Nonnewaug High School Parent News
October 21-25, 2024
December 16th to December 20th, 2024
Hello Families,
We hope that you had a great weekend! Please be sure to check important dates below for information regarding activities and our schedule for winter break. We will send our next parent news update out on Monday January 6, but we do return to school on Thursday January 2, 2025.
We would like to thank 104 of our students for their perfect attendance this year. We will be starting weekly lottery draws for anyone who has perfect attendance during the week. Gift cards will be given to the students who are lucky enough to have their names put in the weekly draw.
This week, we are continuing to take on the challenge of improving our SAT scores for all students. As such, we will be shifting our Tribe and Focus (advisory) periods for many students in the 11th grade. The goal is to add additional support for many of our students in the 11th grade. We are excited to offer this additional support and hope that it leads to positive results for many of our students.
Have a great week!
Please see our scheduling calendar so that you can track our weekly bell schedule. Our bell schedules can be found here.
Sincerely,
Mykal Kuslis - Principal
Declan Curtin - Assistant Principal
Suzi Greene- Interim Assistant Principal
Andrew Tammero- Dean/Athletic Director
Below you will find key information to ensure a continued positive start.
Follow Us!
@nonnewaug_high_school
@nonnewaug_ccrc
@nonnewaug_ad
@woodbury_ffa
@nonnewauggradnite
@NHSFineArts
Region14 School District FB and Instagram @region14schooldistrict
Save the Date!
Upcoming Events in Our School Community
December 20- Even block half day (11:55 dismissal).
December 21, 2024-January 1, 2025- Winter Break, No School
December 23- Boys basketball game- it’s a pajama theme as we want to welcome back our alumni. There will be a collection jar at the gate that will be used to buy toys for those in need throughout our community.
Thursday January 2, 2025- First day back to school from winter break (Odd Block Day with Chiefs).
GradNite Updates:
GradNite 2025 - Attention all Senior parents ! We have begun fundraising and planning for the seniors celebration. Parents and students can earn raffle tickets toward the big ticket items given out at GradNite to the seniors.
Follow us on Instagram @NonnewaugGradNite and Facebook @NHSGradNite for more information. You can contact us at NonnewaugGradNite@gmail.com
Cash for Charities at Labonne's donates back a percentage to GradNite for your receipts. Please send them into the main office or bring them to a meeting.
Important Information:
Yearbook Information- Our 2025 Yearbooks are now available for pre-order! Don’t miss out on securing your copy of this unforgettable keepsake. We need to know how many yearbooks to order, so please place your order as soon as possible. The more accurate our order count, the better we can ensure everyone gets a copy. CLICK HERE to order your yearbook. Yearbooks are currently priced at $85 and will increase to $100 on January 1st.
Nonnewaug News: Check out our brief clip of the Senior Meal Day at Nonnewaug: senior meal final.mov
NHS Chief Advocate: Here's the latest Chief Advocate Newsletter: https://nhschiefadvocate.org/?na=view&id=10
Attendance - Regular attendance at school is required by state law, and is an important component of student success. Please use this link as a general attendance overview. Class time is an invaluable opportunity for students and teachers to interact and exchange ideas. In order to receive maximum opportunities for learning, students need to be present in every class. Attendance is so important that it is one of the criteria for granting course credit. (Course credit is granted on the basis of two criteria: passing grade and attendance in that specific class within the requirements of the school policy.) We appreciate your support in ensuring your child is in attendance daily.
Parking on Campus- With winter sports approaching and other events at Nonnewaug, the Woodbury Fire Marshall would like to remind parents and spectators to only park in designated parking spaces. We have been informed that deputies of the fire department will be present at Nonnewaug events and will be ticketing individuals who are not in designated parking spots.
GOFAN- This year, we will be moving to GOFAN as our system of payment for events at NHS. To purchase tickets ahead of time, please use this link .The goal is to have GOFAN fully implemented for the winter season! During the fall season, we will be using GOFAN, or accepting cash for tickets to our football games.
Athletics/Clubs
Home Games
Boys Basketball vs. Terryville 12/17/2024 6:00PM
Girls Basketball vs. Thomaston 12/20/2024 6:00PM
Wrestling vs. Longmeadow/Platt/West Hill 1/4/2025 9:30AM
Athletic Updates- We would like to thank our fanbase for their anticipated sportsmanship throughout the winter season. The Berkshire League would like all spectators to know that any removal from an athletic event for poor fan behavior will lead to a 2 game suspension. The suspension will only be served at the home venue where the spectator is from. We appreciate your anticipated cooperation so that this doesn’t happen to any Nonnewaug supporters.
