1-6-25
Good afternoon, Families,
Happy New Year! We hope you had a restful and joyful holiday season with your loved ones. As we return to school, we are excited to welcome Mr. Christopher Barbarotta as our new Assistant Principal. With over 15 years of experience in education, Mr. Barbarotta joins us from the North Adams Public School System. Throughout his career, he has served as a Dean of Students at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as in alternative programs. Additionally, he has experience as an Athletic Director, baseball coach, and restorative practices trainer. While Mr. Barbarotta will focus on grades 8, 10, and 12, we are thrilled to have him with us to support all students and families in the building. He is eager to join the Southwick Regional School administrative team and looks forward to working with our students, staff, and community. Welcome, Mr. Barbarotta!
We are now in the final stretch of the first semester with just three weeks remaining. It’s a great time to check-in with your student to ensure they are focused and motivated to finish strong. If your child needs any support, whether academic or personal, please do not hesitate to reach out to a teacher or school counselor. We are here to help every step of the way to ensure a successful finish to the first semester.
High School Final Exam Schedule:
January 21 Alternating day class exams
January 22 A exam, B class, C exam, D class
January 23 A class, B exam, C class, D exam
January 24 Make-up and extended time
Middle school students will participate in mid-year assessments. Team Leaders will be sending out each Team’s schedule through a Plus Portals message this week.
i-Ready
Middle school students will complete the benchmark i-Ready assessment on Thursday (1/19) and Friday (1/10) of this week. Students in 9th grade will participate in the i-Ready benchmark assessment during English and Math classes at the start of the second semester: January 29th and 30th.
Attendance Appeals
First semester attendance appeals will be heard on January 21st and 22nd. High school students who have received a ‘loss of credit’ notice who would like to appeal should review page 18 of the Student Handbook for more information about the attendance appeals process.
Middle school dance
The Class of 2026 will be sponsoring a Winter Dance for middle school students on Friday, January 24th. Tickets will be on sale for $10.00 on January 14th or $15.00 if purchased on January 15th and 16th. This is an event for Southwick Regional School 7th and 8th grade students only.
Upcoming Dates:
January 20th- No school
January 21-23- High school finals; middle school mid-years
January 24- Collaboration day; 11:00 am dismissal
January 24- Grades close
January 27- Second semester begins
January 28- As Schools Match Wits competition airs
Wishing all our SRS families well in the new year!
Principal Shorter
12-9-24
Good afternoon, families,
As we approach the final two weeks before our December holiday break, there is plenty of excitement building around activities and events taking place at school as well as the coming vacation. From the winter concert to the New York field trip, a new athletic season, and classroom projects, Southwick Regional School students are wrapping up 2024 with energy and enthusiasm. It’s a busy time and we are excited to finish the year on such a high note!
Wreaths Across America
Southwick Regional School students have once again demonstrated their commitment to honoring our nation's heroes by raising just under $1,500 for Wreaths Across America, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to remembering fallen U.S. veterans, honoring those who serve, and teaching the value of freedom to future generations. The funds will help place wreaths on the graves of veterans at the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery in Agawam, ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten.
Our school is proud to have contributed the sixth largest single donation to the Agawam cemetery this year. A group from Southwick Regional has been involved with Wreaths Across America since 2017. This year is especially significant as Agawam has been included as a stop on the "Escort to Arlington" convoy. Southwick Regional has been invited to attend the ceremony on December 10th, when the convoy passes through Agawam. Representing our school at this event will be Kaila Pieczarka, the student leader of this initiative, along with Ms. Moriarty and Principal Shorter. On December 14th, our entire student group will take part in the Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the cemetery. We are incredibly proud of our students’ dedication and leadership in supporting this important cause.
Winter Concert
Our Winter Concert is almost here! The concert is scheduled for Tuesday, December 10th at 6:30pm. All band and chorus students will be performing in this concert. We look forward to seeing many of our SRS families there!
Family Opinion Survey
In preparation for the upcoming Self-Reflection that the Southwick Regional School will be completing as part of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Accreditation process, all students, families, and faculty members will complete surveys designed to provide our school with important feedback on our work. We hope to learn more about what is working well for our students and identify areas for growth and improvement.
We are asking every family to complete one survey. You do not need to complete multiple surveys if you have more than one student in the school. The survey should not take more than 10 minutes to complete. It is mobile -ready and can be completed on your computer, tablet, or phone. Please complete the survey by December 13, 2024.
We recognize that it is a busy time of year and thank you for taking the time to share your opinions with us through this very important survey!
