Although political pundits would disagree, the present science denial rhetoric is not a new concept. In fact, Carl Sagan wrote about it 40 years ago when he argued that society is on a dangerous path as it becomes increasingly dependent on technology yet fewer and fewer people know how it all works. If nothing else, the March caused millions of people to talk about science, to talk about the importance of funding science, to speak of the importance of evidence-based thinking and policymaking.
There are a few items in the news that caught my attention. One marks a beginning and one an end. Cassini, the Saturn probe first launched in 1997, is nearing its final mission. A mind-blowing example of American engineering, it traveled seven years en route to Saturn, and after orbiting for nearly 13 years, its last mission is on the horizon. I have little doubt engineers poised to do great things are currently walking our hallways. As Cassini's final mission comes to an end, there is a noteworthy beginning in Major League Baseball.
Gift Ngoepe is Major League Baseball's first African-born player to grace a professional baseball field. He made his major league debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates this past week. There are 1.2 billion people in the 57 countries of Africa. With a continent behind him, he had this to say about his remarkable achievement. “It means that it doesn’t matter where you come from, no matter where you are or who you are, you can still make it.” A great message.
Ngoepe got a hit in his first major league at-bat. If he can continue to do well and get 3 hits out of every 10 at bats, he will have a long, illustrious career and one day be in the hall of fame. If he gets 2 hits out of every 10 at-bats, his career will be short lived. There in lies another valuable lesson, that the margin between success and failure is, at times, razor thin.
Read on to get a sample of recent student achievements and upcoming events. Also, I have included pictures from our staff art show. It is quite impressive. Have a great weekend!
"13 Reasons Why"
By Alison Nowicki
As you may know, Netflix has released a series entitled “13 Reasons Why” which is the story of a young teen’s suicide and the 13 tapes she leaves behind to be listened to by those she feels contributed to her ultimate decision. A major note of caution is that the series graphically depicts a sexual assault and the suicide.
The series is well done in some ways, but is flawed in other very significant ways. Many health care professionals have voiced concern about the series in that it presents unsafe and mixed messages to teens regarding suicide and survivors of suicide. There are significant concerns with many aspects portrayed in the show, such as romanticizing suicide, having graphic details or depictions of the death, inadequate and ineffective assistance from the school counselor, memorialization of the person who killed herself, placing blame and inadequate treatment. The main character Hannah’s story is fictional, tragic, and not the norm; and unfortunately, teens might not recognize that by watching it.
The topic of depression and suicide does need to be talked about, and children who are struggling need our attention, intervention, and support. We encourage you to ask your child if they are viewing the series and talk to them about it. We have included a resource with helpful talking points for you.
If now or ever you have a concern about your child, please reach out to his or her counselor, and we will work together to provide caring, competent and immediate support and guidance.
"13 Reasons Why Talking Points"
Animated Short Film (Kickstarter Funding Needed)
By Thomas Kim (Class of '19)
On Wednesday I launched my Kickstarter Funding Page to fund my stop motion animated short film, "Trejur" (pronounced "treasure"). It's a personal project that I've been dedicating hours every day for over a year now. The video shows what I have created so far. All the 1/6 scale miniature puppets, sets, and props have been built, painted and weathered. It uses the medium of stop motion, where inanimate puppets are moved one frame at a time to create the illusion of movement like you see in the video. The link will tell you everything you need to know about the story, behind the scene process, schedule, and much much more.
This project might seem pretty neat, but the problem is that I might not be able to complete it. I've paid out of my own pocket so far, and the expense of achieving such an ambition doesn't come cheap. I've launched my Kickstarter, an online crowdfunding platform, to find help in finishing the film. You'll get some sweet rewards for contributing, and Kickstarter is all-or-nothing, so you won't be charged unless I reach my goal. This guarantees that your pledges will be meaningful in kickstarting my career. Hopefully, with your support, the film will run a circuit in some of the most prestigious film festivals around the world. I understand that not everyone can donate, but even just taking a quick look at what I'm up to would be incredibly appreciated. Sharing is caring: sharing on social media why you support this project would mean just as much too. Thank you! :)
Please check out the Animated Short Film
CC Weather Club
By Henry Nelson (Class of '18)
On April 8th, 8 students from the weather club at Morristown-Beard High School in New Jersey drove up to CCHS to meet with our very own Weather Services. Both clubs were started by Jeffrey Yuhas, a former CCHS Earth Science teacher. A few of us had the chance to meet our sister club at this year’s American Meteorological Society Annual Conference, where we were the only two high school chapters represented. The goal for the meeting on the 8th was to discuss plans for collaboration on next year’s CCHS weather balloon launch. The meeting was not only productive in creating an arrangement for the weather balloon (using our balloon equipment and their well-crafted sensors), but also allowed a larger leadership group of the Weather Services to meet the Morristown-Beard students and help create a closer bond between the two schools.
Student Film Wins An Emmy
By Ben Tull & Cooper Ernst
For our final project for Psychology, Ben and I decided to make a movie. Earlier in the semester, I turned to Ben when we were learning about conditioning and said that we should make a movie about it. So over time, the idea percolated and when the final project rolled around we knew what we wanted to do. So we kicked it into high gear and started work on the movie. We spent a lot of all nighters trying to get it in by the deadline. Eventually coming to a rough draft we were okay with turning in for a grade.
This being said we were not done working. We wanted to keep working until we were happy with the final product. After Ben learned about my Emmy that I won the year before, Ben wanted to submit our rough draft to them. Surprisingly enough it won and now we're here.
