The love of a school is unlike any other love. There is little romance, less infidelity and infinitely more drama. It has been my privilege to be the principal of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School for the last nine years. As I leave my position to Stephen Nixon’s very capable hands, I am reflecting on the lessons I have learned in this chair.

First, I have learned that this is a community school unlike any other community school. People who have graduated from this school in the 60’s still send their children and grandchildren to MVRHS. Because of this, the principal has a very sacred trust in her hands: the legacy of all those who have crossed the stage in the past 49 years are part of her inheritance. McCarthy Field, Morris Scoreboard, Sanci Gym, Scotten Library, and all the other plaques of achievement remind me everyday that this is a school with a long history of family ties.

Second, I have learned that the Island is a wonderful place to give generously of your emotions. There is no anonymity here. We are neighbors, in-laws, cousins and family. This incredible bond of compassion is evident in the high school by all those students and their families who have made MVRHS famous by achievement. As we have faced together the death of our beloved students and our esteemed teachers, a bond of memory forms for life.

Third, I have learned that there is no place better than Martha’s Vineyard to learn from your mistakes. Every mistake you make is publicized openly, discussed ad nauseum and never forgotten; therefore, it is vital that you keep humble about your successes and remember all you’ve done wrong. Working and living in the same place, you must face all the mistakes you make face-to-face on a daily basis. This way you have a better chance of not repeating the error of your ways. In other communities, you can continue making  habitual mistakes. Here you are confronted with them daily.

Fourth, I have learned that there are no expendable students on the Island. When people tell me that the class sizes where they went to school or where they taught were 25-30 per class, I decry the idea. These class sizes produce drop-out rates of 3-6%; graduation rates of 80%; and illiterate students. I know. I was teaching off-island class sizes that big in the 1970’s and 1980’s. The world has changed. Now, no student can leave high school without passing literacy, mathematics, history, and science exams from the state. Is there any student the community sees not graduating? Dropping out? Leaving the school illiterate? I know we cannot and should not do this. We have a New Compact with our children today: They will leave our high school fully educated.

Last, and most important, I have learned the humility of leadership. If leaders serve those they rule, they can be successful. No longer are we the Masters of Our Domain; instead, we are the servants of those we lead. In Latin we learned the phrase Servus Servorum Dei: the servants of  God. As I exit my job as principal, I thank all those who have made this high school a success. I will miss my students and my teachers. I ask forgiveness of  all those I have harmed in this office.

With Much Love and Much Gratitude,

Peg Regan

Advanced Placement (AP) Tests - May 5 - 16
Senior Finals May 27 - 30
Final Exams (9th, 10th and 11th grade) June 16 - 19

As the third quarter winds down, there is a sense of accomplishment among our Special Education students and staff.  As teachers, we see our students displaying much more responsibility and independence. These young people are advocating for themselves, not making so many excuses for unfinished work and generally accepting responsibility for the quality of their assignments.  They are learning that taking and completing tests in the Resource Rooms is a privilege, not a method to delay taking the tests because they aren’t ready, but as a support for their learning styles.  We all struggle with the manipulations of various accommodations and, as a department, are working hard to be very clear about the purpose of these accommodations. We have four short years to support these students into independent individuals who will be successful in post-graduate studies, technical schools and the work force.  In our senior meetings, it is very gratifying to listen as students state their goals and visions for themselves as they prepare for their next step on the pathway of their lives. It is only through the connection with the students’ families and teachers and our support staff that these students are able to fulfill their dreams and each person who is connected with these students is to be applauded.

MCAS is nearing, the last week of March, for the ELA portion of this test.  Due to new regulations by our Massachusetts Department of Education, our Special Education students will not be receiving the supports that have been available in previous years for this portion only.  They will be able to have readers and scribes for the Math, Biology and U.S. History, which will happen later this spring.  The DOE feels that the ELA portion is a test of each student’s reading and writing skills, so they should work on these skills themselves.  All of our classroom teachers have worked very hard to prepare all students for this test and I am confident that our Special Education students will be successful as they have been in past years.

Our department took part in a terrific workshop that discussed Functional Behavioral Assessments at our last Professional day.  It was stimulating and informative for all of the departments’ staff and it is hoped that we can follow up with more work in this area. When a student’s behavior interferes with his learning we need to explore all strategies to help solve that behavior so that the student is free to learn.

