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Region In Review
February 21st, 2024
![Region In Review February 21st, 2024](https://cdn.smore.com/u/f152/b0b0719da3b0c17887674ccd753a4030.jpg)
Submitted by Dr. Emily Rhew and Emily Judd, Elementary Principals
Did you know that your heart beats over 100,000 times every day and pumps about 2000 gallons of blood a day? These are just some interesting facts students learned about the heart.
February is a great month to show love and appreciation for others with hearts and special notes. It is also a time to care for our physical heart! During physical education classes, students learned the importance of physical activity to strengthen the cardiovascular system and build strong heart muscles. Students engaged in a variety of activities that revved up their hearts as well as learned heart facts and the importance of nutrition and proper sleep.
To support this learning, students participated in the Kids Heart Challenge sponsored by the American Heart Association. Students raised money for heart research and initiatives that support heart health for all. As a culminating activity, each grade perfected an exercise such as jumping rope, jumping over moving ropes and reaching different heights. Students had great fun while learning about heart health and raising nearly $7,000 to support an important organization. We thank Mr. Morgan for his efforts and our students and families for their positive energy and generosity.
Service Day Success
By Kelly Norris, School Counselor, Shepaug Valley School
On February 2nd, Shepaug students in grades 6-12, participated in "Shepaug Cares" which is an activity period modeled after MLK's National Day of Service to encourage Shepaug Spartans to volunteer to improve their communities.
Our students participated in events like making sandwiches to donate to Loaves and Fishes, creating cards for NICU's, First Responders and Senior Centers as well as creating donated goods for animal shelters like blankets and dog treats.
Connecticut Association of Schools Elementary Arts Recognition 2024
Submitted by Dr. Emily Rhew and Emily Judd, Elementary Principals
On February 6, 2024, six outstanding fifth grade students from Region 12 received recognition for their excellence in the Arts during the 25th Annual Elementary Celebration of the Arts. The Aqua Turf Club in Southington was all decked out for the occasion, complete with face painters, caricature artists and an ice cream buffet!
The Connecticut Association of Schools, through its Elementary Arts Recognition Festival, annually honors students who have excelled in areas of visual or performing arts, and who exhibit high levels of citizenship and cooperative skills. Every year, two award recipients are chosen from the highest grade level of each elementary school of our state - one for excellence in the visual arts and one for excellence in the performing arts.
As a highlight of the evening, students, parents, educators and administrators from all over the state were entertained by members of Flock Theatre, who provided a very engaging and fun demonstration of six different types of puppetry. It was the perfect way to underscore the importance of the Arts in our schools.
Congratulations to the following fifth grade students who were this year’s recipients from Region 12:
Booth Free School: Ashton May, Maeson Martinelli
Burnham School: Wyatt Shook, Carter Riendeau
Washington Primary School: Phoebe Farmer, Braelyn Kersten
Spotlight Artists
The following students were acknowledged as Spotlight Artists for their excellence in Art by the Board of Education at the January 22nd Board of Education meeting.
Brandon Abdella
Grade 8
Maxwell Sorger
Grade K
Lev Toczylowski
Grade 3
Rachel Hoffman
Cameron Schell
Nour Hawli
Grade 2
Congratulations to Rachel Hofmman, Cameron Schell, Brandon Abdella, Maxwell Sorger, Nour Hawli, and Lev Toczylowski!
Their artwork will be on display in the Superintendent's office until March.
Heartfelt Bonds
For Valentine's Day we partnered with our older third grade helpers to send letters of gratitude to friends and families and make Valentine cards. Working with older partners encourages younger students to become more independent and take on greater responsibility for their learning.
It is enticing to work with a peer who can help you manifest your thoughts and feelings. Younger students look up to older students and are very interested in learning from them. Older students benefit by being able to share and develop their own skills. It can help them gain confidence in themselves by helping others. We had a great day working together on this project. Happy Valentine's Day.
Book Fair - Coming Soon
by Amber Lamothe, Shepaug Librarian
The Book Fair will be in Room C23 in the Library—the room behind the circulation desk.
English teachers will bring their classes to visit the Book Fair! Check with your reader to see when they're visiting.
Readers can visit the fair before school between 7:30 - 8:00am, and after school until 2:40pm. They can also sign up to visit the fair during Spartan Period using FlexTime Manager.
Family Events
We will be open during Parent Teacher Conferences. Please visit us! You'll be able to make purchases for yourself, your readers, and classroom teachers!
Mathematical Insights: Alcohol Effects
by Marianne Maher, Mathematics Instructional Leader, Grades 6 - 12
On Thursday, January 25th, Rocco Smith and Myles Gronbach, students from Ms. Maher's Precalculus/Trigonometry class, presented a summary of their findings in a recently completed performance task to the Shepaug faculty.