Special Night/Special Occasion- Please mark your calendars for 12/23. The Nonnewaug boys basketball team takes on Lakeview at 6:00. This game will have a pajama theme. The boys team has been collecting toys for many in our community. We will have a donation jar at the gate that will be used to help buy toys for those that need it.
Clubs- Each year, Nonnewaug High School offers an array of clubs and activities. We hope to involve as many students as possible in clubs and extracurricular activities, providing them with opportunities to make social connections, broaden their interests, and, in many cases, grow in a leadership capacity. Click here for a list of our club offerings
What's Going on in the Arts?
The Artistic Pulse: Region 14 Artistic Pulse Newsletter
Please see the awesome work created by our students in the arts department for our Senior Citizen Luncheon. Please click here to view the art pieces.
Check out our December 4th Winter Concert here. Great job by all musicians!
School Counseling/CCRC
Senior families, winter break would be a great time to complete the 2025-2026 FAFSA online. Go to https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch to get started. Seniors can find a tip sheet and video in their grade level Google Classroom.
Seniors can also focus some time this break on researching scholarship opportunities. Check out the Scholarship Page on the CCRC site. In the drop down menu, in the upper left hand corner, you will find the scholarship tab. This page provides information on local scholarship opportunities (these will roll out late January) regional and national scholarships and search engines to find even more opportunities.
We will offer the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) to all 10th–12th grade students interested in taking it on 2/11 in the LMC. This aptitude test provides insight into potential career interests and is required for those pursuing a career in the military. However, any student who takes the test is not obligated to pursue a military career. Students can email me or see me in the CCRC to sign up.
The school counselors will begin sophomore conferences this week. We look forward to meeting with the 10th graders to review the first semester and to discuss future plans.
The PowerSchool student app (iOS and Android) is active for student use. Students can now access grade information via their smartphone.
Updated Cell Phone Policy
Cell Phone Policy Changes
Each classroom is equipped with phone holders, placed in a secure location.
Upon entering the classroom, students are required to place their cell phones in the designated phone holder ONLY, and they should be set to silent. Students will be required to use the holder. The phone is to remain in the holder if the student is leaving the room (i.e. going to the bathroom) and returning.
In the case of an emergency, students can request permission from the teacher to access their phones discreetly.
Special accommodations, as determined through the PPT or 504 process, can be made for students with documented medical or accessibility needs. These cases should be discussed with the school administration.
Students are not allowed to use cell phones or any recording devices to take pictures of students and staff members without their knowledge and/or consent. Students are also prohibited from posting pictures or video of students and staff members on the Internet.
At the beginning of, and periodically throughout the academic year, the cell phone policy to include phone holder usage will be communicated to all students and parents/guardians.
Students are responsible for their own cell phones and should not handle other students’ devices.
Nonnewaug High School will take reasonable measures to ensure the security of the phone holders.
Any listening device including but not limited to air pods, earbuds, and headphones are a distraction to the educational process as well as a safety concern. These devices should not be used during any academic classroom time. During passing time and other non instructional periods (study hall, lunch), only 1 air pod can be in at a time.
Region 14 Vision of a Learner/Region 14 Goals
Region 14 students:
THINK CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY – They evaluate an issue or problem and develop a solution or opinion using multi-disciplinary thinking, originality and imagination.
COLLABORATE AND COMMUNICATE EFFECTIVELY – They find effective ways to work together and express, listen to, and exchange ideas and information in many forms.
DEMONSTRATE EMPATHY – They understand and respect the ideas, beliefs, and values of others to foster an inclusive environment.
TAKE INITIATIVE – They take ownership of learning by inquiring, setting goals, taking action, and consistently reflecting.
PERSEVERE – They persist through challenges to achieve goals and build resilience.
ADAPT AND ADJUST – They remain flexible and open to new ideas, and they adjust to new situations.
Region 14 Goals:
Academic Performance - The district will strive to improve academic performance for all students on multiple assessment indicators and the staff will be committed to continuous improvement
Communication - Region 14 will develop partnerships with all stakeholders in the school community to highlight the exemplary programs the district offers
Safety - Region 14 will provide safe and secure facilities equipped with technology, enabling a 21st century learning environment that supports the values of the district
Budget - Region 14 will prepare a budget that meets the needs of every student and communicates the needs and priorities of Region 14 in a clear and concise manner.