Newtown High School Blog

As incoming ninth graders examine their schedules for the fall, students in English I, Western Studies and Integrated Physical and Earth Science (IPES) may notice that their course descriptor is CP, not CPA or CPB. For many years, CPA and CPB classes shared the same curriculum, but with some differences in pace and instructional approach used to implement the curriculum. As part of the high school reform movement and in the spirit of continuous improvement, the high school community has been discussing the best way to meet the needs of all students who take college prep courses. These discussions have been influenced by NEASC recommendations to place all college prep students together in one level and the need to comply with Connecticut state law to reduce the isolation of students with special needs. These discussions included possible changes to class structures and increased use of differentiated instructional strategies. Read the rest of this entry »

Due to construction related issues, continuing tomorrow (Wednesday, September 9, 2010) until further notice, parking for Senior Students on the Newtown High School campus will continue on a first come, first serve basis.  This is the same method utilized since the first day of school.  Senior Students will not be assigned their designated parking space window permit until we are able to accommodate all Seniors eligible for on-campus parking at the same time.  There is no parking available for underclassman.

At the beginning of the school year, it was anticipated that sufficient parking would be available by this date.  Unfortunately, preparations are still being made to be able to turn over an additional 75 parking spots.  We hope to have the parking situation rectified within the next couple of weeks. We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience.

Last spring, the Principal’s Advisory Council (PAC) proposed an updated cellular phone / electronic device policy for the high school.  The policy, based upon feedback from students, parents, and staff members, was adopted for use beginning this fall.  The new policy – Electronic Device Policy – restricts use in hallways (to increase safety and reduce social isolation) and allows use in some common areas (cafe, courtyards).  Use of personal electronic devices in the classroom for instructional activities is left to the discretion of the teacher.

The pay to participate fees for the 2010-2011 school year are listed below.  There is a $450 per year per family cap on these fees.

FALL SPORTS

WINTER SPORTS

SPRING SPORTS

Junior and senior privileges for the current school year will not be in effect until September 10, 2010.  Until then, the expectation is that all students will be in school for the entire day.

Parents and students are reminded that the opportunity to arrive at school late or depart early is a privilege.  Student achievement and appropriate behavior are priorities at the high school and they will take precedence over senior and junior privileges.  If a student is in need of an academic intervention, that intervention will be prescribed by the school and it may necessitate forfeiting privileges until significant progress has been made.  As well, if a student demonstrates a pattern of inappropriate behavior or commits a serious infraction of the student handbook, that student will forfeit privileges for a period of time.

The Newtown High School Book Club meets on the second Wednesday of every month from 2pm to 3pm in the Library Media Center to select, read, and discuss great literature of all genres. Join us this Wednesday, September 8, 2010 to choose our first book selection. For more information contact Ms. Cotroneo or Ms. Zandonella. All students are welcome!

The first meeting of the Math Team will be Tuesday, September 7, 2010 at 2pm in B236. Anyone with an interest in math is welcome to attend. Please see Mrs. Sherman in the math office if you have any questions.

The last day for students to drop a class without penalty for the 2010-2011 school year (first semester and full year courses) is Friday, October 1, 2010.

Want to inspire a love of reading in others, and share some great reads with your friends? Join a community of readers and take part in the Newtown High School 2010 Literacy Initiative.

The Library Media Center is collecting book suggestions from students, staff, and faculty of their favorite summer reads and posting them (along with their name and photo) on the bulletin board outside of the Career Center across from the LMC. As the display grows, it will be continued into the LMC. The goal is to encircle the entire library with a “community of readers” and instill in a life-long love reading to the entire NHS community.

