SHS Weekly Update

1SG Marvin Hunter verifies Cadets Charlise Albers (Center) and Khadajah Swan (Right) STB hands on training as other cadets wait their turn

Motivating young people to become better citizens is the mission of the Army JROTC program. On October 9th the JROTC Battalion conducted training to “Stop the Bleed”, providing cadets the training to possibly save someone’s life. The Stop The Bleed (STB) program teaches cadets how to stop a severe bleeding injury so a person does not bleed out before 1st responders arrive on the scene. Last year the current JROTC Packer Battalion Commander, Kadence Distefano, and former JROTC Cadet, Ethan Swartz, not only brought the STB program to SHS, they also collected enough Stop the Bleed First Aid kits through donations for every classroom at SHS to have a kit mounted in the classroom.

Mr. Mark Wooster, IWC School Board member, and certified STB Instructor, took time out of his busy schedule to teach cadets how to stop severe life-threatening bleeding. The training is designed to teach how to stop a severe bleed which could result in someone’s death before first responders arrive. Thanks to Mr. Wooster, Senior Army Instructor, Peter Badoian, and Army Instructor, First Sergeant Marvin Hunter, 91 JROTC cadets are now certified to “stop the bleed”. Cadets are now prepared with the skill set to provide aid in emergency situations.

The JROTC program’s next major event is Wednesday, October 30th, when we will host our first student/ community blood drive of the year. If you are interested in saving three lives, please make an appointment at redcrossblood.org at our SHS drive. Appointment slots are filling fast.

Written by: Cadet Courtney Martin, JROTC Packer Battalion Public Affairs Officer

The SHS Choraliers performed a medley of songs to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s “Out of the Darkness” event at Bennett’s Creek Park on October 18.

BACK ROW (L to R): COL(Ret) Samuel Licorish, Summer Quimby, Kadence Distefano, BG Steven King, Charlise Albers, Keagan Frey FRONT ROW (L to R): Courtney Martin, Nymiar Towns, Ryder Swedlund, and Christian Jacobs

DENBIGH HIGH SCHOOL - On October 3rd the Packer Battalion Smithfield High School JROTC Staff were invited to Denbigh High School to participate in a leadership town hall featuring Brigadier General Steven M. King, the Deputy Commanding General of United States Army Cadet Command (USACC). Cadets from Bethel, Denbigh, and Smithfield High School JROTC programs attended. Guest speakers shared their personal journeys through their lives, exploring key moments in their military careers, and shared their adaptation to principles and skills they gained along the way. Cadets were able to ask probing questions of the three panel members consisting of BG King, COL (Ret) Samuel Licorish (Richmond DAI) and LTC Charles Birdsong (Senior Army Instructor for Bethel HS).

This event fostered meaningful connections and inspired our staff cadets with opportunities for mentorship and guidance for those considering a career in the military and a way to navigate life’s obstacles.

BG King presented Charlise Albers, the Packer Battalion Executive Officer, with his USACC Challenge Coin for her performance at the American Independence Youth Leadership Conference in April 2024; her achievement as being chosen as one of the Motivational Cadet Leaders at JCLC Summer Camp in June 2024, and placing second in the battalion for girls in the Cadet Challenge Fitness Test in May 2024. After receiving her coin, Cadet Albers said, “After working diligently over the past few months to continue developing my leadership style, it feels extraordinary to be recognized for my efforts by receiving the USACC Challenge Coin. This is motivation for anyone else to not give up and to keep giving everything your all!”

Article written by C/ CPT Courtney Martin, Packer Battalion Public Affairs Officer

Junior Emma Hattemer competed at two national level horse shows this week -- the Pennsylvania National Horse Show and The Washington International Horse Show in DC. Only 30 horses qualify per division. Emma came home with a second and third place ribbon.

November 1 - End of the first quarter

November 11 - Veterans Day Observed - All Schools/Offices Closed

November 18 - Report Cards Issued

Order today at jostensyearbooks.com to reserve your yearbook for $70. Price increases on Nov. 16.