Once again, our Special Education Department appreciates the communication with ‘our parents’, and hopes to continue to work together for the independence and success of each student in our department.

SAT I & SAT Subject Tests Dates
Juniors register at www.collegeboard.com and use you’re My Roads Account information.

Registration Deadline     Test Date
April 1                          May 3
May 6                           June 7

Peer Outreach News
In February, 66 peer outreach members attended a suicide prevention workshop led by Amy Lilavois and Michael McCarthy. Students learned who is most at risk for suicide, the warning signs for suicide, discussed how to most effectively help friends they are worried about and the resources available on Martha's Vineyard to help teenagers in need.

On Tuesday, March 18th, Kenny Watkins, Julie Perry and Matt Lucier (Senior members of the Peer Outreach Program) facilitated a workshop with the Anti-Bullying Congress at the Oak Bluffs School on active listening skills.

MCAS Testing
3/25/08 -Tuesday
ELA Comp (90 min)  E - 7:49 -  9:40 – 111 minute

3/26/08 -                  Wednesday
ELA Lang. (90 min) A - 7:49 -  9:40 - 111 minute

3/27/08- Thursday
ELA Lang. 3 (45 min) – E -7:49 –  9:15 – reg. period

4/02/08 -                  Wednesday
Make-ups – 307 & LCR - H&E - 7:49 - 10:45

5/21/08 -                  Wednesday
Math 1 (60 min) – F - 7:49 -  9:40 – 111 minute
MCAS Testing – (Continued)
5/22/08 -                  Thursday
Math 2 (60 min) – D -7:49 – 9:40 – 111 minute

5/27/08- Tuesday
US History-Juniors (60min) -                A -7:49-9:15 – reg. period

5/28/08 -                  Wednesday
US History - Juniors (60min)                 - E - 7:49-9:15 – reg. period

5/29/08- Thursday
Make-ups – 307 & LCR - D & C- 7:49 – 10:45
                 
6/03/08 -                  Tuesday
Sophomore Biology (60 min)                E - 7:49 -  9:15 – 111 min.  
 
6/04/08 – Wednesday
Sophomore Biology (60min)                 A -7:49-   9:15 – 111 min.

6/05/08 -                  Thursday                
Make-ups - 307 – LCR - E&F - 7:49 - 10:45

Important Dates
Interim Progress reports mailed for seniors the week of May 5.

Interim Progress reports mailed for all other grades the week of May 20.

Our “Coffee With The Principal” series began this year on September 18th.  We meet in the Library Conference Room, from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m.  All parents, teachers, and students are invited to join us for conversation and refreshments.  The agendas vary; let us know if you have a topic to suggest!  This is a casual forum; come late, leave early. It’s okay with us.

The contact person for the PTSO is Linda Hughes.  You can contact Linda with questions, comments, agenda suggestions or if you would like to receive e-mails from the PTSO.  Linda’s contact information is (508) 693-6316, JSAHughes@aol.com or write to: PTSO, Martha's Vineyard Regional High School, P.O. Box 1385, Oak Bluffs, MA  02557.  

Dates for future Coffees are as follows:

April 1, 2008
April 15, 2008
April 29, 2008
May 13, 2008
May 27, 2008
June 10, 2008

The school’s web site is an excellent resource for all kinds of information, for parents and students alike.  The PTSO page features the current Coffee Agenda, as well as links to other pages of interest.  You can click on the Guidance link and find the student handbook, testing and scholarship information, copies of all the grade-specific newsletters, and lots more.  The Departments link is a convenient way to follow what is going on in your student’s classes.  Most of the teachers now have active web pages, and many post their current homework and projects.

Don’t overlook the Library page!  They have a terrific assortment of research help that just about anyone would find useful.  If anyone would like help learning how to access the school’s web site, please contact the PTSO.

The winter season came to a close with the boys basketball and boys ice hockey teams both qualifying for the State Tournament. Boys basketball beat Westwood at home before losing to the South Region finalist Wareham in overtime. Boys ice hockey beat Hanover in their first game before losing to eventual Division 2 State Champion Sandwich High School in front a great crowd at Gallo arena. Girls ice hockey made a late charge in the final games of their season and just missed qualifying for the tournament.

