January 2014 - South Windsor Public Schools

South Windsor High School
SWHS Important Dates
FEBRUARY
6
Pep Rally
7
9th Grade Course Selection
11
10th & 11th Course Selection
13
Late Arrival Day
13
PAC Meeting, 6:00 p.m.
17-21 February Vacation - School Closed
27
Late Arrival Day
Bobcat Tracks
MARCH
10
13
20
20
20
21
21
24
25
27
Spring Sports Paperwork Due
PAC Meeting, 6:30 p.m.
Late Arrival Day
World Language Honor Society
Inductions
CAPT Testing
CAPT Testing
Volleyball Marathon
Tuesday Schedule
Professional Development Day—No School
Late Arrival Day
www.southwindsorschools.org/highschool
Permit # 5143
(860) 648-5000
(860) 648-5003
(860) 648-5005
(860) 648-5013
Phone:
Guidance:
Attendance:
Fax:
So. Windsor, CT 06074
U.S. Postage
161 Nevers Road
South Windsor, CT 06074
South Windsor High School
Non-Profit Org
* Students should arrive to school no later than
8:20 a.m. on Late Arrival Days
January 2014
Issue 3
Letter from the Principal
I hope that everyone enjoyed time with family and friends and that you entered
the New Year with a renewed spirit. The next few weeks will be busy here at
the high school with mid-year exams and a full slate of activities. I encourage
you to come out and support your students and their friends as they represent
South Windsor in athletics, robotics, music and other academic competitions.
I would like to take this opportunity to call attention to the changes in
standardized testing that begin this year. In previous years, sophomores would
take the CAPT test in March, and the school would operate on a special testing
schedule. This year sophomores will only be taking the CAPT Science exams.
Later in the spring, juniors will be the first group to take the Smarter Balanced
Assessments. The majority of the testing will occur during the regular school
day.
Smarter Balanced is a consortium working to develop “next-generation
assessments” aligned to the Common Core State Standards. It is our hope that
the new assessments will provide a more accurate measure of student progress
relative to college and career readiness. Smarter Balanced assessments make
use of computer adaptive technology which is more precise and efficient than
fixed-form testing. Teachers, principals, and parents can receive results from
computerized assessments in weeks not months. Faster results mean that
teachers can use the information from optional interim assessments
throughout the school year to differentiate instruction and better meet the
unique needs of their students. Smarter Balanced assessments will include
short constructed response, extended constructed response, and performance
tasks that allow students to complete an in-depth project that demonstrate
analytical skills and real-world problem solving.
Go Bobcats!
“Dream, Achieve, Inspire”
CLASS OF 2013 - SENIOR SECTION
CONGRATULATIONS
SUE MAZZONA AND JERE
JEREME
ME MARTINEAU
RECOGONITION OF EXCE
EXCELLENCE
LLENCE IN EDUCATION AWARD
Sue Mazzona and Jereme Martineau received the Connecticut Association of
Schools (CAS)”Recognition of Excellence in Education” award for extraordinary staff involvement and contribution to school success. They were honored at the CAS celebration at the Aqua Turf in Southington, CT on November
19th.
FROM THE KITCHEN
On December 20, 2013, Barb Starkweather, kitchen manager, said a final farewell to her staff as well as the staff and
students of SWHS. She no longer has to wake up to be at
work at 5:45 am; she no longer has to plan menus or order
food for a thousand plus students; she no longer has to
count hundreds of boxes of pizza and chicken and applesauce.
She will miss working with a dedicated staff of kitchen workers, the friends and
peers she has worked with for over 25 years, and especially the students. Barb
started her school lunch career working in the original high school kitchen when
her children were still in school in this district. She went back to school herself and
got an associate’s degree in foodservice management while working full time as
manager here. She was always the first to sign up for courses on food service, menu
planning and marketing. She leaves us in the year her oldest grandchild begins her
high school career here at SWHS. Barb chose to leave now so she could avoid the
cold, the snow, ice and messy winter conditions – and she is enjoying a couple
months in sunny, warm Florida. We all miss her and wish her a great retirement.
