Dear Secondary School Families:
Happy Friday! Autumn is officially here! We’ve had a great start to the 2021-2022 school year. Thank you to our parents and guardians for your continued support. We are looking forward to many exciting events that are planned as October quickly approaches. Please continue reading for all of the information you need to know for the final week of September.
National Merit Scholarship: I would like to take this opportunity to recognize one of our many outstanding seniors. Ethan Skaarup has been named a Commended Student in the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program. Ethan placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2022 competition by taking the 2020 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). About 24,00 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. The hope is that the recognition will broaden their education opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success. Congratulations Ethan!
PSAT: Tamarac will be offering the PSAT on Tuesday, October 26th. The PSAT serves as a preparatory exam for the SAT and as the test of entry for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. It is optional but all juniors (and sophomores who have completed or are currently enrolled in Algebra 2) are eligible to take the exam.
We would like to encourage eligible students to take the PSAT. If you are interested, you must register in advance. Registration will take place in the High School Counseling Center from September 20th - October 15th. A fee of $18.00 is required at the time of registration. Please bring the exact cash amount or a check made payable to Brunswick Central School District. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Collins (pcollins@brunswickcsd.org) or Mrs. Ryan (kryan@brunswickcsd.org).
Homecoming Update for Friday, October 8: The senior class advisors have been working closely with administration to plan an exciting and fun filled school spirit week that will culminate in a very special homecoming for our students. As we continue to navigate through the pandemic and welcome all of our students back in the building, we remain cognizant of the need for social opportunities and the fact that we were unable to hold a homecoming last fall; this makes planning a fun and safe event this year even more critical. Unfortunately due to current NYS guidance and pandemic related concerns with large gatherings, we will need to make some modifications to the traditional format - specifically we must ensure the safety and wellness of our students and staff by placing on hold plans for a dance for all of our high school students. In the meantime our senior advisors are meeting with students and working diligently to make all of the outdoor events on Friday, October 8 the most memorable possible. Here are the highlights of the many activities already in store for homecoming 2021!
Pep Rally and related contests
Pie eating contests
Relay race
Tug of War (Freshman vs. Sophomores, Juniors vs. Seniors, Championship Round)
Introduction of all Tamarac sports teams growth special recognition to Seniors athletes and captains
High School Band playing on football field
High School Chorus and Choraliers singing our National Anthem and Alma Mater
A Wildcat football game and predicted victory!
In addition leading up to homecoming is our Spirit Week fun for students and staff!
College Caravan: The College Caravan is back! 20 schools are expected to be joining us on the morning of October 6. This will be a tremendous opportunity for our juniors and seniors to meet face to face with college representatives and begin planning for life after Tamarac. Students will need to leave class at their designated time - more information about the schedule will be released to students soon. Thank you to Ms. Collins and our counseling department for organizing!
Polar Plunge: Calling all Tamarac students in grades 9-12! The Polar Plunge is right around the corner and we need participants! The plunge is a great fundraiser for many things, like the Special Olympics, the unified basketball team, and the Youth Activation Committee. What is the Polar Plunge you ask? It is an event where we travel to Lake George and jump right in! Every student who joins in on the plunge will raise money towards the Special Olympics. The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, November 13th. If you are interested in participating, registration will soon be available. There will also be an information meeting October 12th approximately at 2:15 pm in room 109, Señora Rolston’s room for those planning to attend. Transportation will be provided. We hope to see you there!
PTSA: A friendly reminder to please consider joining the PTSA (Parent-Teacher-Student Association). This organization does so much to support our students and programs throughout the district. Membership is only $5! https://brunswick.memberhub.com/w/
Annual School Picture Day: Adirondack School Portraits will be here this coming Tuesday (September 28) for middle school portraits and on Wednesday, September 29 for high school portraits. Brochures with package options will be coming home with your child this week. You can also order and pay for your photos online by visiting www.adirondackschoolportraits.com and use the school code TMMDHS36X21. Completed paper forms should be handed directly to the photographer with payment on 9/28 or 9/29. Picture retake day is scheduled for December 13.
Free Breakfast and Lunch: A reminder that every student at Tamarac qualifies to receive a free breakfast & lunch for the entire 2021-2022 school year. Students unfortunately cannot just get milk or juice. Additionally, all students need to rung up through the register system when getting their free meal. The USDA rules for the free meal require that each student must get 3 food components (1 of which must be a fruit or vegetable) to qualify for the free meal. All ala carte items, like a single milk, must be paid for.
Thank you for helping us as we must follow all USDA rules for the free breakfast and lunch program. Please reach out to Joy Wright if you have any questions (Jwright@brunswickcsd.org)
Virtual Open House: Mark your calendars for 5:15 pm to 8:15 pm on Wednesday, October 6! A full schedule of Meet times and staff videos will be made available soon.
IMPORTANT INFO FROM THE SECONDARY HEALTH OFFICE
PLEASE go into Family ID and complete your child's Emergency Card (which is not the same as their athletic registration) as soon as possible. Embedded in that is an Over the Counter (OTC) form that MUST be printed and medications checked/signed and uploaded back into Family ID OR printed and medications checked/signed and returned to the office with your student. We are NOT able to administer OTC medications without this.
PLEASE do not send your child to school if they are sick with any of the COVID symptoms (cough, sore throat, headache, fever, diarrhea/vomiting, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, etc). If they complain of any of these we are obligated to send them home.
PLEASE be sure that there is a responsible adult available to pick a sick student up from school within 30-40 minutes of our call. We are not able to isolate sick children for any longer than 30-40 minutes at the very most.
PLEASE be sure that if your student is playing a sport that you have signed the COVID TESTING PERMISSION in their athletic registration. We are required to test UNVACCINATED athletes and MUST have your permission to do so.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact the Health Office at 518 279-4600 Ext. 2426
I hope everyone has a great first week of fall!
Sincerely,
Ken Rizzo
Secondary School Principal