The Souhegan Scoop

As we wrap up our second week of school, I know that for many it may feel like a frantic start to the year. That feeling is natural. With the energy of a new school year often comes a strong sense of urgency. We want to set the right tone, get systems in place, and do things well the first time. In the midst of that, it can feel overwhelming.

I want to acknowledge your patience and flexibility as we work through those early challenges together. Each new year brings opportunities to learn and adjust, not just for students, but for staff and families as well.

At Souhegan, we know that community is our strength. The way we support one another, celebrate each other’s successes, and pull together when things feel hectic is what makes this place special. I am grateful to be part of such a caring, resilient, and committed community.

Warmly,

Dana

Additional event information is available via this interactive Trumba calendar. Click here for the official SAU 39 school year calendar. Additional event information is available via this interactive Trumba calendar.

We are looking forward to welcoming families into the building on Thursday, 9/18 for Back to School Night. The evening will begin at 5:00 with presentations on Senior Project (for all parents of seniors) and Division 1 (for all parents of sophomores). School administration will provide a brief presentation at 5:40, after which the rotation of Advisory and classroom visits will begin. For more details, see here for Dana’s email, sent on Tuesday, 9/9 (our apologies for a slight error in the letter: Back to School Night is Thursday, 9/18, not Tuesday, 9/18).

On Wednesday, September 3, we shared an update with families about allowing access to select music streaming services (Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music) on school-issued devices. Students may listen during approved times such as study, Saber Flex, lunch, or free periods. Families must complete the permission form in PowerSchool before access is granted. Wireless headphones remain prohibited—students received wired earbuds this week during their class meetings on Thursday and Friday.

Saber Spotlight is our monthly community gathering during Advisory—a time to come together, celebrate, and share all the great things happening at Souhegan.

• Grades 10 & 11 meet together

• Grades 9 & 12 meet together

Spotlights include:

• Announcements from clubs

• Band performances

• Student showcases & highlights

• Sabers of the Month recognition

• And more!

Want to be featured? Share your club, performance, or spotlight idea with Brad Botto, Dean of Students.

📅 First Spotlight of the Year: October 9

On Thursday and Friday, we held grade-level meetings with each class to celebrate the strong start to the year, review expectations, and share important school-wide and grade-specific information. A theme for each meeting highlighted the unique roles each class has in shaping our community:

• Ninth Grade: Focus on finding belonging, learning traditions, and building habits for the next four years.

• Sophomores: Step more fully into high school by strengthening skills, taking on responsibility, and supporting one another.

• Juniors: Begin stepping into leadership, setting the tone for others through choices and actions.

• Seniors: Lead by example and create a lasting legacy for the class and the school.

Check out slides from the presentation here!

Souhegan’s Ethics Forum is proud to present Claws for a Cause, our annual homecoming celebration. This spirited week brings the Souhegan community together through school pride, fun activities, and a commitment to giving back. Proceeds this year will support Bridges, Blood Cancer United, and the Ethics Fund.

Students can show their spirit by purchasing a Claws for a Cause T-shirt, joining in advisory and after-school activities, and cheering on our teams throughout the week. The celebration builds up to Friday night’s football game and Bonfire and the Homecoming Dance on Saturday.

🏈 Friday Night Football – September 19 🎉

• Theme: Claws for a Cause shirts + Pinkout

• Doors open at 6:30 PM | Kickoff at 7:00 PM

• Tickets: $3 students / $5 others

Fun includes raffles, concessions, cotton candy, vendors, beads, and a rock-paper-scissors game!

🕺Homecoming Dance – Saturday, September 20 💃

• Theme: Garden Party

• 7:00–10:00 PM in the Gym

• Tickets: $15 (on sale at lunch, advisory, and at the door)

• Outside guests: Forms available in Student Services, due Thursday, September 18 (tickets for outside guests MAY NOT be purchased at the door)

Music: Submit song requests on SHS_studentsection Instagram; playlist will be set in advance

Let’s come together as Sabers to celebrate, connect, and create positive change during this year’s Claws for a Cause!

We are very excited to hold our first meeting of the year on Monday, September 15th at 5:00 in rooms A115/A116 for our at-large election! Anyone in the Souhegan community, students, staff, and community members, are able to serve! If you are interested, bring a prepared speech to Monday’s meeting.

We are also currently accepting applications for Community Member Representatives for Community Council. If you are interested in serving, please submit a letter of intent to cborden@sau39.org.

Community Council meets as a body at Souhegan High School every Monday at 3:00pm for about 45 minutes. On the first Monday of the month, Community Council meets in the evening starting at 5:00pm.

For more information, please visit https://shs.sau39.org/activities/community_council

Picture Day is almost here!

📅 Friday, September 19

💻 Preorder your photos online at geskusprint.com

✨ Use code: SNTF5JHN

🚨 Heads up: The preorder code expires 24 hours after Picture Day! After that, you’ll have to wait until proofs arrive in the mail (about 4–5 weeks later). 📖 Don’t forget - this is your chance to have your photo in the yearbook!

