Region In Review

At the Board of Education Meeting held on Monday, April 22, middle school students from Lori Trovato's agriscience class presented to the board their work on innovating a new species of a plant or animal that will help sustain the world.

We had the honor of being invited to celebrate Shepaug’s winners of the American Statistical Association (ASA) Data Visualization contest at Yale University on Saturday, April 27th. The contest was to complete a data visualization poster displaying two or more related graphics that summarize a set of data, look at the data from different points of view, and answer specific questions about the data. Each winner was presented with a certificate and monetary award for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners. Posters were displayed and refreshments were served at the Sterling Chemistry Laboratory at Yale University. Shepaug was represented by Warren Ketchum (honorable mention), Grace Coutu (honorable mention) and Alina Shyshkov (honorable mention). Other winners unable to attend were Luis Missana (2nd place) and Giacomo Colangelo (honorable mention).

Teachers: Corinne Houle, Elisabeth Blum, Tara Flaherty

The Connecticut Association of Schools annually honors two outstanding seniors from each of the member schools statewide who excel in the performing or visual arts. Students are chosen by their teachers and must possess the qualities of scholarship, leadership, and, most importantly, must excel in one or more of the performing or visual arts.

Abigail Gorra and Kayleigh McKay were two Shepaug students chosen for this year’s CAS awards. Abigail was chosen as the Performing Arts recipient for her commitment to excellence, hard work and devotion to the music program, both in Band and Chorus. Kayleigh was chosen as the Visual Arts recipient for her outstanding work in Drawing and Painting. Not only have these students helped strengthen the music and art departments at Shepaug, but they positively contribute to the school’s environment.

Congratulations to the following Shepaug students whose artwork will be displayed at the Congressional Art Exhibition at The Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury: Gabriella Amato, Adriana Barile, Lily Blyn, Chancellor Dutcher, Isabel Eddy, Meghan Garfield, Kayleigh McKay, Kyle Mieczkowski, Maya Missana, Sienna Moore, Sydney Okenquist, Julia Sinatra, and Mahelet Steinmetz. Their outstanding work will represent Shepaug well.

Spring HS Athletics is off to a strong start, with several teams poised to qualify for CIAC State Tournament competition or even challenge for top honors in the Berkshire League.

Girls tennis, led by a strong senior class, currently sits at 8-1 and is in the hunt for a league championship.

Emma Kassis, 2018 Berkshire League Girls Tennis Singles Champion

Boys tennis, currently at 5-3, is chasing the defending league and state champion, Litchfield High School, for a spot atop the Berkshire League.

Boys tennis seniors Zachary Tibbatts, Blain Tinsley, Jack Abbott, Jack Tredennick, and Emerson Carranza

The boys' track team currently has a record of 4-2 and to date has had seven CIAC State Championship-meet qualifying performances by individual team members.

Shepaug boys track seniors Tucker Redstone, Gavin Block, and John Galligan

The girls' track team, currently sporting a .500 record of 3-3, has a big matchup with Housatonic this week and then will join the boys' team on May 4th at the Marty Roberts Invitational at Coginchaug High School.

Shepaug girls track & field seniors Sofia Mancinone, Grace Harty, Bailey Pote, Grace Wagnblas, Amy Lowe, and Olivia Tibbatts

Shepaug's softball team, with their best record (8-3) at the halfway point of the season in over 10 years, has already qualified for the CIAC State Championship Tournament, and has many big games on their schedule ahead of them.

Shepaug's lone softball senior, Hannah Lasky

Shepaug's baseball team, the defending Berkshire League Champion, completed the first half of their league schedule tied for first place. A battle for league supremacy is expected to take place as they finish the regular season in the coming weeks.

Shepaug baseball seniors (front) Chancellor Dutcher, Joe Brunelli, Michael McCluskey, Ethan Hibbard, (back) Andres Rico, John Kennedy, Jack Pesce, Jack Schneider, and Dominic Perachi

Shepaug's golf team, led by first-year coach Chris Dennis, looks to establish themselves as a competitive squad in the Berkshire League during the 2019 season.

Shepaug golfers Edward Puskas, Grant Ketchum, Henry Roush, Jayden Cornwall, Tiernan Crossley, and Theodore Eichen

Dominic Perachi, a senior at Shepaug Valley School, hosted his senior project event on Friday, April 19th from 2:00-4:00 P.M. at the Washington Town Hall Pond. The event was a children's fishing derby for children 12 and under. The derby had a great turnout, as 34 children along with friends and family came to try and catch some fish. The pond was stocked for the derby with 57 trout by Rowledge Pond Aquaculture out of Newtown, Connecticut. Todd Bobowick, Director of Rowledge Pond Aquaculture, drove a truck full of trout down to the pond at 9:00 A.M. on Thursday, April 18th.

Included in the stocked trout were a 19-inch golden trout, an 18-inch rainbow trout, two tagged rainbow trout measuring 10-12 inches each, 11 brook trout ranging from 10-12 inches each, and 42 rainbow trout ranging from 10-12 inches each. The cost of stocking the Washington Town Hall Pond was covered by donations from the Shepaug Student Project Foundation and the Washington Rod and Gun Club.

At the derby, the stocked trout were not too hungry, as only five were caught. However, some non-stocked largemouth bass and “sunnies” were caught. The kids had a great time with friends and family, and they continued to fish even though the fish weren't biting.

Prizes were awarded to the following participants:

Gavin Dowling-Ukers - First fish caught

Finn Nettleton - Biggest fish (12 inches)

Joey Blazek - Most fish caught (three fish)

Evan Papsin - Youngest angler

Reese Anson and Tildon Anson - Tied for the second-most fish caught (two each)

The prizes were generously donated by Bass Pro Shops of Bridgeport, which consisted of string bags, towels, lures, fishing line, etc.

