After two months of beach days, summer jobs, travelling and adventures with friends, summer break has come to a close. Manitoulin Secondary School students are now entering the 2024-2025 school year, with brand new classes of incoming Grade 9s and outgoing Grade 12s.
The very first week of high school is always an important transition period. The grade nine students are learning where their classes are, meeting new friends and tackling the combination locks on their lockers. Getting into new routines can be tough but by the end of the first week everyone was settled in! At the same time, our seniors had their “last first day” on Tuesday, September 3, when schools opened. Soon, university and college application portals will open and our senior students will be making decisions about the next chapter in their lives.
A few new policies have been introduced to MSS. One of these policies is the province-wide cellphone ban. Students all over Ontario are no longer allowed the use of phones in the classroom, they must keep their devices out of sight while in class. MSS is encouraging students to keep their phones turned off and in their lockers. The second policy is that backpacks and coats are no longer allowed in classrooms and MSS students must keep these belongings in their locker for the duration of the school day.
The first cross country meeting was held on Wednesday, September 4 and the first mountain biking and golfing meeting was held on Friday, September 6. With these competition seasons quickly approaching, it was important to get a head start in recruiting teams!
The MSS robotics team has also opened its doors for the new school year with their first meeting being held on Thursday, September 5. Their robot and some team members also made an appearance in the parade at the Manitowaning Fall Fair this weekend.
There are still spots available on the annual Stratford trip! This year students are being taken to Stratford, Ontario to see incredible professional performances of ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ ‘Twelfth Night,’ ‘La Cage’ and ‘Something Rotten.’ Along with these performances students can participate in theatre workshops. For students in the Arts and Culture Specialist High Skills Major, half of the trip costs are taken care of!
The new school year is an exciting time for both staff and students, and while some might not be ready to let go of summer relaxation, there is always plenty to keep students occupied at MSS!
Until next time, go, Mustangs, go!
