Region in Review October 14, 2016

Shepaug Valley School Advisory Program: Grades 6-12 Submitted by: Chris Dennis, Advisory Coordinator The advisory program at developed personal short and long term goals is an embedded 48-minute class period that with their advisors. In addition to goal setting, meets every Tuesday and Thursday. The mission advisory was used to celebrate Shepaug’s of Shepaug’s advisory program is to develop and commitment to summer reading through a support students who take increasing ownership school wide book discussion. Class meetings and of their own learning and behavior. Teachers help the election of class officers will be orchestrated foster this goal in advisory by rooting all work through the advisory program this month. in the mission and guiding beliefs of Shepaug Valley School. To this end, most advisories will This December each advisory will honor our be Guided Work Periods. commitment to community service through our annual “Shepaug Cares” community service Guided Work Periods are designed to provide event. Each advisory will develop a plan to give students with structured and concentrated time back to our local communities. Past service to focus on their goals. During Guided Work projects includes making sandwiches for local food Periods, students may meet with teachers, banks, donating clothing items to local charities, National Honor Society tutors, and other school sending care packages to veterans overseas, and resources to achieve their goals. In addition to writing holiday letters to local senior centers. Guided Work Periods, some Thursday advisories will be set aside to plan goals with their advisor, High school students will use the advisory discuss progress toward their goals, and reflect program to submit community service hours and on the school year. The Guidance department reflection. Students should see their advisor will also utilize the advisory program days to for the community service form. Students are advise students on their post-secondary plans. encouraged to complete the community service form and reflection promptly after community To date, all students in Grades 6-12 have service is performed. Music Festival

Submitted by: David Raposo

The Shepaug Valley School students pictured below have been selected to participate in this year’s Berkshire League Music Festival. The festival concert will take place at Lewis Mills High School on October 14th and will showcase the talents of more than 200 students from eleven Berkshire League schools. Shepaug students are shown rehearsing below:

Jake Diller, Tucker Miller, Connor Richardson, Jack Wright, Julia Billings, Rebecca Racz, Emmalyn Brenner, Lana DelVecchio, Amy Lowe are shown rehearsing with guest conductor Chris Shepard as members of the Berkshire League Honor Choir.

Tom Roche, Wilson King, Bridget Snyder, Margaret Wolk, Paige Johnson, Maddie Gorra, and Max Krantz (not pictured) are shown between rehearsals as members of the Berkshire League Honor Band.

Our own Mr. Raposo will serve as a guest conductor. Good luck to our Shepaug musicians!! Student filmmakers attending the South by South Lawn Festival in Washington, DC, took time to video chat with their peers back in Wendy Youngblood’s Global Studies class. Students chatted about the event and how excited they were to meet actors Alfre Woodard, Ty Burrell, and the cast of “Stranger Things” and how they were looking forward to seeing their film screened later that day! Shepaug Homecoming

Submitted by: Matt Perachi, Athletic Director

On September 23rd, the Region 12 Community came out to support the Spartans on a beautiful autumn afternoon and evening. The Shepaug Field Hockey team kicked off the event with a hard- fought battle against the Northwestern Highlanders.

The Boys Soccer team notched a 3-0 win over the and the Girls Soccer team battled the Yellowjackets in the nightcap, earning a 3-3 tie for their efforts, while hundreds of fans enjoyed the games played "under the lights".

In addition to the exciting play on the field, attendees were treated to food selections from multiple vendors and food trucks. Additional items were available for sale from the SVS PTSO, the Shepaug Sports Foundation, the Spartan Armory School Store, and various Shepaug clubs and classes.

Special thanks are extended to the following people and organizations for making Homecoming 2016 possible:

• Rocky Tomlinson, Town of Washington Emergency Management Director, for arranging all of the lighting. • Kevin Smith, Town of Washington Highway Director, and the Town of Washington crew, for transporting all of the lights to and from Shepaug, as well as setting them up for the game. • Fred Cheney Sr. and Fred Cheney Jr., for driving the Washington Volunteer Fire Department emergency truck and illuminating the walkway and food vendor area. • The Shepaug Sports Foundation, Co-Sponsor of Homecoming, for making many of the arrangements for Homecoming 2016. • The Shepaug Spartan Club (an organization consisting of Varsity athletes from all of Shepaug's teams), Co-Sponsor of Homecoming, for helping organize and set up Homecoming 2016.

