Message from the Principal
Dear SWHS Families,
A critically important life skill is taking the time to reflect on our work and accomplishments. Strong reflection can help provide thoughtful and constructive direction for forward progress. With the conclusion of the first marking period, now marks a perfect time for our students to reflect on the first quarter of the school year. Sample questions include:
- What has worked for me so far in my classes?
- Where is there room for improvement?
- Do I know who to turn to if I need help or support with my school work?
If students are feeling they need additional academic support for academics, we encourage them to discuss their needs with teachers, school counselors, or special services staff. Further, we encourage our students to utilize various structures designed to support them such as using Bobcat Block, meeting with teachers after school, or attending our Academic Support Center. More information on the Academic Support Center can be found on our clubs and activities webpage which can be found by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Mr. Rizzuto
This issue contains information on the following topics:
- Capstone Information for the Class of 2024
- SWHS RULER Rollout
- School Counseling Information
- Fall Sports Update
- Club Spotlight: Entrepreneurship Club
- Library Media Center Information
- Midterm Exam Schedule
- Important Dates/Events
Capstone Information for the Class of 2024
Below are the next Senior Capstone presentation opportunities:
Tuesday, November 14 from 2:15 - 3:15 pm
Tuesday, January 23 (Exam Week), time TBD
Wednesday, January 24 (Exam Week), time TBD
For additional information on Capstone presentations, please CLICK HERE.
SWHS RULER Rollout
This year, all schools in the South Windsor district have introduced RULER to students. RULER is a proven method from the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence that teaches essential emotional skills. SWHS students received initial information on RULER during the first few days of homeroom earlier this school year. Students took some time defining emotion words, identifying their own emotions on a Mood Meter, and helped create a student charter for SWHS.
What is RULER?
RULER stands for Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions. It helps one identify and manage their feelings effectively.
Why is emotional intelligence important?
Emotional intelligence is crucial for life success. It helps in building strong relationships, making smart choices, and handling stress. Research shows that emotionally intelligent students do better in school and life.
How can parents help?
Parents can model healthy emotional behavior, talk about feelings, and encourage their children to express themselves. They can also support the RULER lessons by discussing emotions and problem-solving.
In summary, RULER is a great tool to develop lifelong emotional skills. It is our hope that by adding in these mini-lessons and activities, students will learn to work together, manage their emotions, better communicate with one another and build positive relationships.
School Counseling Information
Grade 12: Connecticut Automatic Acceptance Program
Also shared at the Grade 12 Parent & Guardian Night and a previous School Counseling communication, below is a link to a Common Application & CSCU webinar that contains more specific information and details regarding the program and how to utilize the opportunity.
Grade 10 Parent/Guardian Night: November 14 at 6:30 pm
This School Counseling program will focus on helpful ways to help your 10th grade student navigate the high school years and prepare for what comes next. After an overview presentation in the auditorium, SWHS school counselors will hold small group breakout sessions to cover a variety of topics, including how the School Counseling department will support students in both academic and social/emotional areas, using Naviance, and starting to think about post-secondary options. Throughout both portions of the program, there will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Grade 10 students will receive this same information via a classroom lesson later this year (in combination with PSAT score reports) and do not need to attend this event.
Fall Sports Update
Below represents the progress of our Fall sports teams into the week of 10/30. We congratulate the many programs who qualified for post-season play.
Girls Cross Country: 5-2
Boys Cross Country: 3-4
Boys & Girls Cross Country both competed this fall at the Stratton Brook Invitational in Simsbury and the Harry Geraghty Invitational in South Windsor. GXC was 5-2 in regular-season meets this year, while BXC was 3-4. The teams competed in the CCC East Division Championship Meet with the girls finishing in 4th place out of 8 teams and the boys placing 5th.
Field Hockey: 7-7-1
Varsity Field Hockey finished their regular-season schedule this past Monday verses Glastonbury High School.
Football: 5-2
Sideline Cheerleading has been supporting the football team by cheering at both home and away games.
Girls Soccer: 12-3-1
The team is preparing for the state tournament.
Boys Soccer: 7-5-4
The team will be playing in the CCC championship game verses Glastonbury on Friday, November 3rd (4:00 pm @ Sage Park in Berlin, CT).
Girls Swimming/Diving: 7-3
Girls Volleyball: 12-8
Club Spotlight: Entrepreneurship Club
The purpose of the Entrepreneurship Club is to bring students together through the mutual interest of entrepreneurship. We learn the basics of starting a business and we promote financial literacy as well as understand how to structure a business deal. We watch Shark Tank episodes and take on the role of the investors. Through this club students will learn to be engaged, empowered, socially conscious, and resilient by learning how to create their own businesses in the future that generate economic wealth. Students who are interested or who have questions can see club advisor Ms. Festi in room AN 17.
For more information on all SWHS Clubs & Activities, please CLICK HERE.
Library Media Center Information
In celebration of Native American History Month, students are encouraged to come to the library media center and check out a book by or about Native Americans. Click here for some highlighted titles. Still interested in books celebrating Latinx & Hispanic Heritage month? Click here for books available at SWHS LMC.
As Capstone projects are underway, any senior needing help with citations or NoodleTools can stop by and see Mrs. McCool in the library. Tutorials are also available on the library webpage.
Midterm Exam Schedule
Important Dates/Events
Professional Development Day: Tuesday, November 7 (No school)
Veteran's Day: Saturday, November 11 (recognized November 10--School IS IN SESSION)
10th Grade Parent Night: November 14 @ 6:30 pm
"Into The Woods" Musical: Showtimes are:
- Friday, November 17 @ 7:00 pm
- Saturday, November 18 @ 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
PAC Meeting: Monday, November 20 @ 6:30 pm
Early Dismissal: Wednesday, November 22 (School dismisses at 11:25 am)
Thanksgiving Recess: November 23 & 24 (No school)
National Honors Society Induction: November 28 @ 6:30 pm
