JANUARY 8, 2023

Happy new year and welcome back to school! The HSA is planning many opportunities to meet and connect over the coming weeks. See below to get involved!

HSA General Meeting

Tuesday, January 10, 7:30 pm on Zoom

NOTE: This meeting is now VIRTUAL at 7:30 pm.

We made this change due to current district Covid-19 and masking policies. We will try to schedule another general meeting in person soon.

Why attend?

Masterman is facing many challenges. If you are concerned about the direction of the school, we need your engagement. Please see the important Mid-Year Data Review that Masterman administration shared with HSA leadership in our recent meeting, which also included Dr. Domers and Cari Cantor from the district. This HSA is committed to addressing problems as a school community, to find a way forward in dialogue with Dr. Payne and the administration, while providing everyone the support that they need to thrive at Masterman. Please join us in these important discussions that will lead into our work next month about the vision and mission for Masterman going forward.

In addition, to address the needs of 8th grade families participating in the high school selection process, there will be a breakout session to be led by 8th grade parents who also went through it last year. Both Ms. Lennon and Ms. Marcus will be in the session to answer your questions. There will also be time to share feedback, reflect on experiences, and offer community support through this process.

Click here to join

Meeting ID: 852 2719 9318

Passcode: 1Wd0ZR

One tap mobile:

+13092053325,,85227199318#,,,,*282591# US

More Parent Coffee Chats Coming Up!

The Outreach Committee heard families’ requests for more connection and support among specific groups via Zoom.

Asian Community Coffee Chat

Wednesday, January 11, 7:00 pm

A chance to discuss school affairs in Chinese

7th Grade Coffee Chats

Thursday, January 12, 12:00 pm AND 8:00 pm

To discuss ELA, PSSAs prep, recess, world language offerings for next year, and any other topics

8th Grade Coffee Chats

Monday, January 16, 12:00 pm AND Friday, January 20, 5:00 pm

For families to share and compare notes at different stages of the lottery

6th Grade Coffee Chat

Thursday, January 19, 8:00 pm

To talk about any concerns and build community

Click here to join ANY coffee chat

Meeting ID: 867 3318 2683

Passcode: 818986

One tap mobile

+16469313860,,86733182683#,,,,*818986# US

Save the Date for These In-Person Events:

9th Grade Parent Mixer

Friday, January 27, in the evening at Masterman

6th Grade Family Social

Friday, March 24, after school at Masterman

Spring Auction

Saturday, March 18, at Rodeph Shalom

Want to help organize? Email auction@mastermanhsa.org.

Future HSA Meetings

Feb 7

Mar 7

April 11

May 9

All on Zoom at 7:30 pm

Other Important Dates

Monday, January 16: NO SCHOOL, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Friday, January 20: HALF DAY, teacher professional development

Wednesday–Friday, February 1–3: HALF DAYS, parent-teacher conferences

REQUESTS, REMINDERS & RESOURCES

Directory Update

Parents/guardians:

Did you forget to opt in to the Masterman family directory by December 31? You’re in luck! You have another week.

Click here to share your contact info with members of our community in a printed packet.

Rep Your Profession at Career Day

The Masterman HS chapter of the National Honor Society is bringing back Career Day. NHS students are looking for parents, friends of parents, and alumni who would be able to represent their profession by running a workshop.

Career Day will take place at Masterman on February 24, 10:45am–2:05pm. Each presenter will speak to rotating groups of students, for about 25 minutes at a time. Consider telling students about how you chose your career, your accomplishments, and how they can possibly pursue your career. There will be technology and assistance available to project Powerpoint presentations or any other digital information.

Willing to help out? Please email Ms. Solomon at esolomon@philasd.org.

Mental Health Corner

Seen in the Washington Post:

Authorities warn about recent cases of teen “sextortion” and suggest talking to your kids about how to handle texts from strangers.

Reminder: Tutoring Resources

National Honor Society Drop-In Tutoring at Masterman

Mondays, 7:30am – 8:15am in Room 214 (for everyone)

Tuesdays, 8th Period in Room 312 (for HS students)

Wednesdays, 8th Period in Room 305 (for 5th- and 6th-grade students)

Thursdays, 8th Period in Room 312 (for 7th- and 8th-grade students)

Everyone is free to drop in as needed.

If you have any questions please contact the HS Dean, Mr. Gilken, at jgilken@philasd.org.

SDP-Provided Online Tutoring

The School District has made free tutoring available for all students in Grades 3 to 12. Registration is now open for Cycle 2 for Reading, Math, Algebra I and II, Geometry, and English I-IV. Please register with one of our district vendors: Catapult (Grades 3–6), Tutor Me (Grades 3–8), or FEV (Grades 6–12).

Spread the Word

Do you have news or announcements that you want to share with the school community? Is there information you'd like to see featured here?

Email newsletter@mastermanhsa.org.

Connect others with the HSA by forwarding this email or sharing this link to subscribe to the newsletter!

SUPPORT

There are many ways to give to the Masterman community. Here are a few.

HSA ANNUAL FUND

Donations fund the many programs and initiatives of the HSA that support our school, teachers, families, and students. Whether you are able to give $5 or $500, your gift is meaningful, and signals your commitment to our community.

TEACHER WISH LISTS

Want to give direct support to specific teachers or your child’s classroom? Masterman teachers have updated their Amazon Wish Lists with the items they need to supplement the HSA’s Teacher Grant program.