STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER

55 Strawberry Hill Ave. Stamford, Connecticut 06902

Week Ending Friday, August 15, 2025

Mr. Matthew Forker, Principal

SHS WELCOMES THE CLASS OF 2029!

Hello 9th Grade Students and Families!

It is with great pleasure that I welcome all of you to Stamford High School!  This is a very exciting time for our newest students, as the next four years will certainly begin to define the next phase of their life, whether that is college, the workforce, or other opportunities that may present themselves during their time at SHS!

Stamford High School has something for everyone! We have top academic programs, clubs and activities, athletics, fine arts, dramatic arts, and everything in between!  We offer students the opportunity to define who they want to be or to reinvent themselves as their interests expand and grow.  

Our goal is to ensure that your student receives the best education possible, that they are challenged, that they find support both academically and socially should they require it, and that they have FUN!  

Students today face immense pressure to be a certain way, but I've learned that they grow at their own speed. Their interests are shaped by their experiences, and they will ultimately find their path. Help your child thrive by being an active parent, joining their support network, and working with teachers and the school community to enrich their school experience.

Here are some key things you should know before the school year starts. You'll get more detailed information soon, but this will help you get ready.

• Cell phones: With access to instant and constant stimuli in the form of cell phones, social media, and the internet, students may find themselves fixated on things that, while enjoyable to them, tend to get in the way of the reason they are here, which is to improve in their academics.

  • SHS will be reinforcing our policy on student cell phone use during instructional time. Our goal is to ensure students are fully engaged in their lessons, free from the distractions of social media and other apps. The policy, which was a great success last year, states that cell phones are not to be used during class time.  The link to the BOE Policy is here.  

• Attendance absolutely matters and COUNTS.  Attending class on time and regularly is the one way to ensure success for your child.  Not attending will ensure the opposite. Attendance calls will be made every time your student misses a class.  It is important that you pay attention to your students’ attendance so that issues associated with missing class (poor grades, inability to recover from missing work) do not create a roadblock in your student’s success.

• Open Campus:  We do have an “open campus” policy, but NOT for grade 9 (or grade 10) students.  9th Grade students are NOT permitted to leave SHS for any reason, other than for approved reasons as directed by a parent or guardian.

I am confident that our school will provide a wonderful environment for your students to thrive. With a team of dedicated teachers and staff, we offer countless opportunities for every student to succeed. We see ourselves as partners in your child's journey, here to help them grow and develop to their fullest potential. While challenges may arise, we're always ready to work with you to find solutions and keep the focus on student success.

Again, I welcome your family to Stamford High School!

Sincerely,