Bobcat Bulletin
SWHS Newsletter May 2023
Welcome to the Bobcat Bulletin!
Message from the Principal
Dear SWHS Families,
This week is national Teacher Appreciation Week. In South Windsor, we include all educators regardless of role. If you have not done so already, I encourage you to please take to heart Dr. Carter's Two-Word Campaign. A simple "thank you" to an educator who has made a difference for your child will mean the world to them whether it be a teacher, school counselor, social worker, school psychologist, paraprofessional, secretary, nurse, or administrator. To those who have already taken a moment to do so, THANK YOU!
I'd also like to extend a thank you to Kenna Kimber (PAC president) and all of the PAC members and volunteers for organizing the teacher appreciation lunch on Tuesday, May 9. The generosity and kindness extended to our faculty and staff was appreciated!
Next month's newsletter will contain several student recognitions including the Student Honor Roll, Senior Awards, Junior Book Club recipients, and other distinctions. I look forward to sharing these fine accomplishments with the community.
Lastly, please join me in congratulating our retiring teachers Dr. McCarthy, Ms. Morrissey, Mr. Smith, and Ms. Wimer--we wish them all the best and thank them for their service to the SWHS students!
Sincerely,
Frank Rizzuto
This issue contains information on the following topics:
- Final Exam Schedule
- Class of 2023 Culminating Events & Message from South Windsor Operation Graduation
- Class of 2023 Picture Request
- Congratulations to Our Retiring SWHS Teachers!
- School Counseling Information
- Message from SWHS Social Workers
- Athletics News
- Club Spotlight: Civics First High School Debate Competition
- Library/Media Center Information
- Important May Dates/Events
Final Exam Schedule
Please CLICK HERE for the June 2023 Final Exam Schedule.
In the event a student is ill during exams, every effort should be made to complete the final exam during one of the make up exam periods. Prior to any make up being administered, the student's associate principal needs to to provide approval.
If a student is unable to make up the exam during a make up period, arrangements can be made for the student to make up an exam during the summer with administrative approval (and will be assessed at the beginning of next school year). Please note, no final exams may be administered prior to the start of the final exam window.
We wish all students success for the remainder of the fourth quarter and final exams!
Class of 2023 Culminating Events & Message from South Windsor Operation Graduation
Congratulations to the Class of 2023, we hope you enjoy the final weeks of your senior year at SWHS! Please CLICK HERE for a list of the culminating events for the senior class.
From South Windsor Operation Graduation: Attention parents/guardians of the Class of 2023, time is beginning to run out. Order your t-shirts now for your graduating seniors! The deadline for orders is May 19! Only preorders will be accepted, no extra shirts will be ordered. The link for the purchase is on the SWHS webpage (go to “School Info” and click "Operation Graduation") and can also be accessed by CLICKING HERE. Thank you from South Windsor Operation Graduation!
Class of 2023: Picture Request
Dear Class of 2023 Families: Please remind your senior to fill out the form entitled “Showing Us the Way” (The link is found on the Class of 2023 Google Classroom). Each senior submits a picture of their self and a person who helped them succeed in order to get a diploma. We want to highlight every senior in this music tribute which will be part of the Graduation ceremony. If you have any questions please reach out to swhsyearbook@swindsor.k12.ct.us
Congratulations to Our SWHS Retiring Teachers!
Dr. Ray McCarthy (Career & Technical Education)
Dr. McCarthy has taught a wide range of learners spanning from 5th graders to students enrolled in doctoral programs. He has worked at several schools including Quabog Regional for 23 years, Somers High School/Middle School, Monument Valley, Minnechaug HS, and South Windsor High School. Dr. McCarthy has most enjoyed watching students advance in their learning. He will miss the comradery he has experienced at SWHS and the district-wide support for teachers. In retirement, he looks forward to traveling throughout the world, spending time with his family, and not having a schedule to follow. We wish Dr. McCarthy the best!
Patricia Morrissey (Special Education)
Ms. Morrissey began her teaching career in a private residential setting, then worked at East Hampton High School. She then left the field and worked as a psychotherapist for 13 years. She returned to the field of education and has been a special education teacher for 22 years, 19 of which at South Windsor High School. Ms. Morrissey has most enjoyed working with her students, discussing transition options for students when they were doing their post-secondary planning, and had a particular affinity for providing support with mathematics. She will miss her students and colleagues from SWHS a great deal. In retirement, she is excited to spend time gardening, with her friends, her dogs, and traveling the world. We wish Ms. Morrissey the best!
Norm Smith (Career & Technical Education)
Mr. Smith has been an educator for over 40 years. During his career, he worked in the Colchester district, as a drafter for Kohler Dayton, at Porter & Chester, RWD Technology in Maryland, ABB in Windsor, and joined SWHS in 2003. Mr. Smith has always appreciated the hands-on nature of his courses and watching his students become immersed in that type of learning. He is particularly proud of having observed several of his former students thriving in the field of engineering. Mr. Smith will miss working for SWHS and the district as a whole believing there has always been a commitment by the South Windsor community to educating young people. In retirement, he looks forward to spending time in New Hampshire, traveling the country, and spending time with his grandkids. We wish Mr. Smith the best!
