Region In Review
January 25, 2019 | Shepaug Focus
Seven Shepaug Students are selected for the Scholastic Art Awards Exhibition
(not pictured, Adriana Barile)
Shepaug will be represented very well at the Scholastic Art Awards this year. The Scholastic Art Awards are presented by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers. Each year, the Alliance partners with more than 100 visual arts and literary organizations across the country to bring the Scholastic Awards to local communities. Art teachers submit student work from Grades 7–12 to their local Art Education Association chapters. Local submissions are then juried by art professionals. Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision. Last year more than 330,000 works of art were submitted nationally.
Selected works receive either Gold Keys, Silver Keys, or Honorable Mentions and are celebrated within their communities through local exhibitions and ceremonies. This year’s exhibit will be on display at the Silpe Gallery at The University of Hartford Art School from Sunday, January 13th until Friday, February, 1st. We are proud to announce this year’s Shepaug honorees:
Paris Afiouni Gold Key Winner for his pastel landscape
Gabriella Amato Silver Key Winner for her block printing
Edward Puskas Silver Key Winner for his digital photograph
Erin Bailey Honorable Mention for her scratch art illustration
Adriana Barile Honorable Mention for her acrylic painting
Caryle Gruss Honorable Mention for her digital photograph
Luis Missana Honorable Mention for his tempera portrait
Connecticut’s Scholastic Art winners will be recognized January 27th at a ceremony and Gold Key winners will be considered for scholarships as well as National-level recognition.
Shepaug is very proud of our students' artistic accomplishments.
Paris Afiouni
Grade 9 Gold Key Winner
Gabriella Amato
Grade 11 Silver Key Winner
Ed Puskas
Grade 11 Silver Key Winner
Luis Missana
Grade 8 Honorable Mention
Adriana Barile
Grade 10 Honorable Mention
Erin Bailey
Grade 11 Honorable Mention
Carlye Gruss
Grade 11 Honorable Mention
Hour of Code
Students across the district participated in Hour of Code in December for Computer Science Education Week. This districtwide initiative gives students the opportunity to use their problem-solving, critical and creative thinking skills to participate in computer programming activities. The goal of Hour of Code is to introduce students to computer science in a fun, creative way.
Students were able to join the celebration using a variety of devices as they completed tutorials supported by over 400 partners, including Microsoft, Khan Academy, Google, Facebook, Accenture, DonorsChoose.org, and CSteachers.org. Shepaug Valley School offers many opportunities for students to pursue their passions in coding or computer science. All students in the middle-grade levels are introduced to computer coding through the use of Scratch.MIT.edu in Project Lead the Way. High school students are offered a variety of electives, including Exploring Computer Science, Mobile App Design, Wearable Technology, Robotics, Computer Assisted Drawing, and Graphic Design. All courses engage students in projects and careers centered around technology, engineering, and computer science. Hour of Code is advantageous in helping to develop a spark of interest in students who might want to pursue a career in a technological field.
Shepaug Students Celebrate French Week
Shepaug students of French, Grades 7-12, recently celebrated National French Week. The American Association of Teachers of French organized a concert with French Canadian rapper Webster in New Haven. After the concert, students went to Atelier Florian for lunch. On the menu was quiche Lorraine, croque monsieur or salade Niçoise and mousse au chocolat for dessert.
Spanish AP Students Attend The Three Kings Day Parade in New York City
The Shepaug AP Spanish students traveled to New York City to see the Three Kings Day parade. Each year leading up to the January 6th Three Kings Celebration, the Barrio Museum organizes a parade for the community in Spanish Harlem.
The AP Spanish students visited an authentic Mexican bakery and spoke with the owners, ate Mexican Rosca de Reyes (a traditional Three Kings sweet bread), and sampled authentic Oaxacan chapulines (grasshoppers). A great time was had by all!
Sixth Grade International Exchange
Sixth graders were recently treated to an opportunity to FaceTime with a Japanese peer as part of the Asian studies curriculum. Japan is one of the four focus countries of the unit. Our students generated a list of questions and their new Japanese friend, Aya, was allowed to stay up past her bedtime in Tokyo to answer them live at 8:30 am our time. Students learned about many differences in Aya’s school compared to ours, but more importantly they saw that 11-year-olds in Japan are very similar to 11-year-olds here at Shepaug. They love some of the same foods, after-school activities, and even the same movies! The groups studying Japan will have an opportunity to exchange written messages with some of Aya’s friends over the next few weeks to learn even more about the life of kids in Japan.
Shepaug Cares
This past December, students participated in the annual "Shepaug Cares" community service project during advisory. Each advisory developed a community service project to be performed during advisory. Community service projects included making sandwiches for shelters, organizing care packages for animal shelters, writing letters to service members and creating holiday cards for surrounding community centers. Students engaged wholeheartedly in projects that will make the world around them a better place.
Congratulations to Shepaug Seniors Julia Billings and Ethan Hibbard!
Congratulations to Shepaug Seniors Julia Billings and Ethan Hibbard, for signing National Letters of Intent to play College Athletics at the NCAA Division I (Ethan - Baseball at Fairfield University) and Division II (Julia - Field Hockey at Limestone College) levels next year.
