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STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER
55 Strawberry Hill Ave. Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Week Ending Friday, January 9, 2025
Mr. Matthew Forker, Principal
SHS WELCOMES 2026!
After a much-needed break for all our SHS community, SHS used this week to get back into the swing of things as classes, activities, and athletics resumed!
Students are preparing to transition to semester 2 with new courses and new experiences!
This week also marks the very first mention of the “Class of 2026” as seniors begin to prepare to wind down their high school career (believe it or not). Cap and gown orders, senior meetings, college applications, financial aid information, college acceptances, and post-secondary options will all be at the forefront of this busy time of year!
THIS WEEK’S UPDATE
Here are some quick updates and reminders for the academic week ending January 9, 2025. Links have been provided, where applicable, to help with further details. Have a great weekend with your families!
JANUARY / FEBRUARY DATES TO REMEMBER
January 19: MLK Day (No School)
January 23: End of Quarter 2
January 28: Early Release for Students
January 30: Add/Drop deadline for 0.5 credit courses (Quarter 3, High School)
February 6: Add/Drop deadline for 1 credit courses (Semester 2, High School)
February 6: Quarter 2 Grades accessible in Parent Portal
February 13: Presidents Day Weekend (No School)
February 16: President’s Day (No School)
February 18: Early Release (students) Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 19: Early Release (students) Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 20: Early Release (students) Parent-Teacher Conferences
February 25: Early Release (students)
February 27: 3rd Quarter Progress Reports accessible in Parent Portal
SHARE YOUR INPUT FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT SEARCH!
The Stamford Board of Education is partnering with Zeal Education Group to lead the search for the next Superintendent of Schools. One of the most important parts of this process is hearing directly from parents and students.
Beginning on Monday, January 12, Zeal will host a series of Superintendent Search Input Sessions for families and students to share the qualities they want to see in the next Superintendent.
Please register to attend and to indicate if you need interpretation services.
¡Comparta su opinión sobre la búsqueda del próximo superintendente escolar!
La Junta de Educación de Stamford ) está trabajando conjuntamente con Zeal Education Group con el fin de seleccionar al próximo superintendente de escuelas. Una de las partes más importantes de este proceso es escuchar directamente a los padres y alumnos.
A partir del lunes 12 de enero, Zeal organizará una serie de sesiones de aportaciones para la búsqueda del superintendente, en las que las familias y los alumnos podrán compartir las cualidades que desean ver en el próximo superintendente.
Inscríbase para asistir e indique si necesita servicios de interpretación.
SHS BAND MAKES THEIR MARK ON THE HOLIDAY SEASON!
Our music program had a busy and successful December! We kicked off the season with a sold-out performance at the Palace Theatre alongside the WHS marching band for Jessica Lynn’s Holiday Spectacular. We also participated in the Holidays in Harmony series at the Stamford Mall and hosted our annual Winter Concert.
The Jazz band traveled to New York to perform for residents at the State Veterans Home, and a group of students concluded our season with a special Christmas Eve performance in Wallingford. We are so grateful for these opportunities and want to thank the students and staff who supported us throughout the holidays!
JANUARY “ARTIST OF THE MONTH”
HISTORY TO BE MADE!
SHS TO HOST 1ST EVER ALL-GIRLS WRESTLING MEET
On Saturday, January 10, Stamford High School athletics will reach a historic milestone as it hosts the first-ever all-girls wrestling dual meet in the 65-year history of the Fairfield County Interscholastic Conference (FCIAC).
The Stamford Black Knights will face off against Trumbull High School in a landmark event that highlights the rapid growth and success of female wrestling in Connecticut. While girls have competed individually for years, this head-to-head "dual meet" format is a significant step forward for the sport at the conference level.
“We take great pride in hosting this historic evening,” said Chris Passamano, Director of Athletics at Stamford High School. “Stamford High has built one of the best girls wrestling programs, not just in Connecticut, but all New England. Our coaches have done an amazing job supporting girls wrestling and encouraging growth in all our female sports. I could not be prouder of our Black Knight scholar athletes.”
