CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR “2008 TOP TEN STUDENTS”  These Top Ten have worked diligently all through high school and been involved in many school and community activities.  Congratulations!

Adriane Dorman, Rebekah Dressner, Samantha Latch, Matthew Haintz, Kaitlin VanderWeide, Jessica Raes, Jessica Brown, Ashley Flye, Audrey McDougal, Hannah Shedenhelm.

AP EXAMS WEEK: Juniors and seniors will be taking AP exams May 7-14   We are offering them at the Phelps Fire Hall in order to provide a quiet testing environment.  Exams being offered are Eng. Language, Eng. Literature, Calculus, US History, Biology and Physics.

REGENTS/FINAL EXAM STUDY SESSIONS: The Learning Center will be offering Regents review sessions during mid May through June.  These review sessions are given in addition to review done in the classrooms by our teachers.  These sessions will be held in the Learning Center from 3:15 to 5:15 two to three days a week(Mon-Wed)  Students will need to provide their own transportation home.  Students can sign up in the Learning Center.

LAST PROGRESS REPORT: The last progress report for this year will be May 12th.  All students will be sent a report.  We encourage all parents to read them carefully and compare them to the 3rd quarter report card grade.  The fourth quarter is shorter due to exam weeks and therefore fewer grading opportunities to improve your child’s grade for the quarter.  It is extremely important to make sure your child is keeping up with their work and going in for extra help to successfully complete the year.  Use our online ConnectEd to check on your child’s grades.  Email their teachers directly if you have questions.

SCIENCE LABS !! Please check with your child to make sure they are current with all their labs.  They must have completed and have approved 30 labs for the year in order to be able to sit and take the Regents exam.  This is a NYS requirement. 

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTIONS: NHS inductions will take place in the middle school cafeteria on May 28th at 7pm.  This is always a wonderful ceremony, all parents and students are encouraged to attend.

REGENTS WEEK: The Regents exams begin June 17 through June 25.  A schedule will be included in the June newsletter.

COMING EVENTS: Conference ½ day 5/15, Budget Vote 5/20, Physics Trip 5/19, Memorial Day no school 5/23 & 5/26, MHS/MMS Chorus Concert 5/29

SENIORS…. GRADUATION IS COMING or IS IT? Seniors now is the time to finish the year strong!  There are always a few seniors that let down these last few weeks of school and fail a necessary class that results in not graduating.  Please remember that in order to participate in graduation ceremonies in June a senior must have successfully completed all required credits (22 minimum).  There are no exceptions to this school procedure.  Parents please note this and check how your son or daughter is doing.  The last progress report comes out the week of May 12th.  If you have questions or concerns please email teachers directly. 

JUNIORS: Spring is a good time to visit possible colleges.  It is never too early to start looking and students are still on campus now to give you a better feel for each college.

ATTENTION PARENTS OF SENIORS: The Chemical Free Graduation Party Committee needs your help.  Please attend the next meeting of the committee on May 14th at 7:00 pm at the YMCA in Clifton Springs to help with the work of putting on this wonderful event for our graduates.  Monetary donations are also appreciated and much needed.  Checks can be made out to MHS Chemical Free Grad Party and sent to the high school.  If you have questions or would like to help but cannot attend the meeting, please contact Cheryl Brownell at 548-6300. Thank you for your support in making this tradition possible.

COLLEGE LOANS AVAILABLE: The Ontario County Children’s Fund makes available interest free loans for college.  Repayment of the loan begins after graduation from college.  If interested contact your child’s guidance counselor for more information.

 

Midlakes High School took top honors at the Alfred University 48 Hour Challenge. 

The team competed against 17 teams from public and private high schools representing New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Connecticut.  This was Midlakes third year participating in the event.  In previous years, the team has placed third and seventh.  This year’s challenge, held over a 48 hour period from June 25^th to June 27^th, challenged the students to explain the origin and composition of a spherical object falling to earth. 

The competition was in three parts. 

The first portion involved GPS tracking, collecting a spherical object with a motorized, miniature pay-loader, and development of an action plan to collect and preserve the object in the field. 

The second portion required laboratory analysis of the sample.  Labs were conducted in geo-astronomy, chemistry, biology, GIS, scanning electron microscopy, electrical properties, thermo-analysis, and mathematics. 

The final part of the challenge was a poster competition in which the students presented their research, analysis and conclusions about the sample. 

As the first place team, the Midlakes students will each receive $500 and a penknife from competition sponsor, CUTCO.  Midlakes High School will receive a $2500 award. 

Congratulations to the team for their outstanding performance and special thanks to Mrs. Sharon Backus for being team advisor, mentor, and chaperone.