Derby High School News
October 4 - 10, 2026
A big round of applause to our newly elected Student Council Executive Board and class representatives! After an exciting campaign season, each class has officially voted in two class reps, and our Student Council is ready to hit the ground running.
We are so proud of all the candidates who stepped up, shared their ideas, and showed great leadership throughout the campaign. Whether elected or not, every candidate demonstrated the spirit of involvement and commitment that makes DHS strong.
This year, STUCO will focus on making student voices heard, planning fun and meaningful events, supporting school spirit, and giving back to the community. From pep rallies to fundraisers, service projects to spirit weeks, Student Council is here to make this a year to remember!
Remember—STUCO membership is open to all students. Even if you didn’t run for office, there are so many ways to get involved, contribute ideas, and play an important role in shaping our school. Meetings are held during Advisory. Let’s congratulate our leaders and look forward to an amazing year of teamwork, spirit, and student-led success! 💫
Dress in Orange (shirts, pants, hats, tutu's, skirts, etc)!
Derby High School students and staff will join together to WEAR ORANGE on Wednesday, October 14th to show unity for kindness, acceptance, and inclusion—and to send a visible message that no child should ever experience bullying. Unity Day, launched by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center in 2011, is the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. It is a time for all of us to come together in one giant, ORANGE message of hope and support. Let’s fill Derby High School with orange on October 14th!
Dress in Purple (shirts, pants, hats, tutu's, skirts, etc)!
Dress in Pink (shirts, pants, hats, tutu's, skirts, etc)!
Get ready for this year’s Pink Out on Friday, October 16! We will come together to raise awareness for breast cancer, honor those affected by this disease, and show our support for ongoing research. Wear your Pink Out Shirt or any pink clothing! A huge thank you to Mr. Swierb and the FBLA team for organizing this year’s Pink Out t-shirt sale and fundraiser. Congratulations to Vinny Nuzzo ('27) for this year's winning t-shirt design! All proceeds for t-shirt sales will go directly to Seymour Pink, helping to make a difference in our community. Don’t forget to wear pink from head to toe and show your support!
According to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 3 teens nationwide reports being physically, sexually, or emotionally hurt by their partner. The Connecticut Department of Public Health reports that 17% of Connecticut high school students have experienced emotional abuse by a dating partner and 8% have experienced physical abuse (2011 School Health Survey Youth Risk Behavior Report). Early exposure to these unhealthy relationships greatly increases the likelihood of these patterns repeating later in life.
That’s why it is critical for teens to have access to information about healthy dating behaviors and the warning signs of abusive relationships. One helpful resource is the td411 mobile app, which will be shared with students. This app provides essential information in a teen-friendly format—directly on their phone or mobile device. It answers questions students may be too afraid to ask, includes interactive tools to help them reflect on their relationships, and even connects them with a counselor if they need to talk.
With td411, students will be able to:
Learn healthy dating behaviors and recognize signs of abuse
Take quizzes to explore relationship boundaries and evaluate their own relationships
Access important safety tips and strategies to stay safe
Use the search function to find the nearest counselor
Access content in both English and Spanish
by: Jonathan Rodriguez ('28)
I’m from the blasting-loud music
playing in my yard.
I’m from running, playing,
and hitting too hard.
I’m from being scolded,
and being forgiven.
From trying my best,
and from being goal-driven.
I’m from making mistakes,
and learning lessons.
I’m from family game nights,
and long music sessions.
I’m from delicious smells,
emitting from the kitchen.
From decorating for holidays
with colorful ribbons.
When I look at my childhood,
I’m proud to see,
all of the things
that made me the best I can be.
CHRO Youth Summit Open to All Students
Derby High School students who are interested in careers in public interest law and social justice have a unique opportunity to participate in the Civil Rights Youth Summit: Attorney Pipeline Program. The event will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the UConn Law Campus in Hartford.
The program is sponsored by the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) and led by Attorney Cheryl A. Sharp, Deputy Executive Director of CHRO, who brings over 30 years of experience in civil rights law. Attorney Sharp is passionate about passing on her knowledge and experience to the next generation, empowering students to envision a future of equity, justice, and societal transformation.
At the summit, students will:
Learn about the role of the judiciary and case analyses
Participate in interactive law school classes
Gain hands-on experience with case briefings
Tour the UConn Law Campus
This engaging, hands-on experience is designed to inspire students to consider careers in law and social justice while demonstrating how the legal profession can make a real difference in the world.
Students can register using the link or QR code provided. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is encouraged.
