Bobcat Bulletin
SWHS Newsletter January 2022
Welcome to the Bobcat Bulletin!
Message from the Principal
Dear SWHS Families,
Happy New Year! We hope 2022 has gotten off to a good start for SWHS students and their families!
Please forgive the repetition, but the following message bears mentioning once again. The traffic volume in the mornings is very high. During the fall, the volume was already high and this has only increased as we have gotten into the thick of winter. I emphasize the following to all student drivers and/or their families who drop students off:
1) Safety: Please be mindful of students using the crosswalk area directly in front of the high school. Exercise increased caution to avoid accidents and injuries.
2) Timeliness: The congestion at the high school can be felt from about 7:05 am on--as such, I encourage all drivers to please leave their homes a few minutes earlier in order to spread out traffic and, in the event of congestion, this will still allow our students to arrive to their first period class on time (first period begins at 7:25 am).
I thank everyone for their assistance and support with this important safety matter.
Sincerely,
Frank Rizzuto
This issue contains information on the following topics:
- Mid-Term Exam Schedule
- School Counseling Information
- Athletics News
- South Windsor Operation Graduation (SWOG) Fundraiser
- Congratulations to SWHS Teacher Phil Rockey
Mid-Term Exam Schedule
CLICK HERE to access the mid-term exam schedule for January 2022.
During exams, the morning bus runs before the start of the school will be the same as normal. After exams conclude, buses will depart the high school at approximately the following times:
Friday, January 14: 11:30 am (after period 2 exam)
Tuesday, January 18: 11:30 am (after period 4 exam)
Wednesday, January 19: 11:30 am (after period 6 exam)
Thursday, January 20: 9:30 am (after period 7 exam)*
Friday, January 21: 9:30 am (after period 8 exam)*
* On Thursday, January 20 and Friday, January 21 a late bus will be available at 11:30 am for students who are taking make-up exams.
School Counseling Information
Grade 12: Scholarship season has arrived! Interested students can view available opportunities within the Scholarship section of Naviance. Opportunities are updated weekly. Special attention should be paid to ‘consortium’ scholarships which have only one application but is sent to multiple scholarships. These currently include Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, the Savings Bank of Manchester Foundation, and South Windsor Dollars for Scholars (opening on January 21st). Students and families needing more information or assistance should contact their school counselor or Mrs. Carty in the Career Center.
Grades 9-11: The course selection process for 2022-23 is approaching. Students and families should begin to view the SWHS Course Catalog to see course options and descriptions. The SWHS Course Catalog is located at swhscourses.org More information and details will be communicated to students and families in late January.
Athletics News
The Winter Sports Season has gotten underway with games and has faced some challenges with the COVID-19 epidemic and CIAC COVID-19 protocols.
Boys Basketball: 3-4
Girls Basketball: 2-5
Cheerleading will be performing at home for both boys and girls basketball games.
Gymnastics: 0-1
Boys Ice Hockey: 2-3
Girls Co-Op Ice Hockey: 3-0-2
Boys & Girls Indoor Track competed this past Saturday in an invitational meet at Hartford Public and has another invitational meet scheduled at Hartford Public for this Saturday (1/15)
Boys Swimming: 1-1
Wrestling hosted the South Windsor New Year's Classic Duals this past Saturday and will host Avon this Wednesday (1/12)
South Windsor Operation Graduation (SWOG) Fundraiser
The opportunity to buy raffle tickets to win $5,000 in support of South Windsor Operation Graduation (SWOG) is coming to a close. The drawing for the $5,000 prize is being held on Saturday, January 22 so please buy tickets at $10 each at your earliest convenience. Don’t miss out on this chance to win $5,000--your support helps provide an all-night, safe, and fully supervised event for seniors at Spare Time Entertainment in Vernon on graduation night. SWOG is self-funded so thank you for your support! Information on how to purchase tickets can be FOUND HERE.
Congratulations to SWHS Teacher Phil Rockey
Mr. Rockey, a member of the Career & Technology Education Department, is retiring after 41 years of teaching. Mr. Rockey has been a member of the SWHS faculty since January, 2000. During his time at SWHS, Mr. Rockey helped make Bobcat TV News one of the ways the school community received announcements. In addition to Broadcast News Production, Mr. Rockey taught a variety of courses during his career including Photography & Digital Media, Web Design, and Video Communications. For many years, Mr. Rockey also helped students with the Fox 61 Student News opportunity. Students participated in real-world experiences in front of and behind the camera working with those in the field.
Mr. Rockey has always volunteered his expertise for the benefit of students. For example, Mr. Rockey was one of three staff members who were pivotal in creating a Tribute Video for the Class of 2020 at the onset of the pandemic. Additionally, he helped record several award programs highlighting student achievement, has created videos promoting SWHS, and oversaw the Apple Studio (more commonly referred to as his classroom).
On behalf of Bobcat Nation, we extend Mr. Rockey our best wishes in retirement as he leaves us at the end of January.