Dear SHS Family,

I hope everyone has had a fabulous summer so far. With the start of another exciting school year just around the corner, it is time to update you on what is new at Stamford High School and inform you about important events and dates coming up during the next three months.

The construction on the 60,000 square foot addition will be complete for the beginning of school. Finishing touches are being made to the building and furniture deliveries will begin August 1. This new wonderful space will house the majority of SHS math classes, science classes, health and gym classes. There is a large multi-purpose room that is available for classes, meetings, or speakers. The math and science building houses the most advanced technology and the curriculums will be enhanced with the use of smart boards and wireless computers. The new auxiliary gym will be used for classes, sports teams, and other extra curricular activities. All students will be able to take advantage of this new addition during their entire time at SHS. High school is a fascinating four year experience and it is important for students to become assimilated as quickly as possible. In keeping with the current numbering system, this building houses floors 7, 8 and 9! Only SHS Black Knights will ever really understand that the 1927 building is floors – 1, 2 and 3, the 1970 building is floors 4, 5 and 6 and the 2006 building is therefore 7, 8 and 9. Please plan to attend FOSH Back to School Night on Thursday, September 7 at 7:30 p.m. The meeting will take place in the Multi-Purpose Room 725. An informative tour of the new building will follow the presentation.

The code compliance work, media center repair and cafeteria’s kitchen improvements are still in full swing. The plan calls for the majority of the code work to be complete for the beginning of school. The remaining spaces still needing to be brought up to code will be kept to one area of the first and second floor. I am hopeful that this Spring’s Newsletter will be reporting the completion of this necessary code project. The aggressive timeline for the media center has it ready for students on the first day of school. The improvements to the cafeteria’s kitchen are on schedule and will be complete during middle to late fall. A delicious, but limited menu, will be available for purchase on the first day of school – the same way that we ended the school year. I did not hear any complaints from students. As always, students may bring their own lunch.

The administrative team and teachers have been busy this summer. We have hired 22 new teachers to our building, worked with teachers on new programs and classes that will support freshmen during the very important transition year, planned the Knights’ Academy and investigated ways for more students to be successful on the CAPT. Teachers are busy writing curriculum frameworks, attending workshops and designing classes. It has been a productive summer!

I hope the start of the school year causes everyone to reflect on the past and make goals for this coming school year. It reminds me that we must all take the time to talk to our children, be involved in their lives, remind them to stay focused, have goals, encourage them to do the necessary work to achieve their goals, and acknowledge that life is precious and fragile. Talk to your children about school. Require them to be prepared for class and have the work ethic needed to be successful. An article in Psychological Science stated that in a recent study that self-discipline, unlike IQ, correlated more strongly to academic success in a variety of areas and was a better predictor of achievement over the school year. Students need to practice and learn these skills to be high achieving students, valuable employees and responsible citizens. Ask your student to share the knowledge they are gaining and to show you their work. By attending school activities, coming to Open House, being an active member of FOSH, you let your children know you value their education. Be involved! If you have questions or concerns, call teachers and guidance counselors. Important numbers are listed in the in the calendar/handbook. All students who have teachers, a counselor, administrators, and their parents on their team have the greatest chance of meeting their fullest potential.

I am proud of the staff and students at Stamford High School. I look forward to another successful school year. The entire faculty is committed to your child’s academic, social, and emotional growth.

Enjoy the rest of the summer.

Sincerely,

Suzanne Brown Koroshetz

Important upcoming dates:

Tuesday, September 5 Freshmen Orientation, 7:25 am – 11:50 am

Wednesday, September 6 First day for all students, 7:25 am – 2:05 pm

Thursday, September 7 FOSH Back to School Night, 7:30 pm, Multi Purpose Room 725

Come for a Tour of the New Addition!!!

Thursday, September 25 FOSH Meeting, 7:00 pm Multi –Purpose Room 725

Thursday, October 5 Open House

Thursday, October 26 College/Career Fair, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm