The Souhegan Scoop

Additional event information is available via this interactive Trumba calendar. Click here for the official SAU 39 school year calendar. Additional event information is available via this interactive Trumba calendar.

As we return from winter break, we are quickly approaching the halfway point of the school year. In just a few weeks, the second semester will begin, offering a fresh start and a renewed opportunity for growth, learning, and progress. January is the perfect time to reflect on the first half of the year—what has gone well, what can be improved, and how we can continue to support one another on this shared journey.

The start of a new year brings a sense of renewal, allowing us to reestablish the habits and practices that help us thrive. Whether in academics, personal goals, or how we engage with one another in our community, this is a time to let go of what hasn’t worked and focus on what will propel us forward. It’s also an opportunity to try new approaches—whether through embracing different learning strategies, setting fresh challenges, or taking on leadership roles we haven’t explored before.

Now is the moment to reconnect with the values that make our school unique: respect, trust, and courage. At Monday’s Saber Spotlight, we’ll discuss how we can recommit to the Souhegan Six and what that looks like across our school community. We encourage you to have this conversation with your child, and we look forward to moving into the new year together.

I am moving into this new year grateful for your partnership and for our community.

Warmly,

Dana

Grades for semester 1 close on Friday, 1/24 and semester 2 begins on Tuesday, 1/28. As we get back into the swing of school routine, we encourage students and parents to review PowerSchool and reach out to your child’s teachers with any questions or clarifications.

Get ready, Sabers! The next Saber Spotlight is happening this Monday, January 6, during Advisory in the Theatre.

Student Services has a LOT going on this month with course selection kicking off. Course selection and postsecondary are inextricably linked, so here is everything that folks need to know about how counselors will be supporting students and families this month:

Students and Families can rely on the Course Selection Resources landing page as their one-stop-shop for all materials related to course selection. All of the links will become active as the resource is made available. The resource page can be accessed from the Souhegan Home Page > Student Services > Course Selection Resources.

Here you will find:

• Resources like the Program of Studies, Course List, Career and Technical Education Program info and applications, etc.
• Slides from in class course selection presentations
• Timeline of course selection process for specific grade levels

Rising Seniors - 7:00pm: Erin and Megan will present to families of students on their respective caseload regarding the college admissions process. The presentation will provide an overview of the college search and admissions process, and will include course selection considerations. The presentations are designed to be smaller group to allow for more dialog. Anticipate a direct invitation from Erin or Megan next week.

Rising Juniors and Sophomores - 7:00pm: Kylé and Kara will present in the theater to current 9th and 10th grade students about the course selection and post-secondary planning process. The presentation will include factors to consider in their course planning as they think about their post-secondary plans, with attention to students focused on college and career pathways.

The timing of the event allows for students/families interested in learning about Math Acceleration to attend that presentation first, which starts at 6pm.

Students that expressed interest in Career & Technical Education programs during the Career Unit and Career & Training Expo in December received an invitation to attend an Info Session during their Advisory on Friday, January 10th (Learning Commons). Any student interested in applying to a CTE program is welcome to attend this info session, though students typically aim to begin these programs in their sophomore or junior year. Students will hear from a panel of current SHS students taking CTE courses, get an overview of the available programs and application process, learn about upcoming open houses at our partnering CTE centers, and have the chance to sign up for site visit field trips to their program of interest. If you have questions about CTE programs, please reach out to your school counselor.

The counseling department will begin working with current 8th grade students on course selection and the transition to high school in February. Here is what to expect if you have a current 8th grader:

• February 6th: Info Night for Current 8th Grade Students and Families

• February 13th: Course Selection Presentations in 8th Grade Classes

• February 14th: Arts, World Language and Technology teachers will be available to 8th grade students to provide insight into courses they can choose as 9th graders

• February 14-17th: Online Course Selection Window

• February 18th: Souhegan counselors will meet individually with 8th grade students to review and finalize their course requests

A more detailed communication will be sent to 8th grade families as February approaches.

We have four weeks of school before our next Senior Project panel meeting. This means seniors should meet four more times with their mentors before this checkpoint. Seniors should continue working on their research and other parts of their project as determined by the task list and timeline that they have created. You can view your child’s current status (pass or no pass) for Senior Project in PowerSchool. As always, please reach out to your child's Senior Project mentor if you have any questions.

Reminder: If you haven’t filled out the cap and gown form yet, please do so ASAP—orders are being placed next week! No payment is due right now; the cost of your cap and gown is not included in your senior dues.

Over the break, Souhegan triumphed in the Londonderry Holiday Tournament! The competition featured 17 teams from across New England, with every state in the region represented. Souhegan secured victory with a final score of 168 points, finishing 17.5 points ahead of the second-place team, Sanford, Maine.

Top place winners:

• Ben Smiley - 1st
• Jack Kaler - 2nd
• Landon Carson - 2nd
• Chase Knuckles - 2nd
• Cole Brandt - 2nd
• Sam Albert - 4th
• Liam Fisher - 4th
• Seamus Wellen - 4th

Additional wrestlers who contributed to the overall team score included Noah Daily with 3 wins and Darwin Brown-Waters with 2 wins. In the girl's division, Isabelle Brandt went 2-1 on the day.

It was an awesome day for the Sabers!

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