New Milford High School News Blast
February 2020
ALL GRADES: 2020-2021 NMHS Course Selection Kickoff
Freshmen, sophomore, and junior students began attending Course Selection Kickoff seminars during Advisory beginning on Monday, 2/3. Click on the button below to view the slideshow that School Counselors presented to students.
Here's a summary of what students need to know:
- Students will use the portal to view their teacher recommendations & select their courses.
- If students have not accessed their STUDENT portal account to date, they received an email with their user ID and instructions on how to access it. If students logged in previously but do not remember username/password, they should email their counselor. (Please note: Students must use their student portal account in order to sign up for classes. It is not available through a parent’s account.)
- If students want to take a course different than what was recommended, they must pick up a waiver form from the counseling office and submit it to their counselor before the change can be made. Students in grades 9, 10, and 11 will meet with their counselor individually in advisory. Junior parents will be invited to attend small group sessions to review planning for senior year.
- To plan for their meetings, students should review the Program of Studies available on our school’s website, under Guidance Department on the left hand side, scroll to the bottom where you’ll see Program of Studies. They should take a look at course prerequisites and if a course requires a teacher recommendation. Students should also choose backups for their first choice of electives.
JUNIORS & PARENTS: Info Sessions
The School Counselors are looking forward to working with you on planning for your student's senior year and post-high school planning. In addition to individual sessions with students during the day, we will be holding group sessions to provide juniors and their parents with information on selecting courses for senior year, credit requirements, getting started on the college search process, etc. While these informational sessions focus on course selection and college preparation, there will be additional sessions held in the spring designed for career readiness and post-secondary options.
If interested in attending one of the sessions listed below, please email Tracey Salvatore our Counseling Secretary at salvatoret@newmilfordps.org and let her know which session you'll attend. More information on spring sessions will be sent at a later date.
NMHS Theater, Thursday, March 12th
- 2:00 to 3:00 pm
- 4:00 to 5:00 pm
- 5:30 to 6:30 pm
SENIORs: Apply to CCSU for FREE in February
PRESS RELEASE: Thanks to the generosity of Central Connecticut State University's alumni and donor community, all application fees will be waived for new applicants in the month of February! Through their "Have a Heart" campaign, CCSU is raising money to ensure all students who are interested in applying to CCSU can do so without worrying about paying the $50.00 application fee. Students may apply through the Common Application or the CollegeNet application, both found on their website at www.ccsu.edu/apply.
Green Wave Robotics Team Competes at Weston Competition
Like most robotics competitions, the VEX event day begins early. Following team check-in, inspection begins, and robot operators are required to attend a drivers meeting. Adult advisers to the team are only permitted to interact with the team in the 'pit area', so on the competition field, it's up to high school students to strategize, problem solve, qualify, and successfully complete the competition challenge matches all on their own. Winning teams move on to alliance selection and elimination rounds. The event closes with an awards ceremony recognizing the tournament champions, but also rewards teams for attributes such as innovative robot design, outstanding team spirit, and sportsmanship, to name just a few. To learn more about VEX robotics, visit their website. To find out how to become part of the NMHS Robotics Team and the Technology Student Association (TSA) contact NMHS Tech Ed teacher Jim Wilson at wilsonj@newmilfordps.org, or visit Mr. Wilson in room 1508.
SENIORS: The Local Scholarship List is GROWING!
PARENTS: "Anxiety - How We Can Help Our Kids" Seminar 2/26
"Anxiety - How We Can Help Our Kids" with speaker Dr. Anna Allmann will be offered at Sarah Noble Intermediate School, Library Media Center on Wednesday, 2/26 at 6:30pm.
Event details can be viewed by clicking the following link: Anxiety - How Can We Help Our Kids
Please RSVP to Linda Morse, Secretary Pupil Personnel at morsel@newmilfordps.org or 860-354-2654 x4. Child Care is available. Please indicate how many children when you RSVP.
Workshop for Parents of IEP and 504 Students 3/19
Parents of students who receive Special Education services or have a 504 Accommodation Plan are invited to attend a workshop run by Western Connecticut State University’s AccessAbility Services Office on Thursday, 3/19 at 6:00 p.m. in the NMHS Lecture Hall.
The program, offered by the NMHS School Counseling and Special Education Departments, is aimed at assisting parents in planning for their child's next steps and raising awareness of services available at the post secondary level. The college process can be overwhelming for any family, which is why we would like to alleviate some of that stress and help to answer questions parents may have when it comes to supporting their child in the next phase of their educational journey.
