Southington High School
KnightNews 720 Pleasant St Southington, CT 06489 OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010 www.southingtonschools.org 860.628.3229
Find out what’s happening at SHS everyday by reading the morning announcements which are posted on our home page ...
www.southingtonschools.org
Cyber Knights Win Our Mission 1st Competition of the year!
The mission of the Southington Public Schools is to engage students In a battle of wits, ingenuity and teamwork, your Southington in a range of educational experienc- High School FIRST Robotics Team 195 allianced with teams es to become informed, adaptive 839 (Rosie Robotics) and 1740 (Cyber-Colonels) won problem solvers who effectively the "Bash at the Beach" pre-season robotics competition held communicate, rise to challenges, in Old Lyme on October 2, 2010. Competing with 31 teams and are committed to improve them- from across the state, your Cyber Knights came away with the selves and their communities. first of what we hope will be many wins this season.
This mission is the goal of our In addition to the competition win, The Cyber Knights school system. It describes both the were awarded the "Gracious Professionalism" award. Gra- critical requirement to “to engage cious Professionalism is part of the ethos of FIRST encourag- students in a range of educational ing high quality work combined with the value of others and experiences” and the expected out- respecting individuals and the community. This award is comes in terms of students skills something truly to be proud of. Congratulations Cyber and dispositions. This summer the Knights! District leadership team spent time studying the mission and how it FIRST robotics is an experiential learning program with over can be a powerful way to look at 1800 teams worldwide. These teams compete in a varsity the work of our schools and com- sport of the mind combining engineering, programming, manu- munity. In our schools’ newsletters facturing and business skills together to achieve various objec- I will be sharing a portion of the tives. Their biggest project starts in January when teams are mission and how it drives and given each season's game details and in just six weeks con- frames the work of students, teach- struct a 120 lb robot that can operate autonomously as well as ers, and administrators every day. when guided by wireless controls. These robots then compete In the next publication we will in "the game" against other teams. begin by looking at why many of the teachers and administrators This year's team is full of motivated and energetic stu- have identified “engaging students” dents. This year, the Cyber Knights will be competing in the as the most important words in the Connecticut Regional, Worcester Polytechnic Institute Region- district mission. al and the National Championship in St. Louis MO. Good Luck Team 195! Kick 'Bot! Howard Thiery If you are interested in learning more about this program, Assistant Superintendent of Schools please contact Sandra Brino at 860 -621-4319 SHS Cares Helping to meet the extraordinary needs of students and families in our own high school community
SHS Cares is a Southington High School PTO program in which families help other families in need. Many families and individual students have been recipients of past generosity. The needs of students at SHS are often different and greater than most of us can imagine.
The resource volunteer form below lists areas of need in which SHS Cares helps other families. These some- times will include: clothing, food, household/domestic items, sports or recreational expenses, senior class expenses, and holiday gift donations. Monetary donations will be directed toward these and other needs, especially food purchases for students and families. Every cent of your donation benefits students and families of the Southington High School community.
Questions? Contact School Social Worker: Sharon DePucchio (628-3229, ext 426) SHS Cares PTO Coordinator: Patricia Queen (860-426-0328)
The form below will be kept on file for this school year only. If a family has a specific need, a school social worker will contact the SHS Cares Coordinator, who will then contact you to help in the area(s) you have checked. The confidentiality of both the provider and family receiving assistance will be maintained at all times.
If there are areas in which you wish to help, please return the form below to the school office or mail to: Sharon DePucchio, Social Worker, Southington High School, 720 Pleasant Street, Southington, CT 06489.
Become a SHS Cares Resource Volunteer
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Name: ______Address: ______Phone: ______Email: ______
Monetary Donation (Please make checks payable to SHS PTO.) ___ One-time monetary contribution now (Enclosed $______). ___ Please call me when funds are needed.
