Welcome to Maple Hill High School

 

It is hard to believe that we are just about at the mid-year point with January Regents Exams and midterm exams approaching soon after our return from break. It is very important to constantly encourage our students to work hard during the winter months and focus on good grades and attendance in school. 

 

We have noticed that student achievement often drops off during the winter months. As parents we need to check on homework assignments and encourage good study skills for tests and quizzes by having a set time and place at home to do school work. Communication between parents and teachers through e-mail has made checking on student progress easier and more effective. Periodic phone calls are also effective and help keep the personal connections we seem to be losing with texting and e-mailing. As parents we can’t do it all. Please continue to hold your child responsible and engaged in their learning by approaching teachers and asking what they need to do in order to do better. This is a crucial skill needed by all adults after high school. Successful college students are able to approach college professors and advocate for themselves. As parents, we need to start working on these skills with our children at an early age; middle school is not too early. Our students need to understand that it’s okay to ask questions. No one should allow our students to settle for average – they continuously need to work hard and finish strong, doing more than what is asked of them.

 

The next couple of months will be very stressful for many of our seniors as they wait to hear back from colleges and receive acceptance letters. It is important that we encourage them to research and complete scholarship opportunities. Not all scholarships require students to identify where they will be attending school next year. A good starting point is always the guidance office. But this is just a starting point. Encourage your soon-to-be graduate to hit the Internet and complete scholarship applications on time. As seniors, it is their responsibility to keep track of what scholarships they applied for and when the deadlines are. Remember that responsibility is part of their moving on in the real world.

 

In closing, I want to reiterate the importance of communication and responsibility. Parents and students are encouraged to check school webpages for up-to-date information related to school activities and upcoming events. E-mails and phone calls should be made not only when something negative takes place. I encourage both parents and teachers to connect and share positive behaviors and exceptional accomplishments that may otherwise go unnoticed. With regards to responsibility, it is never too early to encourage and hold our students responsible for their accomplishments and behaviors. Encourage your child to approach their teachers and ask for more details, what might be their weakness, and what can they do to better themselves.

 

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Holiday and New Year. To our students, please remember to finish strong by working hard even after that college acceptance letter comes through.

 

Sincerely,

Robert Horan
Principal, Maple Hill High School
732-7701