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This past Wednesday, the class officers met with their respective classes to connect, share some important information or just have a little fun! Seniors met in the Commons to learn about the Canvas Yearbook page and important information regarding senior pages as well as getting measured for caps and gowns, Juniors met in the auditorium to review information about upcoming prom. Sophomores met in the library and planned some class bonding time with card games while freshmen met in the gym where the class officers shared their class updates and then they released some energy with a few games of tag and some friendly competition among the homerooms.
Spanish AP Students Engaged in Real Conversation By Sr. Vázquez: Spanish AP Students have been studying and using present subjunctive in different academic scenarios and AP practices. In order to make the practice and usage more memorable, we tried to use it in more spontaneous and authentic contexts outside of the school setting. Students had to create an advertisement requesting some service (like in the old times). Some examples were advertisements seeking roommates, landscapers, piano instructors, dog-walkers, and personal trainers. In the advertisement, students had to write 10 sentences using the subjunctive. We displayed all of the posters in the classroom, and students had to take a piece of paper with the name and number of the person and call him/her requesting information about the responsibilities. The task had all of the components of an interpersonal speaking communication but with more room for improvisation. Spanish Bulletin Board Update By Meredith Thompson
For this month’s bulletin board, Spanish Honor Society has chosen to place its focus on the fantastic country of Ecuador. The country has a long and rich history that has influenced its culture through the different areas of life. Drawing from its geographical location, Ecuador is able to produce many unique products and has various prominent landmarks that define its landscapes. The land in Ecuador allows for the production of many famous goods, such as bananas and cacao, that can be used for chocolate, which is a prominent aspect of the country’s economy. However, due to its proximity to the equator, Ecuador also inhabits many volcanoes which causes a variety of environmental effects from the existence of the landmarks. Such impacts include earthquakes, floods, and other natural disasters and impacts that are common occurrences in the country. Furthermore, a long history filled with culture has contributed to the fun traditions that exist today where part of the focus is placed on the community. The culture of Ecuador enabled the communities to gather together for various celebrations such as carnivals and Año Viejo. Like many other countries, Ecuador serves as the origin of a small percentage of immigrants into the United States. Immigrants from all places are extremely beneficial to a country’s economy, workforce, and culture. They are essential in many jobs and contribute to the health of the economy as well. Not only do they help the country as a whole, but immigrants also contribute to many communities as well. People of different cultures are able to share their wonderful traditions and experiences, which creates a strong bond within the community.  Former South African netball player finds new home playing basketball at a Connecticut high school Students eagerly boarded the bus and are looking forward to a packed and fun filled experience in the UK... We wish them safe travels!
 One of my most favorite activities to watch at LOLHS is our annual Unified team play against the LOLHS Staff. The energy, excitement and joy that one experiences is really amazing. This year, our coaches, Eilis Welsh and Anna Brouwer, arranged for this game to be the Senior Game as we have a few seniors who will be graduating this year. It is such a wonderful example of true inclusion and a testament to our students and staff. WAY TO GO WILDCATS! Congratulations to Kate Walsh for being selected by the World Language Department as the February Rotary Student of the Month for her excellence in Spanish. Kate was celebrated at Saybrook Point Inn on Wednesday along with her peers from Westbrook and Old Saybrook High Schools. Kate is a passionate and humble learner who has excelled in all areas of her academics. She is a true leader and role model in our school community. While Kate is unsure as to where she will go to school next year, she is certain to continue her studies in Spanish. Nice Work Kate! In a recent Entrepreneurship class, Kelly Sheehan, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) President, invited Jim Phelan, creator and owner of AirSkirts (https://www.airskirts.com/), to speak to the class about his company and how he got from high school to owning his own business. His invention (skirts for RVs) came about accidentally while traveling with his own RV. He needed and wanted something to protect the under part of his RV (especially in winter) and found there was nothing out there that was easy and suitable for his needs. He also wanted to be able to inflate and deflate it for travel. He decided to create his own and once he did that and used it while traveling, he found out that he was not alone and many other people who owned RVs wanted to know where to get one. Thus began his journey in the RV Air Skirts field. He mentioned that the process was long and hard, but it was also rewarding. His background in engineering helped him through it all and he ended up with his own company. His message was if you want to be an entrepreneur, just do it. It will take a while to get there, but it will all work out in the long run. Students found him very interesting and asked him many questions. He was a great speaker and talked about his process every step of the way. If anyone would like to come in and speak with the Entrepreneurship (or International Business, Accounting, or Marketing) class(es), please contact [email protected]. Students would love to hear from and about you as well. 
The winning team: Elsa Jungkeit, Cara Paonessa, Matilda Miller, and Islam Al-Rahyyl
The United States Crystal Growing Competition is a scientific outreach activity designed to provide K-12 grade students and teachers a fun, hands-on STEM experience as well as an exciting competition. The growing period for the crystal is about 2 months long. Growing an award-winning crystal is about consistency, curiosity, and collaboration.
This winning team won FIRST PLACE in the entire country for best overall crystal. For this winning team specifically they decided to focus on regularly filtering their solution that makes the crystal grow. This constant filtering helped to give their crystal a better score for clarity. Along with first place for best overall crystal LOLHS also had a number of top 10 finishers in best overall crystal, best quality crystals, and coolest crystal.
