A difficult transition, but your support in reinforcing an important message delivered this afternoon would be greatly appreciated. We have struggled all year with some students not cleaning their trash after lunch, leaving food remnants, plates, and utensils all over the school, and a general lack of regard for cleanliness of the school. We have allowed them to eat in various locations throughout the school with the understanding that they need to clean up after themselves. Unfortunately, it has not improved. For next week, the students will only be allowed to eat in the cafe. Hopefully, things improve, and we can resume eating as we have since the start of school. It would be appreciated if you could help reinforce the need to respect this beautiful facility that we are so fortunate to inhabit each and every day.
Outside of that minor blip, semester II is off to a fantastic start. Read on to learn about recent accomplishments and events at our school.
Prospective Superintendent Visits
This week three potential superintendents visited CCHS. The candidates met with students and staff. A big thank you to our students who represented our school well. Iris Chen, Olivia Coutre,
Rayven Heath, Mackenzie Thomas, Charles Israel, Tyler Hebert, & Angelina Serafini.
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| Harper Sample |
Harper Sample's Semester Abroad
I am one of the 300 seniors here at CCHS, however unlike my peers, I will be spending the next five months in a small town in northern France. It has always been a dream of mine to learn a different language, but felt I was never going to learn a whole language by sitting in a classroom for five hours a week. I decided my sophomore year that I was going to take a semester off and travel to France. I just needed to figure out how to make it all possible. I found a program called CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange). In short; you apply to the high school abroad program and choose one of their eleven locations. I applied to the France location and was accepted. I filled out an extensive questionnaire about myself, which assisted CIEE in placing me with a compatible host family. Once my host location was established, they then enrolled me in a nearby high school for my spring semester.
In just one week I will be fully immersed in a different country, language and culture. While it will be hard, I will say goodbye to my whole comfort zone. In a couple days I will say goodbye to my parents, my siblings, my friends, my peers, my school and my home here in Concord, MA. I will travel with the program for a week to adjust to the French culture and a new lifestyle. I will soon be welcomed by a whole new family; three brothers ages eleven, nine and six, and host parents. It will be interesting going from being the youngest of four to the oldest and only girl of four. Although, I am graduating early, I will attend a French high school and take all my assigned classes in French. It will no doubt be hard, but it will be a great experience and very rewarding I’m sure. I owe a big thank you to my guidance counselor Ms. Brown, all my French teachers, Superintendent Rigby, Principal Mastrullo and especially my parents for making this all possible.
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| Harper's Host Family |
Willie Page
Willie Page is a very talented and creative senior at CCHS. He just finished the World Religions course this past week, and for his final project he interviewed three people about how they view divine power. With their responses, he created art that resembled aspects of their descriptions. In this presentation he includes questions along with the drawings to spark ideas in the viewer's mind about religion and the religious impulse, and how his work represents it. Willie is a firm believer that there is no better way to express one's ideas than through art, whether it be through a drawing or on the stage. Please take the time to view his assignment. For full effect, it is best to preview it in presentation mode.
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| Joseph Koontz |
Joseph Koontz Graduates
After eight great years, Joseph Koontz graduated from Concord-Carlisle High School after a very successful career in our Pathways Program. He will be remembered for his kindness and his civic responsibility as evidenced by his enthusiastic recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance every day. Joseph is currently a student in the Transitional Scholars Program at Massachusetts Bay Community College. Joseph is most excited about his future which includes: travel, career exploration, and spending time with his family. Good luck, Joe.
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| Andy & The Gang |
Mr. Andy Bower
A big thank you to Andy Bower. For the past eight years, Andy has been an integral part of our Pathways Program. He is fiercely dedicated to the students of our school. Andy has held many jobs and several different roles: job coach, tutor, academic support person, van driver, & anything else that was asked of him. Department Chair, Tom Keane describes Andy as dedicated, versatile, and willing to do whatever is asked of him to benefit students. More importantly, Tom said Andy is a great human being who is wired to work with kids. Andy is moving to Austin, Texas with his family. We wish him nothing but happiness.
CCHS staff member, Anna Romanov, along with other members of the department made a video of Andy spanning the past 8 years. Enjoy!
