MALDEN HIGH SCHOOL: MHS ‘Senior Sunrise’ draws a large crowd to welcome new day, school year Back to School Night/Open House planned for Thursday night, Sept. 19

By Steve Freker

Most high school principals arrive at their buildings for the start of the school day well before the opening bell. For instance, Malden High School eighth-year Principal Chris Mastrangelo usually is at his desk between 6:00 and 6:30 a.m. each school day, ahead of the 7:45 a.m. bell to start the homeroom period before the first class.

So, when he pulled up to Macdonald Stadium on Pearl Street on the first full day of the school year last week at about 5:15 a.m., it was a bit early, even by his watch. Mastrangelo was at the football stadium to open the gates at the request of members of the Malden High School Senior Class of 2024, whose aim was to embark on what they hoped was a new school tradition, “Senior Sunrise.”

Much to the MHS principal’s surprise, there were dozens of his students waiting for him. “Not even 5:30 in the morning and we’ve already got a big representation of our Senior Class showing their school spirit,” Mastrangelo said. “What a great way to start the day!”

The numbers grew as the clock inched along, and the sun indeed began its ascent in the skies so that over 100 students were on hand to participate in what has become a national trend. The “Senior Sunrise” is a tradition that was started over a decade ago and is celebrated across the United States at many different schools. This tradition is usually hosted at the beginning of the year to signify seniors starting their final year together to add another special memory to the many they will be sharing this school year.

“This event by our Senior Class really fits in with the theme of our whole school year, which is ‘Let’s Make it Happen,’” Mastrangelo said. “School safety along with academic progress and success are our highest priorities every year. This year we are focusing on our positive and welcoming school culture and this is just another way of showing it.”

Back to School Night/Open House at Malden High School set for Thursday, September 19

Malden High School’s administration and staff are hosting a Back to School Night/Open House on Thursday, September 19 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the school (77 Salem St., Malden). Parents, caregivers and family members of Malden High School students in grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 are invited to come to the school that night and have an opportunity to meet their student’s teachers right in the respective classrooms. Copies of students’ class schedules will be available, and student and staff guides will be available to show parents and caregivers where the classes are located. They will also have an opportunity to meet Principal Chris Mastrangelo, the four respective House Principals and other staff members.

“We have been getting a tremendous response to our various events from parents, caregivers and families this year so far and last year,” Mastrangelo said. “We are hoping and expecting that many will take the opportunity to visit us and meet our school professionals, both teachers and administrators, who spend so much time during the school day with their children.”