For more information about this contest website for https://www.uscrystalgrowingcompetition.org/
WAY TO GO WILDCATS!Spanish NHS Bulletin Board Update:
By Luca Signora
This month on the Spanish Honor society board we are putting the spotlight on the beautiful country of Colombia. With a diverse range of climate, geography, traditions and culture, Colombia has plenty for us to cover this month. Starting with the geography, Colombia is home to some of the most beautiful views in the world such as the Pico Cristóbal Colón with a peak at 18,947 feet, pictured in this post. Colombia is located in the northwestern part of South America. It is bordered by Panama, Venezuela, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and the Caribbean and Pacific seas. Colombia also has lowland plains and the Amazon rainforest. Colombia is home to several delicious dishes such as the Arepas, which are a flatbread Colombian dish made from cornmeal. Another Colombian dish is Ajiaco, a Colombian chicken and potato soup. Colombia is home to a variety of traditions stemming from African, European, and indigenous influences. One of the traditions featured in this month’s bulletin board is the Carnaval de Barranquilla, which features one of the biggest carnivals in the world. Columbia’s culture consists of an importance of music such as the traditional Cumbia and Vallenato, and a focus on family life where children live with their parents until marriage. Colombia has a fascinating background, starting with the people of the Muisca, Tairona, and Quimbaya. In 1499, Spanish explorers led by Rodrigo de Bastidas arrived on the Caribbean coast, beginning a period of colonization that lasted for nearly 300 years. In 1810 after uprisings and conflict, Colombia gained independence from Spain and became Gran Colombia. Colombia came to its final form after dissolving Gran Colombia and becoming an independent republic. We hope you stop by near Sr. Vazquez’s room to check out the beautiful and fascinating country of Colombia! Spanish AP/ECE: A Taste of Mexican Art and Cuisine
By: Juanjo Vazquez-Caballero
As we wrapped up unit 3, we took a deep dive into Mexican culture through art, film, and food. Students had the opportunity to watch a movie about a famous Mexican artist - Frida Khalo, gaining insight into the life, struggles, and creativity that shaped her work. The film provided a powerful visual and historical connection to the themes we explored in class. The celebration didn’t stop there! One of the highlights of the day was the incredible spread of authentic Mexican food brought in by students. The carnitas taco bar, complete with fresh salsa, tamales, rice and beans, offered a delicious taste of tradition. Sweet treats like galletas, flan, and tres leches cake added the perfect finishing touch to the feast. This event was more than just a celebration—it was an immersive experience that allowed students to appreciate the richness of Mexican culture. Through art, film, and cuisine, we connected history to the present and left with full hearts and even fuller stomachs.
¡Gracias to everyone who contributed!
 The Investment and the Chinese Language and Culture II classes merged on Friday to learn about the differences and similarities of the Chinese and American stock markets. John Wang was the presenter and through various research activities the students formed an opinion about the Chinese stock market and Chinese stocks.
 By: Juanjo Vazquez Ms. Maria José Warren, Project Courage School Based Counselor, was the Guest Speaker for the Spanish National Honor Society this month. Maria Jose Warren, at the age of 18, embarked on a life-changing journey from Guatemala to the United States, with little more than determination and a deep passion for helping others. Fluent in both Spanish and English, she quickly realized the profound impact that language has in shaping one's ability to connect with others and create positive change. She came to the US with an Au Pair in an America program for one year and she ended up staying. Her story emphasizes the importance of learning a language and the doors it opens, particularly when it comes to navigating new cultures and communities. For Ms. Warren, her bilingual skills allowed her to better serve diverse populations, especially within the context of her work as a sexual abuse counselor. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of being an immigrant, Ms. Warren empathizes with individuals who face similar struggles. She uses her expertise to help those affected by abuse, providing essential support and a compassionate ear. Ms. Warren also plays a vital role in our school community, where she is a key figure in educating students about substance use and abuse. Understanding that many young people are at a crossroads in their lives, she works tirelessly to raise awareness and support students facing addiction or those at risk. Through her work, Ms. Warren not only empowers individuals to overcome challenges but also creates an environment where seeking help is encouraged and normalized. Her journey is a powerful reminder of the value of travel and living abroad. It enriches our understanding of the world, broadens our perspectives, and deepens our ability to make meaningful connections. Ms. Warren's story shows how a new language, culture, and experiences can fuel a lifelong mission to support others—especially those who need it most. Thank you so much for your presentation.
Mrs. Geletkanycz's Algebra I students tackle problems utilizing the newly installed whiteboards in the hallway offering space to collaborate freely and learn from each other. Nice Work Wildcats!Chinatown Field Trip: Four teachers chaperoned 38 students to Chinatown in Flushing on Friday. It was during the Chinese New Year, the year of the snake, and unfortunately, there were no street performances. Yet, the weather worked out for us and we had a great time visiting different restaurants and trying out different cuisines and boba teas, as well as shopping at different stores that display culturally rich products. Happy new year everyone! May the year of the snake bring a lot of luck and happiness to all.
ECOS members were at work last week building a bench with Old Lyme Open Space in the cold LOLHS parking lot. It was installed in Rooke Meadow, at the McCulloch Property on Whippoorwill Rd. Well Done Wildcats! |
Important Dates: March
4: SAT Prep for ALL Juniors Session 2 5: ASVAB Testing 7: 1/2 day PD 10: Blood Drive 11: SAT Prep for ALL Juniors Session 3 13-16: Musical "Neewsies" 18: SAT Prep for ALL Juniors Session 4 18: District Choral Concert @ 7 26: SAT for juniors 
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