Robert E. Fitch High School

Robert E. Fitch High School
101 Groton Long Point Rd.
Groton, CT 06340
November 2015 Newsletter
Our mission at Robert E. Fitch High School is to educate our students to become outstanding citizens equipped with
21st century learning skills. The faculty and staff collaborate with home and community to promote academic
excellence, personal wellness, and social awareness. We guide students into deeper cognitive awareness and
increased levels of understanding, and we encourage our students to use their individual talents to their fullest
potential. Our graduates are informed, responsible adults who respect diversity and value life-long learning.
ADMINISTRATION
Joseph A. Arcarese
Principal
jarcarese@groton.k12.ct.us
860.449.7200
Sean McKenna
Assistant Principal Academics
smckenna@groton.k12.ct.us
860.449.7214
Erin McGuire
Assistant Principal Student
Services
emcguire@groton.k12.ct.us
860.449.7224
Adam Diskin
Dean of Students
adiskin@groton.k12.ct.us
860.449.7268
SCHOOL PHONE
860.449.7200
PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE
On October 14, 2015, the PSAT test was administered to all 10th graders
and 11th graders that signed up for the test. The PSAT is a good predictor
for success in college and the results from the test will give teachers
valuable data in math and reading to assist students that may need
additional assistance. Test results will be given to students once we
receive them from the College Board.
Spirit Week, week of 10/19-10/23, was a huge success!! Class
participation and school spirit was at an all-time high. The pep rally was
an amazing event along with the Homecoming Dance. I am very proud of
our students. They were magnificent!!!
The Fitch High School Athletic Department will be awarded the
prestigious Michael’s Cup from the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic
Conference (CIAC) on November 19, 2105. The Michael’s Cup is an award
given to an exemplary high school athletic program based upon student
participation in sports, sportsmanship, athletic scholarship, and equity.
Congratulations to Marc Romano, our Athletic Director, our coaches and
students for a job well done.
SCHOOL NURSE
Heather Lemire
hlemire@groton.k12.ct.us
860.449.7211
HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO OUR FITCH COMMUNITY

As always, I am honored to be the Principal of Fitch High School.
ATHLETICS
Marc Romano
Athletic Director
mromano@groton.k12.ct.us
860.449.7200 ext. 3238
Joseph A. Arcarese
Social Studies Department
November 2015
By now, our students should be acclimated to the expectations of each class. In each of the courses, we will
teach students to read and analyze historical documents. In addition, students will be required to enhance their
ability to think critically by answering compelling questions. Samples of this type are, “In what ways did the
French and Indian War alter the political, economic and ideological relations between Britain and its American
colonies?” and “In which ways did the great empires of Austria and Prussia emerge from the Thirty Years’ War?”
As we “fall” into the second quarter, we want to give you a little peek into some of the exciting “happenings”
that are going on in the Social Studies Department…