Andy Bower Video
All-State Concert Band
We are pleased to announce that the CCHS Music Department has 7 students that have been named to Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA) All-State Concert Band and Orchestra. These students will participate in rehearsals at the Sheraton Boston Hotel on March 9-10th, culminating in a performance at Boston’s Symphony Hall on March 11th. We are incredibly proud of these highly motivated and talented students. Please take a moment to congratulate them when you see them!
Clara Hoey (Timpani)
Marisa Ih (Clarinet)
Eleanor Kuchar (Clarinet)
Matthew Li (Bassoon)
Steve Li (Oboe)
Matthew Murphy (Trombone)
Jeffrey Zhu (Cello)
CCHS Participates in Women's March in Boston
By Elise Kaplan — Class of 2018
Led by pink pinwheels through a crowd of 175,000, I—along with 17 other Concord Carlisle students and teachers—marched through the streets of Boston this past Saturday in the Women’s March for America. This was my first march, as it was for many of the other group members, and definitely, an experience that will never be forgotten.
We arrived in Boston well in advance, stopping to take pictures with the ducklings wearing pink cat hats—the “symbol” of the march. Joining the growing crowd, we found ourselves near the front of the mass and close enough to hear the speakers on the stage. Speakers included: Minister Mariama White-Hammond, Mayor Marty Walsh, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Hayat Imam, Poet Nkosi Nkululeko, and Attorney General Maura Healey. Each representative spoke of the march’s mission statement: to seek social and political reform around the topics of women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, the rights of POC, climate change, affordable care, and to recognize the significance of indigenous people.
After hearing the speakers, the crowd moved slowly toward the street to start the march. The street was filled with thousands of protesters wearing pink hats and holding political signs that embodied the march’s message. As we walked, we chanted mantras and rhymes loudly along the mile-long route, encouraged by onlookers from the side of the road.
I can honestly say I’ve never felt such a sense of community and humanity. To be surrounded by thousands and thousands of passionate people urging for political and social change was more liberating than anything else I’ve ever experienced. The march organizers had planned for around 90,000 people when on the day of, nearly double that number showed up. This demonstrated a powerful message expressing that the voice of democracy will not be silenced, even during a time of turbulence within our nation. If nothing else, it offered solidarity. This experience has reiterated the importance of activism, and given not only me, but also my peers inspiration to strive to improve society on a both a local and national scale.
Led by pink pinwheels through a crowd of 175,000, I—along with 17 other Concord Carlisle students and teachers—marched through the streets of Boston this past Saturday in the Women’s March for America. This was my first march, as it was for many of the other group members, and definitely, an experience that will never be forgotten.
We arrived in Boston well in advance, stopping to take pictures with the ducklings wearing pink cat hats—the “symbol” of the march. Joining the growing crowd, we found ourselves near the front of the mass and close enough to hear the speakers on the stage. Speakers included: Minister Mariama White-Hammond, Mayor Marty Walsh, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Hayat Imam, Poet Nkosi Nkululeko, and Attorney General Maura Healey. Each representative spoke of the march’s mission statement: to seek social and political reform around the topics of women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, the rights of POC, climate change, affordable care, and to recognize the significance of indigenous people.
After hearing the speakers, the crowd moved slowly toward the street to start the march. The street was filled with thousands of protesters wearing pink hats and holding political signs that embodied the march’s message. As we walked, we chanted mantras and rhymes loudly along the mile-long route, encouraged by onlookers from the side of the road.
I can honestly say I’ve never felt such a sense of community and humanity. To be surrounded by thousands and thousands of passionate people urging for political and social change was more liberating than anything else I’ve ever experienced. The march organizers had planned for around 90,000 people when on the day of, nearly double that number showed up. This demonstrated a powerful message expressing that the voice of democracy will not be silenced, even during a time of turbulence within our nation. If nothing else, it offered solidarity. This experience has reiterated the importance of activism, and given not only me, but also my peers inspiration to strive to improve society on a both a local and national scale.
Caitlin Smith had this to say about the event. "This was an amazing, historic event; I'm glad that so many of us from CCHS could attend. I was especially inspired by the leadership of our CC students who energized their friends, made signs, and shared their concerns in such a positive way. Kudos to them!"
CONCORD-CARLISLE HIGH SCHOOL BAND AND ORCHESTRA
By David Gresko
CCHS Band & Orchestra Proudly Presents: PRISM 2017
Saturday, February 11th @ 7pm
CCHS Auditorium
The Concord Carlisle High School Bands and Orchestra will present their annual PRISM Concert on Saturday, February 11th at 7:00 pm, in the auditorium at Concord-Carlisle High School. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students (K-12) and seniors. Tickets (reserved seating) are available at www.ticketstage.com (Search for Concord-Carlisle HS and Prism Concert 2017). Additional tickets may be available at the door but you should order online for the best seats!
