The Souhegan Scoop
SEPTEMBER 29, 2023
Upcoming Events
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.
Community-Wide Announcements & Reminders
OPEN HOUSE
We are looking forward to seeing you at Open House on Wednesday! Parents of sophomores and seniors are encouraged to attend our Senior Project and Division 1 Exhibition introductions starting at 5:00, and the administrative team will welcome everyone at 5:40. Our wonderful NHS members will also be present to help show you around. This night is a great opportunity to connect with teachers and staff and get to know more about what your children will be learning and doing at Souhegan this year.
HONORS CHALLENGE
Yesterday you should have received an email from Elizabeth, the Interim Dean of Faculty, about enrollment in this year’s Honors Challenge.
The dates are as follows:
Prior to 10/2: Teachers inform students of Honors Challenge guidelines and post relevant information in Google Classroom
10/2: Form opens in PowerSchool
10/13: Form closes
10/25: Teachers email parents and students to confirm enrollment in Honors Challenge
WORK STUDY PRACTICES (WSP's)
Beginning this year, our Work Study Practice (WSPs) names are aligned with the SAU Portrait of a Graduate competencies. As you will see in PowerSchool, Self-Directed Learner is now Engaged Learner and Collaborative Worker is now Skilled Collaborator. This ensures consistent language across SAU 39. As with all WSPs, these scores are a form of feedback designed to promote reflection and personal growth. Our school-wide WSP rubrics range from Developing (2) to Extending (4). Should a student decide to not participate or engage in the scored activity, they may earn an IWS (Insufficient Work Submitted). Teachers will work closely with students to provide feedback on their WSP skills.
ADVISORY
In addition to participating in valuable community-building activities, Souhegan students work on graduation requirements in Advisory, such as Division 1 during freshman and sophomore year and the Post-Grad Plan (PGP) junior year. To help communicate progress towards these requirements and to keep students and parents better informed about the important work happening in Advisory, in addition to biweekly WSP scores, students in Advisory will also receive a P (pass) or NP (no pass) on at least two “Advisory Benchmarks” per reporting period. These benchmarks have been identified by grade-level advisors and are intended to, in addition to WSP scores, help fulfill our purpose of Advisory as well as communicate and affirm the important work that happens in all advisories school-wide. Students will need to pass all benchmarks to earn their ½ Advisory credit. Should a student not demonstrate the ability to pass a benchmark during a specific reporting period, they will still have until the end of the school year to pass that benchmark and earn credit for Advisory that year. If a student is unable to meet that benchmark by the end of S1, their advisor will continue to work with them to meet the benchmark by the end of the school year. More detailed information will be forthcoming next week.
Click here to view slides from the latest Saber Spotlight that was held on Monday, September 25!
School Highlights
SUMMER READING
Creepy microfiction horror stories, book cover redesigns, game shows, bog walks and more! On Wednesday, September 27, Souhegan students met in groups based on genre interests to share their latest reads, discover new titles based on their peers’ reading, and use books and reading to build community. Research tells us that when students have the choice to read about their own personal interests, their motivation to read increases dramatically. Souhegan’s Library Media Specialist Sarah Kunyosying asked students what they wanted to read and organized groups based on students’ common interests. Student interests ranged from traditional genres like romance, science fiction and fantasy to topic-based interests like personal growth, mental health, and nature/survival. Students who wanted to participate in a group in which everyone read the same title also had that option. Students appreciated the ability to select their own choice of book and genre, reporting that genre-based groups helped them meet new friends across grade levels with common interests, feel comfortable talking about their passions, and leave with more titles they were excited to check out. We are thrilled to enter sweater weather with lots of new titles on students’ TBR lists. As always, students are welcome to request titles they would like to see in the SHS Info Center collection. Happy reading!
Student Services
PSATs
All Juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT on Wednesday, October 18. The exam has shifted to a digital format. Staff are working to prepare students and student devices for the exam. A communication will be going out directly to 11th grade students and parents next week with more information regarding the PSAT.
In the meantime, here is some important information:
- Oct. 2 and 3: Tech Staff will help students, who intend to use their own computer on test day, install the necessary software in advisory.
- Oct. 10 and 11: During Advisory, students will do a digital readiness check to familiarize them with the app.
