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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR INCOMING 9TH GRADE FAMILIES
When is Orientation Day?
Tuesday August 26, 2025. The school day will run from 7:25 am-11:45 am.
Orientation Day is for incoming 9th grade students only.
Bus departure locations will coincide with bus drop-off locations.
When is the first day of school for all students?
Wednesday August 27, 2025 is the first day for ALL Stamford High students and will be an “A” Day!
When will I be able to see my student’s schedule?
Student schedules will be available for viewing on August 20 at 6:00pm through PowerSchool. You can simply access your accounts to view student information.
Where is bus transportation information located?
Bus routes will be available on August 22, 2025.
For transportation questions, please refer to the SPS website. Instructions to find information: https://www.stamfordpublicschools.org/departments/transportation
Where does my student go on Orientation Day? Where do they report?
Students report to the LARGE AUDITORIUM (1st Floor of the Main Building/Strawberry Hill Entrance) upon arriving for the 7:25 bell.
Incoming 9th Grade students will have a brief welcome assembly before visiting their classroom teachers for the first time. They will receive information on:
Their class schedule and lunch process
Technology and devices
Code of Conduct
Attendance Policy
Cell Phone Policy
Open Campus Policy
Athletics
Additionally, they will meet Administrators and key support staff we have in the building.
What does the rest of the day look like after the opening presentation? Will they meet all their teachers?
Yes, students will meet their teachers!
There will be an “Activity” block during the last time slot where students are to report to the Football stadium where clubs, activities, and organizations will have tables set up for students to sign up and talk to club advisors.
Where do students get dropped off?
Walkers may enter through the main entrance (55 Strawberry Hill Avenue) or the rear of the building (Building B, near the tennis courts).
Bus Riders will be dropped off in the rear of the building (Building B, near the tennis courts) or near the main entrance.
Note: Where students get dropped off in the morning, is where students will depart in the afternoons.
Parent Drivers may not enter the front loop for drop off but can drop students off in the rear of the building near the tennis courts (Holcomb Ave) or on Strawberry Hill Ave. Note: Please allow extra time for traffic in both the front and rear of the building.
What if there are classes my student didn’t sign up for or they are missing a class?
Should there be an issue with your student’s schedule, counselors will contact them directly through their SPS Gmail account with instructions on how to remedy the conflict. Use the link here: https://forms.gle/MM1YtSv3q4hGp7KR6
Students are to attend all classes as they appear on their schedule. If an error exists, please fill out the form.
What should my student bring to the first day of school? What supplies should my student have for High School?
High School is really no different than any of the other grades. The basic things you have needed every year pretty much stay the same. Some of these items include (but are not limited to):
Pens
Pencils
Notebooks
Folders
Planners/Organizers
Additionally, the classroom teachers will also let students know what types of materials they will need for class, so focus on having the basics until you receive further instruction from your student’s teachers.
Can students leave campus?
Only students in grades 11 or 12 are eligible to leave campus.
Per BOE Policy 5112, students in grades 11 and 12 are eligible. “Open Campus” is defined as:
Closed Campus – students are not allowed to leave campus at any time during the school day.
Open Campus – School principal permits some students to leave campus during designated times with parent permission.
Off Campus Time: The following are the only times students may be permitted to leave campus: lunch, approved early dismissal, approved late arrival, and study halls.
Students in grades 9 and 10 are NOT PERMITTED to leave SHS during any time of the day.
How can I help my students find success?
Reestablish appropriate sleep routines.
Establish after school routines. High School is very demanding, time-wise. With after school sports and activities, the time commitment is far greater than middle school. Plan accordingly, making sure there is time for family, homework, dinner, etc. because many of our students will be putting in long days if they are active after school.
Review all school communications with your students. Emails and links have important information, so take the time to look through all materials so that your family is in the know. Communicate with teachers as needed.
Will my student have a locker?
Students may have personal lockers.
If a student wishes to have a locker, they will inform their first period teacher, who will then submit a list to our security staff. From there, students will be given a locker and combination.
If a student does not wish to use a locker, they do not have to.
What is the process of playing sports at Stamford High?
If any student is interested in trying out for a sports team, tryout dates and times can be found on our Stamford Athletics website:
To REGISTER:
Please note that a current physical and sport registration is required to play any sport at SHS.
How much is school breakfast and lunch?
School breakfast and lunch is FREE! Students just have to put in their school ID number into our POS system.
When will my student eat lunch?
SHS lunch will run from 10:33-12:34 over three 30 minute lunch waves. Depending on where your student is physically in the building will determine when they will eat.
How do I join an afterschool club or activity?
With over 50 clubs and organizations, SHS has opportunities for ALL students.
For incoming 9th grade students, the first opportunity to speak with club representatives will be on Tuesday August 26, 2025. At the conclusion of the Orientation, there will be an Activities Fair with student leaders of our various clubs and organizations.
How many courses will my student take this year?
In most instances, students will take 4 courses in Semester 1 (September to January) and 4 courses in Semester 2 for a total of 8 courses. Courses are 84 minutes in length.
What if I have a technology concern?
Please use this link for all technology matters! https://www.stamfordhigh.org/student-life/technology-hub
How do I contact school officials should I need to?
For academic concerns:
Your student’s teacher is the best way to begin a conversation.
Emailing teachers directly is encouraged. All teacher emails are delivered in the same format: first initial last name@stamfordps.org
For example, teacher John Smith (jsmith@stamfordps.org)
You may also contact your student’s School Counselor for matters that fall beyond the classroom, to help set up meetings with teachers, for future course selections, and for college planning.
For other concerns:
We have two Multi-Tiered Support Specials on staff for the 25-26 school year. They can assist with academic concerns, social-emotional concerns, peer relationships, as well as assisting as a liaison for families.
Ms. Joann Carde
Mr. Dan Ostasiewski
Grade level Administrators: Each grade level (9-12) is assigned an Assistant Principal:
Grade 9: Mr. Jonny Ortiz
Grade 10: Mr. Matthew Moynihan
Grade 11: Mr. Christian Paulino
Grade 12: Mrs. Rebecca Nixon
Assistant Principal for Specialized Instruction
Ms. Catherine Albrecht
All emails are available at www.stamfordhigh.org
How do I find out information about things happening at school?
There are many ways to find out information about SHS some of which include, but are not limited to:
Principal’s Weekly Message: Sent via email every Friday by Mr. Forker.
Instagram: Athletics, Teams, Clubs, Organizations, School Closings and Delays, the SHS PTO (FOSH), and the Principal all have active Instagram accounts that post daily. This is a great source of information and one we feel most students engage in on a regular basis, so please follow all accounts that pertain to your interests.
Some “Insta” Accounts to get you started:
@ stamford_high_principal Principal
@StamfordBlackKnights Athletics
@shscounselingdept School Counselors
@shsroundtable School Newspaper
@unknightednation U Knighted Nation Group
@stamfordhighfosh SHS Parent Organization
School Website: We have a newer platform for our website and will post up to date information to help inform our school community. Our website can be found at www.stamfordhigh.org
FOSH (Friends of Stamford High): This is our parent PTO, designed to aid and support events at the school, fundraising, and giving back to the students and families who attend SHS. To learn more, volunteer, or participate in any way, you can find information at www.foshpto.com
Tuesday, August 26th Incoming 9th Grade Orientation Day Schedule
Subject to change or alter
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