Our freshman (9th) and sophomore (10th) grade students are actively using their Chromebook for all
things academic.
Social Studies teachers are in the process of exploring and implementing Schoology and other Learning
Management Systems for assignments and assessments.
Also, it is our honor to recognize the 243 students currently enrolled in either the AP or IB classes, which
include a wide variety of subjects.
English Department
The Amphora is now accepting art and literature submissions.
There are several writing scholarship awards available. Please see Mrs. Sullivan in Rm.
2112 for details.
Freshman Academic Seminar classes are currently involved in a service learning project
with kindergarteners in our district.
Students and parents of students taking the March 2016 new SATs are encouraged to go
to Collegeboard.org to check out new requirements and the (now optional) essay!
Special Education Department
We welcome Monika Wilkos as our newest Resource Teacher/Case
Manager for the Inclusion Program!
SCHOOL NEWS
 Thanksgiving Game Pep Rally & Bonfire
November 24th 6:30 – 8:30
 On November 30, 2015, our girls’
basketball team and wrestling team will
begin practice. December 5, 2015 will be
the date for all other sports to begin
practice.
 Thanksgiving recess will begin at
12:00PM on November 25th. School will
be back in session on November 30th.
 Winter Sports Night – November 16,
2015 at 7:00pm
MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN OF STUDENTS
NOTE TO PARENTS AND STUDENTS FOR ARRIVING LATE TO SCHOOL
 If you son/daughter will be late, call Diane Strong at (449-7200 ext. 3237). PLEASE
provide a written note the following day to be submitted by your son/daughter to
Mrs. Strong
 Students arriving before 7:30 MUST sign in at the security desk then report to their
class.
 Students arriving to school after 7:30 MUST sign in at security desk and then
report to Mrs. Strong to get note to enter classroom
FALCON ACADEMY
THE FALCON ACADEMY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM IS UP AND RUNNING!
The purpose of this after school program is to add to the layer of student supports
with the goal of providing students with additional opportunities to demonstrate
academic expectations through peer tutoring. This program demonstrates Fitch
High School’s commitment to CARE MORE, ACHIEVE MORE, and BELIEVE MORE.
WHERE: LIBRARY
TIME: 2:15- 3:15
DAYS: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays
*transportation is provided at 4:00
FALCON CAFÉ
The Fitch High Culinary Arts Students, under Dr. Harwell’s direction, are
given the opportunity to explore the many aspects of the restaurant industry
as a possible career choice through the New Falcon Café. The
development of good work habits, sanitation, attitudes and cooperative
working are stressed. In the past, the Falcon Café was a classroom activity.
This year, students are planning the menus, preparing the foods in the
classrooms and in the Cafeteria kitchen with their own space, and have a
new designated Dining Room.
Falcon Café
Dining Room Serving Days for the Month of November
November 12, 2015
November 18, 2015
Hours: 10:45 am – 12:30 pm
All Meals are $4.00 and include a beverage and dessert
COLLEGE VISITS
College representatives coming to Fitch Career Center for 2015-2016 school year
JUNIORS and SENIORS ONLY - Pick up a pass in the Career Center
Fisher College, MA
University of Hartford, CT
Date and Time
Nov. 4 at 11:00
Nov. 12 at 1:15
ATHLETIC NEWS
Robert E. Fitch High School Athletics
Director of Athletics:
Phone Number:
Email Address:
Athletic App:
Twitter:
Website:
Marc Romano
860-449-7200 x 3238
mromano@groton.k12.ct.us
Fitch Falcons Athletics (I phone or Android)
@FitchAthletics
http://www.groton.k12.ct.us/Domain/98
OVERVIEW
Being a member of a high school sports team is a rewarding experience, but is one that requires dedication and
commitment. Below is a brief look at our overall program. If you have any questions or would like to discuss
anything in greater detail, please feel free to contact me at any time.
I look forward to working with you in the years to come.
Marc Romano
Director of Athletics
ACADEMICS
While athletics is an important part of the high school environment, we must remember that our athletes are
students first. Success in the classroom must occur before any success can be achieved on the playing fields. Our
coaches are committed to ensuring that our student-athletes succeed both in the classroom and on the field.
Academic Policy: Student-athletes are eligible to participate if they are passing 50% of their classes and
have passed 50% of their classes from the previous year.
Attendance Policy: Student –athletes are eligible to participate in practice/games as long as they are in
school three out of four class period per day.
COMMITMENT
 It is the expectation that all student-athletes will be in school for the full academic day.
 Practices and games are held on weekends and over school vacations. Attendance at all team events
is a requirement for all of our teams.
 Our state association (CIAC) does not permit student-athletes to participate on any non-school teams during
the same season in which they are playing high school sports. As an example, a student-athlete
participating in boys soccer in the fall cannot participate on a travel soccer team until the Fitch season is
over. This rule is often the source of confusion for many freshmen parents. Please feel free to contact me if
you have any questions.
SPORTS OFFERED
Fall: Boys/Girls Soccer, Boys/Girls Cross Country, Cheerleading, Football, Girls Field Hockey, Girls Swimming and
Diving, Girls Volleyball, Unified Soccer
Winter: Boys/Girls Basketball, Boys/Girls Indoor Track, Boys Swimming and Diving, Cheerleading, Ice Hockey,
Wrestling, Fencing, Unified Basketball
Spring: Baseball, Boys/Girls Lacrosse, Boys/Girls Tennis, Boys/Girls Outdoor Track, Golf, Girls Softball, Unified
Track
PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS
Prior to participating in tryouts, practices or games, all paperwork must be completed and filed with the school’s
athletic administration. Students would be deemed ineligible until the requirement has been fulfilled.