Should a need arise, I am willing to donate to the SHS Cares program in the following way(s): ___ Clothing (new, used, or gift cards) ___ Household/Domestic Items ___ Sports/Recreational Needs ___ Funds for Senior Expenses ___ Holiday Gift Donations Thank you for your generosity and support! Revised 10/2010 Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 3
PTO Meetings All-Night Graduation Party (ANGP) Meetings
October 18, 2010 Tue, November 16, 2010 November 15, 2010 Tue, January 11, 2011 January 10, 2011 Tue, March 8, 2011 February 7, 2011 March 14, 2011 Tue, May 24, 2011 April 11, 2011 Meetings will start at 7:00pm in May 9, 2011 the SHS Library Media Center unless noted. June 6, 2011 A Simple Way to Give All meetings will start at 7:00pm in the SHS Library Media Center Register your card for A+ School Rewards today & through March 24, 2011. Southington High School (or the school or your choice) will earn GET HELP WITH HOMEWORK! CASH each time you shop at Stop & Big Y Homework Helpline® Shop. 1-800-866-BIGY or via the web at www.bigy.com/homework Log on to Call Big Y’s FREE one-on-one homework assistance service for stu- www.stopandshop.com/aplus dents. A staff of certified teachers will help you through your OR toughest homework assignments. Dial 1-877-275-2758 Open Monday through Thursday, 4:00pm - 7:00pm. to register over the phone Southington School Lunch Program
The Southington School Lunch Program will be implementing the OneSource Computerized Cafeteria System. This new system will provide a wonderful convenience to both students and parents. Students will now have the ability to prepay for their lunches as they go through the lunch line by either cash or Mark Your Calendar! checks made payable to the Southington School Lunch Program. BALFOUR In addition, parents will have the ability to pay for school lunches online with PARENT NIGHT a credit card; however, credit card payments will have a nominal service charge applied. Your child(ren) will access their accounts by using their pin Tuesday, October 19th at numbers. More information regarding this program can be accessed online at 6:00pm in the high school’s main cafeteria. www.southingtonschools.org. If you have additional questions, please con- Representatives from Balfour tact Nya Welinsky, School Lunch Director, at 860.628.3286 x221 or by Rings will be here to assist e-mail [email protected]. parents by answering questions regarding the purchase of a class ring for your student.
Grade 10 students received information packets in home- room the week on October 12th. Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 4 INCLEMENT WEATHER Counselor NOTIFICATIONS 2010-2011 Assignments
Every effort is made to cancel school or GRADE 9* announce a late opening as early as possible A – K MRS. INGRISELLI on days of severe inclement weather. In most L - Z MR. BUGNACKI instances, the decision is made and broadcast GRADE 10* by 6:00AM. Southington Public School A - Ca MR. GLEBA System is participating with the Connecticut Ce - D MRS. VIENS Weather Center in Danbury to list school E - J MS. NAPLES cancellations. All you have to do is go to K - Ma MR. DAVIS www.ctweather.com then click on the school Mc - Pi MRS. WALLACE cancellation page. A list will appear, in PL - Sm MRS. RUSSMAN alphabetical order. Cancellations and late Sn - Z MS. MILLER openings will also air on the following radio GRADE 11* and television stations: A – Ca MR. GLEBA Ce - D MRS. VIENS WHCN 106 FM E - J MS. NAPLES WDRC 1360 AM K - Ma MR. DAVIS WDRC 103 FM Mc - Pi MRS. WALLACE WKSS 96 FM PL - Sm MRS. RUSSMAN WNTY 990 AM Sn - Z MRS. MILLER WTIC 1080 AM/FM GRADE 12* WRCH 910 AM A - Ca MR. GLEBA WRCH 100.5 FM Ce - D MRS. VIENS WVIT-TV Channel 30 E - J MS. NAPLES K - Ma MR. DAVIS NEW STAFF Mc - Pk MRS. WALLACE Pl - Sm MRS. RUSSMAN Sn - Z MRS. MILLER Adina Alexandru, World Language Chair *ELL, GHAMAS GHAA MRS. WYSOCKI Judith Bass, paraprofessional Patricia Becotte, paraprofessional Chris Carvalho, Language Arts Teacher William Chisholm, F&CS Teacher Elizabeth Fancher, W Language Teacher ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIGNMENTS Lisa Felten, .8 Special Education Teacher Lewis Grower, Tech Ed Teacher Concerns about students or by students should be referred to the appropriate Alise Knickerbocker, Mathematics Teacher administrator according to the James McAloon, Health/PE Teacher alphabetical distribution found below: Teresa Niecikowski, .5 Speech Teacher
