Region In Review

From one building to the next, each of our three elementary schools held its own joyful event to honor the amazing senior citizens in our communities. Through heartfelt performances, handmade gifts, and shared moments of connection, our students came together to show gratitude and appreciation for the kindness, and history our seniors carry with them.

At Washington Primary School seniors were treated to a Thanksgiving luncheon! Thanks to the combined efforts of our PTO, families, community members, and school staff, students and parents transformed the cafeteria into a warm, harvest-themed space filled with paper turkeys, hand-drawn placemats, and thoughtful gifts. The chorus kicked off the festivities with their beautiful voices, followed by REACH parading with Thanksgiving wishes. The K–3 students shared poems that added an extra layer of heart to the celebration. And for the best part of all, a delicious turkey meal with all the fixings was served by our fifth grade students. The event was greatly appreciated by all the seniors and helped the students learn the importance of community service. WPS extends a message of gratitude for all the efforts and contributions that made this event one of connection and community spirit.

Burnham School hosted a Harvest Gathering with local community members and senior citizens, where guests enjoyed student performances of songs, original poems, and humorous mad libs. Together, they shared a snack while creating a festive fall craft, and students proudly announced their collection of nearly 900 items for the Bridgewater Food Pantry.

At Booth Free School, students participated in the 50th Annual Spelling Bee and Pie Feast, with students in grades 3–5 competing and 5th grader Maddox Rossitto earning first place, an honor that included lighting the Roxbury Town Christmas Tree. Booth Free students collected more than 1,000 items to support the Roxbury Food Pantry. Both of these beloved traditions at Burnham School and Booth Free School were made possible through the generous support of each school’s PTO.

All these celebrations were a beautiful reminder that when generations meet, everyone learns, grows, and leaves with a fuller heart.

Thirteen students were selected to represent Shepaug Valley School in the Scholastic Art competition. Works include pottery, drawings, paintings, photography and sculpture from students in grades 8-12. Congratulations and good luck!

Agriscience students at Shepaug Valley School recently completed a from seed to plate project using vegetables grown in the Shepaug greenhouse and honey harvested from the school’s beehives. Students managed each stage of the process, including plant care, monitoring growth, and harvesting. The project focused on understanding the science behind plant growth and learning the step-by-step techniques required to successfully cultivate crops.

In the kitchen, students used the vegetables they had harvested and honey from the beehives to prepare a stir fry. They learned the techniques of stir-fry cooking, including managing temperature, measuring oil, and timing each step, while sharing knowledge and learning from one another as they worked through the process.

What I’ve been up to lately:

For all of October and the first two weeks of November, I led free tennis lessons at Shepaug for elementary school students. Each Sunday, I taught two sessions: a 45-minute lesson for four students in grades K-2, and a one-hour lesson for students in grades 3-5.

What I want the community to know:

I chose this for my project because I’ve grown up in the Region 12 tennis community, and I want these lessons to make tennis grow on the younger players, so hopefully one day they join the Shepaug High School team like I did.

What I’ve been up to lately:

Recently, I have mostly been conducting interviews and visiting farmers. I have visited local farms in Roxbury like Maplebank, Thistledown and Toplands and conducted interviews and gathered B-Roll, which is a large aspect of my documentary. With this project, I have been able to learn about histories that lay within the agriculture of a small town like Roxbury, and the people that have helped develop the farms to where they are now.

Sixth grade students work through design challenges in a 3D modeling program to create a series of objects that include solving problems, creating storage devices for items of their choice, designing custom keyrings, building models to scale, reverse engineering objects, creating jewelry designs inspired by cultural influences and exploring original designs of their choice.

Throughout the project, students learn how to use and modify primitive objects and how to utilize grouping, rotate and move tools in TinkerCad to achieve the results they want. Young engineers can then 3-D print their objects and make modifications based on their results.

On November 4th, the faculty and staff of Region 12 participated in a variety of professional development activities including learning more about tools for differentiating instruction to meet students’ needs, gaining deeper understanding of the math assessments that are embedded in our K-8 math program, Eureka2, and viewing and discussing a documentary, Counted Out, about the need for increased math literacy in our current information economy.

Following the film, the staff engaged in guided discussions about the topics presented and how they might impact our work with students. We plan to continue the conversations at upcoming PD days as we work to instill a positive attitude about math in all of our students and teach them the skills and concepts they need to succeed.

