Charlie Macunas - Principal

Sheila Ward - Teaching and Learning Specialist

 

 

  

 Hello Everyone,  I wanted to share with you some of the great things that have been happening at the high school and pass along a few important dates. 1.  SCHOOL COUNSELING UPDATE - MAY 2011
 
Course Scheduling
Our School Counselors are busy preparing student's schedules for next year.  They have completed the schedules for Class of 2012 and are working on the Class of 2013.  Counselors are asking students to bring the schedules home to share with their parents and if there are any concerns to please contact their Counselor within a couple of days.
 
Sophomores - The Middlesex Consortium of Schools hosted a Career Expo on Thursday, April 28, 2011 at Wesleyan University. HKHS sent 149 Sophomore students to this event.  Approximately 100 careers were represented and this was a great opportunity for students to gather information about many different careers.  Students completed a Career Expo evaluation, along with a Career Passport which indicated the career booths they visited during the Expo.
 
Seniors - A reminder to Seniors that you need 30 hours of community service to graduate.  Please be sure to complete your community service forms (available in the Counseling Office) and return them to your School Counselor.  If you are looking for community service options, please stop by the Counseling Office. We have a bulletin board that is updated frequently with new opportunities.
 
College Fair -
Our 2nd Annual College Fair was held on Thursday, April 14, 2011 from 11 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. in HKHS's Fieldhouse.  This exciting event hosted over 100 representatives from 4 year colleges, community colleges, technical and career schools. Our freshmen, sophomore and junior students visited the event during the day and had the opportunity to ask questions and receive materials from many schools.  Coginchaug High School and East Hampton High School also sent students to visit the Fair.  We thank the many College Representatives for attending, as well as HKHS students and parents, who made this event a huge success.
 
Additionally, we hosted an informational program for students with learning disabilities the evening of the College Fair.  Dr. Peter Love, Director of the Learning Resource Center at Mitchell College, was a guest speaker.  He discussed how students can prepare for a successful transition from high school to college, reviewed the range of resources and services available at state-supported colleges and private colleges, and answered questions.
 
Academic Excellence Ceremonies - This year, we will be having two Academic Excellence Ceremonies, one for Upperclassmen on Wednesday, June 1st, and another for Freshmen, on Wednesday, June 8th.  The award ceremony will recognize student's academic excellence and success in the classroom, and will be held during the student's advisory period in the Auditorium.  An invitation to parents of children receiving an award will be sent out in the next couple of weeks.
 
Senior Scholarship Night - We will recognize our Seniors who will be receiving a scholarship from local scholarship organizations on Thursday, June 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in our Auditorium.  Parents will receive an invitation, if their child will be receiving a scholarship.
 
2.      New National Honor Society Members Inducted
 
The National Honor Society inducted fifteen new members into the Haddam-Killingworth High School Chapter at a ceremony on Tuesday, May 3.
 
The new members are Brianna Church, Bryce Colonia-Hughes, Thomas Day, Emily Eldredge, Sarah Goldsmith, Hanna Kelly, Alina Kostek, Matthew McCann, Emily Meredith, Allison Peplau, Alexandra Raccio, Rachel Roberts, Emma Soneson, Ana Tarbetsky, and Michelle Wendt.
 
Principal Charlie Macunas gave the welcoming remarks, and a special address was delivered by retiring science teacher and long-standing NHS advisory council member Jim Daniels.
 
Members of NHS are admitted by application only.  Students must have maintained an overall A- average, and have demonstrated exemplary service, leadership, and character in their High School careers.  Recommendations from staff and faculty are also considered, and the NHS Faculty Council makes the final selection.
 
 
3.      "International Educational Travel Opportunity to Italy and Greece - April Break, 2012!
 
Do you want to see the world, experience new cultures, and build on what you have learned about in school through experiential, authentic learning opportunities? Over April recess, 2012, Mr. Regan will be leading a group of students to Italy and Greece for a 10-day international educational tour. Students just recently returned from a trip led by Mr. Regan to England, Ireland, Wales and Paris, and had a fantastic time, while learning about and seeing sights that they had only read about in textbooks before. The Italy and Greece tour is organized by EF Tours and more information can be accessed by visiting www.eftours.com and checking out tour #: 1007980. Join us on an adventure that will take you to Rome, Florence, Pompeii, Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Delphi, Patras, and Athens. Experience what it is like to walk through the Vatican, stand in the Roman Colosseum, and look out across Athens from atop the Acropolis. If you have questions regarding itinerary, pricing, insurance, etc., do not hesitate to contact Mr. Regan at reganj33@rsd17.org or by phone at 860-345-8541 x221."
 
