HKHS Parent Bulletin #2                                            10/2/09
Charlie Macunas - Principal
Priscilla Luoma - Associate Principal
 

 
                                 
MISSION STATEMENT
 
       The mission of Haddam-Killingworth High School is to provide a personalized and collective experience through which students are challenged to develop the knowledge, skills, and work ethic to contribute to a global society.
 
Expectations for Student Learning
 
Academic:    The  Haddam-Killingworth High School graduate will:
            1. access and analyze information
            2. problem-solve
            3. communicate effectively
            4. apply information
            5. reflect and evaluate
 
Civic:          The Haddam-Killingworth graduate will individually and collaboratively
            1. act responsibly
            2. pursue goal
 
 

 

 
1.   The progress report grades for the first semester are now available for you to view on classroll.
 
2.   Parent Conferences will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, October 13th and 14th.  Please contact the high school office if you need to make an appointment.
 
3.   A+ Bonus Bucks -HKHS is participating in the Stop & Shop Bonus Bucks Program. Through March 25, the high school can earn CASH each time you shop at any Stop & Shop store.
 
Here is how you can help.  Log onto www.stopandshop.com/aplus and choose  "Register your Card" from the menu on the left to register your card online. Then, each time you shop at Stop & Shop using your STOP & SHOP Card, you will earn cash for HKHS.  You can track the amount of points you earn for the school by checking your grocery receipt.  Each month, the amount of CASH will be updated on the STOP & SHOP website.  Our school will receive a check at the end of the program. Money will be used to support student educational needs.
 
Taking a minute of your time to register can make a positive difference at our school. Please register Haddam-Killingworth High School  using ID # 06296 at www.stopandshop.com/aplus. 
 
Thank you.
 
4.   This is to inform you that class dues are now being collected for the 2009-2010 school year. Class dues go directly to student activities throughout all four years of high school. Dues help pay for, or offset the cost of, T-shirts, Junior and Senior Prom, Senior Class Outing, Senior gifts, Yearbook, and even more if we can collect from each member of the class. *Most classes are asking that a $50.00 check be sent in by October 31st, 2009. We would also ask that parents write in the memo section of their checks the students name and the school year that the dues are going towards. We encourage students to stay on top of meeting their dues each year so that they are not faced with a huge balance in their senior year. Students must have their dues paid in full in order to participate in many of the extra activities (such as proms) that are enjoyable and memorable in their last few months as a senior.
 
We understand that some families may be experiencing economic hardship and if for any reason you cannot make a payment at this time please contact your class advisors.
 
Thanks you very much,
The Class Advisors
Class of 2013- Maryann Grimaldi and Karen Porter
Class of 2012- Kelly Brown and Peter Ettlinger
Class of 2011- Nancy McGee and Lesley Rowe***
      Class of 2010 -Marcy Webster and Kaitlin Sullivan       
 
*** Class of 2011 a letter will be forthcoming about your due dates***
 
5.   CAPT SCHOLAR BREAKFAST - will be help Thursday, October 22nd at 8:00 in the high school cafeteria.
 
6.   Math Calculators - the math department recommends that any student taking a math class should own a graphing calculator. Those students in advanced classes - Algebra 2, Algebra 2 Honors, Advanced Math, Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus Honors, Intro to Calculus, Probability and Statistics, and AP Calculus, are recommended to purchase a graphing calculator.
 
The department has calculators for students to borrow but often times students become much more comfortable using one of their own.
 
7.   World Languages
 
      New Technology in the World Languages Department
 
Students in the World Languages Department have access to a new technology this year at HKHS. The WL Department has received its mobile iPod Laboratory. The rolling cart has 30 iPods that can be loaded with listening activities from textbooks, teacher made activities, and podcasts from the internet. This technology allows each student to move at his own pace, rewinding and relistening as needed. The iPods also have the ability to record voices. Students will be able to listen to their own voices and modify their pronunciation. They will be able to record conversations and design listening and viewing podcasts for audiences. 
 
 
                    Mrs. Borzain's Spanish 4 Honors Classes Use Their 21st Century Skills
A blog is a running conversation about an essay or commentary posted on a website dedicated to a chosen topic or theme. Spanish 4 Honors classes will be blogging this term. Mrs. Borzain has built a Spanish blog for her students to comment on and participate in. Each member of the Spanish 4H community can read the posts and all the comments. Students will have the opportunity to communicate in an interactive way, hopefully gaining inspiration from each other. As the students' skills increase, they will learn additional technological skills to enhance the blog. Blogging in Spanish will "provide multiple opportunities for students to develop information literacy skills" and "learn and practice communication skills in media" (from CT State Dept. of Education 9/25/07 Connecticut Secondary School Redesign).
 