Nancy Wimer (Mathematics)
Ms. Wimer began teaching right out of college and taught for 36 years. She began her career at a middle school in New York state, then East Hartford High School, followed by South Windsor High School where she has been teaching for over 20 years. The aspect of teaching Ms. Wimer enjoyed the most was working with her students and how at times, students felt like "her own." She also enjoyed hearing updates from alumni on their careers and life after high school. She will miss her students and colleagues a great deal, in particular her math department colleagues who she thanks for their collaboration. In retirement, Ms. Wimer looks forward to traveling around the world and already has several destinations planned. We wish Ms. Wimer the best!
School Counseling Information
Grades 10 - 12: Spring College Fair Offered in Worcester
The New England Association of College Admission Counseling (NEACAC) will host a college fair at Assumption University in Worcester on Tuesday, May 16th at 5 pm. Students do not need to register. The fair will take place in the Plourde Recreation Center. For a guide to all regional fairs and complete list of colleges attending visit the NEACAC college fair site.
Grades 9 -12: Application Open For Future Doctors Program by Harvard Student Agencies
Interested students may now apply to one of two sessions of the Future Doctors Program, a collaboration of Harvard Student Agencies and Learn with Leaders. In the program's own words:
The Future Doctors Program offers a unique opportunity to learn from, network with, and receive expert mentorship from qualified Harvard instructors and begin your journey into the global health care and medical practices.
Spread over two weekends, it is a one-of-its-kind medical-experiential program for high school students across the globe aspiring to become change makers in the medical field. The program will enable students to dive deep into the pre-medical field with an introduction to Genetic Inheritance, Hormones, Immunology, and Organic Chemistry, while acquiring 21st-century skills to succeed in the medical field through real-world exposure.
To learn more and access the applications, visit the program's site.
Message from SWHS Social Workers
We’ve made it to May, the last full month of the school year! So much has taken place this year, and May is a packed month as well and might feel like a whirlwind. There are a few things we would like to share as we begin this month:
Managing Stress: With all the activities and demands the season can bring, students can potentially become very stressed. It is important to remind them of stress management techniques such as trying to eat well-balanced meals, getting regular exercise, spending time outdoors, and connecting with their support system such as friends and family.
The Importance of Rest: Try to encourage students to get a minimum of eight hours of sleep per night, as difficult as that may be with all that needs to be accomplished, getting a full night of rest will help with their mood, motivation, and focus.
Coping Skills to Handle Anxiety: Anxiety can heighten towards the end of the semester as students prepare for finals, encouraging students to practice mindfulness skills is a great way for them to learn to manage anxiety appropriately. Check out this article that provides five free meditation apps that can be used to help manage stress and anxiety.
Athletics News
Winter Sports Awards: All-Conference & All-State Awards for winter sports, as well as, All-Academic Conference honors are listed on the athletics website and can be viewed by CLICKING HERE. Congratulations to all of these student-athletes.
Spring sports teams are well into their seasons for SWHS...here is a look at how our teams are doing (these results are as of May 4):
Baseball: 9-4
Softball: 0-11
Girls Golf: 5-2
Boys Golf: 3-4
Girls Lacrosse: 3-4
Boys Lacrosse: 1-7
Girls Tennis: 6-3
Boys Tennis: 7-2
Girls Track: 2-2
Boys Track: 3-1
Boys Volleyball: 5-6
In other sports news, SWHS will hold a National Letter of Intent (NLI) signing this school year on Monday, May 22 (early dismissal Monday) at 1:00 pm in the school lobby for any student-athletes that have committed to play a sport in college or university and who have pre-registered with Mr. Sytulek (Director of Athletics).
CLUB SPOTLIGHT: Civics First High School Debate Competition
On Thursday, April 18, four SWHS students competed in the State Finals for the Civics First High School Debate Competition at the Old State House. In the debate competition, students form two person teams to debate both sides of a current topic. They research in order to develop both negative and affirmative arguments, learn to cross examine their opposition, and listen attentively in order to rebut their opponent’s arguments. They are scored in several areas, including delivery and analysis. This program is fantastic for public speaking skills, analyzing issues and using evidence to support arguments. This year's topic explored if Connecticut should end qualified immunity for police officers in civil lawsuits.
SWHS teams beat out heavy competition from numerous competitors and were victorious. The final round consisted of one team from SWHS versus the other team from SWHS. In the end Meera Kannan and Smriti Rajan took home the first place trophy and Bhaavni Krishna and Taruni Pendyala took home second.
From left to right below: Valli Pendyala, Taruni Pendyala, Bhaavni Krishna, Smriti Rajan, Meera Kannan, Ria Saxena
Library/Media Center Information
The final due date for all library books is Tuesday, June 6. Students can start checking out books for the summer starting Wednesday, June 7. A friendly reminder that students have access to our ebook and audiobook collection throughout the summer. Seniors: please take a look around for any library materials and return them prior to cap & gown pick up. Congratulations to the Class of 2023! We wish you the best!
Important Dates/Events
Band Concert: Wednesday, May 10 @ 7:00 pm
Orchestra Concert: Thursday, May 11 @ 7:00 pm
Junior Prom: Friday, May 12 @ 6:00 pm
Early Dismissal Monday: May 15 & May 22 (school day ends at 11:25 am)
PAC Meeting: May 15 @ 6:30 pm
NLI Signing: May 22 @ 1:00 pm
Pops Concert: May 23 & May 24 @ 7:00 pm
Senior Outing: May 25
Memorial Day: May 29 (no school)