Family survey link: https://surveys.neasc.org/s3/CPS-2027-Family-Survey?id=62
Winter Sports Update
The Winter Sports Season started last week, and the RAMS athletics programs are looking as strong as ever. Over 160 students have registered for RAMS Athletics this Winter. Our coaches and athletes are working hard in preparation for the December 12 MIAA competition start date. We are pleased to welcome back returning coaches in all 7 of our winter programs. Additionally, we are excited to introduce to our coaching staff, Shayla Perez (Girls Basketball), Tom Greene and Bryan Ciavola (Boys Ice Hockey), Larry Libow (Indoor Track), and Vinny Guiel and Will Hearn (Wrestling). We warmly welcome all our coaches.
Schedules for most sports are available and updated on www.arbiterlive.com. News and information are also available on the SRS Athletics webpage https://srs.stgrsd.org/students/athletics. Follow us on Instagram @southwickrams.
We invite all parents to our Winter Parents Meeting on Wednesday December 11, 2024 in the SRS auditorium, starting at 6pm.
We look forward to joining with you to support our student-athletes, coaches and sports teams this winter. GO RAMS!
Broadway Trip Performing Arts students from the Drama Club and music program will be traveling to New York City on December 18th. The group will be attending the Broadway performance of Back to the Future: The Musical.
Auditions - The SRS Drama Club will be holding auditions for their Spring Musical production, ANASTASIA, December 11th-13th after school. Information is available by contacting Ms. Grunwald at [email protected].
Europe Trip 2026 - Enrollment is now open for the 2026 April Break Trip to England and France. Current 9th 10th, and 11th graders are eligible. Information is available by contacting Ms. Grunwald at [email protected]. A $200 enrollment discount is available through December 11th.
Ugly Seasonal Sweater Day All Southwick Regional School students and staff are invited to participate in Ugly Seasonal Sweater Day on Thursday, December 19th. We hope to have a little fun before the holiday break by embracing the quirky and fun side of the winter and holiday season by wearing the most outrageous, creative, and festive sweaters. Bright, clashing colors, over the top holiday graphics, three dimensional add-ons, funny or tacky sayings (as long as they are appropriate for school), or anything that makes us say “Whoa, that’s bold!”
Upcoming dates:
Dec 10- Winter Concert at 6:30 pm
Dec 11- Winter Sports Parent meeting at 6:00 pm
Dec 12-13- Addressing Hate in Schools small group training for students
Dec 14- Wreaths Across America wreath laying
Dec 18- Performing Arts trip to New York City
Dec 23-Jan 3- No school
Jan 9, 10- i-Ready diagnostic for students in grades 7, 8, 9
Jan 20- No school; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Day
Jan 22-24- Semester I Finals
Jan 24 – Grades close
Jan 24- Collaboration day; 11:00 dismissal
Jan 27- Semester II begins
11-25-24
Good evening, Families,
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone one of you for your continued support, dedication, and partnership throughout this schoolyear. The success and well-being of our students are only possible because of the strong relationships we share as a community. I am thankful for the vibrant, compassionate, and resilient community we are building and I look forward to the many successes we will share in the months ahead.
Wishing all our Southwick Regional School families a Happy Thanksgiving!
With appreciation,
Principal Shorter
NEASC SURVEY- Students and Families
This September, Southwick Regional School began the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) process for accreditation. The NEASC accreditation process is a comprehensive review designed to ensure that our school meets the high standards of educational quality and effectiveness. It involves a thorough evaluation of our curriculum, teaching practices, student support systems, and overall school environment. This process helps us identify areas for improvement and ensures that we are providing an exceptional learning experience for all students.
In preparation for the Self-Reflection that Southwick Regional School will be completing as part of the NEASC Accreditation process, all students, families, and faculty members will complete surveys designed to provide our school with important feedback on our work. We hope to learn more about what is working well for our students and identify areas for growth and improvement. Every student will have an opportunity to complete the survey during the school day on December 6, 2024. If you have questions about the survey, please do not hesitate to reach out to Principal Shorter or Mrs. Allyson Wicander, NEASC Committee Chairperson.
Parents and guardians will also be asked to complete a survey. Please watch for an email in the first week of December with the link to the survey. We ask that every family complete one survey. The survey is mobile-ready and can be completed on a computer, tablet, or phone. We appreciate your support!
Student Council
The Student Council has been very busy planning spirit events in the month of November including the Rock 102 Food Drive, Spirit Days, The Hallway Showdown, and Pep Rally. During the week of November 18th, homerooms competed to collect the greatest number of food drive donations. Collected items will be donated to the Rock 102 food drive this week. Thank you to the Student Council for sponsoring this collection!