A very young girl’s basketball team finished the year strongly and the expectations for next year are very high. Christina Wiley and Sarah Silvia were named to SMEGHL all star team, while Mark Reppert, Kea Minor and Julie Perry were invited to play in Cape Cod All-Star Game in Sandwich.

The spring season has also started and despite the less than spring-like weather our athletes are out working hard getting ready for their first games starting next week. Please check the website at www.mvrhs.org or watch the sign in front of the school to see when our kids will be playing at home.

Kansas Brew is teaching Making the Connection: English Language Learners and Subject Matter Texts Category 4:  Reading and Writing in Sheltered Content Classrooms,  to high school and elementary teachers on Tuesdays after school from 2:15 to 4:30 during March and April.

English teachers Keith Dodge and Dan Sharkovitz took 50 students to see a critically acclaimed production of William Shakespeare's Richard III on stage at the Trinity Repertory Theater in Providence, Rhode Island, recently. The students enjoyed great seats, front row, center stage. Future theater trips are planned.

The Martha's Vineyard Regional High School's summer programs will soon be posted on-line on our school Web site. For more information please visit www.mvrhs.org and click on Summer Clinics. We will be offering sports clinics, Robotics, chess, academic classes in math and English, and more!

Two juniors, Hilary Dryer and Sophie Lew, applied their rhetorical analysis skills to the creation of a public service announcement in Mr. Sharkovitz's English class to help introduce incoming ninth-graders to the high school. The short PSA can now be viewed on the high school's Web site by clicking on "8th grader info."

Eliza Gowell and Sophie Lew have been honored with an appointment to be co-editors in chief of our award-winning student newspaper for the 2008-09 school year.

English teacher Dan Sharkovitz has been invited to serve as an AP Reader at this year's annual AP Reading, this June in Orlando, FL. Dan will join colleagues from around the country in evaluating and scoring about 10 million free responses answers. In addition, he will receive training in the consistent application of scoring standards; he will interact with members of the AP Developmental Committee, giving and receiving information about the current state of teaching and learning in our discipline; he will discuss achievement, assessment, and teaching strategies with other college and AP high school faculty; and, hopefully, he will develop a network of professionals in the teaching of English which will last a lifetime.

William McCarthy attended a two day workshop on March 14th & 15th on The Art and Craft of Discussion Leadership" at the Harvard Business School.

Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Dodge are planning to take many of their students on a field trip to Concord, MA in June to visit Walden Pond, Emerson's home, "Author's Ridge" in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and other sites associated with the American Transcendentalist movement.
        

The History & Social Studies department is involved in a variety of interesting programs.  Our sophomore students continue to write their opinion pieces for the Vineyard Gazette for their bi weekly page Sophomores Speak Out.  The students are writing on a wide range of topics, and  are encouraged to find their voices speaking on topics about which they care. They respond with insightful and thoughtful writing and graphics offering their readers a glimpse into the student world.  The sophomores will be taking their opinions on the road at the end of April when they will participate on a local TV forum focusing on their interests and concerns. The work done by the sophomore class for their Annual Heritage Trail Exhibition is still on display at the Vineyard Museum where it will stay until June. We urge our readers to go see this work before it is returned to the students. It is an impressive display.  Students have been involved with the dedication of two sites on the Heritage Trail both of which are featured on Plum TV  Andy Berry's students have been visiting the Farm Institute and the Irish History classes are involved in a program of teaching younger students at the Edgartown, West Tisbury and Charter Schools.  In June, Elaine Cawley Weintraub's classes will be conducting a series of interviews and gathering oral histories in our community. The department has hosted several guest speakers representing all the parts of our community.  The various guests have presented an array of varying perspectives on issues ranging from law enforcement, town government, women’s' issues, war veterans, local history the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and surviving the Holocaust.

This year, we are offering three Advanced Placement classes for students with an interest in history and a desire to excel at this challenging level.  The classes are US history taught by Olsen Houghton, World History taught by Corinne Kurtz and Modern European History taught by Elaine Cawley Weintraub.

On April 16th, Corinne Kurtz will lead a group of students to England as part of an exchange program between the Shelley School in West Yorkshire, England and Elaine Cawley Weintraub will lead a group of students on the annual.  customized educational and cultural tour of Ireland. 