Please be advised that the film is not yet rated, but it includes PG-13 rated imagery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Honor your Grad, Teacher, or Coach!
The three major phases of CC at Play’s fields renovation project at CCHS are complete, and all our spring and fall sports are benefiting: baseball, softball, lacrosse, cross country, track & field, soccer, football, and field hockey. The project has been a huge success.This summer, CC at Play will put finishing touches onto the project. They plan to build a maintenance building, add wayfinding signage, and install landscaping at the entrances. To fund this final phase of work, they are selling engraved bricks that will pave the area around the new flagpole in the stadium. These bricks are an excellent way to honor a graduate, celebrate a team, thank a coach or teacher, or celebrate an alum.
Bricks can be purchased at www.CCatPlay.org. Create a memory to mark your place at CC!
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| Olivia Hanselman |
Irish Step Dancing World Championships
On April 12, Olivia Hanselman competed in the 47รบ Oireachtas Rince Na Cruinne 2017 (The 47th World Irish Dancing Championships 2017) in Dublin, Ireland. Over 4,000 dancers from all over the world, including England, Ireland, Scotland, United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Hong Kong, South Africa, and Australia attended this year’s competition.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Olivia has qualified to participate in the World Irish Dancing Championships. In order to attend, dancers must excel in regional championships and Olivia has been one of the top six New England dancers in her age group for the past three years. Olivia trains with the Inishfree School of Irish Dance, located in Wayland, Massachusetts.
Water Challenge for Charity
By Ellen Su (Class of '19)
The Water Challenge is a two-week long commitment to drink only water and save money on other drinks like coffee, tea, soda, or juice. The challenge begins on Monday, May 8th and ends Monday, May 22nd. The money saved will then be donated to The Water Project to fund the organization to provide clean water to people in need. A donation of just $23 will allow one person to access drinking water. Click here for the link to sign up and receive your free bracelet for participating! The greatest donator will also win a free Water Project T-shirt for their efforts. We can use this challenge to stay healthy, recognize the importance of something that we have always taken for granted, and help people all around the world gain access to this resource as well. Contact esu19@concordcarlisle.org for more info.
Greater Boston Regional Student Advisory Council
Congratulations to Mariya Shtiliyanova and Laura Wallis for being elected as the CCHS representatives to the Greater Boston Regional Student Advisory Council. Thanks to all who voted!
Join the Conversation
A Collaboration between the Concord Public Schools/Concord-Carlisle Regional School District
and the Center for Parents and Teachers. Please follow the link for details about the event.
Join the Conversation: Developing a School & Family Partnership Around Technology and the Digital World
Student Newspaper
Read the Voice! Brice Kapel, AP Tests, and More!
Congratulations to the baseball team with their first win over Wayland. They were down 8-0 in the second inning and 12 - 8 in the seventh inning but won 13-12. Girls tennis is off to a great start, undefeated after five matches and the softball team softball team is off to a strong 4-0 start to the season. Despite the frustration of field conditions and rain delays, the team has had a strong performance at the plate scoring 51 runs in the first four games. The team has played great defense behind junior pitchers Nicole Small and Haley McMorrow.
For a complete list of all the action, please utilize the included resources.
Athletics Website
Spring Sports Schedules
CCHS Athletic Director Twitter Page
Community Education Update
By Jill Asser
Driver Education
Our next class starts May 1st and will meet for 15 sessions from 2:15-4:15pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Tuition is $775. Stop by the ACE office for a registration form of visit www.ace.colonial.net.
Babysitters Training
The 4-H Babysitters Training Course teaches youth ages 11 and older what they need to know to be caring, trustworthy, responsible, and competent babysitters. The course includes units on: safety, first aid, child development, nutrition, entertaining children, and business of babysitting. Join us and prepare to become a responsible babysitter! Tuition is $75. Stop by the ACE office or visit www.ace.colonial.net to register today!
Class of 2017 Scholarship Information
Senior Week Activities & Relevant Information
Staff Art Exhibit
The wooden bench pictured above was created by Patrick Savage; the wood was salvaged from holding ponds in Boston’s Historic Charlestown Navy Yard this southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) was harvested in the mid-1800’s as shipbuilding components for U.S. Navy frigates. These timbers are nearly 500 years old and are one of the world’s densest woods, hard enough to earn the U.S.S. Constitution the nickname “Old Ironsides.”
The technique is called pyrography or wood burning. Bo used a wood burning tool similar to a soldering iron to make burned marks on the harden shell of gourds or wood surfaces. The effect is very much like that of pen and ink on paper.
This mini-triode stereo amplifier is a re-imagining of an old school technology. The vacuum tubes are from the 1950’s as well as the basic circuit concept. The execution of the design was an attempt to shrink the amplifier in size in order to make a desktop unit that matched well with modern digital sources. It was hoped that the use of varnished oak combined with white acrylic would visually blend the bygone era of the vacuum tube with a present day esthetic.
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: 7:00pm
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
Senior Week Activities & Relevant Information
Staff Art Exhibit
The wooden bench pictured above was created by Patrick Savage; the wood was salvaged from holding ponds in Boston’s Historic Charlestown Navy Yard this southern live oak (Quercus virginiana) was harvested in the mid-1800’s as shipbuilding components for U.S. Navy frigates. These timbers are nearly 500 years old and are one of the world’s densest woods, hard enough to earn the U.S.S. Constitution the nickname “Old Ironsides.”
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| By Theresa Ruggiero |
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| By Joe Pickman |
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| By Bo Feng |
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| By Michael Hamblin |
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| By Linda Finnerty |
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| By Michelle McElroy |
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: 7:00pm
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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