Please be an important part of our community of readers and take a moment to complete the following:
1: Your Name:
2: Book Title / Author:
3: What you enjoyed about the book and / or why you would recommend it:

You can fill out a form at the Library Media Center, or email zandonellal@newtown.k12.ct.us

Currently, the Newtown High School community awaits the arrival of Mr. Ding. He has been delayed due to the visa renewal process in Beijing, China. In the meantime, Mr. Hiruo has been in touch with the Chinese Consulate, College Board, and Hanban Foundation to expedite the visa renewal, while Mrs. Greenfield has been pulling together professional contacts and lesson plans to provide a safety net for his Mandarin classes should his delay carry into the second week of school. Mr. Ding is expected to return Labor Day weekend. Read the rest of this entry »

Beginning Wednesday, September 8, 2010, Newtown High School will be able to accommodate student parking for every eligible Senior during the 2010-2011 school year.  As it stands now, there will be no student parking spaces available for Juniors this year.  Prior to 9/8/10, student parking will be non-designated, on a first come-first serve basis, and limited to about 100 spaces due to construction-related issues.  We strongly encourage students to ride the bus to and from school during the first two weeks of school.  We also recommend that parents planning to drive their child to school in the AM provide sufficient time as the volume of traffic on and around campus is expected to be heavy.  Please note that PM parent-student pick-up will again be permitted only in the parking lot adjacent to the cafeteria patio.  Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Per order of the Newtown Fire Marshal,  the Main Lobby is no longer a lobby. It is now a common hallway (just like any other hallway in the NHS building), and may only be utilized for pedestrians to ingress and/or egress adjoining hallways, offices, the auditorium, and/or the gymnasium (once gym construction is complete) . No tables or chairs are allowed in the Main Hallway, and students will not be permitted to loiter there after 7:15 am. However, students may sit in the cafeteria if they arrive to school early to await the bell for the start of homeroom. We understand that this will be a big change from past tradition, but the conditions and uses of areas of the building will be changing with the new construction and we will have new spaces for students to congregate.

Dr. Michael Brand, from Danbury Orthopedic will be speaking at Newtown High School on Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at 6:30pm in the Auditorium. He will be speaking about Concussions and Concussion Management.  All are invited to attend.

Sections 19a-33-1 through 19a-33-13 of the regulations of Connecticut State Agencies require schools to address inspections and notifications of changes in conditions of identified asbestos-containing building materials.  Please know that this notification is required by law and should not be construed to indicate the existence of any hazardous conditions in Newtown High School.  You may access the notification here: asbestos notification

Assistant Principal Jason Hiruo and School Psychologist Tom Brant have recently had their piece on the Newtown High School China Delegation published.  You can read it here:  Connecticut School Psychologist

If you are planning on trying out for a fall sport (Field Hockey, Football, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer) whose tryouts will be held at Newtown High School, site modifications have temporarily restricted vehicular and pedestrian traffic through the back parking lot.  Student-athletes will have to be dropped off at the Oakview entrance to the back practice fields. Please make every attempt to carpool to tryouts because parking on Oakview is extremely limited. Driveway paving is scheduled to be completed sometime next week so please check back to the blog for updates.

Based upon an evaluation (by the town, the district, the architect, and the contractor) of the current construction progress, it has been decided that it is highly likely that the classroom addition will not be ready for occupancy on September 1, 2010.  Hence, we will will begin to implement an alternative plan for the opening of school which will have us start in our current spaces (slightly rearranged) and then move into the addition once it is complete.

The Newtown High School auditorium is receiving a fresh coat of paint as part of the summer maintenance program.

Please welcome the following people to the Newtown High School staff:

Brian Bisson (Special Education)
Tressa Cacace (English)
Joanne Chenkus (Spanish, one year)
Elaine Corbo (Attendance Secretary)
Paul Devine (Custodian)
Eric Ekman (Science- Earth Science)
Jason Ferrier (Social Studies)
Clare Francke (Guidance Secretary)
Robert Gendreau (Special Education)
Richard Giacin (Mathematics)
Kevin Grady (Latin)
Tara Kalberer (Science-Biology)
Kristofer Kelso (Spanish)
Lauren Marti (Guidance)
Jane Matson (Music)
Daniel McIlrath (Mathematics)
Rose Marie Mikasauskas (Latin, part time)
Lisa Porwitzki (Special Education)

The Newtown Public Schools district calendar for 2010-2011, including recently approved half-days for professional development, is here:  20102011calendarRev072610

A message regarding the monthly early release days that will be taking place starting in October.  We will supplement this message with more information in our opening-of-school information package.