Art school is not for everyone.  The decision to attend a full time art school vs. a college or university with an art program is a difficult dilemma for students interested in the visual arts.  A summer pre-college art program can help one to make that decision by giving the student a real art school experience.  These programs are offered by every major art and design school across the country for a week to six weeks which includes room and board.  Students can specify an area of study such as drawing. painting, architecture, photography or film making.   One can develop a portfolio and experience art school first hand.   We have information on summer art programs on display in the art wing gallery area at MVRHS or go to any art school’s  website and look for summer programs.

Students received 6 awards out of 12 entries to The Boston Globe Scholastic Art Awards.  Congratulations to Joshua Paulson (gold key) in drawing, Christopher Ewing and Danielle Fogg (silver keys), Amanda Brown, Jessica Cummens and Raymond Ewing all received honorable mentions for jewelry, drawing and photography, respectively.   In addition, three Gold Portfolio Awards went to Amelia Adler, Tyler Bilodeau and Micah Thanhauser.  All gold key awards become eligible for art school scholarships.

High School art students have been showing their work at The Featherstone Gallery this spring.  Rebecca Swartwood had a show of  her work in early March. Ms. Frame’s and Mr. Campbell's drawing, painting and pottery classes will display work in mid March.

Graduate alumni Lilly Morris had a show of her Senior work at The Massachusetts College of Art & Design  in mid March.    
                       
Don’t miss this year’s Evening of the Arts on Thursday, May 22th, 6:30 p.m. at the Regional High School and the 12th annual wood kiln pottery firing at Featherstone on Memorial Day weekend.
           

The math department is beginning its "stretch run" with preparing the students for the upcoming MCAS tests as well as the SAT on May 3rd. It would be beneficial to your student if you tried to ensure that they receive the proper amount of rest the night before these sometimes arduous days. We are presently working with sample tests as well as other strategies to help facilitate our instruction.

Danielle Nicholson Garcia has decided to take a second year leave of absence and continue her studies in Ireland. We continue to wish her well and hope she returns the following year. Joel Weintraub is leaving at the end of the month as circumstances out of his control dictate that he must return to his previous position in Rhode Island. We are sorry to see him leave as he has filled in admirably for Danielle. Frank Case will replace Joel for the rest of the year. Frank brings a wealth of substituting as well as teaching experience, and we know he will do a great job.

The department has begun its Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment self study.  This study helps analyze where we are, where we need to be, and what modifications we therefore may want to make in each area to reach departmental and student goals. We hope to have it completed by the end of next month.

Catherine DeGrandpre continues her master’s degree studies with the University of North Arizona. She is presently taking a graduate Statistics class.

Kris Chvatal continues with the STAR program which is currently finishing its second quarter. The program provides a more structured core-curriculum program for those freshmen who had difficulty adjusting to the high school environment. Kris is now working with Algebra I students.

Doug DeBettencourt continues with the SAT prep class which has expanded to both Tuesday and Wednesday nights. The class attempts to teach students "how" to take the test as well as required content.

Ken DeBettencourt continues with required coursework towards a second master’s degree.
This spring, he will be holding his 12th Annual Linguini Bridge Contest. Last year, Lauren Gibson and Alexia Schroeder's Linguini Bridge held 2115 lbs before finally giving way to the 7 feet of free weights stacked on the 3/4lb bridge. Students are already underway working on designs in hope of becoming the new Linguini Bridge Champion. Ken also plans on having his "Cardboard/Duct Tape" boat race as soon as the water is warm enough, usually around the second week in June.

With daylight savings time history, and third quarter grades uploaded, the Science Department accelerates the final push towards the end of the academic year. Our science faculty looks forward to many hands-on laboratory activities outdoors rather than in the confines of the classroom.

Our Biology teachers, in particular, are interested in the opportunities the Spring season brings to the Island. Students spend time finding and identifying birds, and often observing their behavior. Also, as Mr. Schwabe has noted for many years, this season offers a wide variety of plants to find and identify, all within a short walk of campus.

With the coming of warmer ocean waters, striped bass, bluefish and a fine selection of shellfish serve as valuable laboratory specimens for teaching. When handled properly, these various specimens later become filets, stuffed quahogs or similar foods.

There is rumor, at this time total unfounded, that the Biology teachers are planning the First Annual Molluscan Radula Race. While they refuse to disclose any specifics, a source speaking only on conditions of anonymity states that a 10 cm track is being built to conduct the event. We will be happy to report more as this event materializes, however this is the final newsletter of the year. Interested readers will have to glean whatever information they can from Science Department members.

