Suffield Public Schools
 

Suffield High School

February 2014

 
1060 Sheldon Street | West Suffield, CT 06093 | 860-668-3810 | https://www.suffield.org
       
 

Upcoming Events:

Athletic Booster Club

Monday, Feb. 3rd
7:00 p.m.
SHS Commons

BOE Meeting

Tuesday, Feb. 4th
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
SMS Media Center

8th Grade to 9th Grade Orientation

Wednesday, Feb. 5th
6:15 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Suffield High School Auditorium
(Feb. 6th Snow Date)

SPED PAC

Tuesday, Feb. 11th
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
MIS Portable 4

FFA Greenhand & Chapter Degree Night

Wednesday, Feb. 12th
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Suffield High School Auditorium, Cafe, and Ag Wing

No School

Feb. 17th - Feb. 18th
February Break

BOE Meeting

Wednesday, Feb. 19th
6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
SMS Media Center

SHS Pops Concert

Wednesday, Feb. 26th
7:00 p.m.
SHS Auditorium


Virtual Backpack:

2013-2014 School Calendar

School Lunch Menu

College Planning Calendars

2013-2014 Suffield High School Student Handbook

Technology Tools for Parents & Guardians

School Closing, Delayed Opening, and Early Release Protocol Letter - PDF

Applied & Fine Arts - December Spotlight

SAT Bootcamp - March 1st and 2nd

SKI CLUB DATES HAVE CHANGED!

 

SCHOOL CLIMATE NEWS:

In a recent edition of our newsletter, you may have read about the Names Can Really Hurt Us assembly hosted by SHS on November 5th.  In the way of an update, we would like to share several initiatives that serve to continue the work begun with the assembly and which were, by design, born directly out of the assembly through the ideas and suggestions of students.  One such idea stems from the norms set by trained student leaders for the November event, captured in the acronym “ROPES”. Ropes created a safety net for all participants at the assembly, wherein “R” reminded students to be respectful and “O” prompted them to both be open and to own their words and actions, signaling “ouch” if someone says something that hurts them and “oops” to begin an apology and take ownership for hurting others.  The “P” signals students to participate fully, whether as an active listener, a responsive audience member, or as speaker.  We had to be flexible in our inclusion of “E” which stands for “escuchar,” the Spanish word meaning to listen.  The final letter “S” stands for “support” because, as members of a community, we must all remember to support one another. 

Students responded to the positive “ROPES” message and suggested that we extend the tone it established that day throughout each and every classroom.  Hence, our principal launched a contest in which students in Ms. Kerri Michaud-Bagley and Mr. Tim Kudrle’s art classes created posters that reflected the ROPES vision.  Approximately 70 students took part, with entries judged on layout, readability, and creativity.  Senior Brigitte Rathey’s poster was selected to represent this initiative; her design will be displayed in all classrooms beginning in second semester with classroom teachers incorporating the norms into their classes.

In addition, a number of students were inspired to form the new Impact Club which will focus on sustaining the positive “momentum” gained through the assembly.  The club’s name is borrowed from the theme for the assembly day, which was emblazoned on every student and faculty facilitator’s T-shirt:  “You will never know….your IMPACT!”

Although we enjoy a largely positive school climate, we know that this is an area in need of constant attention and nurturing in any school.  The post-assembly initiatives are all examples of our ongoing efforts to make Suffield High an even more comfortable and welcoming learning environment for all members of our school community.

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL JOSEPH BLAKE RECEIVES MAJOR HONOR:

We always knew that our very own Mr. Blake was a super assistant principal.  As it turns out, his reputation extends throughout the state!  Mr. Blake was recently selected as the High School Assistant Principal of the Year, an award bestowed annually by the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) and the National Association of Secondary School Principals.  Only one top assistant principal in the state is selected at the high school level.

Click Here to read the Connecticut Association of Schools announcement.

Senior Benjamin Gee says about our assistant principal, “Immediately upon meeting Mr. Blake I thought how comfortable he made me feel as he treated me with singular attention during our conversation, giving me all the respect that one would normally reserve for an adult rather than a young sophomore. This respect is extended not just to me, but to every student, regardless of the nature of his or her interaction.”

Please watch the Suffield Observer and other news venues for an official press release!

