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The Froyo is Coming! The Froyo is Coming!

No Author — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:58:00 EST

Fans of frozen yogurt will have heard of the Peachwave that opened up in Newtown in March. This self-serve shop is soon to be eclipsed for Southbury residents by Froyo World, which is due to open sometime in the spring in the Southbury Plaza.

Waterbury Mayor Neil O�Leary Rejects Pension, Stirs Controversy

No Author — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:52:00 EST

Waterbury mayor Neil O�Leary has agreed to reject the $91,000 annual police pension offered to him by the city of Waterbury. The mayor has finally completed this campaign promise, as he pledged to reject such an offer since he would already be receiving large sums of taxpayer dollars.

Students Shave Heads to Help Sick Classmate

No Author — Tue, 01 May 2012 22:44:00 EST

It has been approximately one month since Tucker Gowen, a junior at Pomperaug, was diagnosed with leukemia. Shortly after he was diagnosed, the idea was concocted for people to keep their hair short in Tucker�s honor. Ryan Bartolotta, a junior, heard about this idea, and then suggested that we have a head-shaving event as a fundraiser for Tucker and his family. After receiving permission from the administration, the date was set for Tuesday, April 10.

The Perfect Playlist for the Perfect Summer

No Author — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:08:00 EST

With warm weather warming our bones and the sunshine brightening our moods, it�s hard not to want summer vacation to start tomorrow. But, never fear! School ends in about 60-70 days, and I�ve got the perfect playlist for you and your buddies to jam to until that day comes. This playlist is guaranteed to put a smile on your face and a bounce in your step.

PHS Rallies Around Sick Classmate

No Author — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:54:00 EST

Simple events can turn your world upside down; such was the case for the Gowen family last Friday, March 23. Tucker Gowen, a junior at Pomperaug, went to the doctor with his mom for a possible case of swimmer�s ear. Upon further examination and tests, he was sent to the emergency room because the doctors suspected that he might have had pancreatitis. He was eventually diagnosed with leukemia. Tucker is currently at Children�s Hospital of Boston undergoing chemotherapy treatment. He will be there for about four more months. On Sunday, March 25, a Facebook page, titled �Luck2Tuck� was created to keep people updated on Tucker�s condition and what was being done for him. With the help of this page and other social networking sites and tools, the news of Tucker�s illness spread like wildfire. 

NHS Hosts Dodgeball for Diabetes

No Author — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 23:24:00 EST

On Friday, March 30th, the school got together to raise money for diabetes at the 3rd annual Dodgeball for Diabetes tournament. Pomperaug�s National Honor Society sponsored the event, organizing the tournament, acting as referees and collecting donations at the door. Twenty teams of five to six players entered in the tournament and played five rounds in a bracket format. Teams showed up wearing their sporty best, aside from the occasional toga, and team names included everything from D�Angelo�s Army to Team Trash. The winning team was the Flint Michigan Tropics, which included Andrew Reel, Stephen Consiglio, Taylor Ellsworth, Max Calvert, Gabrielle Holness and Chloe Benoit.

Performance by Hypnotist Dan LaRosa Scheduled at Pomperaug

No Author — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:41:00 EST

On March 23rd at 7pm, Pomperaug will be hosting an event in order to fundraise for this year�s GradNite. For $10, you can see an amazing show of hypnotism and comedy performed by Dan LaRosa, who has been working in this profession for thirty years. It�s guaranteed to be a night of laughs and entertainment!

Dr. Sippy Unveils 2012-2013 Budget Proposal

No Author — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:24:00 EST

On Monday, February 27th, Dr. Sippy unveiled his 2012-2013 budget proposal for Region 15. One of the most notable aspects of his proposal is that it called for a flat budget (no increases from previous years). During a presentation in front of the Board of Education, he covered in depth the details of his proposal, as well as some of the goals the Region is seeking to achieve with the proposed budget. Throughout the presentation, fiscal responsibility and enhancing fundamental 21st century skills proved to be the main driving factors behind this proposal. Factors taken into consideration for this budget were national economic trends, Social Security increases, Education Cost Sharing Grants, and Region 15 enrollment.

Region 15 Introduces �Google Apps for Education�

No Author — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 13:39:00 EST

Google Apps for Education is an online system that is in the process of being introduced to Region 15. It is currently only being used at Rochambeau Middle School, but the region has plans to begin using it at other Region 15 schools in the near future. This program is used to connect students with their teachers.

