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Region In Review
January 14, 2022
Shepaug Winter Sports
The Shepaug Boys Basketball team has enjoyed success so far this season. Led by seniors Luke Schneider, Logan Pacific, Evan Woerner, Riley Guilbeault, and Camden Schmus, the Spartans started the season with an impressive road win at Thomaston and started 2022 with a convincing home win vs the Gilbert Yellowjackets.
The Shepaug Swimming and Diving team, led by seniors Jessica Kisling, Giacomo Colangelo, Kyle Gillette, and Ryan Sarbello, opened their 2021-22 campaign with a convincing home win against Berkshire League rival Nonnewaug. The Spartan swimmers have a busy schedule ahead of them, with key league matchups at home with Wamogo and Housatonic over the next two weeks before traveling to league powerhouse Northwestern Regional for a tough road challenge.
The Shepaug Ice Hockey team, led by seniors Stanley Ambruso, Nick Guerra, and Connor Ross have had the strongest start to a season that the team has had in several years. With back-to-back wins against non-league and out-of-state opponents Mount Everett (Massachusetts) and Byram Hills (New York), the Spartans are ready for some tough league matchups (the hockey team competes in the SWC/SEC hockey conference) with large programs such as Joel Barlow-Weston-Abbott Tech, Bethel-Brookfield-Danbury, and Milford Co-Op looming on the schedule.
The Shepaug Girls Basketball team has faced some tough Berkshire League and non-league competition so far this season and has key matchups on the schedule during the next two weeks. Led by seniors Marissa Perachi, Madison Douskey, Janelle Frankland, and Annie Kuck, the Spartans enjoyed a big early-season win at Terryville, and with key BL games to be played this month, the girl's basketball team controls their own destiny in their quest to qualify for the CIAC state tournament.
The Shepaug Indoor Track team, led by seniors Nick Fazzone, AJ Murphy, and Eli Battlestein have competed at the Hillhouse Invitational, the Bob Salusbury Invitational, and are scheduled to participate in the Hillhouse Varsity and Brookfield Last Chance meets before heading to the CIAC Championships on February 12.
The Shepaug Cheerleading team, with one of the largest rosters they have had in recent years, is led by seniors Eilish Foy, Taylor Giroux, and Brianna Laskowski. With a busy schedule of 20 regular-season contests, as well as home Berkshire League and CIAC state tournament contests ahead of them, the cheerleading squad is one of the most active and dedicated programs at Shepaug this winter.
Elementary Bands In Action
Hot Cross Buns and the beating of drums can be heard as students are making music come alive outside. The elementary bands are flourishing despite the challenges of necessary Covid practices. Mrs. Oppel, our instrumental teacher, serves students in grades four and five in all three elementary schools.
In early Fall, students learned the proper fingering of notes on their instruments, how to read music notation in their books, and how to play instruments using only mouthpieces at home. When the weather permitted, students went outdoors and practiced with their mouthpieces. By the end of October, adjustments were made for students to fully play their instruments indoors with appropriate spacing and the use of adaptable masks and bell covers. The music program continues to respond to Covid conditions as necessary.
Through all of the ongoing changes, students have done an amazing job practicing, learning their notes, fingering on their instruments, and making music. The school communities are looking forward to an amazing concert in the future.
Bird Feed
On January 6th, the Shepaug Valley Partnership made pinecone bird feeders from kits that were donated from the Steep Rock Association.
The feeders were hung outside in the cherry tree and upon their return the following Monday, the pinecones were completely bare. It was a fun project that the students enjoyed...as did the birds.
Agriscience Update
Environmental Science ECE students re-used a damaged plexi-shield to build a groundwater model this winter in class. The model provided students the ability to test and discuss groundwater flow through confined and unconfined aquifers. Simulations were created to introduce various examples of groundwater pollution for students to visibly see how contaminants move underground, which can impact various water sources such as drinking water wells, rivers, and ponds.
Juniors in the Power, Structural & Technical Pathway of The Agriscience Academy continue to practice their skills at arc welding, while their peers continue to build Shepaug Agriscience setting up our Millermatic MIG welder. Student welding work is expected to be displayed in the Shepaug mall for the start of Semester 2.
My Plate
Nurse Edi joined Mrs. Koschel’s class to lead a presentation on healthy eating, nutrition, and the importance of a balanced diet.
Thank you Nurse Edi for your dedication to Region 12's long-term health!
Project Lead the Way
8th Grade Project Lead the Way students use their coding skills to design, program, and share animated computer games that will solve the problem of increasing player engagement time.
Fliers & Upcoming Events
WASHINGTON, CT - In recognition of MLK Day on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 12 PM, Region 12’s Shepaug Valley School (SVS) presents “The Future of Service in Our Community” on Zoom. This 60 minute session will feature seven students who are giving back to the community through their senior project. Hosted by Don Schels, SVS Principal, students will share information about their projects related to Animal Welfare, Emergency Services, Healthy Eating, Lending Libraries, the history of the LGBTQ Movement in Washington, and Mental Health. Students participating in the program include Sophie Glickman, Brendan Kelly, Lydia Kennedy, Jessica Kisling, Annie Kuck, Sofia Missana, and Harlequin Sullivan.
The Senior Project is a graduation requirement for all SVS seniors, and every student undertakes a project of their choice and vision. This event is sponsored by the Shepaug Student Project Foundation. For nearly thirty years, The Shepaug Student Project Foundation Inc. has helped the students of Shepaug Valley Schools pursue their endeavors and turn their vision into reality.
Zoom link: https://bit.ly/SVSFutureofService
Region 12 Calendar
January 14-31 Kindergarten Registration
January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day, No School
January 20 - Unified Concert, SVS, 630pm
January 24 - BOE Finance & Operations Committee Meeting, SVS, 530pm
January 25 - 6th & 7th grade Winter Concert, SVS, 7pm
January 26 - Early Dismissal
Follow Region 12 on our social media channels for updates and information!
The Region 12 community educates, challenges, and inspires all learners to become compassionate, creative, and courageous individuals who are empowered by the knowledge, character, and perseverance to achieve their greatest potential within the global society.
Email: rir@region-12.org
Website: www.region-12.org
Location: 11A School Street, PO Box 386 Washington Depot, CT 06794
Phone: 860-868-6100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shepaug-Regional-School-District-12-153899298123985/
Twitter: @Region12Schools