On a much more academic slant, Ms. Bennett's A.P. Biology students will travel to Harvard's Neurobiology Laboratory in April. This event is sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Also in April, Ms. Bennett and Capt. Nelson are planning a trip to Harvard's Natural History Museum.

In May, Sarah Kiley, a forensic anthropologist, will speak to Biology classes. The following month, The Encyclopedia of Life's education coordinator will speak on the Island to interested students and faculty (date in June not firm yet).

Our Earth Science teachers, Ms. Hermann and Mr. Brand, continue to focus student attention on our dynamic planet. Currently, students are integrating past knowledge of our terrestrial sphere with insight into atmospheric processes. From here, students will investigate the ocean surrounding our Island and study biotic and abiotic elements at an organic farm. One group of students will travel to Woods Hole to learn about present and future underwater research stations. Additional local field trips are being considered for the Gay Head cliffs in Aquinnah and along the beach at Menemsha Hills.

According to Physics teacher Mr. Munn, the school's biodiesel processor should be up and running by the end of April. Of major note, we are very proud that Dana Munn has just received the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Book Award from Massachusetts Maritime Academy. This prestigious award is given to high school teachers. Further, recipients must be nominated by a student at the Academy who was previously a student of the recipient. As part of the award, Mr. Munn will travel to the Academy for a formal ceremony in late April. From all in the Science Department, and I am sure from entire our academic family, we extend our sincere congratulations.

On the club scene, the Science Club is planning another stargazing evening some time in late April or early May, when our favorite celestial objects are in place for optimal viewing. The date will be posted on the classroom televisions for homeroom viewing and located on bulletin boards throughout the school. Check with Ms. Bennett if you are planning on participating. Also, a small group of Chemistry students have been recognized as the charter members of an ACS Chemistry Club. The American Chemical Society has begun piloting a nationally organized Chem Club and MVRHS is proud to be a charter member. Dr. Kresel serves as the club's advisor and liaison with the American Chemical Society. More on this Club's mission and activities will appear in the Fall.

Although the Science Fair has concluded, the Department recognizes the extraordinary amount of effort required to put this program together and see it function as superbly as it does. We recognize the work of Dr. Natalie Munn for her devotion to this annual event. Without her many hours behind the scenes, our Science Fair would not happen. Thank you Dr. Munn. And, as a reminder about science and the science fair, it is never too early or late to begin collecting data for next year's fair. Studies which are longitudinal generate considerable interest in the region and are often successful Science Fair entries.

Finally, the Department wishes all students, and especially those taking the State's MCAS exams over the upcoming weeks, the very best in their efforts. Work hard for the remainder of the year. Then, have a safe and enjoyable summer, and return ready to do some science in September.

The library continues to be a popular venue for our students.    I know they love the comfy couches and the computers, but there is a lot more in the MVRHS Library......  

Did you know that if you go to the ever-popular GOOGLE online and type in: MVRHS that you will be able to call up the library web page.    Take a look!    The first icon on the library web page gives you a peek at the library's card catalog.    Other icons like Library Spot or Internet Public Library give you access to dictionaries, languages, medical and legal information, magazines and newspapers and much, much more.

Mrs. Mott has attended two conferences this term.   One of the conferences was in Dedham and it was on Best YA  Books for 2007-08.   It was a great place to share what is popular and worthwhile for our students to read and it makes it easier when ordering materials.  Sometimes a book looks much better in the vendor's magazine than it does in a student's hands.   And, the week of March 10th I was lucky to be able to attend a book buying trip with other Island school librarians.   We went to Barnes and Noble to make some purchases requested by students and staff.   It was a great way for us to get together and share information on our programs and collections.

Successful events abound in the Performing Arts Department!  Stellar performances of   ‘A Chorus Line’, with a cast and crew of over 60 students, took place in February to rave reviews.  On Thursday, March 20th, the music groups of the Performing Arts Department presented their 'Music in Our Schools' month concert, featuring the Concert Band, String Orchestra, Freshman Chorus, Mixed Chorus, and Jazz Band.  Concert highlights included 'Thus Sprach Zarathustra' (better know as the theme in '2001, a Space Odyssey!), a Concerto Grosso by Corelli, vocal selections from music from the 'Lord of the Rings', pieces in Hebrew, French, and Latin, as well as Pitoni's 'Cantate Domino' sung by the combined choruses.  Future concerts include the Minnesinger Spring Shows on May 3rd and 4th, and our year end concert on May 15th.

