SHS Newsletter
August 2026
Dear Families,
As we prepare to begin another exciting school year at Suffield High School, I want to extend a warm welcome to all of our students and families. I hope you have had a wonderful summer and have had the opportunity to relax, recharge, and enjoy time together.
The start of a new school year always brings a great deal of important information. While this August newsletter contains many key updates and resources to help you prepare for the year ahead, please don't feel like you need to absorb everything at once. Throughout the school year, I will continue to highlight important information, reminders, and upcoming events in my weekly emails so that it is shared in a manageable way.
I hope you find the information in this newsletter helpful as we prepare for a successful school year. We are looking forward to welcoming our students back and partnering with you to make this a fantastic year at Suffield High School!
With Wildcat Pride,
Mr. Anthony T. Hibbert, Principal
On June 29, 2026, you should have received an email from the District containing information about creating a Parent Portal account for PowerSchool, our student information system. This information was provided to the parents and guardians of students who are new to Suffield Public Schools.
That email also included instructions for completing the Student Information Update. All parents and guardians—both those of new students and returning students—are required to complete this update each year.
Please complete the Student Information Update as soon as possible. The update includes important information and forms related to:
Acknowledging updated student handbooks
Selecting district device coverage for student-issued Chromebooks
Reviewing and updating student health information and medication forms
Signing important permission forms, including senior privileges
These forms must be completed before the start of the school year. Completing them as early as possible will help ensure a smooth and successful start for all students.
Log in on a computer to engage in the update: (the phone application does not work for this purpose) https://powerschool.suffield.org/public/home.html
We will be hosting our New Student Orientation on August 20, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Students with the last name A-K = Session 1 (9:00am-10:30am)
Students with the last name L-Z = Session 2 (10:00am-11:30am)
New Agriscience students will have an additional orientation 11:30am - 1:30pm.
During the orientation, students will have the opportunity to:
Take guided tours of the school
Locate their classrooms and lockers
Learn important information and essentials for a successful transition to Suffield High School
Explore opportunities to get involved through clubs, athletics, and other student activities
Parents and guardians will also have the opportunity to meet school administrators and learn more about Suffield High School, our programs, and the supports available to students.
All families with students new to SHS should have received an email with more detailed information regarding orientation.
The first day of school is Thursday, August 27th.
School doors open to the Commons at 6:50 AM.
Classroom hallways open to students at 7:10 AM.
The kitchen opens for breakfast at 7:10 AM.
First period class starts at 7:30 AM.
Last period dismisses at 2:10 PM.
All SHS students will have their school photo taken Monday, September 28th during their English class. More information, including order forms from G & B Photography will be shared soon.
All parents/guardians are invited to the annual Suffield High School Open House on Thursday, September 24th, 6:00-8:00 PM. This is an opportunity to meet each of your student's teachers and learn more about what is planned for this school year. Save the date on your calendar.
All SHS Students are required to pay class dues annually. Class dues cover the cost of Senior Outing, Senior Yearbook, Caps and Gowns, Class Gift, Yearbook Picnic Lunch, Graduation Rehearsal Lunch and they help reduce the cost of Prom and Senior Banquet tickets. Dues can be paid using the links below or bring cash or check (payable to SHS) to your Class Advisor. Dues are $50 each year. Please remember to include the student's name with payment.
Seniors - Class of 2027 Dues Payment Link
Advisors: Mrs. Candia-Bovi & Mrs. Tierney
Juniors - Class of 2028 Dues Payment Link
Advisors: Mrs. Deming & Mr. Harfenist
Sophomores - Class of 2029 Dues Payment Link
Advisors: Mrs. Garfield & Mrs. Kochanek
Freshman - Class of 2030 Dues Payment Link
Advisors: TBD
FALL SPORTS SEASON INFORMATION
The first day for fall sports tryouts and practice will be Monday, August 24. If participating in the RAIDERS football team, the season begins, Thursday, August 14. Official start times will be shared on each team's SPOND and the Suffield High School Athletic website by Monday, August 17.
Prior to the first day of practice all athletes must:
Common Asked Questions:
- Be registered in Final Forms with an active parent and student account. Students must use their school email. Once new students have access to their school email, they will be able to create their Final Forms account.
- All athletes must have a current physical uploaded in Final Forms or dropped off at the high school main office for the school nurse. The school nurse will acknowledge in final forms once reviewed.
- NO ATHLETE will be allowed to try out for a fall sport, if they are not registered in Final Forms.
- PLEASE be sure to select the sport, this allows the athlete to be registered on the team roster. If an athlete attends the first day but isn't registered, they may stay and watch the tryouts but will NOT be allowed to participate.
Boys Soccer: UCDZJ
Head Coach: Danny White
Girls Soccer: RFOCN
Head Coach: Tracie Kelly
Field Hockey: IZMIK
Head Coach: Chase Lambert
Boys XC: BQCFI
Head Coach: Dom Casolari
Girls XC: NZROY
Head Coach: Kaitlyn Howes
Girls Swim: WJRMP
Head Coach: Kim Marker
Girls Volleyball: GZNGA
Head Coach: Larry Plano
Raiders Football, contact Coach Andy Norige, anorige@wlphs.org.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email Amy Muska, Athletic Director, amuska@suffield.org.
List of Extracurricular Clubs & Organizations
All students are encouraged to get involved in extracurricular clubs and organizations. Reach out to the club advisor(s) for information about joining. Many clubs will be represented at the Activities Fair during New Student Orientation on August 20th.
Dear Seniors,
As we prepare for the start of the school year, now is the time to submit your 15 hours of required community service if you plan to participate in Senior Privileges beginning on the first day of school.
According to the Student Handbook, seniors must complete 15 hours of community service (completed no earlier than January of junior year) and submit the required documentation before Senior Privileges can begin. You may submit your completed community service form by scanning and emailing it to sinsero@suffield.org or dropping it off in the Main Office.
Once your community service hours have been approved and you meet all eligibility requirements, you will be permitted to leave campus during your approved Senior Privilege periods beginning on the first day of school.
Please remember that, in addition to completing your community service hours, students must meet the academic eligibility requirements outlined in the Student Handbook. Students who earned any D or F final grades (F1) during their junior year are not eligible to begin Senior Privileges at the start of the school year. Those students may become eligible for Quarter 2 by earning no Ds or Fs on their Quarter 1 senior report card. Students who are ineligible quarter 1 will be placed in a study hall during period 7.
If you have any questions about your eligibility or the community service requirement, please contact the Main Office. We encourage you to submit your paperwork as soon as possible so everything is processed before the first day of school.
Have a great rest of your summer, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
Parents/Guardians are encouraged to set up a FREE account with https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ Even if you do not use it to pay for meals, you can track your child’s account purchases and balance. For more information, use this Food Services link.
Suffield High School website: https://shs.suffield.org/
SHS Student Warehouse Site: Click Here
This is an internal Google site for student resources, information & common forms. Bookmark this site for reference throughout the year.
Subscribe here to receive District, Board of Education and school communication.
All parents and guardians are invited to join Principal Hibbert at the Principal Advisory Meetings throughout the school year. These meetings provide an opportunity to learn about what's happening at Suffield High School, discuss topics related to education, share ideas and feedback, and build a strong partnership between home and school. Whether you have questions, suggestions, or simply want to stay informed, your voice is valued, and we hope you'll consider joining the conversation.
The meetings start at 6:00pm in the SHS Library Media Center.
September 9
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February 10
March 10
April 7
