Region In Review

The energy was electric as students at each elementary school treated families to a fun and entertaining Jam Session. A Jam Session is an event that brings kindergarten through fifth grade students together to showcase their favorite music songs and skills with a twist of improvisation.

Students confidently sang a variety of songs such as "Sarasponda", "Rock Star River" and "All Through the Night". Throughout the performances, students integrated the recorders, ukuleles, drums and xylophones demonstrating their learned skills and showing how musicians listen to one another to create beautiful music.

The finale included many guest musicians and invited families to sing along to a familiar tune, The Twist!

Special thanks to Mrs. Doiron for growing and supporting our young musicians and to our special guests Ms. Ackerman (sax), Mr. Rourk (guitar), Mr. DiSarro (guitar), Mr. Barksdale (drumset), and Mrs. Collentine (ukulele) who shared their talents with our school community.

Students at Shepaug Valley School recently experienced a powerful dose of positivity with the visit of Ken Nwadike Jr., renowned for his Free Hugs Project. From athlete to activist, Ken's journey resonated deeply as he shared his message of love and community engagement.

During his visit, Ken not only emphasized the importance of embracing positivity and getting involved in after-school programs but also showcased footage from his experiences in deescalating conflict during riots and protests. Additionally, he shared the inspiring story of launching his Free Hugs Project at the Boston Marathon.

His heartfelt words, coupled with the impactful visuals, sparked a sense of unity and empowerment within the Shepaug community, inspiring students, faculty, and staff alike.

Ken's visit served as a reminder of the transformative power of kindness and community engagement in a society often plagued by negativity. Students were motivated to make a difference, channeling their energy into creating positive change and building a brighter future for themselves and their communities.

To top it off, Ken also gave out some free merchandise, along with, of course, Free Hugs, spreading not just love, but tangible reminders of the message he brought.

As the anticipation built up, students eagerly gathered outside the elementary schools with their peers, teachers, and some family members armed with their protective eyewear and curiosity as they viewed the progression of the solar eclipse unfold.

The air was filled with excitement and wonder as we witnessed this rare event. It was truly a moment to remember! For many students, it was their first time experiencing a solar eclipse, and the sense of awe on their faces was truly uplifting.

Join us as Valeria Isch whips up a delicious Acai Smoothie at Washington Primary School! Watch as she blends together fresh ingredients to create a tasty and nutritious treat that's perfect for any time of day.

Shepaug's track and field stars sparkled at the Bellringer Track & Field Invitational 2024, wowing the crowd with their speed, strength, and teamwork. Held at the prestigious Bellringer Stadium, the event brought together top athletes from all around.

Our Shepaug athletes sprinted, jumped, and threw their hearts out, showing off their skills in races like the 100-meter dash and events like the long jump and shot put. They weren't just about winning; they cheered for each other and showed respect for their opponents, making us proud both on and off the field.

In the end, Shepaug's performance was a testament to their hard work and dedication. As they continue to train and compete, we can't wait to see more incredible moments from our talented athletes.

The full results from the invitational can be seen at the following link: https://ct.milesplit.com/meets/604845-bellringer-track-and-field-invitational-2024/results/

As you know, one of the most famous dates in math is March 14th. Since March is the third month of the year, and fourteen corresponds to the fourteenth day of the month, March 14th is known as Pi (𝞹 or 3.14) day.

Mathematicians across the globe celebrated, and we at Shepaug celebrated it too. Sixth and seventh grade students evaluated the relationship between the circumference and diameter of a donut-like treat. Students used string and metric rulers to determine the circumference and diameter. After repeating this at least three times, as any good scientist would do, students calculated the mean of both measurements, and then calculated pi. Many students came very, very close to 3.14. All students had to analyze sources of errors to understand why their data didn’t match up exactly with pi.

The class ended with students enjoying the treats!

On Saturday, May 23rd, the Shepaug Astronomy club and the Shepaug chapter of the Science National Honor Society hosted a public show in Shepaug’s state of the art planetarium.

Senior Grey Pomeroy began the show by explaining the astronomy behind a solar eclipse, and the planetarium dome was used to show the current positions of Mercury and the comet Pons-Brooks in the evening sky. That was followed by two shows: Losing the Dark, and From the Earth to the Universe.

Sixth graders at Shepaug learned about economic systems by creating their own businesses during the recent Munion Day Extravaganza. The students were producers and consumers as they shopped for and sold goods and services including self-made games, hair salons, specialty drinks, balloon sculptures, baked goods, tag sale items, and handmade crafts.

The currency for this event? Munions, of course! Students earn munions in classes for being awesome. Many entrepreneurs left this event feeling wealthy and satisfied with their purchases in this free market simulation.

Apr. 25 - Agriscience Consulting Committee, SVS, 6-7pm

Apr. 26 - Middle School Movie Night, SVS, 6:30pm

Apr. 29 - BOE Policy Committee Meeting, SVS, 6pm

Apr. 30 - Kindergarten Meet and Greet, WPS, 11am - 12pm

May 1 - Kindergarten Meet and Greet, BS, 1:30pm - 2:30pm

May 2 - Kindergarten Meet and Greet, BFS, 1:15pm - 2:15pm

May 6 - BOE Curriculum & Educational Programming Committee Meeting, SVS, 6pm

May 6 - Annual District Meeting, SVS, 7pm

May 6 - Board of Education Meeting, SVS, Immediately following Annual District Meeting

May 7 - High School Spring Concert, SVS, 7pm

May 8 - BS PTO Meeting, BS, 3:30pm

May 13 - BOE Finance/Operations Committee Meeting, CO, 4pm

May 13 - BOE Long Range Planning Committee, SVS, 6pm

May 13 - SVS PTO Meeting, SVS, 6:30pm

May 14 - Middle School Spring Concert, SVS, 7pm

May 16 - Elementary Band & Chorus Spring Concert, SVS, 6:30pm

May 20 - BOE Policy Committee Meeting, SVS, 6pm

May 20 - Board of Education Meeting, SVS, 7pm

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