SHS WEEKLY REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 11, 2024
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IN SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS…
THE SPRING TERM HAS BEGUN!
The Fall Term is officially in the books! We can close the chapter on all of our hard work and reflect on our accomplishments! The 3rd quarter of the Spring Term runs from January 22nd through April 1st. The Q3 progress report window is March 4th - March 8th.
Have a question about your grades or transcript? Find your counselor here!
COURSE SELECTION FOR NEXT SCHOOL YEAR
On Tuesday, February 13th, you will be receiving your course selection sheets for school year 2024-25. You will be instructed to obtain recommendations from teachers and obtain information regarding course offerings. You are encouraged to also speak with your school counselor to ensure that you are on track for graduation, post-secondary options, and college/career goals. Explore the Program of Studies and reach out to the SHS Guidance Department if you have any questions.
JOIN THE SENTINEL ADVISORY COUNSEL AND LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD!
The Smithfield High School Sentinel Advisory Council seeks to establish a strong relationship between students and administration. The Council, composed of students in grades 9-12, works from a student’s perspective to communicate and facilitate action towards solving school issues. Members of the Sentinel Advisory Council represent the student body’s voice to the principal. These members are also student ambassadors for the school. If you are interested in joining, please submit an application here!
PERFECT ATTENDANCE THROUGH 100 DAYS
Wednesday February 7th was our 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL! We are more than halfway through this school year! Congratulations to 73 of our students with perfect attendance for the year. If you have not picked up your attendance certificate, please see Ms. Pepin in the Main Office.
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February is Black History Month, and we at SHS are excited to honor and celebrate the rich history, achievements, and contributions of African Americans. We encourage our students, staff, and families to participate in local events and activities. From educational workshops to cultural performances, there's much to learn and experience.
FEBRUARY IS TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH
Dating violence is more common than you may think, especially among teens and young adults: 1 in 3 U.S. teens will experience physical, sexual, or emotional abuse from someone they’re in a relationship with before becoming adults. Each February, young adults and their loved ones nationwide raise awareness about teen dating violence through Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. This annual, month-long effort focuses on advocacy and education to stop dating abuse before it starts. One way to participate in the awareness month is to wear ORANGE on Tuesday, 2/6! Check out loveisrespect.org for more information. If you participate and are able to take photos, we would love to see them!
SENIOR ORATORICAL 2024
Seniors interested in participating in this year's Senior Oratorical Contest will meet during Advisory on Tuesday, February 13th. The meeting will take place in the cafeteria. Please come to the cafeteria after attendance has been taken.
STUDENT PARKING POLICY
Senior and junior parking passes are going to be revoked for offenders parking in the wrong spaces. When you choose to park in a space unassigned to you- it creates a domino effect of parking problems. PLEASE park in your ASSIGNED SPACE or at DEERFIELD. Faculty parking is NOT an option. REPORT vehicles who are not parked in the appropriate space to me via email with a license plate photo. Any student that does not have a parking pass risks their car being towed and disciplinary action.
WINTER COAT DRIVE
The Rotary Club is holding a winter coat drive through the month of February. Donations can be brought to room 201 and there will be bins in the cafeteria, main office and library.
SENIOR SURVEY REQUEST FROM PARENT COUNCIL
Seniors, if you have not already done it, please fill out the questionnaire, linked here. The Parent Council is looking for some information to plan some future events. If you have already filled it out, thank you. This needs to be done by the end of the month.
SENIOR PORTFOLIOS DUE FEBRUARY 20TH!
Portfolios are a priority and a graduation REQUIREMENT. Please speak with your guidance counselor as soon as possible if you were notified your portfolio is overdue. We are here to support you through this process. FEBRUARY 20, 2024 is the LAST DAY portfolios will be accepted. Social Suspension will apply to upcoming events such as: prom etc. until your portfolio is completed. Please make it your priority to complete your portfolio!
COLLEGE REQUESTS FOR SEMESTER ONE TRANSCRIPT AND GRADES
School Counselors will be uploading your semester one transcript and report card to colleges once grade posting is complete. This will occur prior to February break. If a platform other than Common App was used when applying to a college, we will send this information through that specific one. Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns to Mrs. DiMuccio.
COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
Old County Road Elementary School is having a Teaching and Learning night at OCRS on Thursday, April 11th from 5:30-7:30pm and our theme is Exploration. Our committee is looking for members of our community to share information about different Jobs and career pathways. We thought it may be nice to have some students from the CTE program share what they are learning. Please reach out to Mrs Lynch (klynch@smithfield-ps.org) if you would like to participate.
NATIONAL GUARD INTEREST AND FIELD TRIP
Are you interested in learning what the National Guard has to offer? Students will attend a day at the RI base with units from the engineers demonstrating the trade jobs available with guest speakers sharing their experiences. Lunch will be provided. This field trip will take place in March with a limited number of spots available. Please let us know if you are interested in attending.
WPI’s PRE-COLLEGE SUMMER PROGRAMS
Worcester Polytechnical Institute (WPI)’s Office of Pre-Collegiate Outreach Programs is excited to announce that students will soon be able to register / apply for our summer 2024 programs! Academic programs are offered for middle and high school students both during the school year and over the summer, with topics ranging from introductory STEM courses and robotics and math competitions, to the humanities and arts and sports camps.
WPI’s pre-collegiate programs have helped students explore STEM fields while honing their leadership and collaborative skills, building confidence, and encouraging friendships—all with the common goal of helping students pursue their passions and position themselves for future successes. There are three programs:
Registration for Launch, our commuter option for rising 9th, 10th, and 11th graders, will open on January 17. Launch will run from June 24–28.
Applications for Frontiers, our residential offering for rising 10th, 11th, and 12th graders, will also open on January 17. This summer we will have two sessions of Frontiers: Frontiers I (July 7–19) and Frontiers II (July 21–Aug. 2).
Application for our for-credit program, College Credit Jumpstart, will open on February 14. College Credit Jumpstart will run in conjunction with WPI’s E Term courses.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
Athletic Booster Club Scholarship - To be eligible for scholarship your family must be a four year member of the SHS Athletic Booster Club and have volunteered at least 2 times per year per student athlete. Apply here.
SHS Hall of Fame Scholarship - application can be found here
Smithfield Lions Scholarship - The Lions is a community based organization dedicated to public service to the community. Application here.
Pleasant View Elementary PTA Scholarship - For Anna McCabe and William Winsor Alumni. See details here!
Davide Louis Cunha Foundation Scholarship - This scholarship was created in the loving memory and honor of David Louis Cunha, a 2012 graduate of Smithfield High School, and will be awarded to students who have excelled in community service. Details can be found here.
The Jay G. Lawrence Scholarship - Be a graduating Smithfield High School senior accepted for the 2024-2025 school year to an accredited university, college, junior college, technical school, or other educational institution. See additional information here
The Irene Y. Rianna Memorial Foundation has been created by her family for the purpose of awarding scholarships to deserving Smithfield High School students and to continue to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease. See additional information here
The Carter Roger Williams Scholarship provides annual scholarships to Rhode Island high school seniors who display an appreciation for, and a desire to embody, the values of our state’s founder. See additional information here
The Doreen Nicholson Scholarship - Doreen Nicholson inspired many throughout her community and helped others in many ways. Find scholarship application here
Additional scholarships from the Rhode Island Foundation can be found here and from a variety of sources here.
SENIORS: INTERESTED IN A GRADUATION YARD SIGN?
Interested in a sign for graduation? See the flyer HERE with information on how to get one to support the Class of 2024.
CAREER OPPORTUNITY FOR GRADUATING SENIORS
Seniors, Are you looking for a rewarding career with no college debt? Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union 51 is accepting applications for Plumber, Pipefitter and Refrigeration Technician apprentices from 3/4/24 to 3/15/2024. Visit their website for more information! https://www.ualocal51.com/
MARCH IS TRADE MONTH
Check in with your school counselor about Trade Month. Job opportunities, career pathways, apprenticeships, and internship information will be presented by guest speakers throughout the month.
OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE COLLEGE LEVEL COURSES!
Check out these opportunities to earn college credit through New England Institute of Technology. The courses offered are part of the All Course Network (ACN) and free to RI students! Find more information here: https://www.neit.edu/acn
SPORTS AND SPECIAL EVENT DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY
We are excited to announce that we have partnered with PhotoDay to give your parents and students access to purchase digital images from Sports & Special Events captured by Lifetouch throughout your school year. What this means for Families - For families, PhotoDay provides a 100% digital ordering experience. They can securely submit and pay for their orders online, receive Picture Day and order notifications on their phone, and have their orders sent directly to their home in a matter of days, not weeks. More information here!