Topics covered at the workshop are as follows:
- Preparing for college
- Differences between accommodations offered in high school and college
- Classroom, housing and campus accommodations
- Support Services offered at WCSU
- Procedures and policies for requesting accommodations and services
- Tips for parents to assist students in making a smooth transition to college
Western Connecticut State University is just one of many colleges and every school may offer a wide variety of services to students, which make it important to know how this process works. Even if WCSU is not currently on your child’s list of schools they wish to apply to, we encourage you attend the workshop to be aware of services that exist. The workshop will help you explore what types of questions you may want to ask the schools that your son or daughter wishes to apply to, and help facilitate the process of transitioning to college. Please RSVP to this event by February 28th by emailing the school counseling secretary, Tracey Salvatore, at salvatoret@newmilfordps.org.
FRESHMEN, SOPHOMORES, & JUNIORS: Free Customized SAT Prep!
February Events at the Observatory
The John J. McCarthy Observatory is hosting its monthly Second Saturday Stars Open House on Saturday, 2/8 from 7:00pm to 9:00 pm. This month’s topic is The Real North Star. The presentation will discuss Polaris, our current North Star, and how changes in Earth’s axis and orbit affect whether we have a North Star or not. Over thousands of years our axis “wobbles” which changes where our North Pole points in space. For example, the Pyramids of Ancient Egypt are aligned with a different star called Thuban which was the North Star at the time they were built. Also this month, JJMO is collaborating with Mrs. Taylor in the music department. The upcoming chorus concert on 2/28 will feature a slideshow of astronomical images taken at the observatory. To learn more about February events at the observatory, visit www.mccarthyobservatory.org or see Mrs. Ragonnet in Room 3303.
PARENTS: 2020 Grad Party FUNDRAISER
The 2020 Grad Party Committee is hosting a fundraising event on Friday, 2/21! Click here to find out more about this fun evening planned by the committee, just for parents!
They also invite you to join them at their monthly planning meeting (which are usually held on the first Thursday of each month at 7:00 pm in the teacher’s lounge at NMHS). The February meeting, however, will be on 2/13. Volunteers are always welcome!!! For more information about the schedule of meetings for the 2019-2020 school year, upcoming events, fundraising, and other ways you can help, please visit their website at nmhsgradparty.org.
Naugatuck Valley Community College Field Trip 3/10
Lincoln Technical Institute Field Trips 3/18 & 3/19
Shelton Campus Field Trip 3/18
Join the NMHS School Counseling and Tech Ed Departments on a field trip on Wednesday, 3/18 to Lincoln Tech in Shelton. Students will depart NMHS at 9:15 am, tour the Shelton LTI campus, observe a culinary demonstration, and enjoy a free lunch prepared by LTI faculty chefs - all offered at no cost to students. Students will return to NMHS at 2:00 pm. The following career training program areas are offered at Lincoln's Shelton campus:
East Windsor Campus Field Trip 3/19
Students are invited to join the NMHS School Counseling and Tech Ed Department field trip on Thursday, 3/19 to explore career training at the Lincoln Tech East Windsor campus. Students will depart NMHS at 7:45 am. Following a tour of the LTI East Windsor campus, students will enjoy a free lunch compliments of LTI. The field trip, offered at no cost to students, will return to NMHS at 2:00 pm. The following program areas are offered at Lincoln's East Windsor campus:
Visit the NMHS Career Center for a field trip permission slip and to sign up. First preference is given to upperclassmen. Field trip permission slips are due by 3/5.
Universal Technical Institute Automotive Field Trip 4/7
Porter & Chester Institute Field Trip 4/8
Join Mr. Wilson and the School Counseling Department for a field trip to Porter & Chester Institute's Waterbury campus on Wednesday, 4/8 to explore career training in the fields listed below. The field trip, offered at no cost to students, departs NMHS at 7:45 am and returns at 12:00 pm (students will return in time to have lunch here at school, then be able to attend their 4th period class). Visit the NMHS Career Center for a field trip permission slip and to sign up. First preference is given to upperclassmen. Field trip permission slips are due by 3/25.
The following program areas are offered at PCI's Waterbury campus:
- Automotive Technology
- Computer-Aided Drafting & Design (CADD)
- Computer & Network Technology
- Electrician: Industrial, Commercial and Residential
- Electronics Systems Technician
- HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration)
- Plumbing
- Dental Assisting
- Medical Assisting
- Medical Billing and Coding
- Practical Nursing
Part II (Continued from our January Issue)
Fast forward one month and our alum spotlight is still working tirelessly to serve her country through AmeriCorps NCCC program. Having arrived in Santa Cruz in early January, her and her team of 12 got right to work. Throughout the past month, they have worked to remove invasive species such as ivy, vinca, and blackberry on four different work sites including nature trails, local libraries, parks, and even beaches! Tori is also one of three on her team that has been chosen to help draft a curriculum to be taught in grades 3-5 about planting native gardens to attract more monarch butterflies, which will in turn bring back more native animals and insects, and allow for the community to be sustainable through climate change.