TOYS FOR TOTS
After reflecting on the Veterans’ Day activities at South
Windsor High School, Mrs. Larkins and Ms. Simcik’s advisory class decided to pool their money to purchase toys
for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign. They collected $150 dollars and were able to buy seven toys that
were donated to the campaign to be enjoyed by young
children this holiday season.
2014 CONNECTICUT SCH
SCHOLASTIC
OLASTIC ART AWARDS!
Ana Bairos received an Honorable Mention in ceramics and glass for her
"Footed Bowls."
Victoria Davieau received an Honorable Mention in painting for "Sanctuary.”
Caitlin Domina received an Honorable Mention in ceramics and glass for her
"Untitled" coil vessel.
All winners' work will be on display at the Silpe Gallery
at the University of Hartford until January 31st. There
will be a reception and celebration on January 26th.
TORNADO ALLY
Pictured here is Jeremy Perez,
Francis Tarasiewicz, Andrew
Hinchliffe, and Casey McAndrew
in South Windsor High School’s
new Meteorology class taught
by Mr. Carlson.
Here the students are learning
the fundamentals of tornado
formation, including updrafts,
wind shear, and cloud formation.
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CLASS OF 2013 - SENIOR SECTION
MID-TERM EXAM SCHEDULES
Dues Collection in cafeteria during all
lunches
After School in room 264 (2:00-2:45): THIS
IS THE FINAL DATE TO PAY IN ORDER TO
HAVE A TABLE AND BUS CHOICE.
January 14, 15; February 11
,12; April 1, 2, 15
April 16
Homeroom: Bus and table sign-ups for
those who have paid
After School in room 264 (2:00-2:45): Dues
Collection (table and bus assignments
based on availability). ABSOLUTE FINAL
COLLECTION for the outing and reception.
Senior Outing: Holiday Hill
May 1
Senior Reception: Maneeley’s
Friday, May 30
Graduation
TBD by Bd of Ed at 1st mtg
in April
First semester mid-term exams will be held January 21, 22, 23 and 24.
Second semester classes will begin on Monday,
January 27, 2014. During exams, school will begin
at 7:25 a.m., and students will be dismissed at
11:40 a.m. Students who do not have an exam are
not required to report to school; however, all
students arriving to school early due to transportation issues must report directly to the cafeteria.
May 15
Thursday, May 22
Students will be transported to school by their
REGULAR buses. At the conclusion of exams at 11:40 a.m., buses will transport
students home according to Exam Bus Routes posted outside the main office
and on our school website. Please review these routes to ensure students travel
home on the correct bus.
PLEASE NOTE:
Payment through infosnap is also an option. Please check the
Dues section of the Class of 2014 website for details.
In order to keep accurate records, collections can only take
place on the indicated dates and times. Money turned in at any other time
through the office staff, guidance, or other teachers will not be accepted and
will be returned.
Dues collections will take place during lunch in the cafeteria. Checks (made out to
SWHS Class of 2014) are preferred.
Senior announcements will be made during the advisory periods and will be
posted on the Class of 2014 website.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Mazzonna (room 264;
EXAM II
DATE
EXAM I
7:25am—9:25am
9:40am—11:40am
Tuesday, January 21
Period 1 Exam
Period 2 Exam
Wednesday, January 22
Period 3 Exam
Period 4 Exam
Thursday, January 23
Period 5 Exam
Period 6 Exam
Friday, January 24
Period 7 Exam
Make-up Exam
If a student must miss an exam due to illness or other serious reason, the parent/guardian must speak with an administrator to explain the reason for the
absence. Only those students who have been authorized by an administrator to
make up exams will be allowed to do so. Make-ups will occur after 11:40 a.m.
each day during the exam period, provided that prior arrangements are made
with the teacher (it is the student’s responsibility to arrange a make-up exam
with his/her teacher following authorization from an administrator).
[email protected] or Ms. Andrews [email protected].
Questions concerning the yearbook should be directed to Mr. Schoenborn
[email protected].
Please visit and bookmark
https://sites.google.com/a/apps.southwindsorschools.org/s-mazzonna/ for updates and additional information.
