The correct date for the Staples Winter Concert is Wednesday, February 8th in the SHS auditorium at 7:30pm.

PENS – Parents ENhancing Staples

At last week’s Principal coffee, English teacher, Brian Tippy, gave an exciting presentation demonstrating how iPads can be used in our student's classrooms to create an interactive learning environment. These iPads were funded entirely by the SHS PTA, but we still need your help to reach our funding goal! Please consider donating to our PENS campaign. This year, in an effort to direct every dollar of your PENS contribution to our students, we are fundraising via email only. You will not receive a PENS form in the mail. Please see the attached form for more details. Please contact Ilene Frost at ilenefrost@optonline.net or Shira Honigstein at shonigstein@hotmail.com for more information. On behalf of all SHS students, THANK YOU for your generosity!

ALL PARENTS!

The Senior Internship Program is looking for additional sites for this year’s Senior Class!

Do you (or anyone you know) work at any of the following?

• Architectural Firms

• Bakeries

• Fashion-Related (design, merchandising, etc.)

• Finance-Related (hedge funds, investment advisory, banking, etc.)

• Law Firms

• Marketing Firms

• Radio Stations

• Fitness Sites

If so please contact Lee Saveliff at shsinternship@westport.k12.ct.us to further discuss participation in the 2012 Spring Internship Program.

Thank you for your support!

SHS PTA NOMINATING COMMITTEE – WE NEED YOU!

The SHS-PTA Nominating Committee is beginning to identify candidates for the 2012/13 PTA board. If you have an interest in serving on the Board next year in any capacity or have questions, please contact someone from the Committee as soon as possible to ensure you are included in the list of potential candidates. Descriptions of all positions can be found on the SHS website at http://shs.westport.k12.ct.us/pta/.

Co Chairs:

Joanne Heller (203) 256-0507 jqheller@optonline.net

Ellen Lautenberg (203) 454-9505 e.lautenberg@gmail.com

Past President:

Sandy Rappaport (203) 227-3693 slrapp@optonline.net

Committee:

Barbara Amacker (203) 292-8051 b_amacker@hotmail.com

Liz Kaner (203) 221-7717 lizkaner@gmail.com

Maureen Lahiff (203) 227-1289 lahiffpa@optonline.net

Theresa Prangley (203) 226-1259 t1pran@optonline.net

Diana Quagliariello (203) 221-1466 farrquag@optonline.net

Susan Teicher (203) seteicher@optonline.net

Sue Vester (203) 226-4136 sbvester@aol.com

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EVENING FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS

In an effort to provide parents and students an understanding of the Advanced Placement Program at Staples High School, parents are invited to attend an AP Open House on Tuesday, February 7, 2011 from 7-9pm. The purpose of the evening is to acquaint parents and students with an overview of the Advanced Placement Program and the many AP courses offered at Staples.

Please understand that if you are unable to attend, there will be opportunities for students to receive program information from their guidance counselor. Schedules for the evening will be available at tables in the front lobby as you enter the building.

SHS WRECKER WEAR - CHECK IT OUT!!

The SHS 2011-2012 wrecker line has been updated with winter gear. Check it out at the Athletic Shoe Factory Website.

BOYS LACROSSE

All boys lacrosse players need to register on-line with Wreckers Lacrosse Club. If your son is playing please fill out all parent and player information on the site at www.wreckerslax.com.

A BETTER CHANCE OF WESTPORT - BOARD OPENINGS

A Better Chance of Westport, the local chapter of a national program bringing under served scholars to live in prep schools or communities with nationally ranked high schools, is developing its Board of Directors for 2012-2013. There are a number of positions available that can be handled on your own schedule, and monthly Board meetings are in the evenings, which is helpful for those who work full time. If you are curious about what positions are available, please e-mail Catherine Davis at cdavis244@aol.com. Host Families include a scholar in their family life each Sunday and one weekend a month. If you would like more information on this program or to talk to a current host family, please e-mail Nancy Yates at nyates@post.harvard.edu. Learn more about us on our web site www.abetterchanceofwestport.org.

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The BOE will continue to review and discuss the Superintendent’s proposed budget for the 2012-13 school year at the next BOE meeting on Monday, February 6th in the SHS Cafeteria at 7:30pm. To see a copy of the Superintendent's proposed budget click here. On February 6th, the BOE plans to vote to adopt a version of the budget, which will then be presented to the BOF. Parent feedback is encouraged throughout the process. Email or call the BOE members with comments and concerns. Click here for the current meeting agenda. This meeting can also be viewed live on channel 78 or via computer on the district's website or by clicking here: BOE Meeting Live Stream.

NEWS FROM GUIDANCE

DEADLINES FOR SPRING SAT AND ACT:

Staples High School Code: 070-920

Register Online at www.collegeboard.com or at www.actstudent.org.

SAT date 3/10 must register by 2/10

SAT date 5/5 must register by 4/6

SAT date 6/2 must register by 5/8

ACT date 4/14 must register by 3/9

ACT date 6/9 must register by 5/4

COURSE SELECTION: This is the time to choose courses carefully. During the months of February & March counselors will begin to see students on an individual basis to select courses for the following school year. Please make these choices carefully as changes are not always possible. Teacher recommendations are most important in these decisions. The schedule below will be followed:

Grade 11: February 13th - 17th

Grade 9: March 5th - 9th

Grade 10: March 19th - 23rd

Please have students sign up to see their counselor during the appropriate dates for each grade level to pre-register for courses. Students sign-up in their counselor’s appointment book in the Guidance Office.