Yearbook sales are now open! Currently the yearbook is being offered at its lowest price of $85.00.
Order here: yearbookordercenter.com.

Enter school code: 26651

The Scratching Post is officially opening on September 16—stop by to stock up on your favorite Saber gear! 🐾 Plus, don’t miss the launch of Snaggle Snacks, a new line of fun drinks and food available for purchase.

Below you'll find current opportunities for students to participate in educational trips abroad. Each listing includes key details and contact information for the trip organizer.

Souhegan is going to Japan! During April vacation 2026, Aimee Gibbons and Matt McDonald will bring students to Kyoto, Tokyo, Hiroshima, and other sites in Japan. Click here to see the itinerary and what’s included in the cost. For more information, reach out to Aimee Gibbons (agibbons@sau39.org) and Matt McDonald (mmcdonald@sau39.org), who are both experienced chaperones who have traveled together with students to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Argentina, and Uruguay. This upcoming trip to Japan will surely be another amazing experience for students!

Consider the deeper meaning of “Beautiful Italy” as you experience its art, history, and culture. In Venice, cars and roads give way to gondolas and canals, redefining what a city can be. The world’s best collection of Renaissance art awaits in Florence. And wander through the open-air museum that is the city of Rome as you take in monumental pieces of human history at every turn.

There’s still time to sign up! Don’t miss the $200 bonus, available through the end of the month. Click here to see the itinerary. For more information, reach out to Steph Fritz in room A108 or via email (sfritz@sau39.org).

Current sophomores and juniors at Souhegan High School are invited to apply for an incredible hands-on marine biology experience at the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences in St. George’s, Bermuda from Sunday, June 21 to Friday, June 26, 2026.

Join science teachers Jenny Deenik and Julianne Mueller-Northcott for a week of snorkeling, hiking, field research, and learning alongside international scientists at an active marine research station. Students will conduct ecological investigations, collect and analyze field data, and attend evening lectures, all while earning 0.5 ELO science credits.

For more information, contact:

Jenny Deenik – jdeenik@sau39.org

Don't miss this unforgettable opportunity to dive into marine science in one of the most beautiful ecosystems in the world!

Bermuda Slideshow and More Bermuda Information

Click here to view available community service opportunities!

All students at SHS are required to complete community service hours in order to graduate. Information about the community service requirement as well as instructions for submitting hours can be found on our website.

Love books? Love your library?

Be the first to know about new arrivals, events & more—straight to your inbox!

Sign up for our Library Newsletter today!

Each fall, 70+ college admissions representatives visit Souhegan to meet with students and share information about their school and answer questions. Juniors are required to interact with at least one representative as part of their Advisory benchmark, and we strongly encourage both juniors and seniors to attend multiple visits—especially if they’re considering applying to college. These sessions are a valuable way to explore new schools, ask questions, and even connect with the very admissions reps who may read applications from Souhegan.

Students can sign up through Naviance by going to the College tab → College Visits → Register Now.

Student Services is publishing monthly newsletters for the 2025-2026 school year!

September's highlights include:

💡 Suicide Prevention Month Resources
🩺 Telehealth Access at Souhegan
🎓 College Admissions Visit Schedule

📅 Key info for seniors: SAT/ACT Dates, College Essay Support, Service Academy info, Drop-in Application Support, and more!

🔗 Don't miss out—click here to stay informed!

Senior Project, a yearlong, student-driven research and learning journey, will kick off with an overview presentation during senior advisory on Monday, September 22. Seniors will need to submit their mentor selection forms on that Friday, September 26. Parents are invited to learn more about Senior Project from coordinators Kathy Maddock and Ryan Lemieux at 5:00 in the Cafeteria during Back to School Night on Thursday, September 18.

Let’s see those smiling faces! Whether you plan to submit a photo from your phone, a professional or a friend here is the link to upload! If you are using your school photo day photo we will upload that for you. It is not mandatory to have professional photos!

Photos are due 11/1/25
Click here: https://yearbookshare.com/eShare
Enter code: souhegan

What does Souhegan PTSA fund? In 24/25, Souhegan PTSA funded $5,000 for the senior class trip, $1,000 in scholarships, $5,500 in staff grants, and 2 staff luncheons.

Your support matters. Join here! Concession sales are our biggest fundraiser.

Help us raise the net profit of concession stands by sponsoring the purchases that supply the concession stand- Donate on Venmo to @SHS-PTSA, SignUpGenius, or Amazon.

Reminder to all visitors to campus, whether you are here to catch a Souhegan game or here for a special event or club/rec practice, please do not park at the softball field on Simeon Wilson Rd or along the driveway outside the entrance to the locker rooms. Park only in designated parking spots while on campus.

Claws for a Cause begins next week! Be sure to check out the website for all the home games during the week! 👇

Website: https://www.sau39.org/shs
Location: 412 Boston Post Road, Amherst, NH, USA
Phone: (603) 673-9940
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/souheganhs
Twitter: @SouheganHS