4.       The students in Mr. McCormick's Speech & Debate Classes (Periods A & G) are currently involved in intra-scholastic debates which fulfill part of the curriculum requirements of that Senior, elective, English course.  Students are debating current issues that they have self-selected according to the rules of "Classic" or "Traditional" Debate.  "Classic" or "Traditional" Debate is comprised of four basic stages & involves teams of students who prepare both the Case for the Affirmative (Change) and the Case for the Negative (Status Quo) on their pre-determined topics.  Stage One is called the "Constructive" stage because students utilize two eight-minute segments of time (totaling 16 minutes) to build or "construct" their arguments according to pre-determined criteria.  Stage Two is a "Cross-examination" Stage because students take turns questioning their opponents about their policies, assertions, & plans for change.  Stage Three is the "Rebuttal" stage where students learn to criticize their opponent's policies, assertions, & plans in a civil & respectful manner.  The fourth and final stage is known as "Closing Arguments" in which students take one last opportunity to make their cases before a panel of judges.  Students apply the public speaking skills that they worked to develop during the first part of the course; additionally, they learn about Roberts Rules of Order, Cross-Examination techniques, effective Rebuttal techniques, & the importance of delivering effective Closing Arguments.  Many students develop a deeper understanding of complex societal issues and an appreciation for skills that need to be developed in the legal & political world.  Students debate such issues as Current Driving Laws, Euthanasia, Capital Punishment, the appropriateness of teaching Huck Finn in public high schools, civil unions, and Block Scheduling & more.  The application of these "real world" skills enable students to understand some of the practical applications of the study of the English language. 
 
5.      Trooper Jim Connelly Honored
 
Trooper First-Class Jim Connelly, a past recipient of the high school's "Citizen of the Year Award" was one of two recipients in Connecticut to receive the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) Distinguished Friends of Education Award for 2011. The award, established in 1983, honors a person or organization for outstanding service to education in Connecticut. Trooper Connelly was recognized at the Aqua Turf in Southington during CAS's annual Volunteer Recognition Banquet.
 
 
6.      Clayton Rountree Named 2011 Presidential Scholar
 
Senior, Clayton Roundtree, has been announced as one of only three Connecticut scholars to receive the 2011 Presidential Scholar Award. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, announced on May 2, that 141 outstanding scholars nation-wide including three in Connecticut.
 
Scholars were selected based on numerous criteria, including academic prowess, community service, leadership, transcripts, commitment to high ideals, etc.
 
All recipients will travel to Washington, D.C. to receive the Presidential Award. Festivities will take place June 18-21.  As an honoree, Clayton is permitted to ask his most influential teacher to accompany him. He has selected long-time chemistry teacher Jim Daniels. Mr. Daniels will be presented with a Teacher Recognition Award from the U.S. Department of Education.
 
 
 
7.      Spring into Service Projects - Class of 2011
 
The senior class advisory groups have been completing their "Spring into Service" projects during the month of May. Groups have been presenting their work to members of the junior class during the Wednesday advisory period.
 
Project titles include:
 
·         Reflections & advice from the HK Student Body
·         Cookie Platoon
·         Pet Supply Drive
·         Ask the Seniors
·         Community Environmental Awareness Public Service Announcement
·         Soles: Saving Soles One Foot at a Time
·         Badminton Fundraiser for a former HK grad
·         Middlesex Cancer Center Family Survivor Event
·         Class Mural
·         Project greenhouse
·         Easter Egg Hunt
·         Happy Helpers: Reading to Elementary Students
·         Sports Equipment for St. Martin de Porres
·         Senior Video
 
What an impressive way for the Class of 2011 to leave HKHS. Well done Seniors.
 
 
8.      Important End of the Year Dates
 
May 2 - May 12                     AP Testing
 
Tuesday May 3                      National Honor Society Induction 7 pm
Wednesday May 11               Progress Reports Due
                                                French/Spanish Honor Society Induction 7 pm
 
May 12, 16, 17                       Connecticut Technical Education Testing (CTE)
                                                May 12th and 16th 11:45-2:00; May 17th 7:45-10:00
Saturday May 14                   Junior Prom - Wesleyan 7:00-11:00 pm
 
Friday May 20-21                  Band/Chorus Trip - Philadelphia (depart Friday approx. 7 am)
 
Friday May 27                       Professional Development (½ day)
 
Wednesday June 1                Academic Excellence (grades 10-12) during Advisory
Thursday June 2                   Senior Scholarship Ceremony 7 pm
Saturday June 4                    Senior Prom - Water's Edge 7-11 pm
 
Wednesday June 8                Academic Excellence (grade 9) during Advisory
Friday June 10                      Last Full-day of classes for Seniors
 