              International Coastal Clean-up Day with French Honor Society
Students from HKHS truly felt like global citizens on Saturday, September 18 when they worked together to clean up the beaches of Long Island Sound and the shores of the Connecticut River. French Honor Society sponsored this local coastal cleaning event, which was also held at the same time in locations around the globe. Other participants from our community included members of Spanish Honor Society, International Culture Club and AP Environmental Science. 
 
8.   Last year Mrs. Stanley's Business Law class participated in a pilot Student Police Academy in conjunction with Trooper James Connelly, Haddam's Resident Trooper. Trooper Connelly and other guest speakers presented on numerous topics including: domestic violence, gang recognition, K-9 Units, Central District Major Crime Unit, and Connecticut State Police Emergency Services Unit. This year both Mrs. Stanley's Business Law classes and Mr. Pallatto's Criminal Justice class will participate in the Student Police Academy Program.
 
9.   Flu Season-  hand sanitizers are present in every classroom and sanitizer wipes on our mobile computer carts as well as in our computer labs.  As an additional safety precaution, students might want to carry their own small supply of tissues.
 
10.   SUMMER READING - Mrs. Luoma and I have begun meeting with selected students who submitted high quality summer reading projects. While the students knew they were not being assigned a grade, they none-the-less showed a strong work ethic and put forth a very nice effort. This past Wednesday during advisory period we met with students to discuss The Memory Keeper's Daughter, by Kim Edwards.  Those students who joined us for triple chocolate brownies and discussion were Caitlin Greco, Elizabeth Brundage, Cameron Gesick, Lindsey Gioella, Erin Hutchinson, Meagan Torello, Megan Tischbein, Brenna Plumley, Courtney Whalen, and Logan Craffey.
 
Each week we will meet with a different group of summer readers.
 
11.   Notes From the Choir
 
The Haddam-Killingworth Chamber Choir under the tutelage of Mrs. Webster has several performances slated for December.
           
            Saturday, December 5th - Haddam Town Hall from 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm.
            Saturday, December 12th - Killingworth Lights from 6:00pm to 7:00 pm
            Friday, December 18th -Gillette Castle from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
 
12.   Higganum Village Market
 
The Higganum Village market is operating Friday afternoons from 3:30-6:30 on the Higganum Green (intersection of routes 154 and 81). There is plenty of fresh in-season, locally grown produce, fresh baked bread and pastries, locally produced cheeses, eggs, coffee, and some locally prepared foods, meats, and some artisanal products. Stop by and enjoy the friendly atmosphere and say 'hi" to your neighbors. Visit the website at www.higganumvillagemarket.org for more information. The market ends on October 30th.
 
13.   Sophomore and Juniors Parents:
 
PSAT testing will held on Wednesday, October, 14th during the school day.  All 10th and 11th graders are expected to take the test as it is considered one of the best opportunities to practice for the SAT test that most students take in the spring of their junior year as they prepare for the college process.  There is no charge for the test.  On Thursday, December 10th students will receive their test scores along with a score sheet of exactly how they did on the test.  Parents are also invited to the 7:30am presentation in the HKHS Auditorium.  If your son or daughter will not be in school on October 14th they have opportunity to take the test on Saturday morning, October 17th at Valley Regional HS or Coginchaug.  Please call their guidance departments to check on the availability of an open seat. 
 
14.   Senior Parents: The guidance department will host Senior Parents Night on Thursday, October 8 at 7pm in the HKHS Auditorium.  We will discuss various aspects of the college process including regular and early decision applications, teacher recommendations, standardized testing, college essay writing (a workshop will be held for all seniors Wed, Oct. 14th  during the school day), financial aid, etc.  Please bring your senior student's Blue Senior Planning Folder.  We will review the contents of the folder. All seniors received their folders on September 16th during an advisory meeting.
 
15.   Freshman:  All 9th graders will be attending a presentation called" Making it Count" on Wednesday, October 14th during the school day.  This presentation will help freshman look ahead to the next four years and what lies ahead.
 
 16.   From the Nurse:
 
Please check out the new feature on the RSD 17 website under "Health Services".  There are now new forms for your child's physical, medication forms, and much useful information, as well as important links for your child's health.
 
Of course, I am always available to speak with parents at any time during the school day.  My extension at the High School is 344.
                                                            Thank you,
                                                             Grace Erhart RN
 
 
17.   The Project Graduation Committee
 
has now completed the wrapping paper sales and would like to thank all who participated or made donations in lieu of orders. We  will continue with the recycling fundraiser so please look for the green bins in all of RSD 17 schools, as well as Higganum Physical Therapy, and outside of the gym at the old MS and consider donating used cell phones, ink jet cartridges, digital cameras, etc.   Any questions, feel free to contact Kathy Strom, 345-3398 or KSSTROM@aol.com.   Updates will be added to the Project Graduation link on the district website.  Thank You.
 
 
 
Charlie