Please join LEOs on Friday, November 1st here in Packer Stadium starting at 6:00pm. LEOs will be collecting donations of bottled water, non-perishable foods, new or gently used clothing, all sizes of diapers (adult and infant), baby formula, toiletries and hygiene products, blankets and pillows, towels, cleaning supplies, first aid kits, flashlights and batteries, trash bags, pet food and supplies, baby wipes, water filters and purification tablets, tarps, plastic storage bins, personal protective equipment such as gloves and masks, charcoal, and manual can openers.

Some children stay home because of minor illnesses when they should be in school. For more information about when to keep your child home, click the file below to check out the IWCS Sick Day Guidelines.

Attention all Juniors: dues are $10.00 and should be paid prior to the end of October.

Attention all Freshmen: dues are $10.00 and should be paid prior to the end of October.

Girls Basketball Varsity and Junior Varsity is looking for girls that want to compete and display their talents for the 24-25 school year. Conditioning is every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3:15-5:30 pm. A current sports physical is needed to participate. For more information, see Coach Brooks or Coach Cotton.

DnD Club is meeting every Thursday after school in Room 218 from 3 PM to 5 PM If you haven’t already turned in your permission form, please stop by room 218 and get one. You must have it signed before you are allowed to stay after school with up. You MUST have reliable transportation to be picked up promptly by 5:05 pm.

Smithfield High School will be teaching a unit on Family Life Education to all students currently enrolled in Health/PE 9 and/or Driver Ed./PE 10 on November 4th and November 5th. If you would like to review any of the materials for this unit, please contact Principal Cuffee to schedule an appointment. If you do not want your child to participate in these lessons, please print and complete the opt-out form and return to the school. Links for materials regarding this unit are as follows:

Parents if you have not joined the Senior Class Informational Remind for Parents. Please join using this link: https://www.remind.com/join/packer25

Reminder to All Seniors:

Don't forget to select your senior portrait for the yearbook by the November 4 deadline! Go to prestigeportraits.com and use the access code emailed to you or your parent to view your proofs, order photos and select a portrait for the yearbook. See Mrs. Garrow in the library for more information.

Also, don't forget to submit your senior quotes for the yearbook!

Seniors: Share a little bit about your personality by including a quote under your senior portrait in the yearbook! The deadline to submit your quote is December 1. Submit via this Google Form: https://forms.gle/htKcTW6Pii8K96i89

All quotes must be school appropriate and should be no more than 150 characters. Please use quotation marks and include the author of your quote in your submission. Yearbook staff and SHS administration reserve the right to reject your quote if it doesn't meet guidelines.

Examples of what is NOT acceptable:

• References to alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gangs
• Foul language
• Quotes that are sexual or contain vulgar innuendo
• Nonsense or inside jokes
• Anything that belittles another person's ethnicity, religious/political beliefs, sexuality, gender, physical/mental ability

Click the link below for more information about purchasing a yearbook ad recognizing a member of the Class of 2025.

Presenting the SHS Choraliers Christmas concerts, now at Christ Episcopal Church in Smithfield, the same series previously held at St. Luke’s Church! Please join us to start your holiday season off with Christmas favorites from ancient times to the present. The select Choraliers ensemble will delight both young and old with their community concerts on Friday, December 6 at 7pm and Saturday, December 7 at 4pm and 7pm.

Concert Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased on EventBrite at this link or at the door before the concert. Be sure to select which concert you are attending when purchasing tickets. We hope to see you there!

AP Exam Payment Link-Free/Reduced Lunch Eligible

AP Exam Payment Link

1. The Voice of Democracy (High School Students) grand prize $35,000.
2024-2025 Theme “Is America Today Our Forefathers’ Vision?”
Link for Voice of Democracy - www.vfwva.org - then go to programs or www.vfwpost8545.org - then go to the bottom of webpage.
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2. Patriot’s Pen - (Middle School Students) Grand Prize - $5,000
The 2024-25 theme is: "My Voice in America's Democracy?" Student Entry
Link for Patriot’s Pen - www.vfwva.org - then go to programs or www.vfwpost8545.org - then go bottom of the webpage.

If anyone has questions they may email William C. Constant (VFW Post 8545/School Program Coordinator) @ wconstantvfwpost8545@gmail.com.

Website: https://shs.iwcs.k12.va.us/
Location: 14171 Turner Drive, Smithfield, VA, USA
Phone: 757-357-3108
Twitter: @OfficialSHSPack