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If school is closed on an exam day due to inclement weather, the missed exams
will move to the next school day and the schedule will proceed from there. If
there is a 90 minute delay, Exam I will be held from 8:55 - 10:55 a.m.; LUNCH
will be held from 11:00 - 11:55 a.m.; and Exam II will be held from 12:00 - 2:00
p.m.
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SWHS ADVISORY REACHE
REACHESS FAR AND WIDE
APPLE FOR THE TEACHE
TEACHER
R AWARD
At the beginning of this year, Mrs. Correale and Mrs.
Neumaier challenged their senior advisory group to do
something that would benefit others. In groups, students
brainstormed ideas ranging from food drives to donating
money to help those less fortunate and participating in a
walkathon. Eventually the group developed the idea to
help service people overseas by sending care packages.
Each year since 1988 the Beta Chapter of the Iota Phi Lambda
Sorority, Inc.of Hartford has participated in American Education Week by honoring Hartford area teachers through its “Apple for the Teacher Award” and
luncheon. The award is given in recognition of teachers, who in the eyes of the
sorority, have contributed significantly to educating children and making
schools better. It showcases the depth and expertise of teachers and accentuates the positive about our school system. The award is also a public recognition for the work and dedication of our teachers as they educate children for
the future.
Eight men and women were selected, some that students knew personally and others through the website www.anysoldier.org.
The group collected toiletries, books and other supplies throughout the month
of October and shipped them out in November. There was a huge outpouring
of support from our students and staff, with one parent donating one hundred
hand-crafted cards. The advisory group has already received an e-mail from
one of the soldiers.
The “Apple for the Teacher” award is a national program that began when a
sorority member volunteered to monitor the St. Louis Public School System on
the progress of its desegregation program and thought there was something
that could be done to show support for teachers, and the idea for the award
was born. That was in 1947.
In the coming months, the group will be holding a snack drive to send another
set of care packages over to these eight soldiers. Many of them will be coming
home in the summer months and this will be a great way to send thanks during the end of their deployment. Listen for announcements for the
dates of the snack drive.
Donations of snack foods
(chips, beef jerky, nonchocolate candy, gum,
etc) will all be welcome.
Recognized this year by the Beta Chapter were six teachers
including our own Spanish teacher Jennifer Jasenski as an
outstanding educator and humanitarian.
Congratulations Miss J!!!
CALLING ALL UNUSED H
HEARING
EARING AIDS AND EYEGLASSES
The SWHS W.A.H.T club is collecting unused hearing aids
and unused eyeglasses to distribute to the South Windsor
Lions Club. These unused hearing aids and eyeglasses will
be refurbished and then distributed to children and adults
who may not be able to afford them otherwise.
Please consider donating these items to us. You can find a donation box in each of
our elementary schools, our middle school and right in the SWHS Main Office.
Look for our donations box in the main office until May
2014. Please help us and our families in South Windsor!
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Thank you to those who donated
in the fall and please consider donating this spring!
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WE THE PEOPLE
The AP Government and Politics class participated in the annual We The People
academic competition at the state Legislative Office Building on December 18,
2013. We the People is a national simulated congressional hearing competition
that occurs across the United States. This competition is sponsored nationally by
the Center for Civic Education, and locally by the Civics First organization. Whichever school scores the highest by a panel of independent judges then goes on to
compete in the national competition in Washington D.C. in the spring. This year
eight schools competed at the state competition in December. South Windsor
students had very strong performances, placing third in the state. This is a tremendous accomplishment! Noteworthy performances were made by Jack Marsalisi, Lina Nguyen, Nicholas Romaniello, and Sheryar Usman who placed second in
the state for their respective unit. All students prepared extensively for this extremely rigorous competition and we are very proud of everyone.
NATIONAL ENTERPRISE DAY - FBLA
During November of every year, over a quarter million Future Business Leaders of
America (FBLA) members celebrate American enterprise in their local chapters and
communities. Through partnership with business projects and local chapter business appreciation, National Enterprise Day allows FBLA members to meet with business leaders to gain an understanding of the rights and obligations of owning a
business.