Again this year, along with the talented students and staff of the Visual Arts Department, we will participate in Evening of the Arts.  Don’t miss this demonstration of student art work as well as musical and dramatic performances on May 22nd in the Performing Arts Center.  Watch the papers for further details. 

Students this year in the high school Performing Arts Department have participated in several off-Island events, all of which required rehearsals outside of school time (including vacations) and weekend performances.   The drama classes presented their original piece (Between the Lines) at the Mass. HS Drama Guild Festival in Bourne on March 1st, winning an award for acting (Jerome Pikor) and one for set design (Chad Curtis).  Eight musicians performed in the All-Cape and Island Music Festival in February:  Toby Riseborough, Zach Rabin, Lydia Fischer, Emma Frizzell (choral group),  Shaelah Huntington, Willoughby Smith, Bethany Pennington, Emily Carter (orchestra).

Bethany Pennington and Hannah Marlin were chosen to participate in the Southeast District Senior Festival which took place in January, and Toby Riseborough, Bryan MacKenty, and Sidra Dumont were members of the Mixed Chorus for the Junior District Festival in March along with students from Tisbury and W. Tisbury who sang in the Treble Choir. 
           
One more exciting event sponsored by MV Savings Bank in conjunction with Windemere and Berklee College of Music included a music therapy workshop for students at the high school. 
After the presentation, 19 students traveled to Windemere to see the therapy concept in action with residents.  It was an amazing experience for everyone.  Students and adults alike were anxious to schedule more visits and teachers will be looking for ways to incorporate this into curriculum plans for next year in art, music, theatre, and writing.

Our best wishes for a wonderful spring and summer!

The Health and Physical Education Department has been busy with lots of indoor activities. The ever popular all school pickle ball tournament was held on March 13.  Winners in the girl’s doubles were freshmen Crystal Miske and Madeline Penicaud, and the boys champs were juniors Nick Billingham and Tad Gold who beat out seniors Andy Jahnes and Dylan Hutchinson in a very close match.  Over 60 students participated in this event again this year and the highlights of the tournament and finals will be aired on MVTV soon.

The freshmen have been enjoying the gym by themselves this quarter as the sophomores have been in their quarter long health class. On March 31 the roles change and the sophs will be heading to the gym for activity while the freshmen take human sexuality and AIDS education for 2 weeks.  All juniors will be taking CPR in the next few weeks as well.

As always, we await the break in the weather at the end of April and look forward to getting outside and utilizing all of our field space for warm-up activities and lifetime sports such as tennis, golf and fitness walking, not to mention cycling, canoeing and kayaking.

This past September, Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School began offering Driver Education to its students.  Most of the students are in the sophomore class, but there have been several older students who did not take Driver Education previously that were offered the opportunity to be part of the class.

There were several factors as to why the school began to offer this program.  The most important is to make sure our students are safe on the roads.  The State of Massachusetts has a 30 hour in-classroom requirement.  The school not only meets this but almost doubles the number of hours that students will be learning safe driving in the classroom.

The other factor for the schools involvement in Driver Education was to save families money.  As of September 1, 2007, students are now required to take 12 hours of behind-the-wheel training with a licensed driving instructor.  These additional hours have doubled what was previously required by the state.  The increased hours has also doubled the cost of Drivers Education.

Drivers Education courses are now costing families $900-$1,000.  Since the school is offering the in-classroom portion for free, Martha’s Vineyard families will only have to pay for the driving portion.  The school is not involved in behind-the-wheel requirements.  A private company is handling this and their fee is $660.

April 18, 2008                School Closed at End of  Day
April 21-25, 2008            Spring Recess School Closed   
April 28, 2008                School Reopens
May 26, 2008                 Memorial Day School Closed
May 27-30, 2008             Senior Exams
June 8, 2008                   MVRHS Graduation, Tabernacle
June 16-19, 2008             Final Exams ½ Days (Noon Dismissal)
June 27, 2008                 Last Day of School* (Noon Dismissal)

*NOTE:  185 scheduled school days include 5 snow/emergency days.  If these days are not used,
the calendar will be adjusted to carry a total of 180 student school days.