8/21/2026

Welcome Back Students, Families, and Staff!

STAMFORD HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL'S NEWSLETTER

55 Strawberry Hill Ave. Stamford, Connecticut 06902

Week Ending Friday August 21, 2026

Mr. Matthew Forker, Principal

WELCOME BACK!

Hello SHS Families!

Welcome back to what I know will be an incredible year at Stamford High!

We have something for every student here at SHS. Our offerings range from academics and athletics to the arts and a wide variety of clubs and organizations that are welcome to all that have an interest.   The high school experience is what you make it. The effort one puts in and the success that follows are completely in the hands of each student that attends SHS. To reach their goals, we encourage every student to get involved, ask questions, and use the resources available to them to help contribute to both our school and the wider Stamford community.

Our halls are filled with a diverse student body, representing cultures and languages from around the world. We work together to help every student navigate their educational and career journey, and our commitment to you and your family remains strong no matter if this is your first experience as a high school family or you are ending your journey in June.

We are all in this together! Every student’s path is different, but one thing is constant: the support they receive from home, teachers, counselors, and staff is essential. It really does take a village to help our students find their way and prepare for the future.

I am more excited than ever for this school year. Over the last five years, we have built incredible momentum, and with our students leading the way, I am confident that Stamford High will continue to thrive and become a top destination for our community.

Below, you will find information that will help all families get started to begin the school year including information regarding: transportation, communication, cell phone usage, school lunch, and school “happenings”

Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any issues.

Sincerely,

WEEK OF AUGUST 24, 2026

Monday August 24  Grade 9 Students Only / Early Release 7:25-11:45

All incoming grade 9 students report to Auditorium

Tuesday August 25  First Day for ALL Students (Grades 9-12) “A” Day

Wednesday August 26  “B” Day

Thursday August 27  “A” Day

Friday August 28   “B” Day

Welcome Back Reminders

School Communication Information 

• 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 26-27 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:                   Mrs. Rebecca Nixon

    • Grade 10:                 Mr. Jonny Ortiz

    • Grade 11:                  Mr. Matthew Moynihan

    • Grade 12:                 Mr. Christian Paulino

  • Assistant Principal for Specialized Instruction (Students with IEP's, 504's)

    • Ms. Catherine Albrecht  

All emails are available at www.stamfordhigh.org 

Cell Phone Information

SPS Cell Phone Frequently Asked Questions (Important!)

Transportation Information

• Bus routes will be available on Friday August 21, 2026 by 5pm.

• For transportation questions, please refer to the SPS website.  Instructions to find information:  https://www.stamfordpublicschools.org/departments/transportation

Student Drop Off / Student Pick-Up

• 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.

“Open” Campus Rules 

• Only students in grade 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

School Lunch Information

• School breakfast is FREE!  Students just have to put in their school ID number into our POS system.

• There is a fee for school lunch ($4.00).  Information to set up accounts is here:

School “Happenings” Information

• There are many ways to find out information about SHS some of which include, but are not limited to:

  • Principal’s Weekly Message:  Sent out 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