5/1/2026

STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER

55 Strawberry Hill Ave. Stamford, Connecticut 06902

Week Ending Friday, May 1, 2026

Mr. Matthew Forker, Principal

SHS STUDENT EARNS NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP

We are incredibly proud to announce that one of our own has been selected for one of the most prestigious honors in student journalism. Representing the state of Connecticut, SHS Junior, Sofia Corleto, will attend the 2026 Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference this June in Washington, D.C.

This program, established by USA Today founder Al Neuharth, selects only one high school senior from each state who demonstrates a "free spirit" through their dedication to the First Amendment and their potential as a future leader in the media industry.

During this intensive week-long fellowship, our scholar will join a cohort of 50 other top student journalists at the Freedom Forum for a series of high-level workshops and site visits. From meeting with Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters to touring iconic newsrooms, the conference offers a front-row seat to the evolving world of national news.

Sofia’s selection is a testament to her hard work, journalistic integrity, and willingness to challenge the status quo. Congratulations to Sofia for taking her talents to the national stage!

THIS WEEK’S UPDATE

Here are some quick updates and reminders for the academic week ending May 1, 2026.  Links have been provided, where applicable, to help with further details.  Have a great weekend with your families! 

MAY DATES TO REMEMBER

May 25: Memorial Day (No School)

May 27: Early Release

SHS GRADUATION DATE SET!

Wednesday June 17, 2026

2:00 PM

Boyle Stadium

(Rain Date Thursday June 18; Time TBD)

GRADUATION LAWN SIGNS!

We are happy to announce that SHS is selling lawn signs to celebrate our class of 2026 Graduates.

Class of 2026 - Graduation Lawn Sign

There is a link to an online payment option in the Google form.

We will be ordering the signs this week and will notify the students when and where they can pick them up. 

LESSONS ON THE GAME OF LIFE: PLAY, RESET, REFLECT ON FINANCIAL CHOICES

Ashley Dougherty's Personal Finance classes are putting the Synchrony Bank Financial Literacy Lab gift to excellent use! Students recently dove into The Game of LIFE, using gameplay as a springboard for meaningful reflection. After completing their first round, students reset and played again with different starting choices, then compared outcomes to explore how early decisions create ripple effects throughout our financial journeys. This hands-on approach transforms a classic board game into a powerful tool for understanding opportunity costs, risk assessment, and long-term financial planning—proving that sometimes the best lessons happen when learning feels like play.

HOPE IN MOTION

Please join the Cancer Awareness Club in supporting the Hope in Motion Walk – June 7, 2026, at 10 a.m., at Mill River Park in downtown Stamford.

We are excited to participate in Stamford Health’s 30th Annual Hope in Motion Walk, raising critical funds and awareness in support of patients and families facing cancer in our community.

Hope in Motion directly supports the Carl & Dorothy Bennett Cancer Center by providing compassionate care and supportive services to help patients navigate their cancer journey with dignity and strength. Every contribution has a meaningful impact on the thousands of individuals who rely on these programs each year.

Help the Stamford Knights Strong Team reach their fundraising goal.

You may donate here: HOPE IN MOTION 

To join our team, select the Stamford Knights Team button and follow the registration steps. We’d love to have you walk with us!

ACTION PICS OF THE WEEK (Mr. Barron, SHS Science)

FINALNCIAL LITERACY FAIR COMING TO SHS!

Stamford Public Schools is proud to announce the second annual Financial Reality Fair, taking place on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Stamford High School. Approximately 300 students from Stamford High School, West Hill High School, and the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering (A.I.T.E.) will participate in this immersive, hands-on financial literacy experience.

WHAT: Financial Reality Fair "A Bite of Reality"

WHEN: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

WHERE: Stamford High School, 55 Strawberry Hill Ave, Stamford, CT

WHO: 300 students from SHS, WHS, & A.I.T.E.

COLLEGE AND CAREER CENTER

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 and daily posts! @shscounselingdept  

Any students interested in a post-secondary career in the esthetician field please reach out to your school counselor to be added to the list for the Academy of Skin and Beauty trip on May 28, 2026

Any senior attending CT State Community Norwalk please be sure to complete all upload requirements (immunization records and transcript) THEN pick up your permission slip from Ms. Vazquez to attend the field trip to register for classes (May 29, 2026)

All students registered to take an AP exam have received an email from Ms. Vazquez with their exam, room number, and whether they have approved accommodations

AP exams start on Monday!

THE SHS UNIFIED “GARDEN” RETURNS!

The Unified Garden and Lawn were alive with Mrs. Bucket and Mrs. Freed's Health class.

