Dear Parents and Guardians:

Good afternoon! This week, during Teacher Appreciation Week, the nation reflected on the importance of teachers as we honored all teachers and the significance of the work they do every day. We are grateful for the warm, welcoming, engaging learning environment our teachers here at Nonnewaug work to provide each and every day. Please see below for a few updates: 

District Art Show -  The district Art Show will be held June 7th from 6-8 PM and June 8th and 9th from 2:30-6:00 PM. Please come out and support our award-winning art program!

Last Day of School/Final Exam Information - The last day of school for students is Tuesday, June 20th. Final exams will be administered from Wednesday, June 14 through Tuesday, June 20th. Please see the final exam schedule and plan accordingly. All students are expected to take their exams during the scheduled time. Juniors and seniors with a Y1 average of 90 or higher can request to be exempt from the final exam for that course using this form. 

Seniors must have passed all classes necessary to graduate in order to participate in the graduation ceremony. Please note, to accommodate graduation on June 17th,  seniors will take their period 7 exam on Monday, June 12th during class. 

Graduation - Graduation will be Saturday, June 17, at 10:30 AM at Nonnewaug (the rain date is Sunday, June 18). Look for a letter emailed to families about the ceremony Wednesday next week. There are no tickets (it will be outside in front of the school with video streaming online and in the auditorium) but each graduate will receive one parking pass for parking at NHS. Additional parking will be at Woodbury Middle School, and there will be frequent shuttle buses before and after the ceremony. Graduates also must order this cap, gown, and tassel package from Jostens if they didn’t do so earlier this year. If you did order, the cap and gown are here at NHS and will be given to your senior at rehearsal. Graduating seniors must attend two graduation rehearsals on June 15 and 16. Each rehearsal begins at 12 p.m. in the gym and lasts about 90 minutes. 

NGSS Testing - On Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24, all juniors will take the Next Generation Science Standards Assessment in their science class. This test is Connecticut’s statewide examination for science for all students in grades 5, 8, and 11. 

School Counseling - With the school year winding down, it is important that juniors have a plan for post-secondary exploration over the summer. Please contact your student’s school counselor or Mrs. Green in the CCRC if you would like to discuss action steps. 

News from the CCRC - on May 15th at 8:15 we will host a former Nonnewaug student and present lineman, Adam Garmes. He will join us in the CCRC to share about his experiences as a lineman. Any interested students are invited to attend. 

We will present our final career panel of the year covering the business, management, marketing, administration and finance career paths on Wednesday, May 24th during advisory. We have a number of local professionals planning to share their time and expertise with our students. Anyone interested in these areas is encouraged to attend!  

Families with JUNIORS: 1) The late registration deadline for the June 3rd SAT is May 23rd. If your junior plans to test again this spring, make sure they are signed up for the test.  2) Our students are encouraged to start brainstorming who they may ask for a letter of recommendation. Consider asking before the end of the year. 3) As summer quickly approaches, please remember I am available to meet with juniors to build or discuss college lists, brainstorm essay topics and talk about general post secondary planning.

LAST CALL! MBLE Showcase - As a reminder, all seniors must complete a mastery-based learning experience as a graduation requirement. Seniors who have not yet presented their project are expected to present at the MBLE showcase on Wednesday, May 17th from 1:40-2:30 PM. The scoring rubric and all support documents can be found on the Class of 2023 Classroom. Students must register to participate in this showcase using this form. Please contact the MBLE coordinator, Jess McKay, with any questions - jmckay@ctreg14.org. 

Senior Spring Meeting - There will be a mandatory senior class meeting during advisory on Wednesday, May 17. Seniors will be receiving important information about end of year events. Please ensure your senior student is in attendance. 

Class of 2025 MBLE Information - In Advisory on May 17, sophomores will learn about the mastery-based learning experience and participate in a brainstorm session to begin to think about how they’d like to fulfill this graduation requirement. Please click here to learn more about the MBLE and the various pathways toward completion. Sophomores are then welcome to stay after school on May 17 to attend an MBLE showcase and see MBLE projects being presented. 

