The Souhegan Scoop

January's Conversation with Mike Berry was canceled due to inclement weather. We will continue in the month of February with a Zoom session on Wednesday, February 21 at 6:30pm. More details to come!

On Monday, February 13, Souhegan welcomes families of current 8th grade students to join us for 8th Grade Parent Night! This is a great opportunity for parents to learn about Souhegan, the 9th grade program offerings, and the different activities that are available. While this event is intended for parents and families, students are more than welcome to attend, though it is not required. Additionally, we will be having a day for the students in the spring for them to learn about their transition to Souhegan. Make sure to swing by the Scratching Post and stock up on some Souhegan swag!

If you were unable to attend the Feb. 2 session but would still like the information, please fill out this Unable to Attend Form by Monday, February 6. The deadline to sign up for acceleration is Friday, February 10. The form to sign up will be in the information provided to you via email. Please reach out to jcolby@sau39.org with any questions.

Perspectives Community Read

Join SHS, Merrimack High School students & community members to discuss What Strange Paradise by Omar El-Akkad on 2/15 from 9:45-11:15am.Enjoy light refreshments, stimulating discussion & community! Community reads events bring together community members and students to talk about literature and the world. Participants receive a complimentary copy of the text- pick up at Amherst Town Library once you've signed up!

Creating Friendship for Peace (CFP) invites Amherst and Mont Vernon families to consider a volunteer teen hosting opportunity for July 2023.

We are seeking 4 to 8 families willing to open their homes to teen pairs arriving from Israel/Palestine and the island of Cyprus-- both countries with divided lands.

Your willingness to participate in this two-week or the month-long friendship-building program will deliver teens from opposing sides of their nation's conflict a memorable and transformative experience-- the chance to develop unlikely friendships with their former enemies and to begin the work of re-imagining their lives as future leaders of a peaceful nation.

If you are interested in learning more or have further questions about CFP, please get in touch with Bo Dean, the New Hampshire Coordinator, or Marjie Hobbs in the Info Center.

Scholastics Competition

Meet the wonderful and talented staff members of SHS!

Amanda Maniscalco

What is your role at Souhegan?

Business Teacher

How long have you been with Souhegan?

I worked in the Main Office for 3 years and have been the Business Teacher for the past 2 years.

What do you love about your job?

What is there NOT to love about my job?? If I had to choose one thing I love more than everything else it would be making connections with the students. I absolutely adore hearing their insights about academics and the world outside of the walls of Souhegan. They make such a huge positive impact on my life every single day and I cannot thank them enough!

What do you like to do outside of work?

Outside of work I enjoy baking, painting, crafting and spending time with my family....especially my 2 year old son Giovanni! I also enjoy attending SHS sporting events... GO SABERS!!! 💛🖤

If you were given one wish what would it be?

If I was given one wish it would absolutely be to be able to time travel to different times in my life. Not necessarily to make changes for different outcomes, but more to really appreciate and truly take in special and happy moments. There are so many moments in my life that I feel like I rushed and I would love to get another chance to REALLY appreciate the big ones.

Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?

"STAY FOCUSED AND EXTRA SPARKLY!" ✨️

The online course selection period has not been completed. From now through February break, students will meet with counselors to review and confirm their selections. You can find the Program of Studies here. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to your counselor.

LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS – AVAILABLE FEBRUARY 14

We are very fortunate to live in a community that supports our graduating seniors with over 70 scholarship opportunities. On Tuesday, February 14th, we encourage you to log into your Naviance account where you will be able to review the criteria and requirements for each scholarship. There is something for everyone whether you are matriculating to a 2 or 4 year college or pursuing a career at a vocational or training program. Last year’s graduating class received over one-hundred thousand dollars!

A sampling of criteria:

- Attending a Community College, Vocational or Technical

- Pursuing a degree in Agriculture, Art, Business, Culinary, Engineering, Law Enforcement, Music, Nursing, Teaching, Theatre, Science

- Academic Success at Souhegan

- Above and beyond Community Service hours

More detailed information will be shared with you soon. If you would like help identifying which scholarships may suit you – please do not hesitate to come see Maren in Student Services!

BAE Systems - FOCUS Program

BAE Systems will be offering another session of our FOCUS Program beginning in April 2023. FOCUS is an 11-week in person program which provides hands-on experiences in STEM fields to help grow students' interest in technical education and careers.

The program takes place at BAE Systems Nashua Canal Street facility from April 5 through June 14 Students will participate on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m.

Students in grades 9 – 12 from schools within a reasonable driving distance from Southern New Hampshire are welcome to apply for the program through March 7. Our application is hosted on Tallo: https://app.tallo.com/application/9069/view (note: students will need to create a Tallo profile to apply, this is easy and free and compliant with NH student privacy standards).

