Parent & Guardian Information

en Español

 October 30, 2009

Sedgwick parents and Guardians,

     Earlier this afternoon, Conard High School Principal Thomas Moore shared with me that some High School students have been engaging in a behavior they refer to as the “Passing Out Game”, also known as “The Choking Game”. During this “game”, individuals intentionally cause themselves to pass out in order to get a “high” or “euphoric” feeling.  This is done by depriving the brain of oxygen for long enough to pass out.  Methods for achieving the sensations include: kneeling down on one’s hands and knees combined with intentional hyperventilation, holding the breath, wrapping something around the neck to cut oxygen flow such as hands or a rope.  Unfortunately, many students seem to be unaware of the extreme dangers associated with this behavior and the potential for death. Obviously, I am concerned about our students and I am afraid that if we do not alert our children to the risk that this entails, it will continue, and could result in tragedy.

The following are warning signs that someone is “playing” this “game” (as detailed by the CDC, www.cdc.gov/features/chokinggame/  ):  discussion of the game or its aliases, bloodshot eyes, marks on the neck, wearing high necked shirts (out of context), frequent, severe headaches, disorientation after spending time alone, increased and uncharacteristic irritability or hostility, ropes, scarves, and belts tied to bedroom furniture or doorknobs or found knotted on the floor, and pinpoint bleeding spots under the skin or the face.

All of us at Sedgwick want to be sure that, in partnership with our students and parents, we keep our kids safe.   I want to be clear that we are not aware of any Sedgwick students engaging in this unsafe behavior. We are committed to their health and well being. Our teachers will discuss this concern with students in our advisories on Monday and encourage them to be aware, to keep each other safe, and to let a trusted adult know if they fear that one of their friends is engaging in any risky behavior. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or your child’s guidance counselor.

Benjamin J. Skaught, Ph.D.
Principal, Sedgwick Middle School
West Hartford Public Schools

June 22, 2009 H1N1 Virus Letter (English, Spanish)

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Nutrition Services Department                                                  Patricia Molloy, RD   Operations Manager 

                                Breakfast Program at Sedgwick

Research has shown many benefits to eating breakfast. Children who eat breakfast solve math problems more quickly, do better on vocabulary tests, and are more likely to get the recommended daily requirement of vitamins and other key nutrients.  Children who skip breakfast make more errors at school, and are slower to recall facts. 

Sedgwick’s cafeteria breakfast program is available for all students from 7:30 to 8:00 every morning.  A complete meal including fruit and milk is just $1.25.  Any student who receives free or reduced-price lunch is automatically eligible for free breakfast. 

Breakfast entrees are offered on a rotating basis and include cereal with toast, bagel, muffin, hot breakfast sandwich, French toast, pancakes, and boiled egg with raisin toast. 

Come join us! 

Team ListServ (email distribution lists):

These lists are for announcements only. Any email sent to the list from other than the list owners will be rejected by the list.

To Join:

             6-1 has composed a team-wide email list. If any parent has not yet received an email from  Mr. Kay, then they should email him to add them to the list.

Team 6-2: TEAM6-2-SEDGWICK-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@NETPALS.LSOFT.COM

Team 6-3: TEAM6-3-SEDGWICK-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@NETPALS.LSOFT.COM

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Team 8-1: TEAM8-1-SEDGWICK-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@NETPALS.LSOFT.COM

8-2: coming soon!

Team 8-3: TEAM8-3-SEDGWICK-SUBSCRIBE-REQUEST@NETPALS.LSOFT.COM

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You may leave the list at any time by sending a

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7-2:  "SIGNOFF TEAM7-2-SEDGWICK" email to: LISTSERV@NETPALS.LSOFT.COM

7-3:  "SIGNOFF TEAM7-3-SEDGWICK" email to: LISTSERV@NETPALS.LSOFT.COM

8-1:  "SIGNOFF TEAM8-1-SEDGWICK" email to: LISTSERV@NETPALS.LSOFT.COM

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or send an email to kathleen_labombard@whps.org 

If you would like to be notified by when a new Sedgwick Scene or other important information is posted please send an email to:

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For the Guidance Department information list:

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Important Safety Letter and Map

From http://www.westhartford.org/whatsnew/councilbriefs.htm

For a small price, we all benefit from clean energy: When residents and businesses sign up for the Connecticut Clean Energy Options program, the lights still go on as they always have the only difference is, for a small additional amount each month, you will be supporting cleaner air, greenhouse gas reductions, and true energy independence. For every 100 residential customers who sign up for the Connecticut Clean Energy Options, West Hartford receives a free solar energy system from the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund that can be placed on a school or town building.
Currently West Hartford has 701 customers who are signed up - the highest total in the state. If we are the first town in the state to reach 750 sign ups, West Hartford will receive an additional free 2kW solar energy system to add to its 8kW system. To sign up or learn more, visit West Hartford's Clean Energy webpage.

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Breakfast Program at Sedgwick

Breakfast is served daily from 7:30 AM to 7:50 AM in the main cafeteria.  A complete meal for students, including milk and fruit will be $1.25.  For those students who are approved for free or reduced-price lunch, the breakfast meal is free. The following menu items are offered on a rotating basis: Cereal with Toast, Assorted Muffins, Bagel with Peanut Butter or Margarine and Jelly, French Toast, Pancakes, Hot Breakfast Sandwich
 

"Here are literacy tips
 used by classroom teachers....you may want to try these at home!"