NHS News Update - 5/26/2023

 


 

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Good afternoon!  Please see below for a few updates: 

Welcome Dr. Kuslis! - This week, the Board of Education appointed Dr. Mykal Kuslis as the new principal of Nonnewaug High School. Dr. Kuslis visited the school on Wednesday to introduce himself to the staff. Click here to learn more about him.

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). More information about the ceremony as we get closer to the event. 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. 

Graduation Yard Signs - Support your graduate by purchasing a yard sign for $20. Signs are available for pick up anytime during school in room B14. Cash and Checks accepted (make checks payable to Region 14). Email alengyel@ctreg14.org with questions. Click here for the flyer.

Fine Arts Department News -  The National Art Honor Society participated in the Flanders Fest this past Sunday, the students set up a face painting station for the Flanders Fest and had long lines of kids all day long. The NHS Art Show will be held June 7th from 6-8 PM and June 8th and 9th from 2:30-6:00 PM in the NHS Gymnasium. Please come out and support our award-winning art program! 

  • The Western Connecticut Honors Music Festival was held this past Saturday and had 5 of our NHS musicians participate in the festival and concert in the afternoon. They performed in the concert band, string orchestra, and concert choir with students from 20 plus high schools from Connecticut. On Sunday our Chamber Orchestra and Guitar Ensemble performed at the Flanders Fest. The students performed selections from the past and present to a large and appreciative audience. The NHS Marching Band is performing for everyone this weekend at the Memorial Day Parades in Woodbury on Sunday, and Bethlehem on Monday. Wednesday, May 31 - NHS Performing Arts Banquet, 5:00-6:30 PM, NHS Cafe Wednesday, May 31 - NHS Music Department Benefit Concert, 6:30pm, NHS Auditorium. To benefit the 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, Concert Choir Soloists, and Band Rushing Spring. Tickets can be purchased here https://www.msbtickets.com/nonnewaughighschool/event/rxflmyln
  • The NHS Drama Club will be participating in the Halo Awards at the Seven Angel Theater in Waterbury on Thursday June 1st. Our students were nominated in 8 categories for their performances and production of Clue and The Wizard of Oz.

School Counseling - The School counselors continue to meet with freshmen and sophomores to plan for next year. We will also be conferencing with students to make schedule changes for 2023-2024.

News from the CCRC - We hosted our final career panel on Wednesday, May 24th. The Business, Marketing, Administration & Finance panel included Pharmaceutical Sales Rep for Eli Lilly, TJ Alexander, Financial Advisor and Business Owner of Green Wealth Management Group, Alan Green, Realtor for Drakeley Real Estate, Taylor O’Keefe, Executive Assistant for our Superintendent of Schools, Patricia Page, Partner and Chief Strategy Officer for Zero Gravity Marketing Agency, Michela Solanch, VP People and Payroll Services for Raytheon Technologies, Janice Stock and Deputy CFO for O & G Industries, Mark Tomkalski.  These local professionals, all with connections to Nonewaug, shared their time, experiences and wisdom, benefiting our students. If your child missed it and they have an interest, they can check it out here: The Business, Marketing, Administration & Finance Panel 

A letter was emailed home this week specifically for junior families. It provides areas of focus for the rising senior considering college as their post-secondary plan. 

Seniors met with counselors to complete their graduation survey in Naviance. This survey needs to be completed so I can send final transcripts to the school your child will be attending.

We are creating a database of graduates that can be called upon to share their experiences at their college, trade school, military branch or place of business. Seniors will be invited to complete a Google Form indicating whether they would like to be included in the “CCRC Connections”.

GradNite 2023 - Graduation is just three weeks away! - Senior parents, mark your calendar for a June 17th graduation ceremony (rain date June 18th). As a reminder, students must have a permission slip signed in order to attend this event. In preparation for this celebration, plans for GradNite are underway. 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!

Senior Collage Boards - Collages are a great walk down memory lane to your son or daughter of their years growing up. Please complete and return your child’s collage board before June 9th. Click here to learn more.

LaBonne’s Bake Sale - Seniors are needed to volunteer at the GradNite Bake Sale on Saturday, June 3rd. Click here to sign up!

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

Fundraisers - Please consider making a purchase from one of the GradNite’s fundraisers. Click here to learn more about the Pampered Chef fundraiser, click here to learn about the Tupperware fundraiser, and click here to learn about the Hosta Heaven fundraiser.  

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

Athletics -  What a year it has been.  We will be celebrating the success of our athletes at the Berkshire League banquet on Thursday, June 1st at the Aqua Turf.  The festivities start at 6:30 p.m..  We have over 50 athletes being honored with 150 total attendees from Nonnewaug.

Good luck to all our teams in their pursuit of excellence in the state tournaments. As we end one year, we turn to the next.  Registration for fall sports is currently open.  Please make sure to get an updated physical to help assist with early registration.  You can sign up for fall sports here: 2023 Fall Sports.

Upcoming events:

  • 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 Memorial 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