Schools/Sports

SHS Students Celebrate French Heritage Week

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Suffield High School has recently observed National French Week, an annual celebration organized by the American Association of Teachers of French. Each year, AATF, together with branches of Alliance Française and French organizations across the country, join forces in promoting the French language and increasing understanding and appreciation of the francophone world in schools and communities across the United States. During the French Week, which was celebrated at the high school in early December, the World Language Honor Society took the lead role in organizing a variety of cultural events promoting the diversity of francophone cultures. Each morning, SHS’s daily news show, Morning Update, welcomed all students and staff with contemporary music, cultural facts, and language from a variety of francophone countries. French language students Matthew Sinofsky and Fletcher Seymour, serving as anchors all week, delivered a lively and enthusiastic show featuring student guests Allison Gambrel, Gabrielle Zeller, Liam Duffy, and Jewel Hazlett who joined in sharing information and cultural perspectives from French speaking countries around the world.

Editorial

The Invisible People

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Most of us are traveling on a highway once in a while, especially on a holiday, and stopping at a rest stop. Have you ever really looked at someone pushing a mop around on the floor or cleaning a restroom? Well, there they are in a thankless job for a probably minimum wage with no future promotion. And no tip jar. Many others get tips like a waitress or hairdresser and in other service jobs.

Organizations

Polish Heritage Society

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The Polish Heritage Society normally meets in the morning on the first Wednesday of each month from September to June. Unfortunately that is an inconvenient schedule for second and third generation Polish Americans who work, but would like to participate in the goal of learning about and perpetuating our Polish Heritage. This month there will be an evening meeting in addition to the morning session. On Wednesday, February 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the library, Sara Zak will talk about the evolution of the Polish community in Suffield which started in the 1890s. She will share her findings from the Federal Censuses taken in 1900, 1910 and 1920 using her Zak-Kreczko Family as a theoretical example of a typical Polish immigrant family.

People/Business

Never Too Old to Be a Flower Girl

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Norma Phillips, a life-long resident of West Suffield, had the honor of being specially requested to be a flower girl at a recent ceremony. Norma has extended family of three generations, and it was an exciting time for all present to have Norma, fondly referred to as the “Amp,” fulfill this special role.

Government/Town

An Industrial Revolution Locally

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The Economic Development Commissions of Suffield and East Granby co-hosted a workshop on Manufacturing, Workforce Development and Education in November at the New England Air Museum. 125 attended from the area, including manufacturers, educators, and professionals from banking, real estate, and government. Sponsors were: MB Aerospace, Connecticut Economic Resource Center, Bradley Development League, Connecticut Dept. of Economic and Community Development, and Hartford Business Journal. Opening remarks were made by Bart Kollen, Deputy Commissioner, DECD.

Churches

Calliope Brass and “What’s Your Story?”

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The Music on High community music program is excited to present Calliope Brass and their special children’s program, What’s Your Story? (WYS), on Sunday, February 10, 2 p.m. at First Church of Christ, Suffield. WYS is a fun and frolicking music program for children of all ages! WYS is an interactive performance narrated by Calliope, a dragon-fairy puppet who excitedly leads audience members through an exploration of the power of storytelling through music. Calliope is an original character created for and by Calliope Brass with the help of Sesame Street puppeteers Leslie Carrara-Rudolph (“Abby Cadabby”) and Haley Jenkins (“Zari”).

Parks and Rec

Bowling Buddies had a Blast!

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The Suffield Parks and Recreation Department’s Bowling Buddies group and families celebrated at their annual Holiday Banquet on Tuesday, December 18. It was held again this year at the Suffield Country Club’s Sunset Tavern. The Sunset Tavern is a terrific location for the party. The staff are wonderful and the food was delicious and plentiful. The holiday party was filled with excitement as everyone celebrated the holidays with friends and family.

Schools/Sports

SHS World Languages Student

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Congratulations to Sarah Johnston – World Languages Student of the Month for December. Sarah is a senior at Suffield High School, currently enrolled in Advanced Placement French Language and Culture course. Sarah is a talented language learner with an unbeatable enthusiasm for linguistic challenges and cultural diversity. Her effort and dedication to the study of French have resulted in a high level of competency in the language. In April of 2017, Sarah was inducted into the National French Honor Society, and currently serves as the President of the chapter.

Editorial

Is Kindness Dead?

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It is easy to think that there is not much kindness in our very divided world. I looked up a simple definition of “kind” in Merriam Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary, which is meant for use by new English language learners. Their definition is “… showing a gentle nature and desire to help others….wanting to do good things and to bring happiness to others.”

About two months ago, I was surprised when a gentleman ahead of me in the checkout line of a dollar store, swept my few items into his pile and said “I got this”. Not expecting his kindness, I first reacted with “Oh, those are mine.” Then I realized he meant to pay for my items. I felt really touched and also had the desire to “pay it forward,” so I paid for the few items the woman behind me was buying. She too was surprised and repeatedly thanked me, telling me the items were to decorate her classroom for special needs students.