Thank you to all who attended and participated in this fun event. For future Shepaug Athletic events, please visit our athletic schedules at:

Shepaug Valley High School Athletic Team Pages & Schedules

Shepaug Valley Middle School Athletic Team Pages & Schedules Shepaug Valley School Alumni Association Begins Second Year

Submitted by: Sue Nicholas, Alumni Coordinator

Calling all graduates of Shepaug Valley School. Would you like information about Shepaug news and events? Would you like to join the SVS Alumni Association committee?

The Shepaug Valley School Alumni Association is approaching its second anniversary. Sue Kenny-Nicholas (Class of 75) and teacher in the region has taken over the reins as the SVS Alumni Association Coordinator from the very able hands of Kim Laughlin. We thank Kim for her work with the Alumni Association and wish her the best.

Shepaug Valley School Alumni Association

“Our commitment is to reach, serve and engage Shepaug Alumni and their families; to foster connections between the school and its graduates and to provide Shepaug with goodwill and support.”

Update your contact information here.

To sign up for our mailing list or to submit information highlighting the accomplishments of past graduates, contact Sue Nicholas, Alumni Coordinator via e-mail at [email protected], by phone at 860-868-7326 or fax at 860-868-6260.

Follow us on Facebook @ Shepaug Valley School Alumni https://www.facebook.com/Shepaug-Valley-School-Alumni-339457389554516/?fref=ts Region 12 is proud of the principals we have leading our schools! October is National School Principals Month, so we want to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all you do for our staff, students and community!

Cathy Colella, Principal Emily Judd, Principal Booth Free and Burnham Schools Washington Primary School

Kim Gallo, Principal Lori Ferreira, Associate Principal Shepaug Valley School Shepaug Valley School

Halloween Minecraft LAN Party Fundraiser Night! Robotics Club

When? October 28th Where? B-13 Time? 6-8 P.M. Price? $20

Special challenges! Games and prizes! Bring snacks to share! Costumes encouraged (NO CLOWNS, NO MASKS)

Permission slips on counter in main office or Room B13.

Must have an active Minecraft account to play.

On November 17, 2016, Shepaug graduate Stephen Reich will be inducted into the High School Coaches Association (CHSCA) Hall of Fame at the annual CHSCA Hall of Fame Induction ceremony at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington, CT at 7:00 pm.

Anyone interested in attending this event may purchase tickets before November 1st by contacting Nancy Knapp at Shepaug at 860-868-6217. Tickets are $46 each, and checks should be made payable to “Shepaug Valley Fund”. Anyone with questions should contact Matt Perachi at [email protected]. or Scott Werkhoven at [email protected].

A member of the Shepaug class of 1989, Reich helped lead the Shepaug team to the 1987 CIAC Class S State Championship.

After leaving Shepaug, Reich attended the Military Academy where he pitched for the Army baseball team. Reich was one of the best pitchers to ever play for Army, as he was a three time league all-star and was the Patriot League Pitcher of the Year in 1993. He was inducted into the Army Sports Hall of Fame in 2006.

Following his graduation from West Point in 1993, Reich was selected to play for Team USA. He was chosen by the entire American delegation to carry the flag in the Opening Ceremonies of the 1993 World University Games.

After completing two years of his four-year military commitment, he was granted a release to sign with the Baltimore Orioles in 1996. He pitched in two games for their Class A affiliate, the High Desert Mavericks, before being called back to the Army.

In 1996, Reich was ordered to Germany as a platoon leader with the 158th Aviation Regiment where he served in Operation Allied Force in Hungary, Bosnia, Albania and Kosovo.

Reich served four tours of duty in Afghanistan with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Nightstalkers) and was killed in action on June 28, 2005 during Operation Red Wings to rescue a four- man Navy SEAL team. Reich was one of 16 troops (Nightstalkers & Navy SEALs) aboard an Army Special Operations MH-47 Chinook helicopter that was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan's Kunar province.

During his military career Reich was awarded with the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Senior Army Aviator Wings, Airborne and Air Assault Badges. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal and an Air Medal with Valor device and the Combat Action Badge. Source: Wikipedia

PRESS RELEASE Laura Neminski October 3, 2016 Development Assistant IMMEDIATE RELEASE 860-868-0551 x2212 [email protected]

SPECIAL SCREENING of "GIRL RISING" at BANTAM CINEMA

Bantam, CT – Washington Montessori School’s Parent’s Association is hosting a special screening of an important educational documentary entitled “Girl Rising” followed by a reception and discussion on Monday, October 17 at 6:30pm at Bantam Cinema, 115 Bantam Lake Road, Bantam, CT. “Girl Rising” is a film about the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world. Open to the public, ideal for all parents, grandparents and caregivers, as well as young women in our own community, this event has been planned in order to share an important film about how educating and empowering girls can transform societies. Cost is $45 per person and includes reception with snacks, cheese and wine.