You can learn more about FOCUS on our website: www.baesystems.com/focus

Questions may be directed to our program team via focus.nashua@baesystems.com or to Laurel Skiff, Pre and Early Career program manager.

Senior Project News

Our next Senior Project checkpoint is focused on research and will take place on March 15. At this point, students need to have completed all of their research, although they may continue to supplement their research after this date. This checkpoint will take place between the mentor and student; full panels will not convene on this date. We look forward to hearing more about students' research at this point!

Childcare

WHEN: Monday, February 6 from 5:45pm to 9pm

WHERE: Souhegan High School

WHAT: Childcare for parents attending the deliberative session in Souhegan's theatre

CONTACT: Maren at MPETROPULOS@SAU39.ORG

Mont Vernon Village School Sweetheart Dance

WHEN: Saturday, February 11 from 6pm to 8pm

WHERE: Mont Vernon Village School

WHAT: Concessions and collecting entrance fees

Sign up at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050B4FABAC29A5FE3-sweetheart

Babysitting During PTA Meeting at Wilkins School

WHAT: Babysitting for PTA parents

WHEN: Wednesday, February 22 from 6PM TO 9PM

WHERE: Wilkins School Library

CONTACT: lindsaybharrison2017@gmail.com

The Learning Commons is a space for students to work, relax, and get support. As a new semester begins, it’s a great time to remember what’s happening in the Learning Commons:

• Check tinyurl.com/SouheganLearningCommonsSupport to see what tutors are available each period. During almost every period you can find both adults and students ready to offer support.

• As the school day SAT gets closer, students can use Khan Academy’s free, personalized SAT prep to get ready on their own. But students who want to work on that SAT prep with someone can do so in the Learning Commons.

• For tutoring and SAT prep support, no appointments are necessary, but if anyone wants to schedule an appointment they can email mmcdonald@sau39.org.

• For the six weeks leading up to the school day SAT, we will be hosting our SAT prompt contest every week! That means that every Monday morning students can scan QR codes in the Learning Commons to try out one math prompt and one reading/writing prompt. Students who get the correct answers are entered into a drawing to win a $10 Dunkin gift card!

The SHS Community Council is currently discussing a proposed Cell Phone Policy by the Souhegan High School Steering Committee. A link to the proposal can be found here. Our next meeting will be Monday, February 6th from 5:00-7:00 pm in Room 126/127.

Don’t miss all of the great times at Souhegan High School that are in the 2023 yearbook!

Yearbooks are on sale now! Please follow this link directly to the Souhegan page! Here you will see the yearbook and parent ad offers that you can click to make your purchases!

Click here to view information from the latest Saber Spotlight that was held on Tuesday, January 17!

FEMA Seeks Leaders for Youth Preparedness Council

FEMA is accepting applications for the Youth Preparedness Council, a program that brings teens together from across the nation who are interested and engaged in community preparedness.

National Leaders in Emergency Preparedness

Council members are selected based on their dedication to public service, their efforts in making a difference in their communities and their potential to expand their impact as national leaders for emergency preparedness. Students in grades eight through 11 are eligible to apply.

During their one-year term, council members will collaborate virtually with each other to develop projects that promote preparedness on a local and national scale. Members will also attend the council summit in July and engage with top leaders within FEMA, the federal government, and national non-profit organizations.

Youths interested in applying to the council must submit a completed application form and provide two letters of recommendation. All applications and supporting materials must be submitted no later than 11:59 p.m. PT, March 6, 2023. New council members will be announced in June.

To access the application materials, read about the current council members, and for more information about the Youth Preparedness Council visit https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/individuals-communities/youth-preparedness-council.

Follow Us

Follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov, @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on Twitter, FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook, @FEMA on Instagram, and via FEMA YouTube channel.

JOIN THE FLOCK!!

Souhegan High School will be participating in the Penguin Plunge February 11th at Hampton Beach to benefit Special Olympics NH. Did you know that Special Olympics strives to create a better world by fostering the acceptance and inclusion of all people? Through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities. Athletes find joy, confidence, and fulfillment — on the playing field and in life. They inspire their communities to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential. The donations we collect will go to support this important work!

You can get involved in 2 ways:

1. Join our flock by registering at https://fundraising.sonh.org/event/hs-penguin-plunge and start collecting donations. If you’re not able to make the plunge on Feb 11th in person, you can make the plunge your own with a DIY kit!

2. Donate to the Souhegan High School Flock https://fundraising.sonh.org/fundraisers/souheganhs

Website: https://www.sau39.org/shs
Location: 412 Boston Post Road, Amherst, NH, USA
Phone: (603) 673-9940
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/souheganhs
Twitter: @SouheganHS