Spring Pep Rally/Color Blaze - Our spring spirit rally was held this afternoon. Our band played, and all grade levels participated in many exciting games culminating with a blaze of color. Thank you to the Spirit Club for organizing this opportunity for the whole school spirit. All had a great time! Go Chiefs

“Drive Your Tractor To School” Day - On Thursday, May 25th students can drive their tractor to school. Students who want to participate must complete and return this permission slip prior to May 25th. 

FFA Plant Sale - The Woodbury FFA will be holding its annual spring plant sale this Saturday, May 13th from 10 AM-3PM. A variety of annuals, vegetables, and patio planters will be available for purchase. Click here to view the flyer. 

GradNite 2023 - Graduation is one month away! - Senior parents, mark your calendar for a June 17th graduation ceremony (rain date June 18th). In preparation for that celebration, plans for GradNite are underway, with a lot of fundraising coming up. Your help is needed in making this happen & raising funds - please get involved today!

Raffle items needed - We are collecting items to give to our seniors as raffle prizes the night of GradNite.  We have an Amazon wish list as well as a suggestion list (attached) to help us complete prize packages.  Items on the wish list can be sent to the designated address or items can be sent into the school. Your donations are greatly appreciated!

Attention Seniors!  Do you understand the raffle tickets?  Want to earn more?  Find out how

Email: NonnewaugGradNite@gmail.com Website: NHSGradNite.com Instagram : NHSGradNite2023 and Facebook : NHSGradNite

Athletics - We are having a very successful spring with many of our teams.  We are looking forward to the BL Banquet on June 1st at the Aqua Turf.  Please make sure to secure your tickets by 5/19 if your son/daughter earned a BL All-Star for the 2022-3 school year.  

Sports Schedule:

• 5/12- Girls and boys tennis (Senior Day) @ 3:45 vs Shepaug
• 5/17- Baseball @ 3:45 vs Northwestern
• 5/17- Girls lacrosse @ 4:00 vs Wolcott (away)
• 5/17- Boys lacrosse (Senior Day) @ 3:45 vs Wolcott 
• 5/20- Girls and boys track @ 8:00 (Berkshire League Championships and Plumb Hill in Litchfield)
• 5/22- Softball (Senior Day) @ 3:15 vs Thomaston

Upcoming events:

• Wednesday, May 17th - Freshmen Class Social during flex
• Friday, May 19th - Prom, 6:30-11 PM, Aqua Turf
• Monday, May 22 - FFA Annual Award Banquet, 6 PM Grand Oak Villa 
• Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24 - NGSS Testing for Juniors through science classes
• Wednesday, May 24 - Sophomore Ring Social during flex
• Thursday, May 25th - “Drive Your Tractor To School” Day
• Thursday, May 25th - Awards Night, 6pm
• Wednesday, May 31 - Performing Arts Banquet, 5:00-6:30 PM, NHS Cafe 
• Wednesday, May 31 - NHS Music Department Benefit Concert, 6:30pm, NHS Auditorium. To benefit Bethlehem Food Shelf, Woodbury Food Shelf, and the Woodbury and Bethlehem Community Music Foundation. Proceeds to be split three ways, all tickets will be 5.00 dollars.  Featuring the Jazz Band, Guitar Ensemble, and Band Spring Rush.
• Thursday, June 1st - Berkshire League Banquet 6 PM
• Tuesday, June 6th - Senior Class Trip, 7:30 AM-3:00 PM
• Wednesday, June 7th - Art Show, 6-8 PM
• Thursday, June 8th and Friday, June 9th - Art Show, 2:30-6:00 PM
• Saturday, June 17th - Graduation Saturday 10:30 AM (rain date, Sunday 6/18/23) 

We hope everyone has an enjoyable Mothers’ Day weekend! As always, please feel free to contact us should you have any questions or concerns.
 

Sincerely,
 

Pamela Sordi - Principal

Nicole Lewis - Assistant Principal

Declan Curtin - Dean of Students & Athletic Director