 
 

 

 

COLLEGE PLANNING GUIDE:

 


College Planning GuidebookAttention students and parents!  Did you know that our Guidance Department offers a very helpful College Planning Guidebook?  It can be found on our website at https://www.suffield.org/page.cfm?p=626.  This regularly-updated booklet is designed to serve as a comprehensive resource for high school students and parents throughout the college planning process and supports both students and parents though the entire process. Students can find a timetable for each year, information on the search, selection and admissions processes, categories for types of decisions as well as hints to help make visits productive. Students can also find many important forms as well as information about costs and financial aid. Alternatives to attending a four-year college are also addressed. Prior planning can prevent stress, so please be sure to check out this guide book sooner than later!  In addition, counselors schedule meetings with every junior and a parent to do an individualized college planning session.  Any parent of a junior who has not yet come in for such an appointment is encouraged to call the office (860-668-3813) to schedule one.

 
 

 

 

CAREER THOUGHTS:

 

Our friends in guidance do encourage students to take advantage of any opportunities available to them to shadow a professional in a career area of interest. Students who are able to arrange such an opportunity are allowed an excused absence from school to participate. A parent phone call to the main office is all that is required.

 
 

 

 

SCIENCE FAIR:

 

The Science Fair Club has registered 15 students and nine science fair projects, including four individual and five team projects, into the Connecticut State Science & Engineering Fair.  The students will present their projects in a statewide competition with over 600 students from over 120 other high schools during Connecticut Science Fair Week set for March 10-15, 2014.  The Science Fair will be granting over $150,000 in awards and prizes on Saturday, March 15th at Quinnipiac University.  The Science Fair is open to all students, parents, teachers and the public.  Check the Science Fair Website - www.ctsciencefair.org - for full detail.

 
 

 

 

GAMING CLUB HONORED:

 

The SHS Gaming Club was recently honored at the annual Recognition of Excellence Celebration, an opportunity for the Connecticut Association of Schools to showcase examples of excellence in education. Winners must show they have provided outstanding programs or made strong contributions to the community, and they must also show extraordinary efforts by staff members.  The club uses gaming, a normally solitary activity, to provide opportunities for student to connect socially to peers. The three-year-old club has grown to 29 members and is advised by founder, Ms. Kate Strange.  Congratulations and thanks go to Ms. Strange for her hard work and dedication to this initiative!

 
 

 

 

SPORTS UPDATE:

 

The girls basketball team has battled some very tough opponents in the first 10 games and has continued to improve with each game. Hustle and tenacity led the Wildcats to a record of 6-4. That record includes some key wins, particularly an overtime victory over Rocky Hill, 47-45. The boys’ varsity basketball team has played inspiring defense, holding opponents to 42 points per game. The defensive effort reflects the team’s overall passionate play.

The Suffield indoor track team participated in a number of invitational meets in preparation for the NCCC Conference Championship on January 20 and the state meet on February 7.  After those meets, Taylor Stephen was ranked first in the NCCC in the high jump, and pole vault and Lauren Izabel is ranked first in the 1000 meters.

The Dance team lost half its participants from last season due to graduation, but the team remains strong.  They are looking forward to preparing for the Ellington competition and continuing to concentrate on technique and accuracy.  They will keep up the energy and continue to enjoy supporting their fellow SHS teams! The cheerleading team, meanwhile, has been working hard at increasing the difficulty of their stunting skills and preparing for competitions. 

The ESW (East Granby, Suffield, and Windsor Locks) wrestling co-op team started 4-0 in the NCCC. Leading the team were junior Khamri Thomas with a 14-0 record and senior Nick Condon with an 11-2 mark. The Wildcats hockey team started strong as well. A 5-2-0 start included a win over rival Fermi/Enfield.  The Wildcats have earned the reputation as one of the fastest and smartest teams in their division. Boys swimming continues to work at dropping times and improving both individually and as a team.

As always, we invite you to come out to support out students in their many extra-curricular endeavors!

 
 

 

 
 

Suffield Public Schools
350 Mountain Road, Suffield, CT 06078
Phone: 860-668-3800

 

 


Suffield Public Schools 350 Mountain Road, Suffield, CT 06078
Phone: 860-668-3800   |   Site Map

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