Girl’s wrestling has seen significant growth in recent years. The girls who compete during the regular season are members of the wrestling programs with the boys at their respective schools. In 2020, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference created the Girls Wrestling Invitational where athletes compete for individual state championships and high placings in seven weight classes ranging from 106 to 160 pounds. Over the past five years, Stamford High has had female student athletes win a total of five individual state championships.
WHAT: First-ever FCIAC All-Girls Wrestling Dual Meet
WHO: Stamford High School vs. Trumbull High School
WHEN: Friday, January 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM
WHERE: Kuczo Gymnasium, Stamford High School, 55 Strawberry Hill Ave, Stamford, CT
“SENIOR SCENES” TONIGHT!
Tonight, the first show of the Strawberry Hill Players production, Senior Scenes!
Since the end of November, eight of our senior club members have worked to direct underclassmen and students completely new to acting in a variety of short 10-minute scenes - complete with costumes, props, sound, etc. It has been a wonderful process for our seniors, some of whom are also IB Theatre students, to get experience behind the scenes and mentor casts primarily made up of freshmen and sophomores, as well as for our underclassmen to get more stage experience before auditions for our spring musical, Cinderella.
Shows are on Friday and Saturday night at 7:30pm in the SHS auditorium and tickets are $10. We hope to see you there!
Attached are a list of our senior directors and their cast!
STUDENT SHINES WITH GOLD KEY WIN IN THE 2026 REGIONAL SCHOLASTIC ART AWARDS
We are thrilled to celebrate Madison Ortiz, a grade 9 student and our October Artist of the Month, for earning a prestigious Gold Key in the 2026 Connecticut Scholastic Art Awards! Her powerful mixed‑media piece, Feeling Blue, captivated judges and rose to the top from more than 600 submissions statewide—a remarkable achievement that speaks to her creativity, dedication, and artistic voice.
Guided and supported by her art teacher, Mrs. Erika Arconti‑Galassi, Madison has demonstrated exceptional skill and vision, making this honor especially well‑deserved.
Her award‑winning artwork will be proudly showcased at the Silpe Gallery in Taub Hall at the Hartford Art School, University of Hartford, beginning January 11 and remaining on display through the award ceremony on Saturday, January 31.
We couldn’t be prouder of Madison’s accomplishment and the vibrant artistic excellence she brings to our school community.
EARLY COLLEGE STUDIES (ECS) TO HOST WORKSHOP ON STRESS AND AXIETY
Join us for a workshop hosted by Ethan Bourque, a Licensed Professional Counselor with 9 years of experience working in schools. He has extensive experience supporting students and teenagers through multiple forms of anxiety and high stress situations using a variety of techniques. The event will take place on Tuesday January 13th in the College & Career Center during Period 4. You do not need to be an ECS student to attend. Students must pre-register at this link in order to attend! Sign-up by January 12th!
COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER
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 great opportunity seniors don't miss out!!
Our Financial Aid Completion Raffle winner for December is Sofia Young!
ASVAB testing is rescheduled for January 13, 2026. Final day to sign up is today, 1/9/26
Albertus Magnus Instant Decision Day- January 14, 2026
Interested in learning a building trade? Join our information session from BTTI on January 15, 2026
Upcoming trade field trips: Porter and Chester & Lincoln Tech
Resume Building Workshop- January 22, 2026
AP Exams- all students that were enrolled in a College Board AP classroom received an email with their AP exam order status. If your exam was not ordered and this is incorrect, please email Ms. Vazquez.
SUTTON MAKING IMPACT ON THE COURT
Jordan Sutton, the junior center on the SHS basketball team recently had an article published about his journey through basketball and his current impact on the SHS team. You can find the link here to read more about it!
SPIRIT “KNIGHT” IS BACK!
Spirit Knight is a special event that brings our SHS Community together to celebrate Fashion, Fun and School Spirit - all while supporting a great cause!
Sign up is now open using the google form, all grade levels are encouraged to participate: https://forms.gle/AfvVaojf5WN8RwoKA
CLASS OF 1981 CELEBRATES 45 YEARS
A few “throwback” pics from the Class of ’81!
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.
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