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STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER
55 Strawberry Hill Ave. Stamford, Connecticut 06902
Week Ending Friday, February 6, 2025
Mr. Matthew Forker, Principal
SHS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES 12 STUDENT-ATHLETE COMMITS
The road to graduation is picking up speed, and for 12 of our seniors, the future is officially set. This week, we hosted our second of three "Signing Days" to recognize athletes who have committed to continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level.
This ceremony is a testament to years of commitment and the delicate balance of juggling varsity and club schedules with rigorous academics. Congratulations to our seniors on this well-deserved milestone!
Congratulations to the following seniors:
Chris Berlingo: Baseball
Orlando Camacho: Lacrosse
Nia Freeman: Soccer
Gracie Kapitan: Lacrosse
Anne Leydon: Field Hockey
Rory O’Halloran: Soccer
Aidan O’Loughlin: Baseball
Willam Ozuna Acosta: Baseball
Jared Relayze: Soccer
Alec Stark: Lacrosse
John Thomas: Volleyball
Payton Varnit: Lacrosse
Be on the lookout for our spring “Signing Day!”
THIS WEEK’S UPDATE
Here are some quick updates and reminders for the academic week ending February 6, 2025. Links have been provided, where applicable, to help with further details. Have a great weekend with your families!
JANUARY / FEBRUARY DATES TO REMEMBER
February 6: Add/Drop deadline for 1 credit courses (Semester 2, High School)
February 6: Quarter 2 Grades accessible in Parent Portal
February 14: Valentine’s Day
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
COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER
Thanks to our school counselors for for all they do!
The SHS College and Career Center Newsletter is up to date and can be found here. Follow the department on IG for updates and information @shscounselingdept
Scholarship season is starting for SHS. Check out the scholarship list and the available applications in the College and Career Center! There are multiple opportunities for SHS students to win funds for college! Our IG is always up to date with where to find each scholarship!
Mickey Lione Jr Scholarship fund is open for SOPHOMORES- $7,500- scholarship found in the College and Career Center
Bobby Augustyn Scholarship is LIVE- find it here
W.E.P.A Workshop (We Empower Postsecondary Access) Series begins on February 11, 2026 (9th through 11th graders) Let's start creating your plan for after high school!
Road to Success Workshop (9th through 11th graders) February 17, 2026- Register on Naviance
State Street Scholarship Packets are due to Ms. Vazquez- February 20, 2026- $10,000 scholarship! They can be found in the College & Career Center
Kuriansky Legacy Scholarship is LIVE Form & due April 2, 2026
HBCU Speaker Series- Week of February 23- Check out the details here
Financial Aid Award Letter Workshop- February 23, 2026- register on Naviance
CT State Application Day- March 6, 2026
CT State Community Field Trip- Norwalk- March 12, 2026 Form
Sorority 101 Workshop- March 13, 2026
UCONN Storrs Trip - March 31, 2026- permission slips need to be returned as this is first come first served
AP exams are scheduled for May, please refer to your emails and reach out to Ms. Vazquez for any questions regarding your exam
Read the full newsletter for additional resources and opportunities
STUDENT OF THE MONTH
We are thrilled to celebrate a massive achievement within our creative community! Ninth-grade standout Madison Ortiz was recently honored for her incredible talent at the CT Regional Scholastic Art Awards, where she earned the prestigious Gold Key Award in Mixed Media—one of the highest honors for young artists in the state.
The celebration reached a high point as Madison was officially reunited with her masterpiece, which has been on stunning display at the University of Hartford’s Taub Art Gallery.
To mark the occasion, Principal Forker, Assistant Principal Paulino, and VAPA Department Leader Mrs. Downer joined Madison and her dedicated art teacher, Erika Arconti-Galassi, for a special presentation. Madison was proudly awarded her official Gold Key certificate and the iconic gold key pin.
Madison's ability to weave different materials and techniques together into an award-winning piece is a testament to her unique vision, her hard work, and the strength of the VAPA art program at Stamford High School. Please join us in congratulating her on this remarkable milestone!
SHS “BONE SHOW” DELIGHTS ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
In what is quickly becoming a favorite tradition, Mr. Halmeck and the SHS Biology Club recently visited Toquam Elementary School.
SHS students brought science to life, giving younger students a hands-on look at the fascinating anatomy of reptiles, birds, and various other specimens.
Special thanks to Mr. Halmeck and our SHS student representatives for a fun and engaging experience!
TO THE MOON AND BACK!
Students in our STARS classroom are participating in NASA's Plant the Moon Challenge, a global science competition that tasks students with investigating the best methods for growing crops in lunar soil simulants.
Under the direction of teachers Kate Keeler and Sue Dougherty, our students are conducting hands-on experiments to determine which nutrients and fertilizers are most effective, contributing vital data to NASA’s goal of sustaining long-term human life in deep space.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
Congratulations on Black Knights Varsity Cheer on being named “Grand Champions” of the Wolcott cheer competition this past Saturday!
ARTIST OF THE MONTH
FCIAC RECOGNIZES TWO EXEMPLARY SCHOLAR ATHLETES
(FROM FCIAC.NET)
Kat Diem
Kat is a senior in the IB Diploma Programme with an unweighted GPA of 4.0 and a weighted GPA of 5.01.
She is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Science National Honor Society and was the recipient of the Harvard Book Award.
Kat is a two-sport varsity athlete, playing four years of varsity ice hockey, and she also plays lacrosse. Last year Kat was selected to the 2025 All-FCIAC Girls Ice Hockey Honorable Mention squad after her solid junior year for the Stamford/Westhill/Staples cooperative girls ice hockey team.
Kat is involved in several clubs and currently serves as President of BuildOn. She is an Executive Member of the Mayor’s Youth Leadership Council and Vice President of Morgan’s Message. She also volunteers frequently through Student Council and the National Honor Society.
Logan Pearl
Logan is a senior with a weighted GPA of 4.76 and has been a member of the Stamford/Westhill cooperative boys’ ice hockey team for three years. He is currently serving as assistant captain.
He is enrolled in the IB Diploma Programme and has earned Honors with Distinction throughout his high school career.
Logan is the Vice President of Stamford High’s chapter of FBLA and a member of the National Honor Society. He is also a recipient of the Mickey Lione Jr. Fund Youth Excellence Award and intends to study business in college.
ACTION PICS OF THE WEEK
From our in-house photographer Mr. Barron (SHS Science), we have basketball and girls’ hockey this week.
HELP SUPPORT SHS!
SHS Student Council x Minted.com
Did you know that Minted.com now has classroom valentines as well as many other fun Valentine's Day gifts?
SHS families and friends can enjoy 20% off all Valentine's Day orders plus FREE shipping using our code FUNDRAISESTAMFORD until January 25th.
For every purchase, Student Council will earn a percentage of the proceeds to help support the growing costs of prom and graduation!
Please consider checking out Minted.com!
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
SENIOR “FUN DAY”
Donations needed (see flyer)
Amazon Wish List - https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/1PNSOFFUNDU5Y?ref_=wl_share
Let us shop for you - Square link - https://square.link/u/yE3JtV1L
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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