The task educated students on how a person's blood alcohol level can lead to detrimental effects in a short period of time. They modeled the data using mathematical equations and graphs and saw how alcohol leaves a person's system at a much slower rate than it enters; in fact it hits a plateau based on a person's weight and gender.
Students worked collaboratively on the assessment, engaging in rich discussions that led to important life lessons learned through mathematical analysis.
Pool Triumphs
Shepaug MS was excited to return to SCSU for the MS Swim Championship after a four year hiatus. The team competed well and several swimmers had personal best times. We are looking forward to seeing them all swim in the future!
College Crossroads
by Diane Decker, College & Career Center Counselor
The Shepaug Counseling Department and the College and Career Center continue to prepare seniors for graduation and life beyond high school. We have successfully guided seniors through the college application process by assisting them with essays, gathering recommendation letters and providing FAFSA updates. Additionally, we continue to provide those seniors who plan to enter the workforce with effective resume tutorials and opportunities to view virtual job-shadow webinars.
Currently, all underclassmen are being provided with valuable resources and personalized guidance for selecting courses for next year based on their interests, strengths and long-term goals. Additionally, SEL lessons specific for each grade level were offered in an assembly format that covered a range of crucial topics such as Healthy Relationship and Cyberbullying.
The College and Career Center partnered with Jr. Achievement’s 2024 Motivational Monday Series and the CT Judicial Branch Job Shadow Program. These popular events covered a variety of topics, including careers in Gaming, ESports and Coding as well as a career in the CT Judicial Branch which includes Law Enforcement and working in the Court Clerk’s Office.
Lastly, a visit from a Naugatuck Valley Community College (NVCC) representative was very informative, and we learned that NVCC is now called CT State Community College (CSCC). CSCC is composed of all 12 Connecticut community colleges, and CT students are able to take classes across all 12 campuses. Part of the visit included information on the VERY important PACT (Pledge to Advance CT) program. PACT funding provides the first two years of a college education for FREE. Students can apply online at www.ct.edu/admission
Our efforts have ensured that seniors are well-equipped for their transition into life after Shepaug, while underclassmen are empowered to make informed decisions for their academic future.
Ski Club
The newly formed ski/snowboard club had their first trip to Mohawk on January 25. They included students new to the sport as well as more experienced. Anyone wanting more information about the club please email Tucker Butts at buttse2025@region-12.org, Nathan Steinis at steinisn2025@region-12.org or Samantha Steinis at steiniss@region-12.org
Senior Project Spotlight
Hope Packages
Jacob Rice’s senior project is called “Aging out with Care and Hope.” The project focuses on helping kids that transition out of the foster care system who have not been adopted. Kids that age out without support from a family are more at risk to being homeless, having both mental and physical health concerns, and unfortunately, prone to substance abuse. Because Jacob was adopted when he was 3 years old, he wants to give back to those who aren't as lucky. The goal is to create care packages to donate to Connecticut CASA, an advocacy organization for youth in foster care. Jacob will be conducting a donation drive starting in February. A donation box will be located in the mall at Shepaug Valley School. Items needed are listed on the flyer included in this newsletter below. Contact ricej2024@region-12.org with any questions.
Astronomy Star Party
by Friso Hermans, Science Instructional Leader
The Astronomy Club held a Star Party Saturday, February 3, at Shepaug Valley School. Senior Nathan Fry and sophomores Pierce Johnson and Jake Gervasio set up the telescopes and aligned the sights.
Although the clouds rolled in in the evening, there was enough clear sky to see the Orion Nebula, several binary star systems, a few open clusters, and Jupiter and its moons through breaks in the clouds.
Fliers & Upcoming Events
Region 12 Calendar
Feb. 26 - BOE Curriculum & Educational Programming Committee Meeting, SVS, 5:30pm
Feb. 26 - Special Board of Education Meeting (Supt. Budget Presentation) SVS, 6:30pm
Feb. 26 - Board of Education Meeting, SVS, 7pm
Mar. 4 - SVS PTO Meeting, SVS, 6:30pm
Mar. 4 - Board of Education Meeting, SVS, 7pm
Mar. 6 - BFS PTO Meeting, BFS, 3:30pm
Mar. 6 - Burnham PTO Meeting, Burnham, 3:30pm
Mar. 11 - District Budget Hearing, SVS, 7pm
Mar. 11 - Board of Education Meeting, SVS, 7:30pm
Mar. 12 - WPS PTO Meeting, WPS, 6:30pm
Mar. 14 - Early Dismissal - Parent Teacher Conferences
Mar. 15 - Early Dismissal - Parent Teacher Conferences
Mar. 18 - Board of Education Meeting (Budget Workshop), SVS, 6pm
Mar. 20 - Invention Convention, WPS, 6pm
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: www.facebook.com/Region12Schools
Instagram: www.instagram.com/region12schools