“PRISM” is a non-stop musical kaleidoscope, showcasing the talented student musicians of the Concord-Carlisle High School Bands and Orchestra. A variety of musical styles and ensembles will be presented throughout the performing space, creating an interactive experience for the audience. This is an annual event to help support the Alfred W. Dentino Excellence in Music Fund. This fund helps support the many needs of the program, including District and State fees and private lesson scholarships.
I am sharing some recent highlights from our sports teams.
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| Captain Alex Raddassi |
Other wrestling results: Concord-Carlisle 52 Waltham 15
Concord Carlisle wrestling had a great showing against Waltham winning 8 out of the 10 contested bouts on the night. Aaron Murphy (Sophomore, 132), Jack Conroy (Sophomore, 145), Joe Conroy (Senior, 152), Jivan Galper (Sophomore, 170), Sam Randle (Senior, 195), and Bobby France (Sophomore, 220) all had pins.
Track
Girls 75, Bedford 25. Girls finish the regular season undefeated (5-0), DCL Small School Champions.
Boys 50, Bedford 49. Boys finish 4-1.
Boys hockey lost to Haverhill 3-1
Top Finishers were Alexander Burt, Ayden Nichol, Tyler Lee & Miles Kissinger for the boys
and Phoebe Meyerson, Lydia Yoder, Kylee Bowen & Whitney Nash for the girls
WELL DONE team, gutsy racing out there all around!
Recent Girls Swimming Results
Westford 97 - Concord Carlisle 80
Recent Boys Swimming Results
Westford 89 - Concord Carlisle 86
Sophomore Livy Poulin won diving.
Freshman Kai Tang won the breaststroke.
Freshman Jamie Drew showed the biggest improvement on the day, dropping 12 seconds in the 500 Free.
The girls are now 8-1.
The boys are 4-5.
Girls Hockey
1-1 vs Waltham on 1/21
Goal scored by Gabriela Braceras, her 3rd goal of the season
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| Warriors for Warriors/ Patriots for Patriots check donation 15,000 the LT. Scott Miley Fund |
Community Education Information
By Jill Asser
Director of Adult & Community Education
View us on Facebook - www.facebook.com/ConcordCarlisleACE
A grant from the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest makes lifelong learning a reality for many local citizens who require some financial assistance. Your application for assistance is confidential. Please contact Jill Asser (jasser@concordps.org) in the Adult & Community Education office for an application. The Community Chest opens the doors of learning for everyone. For more information or to donate, visit www.cccommunitychest.org.
College Search & Recruiting for Student Athletes
Join us to learn about navigating the college search and recruiting process. We will cover the factors that influence a student’s college preferences, special timelines, recruiting regulations and terminology, the different NCAA divisions, how to develop an outreach campaign to make coaches aware of you, what coaches are looking for and how to interview with a coach, and academic and athletic action items for each year of high school - and more! Parents and students are welcome to join us on February 14 & 16, 7-9 pm.
The Technology Toolbox: Mindfulness in the age of digital distraction
Research shows that sustained attention is a top predictor of success in life, but digital distraction interferes. Technology is not going away, so how do teens and parents moderate a productive use of screen time with the entertaining allure of non-academic media? Join CC ACE on February 7th to learn more!
SAT Prep Bootcamp for the March test
Our workshop with Summit Educational Group includes one full-length practice test and one 4-hour instructional session, and has been specifically designed to give your child an overview of the academic skills and strategies he or she will need on test day. Workshop size will be limited to sixteen students per class section.
Visit www.ace.colonial.net or call 978-318-1432 to register today!
Financial aid application are available by contacting jasser@concordps.org.
Student Artwork
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| Sandro Lopresti After Michelangelo |
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| By Ginevra Davis |
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| By Grace Pacelle Stopping Time |
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| By Daphne Baldoumas You Are What You Think |
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| Ultimate Frisbee Practice |
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| Ultimate Frisbee Practice |
Thank you Principal Mastrullo for your positive blog that highlights such diverse aspects of the school with a sense of humanity and individuality. I love reading it.
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