Greetings parents,

Hopefully you are enjoying your summer plans and not even thinking about next school year yet, but we are hard at work this summer doing all that we can do to ensure that your child’s school experience is a great learning experience. In our efforts move our district from good to great, we value the collaborative time for teachers to discuss their students’ progress and how to improve their instruction. Our teachers, no matter how skilled they are, always want to be even better at their very important work. To allow time for those Professional Learning Communities across schools and content areas, the district will have an early release day for students every first Wednesday of the month starting in October. I want to give you ample notice as many of you will want to alter your child care arrangements. You will receive a reminder from your child’s school later in the summer.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Dr. Janet Robinson

NEWTOWN HIGH SCHOOL FALL 2010 SPORTS TRYOUTS

THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.  PLEASE CHECK THE SCHEDULE AGAIN LATER IN THE SUMMER.

All students who are trying out for a sports team at Newtown High School must bring the following items on the first day of practice.  No student will be allowed to try out without a  physical form and a parent permission form. Read the rest of this entry »

Here is the updated parking plan for the high school campus effective today:  June22Parking

Mr. Keylock’s Spectacular Graduation Poem

Read the rest of this entry »

Congratulations to the Class of 2010!

Attention: Seniors!

There will be mandatory graduation rehearsals on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 and Wednesday, June 16, 2010 from 12:30 to 2:30 PM at Newtown High School. All seniors should report to the auditorium. Tickets, caps and gowns, and cords will be distributed following the rehearsals.

Graduation will be on June 17, 2010 at the O’Neill Center at the Western Connecticut Westside campus in Danbury (Directions – O’Neill Center). Graduation will start at 6:00 PM. Graduating Seniors should report to WestConn by 4:30 PM.

The last full day of meal service at Newtown High School will be Thursday, June 10, 2010.

The Guidance Department is hosting an Alumni Panel for our LAST Workshop Wednesday. We have lined up a great group of last year’s graduates to come in on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 in the Lecture Hall during the lunch period to talk about their first year college experience.

The Panel includes:
John Grimaldi @ SUNY Cortland
Michelle Haitz @ Bucknell
Marley Koschel @ Eastern Conn
Sarah Grose @ George Washington U
Genna Rossi @ Univ. Tennessee Knoxville
Megan Sajovic @ Syracuse
Vanessa Richards @ Delaware State Univ
Hiram Orama @ Nyack Univ
Gretchen Hoffman @ Princeton
Biota Hung @ UCONN
Alyssa Carey @ Boston University

Attention students enrolled in AP courses next year: Many AP courses require that students complete a summer assignment. Information about AP summer assignments will be available on June 1, 2010 in department offices and on department web pages.

Peer Leadership is organizing a Tag Sale event to be held on Saturday, June 5, 2010 from 10am to 4pm.

Our goal is to sell table slots and to use the revenue collected to award graduating seniors who “came from behind” through hard work and determination, and succeeded in improving their grades.

If you are interested in volunteering your time or purchasing a table to sell your wares, please email Tag Sale Coordinator Tom Chin at mentc@charter.net

Stadium construction requires that soil be relocated to the Oakview Parks & Recreation Field.  Parking will NOT be permitted at this site until this phase of the field makeover is completed.

This Wednesday, May 26, 2010, Officer Dave Kullgren, from the Newtown Police Department, will present a Personal Safety Workshop. Due to time constraints, Workshop Wednesday will only run during 2 waves, once during 3rd lunch wave and once during 4th . Officer Kullgren will be in B152 and, of course, our famous Culinary brownies will be served!