On November 21, 2013, SWHS sponsored the annual National Enterprise Day celebration. There were many local business representatives from a variety of industries including fitness and nutrition, apparel, mobile technologies, mechanical and
electrical, financial services, pet care, and entertainment who spoke with FBLA
members about their operations.
SCIENCE – STEM
Science teachers in district continue to wait for the State of Connecticut’s decision on the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This
decision is now anticipated sometime in early 2014, and teachers continue to
teach science units that are aligned with the 2014 State Science Frameworks as
students will take the Science CMT in grades 5 & 8, and the Science CAPT in
grade 10, in May 2014. The Next Generation Science Standards include a
strand focusing on engineering, and possibilities of expanding STEM offerings at
all levels, K – 12, are currently being explored.
Over the past 65 years, FBLA has trained millions of today’s leaders in American
business. FBLA is truly an organization that has made a positive impact on our country, proving that our students are ready, willing, and able to take the reins of industry leadership to help guide America toward a brighter tomorrow. FBLA promotes
career, technical, and business education; values free enterprise; creates citizenship; and fosters the inner growth of children as they transition from school to
work—it is truly the premier student business organization.
On January 30th, SWHS will be hosting the second annual girls in STEM day. The
event is designed to connect female students with men and women working in
science, technology, engineering, and math fields. The day will consist of a
panel discussion followed by small group discussions designed to inform and
inspire students. Guest speakers will share their career paths, college experiences, daily responsibilities, and provide advice to students looking to pursue
STEM careers. Jamie Lang, assisted by Sarah Saunders, is facilitating this valuable experience and opportunity at the high school.
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5
“LET’S NOT MEET BY ACCIDENT”
FALL SPORTS RECOGNIT
RECOGNITION
ION
Now that the fall season is officially over, we would like to take this opportunity
to celebrate the many accomplishments of our fall teams and individual athletes.
On Thursday December 5th, forty three
South Windsor High School Students participated in Saint Francis Hospital’s “Let’s Not
Meet by Accident” Program. The goal of this
program is to encourage adolescents to
make healthy choices in risky situations.
Students visited the hospital’s helipad
where Life Star lands, observed a “mock”
trauma lead by a trauma nurse and heard a
presentation by a young man whose reckless driving led to the death of his
best friend. Students unanimously agreed that the program was powerful and
thought provoking. One student made it very clear at the end of the program
that “I will not ever get into a car with someone who drives like an idiot”.
ALL STATE
Field Hockey: Rebecca Schroder
Girls Soccer : Katherine Comeau
CENTRAL CONNECTICUT ALL CONFERENCE TEAM
Boys Cross Country
CONFERENCE CHAMPS
Garrett Brown
Christopher Erikson
Kenneth Erikson
Ethan Gasta
Michael Stoker
Girls Cross Country
Kaitlyn Bakas
Katie Zalaski
Megan McAndrew
Volleyball
Olivia Bolden
Megan Macomber
Sabrina Skenyon
Field Hockey
CONFERENCE CHAMPS
Katherine Adamo
Caitlin Gilligan
Sierra Hibbs
Bridget Kelly
Jacqueline Kenny
Rebecca Schroder
Girls Soccer
Katherine Comeau
Auna Harvey
Rebecca Karlins
Danielle Karpiej
Rebecca Russo
Boys Soccer
Mike Tarascio
Noah Kennedy
Curtis Bolduc
Girls Swimming/Diving
Kate Niemiec
Kelly Wentworth
Lauren Branscombe
Allie Romanowski
Football
James Nyarko
Mike Kelly
Eric Walz
STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN ROTARY YOUTH
LEADERSHIP PROGRAM
Justine Mirek, Angela Kang, Brendan Foley & Ryan Rickenbacher were guests
of the SW Rotary Club for dinner on Wed, Dec. 4th at the Mill on the River.
