Embedded Files
STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER
55 Strawberry Hill Ave. Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Week Ending Friday, October 24, 2025
Mr. Matthew Forker, Principal
SCIENCE STUDENTS SAVE MARSHMALLOW ASTRONAUTS IN 'ORION SPLASHDOWN' CHALLENGE
This past week, the students in Mr. Grillo and Mrs. Dougherty's co-taught science class wrapped up their unit on Newton's Laws with a thrilling engineering challenge: Orion Splashdown!
Putting their understanding of physics—especially concepts like buoyancy—to the test, students worked in small groups to design and build a space capsule that could protect an "astronaut" (a fluffy marshmallow) from a watery fate. The mission was a success only if the astronaut remained completely dry after a six-foot drop and a ten-second submersion in water!
The challenge wasn't easy! Each group had to manage a budget of $2.4 million to purchase a maximum of five different building materials from the teachers. This constraint required careful planning and a bit of economic savvy.
After an initial trial, every group faced a setback, with all the original capsules failing the splashdown test. This led to a crucial step in the engineering process: redesign and reflection. Students analyzed their failures, modified their budgets, reworked their capsule designs, and tried again.
The unit blended STEM with Art, as students also designed a custom mission patch and decorated their marshmallow astronauts.
The hard work paid off! After the redesigns, three out of five groups successfully kept their astronauts dry! The unit concluded with groups presenting their final designs, explaining their thinking and modifications, and writing a reflection on their engineering journey.
It was a fantastic example of the scientific method in action, showing how perseverance and smart redesign lead to success!
THIS WEEK’S UPDATE
Here are some quick updates and reminders for the academic week ending October 24, 2025. Links have been provided, where applicable, to help with further details. Have a great weekend with your families!
PHOTO RETAKE INFORMATION FOR FAMILIES
Attention Underclassmen:
If you did not take a photo on picture day, underclassmen picture retakes will take place on November 10th in room A-101. More details to follow.
Questions? Reach out to Ms. Vivirito avivirito@stamfordpublicschools.org or Mr. Lutz rlutz@stamfordpublicschools.org
TRUNK OR TREAT AND MOVIE NIGHT!
Join us at SHS as the National Honor Society (NHS) hosts an evening for the entire family!
TWO MORE TEAMS HONOR THEIR SENIOR ATHLETES
This past Wednesday, both the Girls Volleyball team and the Girls Field Hockey teams gave their senior players one final sendoff during their last regular season home contests.
Field Hockey won in dramatic fashion scoring in the final minutes to secure a 1-0 win over rival Westhill while Volleyball took St. Josephs to five sets before falling 15-13 in the final frame.
Congrats to all our seniors, players, and coaches for exciting seasons!
SPOTLIGHT ON WATERCOLOR!
In the Visual Art and Performing Arts, students in Mr. Eaton-Koch's Color + Design class are busy working in the highly tricky medium of watercolor. Students begin by making a color chart first for practicing mixing colors. Then, students paint a group of Three-Dimensional shapes on watercolor paper by drawing them with a checkerboard pattern and then carefully filling the pattern with watercolor. They are utilizing the Elements and Principles of Design thinking about light, shadow, contrast, scale to give the illusion of a 3-D Space.
Photos of Finished Artwork are by
Phynixx Adams Grade 9 and Diana Bilyashevych Grade 10
ALSO…………
Mr. Eaton-Koch will be sharing his own watercolor skills and tips with students he uses in his professional practice as an architectural illustrator.
This fall, the American Society of Architectural Illustrators recognized Mr. Eaton-Koch's observational watercolors with a 2025 Award of Excellence in Architecture in the Perspective 39 Exhibition.
His artwork was selected by an international jury of architects and illustrators and is published in the annual Exhibition Catalog. The piece selected is a view of afternoon sunlight on historic Jones Street in Savannah, GA.
SHS STUDENTS RECEIVE RECOGNITION
This past Wednesday evening, SHS Juniors Noah Pangan and Brianna Diaz were honored & celebrated as recipients of the Youth Excellence Award sponsored by Mickey Lione Jr Fund.