Only Graduating Seniors will participate in Senior Activities
 
Monday June 13                    Senior Exams (G 7:35-9:35; F 9:50-11:50)
Tuesday June 14                   Senior Exam (E 7:35-9:35, *Senior Graduation Review by Counselors)
* Senior Graduation Review: Yearbooks, UFOs, Community Service, etc.
Last Full-Day day of classes for Underclassmen (Grades 9-11)
Wednesday June 15              Senior and Underclass Exams (D 7:35-9:35; C 9:50-11:50)
Thursday June 16                 Senior and Underclass Exams (B 7:35-9:35; A 9:50-11:50)
Friday June 17                      Underclass Exams (G 7:35-9:35; F 9:50-11:50) 
                                                Senior Exam Make-Up 7:25-9:25 am (prior to Senior Outing)
                                                Senior Outing - Brownstone Quarry 8:45-4:30 am
(depart approximately 9:30 am - return approximately 4:30 pm)
                                                In case of rain: Graduation Rehearsal will be held (indoors) 9:30 am
                                                Senior Outing moves to Monday June 20th
                                               
Monday June 20                    Underclass Exams (E 7:35-9:35; Make-Up Exam Period 9:50-11:50)
                                                Senior Breakfast / Senior Video (move to June 21st if rain on June 17th)
                                                Graduation Rehearsal8:30 am
Tuesday June 21                   Last Day of School (shortened day)
                                                Graduation Rehearsal 9:00 am
Senior Breakfast/Senior Video (move to June 21st if rain on Friday, June 17)
                                                Graduation 6:30 pm
 
 
9 .  Tyler Quatrano Receives CT Street Road Award
 
On Friday April 8, 2011 Tyler Quatrano of Haddam Killingworth High School Regional District #17 was honored with a Scholarship of $1,000.00 from Don Dybick with The Connecticut Street Rod Association, an association dedicated to educating and preserving our automotive heritage.  This award is given to one student on a yearly basis who has proven exceptional workmanship, skills and talent in the area of Automotive Technician throughout their years at HKHS.  It is Tyler's ambition to secure a career in the automotive field.  He has been accepted to Porter and Chester in Rocky Hill, Ct. He will begin classes in early July 2011.  Tyler is a fabulous student and with the support of Art Zorzy, Automotive Teacher and Wendy Savino, our teacher of the year, this would not have been possible. Tyler would like to thank Don Dybick and The Connecticut Street Rod Association for this award. 
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11.  Holiday Show Telethon Chosen for State Award
 
Haddam-Killingworth High School's "Holiday Show telethon" was selected as a "2011 Challenge to Education Citizen Award." Mr. Chuck Lewis and his students received this recognition on behalf of the State Student Advisory Council and the Commissioner of Education.
 
A school plaque honoring this accomplishment will be presented to Mr. Lewis and student representatives by Commissioner of Education, George Coleman, at a reception at the State Capitol on June 13. 
 
12.  Benefit Volleyball Tournament for Haiti
 
Due to the bake sale at the Benefit Volleyball Tournament for Haiti the Société Honoraire de Français and the Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica were able to donate $70.50 to the orphanage in Haiti. Thank you to all the families that baked and to all those who purchased and donated to the cause. Your efforts are appreciated. 
 
 
13.  21st Century Skills and Spanish 5
 
Many people think that incorporating 21st century skills into the classroom means using technology. While that is true, there is much more to it according to the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. Their Framework includes critical thinking, problem solving, communication and collaboration. It incorporates into core subjects 21st century interdisciplinary themes: Global Awareness; Financial, Economic, Business and Entrepreneurial Literacy; Civic Literacy; Health Literacy; Environmental Literacy. Along with all of this are Information, Media and Technology Skills. Life and Career Skills and also Learning and Innovation Skills are included.
 
Students in Mrs. Borzain's Spanish 5 class recently completed a project that incorporated many 21st century skills. In this unit, students developed their skills in Spanish and their understanding of how children are viewed in different countries. At the end of the unit the students noted that there are children and teens around the world are confronted with many difficult decisions and worrisome situations. Groups of three thought about the difficulties that young people face. They chose a topic that concerned them. Group members researched and collaborated on designing, writing, acting, and producing a public service announcement (PSA) in Spanish. The video had to include research, offer solutions and make the viewer want to take action.
 
Students created many varied videos. Each approach was unique whether serious, comedic, or dramatic. A few of their topics were: alcohol abuse, teen pregnancy, distracted driving, gambling. Mrs. Borzain commends her students for their creative, well researched and well designed PSAs. Students evaluated their contributions to the collaboration. They also evaluated the activity and recommend that students in the next Spanish 5 class continue to apply their Spanish skills through this in-depth project. 
 
 
 
Charlie