- Oct. 18th: Students take the PSAT.
Here is a link to the PSAT Student Guide with more information. Additional information can be found on the PSAT website: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt.
Financial Aid Night on Tuesday, October 3rd at 6pm in the Theater (presented by the New Hampshire Higher Education Administration Foundation - NHHEAF).
Student Services is publishing newsletters on a monthly basis for 2023-2024, for the September newsletter please click here.
Senior Year Notes
SENIOR PROJECT
Senior Project has officially been rolled out to all senior advisories. At this point seniors should have a topic for their research and have done some initial research. Seniors have submitted their choices for potential senior project mentors; the final pairings should be completed by the end of next week. Once these pairings are announced seniors should meet with their mentors to determine a weekly meeting time and location.
YEARBOOK
Senior Photos: Due by Wednesday, November 1, 2023
Senior Ads: Due by Sunday, December 31, 2023
Senior Sibling Photos: Can be emailed to shs-yearbook@sau39.org.These are meant to be a fun addition to the yearbook! In the past we’ve had “now and then” photos, childhood photos, current, professional and candid photos!
SENIOR DUES
Senior dues are $50. They cover some of the class hike, class trip, class gift, graduation BBQ, and t-shirts. Checks can be made out to the SHS Activities Fund with student name and “senior dues” in the memo and handed to Lynda Conley in Student Services. Online payments can be made here.
SENIOR HIKE
The senior class hike is Wednesday, October 18th! There is no cost to seniors, and lunch is provided. Bring your own water, snacks, and appropriate-for-hiking clothing. We will leave school that day at 8:00 (so you have to get up a little earlier!) and be back around 1:30. Click here for the permission slip, which you should return to Lynda Conley, Sarah Barbato, or Matt McDonald. Students also need to select what they want for lunch here.
Community News
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
IN-SERVICE DAY HELP NEEDED
WHEN: Friday, October 6
TIME: Starting at 8:30am (Half day or full day)
WHERE: Souhegan High School
WHAT: Guiding presenters to their locations and helping them set up.
Contact Christine at clandwehrle@sau39.org to sign up!
BABBYSITTERS FOR PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES
WHEN: Tuesday, November 16
TIME: 7.30am-3pm
WHERE: MPR, Clark Elementary School
WHAT: Babysitters needed throughout the day for parent-teacher conferences
Contact Kirsten Quinn at kquinn@sau39.org with any questions and to sign up!
ANNUAL CHARITY NIGHT GALA AND AUCTION
WHEN: Saturday November 18
TIME: 5:00-9:00PM
WHERE: Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, 56 Mont Vernon Street, Milford
WHAT: Various help needed
Contact Holly at hbly@svbgc.org to sign up!
Click here for more posted community service opportunities!
Community Council
The new school board rep is Isabelle VanBibber. Community Council's next meeting will be Monday, October 2nd in rooms 126/127 from 5-7 pm. We will be doing a new member orientation and selecting people to fill two extra executive positions. If there is time permitting we will begin discussing the Referendum Proposal Our meetings are open to the public if you would like to attend.
Saber Nation
Clubs & Activities
SPANISH NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
We are currently celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month which is observed from September 15th until October 15th. This month recognizes and honors the cultures, achievements, influences and contributions of the Latino and Hispanic communities in the United States.
Additionally, the Spanish National Honor Society was proud to receive this letter in recognition of Souhegan's support of the artisans of Nicaragua and Guatemala through the Pulsera Project. We are extremely proud of our school's involvement in this work and aspire to continue our commitment to being global citizens.
FLASH SALE! Yearbooks from years past will be on sale during Open House 10/4/23. We will accept cash, check and credit card payments!
ETHICS
CLAWS FOR A CAUSE HOMECOMING DANCE
ETHICS IN ACTION
Meet the author and woman behind the inspiring story of "In the Name of the Son". Join us in viewing and discussing the documentary based on her life. Dinner will be included. It will be held in the small gym located in the athletic complex at SNHU. Sign up using the QR code!
Athletics
Boys Soccer - 10/12
Volleyball - 10/16
Girls Soccer - 10/20
Football, Cheer and Pep Band - 10/27
Contact us!
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