Bobcat Bulletin

Dear SWHS Families,

We began a new semester on Monday, January 29th! Though the school year is halfway complete, there is still plenty of time for students to become involved in an extracurricular activity at school. If your child has not yet joined an extracurricular activity, please encourage them to become involved in something that interests them. Participation in school sponsored extracurricular activity further promotes connectedness to the school and fosters an environment where students can partake in an activity with others who share the same interest. For a list of our most updated clubs and descriptions, please CLICK HERE.

Sincerely,

Mr. Rizzuto

This issue contains information on the following topics:

• Class of 2024 Information (Senior Expenses)
• School Counseling Information
• A Message from SWHS Family Engagement Specialist
• Athletics Update
• Club Spotlight: Unified Theater
• Library Media Center Information
• Important Dates/Events

Seniors wishing to attend graduation, Senior Outing, and/or Senior Reception, can submit their payments during lunch beginning on February 6th and February 8th (cash or check). Checks should be made payable to "SWHS Class of 2024". Amounts, permission slips, and additional payment dates and options can be found here.

Grade 12: Local Scholarship: South Windsor Dollars for Scholars (SWDFS) is a local scholarship organization that offers numerous scholarship opportunities for our students through one application (similar to the way CommonApp works for college admissions). Students are strongly encouraged to apply to this program, as these are local scholarships limited to students who reside in or attend school in South Windsor. Scholarships are available based on a wide variety of criteria and not solely based on GPA or test scores. The application can be found at SW Dollars For Scholars.

Please do not use School Counselors email address/names as recommenders or transcript providers, instead use mmsmith@swindsor.k12.ct.us for school counselors: Peters, Briggs, Brown-Quinn and use kbenashski@swindsor.k12.ct.us for school counselors Wlodarczyk, Dobosz, and Nordmark.

Grades 9-11 Course Selection for 2024-25: The PowerSchool registration portal for 2024-2025 course selection will open after school on February 8th. This portal is NOT first come, first served. Students can view the course catalog online through the SWHS website. Teachers are in the process of making course recommendations to help guide student planning. School counselors will be going into classes to discuss the registration process and are available to meet with students as they plan their schedules. Families will receive a more detailed informational email prior to the portal opening.

February is Black History Month. This is the time we celebrate the contributions that Black people have made in America. During this month, we celebrate the achievements of Black people, past and present. Learning about Black History not only unites us, but also allows us to celebrate differences and think deeper.

One way South Windsor High School is celebrating is with our annual Black History Month Celebration hosted by the Black Student Alliance (BSA). Students from the BSA will take event participants through the different aspects of the culture focusing on the evolution of Black music, hair, fashion, and food. The event will also include a panel of black professionals who will answer student questions about their professions and experience. The best part of this celebration is the various foods that participants will get to try. They will not only get to taste the food, but also learn about the ingredients and where the food originated from. The event is open to all students and families and will take place on Wednesday, February 21 at 2:15PM in the South Windsor High School cafeteria. Come celebrate with us!

In addition to attending the Black History Month Celebration event led by the BSA, here are some ways you and your family can celebrate Black History Month:

• Support Black Businesses
• Read a book written by a black author
• Explore podcasts
• Watch a movie/documentary highlighting black history
• Visit a local black history museum
• Attend black history month celebrations (in person & virtually)
• Learn more about black leaders throughout history

The Unified Theater Club at South Windsor High School is an inclusive club looking to gather students who wish to make new friends and great theater along the way. Each spring, students of all abilities come together to learn about what it means to ‘put on a play.’ Meeting one to two times a week, the Unified Theater club works to get to know each other and build camaraderie.

Theater games are played to develop confidence and communication skills. When certain games get repeated throughout the spring, students embrace them as old friends, known and familiar. A visit to the auditorium invites students to test out their voice and get active. They choreograph their own dances to student-chosen songs and learn new dance moves. Additionally, there is the construction of small set pieces that need to be designed and painted. By the end of the school year, the students have created a wholly original play, which they have written themselves. This piece of theater is produced by the students and performed (for free!) for the community from the SWHS auditorium. The production requires the students to help behind the scenes as well. Ultimately, Unified Theater Club members gain experience in the pre-production, production, marketing, acting, and dancing in an original performance. No matter a student’s ability, there is a place for them in Unified Theater. They can learn a bit about lighting, sound, costumes, fundraising, scriptwriting, directing, and rehearsing!

Each year the show is often centered around the idea of inclusivity and acceptance. Themes from past years have included Unified Theater…“Thru the Decades,” “On the Air,” and at “The Olympics.” At the end of each performance, the Unified Theater members sit together and perform the John Lennon song, “Imagine” through American Sign Language. It’s a tradition over a decade long. The song’s lyrics embody the club’s guiding philosophy: Imagine all the people / Sharing all the world / You may say I'm a dreamer / But I'm not the only one / I hope someday you'll join us / And the world will live as one. The Unified Theater club always welcomes new members!

For more information on all SWHS Clubs & Activities, please CLICK HERE.

February is Black History Month. Students are encouraged to check out books that examine the African American experience in the United States. Check out these highlighted titles.

President's Day: Monday, February 19 (No school)

PAC Meeting: Monday, February 26 @ 6:30 pm