SHS WEEKLY REMINDERS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WEEK OF MARCH 3, 2024
I'm thrilled to share that we're diving into National Read Across America Week with enthusiasm, from March 4 to March 8. This week isn't just about celebrating reading and writing through unique events across our schools; it's also about coming together to strive for 100% attendance. The District is introducing a friendly competition to see which school can maintain the highest attendance rate, and the winning school will enjoy exclusive district recognition. The rewards are exciting: special lunches with district and local officials, a "Smoothie Day" for all students and staff, complete with commemorative cups, among other surprises. Let's embrace this opportunity to show our commitment to education and community spirit! Here’s to an amazing week ahead!
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IN SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS…
THE SPRING TERM IS IN FULL SWING!
Welcome to March! We are at the midpoint of Q3! The Q3 progress report window is this week March 4th - March 8th. The 3rd quarter of the Spring Term runs from January 22nd through April 1st.
Have a question about your grades or transcript? Find your counselor here!
WANT TO APPLY FOR A CTE PATHWAY?
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs consist of three or more courses which will help students earn an industry credential and prepare them to enter the workforce. Want to apply to one of our 5 amazing programs? Apply here!
READ ACROSS THE DISTRICT DAY
March 2-6 is Read Across America Week. Smithfield High School will celebrate on Tuesday, March 5th during the Advisory Block. Students are encouraged to bring their favorite book to read during Advisory. Additional activities will be offered.
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. If you are a senior (or parent of a senior) or junior, interested in a Trade career, please review the survey link for the presentations scheduled throughout the month. We continue to add to our list, so please check back to the survey.
RI HONOR’S WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH
This March, Rhode Island celebrates Women's History Month with a rich tapestry of events across various institutions, each offering unique experiences to honor the contributions and achievements of women throughout history. Rhode Island College (RIC) leads with an array of activities designed to engage and inspire the community. Their program includes musical celebrations such as "Women Trailblazers in Music," a testament to the enduring impact of women in the realm of music, alongside forums like "Spill the Tea" at The Unity Center, inviting open discussions on student needs and suggestions for improving the college experience. Additionally, RIC organizes an International Women’s Day Breakfast, an intimate gathering to honor the women of RIC, fostering a sense of unity and recognition among students, faculty, and staff. For more details on these events, please visit RIC's Women's History Month page.
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! We will be meeting in the next couple of weeks, so get your application in asap!
STUDENT COUNCIL SCHOOL WIDE FUNDRAISER
The Student Council is hosting a school wide fundraiser to raise money for upcoming Student Council events! Information about how to sign up is on your google classrooms- The top sellers win prizes!
ARE YOU CHRONICALLY ABSENT?
In Rhode Island, missing 10 percent of the school year, or approximately 18 days, means a student is chronically absent. Research shows that this negatively impacts how well a student does in school. We have created a new chronically absent bulletin board to track your attendance. You can find the attendance board at the main entrance. Be sure to check your attendance record when you enter the building! You can find your attendance percentage and your status by searching for your student ID number.
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.
FRESHMAN CLASS T-SHIRTS FOR SALE
The freshman class is selling spirit wear. Here is the website where you can order rom an array of choices. The deadline to order is Sunday, March 10.
HUGH O’BRIAN YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATION
The Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Program (HOBY) is now open for community and/or parent nominations. This program welcomes sophomore student leaders from around the country for 3-4 day seminars in late spring/early summer. Students learn leadership values through dynamic activities with peers while honing their skills to recognize and collaborate with the diverse strengths of others. While young leaders often have excellent academic records, selections are not solely based on GPA alone. Leadership potential is important for selection. There is a cost for the weekend but includes all lodging and meals. Click the link to learn more. Community Nominations should be used if a parent is completing the registration.
BRYANT UNIVERSITY PRECOLLEGE ECONOMICS PROGRAM
Bryant University has announced their 2024 Precollege Economics Program for High School Students. In this program students will learn how to apply economic knowledge to affect social change. Students will have the opportunity to work closing with Bryant University faculty during an immersive, five day, in-person experience. By the end of the program, students will have learned both basic and advanced economic concepts and have the ability to analyze current policy issues. All students who complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion from the Bryant University Economics Department. The program will run from 9:00am to 3:00pm, August 5th through August 9th. Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from campus each day. However, all materials and lunch will be included in the cost of tuition. The entire program costs $475 and there is no application fee. Students can apply online at: https://www.bryanteconsummerpr.... Contact Dr. Laura Beaudin at lbeaudin@bryant.edu for more information or with any questions.
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.
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.
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/
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.
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.
SMITHFIELD TOWN NEWSLETTER
Check out the latest Smithfield news in the March 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.rschoolte... 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/docume...
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
https://docs.google.com/docume...
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Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Dan Geraghty
Principal