The Hallway Showdown is an exciting event where each high school Class competes to showcase their school spirit by decorating their hallways. Each high school Class is given a designated section of the hallway to transform with creative decorations, themed displays, and bright colors that represent school/ class pride. The most impressive hallway, reflecting the class’ enthusiasm, creativity, and school spirit will earn Pep Rally points and bragging rights. Students spent time Friday after school getting the halls ready; we look forward to seeing the display this week!
During Spirit days, leading up to Pep Rally on Wednesday, grade levels (7-12) compete for points by having the most participants:
Monday: Start the week off with PJ Day- roll out of bed and wear your comfiest pajamas, or take it up a notch with Anything But a Backpack day! Get creative by carrying your stuff in anything but a traditional backpack.
Tuesday: Get ready for a showdown with Jersey v Jersey Shore. Show your team spirit by wearing your favorite jersey, or channel a beachy vibe with a Jersey Shore look.
Wednesday: Gear up for the Pep Rally by sporting your School/ Class Colors- who has the most school pride as we count down to the big event!
International Travel
Dreaming of a European adventure? Travel to England and France with Southwick Regional School during Spring Break 2026. There will be an informational meeting on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 6:00 pm at SRS. The 2026 trip to England and France is open to current 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students and their families. For additional details about the trip and to register for the informational meeting, use this link: https://bit.ly/4faCrOW
Fall Sports Celebration
During the Fall Sports Celebration on November 19th we had an opportunity to thank and congratulate all of our student-athletes and coaches for their commitment and efforts while representing the Southwick RAMS during the Fall 2024 season!
Special Team recognitions were given to:
- Boys Cross-Country, for qualifying for the MIAA State Championships.
- Girls Soccer - for qualifying for the MIAA State Tournament and making it through to the second round.
- Field Hockey - for qualifying for the MIAA State Tournament, and for being crowned the PVIAC-Western Mass Class B CHAMPIONS!
Individual teams also recognized the following student-athletes:
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Most Valuable Player
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LILY COLEMAN
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Cross-Country
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JACOB ROKICKI
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Cross-Country
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KAMERON NORMANDIE
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Field Hockey
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JOEY MALKOON
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Golf
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LORELAI WHALLEY
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Girls Soccer
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ANDREY SAYKIN
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Boys Soccer
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AVA CRAWFORD
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Unified Basketball
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GABRIELA VICTOR
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Girls Volleyball
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Most Improved Player
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ANGELICA KOWAL
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Cross-Country
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ADRIAN BOTTASS
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Cross-Country
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MIREILLE GOODMAN
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Field Hockey
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DANIEL METHE
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Golf
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CADENCE DUBOIS
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Girls Soccer
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PHONG TRAN
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Boys Soccer
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JORDAN JIMENEZ
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Unified Basketball
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SOPHIA VIKTORCHUK
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Girls Volleyball
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Coaches Award
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EMMA POMEROY
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Cross-Country
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ANTHONY AVONTI
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Cross-Country
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ALYSSA JACOB
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Field Hockey
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JOSH DRUMM
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Golf
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MACKENZIE LOUDON
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Girls Soccer
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BRAEDEN IGLESIAS
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Boys Soccer
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JAYDEN MARTIN
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Unified Basketball
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MELANIE KANTIANIS
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Girls Volleyball
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Unsung Hero
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WEDNESDAY SCHLICHTING
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Cross-Country
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MASON GRAZIA
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Cross-Country
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AVA LIGHTCAP
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Field Hockey
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GIANNA MASCIADRELLI
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Girls Soccer
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RYLAN IGLESIAS
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Boys Soccer
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CYLESTE SZCZEPANIK
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Girls Volleyball
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What’s Happening in December:
Our students are involved in a wide variety of clubs, activities, events, and programs from a holiday performance, community service project, program meetings, college and career explorations, and a school opinion survey, December has a little bit of everything for our students. I encourage you to ask your student about what’s happening with their group, club, activity or event this month.
Club Yearbook Photos- 12/2
8th Grade Visit to CTEC – 12/3
Gear Up for College Days – 12/3-12/5
NEASC Student Opinion Survey- 12/6
Wreaths Across America- 12/10
Winter Band and Chorus Concert 12/10 at 6:30 pm
Connections Program Training- 12/11
Addressing Hate in Schools Training- 12/12-12/13
Drama Club trip to Broadway in NYC- 12/18
Employment Opportunities
STGRSD is excited to share that our school district is seeking individuals to join our team! We are currently looking for both substitute teachers and part-time food service workers. If you are interested in exploring these opportunities, please use the link below:
https://www.stgrsd.org/departments/human_resources/employment_opportunities