GAP YEAR FAIR

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012, Presentation: 6:30-7:30 pm / Fair: 7:00-8:30 p.m., Hall High School, 975 North Main Street, West Hartford, CT.

SENIORS: Do not slump! Too often this time of year seniors think that it is safe to relax and not work as hard. After all, first semester is over and colleges will make decisions on information received to date. Many times, however, students are wait-listed at colleges and third quarter grades are requested. Obviously those grades play a key role in removal from a wait list. Moreover, colleges have been known to revoke their acceptance of a student based on poor performance and/or loss of credit in the second semester of senior year. Keep your standards high! Remember to tell your counselor and Mrs. Ketley of all acceptances and to update Naviance. Also, please inform your teachers who were kind enough to write recommendations for you. It is not too late to thank them if you have not done so already.

JUNIORS: Remember to stop by and make an appointment to see your counselor regarding post high school planning. We would love to have your parents join us. Please bring the list that you developed through the Naviance Program with you to the meeting.

FRESHMEN: From January 31st to February 10th, all freshmen will be taken from physical education classes through the College and Career Center to complete a personality survey called, “Do What You Are.” This survey, which is part of the Naviance program, is a non-judgmental tool for helping people better understand themselves and others.

SERVICE ACADEMIES

Juniors who are interested in applying to the United States Military (West Point), Air Force, Merchant Marine, or Navel Academy are required to write to their Congressman now. Please discuss this with your counselor. The deadline date for contacting Congressmen is early October of the senior year, but the sooner you apply, the more time your Congressman has to evaluate your file. All Congressmen have application packets available in their offices. Counselors will be happy to help you with the process.

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (F.A.F.S.A)

The F.A.F.S.A. form is online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Although aid is based on 2011 tax return information, don't wait to fill this form out, you must estimate as best as you can. The schools will ask for verification of this information later if you are admitted and receive financial aid.

AWARDS & SCHOLARSHIPS

STAPLES TUITON GRANTS

Staples Tuition Grants Scholarships are now available for downloading at www.staplestuitiongrants.org. The deadline for the STG Scholarship application is March 15th, with financial documents due April 22nd.

Local scholarship applications including Woman’s Club are now available in the Guidance Office. The deadline for this application is March 5th.

Scholarships with Upcoming Deadlines:

Generation Google Scholarship is a new program for aspiring computer scientists to excel in technology and become active role models and leaders in the field. Selected students will receive $10,000 a year for up to four years (or until graduation, whichever comes first), as long as they maintain criteria for renewal. Recipients will also be invited to attend Google's Computer Science Institute (CSSI) in the Summer of 2012. Applicants must be high school seniors and meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Intends to be enrolled in or accepted as a full-time student as a university in the US or Canada for the 2012-13 school year.

• Intends to be enrolled in or accepted for enrollment in a baccalaureate. Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering or related program.

• Exemplifies leadership and demonstrates a commitment to and passion for computer science and technology through involvement in their community.

• Strong record of academic achievement.

• A student from an underrepresented group in computer science (African, American, Hispanic, American Indian, Female or a Person with a Disability).

• Demonstrates financial need.

Please visit the website for application: https://google.eresources.com/applications/login.asp Questions? Email generationgoogle@google.com .

Deadline to apply: Monday, February 20, 2012.

KFC Colonel’s Scholars is looking for high school seniors with financial need and an entrepreneurial spirit to qualify for the program. Awards are up to $20,000 for tuition, fees, textbooks, room and board. Applications are online atwww.kfcscholars.org. For questions, visit the website or call 1-866-KFC-7240. Deadline: Feb. 8, 2012.

Proton Energy Scholarship will recognize and award high school seniors across the nation who demonstrate outstanding achievement, excellence and promise in the field of science or technology, and who plan to pursue higher education in this field. The scholarship will award up to four-year undergraduate scholarships with a total value of up to $100,000. Deadline: February 10, 2012. Visit www.ProtonEnergyScholarship.org

GAR College Class Scholarship (Gordan A. Rich Memorial Foundation): Awards (5) $12,500 per academic year scholarships. The recipients of GAR scholarships are exceptionally qualified high school students with demonstrated financial need whose parents or guardians have, or had, a career in the financial service industry (banks, insurance, etc.) Visit www.gordanrich.org. Deadline: February 10, 2012.

University of Connecticut Women’s Center, 100 Years of Women Scholarship awarded to any high school senior planning to enroll in UConn who has demonstrated a commitment to women’s issues through community or school service. The awards range from $250-$1,000. Deadline: February 24, 2012.

ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS:

For a complete list of national scholarships visit www.fastweb.com or www.finaid.org.

Please check the Staples Naviance Website for scholarships that we receive in the College & Career Center.

COMMUNITY BULLETIN BOARD

THE BROADWAY BOYS BENEFIT CONCERT AT SHS

Sunday, February 12 at 4:00pm, SHS Auditorium.

Don’t miss this fabulous concert event to benefit Staples Players and the Northeast Children’s Theatre Company (NCTC). The Broadway Boys and their Band – led by Westport’s own Justin Paul - will perform hits from Broadway shows in ways you’ve never before heard them! This one’s great for all; the young, old and everyone in-between – so grab your kids, parents, grandparents, friends, neighbors and co-workers and bring them along. Click here for more information and to order tickets.

Additional information on upcoming Westport Community Events can be found on the Community Bulletin Board.

Additional information on upcoming Westport Community Events, including Earthplace can be found on the Community Bulletin Board or clicking on the link: Community Bulletin Board.