January 2018 – Ken Hopkins: SHS Acting Principal Blog

The Sentinel Legacy: 1/23/18

“Glory”

In certain moments, we can see the culmination of work, effort, perseverance, and dedication. Within our culture, we often see displays of glory on the fields of play, as our student-athletes surpass obstacles on their road to triumph. Recently, we had two such recognitions of great accomplishment associated with athletics. Tony Torregrossa, long-time educator, coach, and athletic director, achieved a milestone by winning his 800th game as a high school athletic coach. Last week, Taylor Cobain scored her 1000th point, anointing her as one of the best basketball players to walk the halls of SHS. These displays of strong work ethic and commitment result in victory, and the feeling of those glorious moments spread to all those who have the chance to witness them.

In schools academically, we educators experience these moments of “glory” on a smaller basis. Those moments when a student works to achieve, and those revelations after a student struggles to understand a concept are invigorating to educators. We see those small snapshots build until that glorious moment when a student walks across the stage, receiving their SHS diploma, and stepping out to make his or her mark on the world. We feel it. We celebrate it. We relish in the triumph of success. For those of us who have the honor to aid in the pursuit of greatness, we recognize that the path to glory is just as important as those fleeting minutes when one stands on top of it all as the pinnacle of achievement.

Congratulations to Coach T. and Taylor on their accomplishments!

Taylor’s 1000th point can be seen here: A Moment of Glory

A few items to note:

Academic Update:

-*****The 2nd Quarter/1st Semester ends today, 1/23. Report cards for semester one will be available electronically on Wednesday, 1/31, at 8 AM, via the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you would like a paper-based copy, please contact school administration.

-This is an interesting article about a nationwide discussion on grading. SHS has had a great relationship with the New England Secondary Schools Consortium (NESSC) and the League of Innovative Schools (LIS): Will Letter Grades Survive?

Administrative Updates:

-Barnes and Noble is having a contest that honors your favorite teacher and why he or she has had such an impact on your life. Students are allowed to provide a poem, essay, or thank you letter, recognizing your favorite teacher’s contributions. Each Barnes and Noble store is submitting a written piece to the national competition. Written pieces will be posted at a My Favorite Teacher event in April. Please see the details attached.

The deadline for submission directly to the store is March 2nd. You may also turn in submissions to Mr. Hopkins by Wednesday, February 28, and he will deliver them to the store.

Please consider honoring the great work your teachers do on a daily basis! Let Mr. Hopkins know if you have any questions.

B&N Links:

My Favorite Teacher Link 1

My Favorite Teacher Link 2

My Favorite Teacher Link 3

-Please see this important message from Tri-Town Community Action regarding aid with heating costs this winter: Tri-Town Community Action

-Please consider awarding SHS A+ fundraising donations through the simple use of your Stop and Shop card! Information on how to link your card to SHS fundraising Stop and Shop Fundraising Program:

Stop and Shop A+ Fundraising Instructions (English)

Stop and Shop A+ Fundraising Instructions (Spanish)

Stop and Shop A+ Fundraising Instructions (Online)

-We are well into the winter athletic season! Please check out our Athletics Page for additional information including schedules.

-Check out our SHS Interactive Map, provided at the SHS Showcase, that has interactive links to highlights from all SHS Departments: SHS Interactive Map

*The deadline to purchase a Senior recognition ad has been extended through February 15th. These recognition ads are a great way to congratulate your student in their yearbook. Yearbooks are also on sale through February 15th. Visit Jostens.com to order your senior ad and yearbook before the February 15th deadline.

Highlights:

-Congratulations to the following students on their fall sports honors!:

Boys Soccer

All State 1st Team

Matt Laboissonniere

All State 2nd Team

Nick Cerroni

Academic All State

Matt Laboissonniere

All Division II 1st Team

Matt Laboissonniere

Nick Cerroni

Joe Paiva

All Division II 2nd Team

Quinn Judge

Eric Santos

Diego Zarraga

Harrison Maio

All Division II 3rd team

Jayce Thompson

All Tournament

Nick Cerroni

Matt Laboissonniere

Harrison Maio

Girls Soccer

All State 1st Team

Maggie Hickey

All State 2nd Team

Riley Hart

All Division I 1st Team

Taylor Cobain

Hannah Dauray

Abigail Leveille

Abigail Proulx

Sarah Melaragno

All Tournament

Olivia Lasorsa

Katie Pezaris

Sportsmanship Award

Olivia Lasorsa

Football

All Division III 1st Team

Ben Cortes (RB)

Zach Pinault (LB)

All Division III 2nd Team

Trevor L’Italien (QB)

Austin Galinelli (DL)

Mike Desimone (K)

All Division III 3rdTeam

Dante Lewis (DE)

Jordan Cardoso (WR)

Girls Cross Country

All State 1st Team

Una Treanor

All State 2nd Team

Ashlyn Maio

All Class B 1st Team

Una Treanor

All Class B 2nd Team

Ashlyn Maio

Boys Cross Country

All Class B 1st Team

Blake Cafaro

All Class B 2nd Team

Alec Devine

Girls Tennis

All Division I – Met B 1st Team

Isabella Baffoni

All Division I – Met B 2nd Team

Lauren Fortier

Juliet Batek/Meghan Kiernan (Doubles)

Kara Brush/Casey Derderian (Doubles)

Field Hockey

All Division I 3rd Team

Katie Martin

All Division I Honorable Mention

Anna Orticerio

-Congratulations to SHS Hockey Goalie, Hogan Nelson, on being named the ABC6 Sports Play of the Week for his play vs. LaSalle!

Other Important Dates:

-Tuesday, January 22: End of the 2nd Quarter/1st Semester

-Friday, January 26 and Saturday, January 27: Smithfield Public Schools Future Search Strategic Planning

-Wednesday, January 31: Electronic Report Cards available through Parent Portal at 8AM

-Monday, February 19: Presidents’ Day: No School

-Tuesday, February 20: No School

Photo Highlights:

-Members of Pinterest Social Advisory getting into the winter spirit!

“Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.”

-Napoleon Bonaparte

#SHSLegacy

The Sentinel Legacy: 1/2/18

“Resolutions”

Happy New Year! We hope that everyone had a restful and rejuvenating holiday break with family and friends!

Every year, in celebration of the new calendar year, we establish new resolutions designed to change some aspect of our lives. Some are new initiatives, while others rekindle a goal or mindset from a previous time. Here are a few professional resolutions of mine:

We have worked to continue the SHS legacy of being a fun and inclusive high school. I will remain resolute in focusing on a positive school culture that provides the groundwork for academic growth
I will work to ensure that all SHS students grow academically, socially, and personally
I will collaborate to provide opportunities for our students to continue to contribute to the ongoing Smithfield High School legacy

For my students searching for a resolution, I humbly offer one from my teaching days. A struggle during adolescent years is to honestly and truly grasp one’s own identity and become comfortable with oneself despite social and personal pressures. I always offered to my students the advice that you do not need to seek to change the world. Become yourself, and the world will change for you. I encourage everyone to become who you are meant to be and remain resolute in your commitment to yourself.

A few items to note:

Academic Update:

-Please note that the end of the 2nd quarter/1st semester is on Friday, January 19. Please encourage your students to take appropriate preparations in the final push of the semester.

-Very interesting article, from the Washington Post, examining human behavior in setting and keeping New Year’s resolutions:

The science of keeping your New Year’s resolution

Administrative Updates:

-Please see this important message from Tri-Town Community Action regarding aid with heating costs this winter: Tri-Town Community Action

-Please consider awarding SHS A+ fundraising donations through the simple use of your Stop and Shop card! Information on how to link your card to SHS fundraising Stop and Shop Fundraising Program:

Stop and Shop A+ Fundraising Instructions (English)

Stop and Shop A+ Fundraising Instructions (Spanish)

Stop and Shop A+ Fundraising Instructions (Online)

-We are well into the winter athletic season! Please check out our Athletics Page for additional information including schedules.

-Check out our SHS Interactive Map, provided at the SHS Showcase, that has interactive links to highlights from all SHS Departments: SHS Interactive Map

Highlights:

-Faculty Holiday Performance: “Mrs. Young and the Sentinelves”: Faculty Performance

–Meet the Sentinelves: Holiday Edition: Meet the Sentinelves!

-Congratulations to Boys Basketball player Justin Tedeschi for being named the Uno’s Pizzeria & Grill SHS Athlete of the Week for the week ended December 24th!

Justin came off of the bench to score 22 points and help lead the Sentinels to their first league win of the season 66-61 over St.Raphael’s. The sophomore made nine field goals, including three 3-pointers, on the night.

-Congratulations to Hailey Beaulieu and Hallie Stanton-Mancini who were named our November and December Students of the Month!

Other Important Dates:

-Monday, January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (No School)

-Friday, January 19: End of the 2nd Quarter/1st Semester

-Friday, January 19: SHS Winter Ball @ Rhodes on the Pawtuxet

Highlights:

-SHS Winter Concert: Excellent Performances by the Band and Chorus

-Member of our SHS First Responder Fitness Classes attending the RI Municipal Police Academy Graduation. Congratulations to our new Smithfield Police Dept. graduates!