Next Wednesday (June 2, 2010) we will have a panel of Newtown High School Alumni to talk about their first year at college and answer any question you may have. The Alumni will answer general questions about the first year at college and specific questions about their schools: SUNY Cortland, Bucknell, Eastern Conn, George Washington University, University Tennessee- Knoxville, Syracuse, Delaware State University, Nyack University and Princeton University. This workshop will be in the lecture hall and during each lunch wave…with brownies served!

PTSA Meeting – Newtown High School
MONDAY, MAY 24 at 7:00pm in Room B141

We will be having our final meeting of the year on Monday May 24, 2010 at 7pm in Room B141 at Newtown High School. The purpose of this meeting is to vote on the 2010 – 2011 Budget and Slate of Officers.  Following is the proposed slate of officers:

President:  Carla Kron
Vice President: Jill Mossbarger and Lisa Floros
Treasurer: Chris Haitz
Secretary: Lauren Elliott

Final examinations for the 2009-2010 school year will begin on Friday, June 11, 2010.

Friday, June 11, 2010, 7:30 am – 9:30 am, PERIOD 8
Friday, June 11, 2010, 9:50 am – 11:50 am, PERIOD 7
Monday, June 14, 2010, 7:30 am – 9:30 am, PERIOD 6
Monday, June 14, 2010, 9:50 am – 11:50 am, PERIOD 5
Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 7:30 am – 9:30 am, PERIOD 4
Tuesday, June 15, 2010, 9:50 am – 11:50 am, PERIOD 3
Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 7:30 am – 9:30 am, PERIOD 2
Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 9:50 am – 11:50 am, PERIOD 1

Newtown Summer Programs is looking for fabric scraps for one of it’s art classes. If anyone has extra scraps or remnants, please consider donating them. Materials can be dropped off at the Continuing Education office at Newtown High School through the end of the school year.

Newtown High School is looking for a parent and a student to join our Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) team!   PBIS looks at our school environment to eliminate challenging behaviors and replace them with prosocial skills.   Use of PBIS decreases the need for more intrusive or aversive interventions (i.e., punishment or suspension) which can lead to systemic change.  Please contact nicholsb@newtown.k12.ct.us with any interest or questions by May 28, 2010.  For more information about PBIS please go to http://sites.google.com/a/newtown.k12.ct.us/pbs/

Students enrolled in Advanced Placement United States History, Advanced Placement Economics, and Advanced Placement Government for the 2010-2011 school year will have a MANDATORY meeting on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at 2pm. AP US meets in P001, and AP Econ and AP Gov meet in the Lecture Hall. Students will receive information about each course, as well as learn about summer assignments. The AP US meeting will last approximately one hour. AP Econ and AP Govt will last approximately 15 minutes.

Below is a letter from Allstate Insurance, a partner with Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles in promoting teen safe driving. Allstate is sponsoring a special hands-on demonstration that gets teens and their parents together to confront issues of distracted driving. The event is scheduled for May 21, 2010 in East Hartford and the company is seeking student and parent participants. DMV along with the Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Section, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and Yale-New Haven Hospital are co-sponsoring this event that can be a learning experience for both teens and parents.  Read more – Hartford_Family_Driving_Challenge_Invitation

Follow Newtown high School Athletics with the other more than 100 fans! Newtown High School Athletics news is now available on Twitter.  For up-to-the-minute updates, follow us – http://twitter.com/nhsathletics Get varsity game results, game cancellations, game postponements, and many other important pieces of information as they happen!

Attention Class of 2010! The Senior Dinner Dance is scheduled for Thursday, June 3, 2010, and the Senior Class Trip to Brownstone Park is set for Friday, June 4, 2010.  Please check Mr.Edwards’ website for details, including when invitations will be distributed beginning May 10, 2010, and the cost of the senior trip.  Mr.Edwards’ website can be found at http://www.newtown.k12.ct.us/teachers/home.php?id=553. Forms for the Senior Trip will be distributed through classes by May 7, 2010, and extra forms will be available in the Main Office.