Students learned about our spring garden, early “weeds and flowers” as the only early food for bees and butterflies and the importance of weeding and watering. Time for physical activity included competitive corn hole, hopscotch and ball games on the lawn.

The labyrinth provided quiet time for a walk or meditation. Special thanks to Zariah Pracha for “where there's a will there's a way” watering the Memorial garden from the conference room window, Yeikol Rodriguez for digging holes for Ms. Candice and everyone for putting together “stone” walls to protect the gardens.

Stay tuned for updates on the seedlings students planted in Mrs. Tolla and Mrs. Keeler's science classes and a butterfly release before school ends. 

ECS TRIP TO GOOGLE!

This week the students in the Early College Studies Program had the opportunity to visit Google's St. John's Terminal office in NYC. Students were able to take a tour of the office to see what life is like as a 'Googler', hear from a very diverse group of panelists about their often non-linear career paths, and sit down to interact one-on-one as they practice their professional skills as part of their toolkit for a future competitive advantage in the workforce.

One of the panelists who is part of Google's Digital Marketing Apprenticeship Program shared the following on his LinkedIn profile: 

Today was a full circle moment for me. I had an incredible time speaking on a career panel at Google's NYC office for the Beyond Limits Academic Program with local students. It was a special opportunity to share my journey and discuss how alternative education pathways can open doors in the tech industry.

Being able to discuss these pathways alongside my own experience as a first-gen pioneer was really meaningful. We also talked about navigating the industry with confidence and how we responsibly use AI to solve problems in our daily workflows. The students were super engaged and asked some of the most thoughtful questions I have heard in a long time.
It is so rewarding to give back to a program that works to level the academic playing field for the next generation.

FERGUSON LIBRARY LITERARY COMPETITION WINNERS!

Please join us in congratulating the winners of the 41st Annual Ferguson Library Stamford Literary Competition: 

Grade 9/10 Nonfiction

Prisha Jilhewar, 1st prize

Reya Kotha, 2nd prize

Grade 9/10 Poetry

Rhea Sadhu, 2nd prize

Grade 11/12 Fiction

Genesis Fabian, Honorable Mention 

Grade 11/12 Nonfiction

Michael Serafin, Jr., 1st prize

Genesis Fabian, 2nd prize

Grade 11/12 Poetry

Fiona Petrizzi, 1st prize

These talented students will be honored at an awards ceremony at the Ferguson Library main branch on May 31. 

2026-2027 SPORTS INFORMATION

Black Knight Athletics Registration – Opens May 5th for the 2026–2027 school year.

Registration for all Stamford High School athletic programs (Fall, Winter, and Spring) will open on May 5.

All student-athletes must complete registration online through Final Forms. A parent/guardian must register the student first – Then the student will get an email in their school email where they will log on and complete the registration. You can register here - https://www.stamfordathletics.org/about

Registration instructions can be found here:
https://www.stamfordathletics.org/about/registration-process

All athletes are required to have a current physical, which must be uploaded to Final Forms and approved by the school nurses (nurses check the website regularly to approve) prior to participation in:

• Any summer activities

• Tryouts for the 2026–2027 school year (Fall starts; golf 8/10, football 8/13 & rest 8/24)

Instructions for uploading a physical can be found here:
https://www.finalforms.com/blog/end-of-year-reminder-how-to-upload-a-physical-in-finalforms

Please note: Student-athletes who do not complete the full registration process (including an up to date physical) will not be permitted to participate.

VOTER REGISTRATION OPPORTUNITY

We’re excited to share that you’ll have an opportunity to register to vote right here at school (If you are at least 17 and turning 18 on or before Election Day). It takes about 2 minutes to complete voter registration. 

When: Tuesday, May 5th

Where: College and Career Center

What time: 3rd period during all 3 lunch waves

What do I need: Either a license OR the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number

This is a great chance to take an important step in being involved in our community. Representatives will be available to help guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

Registering to vote is quick, simple, and an important way to make your voice heard.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Ms. Carde in room A-107 or via email at jcarde@stamfordpublicschools.org

ORGANIC COMPOUNDS AND RELIEF!

A busy week in Ms. Cole’s classes this week doing lab experiments and participating in a Marine Biology Zoom call, interfacing with Reef Relief in Key West Florida.

ATTENDANCE GRADE RECOVERY (AGR) INFORMATION

Questions about the AGR process?

Grades 9 and 12: jcarde@stamfordpublicschools.org 

Grades 10 and 11: dostasiewski@stamfordpublicschools.org

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.