Bobcat Bulletin
SWHS Newsletter January 2021
Welcome to the Bobcat Bulletin!
Message from the Principal
Dear SWHS Families,
As we approach the halfway point of the school year, it is typical for underclassmen to begin to have an eye toward next school year particularly as connected to course selection. We encourage students to thoughtfully review the Course Catalog as they plan for next year. In the "School Counseling News" section below, there is additional information regarding this topic as well as a link to the SWHS Course Catalog.
Good luck to all students for the second half of a truly unique school year and a special wish for our Class of 2021 to remain BOBCAT STRONG!
Sincerely,
Frank Rizzuto
This issue contains information on the following topics:
- February & March Calendars
- Mental Health & Social-Emotional Support
- Student Council Video to SWHS Staff
- SWHS Social Media Announcement
- Class of 2021 Caps & Gowns
- School Counseling News
- Athletics News
- Library Media Center News
- Free Resource for Parents
February & March Calendars
These calendars are particularly helpful for maroon and gold cohort students. Also, you will notice that Wednesday, March 24th is the CT SAT Day. Further information regarding the SAT Day will be provided in the weeks ahead.
Mental Health & Social-Emotional Support
In last month's edition of the Bobcat Bulletin, the academic support opportunities for South Windsor High School students were highlighted. A link to the flyer has been provided below once again for your convenience.
During these challenging times, we also want students to know that "it's okay to not be okay." We are here to help! Included below are support opportunities for SWHS students.
Student Council Video to SWHS Staff
Student Council officers and representatives took the time to create a video expressing their appreciation to staff members and shared it with them shortly before holiday break. This is another example of why we are proud of our students and THANK THEM for such a kind and thoughtful message!
CLICK HERE to view the video.
SWHS Social Media Announcement
Class of 2021 Caps & Gowns
It's now 2021 and, yes, graduation is around the corner! FOR SENIORS WHO HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO, PLEASE SIGN UP FOR YOUR CAP AND GOWN (deadline: Friday, January 29) by clicking the link below. There is no payment at this time. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Andrews or Mrs. McCool at kandrews@swindsor.k12.ct.us or tmccool@swindsor.k12.ct.us.
School Counseling News
Grade 12: Scholarships, College Acceptance & Military/Career Options
Scholarship opportunities from outside companies/organizations are sent to the School Counseling Office daily. Please stay up to date on what is available by visiting the School Counseling blog and/or the Scholarship section within Naviance.
To the Class of 2021, please consider sharing your good news with classmates and the SWHS community! This “Life After Graduation” form does not indicate your final choice for your post-graduation plans or suggest a commitment; it is simply meant to recognize your successes as you consider your options. It may be filled it out as many times as you would like and include multiple schools or opportunities on one form.
Grades 9-11: 2021-22 School Year Scheduling & the SWHS Course Catalog
The PowerSchool Scheduling Portal will be open for students to request next year’s classes from February 5-19th. All students are expected to use the SWHS Course Catalog to read about SWHS’ offerings and select their desired courses for next year, directly within the PowerSchool portal. After completing this process, school counselors will be contacting students to confirm the student’s requests, and answer any questions the student may have about their future course schedule.Athletics News
Recently, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC), State Department of Health (DPH) and the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) approved the start of high school winter athletics for the following sports: Boys Swimming & Diving, Boys & Girls Basketball, Boys Ice Hockey and Gymnastics. In South Windsor, tryouts/practices began on Thursday, January 21st and official contests are permitted to begin on (or after) February 8th.
Sports deemed high-risk by the NFHS (Wrestling, Competitive Dance and Competitive Cheer) are presently postponed from competition. Also, Boys & Girls Indoor Track has been postponed at this time due to a shortage of facilities to conduct meets and the DPH recommendation against the operation of traditional large multi-school indoor track meets. Further information will be provided to those families/athletes who have registered for these respective sports.
Athletics updates can be found on the SWHS Athletics website.
Library Media Center News
Our books are missing their home--please help us by bringing back overdue books. For students who still have library books, they can be dropped off at the box in the lobby or the bin right inside the Library Media Center’s doors. Students with outstanding library books have been provided a notice through student email accounts. For 9th graders who may still have books from TEMS, these can be dropped at the high school as well! We will get the books to their TEMS home.
Looking for something to read? Don’t forget to check out the newest eBooks and audiobooks in Destiny Discover.
Free Resource For Parents
South Windsor Youth & Family Services shared this FREE four part series for parents with SW Public Schools. If interested, the link to register is below.
*The Pressure to be Perfect and Its Unintended Consequences
*Weeding out Fact from Fiction: Marijuana, Alcohol, Nicotine & More
*The Negative Influences of Screen-Time and Content on Children’s Development and What We Can Do About It
*Boots on the Ground Parenting: Raising Children with Grit and Resilience
You will walk away with essential knowledge and practical tools around the following topics: Stress, Anxiety and Perfectionism: How to recognize it in your children and what to do about it; Technology: How it is affecting our children and what to do about it; Parenting: How to communicate, set boundaries, place age-appropriate expectations and allow for natural consequences at any age; Drugs and Alcohol with a focus on Marijuana: How to talk to your kids about the facts, the fiction and their future.