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
Social : The Haddam-Killingworth High School graduate will:
1. act responsibily
2. pursue goals
Good Night Irene!
Hello everyone and welcome to the beginning of a new academic year. Needless to say, this has been anything but a traditional opening. But rather than reflect back upon what we had to persevere, I prefer to look at what we have and at what lies ahead.
I wish to begin by sharing with you how wonderfully your sons and daughters adjusted to being back at school despite a few minor "hiccups" along the way. There is a calm, smooth flow throughout the building. That coupled with the terrific parental support and understanding of circumstances created by conditions beyond our control (i.e. a plugged in functioning freezer yielding soft/melted ice cream for the freshmen social) proved once again what a special community we have. I thank you for that.
Allow me to share some pertinent information with you.
New Staff
We have a number of new faces at the high school this year.
· Mrs. Mary Rose O'Neal - School Nurse
· Mr. Josh Hagewood - History and Social Sciences
· Mr. Mike Baklik - Health & PE
· Ms. Meagan Dobson - Health & PE
· Mrs. Christine Cassidy - Science
· Mrs. Franca Biales - Spanish
· Mrs. Holly Nicoletti - Special Education
· Mrs. Rebecca Degnan - part-time Counseling Intern
· Ms. Jenna Cossette - part-time Counseling Intern
· Mrs. Jess Rosa - Para-professional
· Mr. Neal Pearson - Para-professional
· Mr. Aidan Handy - English Student Teacher for Ms. Allesandrine
Coming Events for September
12 Senior Parent Night - 7:00 PM in the high school auditorium
13 Underclassman Yearbook Pictures and Senior ID Photos
22 Open House - starts at 6:30 PM in the auditorium
23 Early Dismissal - 11:55 AM
28 CAPT Scholar Breakfast Ceremony 9:00 AM in cafeteria
29 No School - Rosh Hashanah
Home/School Communication
If you have questions or concerns about what your child is doing in his/her classes, please contact the appropriate teacher. You may also contact the Chair of that particular department:
· English (Language Arts) - Mrs. Miles
· History/Social Sciences - Mr. Pallatto
· Mathematics - Mrs. Adamczyk
· Science - Mrs. Tooker
· World languages - Dr. Borzain
· Technology/TV/Business/Family and Consumer Science - Mr. Lewis
· Art/Music - Mrs. Porter
· Health & PE - Mr. Larkin
· Special Education - Mrs. Lavorgna
If you need to speak with your child's school counselor, you may contact:
· Mrs. Grimaldi - Department Chair
· Mr. Leone
· Mrs. Sullivan
· Mr. Ettlinger
Welcoming the Class of 2015
The storm and power outage forced the planned cancellation of the Freshmen Orientation on August 30. In an effort to effectively transition the freshmen into the building, when they arrived at school on Tuesday, September 6, they assembled in the auditorium. They were welcomed by the high school principal, introduced to their guidance counselors, and escorted to their respective homerooms by their homeroom teacher where they received their locks and lockers.
At 8:20 they went to meet their advisory teacher. That particular teacher will meet with the same group of 12-15 students on Wednesdays from 8:50-9:55 throughout the year to discuss numerous pertinent issues. Such topics will include study tips, goal setting, peer pressure, time management, etc. Groups then proceeded to the auditorium for a school-wide welcome.
Later that day, during activity period, administration spoke with the students about the Prep for Success Program. Over the years, we have noticed that many freshmen have struggled making the transition to the high school. The reasons vary and run the gamut from the increased amount of homework, to becoming acclimated to the new structure and environment. Last year, we successfully established a lunch activity program (Prep for Success) to assist the freshmen with making this important transition. For the first marking period, all freshmen will have a structured Directed Study for the first half of lunch activity each day. At the end of the first marking period, all freshmen who have earned no grade lower than a "C" will have the privilege of no longer having to attend the Directed Study and instead, take part in club meetings and activities that occur during that time. Those who are still somewhat struggling with transition and expectations that come along with that, will continue to be provided with the Directed Study.
Our emphasis is on academic success and this is an opportunity to provide our freshmen with time during the school day to "slow down," get organized, ask questions, study, or start homework. The results last year were very positive.
On Wednesday, administration met with the freshmen during the beginning of Advisory period to handle any questions or concerns they might have had. The class was also introduced to their two class advisors (Ms. Joanna Siciliano and Ms. Kerry Smith). This was followed by a (soft/melted) ice cream social in the cafeteria.
NOTE to freshmen: "I couldn't be prouder of you for the attitude you have shown and the way you adjusted to the high school." Keep up the good work.
SPORTS
The following Cougar athletic teams all begin their regular seasons sometime this month:
· Football
· Girls Soccer
· Boys Soccer
· Girls Volleyball
· Girls Field Hockey
· Boys and Girls Cross Country
· Girls Swimming
You can obtain team schedules by doing the following:
a. Go to the district web site www.rsd17.org
b. Click on Haddam-Killingworth High
c. Scroll down and click on Athletics
d. Click on the CIAC website link
Please come out and support our hard-working student athletes.
Co-curricular Clubs
HKHS offers over 30 different clubs and activities that meet during the school day.
District Events
You can view a full listing of Regional School District 17 events by going onto the District's Web site www.rsd17.org and clicking on the upper banner entitled District Calendar.
CAPT Reports
Students and parents of students who took the Connecticut Academic Performance Test last spring should receive individualized score reports within the next week.
Project Graduation
HK Project Graduation 2012 will be starting our meetings on 9/13/11 at 7pm. We are looking for volunteers to help out on our committees. We are looking for chairpersons on the committees below. You don't have to make all the meetings to be on the committee.
Fundraising- We are looking for two people to co-chair this committee. Please contact Kathy Strom at ksstrom@aol.com or 860-345-3398.
Entertainment- We are looking for two people to co-chair this committee.
Chaperones needed: Please contact Sue Craffey at jcraffey@snet.net or 860-345-3908 or Marianna LaRosa at malarosa@comcast.net if you are interested in chaperoning in June 2012.
Food Volunteers: We are looking for a volunteer to help co-chair the Food area.
Clean up Volunteers: Please contact Laura Roman at Landdroman@aol.com or 860-345-3583 if you are able to help out with clean up. All volunteers will be greatly appreciated.
Please contact Kaycee Blancaflor at KCCallahan@uks.comif you're interested in joining any of our committees.
Our meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the Lower Media Center. The dates are as follows: 9/13/11, 10/11/11, 11/8/11, 12/13/11, 1/10/12/, 2/14/12, 3/13/12, 4/10/12, 5/8/12, 6/12/12. Come and join the fun on the Project Graduation Committee!!!
We are looking for community members and you don't have to have a student in the school system to be on this committee.
Volunteers
If you are home and looking to become involved with the high school as a volunteer of some sort, please let me know. We always have a need for volunteers. Someone might wish to volunteer to serve as a "greeter," assist with mail, or even assist in the copy room. You might also have your ideas on how you might want to become involved. Please let me know.
I hope this school year will be both pleasant and productive for you and your child.
Sincerely,
Charlie