Possible Scheduling Changes to Take Place Next Year

No Author — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 13:38:00 EST

With course selections taking place for the past few weeks, many rumors have popped up regarding potential scheduling changes for next year. We�ve all been wondering just how many classes can actually fit into one year.

Preview: PHS Talent Show 2012

No Author — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:43:00 EST

Pomperaug will be hosting its annual talent show the week after CAPT testing. 

The Truth About Online Classes

No Author — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 12:41:00 EST

When I tell people I�m taking an online class, I find that most people automatically think it�s an easy A with little to no work, while the remaining people are not really sure what an online class is. In fact, taking an online class has become a lot more common in general, both inside and outside the school, and it�s really just what it sounds like�a class where instead of heading to a PHS classroom, you log onto a computer and read from a book online, interact with your classmates online, complete assignments online, and take tests online.

"Talk About It" Comes to PHS

No Author — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:09:00 EST

Surely by now we�ve all heard about the new program called Talk About It that is being launched here at Pomperaug. This is a nationwide program in which students can send messages to selected faculty members about problems that they are having in an attempt to get help. The Phoenix talked to Mrs. Kosicki, the PHS Director of Guidance, to learn more about what our school is hoping to get out of this program.

Cafeteria to Offer "Grab and Go" Lunches

No Author — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:31:00 EST

As of February 22, the cafeteria will be selling �Grab and Go Box Lunches� at the snack line, and a bit at the deli as well. . .

PHS Art Students Honored at Scholastics

No Author — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 22:02:00 EST

The scholastic art awards began in 1923. Past winners include Andy Warhol, Sylvia Plath, and Joyce Carol Oates. Since then, the scholastic art awards have taken place every year. . .2

Reflections and Advice: The College Application Process

No Author — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST

Regardless of age, there is always one thing (besides graduation) on a Pomperaug student�s mind: college. The idea of leaving home (finally), venturing off to a new place with all new friends, and experiencing both education and independence is both exciting and mind-boggling. However, before heading off, every student must endure the infamous �college process,� and in all honesty, it is one substantial journey that cannot begin early enough. No matter what your plans are for life after Pomperaug, approach college with an open mind, and take necessary steps in order to build a strong application that fulfills both requirements and recommendations!

Survey: Bullying at PHS

No Author — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:01:00 EST

This past summer, the Connecticut General Assembly passed An Act Concerning the Strengthening of School Bullying Laws, a law that expands on previous anti-bullying laws and, according the the state�s Commission on Children, �takes comprehensive steps to prevent bullying and ensure every child the right to learn in public school without fear of teasing, humiliation or assault.� As a result, Pomperaug, along with all other Connecticut public schools, is increasing its effort to stop bullying. . .

"Names Can Really Hurt Us" Program Comes to PHS

No Author — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:20:00 EST

The state of Connecticut recently amended a piece of legislation that further helped to prevent bullying and other similar activities in schools. This law is designed to keep children and students in Connecticut safe from harassment. . .

Life on the Bowery: Spring Play Preview

No Author — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:59:00 EST

Although it seems like Pomperaug Theatre Company�s successful play, Cassandra, just hit the blackbox, Mr. Doniger and PTC�s cast and crew are already preparing for the opening of their 2012 spring play. The weekend of May 4 to May 6, Pomperaug Theatre Company will showcase its production of Life on the Bowery, which is a comic melodrama set in the 1890s. According to Mr. Doniger, �Tim Kelly's Life On The Bowery or The Liar's Doom is an 1890s comic melodrama about a well-to-do New York City family and their acquaintances (both noble and nasty), greed, love, guilt, innocence, and heroism�all in the old-fashioned way�including a death-defying leap off the Brooklyn Bridge.� The play is expected to be very humorous and overplayed.

T.J. Maxx to Come to Southbury

No Author — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:50:00 EST

In February last year Borders declared its bankruptcy, and that as a result, it would be closing 200 stores nationwide, nearly a third of its branches. Selectman John Turk, Chairman of Southbury's Economic Development Commission, spoke to Southbury Patch at the time, stating the town's awareness of the bankruptcy, but also stating that it was not known if the Southbury branch would be among those that were closed. Later in the month, it was reported that the Southbury store would indeed be closing. . .