To view their National Letter of Intent Signing Ceremonies, please click below:
Alumni Return Day 2019
Graduates from the Class of 2018 returned to Shepaug to share first-semester college experiences with current juniors and seniors. Mrs. Laughlin facilitated an Alumni panel discussion covering topics such as the transition to college, college life, how to get involved, and accessing campus supports. Alumni offered first-hand experiences and advice to current students relating to life beyond Shepaug.
Munion Sale at Shepaug
Sixth graders at Shepaug learned about economic systems by creating their own businesses during December’s Holiday Extravaganza. The students were producers and consumers as they shopped for and sold goods and services including self-made games, a photo booth, nail salons, popcorn, baked goods, tag sale items, and handmade crafts. The currency for this event? Munions, of course! Students earn munions in classes for being awesome. Many entrepreneurs left this event feeling wealthy and satisfied with their purchases in this free market simulation.
Agriscience Update
Shepaug Valley School's construction project began with the groundbreaking on November 9, 2018. The construction is well underway as our builders, O&G, lay the infrastructure to support our agriscience program and science labs. The building project on the south side of the building (poolside) is anticipated to be complete by October 2019, and the north side which includes the new science labs is scheduled for completion in December 2019. Shepaug received 75 agriscience applications for our first cohort of students. We are excited to open our doors in the Fall 2019 and welcome agriscience students from Shepaug and six sending districts.
Class of 2018 Report
Region 12 is proud to present the annual District Newsletter. This issue features the Class of 2018, along with alumni, Region 12's Teacher of the Year, senior projects and more. Click below to view online or stop by Central Office to pick up your print copy!
Thank you, Bob Giesen!
"Bob Giesen has been an incredible champion for the students in Region 12. He seeks opportunities to stretch dollars further to better the education for our students. Bob is known for his precision, attention to detail, and sharing stories of lessons learned through his experiences. I thank Bob for his service to our district and wish him well in his retirement." - Megan Bennett, Superintendent
American Heart Association Wear Red Day - February 1, 2019
February is an important month for women and their heart. The American Heart Association wants to celebrate the lives of women during the month of February. Did you know that a woman dies of heart disease or stroke every 80 seconds? The American Heart Association lists seven ways (“Life’s Simple 7”) that health can be improved to enhance the quality of life.
The following guidelines help to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke:
1) Stop smoking
2) Eat healthy (half of your meals should be RED fruits and vegetables)
3) Develop a more active lifestyle
4) Maintain normal weight for your height/age
5) Monitor Blood Pressure/Be aware of what is a “normal” blood pressure- Avoid salt and processed foods
6) Control cholesterol by not eating foods that are high in fats
7) Choose foods with little or no added sugars to reduce blood sugars
The month of February is GO RED/WEAR RED for all women. Therefore, it is important to make positive changes. One important lifestyle change is related to nutrition and the daily diet. Consuming red fruits and vegetables daily are beneficial as they are rich in nutrients that help to maintain blood pressure and lower the risk of heart disease. Other health benefits: reduce bad cholesterol, improve the immune system, reduce the risk of diabetes, protect the liver, maintain eyesight, reduce the risk of cancer, and osteoporosis, and help to prevent arthritis.
Some “RED” vegetables/fruits include: tomatoes, red bell peppers, beets, red potatoes, red onions, red cabbage, red grapes, cherries, cranberries, watermelon, and strawberries are just a few that contain Vitamin A, Vitamin C, B Complex Vitamins, Potassium, Fiber and other necessary nutrients.
By following the above guidelines and choosing to live a healthy lifestyle, the end result will be a more enjoyable and hopefully longer lifespan.
Edith M. Poidomani
RN Shepaug Valley School Nurse
860 868 6205
Fliers & Upcoming Events
Region 12 Calendar
Jan 25th - WPS 2nd Grade Non-Fiction Museum, 1:30pm
Jan 28th - BOE Education Committee Meeting, SVS Library, 6pm
Jan 28th - BOE Facilities Committee Meeting, SVS Library, 6pm
Jan 28th - Board of Education Meeting, SVS Library, 7pm
Jan 31st - Heroin Education Action Team Presentation, SVS Auditorium, 9:40am
Jan 31st - SVS National Honor Society Induction, SVS Library, 7pm
Feb 1st - National Wear Red Day for Heart Health
Feb 4th - BOE Building Committee Meeting, SVS Room A3, 5pm
Feb 4th - BOE Education Committee Meeting, SVS Library, 6pm
Feb 4th - BOE Finance Committee Meeting, SVS Library, 6pm
Feb 4th - Board of Education Meeting, SVS Library, 7pm
Feb 4th - SVS PTO Meeting, 6pm
Follow Region 12 on our social media channels for updates and information!
The Region 12 community educates, challenges, and inspires all learners to become compassionate, creative, and courageous individuals who are empowered by the knowledge, character, and perseverance to achieve their greatest potential within the global society.
Email: rir@region-12.org
Website: region-12.org/
Location: 11A School Street, PO Box 386 Washington Depot, CT 06794
Phone: 860-868-6100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shepaug-Regional-School-District-12-153899298123985/
Twitter: @ShepaugRSD12