ALL ACADEMIC
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Katherine Adamo, Field Hockey
Hanna Basile, Girls Soccer
Stephanie Boisvert, Girls Soccer
Lauren Branscombe, Girls Swimming
Sara Caye, Girls Swimming
Abigail Davis, Girls Soccer
Skyler Douglas, Girls Soccer
Emily Eaton, Field Hockey
Christopher Erickson, Boys X-Country
Kenneth Erickson, Boys X-Country
Alexandra Goslin, Girls X-Country
Mary-Kate Harper, Girls Soccer
Auna Harvey, Girls Soccer
Alexandra Hill, Field Hockey
Peter Jones-Torre, Boys Soccer
Benjamin Kaczmarek, Football
Marisa Karasik, Girls X-Country
Rebecca Karlins, Girls Soccer
Noah Kennedy, Boys Soccer
Kalee Mabey, Field Hockey
Julia Mainelli, Girls Soccer
Amy McConnell, Girls Soccer
Michael Messersmith, Boys X-Country
Meghan Miller, Girls Soccer
Catalina Nguyen, Volleyball
Sarah Nickolas, Field Hockey
Max Odell, Football
Migert Peci, Football
Jeanette Porcello, Girls X-Country
Rahul Rajagopalan, Boys X-Country
Ryan Rickenbacher, Boys Soccer
Jacob Robinson, Football
Kristina Russo, Girls Soccer
Rebecca Russo, Girls Soccer
Rebecca Schroder, Field Hockey
Olivia Singer, Field Hockey
Michael Stoker, Boys X-Country
Morgan Stoker, Volleyball
Michael Tarascio, Boys Soccer
Eric Walz, Football
Kristen Wnuck, Field Hockey
Katie Zalaski, Girls X-Country
These students were SWHS 2013 RYLA (Rotary Youth
Leadership Program) recipients, chosen for their outstanding leadership qualities, resume and essay. Sponsored by Rotary, they attended a leadership training
event last spring at Springfield College which focused on
learning methods of effective leadership. Along with
other outstanding students from CT and Mass, our four
students took part in outdoor team building/ropes
course activities and spent time furthering their leadership skills.
The four students presented their RYLA experience at
the dinner and shared how it has had an impact upon
them as school and community leaders. Congratulations
again to Justine, Angela, Brendan and Ryan and thank
you to the SW Rotary for the opportunity for SWHS students to annually participate in this valuable program!
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FROM THE GUIDANCE OFFICE……
JUNIORS ENCOURAGED TO VISIT COLLEGES
At both the recent Junior Parent Night and in classroom sessions with our eleventh
graders, the importance of visiting prospective colleges was emphasized by our
counselors. Counselors suggest that students contact individual schools to set up
campus tours. This is best done by going to the ADMISSIONS link on a college’s web
site. Schools readily provide information there about the process for planning a
visit.
Whenever possible, it is best to visit a campus while school is in session. If that is
not possible, a visit is still a worthwhile activity.
Parents and students are also reminded that a wide variety of colleges may be
found within a reasonable driving distance. The benefit of this is that students are
able to get a sense of the differences between and among types of colleges.
If students or parents have questions about this, they may contact the individual
student’s Counselor.
COLLEGE VISITS
Take advantage of upcoming school vacations and plan college
tours.
Many schools in our area are less than an hour away.
Visit different types of schools (large, small, public, private).
Search for colleges online using Naviance & CollegeBoard
SAT TESTING
School Counselors encourage all students who plan to attend college to take the
SAT at least twice. Juniors should work with their Counselors to determine the best
testing schedule for their circumstances. Below are listed upcoming SAT testing
dates:
Test Date
Registration Deadline
Late Registration Deadline
March 8
February 7
February 24
May 3*
April 4
April 21
June 7*
May 9
May 28
*Subject tests also offered
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WINTER SPORTS
The winter athletics season is off and in full swing. South Windsor High School
sponsors eleven teams participating in CIAC winter season competition. Athletics can have large impact on the student-athletes who participate, but it is also
an important aspect of community connection and pride. Our student-athletes
work hard every day to improve themselves and present our community in a
positive light, regardless of the level of competition (Varsity, Junior Varsity, and
Freshman). Below is a schedule for all of our teams. All of our athletes are eager
at the prospect of displaying for you their hard work, their passion to compete,
their commitment to each other, and their willingness to represent our town.
GO BOBCATS!
