This Week in Cougar Territory - 11/19/2023

Esteemed Parents/Guardians/Teachers/Students:

Welcome to Quarter 2: Week 5.  In a 10-week quarter this one will close out the mid-point of the quarter.  Before everyone takes a well-deserved Thanksgiving holiday, I hope you will check into our online grading program ASPEN (https://dodeasis.myfollett.com/aspen/logon.do) and check on your progress.  Last week I met with freshmen and sophomores to give a brief introduction of myself, and to give some expectations I have for everyone in the school ecosystem.  Tomorrow I will meet with juniors and seniors.  Mr. Kohut and I will share additional information with the Class of 2024.  In my message I have included a strong emphasis on the school climate and culture.  I do feel that things are moving in the right direction, but always welcome everyone’s feedback.  

We are proud of our students (and educators) who came back from Creative Connections.  A group of academic superstars (and educators) will be heading to Wiesbaden, Germany the first full week of December to attend the STEMPosium.  

It was a quiet week for extra-curricular events, but we had two groups who did a great job fund-raising for the future.  Our JROTC was gift-wrapping on Ederle, and our basketball teams ran a clinic for the younger members of our community in our school gymnasium.  

I am fairly certain everyone is grateful this is a three-day week, but I want to express my gratitude one more time for the students, faculty and community.  I am very fortunate to serve in this role, and strive to make it the best experience possible academically and socially for our students.  I am thankful for you all. Hope you all enjoy a bounty of food, friends and family.  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Marc Villarreal

Principal Vicenza High School

Marc.villarreal@dodea.edu

CIV:  +39 0444 106 0137