Alexa Velazquez, W Language Teacher Student’s Grade/Last Name: Administrator: All Grade 9 students ...... Mr. Germano Other new assignments are: Grades 10-12 A thru F ...... …… Mr. Stranieri Rebecca Migliaro, FR Class Advisor Grades 10-12 G thru N ...…… Ms. Crowley David DeStefano, FR Class Advisor Grades 10-12 O thru Z ….……… Mr. Bayer Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 5 UPCOMING EVENTS END OF MARKING PERIODS PARENT INFORMATION SERIES of Southington Youth Services End of Quarter One: th Thursday, October 28 , 2010 Wednesday, November 3, 2010 “Transforming The Difficult Child” End of Quarter Two: This model has an amazing set of strategies developed specifically for children with ADHD and other challenging behaviors. It has proven effective in helping Tuesday, January 25, 2011 parents and caregivers maintain control and calm within their lives. End of Quarter Three:
Thursday, November 18th, 2010 Friday, April 1, 2011 “Teens and Tweens” End of Quarter Four: One of the most important recent developments in advertising to kids has been (last day of school) the defining of a “tween” market (ages 8-12). Modern day tweens are exposed to much more from a variety of contemporary media. No longer little children and not yet teens, tweens are starting to develop their sense of identity and are 18th Annual anxious to cultivate a sophisticated self-image. This workshop will speak to the specific difficulties and strategies to dealing with the tween years. MUSIC OF THE
KNIGHT All programs are only for Southington residents and are free of charge! They run from 7:00pm - 8:30pm unless otherwise noted, and are held at the offices of Southington COMPETITION Youth Services, 93 Main Street, Southington. Registration is required. Space is limited. Please RSVP to Southington Youth Services at 860-276-6281. Saturday, October 16, 2010 show starts @ 4pm Fontana Field-Southington High School Tickets $8.00 general admission, MARK YOUR CALENDARS! $5.00 seniors/students
PARENT CONFERENCES: Wed, November 17th, 2010 from 1-2:30pm or 6-8:30pm. Sign up with each teacher for an appointment time.
MEDICALLY SPEAKING … from Southington’s Director of Health, Charles Motes, MD
SAT TESTING "If a positive flu diagnosis is made, it is strongly recom- Nov. 6, 2010 mended that students or staff not return to school or Dec. 4, 2010 work until the day following completion of antiviral May 7, 2011 treatment for influenza (Tamiflu or equivalent).
PSAT TESTING If not treated by antiviral medication Oct. 16, 2010 a person should remain home for at least 24 hours after an elevated All 10th and 11th grad- temperature returns to normal ers are without anti-inflammatory encouraged to take the PSAT’s. medication." Southington High School PTO Membership
PTO Officers for 2010-2011
Co-Presidents: John Moise 860-628-5083, [email protected] Dina Degumbia 860-793-8286, [email protected] Vice President: Lynne Romano 860-620-9876, [email protected] Treasurer: David DeCroce 860-621-6143, [email protected] Secretary: Karen Dalia 860-628-5580, [email protected]
We invite all parents to become members of the Southington High School PTO. Take advantage of this opportunity to make a difference at SHS. Membership is our one major fundraiser with dues of $10 per family. There is also a PTO-Plus option through which an additional contribution in any amount would be greatly appreciated. Important ways we allocate membership funds include:
● Programs: PTO sponsors/co-sponsors in-house programs for SHS students. In the past this has included Alcohol Aware- ness/DUI presentations for seniors and cultural arts programs for all. Please let us know if you have any suggestions.
