Dear Monty Tech Community,

While I certainly enjoy aspects of every quarter as we move through the school year, I have to admit that the final report for the Principal’s Office page is always my favorite. Of course, part of that is because the long New England winter is over and the warmth of spring has arrived. However, most importantly, the final quarter brings us to our most important event each year – Graduation. Hopefully, this year’s Graduation will be particularly memorable, as we should experience the return of so many of Monty Tech’s end-of-the-year traditions, after several years of canceled events or modified ceremonies. 

With that said, we cannot assume that the ongoing effects of COVID have disappeared. Yes, as I write this report, Monty Tech has had several consecutive weeks where case counts have been in the single-digits and, if the trend continues, we may push pause on focusing on our weekly COVID numbers. Nevertheless, as I have mentioned, we will continue to encourage members of our school community to communicate with our Nurses’ Office regarding COVID related concerns or actual positive cases in your household. Finally, I feel compelled to remind everyone that while our plans are to move forward with all of our traditional end-of-year events like the Prom, Senior Awards Night and Graduation, we will do so with eyes constantly focused on the data and our ears listening to the guidance from national, state and local officials.

Still, moving forward, we have a lot of events and occasions coming up over the final six weeks of the year that we truly believe students, parents, guardians and staff should be aware of, including the following…

April 29 – SkillsUSA State Competitions – While some adjustments to the traditional SkillsUSA state events have occurred, including the fact that the state Leadership competitions were held separately on April 14, the hands-on competitions will occur on this day at Blackstone Regional Vocational Technical School. We are thrilled the students listed below have earned the following SkillsUSA District awards. If they have an “X” next to their name, then they have qualified for the state competitions, and we wish them the best of luck!

Please note that the SkillsUSA State Awards Ceremony will be held separately on May 13 in Marlborough at the Best Western Hotel.

May 2-10 - Advanced Placement Exams – Every May brings a challenge to many of our students as they sit for their end-of-course AP Exams. This year, our students will sit for 168 total exams, over seven different courses. The specific dates for those exams are:

• AP Chemistry – May 2                                                         
• AP Environmental Science – May 3
• AP English Literature and Composition – May 4                  
• AP Statistics – May 5
• AP Calculus AB – May 9                                                        
• AP Comp. Sci. Principles – May 9
• AP English Language and Composition – May 10

May 5 - Monty Tech Career Expo & Job Fair –In an effort to support our students’ employment goals as well as to support our business partners’ hiring needs, Monty Tech will host a job fair in the café from 4:00-7:00pm. Dozens of local businesses, in a variety of trades, will be on site with specific hiring needs. Attendees can come and go as they please, and we would strongly urge students to bring copies of their updated resumes.

May 6 – Quarter 4 Underclassmen Progress Reports - Marks will close for Progress Reports on the 6^th and the reports will be distributed on Friday, May 13. Please note that since the quarter is so short for them, there are no Quarter 4 reports for seniors.

May 10-13 – Senior Final Exams – For those classes that are administering them, senior final exams occur between May 10-12, with make-ups occurring on May 13. Senior Academic Sign-out Day will occur on this day as well.

May 13 - Monty Tech Prom – After several years of postponements, the Monty Tech Prom will return to Wachusett Mountain at 6:00pm this evening. Please note that we will continue the practice of allowing early dismissal at 11:00am for prom attendees, but parents must sign a specific dismissal form that attendees can pick up in the Deans’ Office.

May 14 – Class of 2026 Placement Testing – While this only applies to the incoming members of the Class of 2026, our annual Placement Testing will occur on this Saturday between 8:00am and Noon. Questions should be directed to our Academic Director, Christina Favreau, at ext. 5241.

May 17 & 18 - Grade 10 Math MCAS Exam – During the days of May 17 & 18, all Sophomores will participate in the Math MCAS exam, as students must earn a passing score in order to graduate. I would urge all families to review the special daily schedule associated with the MCAS exam days, which will be posted on the school’s website – www.montytech.net. Once again, seniors will be allowed to arrive to school at 10:30am during these days.

May 20 – Senior Sign-out Day – Our seniors’ final day will include the usual events including the annual Co-op Awards ceremony, for students only, as well as the Senior BBQ. During this day, seniors will receive their medical records, cumulative folders and additional graduation related information. Please note that all school debts in terms of class dues, textbooks, athletic uniforms, cafeteria debt, etc. must be resolved at this time in order to participate in Graduation.

May 23 – 25 – Graduation Week – The culmination of four years for the Class of 2022 will occur with the formal ceremony, on the football field, on Wednesday, May 25 at 6:00pm. We will share many updates with senior families as the date nears. Prior to that, seniors are required to attend two rehearsals, on the mornings of May 23 and 24, where they will receive their caps & gowns, honor cords, and additional materials. Additionally, on the eve of graduation, seniors will gather at 7:00pm for the traditional Senior Awards Night. If there is inclement weather, the ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 26.

May 24-27 – Sophomore Final Exams – Grade 10 exams will be held this week beginning with ELA on Tuesday, Science & Social Studies on Wednesday, and Math and Social Studies on Thursday.

May 30 - Memorial Day – The Monty Tech community will pause to recognize the Memorial Day holiday. The school will be closed.

May 31 – June 2 – Freshmen and Junior Final Exams – Similarly, grade 9 & 11 exams will be held this week beginning with ELA on Tuesday, Science & Social Studies on Wednesday, and Math and Social Studies on Thursday.

June 6 & 7 – Biology MCAS Exam – During the days of June 6 & 7, select Freshmen and Sophomores will participate in the Biology MCAS exam, as students must earn a passing score in order to graduate. Specific schedule information will be released prior to the exam days.

June 9 - Bulldog Pride & the Last Day of School – Monty Tech will bring an end to the school year with its annual student recognition event, Bulldog Pride, and students will then be dismissed at 11:00am. We hope that everyone has a great summer!

At the time of this writing, we are merely six weeks away from finishing out a very challenging year, and I am sure that everyone can agree that those final six weeks are packed with many items. Still, I am sure that we will finish strongly. Families should also know that, in terms of our summer program, much like last year, many will be offered at no cost, including summer school. However, we will share that specific information as the end of the year approaches. Until then, I hope that everyone has a wonderful spring filled with hard work, success and joy!

Best regards,

Tom Browne

Principal