This rigorous & prestigious scholarship program annually recognizes two outstanding students from SHS and two from Westhill for their exemplary achievements in academics, sports, extracurricular activities, leadership and community involvement.
Congrats to Noah and Brianna!
STUDENT COUNCIL FUNDRAISER
The holidays are right around the corner — and here's your chance to save money and support Stamford High at the same time!
When you shop at Minted.com for your holiday cards, gifts, and decor, use our exclusive code FUNDRAISESTAMFORD at checkout.
You’ll get 20% OFF your purchase and Minted will donate 10% back to Stamford High’s Student Council!
Why it matters: Your support helps us cover the rising costs of prom, graduation, and student events — all while you cross holiday shopping off your list.
Act now — every purchase makes a difference.
Share with friends and family to multiply the impact!
Thank you for helping make this season brighter for our students!
TOTE FUNDRAISER
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
The boy’s freshman, JV, and Varsity soccer team had a great 2025-2026 season! A round of applause to all our teams and coaches!
(Photos by Mr. Barron/Science Teacher)
COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER
Instant Decision Days at SHS College and Career Center are scheduled. Iona University (December 3, 2025) and Quinnipiac University (November 24, 2025) are offering this event to SHS seniors.
Register on Naviance. SPACE IS LIMITED!
CT State Community Application Event November 7, 2025
Read through the announcements for more updates and events Newsletter
UCONN Application Day: September 29, 2025
FAFSA Raffle- Submit by Oct 31, 2025 11:59PM
CT State Community Application Event: November 7, 2025
All students in AP classes need to join their AP classroom and pay for their AP exam by November 1, 2025 without a late fee.
Don't forget to follow the Counseling Department on IG for all important updates and information. @shscounselingdept
MYP AND IBDP SESSIONS ARE HERE!
Stamford High School hosts virtual information sessions for our two application-based International Baccalaureate programs.
IB Middle Years Programme (MYP): For Stamford 8th-grade students and families.
IB Diploma Programme (DP): For Stamford 10th-grade families.
Why attend? Learn how these rigorous, internationally renowned programs can prepare students for college and develop critical skills. We'll cover application steps and more!
No pre-registration needed. Families only need to attend one session. Spanish translation available.
Check the attached flyer for dates and times!
COLLEGE RECRUITING SEMINAR FOR SHS ATHLETES AND FAMILIES
Are you interested in playing a sport in college? Then save the date for our upcoming, free recruiting seminar!
Black Knight Athletics is proud to host renowned college recruiting expert Wayne Mazzoni (a popular speaker who has presented here before). Mr. Mazzoni is known for providing an honest and informative look at the realities of college recruiting and athletics.
If you aspire to play a sport in college, you'll find this evening extremely valuable.
Registration: Please see the attached flyer for the date, time, and the embedded registration link. This is a free event sponsored by Black Knight Athletics.
FREE MAMMOGRAMS
Mammograms play a key role in breast cancer screening. Getting a mammogram every year, starting at age 40, is recommended by the American Cancer Society.
The Breast Center Grant Program offers screening mammograms and other breast imaging services at no cost to patients who are uninsured and who qualify to enroll in the program.
Call or go online to book your mammogram. Notify the scheduler that you are interested in the Breast Center Grant Program.
JOIN STRINGS AND CHORUS!
“SPOOKY” FALL TECHNOLOGY CONTEST!
SHS “U-KNIGHTED NATION” TUTORING
If any student needs extra academic support throughout the school year, the SHS U-Knighted Nation organization is here to assist! Made up of student volunteers, the UKN tutors are available to assist and help ANY student that may need it.
ATTENDANCE REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES
Please remember to submit any student absences to the Absence Documentation Form within 10 school days of the absence.
Appropriate documentation (parent note, doctor's note, official paperwork) must be provided for the absence to be approved.
WINTER SPORTS REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Final Forms registration page at https://stamford-ct.finalforms.com/
CELL PHONE POLICY FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ’S)
For cell phone Frequently Asked Questions, please click here.
“OPEN CAMPUS”
Parents and families, as a reminder, the SPS “Open Campus Policy” is only permissible for students in GRADES 11 and 12.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse