BFF: The Premiere of a New Musical

The machinery of adolescence is a topic that has been featured in thousands of forms of media for thousands of years, reflected on television screens, canvases, and frail rolls of paper. It is a theme with incredible longevity, but one that constantly requires new perspectives and techniques to maintain its relevance. This is a demanding standard, yet it is matched and exceeded by Suffield High School Drama Club’s production of the original musical BFF. With book and lyrics by SHS’s resident film and French teacher, Carl Casinghino, and music by his uncle, Robert Casinghino, the musical is an ambitious work that conveys the complex tangle of relationships that binds an average high school community both in the physical world and the amorphous digital realm. These two spheres are so integrated that the plot’s driving conflict emerges and escalates in the initial acts without many of the characters ever meeting in person, instead building animosity allegiances through text messages, which will be displayed to the audience through a projector.

Peer Models Sought for Preschool

Screenings for 3 and 4-year-old Peer Models have been scheduled for: Tuesday, January 21, and Tuesday, January 28.(Inclement Weather/Snow Date: Tuesday, February 4). The Suffield Developmental Preschool provides a theme and skill based curriculum guided by BEST Practices as outlined by the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards. Our Goals: Promote early literacy skills; develop each child as an individual; growth toward self-reliance and healthy independence; develop positive feelings of self-worth and inner strength;  learn to interact with others by respecting their rights and feelings; learn to solve problems and resolve conflicts by expressing feelings in an appropriate manner; growth toward physical, emotional, social and intellectual maturity. We provide a caring, supportive and fun filled environment. Certified Program Staff:

Special Education Teachers; Occupational Therapist; Speech/Language Pathologist; Physical Therapist. 

Please call Spaulding School at 860-668-3352 to schedule an appointment. 

National Honor Society Induction

The National Honor Society Induction took place on October 24 in the Suffield High School auditorium. The four pillars of National Honor Society are Scholarship, Service, Leadership and Character. 

Thirty-six students (12 seniors and 24 juniors) were inducted into the Society in the formal ceremony. These students join the 15 seniors who were inducted last year. Mrs. Reiser was the guest speaker. Mr. Blain, Principal and Mrs. Zawawi, Assistant Superintendent, also spoke. 

Congratulations!

Rotary Student

Congratulations to Savannah Price who was chosen as the Rotary Student of the Month for October. Savannah is a senior at Suffield High School and also an honors student. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the World Language Honor Society, where she was elected as Secretary.  In January of 2019, Savannah was named the World Language Student of the Month. Senorita Dolnack chose Savannah for her dedication to learning the Spanish language and culture in addition to the quality of her work in class.

Scholar Athletes

Congratulations to Nora Shanks and Charles Brydges for being named the male and female scholar athletes for the Class of 2020. They were nominated to receive the Connecticut High School Coaches Association scholarship. In order to be nominated, students must have earned at least one varsity athletic letter, have achieved a minimum academic average of 3.0 and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship and leadership. Out of all the students nominated throughout Connecticut, four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded to the top two boys and top two girls selected by a committee. Coach Casolari commented, “I have worked with Charles both in the classroom and on the athletic field, and he is an exceptional leader in both areas.

ShopRite Kindness Award

Each month Suffield High School chooses a student to receive the ShopRite Kindness Award, given to a student who has shown kindness in one way or another. The student chosen has demonstrated one or more of the following characteristics: exemplary citizenship, civic awareness, responsibility, leadership, commitment to others and helping others. In addition to the honorary recognition, ShopRite will donate $50 to the charity of the student’s choice. Congratulations o Gretchen Gustafson, who was chosen to receive the ShopRite Kindness Award for October. Gretchen was nominated by Ms. Lisa Goodwin who said, “Gretchen was a student of mine in Honors Algebra II last year.

Breakfast with Santa to Benefit Scout Project

Get into the Christmas spirit and help support a local cause. On December 22 from 8:30-11 a.m., Boy Scout Matthew Tini will be hosting a pancake breakfast at Father Ted Hall next to Sacred Heart Church on Mountain Road, and Santa is expected to be there as well.

National Speaker on Autism Coming to Suffield

How can Suffield understand and make room in our community for young adults on the Autism Spectrum? Find out December 3 at 6 p.m. as Partnering to Reach Aspirations (PTRA) invites Suffield residents and other interested individuals to sit in on our new Understanding Young Adults with Aspergers/ASD Speaker Series. With nearly 3 percent of Suffield students on the Autism Spectrum, PTRA aims to start making space for recent graduates with ASD in our community. Jeanne Beard, Founder of the National Autism Academy, speaker, coach, consultant, parent and author from Chicago, Ill., will explain one of the most misunderstood diagnosis of our time, Autism Spectrum Disorder(ASD). Ms. Beard will present the topic, “What everyone should know about the simple requirements that support the success of those with autism”.

Rotary News

The Club distributed a brochure on substance abuse and resources, including opioids, to Suffield residents. It can be found in an insert in last month’s SO.

Loaves and Fishes Serves 100,000 Meals a Year

Enfield Loaves and Fishes serves 100 thousand meals every year and relies only on community support to continue operating. Enfield Loaves and Fishes, the town’s only soup kitchen, announced today that it is seeking donations from the community to continue its operations as 2019 draws to a close.