Week of March 12, 2008

This past weekend at the Connecticut Drama Association Annual Festival and Competition the district had a total of 26 students who participated and who worked closely together as a true team to produce an excellent show.  

As you may know, this was a student-directed production, directed by seniors Amy Roy and Katrina Ryder.  H-K took home the following honors at this state-wide competition:

• Theatrical Excellence - Runner Up for competition in the New England Drama Competition.  (If either of the two top finalists are unable to compete, we would be asked to go to the NEDC)
• Strength - Attention to Detail
• Outstanding Stage Direction by a Student
• Outstanding Lighting
• Outstanding Sound
• Stage Manager Award - given to one school that exemplifies teamwork and camaraderie
• All Connecticut Cast - Eliana Catalano (1 of 12 recipients)
• Honorable Mention for Acting - Arantza Solaberrieta

All of the cast and crew deserve congratulations for their outstanding efforts.  If you see any of these students, please commend them on their efforts - they really deserve it.

-The 2008-2009 Superintendent's Proposed Budget is currently being reviewed by the Board of Education is now available via streaming video at www.rsd17.org or by viewing channel 18. Printed copies are also available at the Central Office of the school district as well as each town library and town hall. 

-Recently, the school district has experienced tremendous difficulty communicating with individuals who use comcast.net for e-mail serve.  This difficult was due to the district being identified as an address suffix which was recognized as spam for some unknown reason.  Because of this, our outgoing e-mail to external comcast accounts was blocked.  We have identified a solution and are taking the necessary steps to resume normal communications.  Thank you for your patience as we finalize our work on this issue. 

- Project Graduation is desperately in need of volunteers to complete decorations for this very important June event held the same evenings as the HKHS graduation ceremony.  The committee meets every Wednesday night from 6:30 -9:00 in Mr. Stroh's Photo Room B116 at HKHS.  In addition, help is needed on the food committee and recruiting and retaining chaperones. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Trish Hatin at 663-3451 or trishhatin@sbcglobal.net.

Please connect to the following link to see a story that was aired on WTNH, Channel 8, today featuring the district's child care program. 
http://www.WTNH.com/Global/story.asp?s=7919284

-One of the actions included in the District's Strategic Plan calls for the establishment of "sister schools" with schools from outside the continental United States. We are particularly interested in establishing international relations with schools in Asia and Europe.  If you know of any individual who may have an international contact who could assist the district with establishing such relations, please contact Gary S. Mala, Superintendent of Schools at (860) 345-4534 or gmala@rsd17.org.

-The District is in the process of establishing a "Speakers' Bureau" comprised of names and contact information of local residents who have expertise in an area which could be integrated into the curriculum of the various content areas. Our hope is to have a resource list of people who may be called upon periodically to present to different classes as students explore topics included in the district's curriculum.  If you are interested in being placed on such a list, please forward you name, contact information and an explanation of your particular area of expertise to Cindy Fetteroll, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent of Schools at fetteroll44@rsd17.org.

-If you have thoughts on the 2008-2009 Regional School District 17 Board of Education Budget, please feel free to e-mail them to gmala@rsd17.org, superintendent@rsd17.org or mvauaghn@rsd17.org.

 -All questions received regarding the district's budget for the 2008-2009 school year and responses to each will be posted on the district's website.

-The first six sessions of the district television program "Spotlight on Seventeen" are available for viewing on Channel 18 or at www.rsd17.org. 

- An area where you may view past Weekly Messages has been established on the district website at www.rsd17.org.

-Please frequent the district website at www.rsd17.org to obtain the most current information regarding district initiatives and progress made on them.

- If you wish to have something included in any future Weekly Message, please forward the text to be included to Cindy Fetteroll, Administrative Assistant the Superintendent of Schools, at fetteroll44@rsd17.org.

- If you have any comments or suggestions about the Weekly Message initiative, please do not hesitate to contact Gary S. Mala, Superintendent of Schools, at gsmala@rsd17.org or (860) 345-4534 

Thank you for your continued support of your school district and enjoy your long weekend. 

Gary

Gary S. Mala

Superintendent of Schools

Regional School District 17

(860) 345-4534

http://www.rsd17.org

"Committed to Making Dreams Come True"