Principal's Corner

April 2013

Dear Families,
Please take advantage of a new service put into place this year. It has had wonderful results so far and we want you to be aware how Katie Laird, math specialist, can help your student.

"In my first year as the mathematics specialist, I work as instructor, assessor, and coach in order to deliver and enhance the math curricula within the THS community.  As an instructor, I deliver direct instruction to students who have been referred by the classroom teacher or guidance counselor to the Literacy Center as struggling learners.  I teach specific concepts using direct instruction in a small group or individualized setting, monitor ongoing progress, and communicate regularly with the teacher, parents, and counselor.  I often use the ipad to create short tutorial videos that are then uploaded to my website and shared within the department as a resource.  As assessor, I meet with students individually from out of district to ensure correct placement in the courses available at THS.  After the evaluation, I make a recommendation to the mathematics department chairperson who determines the correct placement for the student.  As coach, I offer research-based strategies to my colleagues in the math department that will help them to deliver instruction in their own classrooms.  I also research, plan, facilitate and/or lead activities in math classrooms of various levels to enhance the application of curriculum concepts."
- Katie Laird

March, 2013

“On The Move”
As we “march into” March, let’s review some of the recent developments around campus.  Firstly, great successes have been established with accomplishments in the gymnastics/cheerleading/girls’ basketball/and wrestling programs.  These are only some of the activities where our students have demonstrated their talents beyond the classroom walls.  Additionally, we have a huge group of students participating in our musical, “Crazy For You”.  Competitive academic teams are on the move:  We The People – State Champions to Nationals in April; Mock Trial – State Champions to Indiana in May; DECA -National Qualifiers to California in April; Model UN to New Hampshire, World Language trip to Italy, Fed Challenge in NYC, …etc.

We are competing in the Titan Challenge at Fairfield University, competing in Robotics competitions, competing in the Sikorsky STEM Challenge, …etc.

Our Musical Band recently hosted a huge competition on campus and scored top standings in many categories.

Senior students are participating in Project Citizen capstone group projects which “stretch” them to become involved in addressing a civic issue and proposing solutions for identified problems.  All students are participating in our new Advisory/Collaboration Day activities, and every marking period allows them to reflect on their standing in their courses by completing a Student Success Plan profile.

We are all working to position ourselves for a successful NEASC accreditation visit in October.  We have redone our Program of Studies format and numbering, and have created a new Guidance Department website.  Also, we will be hosting the ADL’s “Truth About Hate” assembly in April.

So, as our students who will be graduating this year prepare for plans beyond our campus, our underclassmen are simultaneously participating in their scheduling process.

And, thanks to all our parents who joined us for the Conference days and nights; we hope that you had a most satisfying experience.

Finally, please be attentive to the new Attendance Policy and familiarize yourselves with the particulars which can be found on our website.

Keep on moving….

My Best,
Dr. Tremaglio

January, 2013
Parents,
Happy New Year!
As we reach the coldest span of the year, please take time to reinforce the need for your students to dress appropriately as they come to school.  With the uncertainty of weather conditions, we always want to remain vigilant and have extra sweaters, hats, etc. on hand in case of any extended time which might have to be spent outside the building.  In a related vein, please know that we have been making numerous internal adaptations and adjustments to our security system.  Please recognize that we are trying to maximize our resources to provide the most secure and productive environment for teaching and learning possible.  Good luck to our students on their mid-term exams.

Sincerely,
Dr. Tremaglio

Please note that we are in the process of distributing student pictures and new student I.D.s to our student body.  This year, the school invested in new I.D. cards and placed the “Core Values and Beliefs” on the back of the cards.  Please review this message with your students.  Also, there was an expense associated with this distribution, so please reinforce the fact that students should take special steps so that they will not lose them.

August 2012 -
To the THS Parent Community:
Read the letter...
Read letter #2...

Freshman Foundations:
Please click to view the overview of the Foundations Course which all of our 9th Graders receive in 1/4 of their freshman year.

News from Steering:
The Steering Committee was asked to present the new schedule and the NEASC requirements for the upcoming evaluation to the Board of Education last week. We are happy to report the Board of Education supports the schedule and the idea of Collaboration Time available to staff as well as the Advisory Component that will help to personalize our students high school experience. (Standard 5 --Indicator 6)

We explained that Department Chairs will coordinate Instructional Collaboration time in conjunction with their dept. members. The Advisory component will be reviewed by a committee of volunteers yet to be assembled.

*Schedule is attached

Subject:  Alert Now
We will now be periodically using our Alert Now email capacity to send selected notifications to our school community members.  We will be using the header, “non-emergency notification” for these messages.  This will help us defray costs of paper mailing and offer a quick response possibility.  The service will also be utilized as it has in the past to send our families urgent messages as they arise.

Thank you,
Dr. Tremaglio

Notice To Parents:
Please make it a priority to emphasize to your sons and daughters the need of securing and locking their property while on campus.  Whether it be in the locker rooms, the cafeteria, or anywhere during the day, students need to be sure that their valuable items are not accessible or visible to “other eyes”.  It is advisable that students use their personal locker as much as possible and consider purchasing a combination lock from the Athletic Department for their use in the gym area.  Please also be reminded that all electronic 2-way devices are prohibited from use during the school day.  In this sense, attention to detail and reinforcing best practices should always be our prime objective.

Similarly, may I request that you communicate a specific message to your students who drive to school that we will be utilizing the police force to aggressively enforce safe driving practices on our campus.

I appreciate your support and attention to these matters. Sincerely,
Dr. Robert Tremaglio