Letter from the Principal
July, 2008

Hello!
A fond farewell to the Class of 2008! Congratulations on all your accomplishments and especially on the great news of being awarded over two hundred thousand dollars in scholarships for your college educations! We also give a warm welcome to the Class of 2012 and their parents. This newsletter and all the important inserts help communicate our procedures and events each year. Please read them carefully. Most items can also be viewed on our website at www.cttech.org/OBRIEN.  I invite all of our students to read this information along with their parents.

Skills USA Champions
I have just returned from Kansas City and I have fantastic news to share.  I AM SO PROUD.  Three graduating seniors won a silver medal in the automated manufacturing technology competition.  This is a very big deal, our school has never won a team medal and this competition was FIERCE- in fact only three teams were left standing, I watched as Team Texas looked rather lost and confused next to our Team, I felt very bad for them but in every contest there has to be those that win and those that do not.  The students that brought home the silver medal and their dedicated teacher are:  Champions Anthony Massafra, Marc Proch and Brian Stevens and Mike Varonka, Manufacturing Technology Department Head.  FANTASTIC AND THIS IS NO EASY FEAT, IT TAKES A LOT BRAIN POWER AND TEAM WORK!  I wish these young the very best in their lives beyond high school.

Our O’Brien team members that competed in other categories were Chris Hancock who placed 19th in the USA in HVAC and Chris Wyant, First Aid and CPR who placed 27th.  These two young men did an absolutely fantastic job as well.  CONGRATULATIONS!!  I cannot say enough about these absolutely great Skills USA students not only were they all champions but they have a great sense of humor too.

Report Cards
Report cards have been mailed. Congratulations to those students who remained focused and on task for the entire school year.

Transportation
Please remember transportation should be handled by the board of education or the superintendent’s office in the town where the student resides.  The Connecticut Technical High Schools do not provide transportation to and from school for any child.  We can assist you with contacting the appropriate source for transportation needs but our district or school is not a provider. Local newspapers publish the routes as well.

Student Parking Update and Reminders
We have had more than a few complaints regarding the driving habits of some our students.  Simply put, our neighbors here in Ansonia are very concerned for their safety and for the safety of our students.  We are limiting student parking and only students meeting specific criteria will be allowed to drive to school because as educators we see the need to make clear the requirement of driving safety being taken very seriously.  The students must have:

Please understand driving is a serious undertaking and we expect only responsible drivers in our school lot and on the roadways.  Due to the amount of concerns regarding driving at Emmett O’Brien use of the school lot is restricted and is limited to average senior or junior students who demonstrate satisfactory behavior.  We ask that students keep this in mind.  Students that drive to school will loose this privilege if suspended: Students -please think things through before you act.

Summer Hours
The School Offices will be open during the summer months.  Please call first, 203 -732 -1800 as we are undergoing renovations and entry to the building is not possible.

Dress Code Changes
As you may know, beginning in August, the academic dress code will begin.  It is expected all students will be in an academic uniform shirt starting on the first day of school (to order your uniforms please see the details on this website or call Lisa Noonan at the Schwerdtle Stamp Company -203- 3302750 extension 116).  Lisa, a parent and active member of our Parent Faculty Organization has graciously volunteered to help us with our uniforms and her assistance has been invaluable.  Lisa will also be on site at the school library on July 17, August 12 and 14 to take orders from 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM. We are allowing students to wear jeans that are in good to excellent condition and long Bermuda shorts are allowed for the warm months.  Short shorts or skirts are absolutely not allowed.

Electronic Devices/Cell Phone/Text Messaging Reminders
The use of cells or electronics (MP3, I-POD, I-PHONES, etc.) including head phones and other accessories are not allowed at school.  In 2007 we found many families and students that were unaware of the handbook rule that existed for all technical high schools and the exchange was often uncomfortable for everyone involved.  We all need to be on the same page.  I understand that some students carry them to school but we do not want to hear, see or detect them.  They should be shut off and put away.  We ask that parents call the school in an emergency do not call your child’s cell.  If everyone could imagine teaching a class with eighteen cell phones ringing while instructions were being given we have a visualization of what could occur and absolutely no learning of any quality would be going on.  If phones are detected they will be confiscated per the district handbook policy and the district is not liable to make the phone payments.  I am notifying everyone in advance to make it much smoother in August and throughout the school year – NO CELLS, ELECTRONICS OR PAGERS – PLEASE.   

Financial Aid/Free and Reduced Lunch Requests
Most families who submitted their financial aid requests and free and reduced lunch needs have it completed by early August.  Please contact the school Guidance Office if you require details at 203 732 -1812.  
First Days of School: Freshman Orientation “Freshman Only” August 27, 2008 and on August 28, 2008, everyone is expected to come to school.  Each day is a full day of school.

ENJOY THE SUMMER!!!!