As we marshal our way towards the end of the school year, I want to remind families of the busy end of year schedule. Read on for reminders of dates and times of important events including our June 3rd Graduation ceremony.
We look forward to finishing the year strong, however. Changing the limits of what our incredibly talented students think they can achieve remains a daily goal. At one point I was a 4th quarter senior in high school, and I can recall a waning motivation with the next chapter of my life in sight. I would encourage seniors to savor the moment and to remember that learning is a continual journey and not something with an end that you reach.
Read on to catch a glimpse, a mere fraction, of many of the wonderful moments that transpire at the school on a daily basis. It is a pleasure to witness staff engaging students in the learning process every day.
2017-2018 Late Start Information
Please view the included presentation for the latest information on the proposed late start next year. The proposal would move the start of school from 7:30am to 8:00am.
Late Start Proposal Presentation
Q5 at CCHS
I am excited to tell you about a new program that will begin in June 2018. The new program, called Q5, was inspired by an idea adopted by Weston High School called June Academy.
Dr. Michael Vela, CCHS Science Department Chair, along with members of the STEAM Committee, presented the idea in January as a way to re-think how we end the school year. In February a committee --comprised of students, staff, and parents -- was formed to explore the concept further, and student assemblies were held to introduce the potential program to the student body.
After careful consideration, buoyed by the fact that more than 90% of students surveyed expressed a desire to adopt the proposal, we have decided to move forward with our version of June Academy in June 2018. The CCHS version will be called Q5.
To date, the Q5 Committee has completed a detailed a FAQ and a mission statement.
CCHS Q5 Mission Statement An immersive learning experience leveraging the curiosity, knowledge, and passions of students and faculty to foster complex thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration. Q5 complements our academic program and seeks to inspire students and faculty to pursue shared interests and ideas.
Further details to come, but in brief, with the new Q5 program we will finish our regular academic schedule, after holding AP and Final exams, in early June and end the year with a two-week immersive learning experience. Students will participate in experiential courses ranging from one class all day to two classes a day that are three hours in length. Combining the expertise of staff along with student interests, we aim to provide diverse course offerings that will add additional learning experiences that complement our already robust course offerings.
Knowing the wealth of knowledge present in the three communities we serve: Concord, Carlisle, and Boston; we see this as an opportunity to engage with community members to further enrich the Q5 experience for students and staff. We look forward to communicating additional details and gauging community interest in the months and weeks ahead.
Although Q5 is currently in the infancy stages of planning, at a recent faculty meeting staff contributed some early ideas they are considering as potential course offerings.
A few examples include:
The Basics of Beekeeping
Space Camp
Ecosystems of Concord
The Art and Architecture of Boston
Path of Thoreau's Paddle
Ancient Greek / Classical Literature in Translation
Literature, Ecology, and History of the White Mountains
History of the Boston Marathon
Project Adventure & Leadership
Habitat For Humanity Project
How Birds Tie the World Together
I am including Weston's course descriptions merely as a reference of their courses and not ones being offered at CCHS. (Weston's June Academy Course Descriptions)
CCHS Ensembles Grab Gold at MICCA & Symphony Hall Performance
I am thrilled to announce that the CCHS Orchestra and Concert Band both received Gold Medal ratings at the MICCA State Concert Festival this past weekend. According to our dedicated and talented Band Director, David Gresko, "the students played beyond their years and represented CCHS at the highest of levels, both on and off the stage.
The Orchestra earned their 4th Gold Medal rating in a row, a first in school history and the Concert Band added its 24th Gold Medal in the past 25 years, a streak unmatched in Massachusetts."
As a result of their Gold Medal rated performance at the recent MICCA Concert Festival, the CCHS Orchestra has been invited to perform an encore concert at Boston's Symphony Hall on Saturday, April 15th. The group will perform at 12noon at the MICCA Gold Medal Showcase and will be joined by other ensembles from around the state. The concert is free and open to the public. Please come support these hardworking student musicians. Help us celebrate their achievement and this once in a lifetime opportunity!
The CCHS Concert Band was also chosen to perform at the Gold Medal Showcase but will be unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
Entrepreneurial Spirit Displayed at CCHS
This past week over 40 students engaged in a two-day entrepreneurial workshop called Startup Experience. It was led by Startup Experience founder Henrik Scheel, along with local mentors comprised of CCHS alumni, parents, and residents all with direct experience creating companies, organizations, and non-profits. Scheel is an active entrepreneur currently working with several start-up companies.
The goal of CCHS Startup Experience is to: “give students a framework to go out into the world and look at problems as opportunities regardless of vocation, passion, or interest. Further, it aimed to jumpstart the entrepreneurial spirit on campus, build momentum for other entrepreneurial initiatives, and to create new opportunities for faculty to give students a chance to work across disciplines, tackle relevant challenges and learn new skills to help them navigate their future endeavors.”
Ten teams of 4-5 students along with one mentor worked diligently for 14 hours over two days to develop a concept of market value. Students conducted market research by interviewing potential customers for their product. Further, the teams built websites as a landing page to highlight their idea or product.
After the two-day intensive workshop students pitched their ideas and prototypes to a panel of judges in a Shark-Tank style format. The students enthusiastically developed products and concepts of real value. The students were the highlight of this experience as they performed exceptionally well.
Special thanks to Tracey Marano and the Concord Education Fund, along with community members Tim Dibble and Jason Griswold. Their financial support made this fantastic opportunity possible. I would also like to thank Dr. Michael Vela, CCHS Science Department Chair, who was instrumental in bringing Startup Experience to CCHS, and CCHS teachers, Laurie Fortunato, Andy Fall, & Ray Pavlik for taking part in the two-day Start-Up Experience.