On December 3rd, the Region 12 Instructional Technology Self-Study Committee held its first meeting. The committee is made up of a variety of stakeholders including administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents. All levels and all schools in the district are represented. The committee members shared their reasons for joining the group and their views and experiences with instructional technology. The committee also built their foundational knowledge about the topic by reading and discussing recently published articles and research.

The committee plans to continue its work by reviewing technology plans, vision statements, and guidelines from other districts across the state and by studying the Triple E Framework as a possible tool for Region 12 to use when making decisions about instructional technology. The committee’s first goal is to advise the district on key points that should be considered for inclusion in Region 12’s technology vision and guidelines which is the work of the next meeting on February 4th.

Seventh grade innovators are diving into the world of robotics! Students are learning the fundamentals of chassis systems and working collaboratively to design and build robotic platforms. Along the way, they are developing teamwork and problem-solving skills as they test and refine their designs.

Next, students will begin programming their robots to complete a series of challenges. Through hands-on practice, they will troubleshoot issues, reflect on their progress, and make improvements. This unit gives students the opportunity to apply engineering and coding concepts while building confidence as young innovators.

By Diane Decker

College and Career Coordinator

Since the last Region In Review, the College and Career Center has been busy welcoming a wide range of professionals who shared their expertise, career paths, and real-world experiences with our students.

In November, we hosted Lucinda Lopes-Phelan, Deputy Director of Identification at the Connecticut Division of Scientific Services. Ms. Lopes-Phelan offered an inside look into the world of forensic science. Her discussion of real-life cases captivated students, and the thoughtful questions they asked reflected their genuine interest in this growing field.

Also in November, students met Andrew Linde, founder of Juncture Media and developer of games, apps, and educational software for clients such as the NFL and Verizon. Students interested in the gaming industry were excited to learn that it is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the tech world, with opportunities in design, programming, storytelling, animation, and more. Mr. Linde provided valuable insights into how games are created and supported, and offered advice on how students can stand out in this competitive, creative field.

In December, we were fortunate to welcome Ryan Sokol, First-Class Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy and a 2021 Pomperaug High School graduate. Ryan took time from his holiday break to meet with Shepaug students and share information about the academic, leadership, and career opportunities available at the Naval Academy. His perspective offered students a firsthand look at a rigorous and rewarding path of service.

Students also had the opportunity to meet Catie Moulton, Head Athletic Trainer at the Frederick Gunn School. Catie introduced them to the world of sports medicine and athletic training. She explained what it takes to work with athletes, prevent injuries, design recovery programs, and support team performance. Students explored the many career paths in sports management and learned about the education and hands-on experience needed to succeed in this exciting field.

Later in December, Karl Quist, a Shepaug graduate and Professional Firefighter, returned to share his experiences as a firefighter. Students learned what it’s really like to serve as a full-time, paid firefighter, i.e., responding to emergencies, performing rescues, and the ongoing training required for high-stress situations. Karl highlighted the teamwork, skill, and dedication that make firefighting a challenging and deeply rewarding career.

To round out the fall season, the Center also hosted representatives from the following colleges and universities:

• University of Maine

• Rhode Island School of Design

• University of Hartford

• Moore College of Art and Design

• Mitchell College

• Emmanuel College

• Colorado School of Mines

• University of New Haven

December 17 - Winter Sing-Along, WPS, 3:30-5pm

December 19 - Middle School Dance, SVS, 6-8pm

December 22 - Cultures Around the World, BS, WPS

December 23 - Cultures Around the World, BFS

December 23 - Early Dismissal

December 24 - January 2 - Holiday Break

January 5 - January 30 - Kindergarten Registration

January 12 - BOE Finance & Operations Committee, SVS, 5:30pm

January 12 - Board of Education Meeting, SVS, 7pm

January 13 - PTO Meeting, WPS, 6pm

January 15 - Elementary Chorus and Band, SVS, 6:30pm

January 16 - Professional Development Day - No School for Students.

We’re excited to bring you the latest edition of Region 12’s Region in Review, our monthly newsletter highlighting the outstanding achievements and exciting initiatives happening across Region 12.

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The Region 12 community educates, challenges, and inspires all learners to become compassionate, creative, and courageous individuals who are empowered by the knowledge, character, and perseverance to achieve their greatest potential within the global society.

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