Derby High School

75 Chatfield Street

Derby, Connecticut 06418

Principal, Jennifer Olson

Update to Board of Education - April 2024 (Presented May 2024)

Academics:

Held a successful Career Fair allowing students to explore a variety of careers and network with professionals from education, law enforcement, juvenile justice, EMS, health care, veterinary medicine, business, automotive, STEM, culinary, military, cosmetology & more.
Held AP Exam Study Sessions and Mock Tests to help students prepare for upcoming end of year AP exams. Provided study tools and materials, and access to teachers for small group work sessions to ensure students feel ready. (testing begins May 6)
For the third year in a row, Senior students participated in a Virtual Reality Fair through Sikorsky Credit Union.
History students attended the SCSU Student Leadership Summit for African American/Black/Latino Studies
Art students attended the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum to to advance knowledge and inspire everyone to experience and appreciate excellence in art and culture
Business students and members of the FBLA participated in “JA in A Day” at Irving School and taught lessons about financial literacy and business.

Human Capital

Selected Derby High School’s Paraeducator of the Year (Rosann Lizza)
Held interviews and working to fill vacancies for Special Education (resignation)
Hosted CEA Job Fair with 160 teachers and 18 districts
Held professional development on SOS (Signs of Suicide), Accommodations/Modificiations, Educator Growth Goals, Classroom Culture/Relationships

Operations

Climate/Culture:

Recognized DHS Class of 2024 Top 10 at breakfast. Students invited a Derby teacher who has made an impact on their educational journey to attend the event with their family.

Attended the CT Association of Schools High School Art Award Banquet to recognize outstanding visual arts.
Attended the 63nd Annual National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Awards
Attended the SCASSA Memorial Scholarship Luncheon to recognize student leaders and present awards to the recipients (Kobe Marroquin & Alexia Keklik)

Held student-run Poetry Slam included a range of original poetry
DHS NHS participated in the TEAM “Men Who Cook” fundraiser
Held Spring Spirit Week culminating in Student Council-run pep rally.
Created a new school-based, collaborative Climate & Culture Committee with 8 teachers
Participated in the Unified Sports Banquet; DHS recognized as “Rookie School of the Year” and Joseph Izquierdo (‘25) was the winning HS essayist.
Recognized Admin Assistant Appreciation, Assistant Principal Appreciation Paraeducator Appreciation, School Library Appreciation Days