https://www.familyid.com/organizations/fitch-high-school (Please copy link to access all forms)
SPORTS PHYSICAL FORM INFORMATION
Sports physicals should be either mailed or dropped off to the school to the attention of the school nurse. Once
recorded, all physicals will be updated on our Family ID page.
In order to be valid for the 2015-2016 school year, all sports physicals must be signed and dated by the physician
6/1/15 or after. We do understand that some expire during the season. We ask that parents closely monitor this.
PRACTICE START DATES FOR 2015-2016
Girls Basketball/ Wrestling: Monday, November 30
All other winter sports: Saturday, December 5
Pitchers and catchers: Monday, March 14th
All spring sports: Saturday, March 19
AFFILIATIONS
 Member of the CIAC, which is the state association that governs high school sports in Connecticut
(www.casciac.org and www.ciacsports.com)
 Member of the competitive Eastern Connecticut Conference- http://www.goeccathletics.org
 Twitter: @goeccathletics
NCAA ELIGIBILITY
Course selections
o In order to be eligible at D1, D2 or D3 colleges/universities
 Courses must be academic, honors or AP
 Minimum # of course is mostly covered through our standards at Fitch High School
 Combine that with minimum GPA and ACT/SAT scores.

All information is online at www.eligibilitycenter.org
o Don’t have to register until junior year, it is good to take a look at which courses at Fitch will earn you
credit towards NCAA minimum requirements.
o All information is available on that website
Head Coaches:
FallBoys SoccerGirls SoccerFootballBoys XC
Girls XC
Girls Swim-
Jay Wolfradt
Todd Higgins
Mike Ellis Jr.
Rich Kosta
Shawn Towne
Ken Berg
jwolfradt@groton.k12.ct.us
thiggins@groton.k12.ct.us
mellis@waterfordschools.org
rkosta@groton.k12.ct.us
stowne@groton.k12.ct.us
pinkharley44@yahoo.com
860-235-7705
860-377-3438
860-271-3363
860-501-0331
860-912-8142
860-460-2797
CheerleadingVolleyballField HockeyUnified Sports
WinterBoys BasketballGirls BasketballCheerleadingWrestlingFencingIndoor TrackBoys SwimHockeyUnified Sports
SpringSoftballBaseballBoys TrackGirls TrackBoys LacrosseGirls LacrosseGolfBoys TennisGirls TennisUnified Sports
Melissa Robinson
Steve Banks
Diane Kolnaski
Christina Scala
robinson_family5@yahoo.com
mysticsagaboy@hotmail.com
dkolnaski@groton.k12.ct.us
cscala@groton.k12.ct.us
860-857-1242
860-625-6565
860-912-8249
860-449-7200
Alick Furtick
Rocco Sansone
Melissa Robinson
Mark Kosman
Chris Stocker
Rich Kosta
Ken Berg
Randy Craig
Christina Scala
furtick33@gmail.com
cbrs@cox.net
robinson_family5@yahoo.com
markkosman@me.com
christopher.stocker@navy.mil
rkosta@groton.k12.ct.us
pinkharley44@yahoo.com
randycraig@comcast.net
cscala@groton.k12.ct.us
860-984-6399
860-729-1673
860-857-1242
860-884-8271
860-694-5457
860-501-0331
860-460-2797
860-705-9271
860-449-7200
Kate Prpich
Jeff Joyce
Rich Kosta
Shawn Towne
Scott Hicks
Jenna Tucchio
Glen Graham
Matt Brown
Todd Higgins
Christina Scala
kprpich@waterfordschools.org
joycejeffw@yahoo.com
rkosta@groton.k12.ct.us
stowne@groton.k12.ct.us
scotthicks521@comcast.net
jtucchio@groton.k12.ct.us
ggraham@groton.k12.ct.us
mbrown@groton.k12.ct.us
thiggins@groton.k12.ct.us
cscala@groton.k12.ct.us
860-857-7047
860-222-5640
860-501-0331
860-912-8142
860-319-7824
860-271-6749
860-235-4929
860-287-3042
860-377-3438
860-449-7200