban them from the building, but we cannot have them ringing during class or having students text message test answers to other students. This is a fair solution.

Camera phones, too, can be a wonderful and entertaining tool, but can also create problems if misused. Any picture-taking devise is banned from locations where privacy is expected. While it may seem obvious, cameras and camera phones are not to be used in locker rooms and lavatories.

Like so many other schools, Middlesex is trying to weigh the need to provide a safe and healthy school environment against the trends and fashions that interest students.