Friday, September 2, 2016

Principal's Blog

By any measure, the first week of school was a raving success.  CCHS staff returned happy and excited after spending the summer months recharging and preparing for the upcoming school year.  It was great to greet our nearly 1300 students from Carlisle, Boston, and Concord.   Students add an energy and excitement to the building that is largely absent during the summer months.  We had a successful freshman orientation program that would not have been possible without the hard work and effort of CCHS teacher, Hanna Bruno, and so many student and staff leaders.  These individuals donate their time and energy to ensure a smooth and successful transition for all our new students.

Assistant Principals Brian Miller, Colleen Meaney and I met with students during the opening day assemblies and talked about the importance of hard work, effort, and grit; we asked students to develop a growth mindset when the inevitable challenges arise this year.  In addition, we shared a great quote from Henry Ford: "Whether you think you can, or think you can't, you are right."  We talked about managing stress and the importance of finding balance and enjoying the journey.  Lastly, we challenged them to wake up every day with the intention of making CCHS a better place and positively contributing the well-being of others.  To illustrate our point we showed a brief six minute Ted Talk on being a leader.  I have included a link to the talk for your review.  It is well worth your time.  

Ted Talk


Freshman Orientation
By Hanna Bruno
The Freshman class participated in an orientation led by 40 student leaders designed to be a high-energy, low-stress introduction to high school.  The goal of the day was to encourage incoming students to meet members of their class outside of their social group and learn about their school community; to allow freshman students to meet upperclassmen who can serve as valuable mentors, resources, friends and support; and to familiarize freshman students with the CCHS campus and their own schedule, all in an effort to help with the transition to high school.  The day was busy but fun.

Students started the day with a welcome assembly, were involved in a scavenger hunt throughout the building, followed their schedules, met teachers, staff, and administrators.  Students participated in cooperative games within their advisory groups led by adults with varying roles in the school community. A special thank you to the student leaders and all who helped make the day run smoothly.

On behalf of all members of CCHS, I want to extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to the class of 2020.

Freshman Orientation Photos


CCHS Graduate, Johnny Fry
By Tom Keane

Congratulations to Johnny Fry who is graduating from CCHS on his 22nd birthday.  Johhny moved to Carlisle from Cleveland when he was in the 7th grade.  Despite his 15 years in this area Johnny is still an avid Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Cavaliers fan.  He was part of Mr. Peck’s Bridge to Pathways program and he has worked at the school store called the Carlisle Huskie.  Johnny has worked very hard during his CCHS career and successfully passed the MCAS.  He thoroughly enjoyed his time in Pathways and general education classes.  He particularly enjoyed Mr. Pavlik’s Earth Science Class, Mr. Bodenrader’s Psychology Class, and 2D Art Classes with Mr. Pickman.  Johnny’s accomplishments included: being a member of the  Drama Club, CCHS School Store Board Member, and an Alum of Rivers and Revolutions Cohort 2.  

In his spare time, he works at the Concord Food Pantry, Goodnow Library, Drumlin Farm, and Acton Bowladrome.  He loves to play basketball and shoot three-pointers while impersonating his basketball idol, Ray Allen. ​Lastly, We are grateful that the Red Sox start their West Coast Road Trip tonight, otherwise, he might miss today's ceremony he always had trouble arriving on time after a 10:00 p.m. Pacific Coast game).

Johnny is third of three John James Fry high school diplomas going back to Johnny's great-grandfather from the Westmoreland County PA Common school in 1909. 


Mentoring Program / Concord-Carlisle Community Connections
By John Fossett

Concord-Carlisle High School sophomores, juniors, and seniors are invited to consider participation in Concord-Carlisle Community Connections, to be presented in the spring 2017 semester. This recently established mentoring series connects students in the second semester of the school year with community leaders and residents from a variety of multiple professional disciplines or with significant life experiences, thus improving student appreciation and understanding of the challenges faced, and the inner-workings and skill sets that may be helpful in achieving success in the professional arena. The program is now four years strong.
Students and community mentors are asked to make a commitment to 8 to 10 hours of meeting time with one another over the course of the semester, in 4-5 roughly equal sessions of 1 ½ - 2 hours in length. Program materials are provided to both mentors and students.

This program seeks to provide an improved appreciation for the value of making real-life connections in order to develop life skills and insights into the world outside the classroom. It is expected that student participation in this program will facilitate intergenerational exchanges of ideas and life experiences between students and mentors.  These connections provide an opportunity for students to learn more about the challenges and adversities faced by people and organizations in their daily pursuits and the competing choices and sacrifices often required, and the adversity often faced and overcome, in achieving personal and professional goals. Community mentors are encouraged to expose students to notions of the importance of teamwork and collaboration, developing interpersonal and problem-solving skills, building personal networks, the need for personal interaction in the workplace, and appreciating human differences, among other teachings. The program seeks to serve up to 50 students in the spring 2017 semester, with applications for participation available beginning in early November.

If you need further information, please contact Mr. Steve Wells, CCHS Program Coordinator, at (978) 341-2490 x7209 or swells@concordcarlisle.org.


Additional Notes
Co-curricular opportunities: http://www.concordcarlisle.org/co-curricular/

Open House will be held on September, 15th.  Freshman parent presentation begins at 6:00 in the auditorium and all parents are invited to the presentation beginning at 7:00.

Graduation: Will be held on Saturday, June 3rd at 11am.


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