Outside of work, Tori and her AmeriCorps team have completed over 400 hours of physical training ranging from yoga to circuits to playing Just Dance on the Wii. They’ve also participated in 16 hours of volunteer work outside of their assigned project with various non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity and the Homeless Garden Project, an organization that uses their gardens to teach people experiencing homelessness about gardening, composting, and other environmental efforts as a transitional program into the workforce. To learn more about AmeriCorps NCCC and the other programs available to young adults, visit their website. To follow Tori’s NCCC journey, follow her on Instagram at 'toringtheusa' or click on the button below.
ALL STUDENTS: Career Bound Instead of College Bound?
2020 AP Exam Information Now Available
SENIORS & JUNIORS: Naviance Video Tutorials Available
Click on the button below to peruse the NMHS showcase of how-to videos and learn how to navigate another Naviance task in three minutes or less.
SENIORS: Workshops for College Planning
- College Applications
- Naviance
- College/Career Search
- Requesting Letters of Recommendation
See Mrs. Shaffer to sign up.
SENIORS: College Essay Assistance
SENIORS: Sign Up for REMIND Updates
ALL GRADES: Upcoming SAT & ACT Test Dates
SENIORS & Parents: FAFSA Resources
Beginning Oct. 1st of this year, college-bound NMHS seniors are able to apply for financial aid for fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) using your 2018 tax information. Click on this link to file your FAFSA, or, use one of the resources listed below.
Further FAFSA ASSISTANCE:
Southern Connecticut State University's Office of Student Financial Literacy & Advising run by Lewis DeLuca, M. Ed., is rated as one of the top ten financial literacy programs in the country among Stanford, Duke, and other distinguished universities. Mr. DeLuca is available Monday through Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm on the SCSU campus to meet and discuss paying for college and financial literacy needs with any Connecticut student/family, regardless of SCSU application. For appointments, contact Mr. DeLuca at delucal2@southernct.edu.
Additional online FAFSA resources:
Net Price vs. Cost of College: Huge differences
How Can You Afford College from NPR
What's Happening at NMHS in February?
Tue., 2/4 - V Boys Basketball vs. Weston @ NMHS - 7:00 pm
Tue., 2/4 - V Girls Gymnastics vs. Norwalk, Staples @ NMHS - 5:00 pm
Wed., 2/5 - V Ice Hockey vs. Byram Hills @ Canterbury Rink - 7:00 pm
Wed., 2/5 - V Wrestling vs. Newtown @ NMHS - 6:00 pm
Thu., 2/6 - V Girls Gymnastics vs. Newtown, Nonnewaug, Pomperaug @ NMHS - 5:00 pm
Fri., 2/7 - V Girls Basketball vs. Newtown @ NMHS - 7:00 pm
Sat., 2/8 - Snowball Dance - Arena - 7:00-10:00 pm
Tue., 2/11 - V Boys Swimming & Diving vs. Barlow/Bethel @ Canterbury Pool - 7:00 pm
Tue., 2/11 - V Girls Basketball vs. New Fairfield @ NMHS - 7:00 pm
Tue., 2/11 - V Boys Basketball @ New Fairfield - 7:00 pm
Thu., 2/13 - V Girls Gymnastics - SWC Gymnastics Championships @ NMHS - 5:00 pm
Thu., 2/13 - String Fest Concert - NMHS Theatre - 7:00 pm
Fri., 2/14 - V Boys Basketball vs. Bunnell @ NMHS -7:00 pm
Sat. 2/15 - Band Winter Home Show @ NMHS Arena - 5:00 pm
Mon., 2/17 - V Boys Ice Hockey vs. Staples @ Canterbury Ice Rink - 7:45 pm
Tue., 2/18 - V Boys Basketball vs. Notre Dame-Fairfield @ NMHS - 7:00 pm
Thu., 2/20 - V Girls Gymnastics vs. Wilton @ NMHS - 5:00 pm
Thur., 2/27 - Chorus/Jazz Concert - NMHS Theatre - 7:00 pm
Important Dates to Remember
No School
2/17 - 2/18 Winter Recess
Activity Day
2/27
Conferences
3/11 - 2:30-4:30 pm
3/12 - 1:00-8:00 pm
SAT Administered in School
3/25 - CT SAT School Day - for all NMHS Juniors
College Planning Night for Juniors
4/1 - 7:00 pm, NMHS Theater
3rd Quarter Ends
4/2 (pending snow days)
4th Quarter Begins
4/3 (pending snow days)
AP Exams
5/4 - 5/15
College Visits for SENIORS and JUNIORS
Admissions Reps from the following colleges and universities will be visiting the College & Career Center this winter. Visit Naviance online to register to meet with a Rep, and/or check for additions and/or changes to the schedule.
Tue., 2/11 - St. Bonaventure University - 8:30 am
Wed., 2/26 - Albertus Magnus College - 10:00 am
Mon., 3/30 - New Jersey Institute of Technology - 9:00 am
Mon., 3/30 - Binghamton University - 11:30 am