Message from the Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians:

Let me begin by wishing you all a belated Happy New Year. Prior to our holiday break we earned a wonderful recognition from U.S News & World Report by being named one of the nation’s top high schools with the distinction of a silver medal. U.S. News & World Report, in collaboration with School Evaluation Services, analyzed academic and enrollment data from more that 18,000 public highs schools to find the very best across the country. America’s Best High Schools recognizes three categories of distinction: gold, silver, and bronze. One hundred schools earned gold medals, 405 schools were awarded silver medals, and 1086 schools earned bronze. The silver medal recognizes high schools meeting all three criteria. Analysis is based on the following:

• Standardized test performance
• Proficiency rates of all students, including the least advantaged
• Challenging college-ready curriculum

For good reason we are very proud of our students. They come to school prepared to learn, and as you will see from reading this newsletter, they are actively involved in
extracurricular activities and in making connections through the spirit of giving to our community and the global community. Second trimester is very busy for us as we begin the course selection process for the 2008-2009 school year. As well, the CAPT (Connecticut Academic Performance Test) will be administered to sophomores March 4, 5, 6, (state mandated dates), and 11, 12 and 13 (district elected dates). Student performance on the CAPT is a state graduation requirement. To achieve our goal of providing students with an opportunity to be successful, we are coordinating the trimester exam schedule with the CAPT testing schedule. During exam periods, sophomores will take the CAPT. It is very important that students be in attendance and on time those days. Freshmen, juniors, and seniors are required to take exams during the regularly scheduled exam periods March 11, 12 and 13. According to a survey conducted by the Associated Press, when young people were asked who they admired the most, their collective top pick was their parents. This was followed by a friend, grandmother, brother, and teacher/professor. As always I thank you
for your support and look forward to a continuing year of many successes!

Sincerely,

Barbara J. Britton