Don’t miss this chance to explore the legal field and be inspired to make a difference!
School Resource Officer (SRO) Kowalec is settling into the Derby High School community and starting to share her experience with students. She has been a member of the Derby Police Department since 2008 and brings extensive her experience in patrol and as a Field Training Officer to DHS. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Central Connecticut State University and a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Management from the University of New Haven.
As our School Resource Officer, SRO Kowalec’s role goes beyond safety and security. She is here to build relationships, educate students on important topics, support prevention and early intervention, and respond to concerns when needed.
This week, SRO Kowalec began meeting with seniors during Advisory to introduce herself and allow them to get to know her as both an officer and an individual. (Fun fact! She is an avid Pokémon card collector and trader!) Her presentation included information about road safety and traffic stops. With many of our seniors becoming new drivers, these conversations are an important opportunity to share practical safety tips, discuss traffic stops, and reinforce the responsibility that comes with being behind the wheel. She also joined Ms. Shea’s Forensics classes as students worked through a mock crime and learned about the steps involved in conducting an investigation. It was a great opportunity for students to connect classroom learning to real-world law enforcement practices and learn from her experience. We look forward to more opportunities for our students to connect with SRO Kowalec throughout the year!
It’s time to dig into those couch cushions and clean out the bottom of your backpacks—Coin Wars are here! Student Council is collecting loose change every day during Advisory, and every penny counts toward a great cause. Donations being made to the Vicki Soto Memorial Fund (education/scholarships), Umbrella Center (domestic violence), Shelton Pink (breast cancer), and Pacer Center (anti-bullying)
Here’s the deal:
-
💵 The class that raises the most money will win a CLASS-WIDE dress down day (yes, the whole class!).
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🎉 Plus, one lucky participant will snag a $10 gift card—just for joining in on the fun!
So grab your nickels, dimes, and quarters (and hey, even those dollar bills if you’re feeling generous!) and let’s see which class comes out on top. The competition is heating up, so don’t wait—bring your change and make a change!
by John Saccu
Starting a new school year can be a bit stressful for students especially if they are starting in a new school and grade level. In elementary grades they may experience new feelings or thoughts of worry, sadness or upset. You can help your child by being aware of when emotions are normal or when they should talk to a trusted adult. Be aware of changes in your child’s behavior such as eating less or more, trouble sleeping, crying easily, isolation, less energy or feeling nervous and stressed.
High school can also be an incredibly challenging time for students, particularly the 9th grade when the transition, independence and expectations become more challenging and relationships much more complicated.
Parents should be aware of these signs: (Source: kidshealth.org/ SOS (signs of suicide))
Long-lasting feelings of sadness or discouragement
Difficulty concentrating or focusing.
Negative thinking
Low energy
Easily irritated
Parents should be aware that the Derby School District entered into an agreement with the Derby Youth Bureau and BHcare to provide in school behavioral health support and counseling right in the school building at all grade levels. This is particularly important since the great majority of youth do not receive mental health services for a variety of reasons. Youth and young adults often do not seek professional help on their own because of embarrassment, lack of transportation or negative attitudes.This program removes many of those barriers and is confidential. You as parents can seek out this help by simply talking with your school or social worker.
Have a great new school year!
We are here for you if you need to help! The main office is open from 7:00 - 3:30 PM.
- Principal Mrs. Jennifer Olson jolson@derbyps.org
- Assistant Principal: Mr. Ray Coplin rcoplin@derbyps.org
- Special Education Supervisor: Mr. Mike Giordano, mgiordano@derbyps.org
- Freshman Academy Coordinator: Mrs. Carlin Ali cali@derbyps.org
- Admin Assistant: Mrs. Angela Lillemoe alillemoe@derbyps.org
- School Counselor: Mr. Brian Nutcher bnutcher@derbyps.org
- School Counselor: Mrs. Jennifer Ostrosky jostrosky@derbyps.org
- College & Career Paraeducator: Ms. Jennylee Hoffman jehoffman@derbyps.org
- School Social Worker: Mrs. Nichole McKitty nmckitty@derbyps.org
- School Nurse: Mrs. Erin Gregoire, RN egregoire@derbyps.org
- Athletic Director: Ms. Jennifer Moffat jmoffat@derbyps.org
Contact Me
Principal
Derby High School
#GoBigRed!
Email: jolson@derbyps.org
Website: https://www.derbyps.org
Location: 75 Chatfield Street, Derby, CT, USA
Phone: 203-516-4073
Twitter: @DerbyRedRaider