Biodiversity, Biostatistics and Mayan Culture Immersion Trip to Quintana Roo, Mexico
By Sandra Haupt
Over February break Ms. Kiesselbach, Ms. Haupt, Julia Branigan, Elsa Couvillon, Max Dreyer, Anthony Gao, Jennifer Gladstone, Wyatt Hickman, Elise Kaplan, Emily Marano,,James Sibley, Joe Tucker, Eva Volckova and Michael Wholihan joined Dan Bisaccio of Brown University for a “Biodiversity, Biostatistics and Mayan Culture” immersion trip to Quintana Roo, Mexico.
While at Nuevo Durengo, we collected biodiversity data in accordance with Smithsonian Institutions Monitoring and Assessment of Biodiversity (SIMAB) protocols, and for which students will share a publication credit. Each student also designed, conducted and presented an independent research project.
We ate incredibly delicious food and with the help of parent volunteers we compiled a cookbook of Traditional Recipes of the Cultural Maya. It’s in English, Spanish and Mayan and can be purchased for $5 or donation, with all proceeds going to the village of A’aktun Jaleeb. If interested email: shaupt@concordcarlisle.org
There was unanimous enthusiasm for a return trip next year and we hope to build an ongoing relationship with Dan Bisaccio / Brown University and the village of A’Aktun Jaleeb. I have included a letter from the group leader, Dan Bisaccio of Brown University.
Dear Concord-Carlisle High School students, families, and mathematics teachers (Sandra & Sara),
First and foremost .... thank you! I so enjoyed meeting and working with all of you last week in Mexico. You were the best group that I have had the privilege to work with ... I mean that. I enjoyed your spirit for adventure, your hard work and effort in the biodiversity plot and your wonderful attention and thoughtful work on the data that we collected. It was an outstanding week! I also need to add that I truly appreciated your playfulness, joy, openness, and willingness to engage with the Maya community (Nuevo Durango) each day. It was truly appreciated and enjoyed by the children and parents in the community. In short, you were GREAT ambassadors for what the United States of America is all about. Thank you.
Saludos!
Dan Bisaccio
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Visited Coba, a Mayan Archeological site
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Sunrise canoeing in the Mangroves
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Rivers & Revolutions Featured at Concord Art
By Tracie Dunn
This past Thursday evening Rivers and Revolutions participated in an art show opening at Concord Art: http://www.concordart.org/programs-and-events/events#6149
For this event, students were asked to help provide artwork that explores Henry David Thoreau's ideas surrounding civil disobedience. During the "revolutions" unit of study, we looked into Thoreau's ideas and how they may have influenced some of the protests we see today. As a group, we began working on a visual campaign to raise awareness around vernal pools – local natural habitats – which are especially vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change.
Some artwork made by students was selected to be turned into postcards, pins, and yard signs. It will debuted at Thursday’s opening event -- just in time for vernal pools gaining momentum! Gallery visitors will be able to sign the backs and mail them to local politicians in position to support environmental responsibility. I am attaching one example here, so you can see it.
Be well and enjoy the rain – the rivers are getting gigantic!
Emily Gilbert
Emily Gilbert recently traveled to South Carolina for a competition on her horse. Emily won Reserve champion at IEA Zone 1 finals in her division, which is high school open (high school open individual over fences. She for Nationals on April 21st in Virginia.
CCHS Student Competes In The Masters Drive, Chip, & Putt
The first week in April signifies many exciting events. It marks the first time many return to the golf course after a long winter, it marks the start of spring, and the Masters Golf Tournament. For the past four years the week of golf’s most prestigious event begins with the Drive, Chip, and Putt National Final. This year three young golfers from the New England PGA’s Junior Tour will compete in the nationally broadcast event.
Gabrielle Shieh, a resident of Carlisle and a member of CCHS Freshmen Class passed through one local, one sub-regional, and one regional qualifier competition.
Gabrielle is an accomplished player on the NEPGA’s Junior Tour and is no stranger to the spotlight. She won a Challenge Cup event at Wannamoisett Country Club in Rhode Island, and also qualified for the U.S Girls Junior Championship in July.
Gabby performed very well over the weekend and placed fourth at the 2017 Drive, Chip & Putt finals held at Augusta National. Congratulations, Gabby.
Pennies for Patients
By Eleanor Mathias
CCHS is taking part in a fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society called Pennies for Patients. Our goal is to raise as much money as possible simply by collecting spare change!
You can help to support this amazing cause in several ways.
- collect spare change and bring it into school
- make a donation directly via the link to our fundraising page
You will be able to find a large donation box just outside the main office and smaller boxes will be available to take home to make collecting easier. If you would like one of these for yourself and your family, please email me!
For more information about the cause please visit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Website
End-Of-Year Information
The following are some of the scheduled award ceremonies along with graduation information. As a reminder, all events are posted on the CCHS calendar on our website.
Class Act Awards
Celebrating Community Service achievements
Date: May 4
Time: 6:00pm
Location: CCHS Auditorium & Dining Commons
METCO Senior Dinner
Farewell to METCO Seniors
Date: May 12
Time: 7:00
Location: CCHS Dining Commons
Junior Class Awards Night
Academic achievement and Book Awards for Juniors
Date: May 17
Time: 6:00
Location: CCHS Dining Commons
Senior Awards Night
Academic achievement and graduation awards for Seniors
Date: May 30
Time: 6:30
Location: CCHS Dining Commons
Senior Banquet
Date: May 31
Time: 6:30
Location: Nashawtuc Country Club
Graduation
Celebrating the Class of 2017
Date: June 3
Time: 11:00am
Location: CCHS
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