Dear Secondary School Families:
Happy Friday Tamarac! We have arrived at the winter recess; a week of well earned rest! The ongoing partnership between home and school is key to student achievement. With hybrid and remote learning, there is a much greater weight on families to maintain structure and healthy routines at home which promote wellness and academic success. We are extremely proud of the many Secondary students who continue to show grit and determination throughout this unprecedented school year. Our quarterly awards are a way for us to recognize and celebrate our shining stars for their outstanding character, effort and achievement. A huge shout out to the PTSA and the Tamarac Booster Club for their support in this endeavor. Each middle school and 9th grade student - both hybrid and remote, nominated will be receiving a certificate and a Stewart’s gift card courtesy of the PTSA In addition, each 10th, 11th, and 12th grade award recipient will receive a certificate and a $10 gift card to a local business. Congratulations to all 66 Bengals recognized by their teachers for the second marking period!
https://drive.google.com/file/...
Today the Secondary School is saying happy trails to another retiree. Ms. Ann Kolakowski has spent the last 22 years of her 37 year music career working with middle and high school students at Brunswick. She has taken her choirs to numerous festivals, concerts, and community events. Students were always well prepared for NYSSMA festivals under her tutelage. Her career highlights include a concert with Kenny Rogers and bringing the Choralaires to the Great East Music Festival several times where they earned platinum, the highest overall rating. She has left her mark on our school and the lives of countless students. Please join me in wishing Ms. Kolakowski a very happy and healthy retirement (filled with many long walks on the beach). Your Tamarac family will miss you Ms.K!
In-Person Learning Opportunity: As we look ahead to spring, we have one more open enrollment window for our fully remote students to return to the building for the 4th quarter (March 22-April 2). If your child has not been successful with remote learning, this is an opportunity that I strongly encourage families to consider. Our students and staff have worked hard to keep our school a safe place for teaching and learning. For some remote students, being in the building for quarter 4 will very likely make the difference between passing or failing for the year. We will be conducting a series of home visits to select households in advance of the April 2 deadline. More information will also be forthcoming in future communications. Please speak with your child now so we can work on a plan to get them back in the building, connected with teachers and prepared for the fall!
Classroom Spotlight: This week I had the pleasure of visiting Mr. Turner’s 6th grade science classroom. Students are exploring the characteristics of acceleration and constructing graphs. The students had some fun “plotting” their own “runway walk” to demonstrate different rates of acceleration. Who knew learning science could be so fashionable!
Senior Spotlight: We are looking to highlight students in the Class of 2021. If you have a senior at home, please have them complete the following form and submit a photo to communications@brunswickcsd.org to be featured on our website and social media pages.
The form can be found here: https://forms.gle/n1WQEyiGGtikFuhr9
Yearbooks: The staff is working hard to make The 2021 Tamarac High School yearbook as unique as this school year. For the first time the yearbook will cover the full school year! Order your copy for $63 (plus tax).
http://jostensyearbooks.com/?REF=A05396450
Free Tutoring: A reminder that RPI students are offering free “virtual” tutoring every Saturday until May 1 for all Brunswick students.. This is a tremendous opportunity to consider if your child is behind and needs additional support.
Health/Wellness: **IMPORTANT** Please be sure to complete the daily screening survey before sending your child to school each morning. Your child should be kept home if they are experiencing any symptoms consistent with COVID. If your child’s symptoms are improving AND they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medicine, they may return to school with a note from their doctor with an alternate diagnosis clearing them to return to school OR a copy of their negative COVID test result. We appreciate your help in keeping our school safe for everyone!
Weekly Calendar:
Winter Recess: 2/15-2/19
Monday 2/22: WHITE COHORT Tuesday 2/23: BLUE COHORT Wednesday 2/24: RED COHORT Thursday 2/25: WHITE COHORT Friday 2/26: 7-12 Virtual
We will see the White Cohort back in the building on Monday, February 22. In the meantime, be safe and have a great winter break! #TamaracStrong
Sincerely,
Ken Rizzo
Principal, Tamarac Secondary School