Dear Parents and Guardians:

Would you believe we just celebrated SMS Half Way Day?  Yes, believe it.  The year is half over and we are on the downward slide to June.

Thus far, we’ve had three “snow days” which, to date, means our last school day has been moved to June 20, 2001.  Obviously, this is subject to change pending more “snow days”.

We have received a portion of our Connecticut Mastery Test results.  We are pleased to report our scores increased in all areas.  As parents and guardians, you will be receiving individual student results in early March.

Our girl’s and boy’s basketball teams are having decent seasons this year.  The boys are 5 wins 12 losses and the girls are 8 wins and 9 losses.  by the time you receive this newsletter, our season will be over.

For the first time ever we ran a very successful single elimination co-ed volleyball tournament.  We had some representatives  from every homeroom and ended up with Ms. Legeza’s 8^th grade homeroom winning the entire tournament.  Because of the success and interest in this tournament, we intend to run a double elimination tournament during the first week of April.  We think we will have even more students involved.

Plans for Washington, D.C. and Boston, MA trips are coming along great.  I want to thank Mrs. Kaszeta, Mrs. Pagliaro and Mr. Panasci for taking over all the planning and coordination of the Washington trip.  They were able to get all the 8^th graders set up with roommates with very little trouble or fanfare.  Trust me, this was no small accomplishment.

Equally important are the efforts of Mrs. Finkle, Ms. Legeza, and Mr. Turchuk.  They are working most diligently on getting the Boston trip in order.

Without the help of these six teachers and others, the trips this year were at risk.  With the new school coming on line and my responsibilities to it, I was seriously thinking of canceling the trips this year.  But… we are well on our way. 

Mrs. Susan Shugrue has recently volunteered to help advise our 8^th Grade Graduation Dance Committee.  She will need other adults to assist her.  If you are interested, please call or drop us a note with your name and telephone number.  We will gladly pass your name on to Mrs. Shugrue.  The graduation dance will be held on Friday, June 1, 2001.

Your child will be receiving more details and handouts on Washington and Boston. There was a meeting on Thursday, 2/15/01 with lots of info about Washington.  You should ask your eighth grader for the details.