Date
MID JANUARY SPORTS C
CALENDAR
ALENDAR
Sport
VS
Location
Time
Sat 1/18
VB Ice Hockey
Glastonbury
SW Arena
5:45pm
Tue 1/21
VB Swim & Dive
Conard
Starhill
3:45pm
Tue 1/21
JVB Basketball
Windsor
SWHS
3:45pm
Tue 1/21
VB Basketball
Windsor
SWHS
5:15pm
Wed 1/22
FRB Basketball
Windsor
SWHS
3:45pm
Thu 1/23
V Wrestling
Wethersfield
SWHS
6:00pm
Fri 1/24
FRG Basketball
East Hartford
SWHS
3:45pm
Fri 1/24
JVG Basketball
East Hartford
SWHS
5:15pm
Fri 1/24
VG Basketball
East Hartford
SWHS
7:00pm
Mon 1/27
FRB Basketball
Rockville
SWHS
3:45pm
Mon 1/27
JVB Basketball
Rockville
SWHS
5:15pm
Mon 1/27
VB Basketball
Rockville
SWHS
7:00pm
Thu 1/30
FRG Basketball
Manchester
SWHS
3:45pm
Thu 1/30
JVG Basketball
Manchester
SWHS
5:15pm
Thu 1/30
VG Basketball
Manchester
SWHS
7:00pm
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MODEL UN AT WORLD AF
AFFAIRS
FAIRS COUNCIL
SWHS Model UN competed at the World Affairs Council's simulation at the University of Hartford on December 6th and 7th. To be
ready, students attended meetings every Wednesday afternoon since September, wrote resolutions,
participated in practice simulations, and met with
their respective countries on a very successful trip
to UN missions in NYC. All students who participated did an excellent job.
SWHS was one of 36 schools at the conference this
year. In each committee, only the top 3 schools are
recognized for their scholarship, preparation, and
participation. SWHS had numerous award winners
at this simulation. Jeanette Porcello and Alli Desy
won honorable mention for best delegation as Armenia in the Economic Committee. They proposed
and successfully passed a resolution and distinguished themselves as great student leaders on their committee. Kunal Khatter and Amirudh Nuthalapati also
won honorable mention as the Russian Federation for the Environmental Committee. Both were very persuasive and helped to pass a successful resolution.
SWHS seniors Simon Luxemburg, John Shuler and Ethan Luxemburg were student officers and ran committees of students, some numbering as high as 180!
Ethan Luxemburg chaired the Economic Committee which won best run committee. Finally, Aashka Patel won best delegate on the Historical Security Council
Committee. Her win added another plaque to the South Windsor Social Studies
showcase in the pendulum area. Aashka did an amazing job representing the
United States in the waning days of the Cold War during the 1980s. Congratulations again to all who participated in the conference. A small group of students
will be following up this conference by attending the international Harvard University simulation in Boston from January 30th through February 2nd.
POWERSCHOOL PARENT P
PORTAL:
ORTAL: SIGNING UP FOR SCHOOL
BULLETINS
1) Log onto Powerschool Parent Portal.
2) If you have children in different schools you will have to select the student’s
name to sign up for the School Bulletin for each school.
3) Select the student from the blue bar on the top of the page.
4) From the Navigation Menu on the left select Email Notification.
5) Check the box in front of School announcements.
On this screen you can also:
Change how often you want to receive the school bulletin,
2014 HOBY RECIPIENTS
It is with great pleasure to announce that Addison
Kimber and Rohit Makol have been selected as South
Windsor High School’s 2014 HOBY recipients. HOBY
is one of the oldest and most prominent youth leadership organizations in the world. Both Addison and
Rohit will join over 9,000 10th graders nationwide in a
weekend leadership seminar in May, representing
South Windsor High School. Please congratulate
these outstanding school citizens; they were chosen
based on their essay, resume and recommendation
from staff.
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The default Email address is the address in the Account Preferences on your
account. (You can change this address by selecting Account Preferences from
the Navigation Menu.)
Add additional email addresses to receive the school bulletin,
Choose to receive school bulletins for all of your students. You might want to
do this if they are at different schools.
6) Be sure to hit Submit on the bottom of the screen.
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