WANT TO SUPPORT OUR EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION COMMUNITY?
We support a unified student body! Our team would like to invite you to explore building new friendships and making connections Thursdays during advisory! Please reach out to Gwen Clavet, Victor Torres, Mrs. Moio or Mrs. Bianco in room 121 for more information and complete this form so we can schedule accordingly.
GIRLS WHO CODE FREE VIRTUAL SUMMER PROGRAM
Ready to shape your future and join an empowering sisterhood? Become a coder this summer with Girls Who Code! Girls Who Code’s free virtual Summer Programs empower you to build skills, community, and a professional network for your future, in the ways that work best for you. The Self-Paced Program is for current 9th-12th grade girls and non-binary students with beginner to advanced coding experience, including program alums.
Apply here by the early deadline, February 14, 2024 for priority consideration or apply by our general deadline, March 22, 2024. Don't miss this incredible opportunity to level up your coding skills, kickstart your future, tap into lifelong career support, and have fun along the way!
Need help? Learn more with our program flyer, webinars, or FAQs, or email us at summer@girlswhocode.com.
SMITHFIELD TOWN NEWSLETTER
Check out the latest Smithfield news in the February newsletter.
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GENERAL SCHOOL INFORMATION…
DAILY ON TIME ATTENDANCE
All students are expected to arrive at school ON TIME each day! This is a non-negotiable. 1st period begins at 7:30 AM. Your participation in shows, clubs, events and field trips, sports, and other extracurricular activities will be tied to your arriving at school and class on time each day. Do NOT be late!
SHS POLICY ON USE OF CELL PHONES AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES:
SHS believes that technology plays an important role in enhancing the learning experience for our students. Students are advised to use their SPS issued device for all educational related activities. Guest network access may be available for use on
personal devices. District assistance or support is not available or implied by use of the guest network.
MLD’s may be used by students during non-instructional time during lunch in the cafeteria and senior courtyard. They may also be used in the hallways during passing time with the stipulation that one ear is free. Students who utilize cell phones or other
electronic devices in an unacceptable manner (in the halls, in classes without permission, or in a manner that is disruptive) will have their device taken and held in the Assistant Principal's office to be claimed by a parent. Video/ audio recording of community members is not permitted at any time without prior approval of the individual being filmed. Failure to comply may result in suspension.
Violation of the appropriate use of MLD’s as described above and by the broader acceptable use policy is considered a Schedule I offense which may result in detention, Saturday detention, In School Suspension or Out of School Suspension; and the student may be required to turn the device over to school personnel and the student and/or parent may pick up the device from the Main Office at the end of the school day.
SMITHFIELD ATHLETICS HOMEPAGE
Stay up-to-date with all the latest action from our Smithfield High School sports teams! Visit https://smithfieldhs.rschoolteams.com/ to check out the newest scores and upcoming game schedules. Whether you're a player, parent, or fan, this is your go-to source for all things sports at Smithfield. Let's show our team spirit and support our athletes!
SMITHFIELD HIGH PARENT COUNCIL
Smithfield High School Parent Council is a volunteer organization that promotes the welfare of the students and serves to enhance school, home, and community relationships. We encourage you to become a member and attend our monthly meetings to stay connected to the heartbeat of SHS. Help make this a great year for our kids! We have some new and exciting events and activities planned for this year as well as perennial favorites. Come see what this dynamic group is all about! Questions? Email us at: shsparentcouncil18@gmail.com
CLUB CALENDAR
The club calendar is here! Make sure you get involved in a club! Want to start a club? Email Mr. Geraghty with details and we’ll do our best to get it started!
DAILY BELL SCHEDULE
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ij8-A17g2SeEwVnAoV3hEOHFV8dstUGrDizzZF5tkNo/edit
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F8RV2YjR6xE1OLh6YdBnNz8S3O9GX6bFq1PreSBulns/edit
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A LOOK AHEAD…
FEBRUARY
February 12 - 19 - Sports Calendar
February 13 - 2024-2025 Course Selection
February 13 - Senior Oratorical Meeting
February 14 - Valentine’s Day
February 15 - Music Booster Club Meeting
February 19-23 - Midwinter Recess: Schools closed
Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dan Geraghty
Principal