● Teacher Appreciation: PTO provides teachers and staff with a luncheon in appreciation for all their work educating our students.
● Sponsor for the All-Night Graduation Party for SHS Class of 2011: Volunteers are also needed to plan and run this extraordinary annual event. Contributions are always welcome.
● Career Resource Center: The Career Resource Center is staffed and funded by the PTO and provides information regard- ing college selection and other options after graduation. Students in all grades are encouraged to explore the materials that the CRC offers. Parent volunteers are needed on an ongoing basis.
● PTO Volunteer Service Award: A committee, formed annually in the spring, awards a scholarship to an SHS senior who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and is pursuing post secondary education.
PTO Meeting dates will be announced in the SHS Newsletter and on the School website at www.southingtonschools.org
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Please make checks payable to SHS PTO. Thanks for your support! Please return this portion with dues to: SHS PTO c/o David DeCroce, Treasurer, 720 Pleasant Street, Southington, CT 06489.
Please check your choice of membership: Amount enclosed: $______o PTO Family Membership ($10.00) o PTO-Plus (Membership dues plus an additional contribution)
Name: ______Phone: ______Address: ______Student Name(s):______Grade(s):______Email address: ______
Please contact me to help with: (circle your choice) Open House/Hospitality Staff Appreciation Cultural Arts/Programs Career Resource Center SHS Cares (details on separate flyer) Scholarship Committee All-Night Graduation Party Summer Reading Book Sale Library Committee TELEPHONE NUMBERS AT SHS The telephone system at Southington High School has an automated attendant. Because of the large number of extensions, it is advantageous to know your party's extension ahead of time, which saves you the time of going through the lengthy menu. To call Southington High School dial 860-628-3229. If you have a touch tone phone and know what extension you wish to contact, simply dial that extension immediately, and you will reach your party. If you have a rotary dial phone or need a directory, simply stay of the line. In case of an emergency, you may dial the Nurse's Office directly at 860-628-3255.
Extensions for various personnel and departments are: ADMINISTRATION ATTENDANCE General Information 433 Attendance Office 256, 389 Dr. Martin Semmel 232 Screening Office 350 Andrew Bayer 229 Helen Crowley 230 ATHLETICS David Germano 380 Athletic Director 346 Brian Stranieri 433 Cancellations 425 Purchasing 380 Trainers 429 Bookkeeper 334
9TH GRADE ACADEMY David Germano 380 Guidance Counselors 380
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS GUIDANCE/SUPPORT SERVICES Agricultural Sci & Tech 415 9th Grade Guidance 380 Art 385 Main Guidance Office 244 Business 247 Director of Guidance 238 Coop. Work Exp.-BE 347 School Psychologist 331, 491 Marketing Ed 348 Social Worker 359, 426, 435 Language Arts 375 Nurse 255 World Languages 431 Health/Physical Ed. 254 OTHER DEPARTMENTS Family & Consumer Sci 351 Adult Education 333 Mathematics 243 Audio Visual 245 Music 250 Corner Café 246 Science 358 Data Processing 344 Social Studies 360 Kitchen 252 Special Education 401 Library/Media Center 335 Technology Ed 353 Maintenance 417 Coop Wrk Exp-DO 419 Nursery School 345 Special Education Office 424 Resource Officer 388
PLEASE KEEP THIS LIST HANDY FOR QUICK REFERENCE 400053009 knights
January 31, 2011 Volume 9, Issue 1 Page 9 Southington Parents Raising Healthy Teens: ADULT EDUCATION A Collaboration of STEPS and Wheeler Clinic sponsored by the Southington Board of Educa- Calling all middle and high school parents!! The very brief 9 tion, has something for everyone. question parent survey is now ready online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/sprite. Please take 3 minutes of your time to help us determine what parents in Southington Do you need help with English? know about underage drinking and the social host law. We Try Adult Ed!! will be presenting parent workshops at PTO meetings, and community clubs in the upcoming weeks. We are also We offer classes in English as a Second recruiting parents to host an “Up 2 Parents” hour in your Language, English Refresher and Literacy. home or in a neighborhood spot such as a clubhouse, or public library. Each “Up 2 Parents” hour will include infor- If you need