12/19/2025

STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER

55 Strawberry Hill Ave. Stamford, Connecticut 06902 

Week Ending Friday, December 19, 2025

Mr. Matthew Forker, Principal

TEACHERS DECLARED THE WINNERS OF “SPIRIT WEEK!”

Students not able to match staff’s “underground” effort!

For the second year in a row, SHS teachers challenged the student pre-holiday “spirit week” by having an “underground” spirit week to try and build some healthy competition within our school, and the staff SHOWED UP!

Our themes of: “Sports Day”, “Dress Like a Student Day”, “Black Out”, “College Swag”, and “Ugly Sweater” was certainly embraced by members of the SHS family, blowing away our competition—the students! Kudos to the school counseling department and PPS staff, who took this now annual tradition to new heights making the week before the holiday break a bit more fun for all of us here at SHS!

THIS WEEK’S UPDATE

Here are some quick updates and reminders for the academic week ending December 19, 2025.  Links have been provided, where applicable, to help with further details.  Have a great weekend with your families! 

DECEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER

December 23: Early Release

December 24 – January 2:  Winter Recess (NO SCHOOL)

BUSINESS CLASSES GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Mr. Taylor’s High School of Business Economics class recently wrapped up their “Scarcity in the Community to Bring about Unity Project. In addition to studying economics in a textbook, the students put their skills to the test by organizing a raffle for an OSMO Camera worth over $500. They employed real marketing and pricing strategies to raise funds that will support the graduate Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028, and 2029.

It was a great opportunity for the students to see how these concepts work in the real world. A special shoutout goes to Joel Banegas for selling the winning ticket, and a big congratulations to Martin Romero, the winner of the Raffle!

AP ART ALUMNI RETURN TO SHS TO REVIEW STUDENT ARTWORK

The combined Advanced Placement Art and Studio Art Class hosted recent SHS Alumni for a Portfolio Review on Friday 12/19.  Seven former students from the AP Art program returned to give current students tips on their collection of artwork and advice on next steps they can take to continue to improve.  Alumni encouraged current students to try new materials, take risks with their work, and strive for excellent craftsmanship.  Creating space for dialogue and critique helps students as they prepare for AP Art Portfolio Submission in May.

UNIFIED SPORTS RALLIES FOR A THRILLING TIE!

What a game!

On Wednesday, the Stamford Unified Sports team traveled to face the Darien Blue Wave in a match that was tougher than most recent weeks. Despite the challenge, the Black Knights looked great and played even better, battling their way to a well-earned tie!

The fourth quarter was electric, with Carson, Carlos, and Yiekol making groundbreaking plays that set the stage for a massive comeback. Emily, Richard, and Kimberlyn came through in the clutch, sinking enough shots to level the score.

A huge shout-out to Darien High School for being such gracious hosts. As always, the team kept the vibes high with a fun bus ride to the event. Go Black Knights!

SOCCER TEAM MAKES DONATION TO CANCER CENTER

From Coach Summa:

“Every October our boys’ soccer team partners with Stamford Health and the Bennett Cancer Center in their Paint the Town Pink campaign.  For every goal that we score throughout the month, we donate $100 towards cancer awareness and research. 

Yesterday afternoon, we presented our check for a total of $1,650 (we had a parent add to our total by donating a lesser amount for every goal their son scored).  We started making these donations 5 years ago and this brings our total amount donated to $7,350.

Out of all the things we do as a program, this is one that I am most proud that we can do.  It is well known that sports teach our athletes life lessons and having our boys understand the importance of helping others and giving back to greater causes is a special thing that we can do.”

COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER

The College and Career Center hosted an “I Applied” celebration for any seniors that applied to their post-secondary pathway! Every Knight Needs a Plan!

The College and Career Center Newsletter is up to date and can be found here. Follow the department on IG for updates and information @shscounselingdept

• The State Street Scholarship is LIVE! This is a $10,000 scholarship for academics/ athletes. Pick up the application from the College and Career Center or your school counselor! This is a great opportunity.

• Our Financial Aid Completion Raffle continues through December! Complete your FAFSA or AACTUS to be included in the December raffle! We will pull the raffle winner on January 5th!

• ASVAB testing is rescheduled for January 13, 2026. Students can still sign up for this!

• Albertus Magnus Instant Decision Day- January 14, 2026- Applied to Albertus Magnus or planning on? Register on Naviance for Instant Decision Day- have your acceptance decision on the spot!

Interested in learning a building trade? Join our information session from BTTI on January 15, 2026.

Check out the Junior to Do List

CHESS CLUB BATTLES HILLHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL

The SHS Chess Club hosted another match against Hillhouse School in New Haven on Thursday, December 18th. While Hillhouse had an easy victory overall, winning about twice as many games, everyone who participated clearly had a good time. The team thanks everyone who helped us continue this annual tradition!

“MATH NIGHT” ANOTHER SUCCESS!

On December 11th students from Integrated Math courses competed for gift cards to local businesses in our second ever Math Night. The winners from games focused on their specific courses then faced off in a final match to determine the overall winner.

IM3 students Sophie Karipedes and Zuriel Juarez won the top prize of two $100 gift cards, while IM2 students Ethan Brown-Toussaint and Emma Donch finished second, winning $50 gift cards, and IM1 students Joseph Vasile and Kevin Garcia took third place, winning $25 gift cards.

Hosts Rachita Sharma-Neupane and Nika Stepanov did great work throughout the event, as did scorekeeper Adrian Salazar and photographer Norelys Guillen Delgado, all of whom are members of the SHS Math Team Congratulations to all the winners, and we look forward to another Math Night in the spring!

ITALIAN CLUB MAKES HOLIDAY COOKIES!

This week the Italian Club learned how to make traditional Italian cookies!  The students had fun and were excited to eat them! 

Buon Natale a tutti!

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.

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.