All in all, the derby was a fun event where the kids were able to get together with friends and family in hopes for a big catch, and compete for awesome prizes.

Photography by Melissa Wilson at MW Photography.

Shepaug senior, Emma-Jolee Fischetti, is raising awareness about Shepaug's unified sports team for her senior project. The unified sports team consists of about ten members playing sports and games with paraprofessionals. It is coached by Mrs. Hurley and volunteers are always welcome.

The unified sports team had an away basketball game at Nonnewaug on January 22, 2019. They played side by side with other unified members and paraprofessionals. As part of Emma-Jolee's project, and to kick off the unified season, Shepaug hosted a dual volleyball tournament with unified teams from Newtown and Nonnewaug. The tournament ran very well and there were smiling faces all around. The unified sports team practices every Tuesday from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the gym at Shepaug.

The School Counseling department hosted its annual College Admission Panel on Wednesday, April 25. Students in grades 8th through 11th were invited to the SVS auditorium to listen to our panelists. College representatives were carefully selected based on college application data from previous years. Representatives from the University of Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University, Springfield College, and Naugatuck Valley Community College attended. The panelists gave a brief overview of their respective institutions in terms of what majors they offer, location, and school size. Students were able to submit questions through Google before the event. Topics such as class size, SAT/ACT scores, the college essay, dorm life, and activities represented a good chunk of our panel discussion. Students had the opportunity at the end of the event to ask additional questions.

We look forward to hosting the event again in the spring of 2020. If you have any suggestions or questions, please feel free to contact, Director of School Counseling Michael Boucher at boucherm@region-12.org

On May 7, you will be asked to vote on a budget proposed by the Shepaug Valley Regional School District 12 Board of Education (Bridgewater, Roxbury, Washington) in the amount of $22,808,400.

This budget proposal represents an increase of 4.57% over the current year’s budget. The budget reflects the introduction of the agriscience program to Region 12. In August 2019, the Shepaug Agriscience program will be open to students. More information about the budget can be found on the Region 12 website at www.region-12.org, at your town clerk’s office or at the Board of Education office.

VOTING LOCATIONS:

Hilltop Farm Senior Center

132 Hut Hill Road | Bridgewater, CT

Roxbury Town Hall

29 North Street | Roxbury, CT

Bryan Memorial Town Hall

2 Bryan Plaza | Washington, CT

Please visit your town clerk's office or website for absentee voting instructions.

BUDGET FACTS:

• Reduced per pupil expenditure from the previous two fiscal years.

• Shepaug Agriscience program opens August 29, 2019.

• Our school system will generate revenue from the tuition-in and agriscience programs. The anticipated revenue of $770,308 will be credited to the towns.

• The budget includes debt for the renovated Shepaug science labs and Agriscience addition.

• Maintenance and repairs for each of the four schools account for 1.9% of the 2019-2020 proposed budget.

• The referendum vote is for the gross budget amount of $22,808,400.

REFERENDUM QUESTION:

Shall the 2019-2020 budget of the Board of Education of Shepaug Valley School Regional School District 12 in the amount of $22,808,400.00 be approved?

Dear Shepaug Families:

The required forms for the 2019-2020 school year can be found on the Shepaug Valley School website.

All new/transferring students must have a complete physical PRIOR TO SCHOOL ENTRY. All 6th and 10th-grade students will need a complete physical to include the NEW “oral health assessment/screening." Also, an asterisk (*) on the health assessment form indicates that it must be completed by the physician. Students who are participating in sports will need to have a valid physical on file in the nurse’s office to participate in athletic programs. Sports physicals are valid for 13 months.

The emergency contact/information form must be completed and returned to the school nurse each school year. Please review all health information that is on the school website (go to “PARENTS” and then click on “FORMS”).

Please contact the school nurse if you have any questions at (860) 868-6205, email poidomanie@region-12.org.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation

Edith M. Poidomani, RN, MS, NBCSN

Shepaug Valley School Nurse

May 6th - SVS PTO Meeting, Room A4, 6pm

May 6th - BOE Annual District Budget Meeting, SVS Library, 7pm

May 6th - Board of Education Meeting, SVS Library, 7:05pm

May 7th - Referendum - District Budget Proposal

May 7th - WPS Art Show, Halls 6pm

May 7th - Teacher Appreciation Day

May 7th - WPS Spring Concert, Gymnasium, 6:30pm

May 8th - BFS PTO Meeting, Library, 6:30pm

May 9th - SVS High School Spring Concert, Auditorium, 7pm

May 10th - SVS Trivia Night Senior Project, Cafeteria, 7pm

May 10th - SVS Big Fish Play, Auditorium, 7:30pm

May 11th - SVS Big Fish Play, Auditorium, 7:30pm

May 12th - SVS Big Fish Play, Auditorium, 2pm

May 13th - BOE Building Committee Meeting, SVS Room A3, 4:30pm

May 13th - BOE Retreat, 6pm

May 14th - WPS PTO Meeting, Library, 6:30pm

May 16th - BFS Spring Concert & Art Show, 6:30pm

May 17th - WPS Family Fun Night, Playground, 5:30pm

May 17th - SVS Coffee House, Cafeteria, 6pm

The Region 12 community educates, challenges, and inspires all learners to become compassionate, creative, and courageous individuals who are empowered by the knowledge, character, and perseverance to achieve their greatest potential within the global society.

Email: rir@region-12.org
Website: region-12.org/
Location: 11A School Street, PO Box 386 Washington Depot, CT 06794
Phone: 860-868-6100
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shepaug-Regional-School-District-12-153899298123985/
Twitter: @ShepaugRSD12