to brush up on your math skills, mation about teen brain development, dangers of under- we offer a Math Refresher course. age drinking, the social host law, the importance of contin- uing to monitor teens throughout high school, and tips to survive the teen years. Find out how easy it is to host an Exercise Anyone?! event. Refreshments and prizes for your event are provided! We offer many opportunities to exercise... Remember parents are still the number one influence on Yoga—Zumba—Aerobics—Line Dancing teens! Many courses are FREE! For more information please contact Sue Walbert at Wheeler Clinic 860-793-2164 or TRYING IS BELIEVING email her at [email protected] Call us at (860) 628-3229 ext 333
Letter from the Principal As the new principal of Southington High School, I have been busy learning about the many things that make this school great. I have had the opportunity to meet our fantastic students and hardworking staff by visiting classrooms, attending induction ceremonies, and watching our student-athletes perform on the fields, courts and in the pool. As the year continues, I will continue to be significantly involved in the teaching and learning process by visiting hundreds of classes throughout the year. I will continue to be visible at numerous student activities from performing arts presentations, to sporting events, to school dances. Parents should know that I am available every morning from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. to meet with parents, students, community members, and teachers without an appointment. If you would like to meet with me outside of that time, please call 860-628-3229 extension 232 to make an appointment. I would ask that parents remain a significant part of their children’s lives throughout the high school years. Your participation may be more important now than when your kids were younger. Please become a member of our Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), attend student activities, and volunteer to help Southington High School continue on its journey to greatness. As part of our journey to greatness I have developed a School Improvement Team. This team is comprised of my assistant principals and department chairs. The main responsibility of this team is to examine and constantly improve the instructional process at Southington High School. Throughout this year, the team will be observing teaching and learning at the high school and developing a school improvement plan. The school improvement plan will identify specific areas for improvement and contain an action plan to make those improvements a reality. The School Improvement Team will also be involved in examining the New England Association of Schools (NEASC) and Colleges ten-year evaluation of Southington High School. Every ten years, schools associated with NEASC go through an accreditation process. This ten-year evaluation attempts to ensure that schools are implementing the NEASC standards. For more information about these standards please go to http://cpss.neasc.org/. Southington High School just completed their evaluation during a visit in May by a NEASC committee. The committee, comprised of educators from around Connecticut, spent three days at Southington High School visiting classrooms and looking for evidence of the NEASC standards. The NEASC committee completed its final report. You may access the full report on the front page of the Southington High School website: https:// www.southingtonschools.org/page.cfm?p=4614. In November, I am expecting a letter from the NEASC commission outlining specific recommen- dations and a timetable in which they are to be completed. Finally, parent conferences are scheduled for November 17th. Please take advantage of this opportunity to speak with our teachers about the progress that your son/daughter is making during this school year. Conferences will be held from 1:00-2:30pm and 6:00-8:30pm. Sign-ups sheets will be distributed to students the week of November 8th. Appointments will be on a first come, first serve basis. If you are unable to attend parent conferences, I encourage you to take advantage of our PowerSchool parent portal. This web-based portal allows you to view your son/daughter’s grades for each course. In addition, all of our teachers have websites and can be contacted via email or phone call. If you have any questions, I encourage you to contact your child’s teachers or guidance counselor.
Dr Martin Semmel, Principal