For more information contact Coco Sellman, 917-658-9151 or [email protected]

Limited Seating For Tickets: go to washingtonmontessori.org/GirlRising

“Girl Rising” is a global campaign for girls’ education. We use the power of storytelling to share the simple truth that educating girls can transform societies. “Girl Rising” unites girls, women, boys and men who believe every girl has the right to go to school and the right to reach her full potential. From Academy Award nominate director Richard E. Robbins, the film “Girl Rising” journeys around the globe to witness the strength of the human spirit and the power of education to change the world. Viewers get to know nine unforgettable girls living in the developing world: ordinary girls who confront tremendous challenges and overcome nearly impossible odds to pursue their dreams.

Prize-winning authors put the girls’ remarkable stories into words, and renowned actors give them voice. This film “is a message of hope as well as of responsibility. We are the world. These girls are not separate from us. They speak to us directly in ‘Girl Rising,’ and if we hear them, we will find a way to help them realize their vision and their dreams,” said David Edmund Moody of the Huffington Post.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Washington Montessori School. Grounded in the Montessori approach and the belief that all children have the innate desire and ability to learn, we foster academic excellence through the development of responsibility, self-esteem and self- reliance.

Special thanks to our sponsors Ken Merz and the Sellman Family.

Burnham School Fall Fundraiser

Apple Cider & Donuts Pumpkin Painting & More!

Saturday October 15th 10 - 1pm At Burnham School 80 Main Street • Bridgewater 860-354-5559

Come join Burnie and have some fun! UPCOmInG Burnham SchoolNo gradient workshops, field trips, & events!

Fall Fundraiser YOGA with Lani Flanagan Wersebe Hall, Washington Green Join us! Ages 3-5 Wednesdays, 1:00-1:45pm Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 30 Apple Cider & Donuts No gradient REACH students bring a lunch and bussing presents provided from WPS to this workshop at Pumpkin Painting & More! Wersebe Hall. Seats are limited. thecelebrationofyoung PHOTOGRAPHERS CERAMICS with Will Talbot Saturday Shepaug Valley School Art Room, Washington Gradient th Grades 6-8 October 15 Mondays, 3:00-4:30pm Gradient Grades 9-12 +Adults 10 - 1pm Mondays, 6:00-7:30pm Nov. 14, 21, 28, Dec. 5 At Burnham School FIELD 80 Main Street • Bridgewater TRIP! 860-354-5559 LIvInGStOn RIpLEY White WAtERfOWL COnSERvAnCY 55 Duck Pond Road, Litchfield, with ice cream at Arethusa Dairy in Bantam Grades 2-5 Oct. 19, Wednesday, 12:45-5:00pm Sunset Silhouette by ZiZi Schorsch Come join Burnie and Young Photographer, 2015 have some fun! Early release day, bussing provided. WEEKEND WORKSHOP! sunday

HIp HOp & HAnd dRuMMInG nOvE mb ER 13 with Austin Dailey & John Marshall morris Washington Montessori School, south farms New Preston free photo exhibit, donations welcome

Ages 3-10 SPONSORED IN PART BY Oct. 29, Saturday, 1:00-3:30pm White 860.868.0740 | asapct.org Region 12 Calendar

Oct 15th Burnham School Fundraiser, 10am-1pm Oct 17th Board of Education, Education Meeting, 7pm, SVS Library Oct 19th-21st Parent-Teacher Conferences - Early Dismissal Days Oct 28th Grade 6 Social, SVS 2:45-4:15pm, Sponsored by PTO Oct 28th Minecraft Night, SVS 6-8pm Oct 28th Grades 7 & 8 Social, SVS 7-9pm, Sponsored by PTO

Congratulations to the Shepaug JV Girls Soccer team for their first win of the , a hard-fought and short-handed 1-0 victory against Litchfield High School!Photo courtesy of Jodi Hook.

Thank you for all that you do to support our Region 12 schools!

Sincerely, Karen A. Fildes Director of Technology & Communications