At CCHS we are fortunate to have relationships with students from across the globe. Not only do they enrich the lives of students, families, and the educational community as a whole, but these small cross-cultural exchanges help foster friendships between citizens of foreign countries that belies the divisive foreign policy rhetoric. I am heartened to learn our relationships with the citizens of Japan, Denmark, Ecuador, to name a few, are not impacted by words and actions beyond our control. In fact, there is reason to believe they are strengthened.
Today is November 6th and the much anticipated mid-term elections are here. Exercising our privilege to vote is not something to be taken for granted. Nor is the fact that votes will be cast but power will not be seized by revolution, or by a military coup, but rather a democratic process that allows all citizens of voting age in this country to exercise their right to vote. Unfortunately, nearly half of voting age citizens won't cast a vote, which in essence is a vote for indifference. Minus the rhetoric, we will have a peaceful transfer of power with seats being exchanged between our duopoly known as the Democratic and Republican parties. Large implications loom for both the House of Representatives and the Senate. If nothing else, it will be interesting. Cast your vote!
Japan Delegation
CCHS proudly welcomed the 29th annual delegation from our sister school in Nanae, Hokkaido, Japan.
All week long students, teachers, administrators along with other Nanae dignitaries visited our school. They visited classrooms at the high school and Willard elementary school. They watched athletic events, enjoyed local landmarks and the homes of those gracious enough to welcome them for the week.
Special thanks to Dr. David Nurenberg for his leadership overseeing this partnership with our sister school in Nanae. To commemorate our nearly three decade old friendship with Japan David helped design a gorgeous plague that is displayed near the entrance of the school. Along with David, I want to thank all those who welcomed our friends from Nanae. You showed them the same wonderful hospitality that they show CCHS students on our reciprocal trips to Nanae.
Danish Exchange
By Greg Coan
Our Danish friends departed on Sunday after an active week in CCHS, Boston, and Concord. This year we hosted twenty-one visiting students, two teachers, and two administrators. Fifteen CCHS students are participating in the exchange program and we had four generous families acting as hosts to handle the overflow. Thank you to the entire community for welcoming the students and adults into your homes and classrooms. The program continues to grow and flourish.
Highlights this year included historic walking tours of Boston, Walden, and Concord. The Danish group also explored both Harvard and MIT along with the Harvard Art Museum. A bit of shopping was also done at Copley Place. After a fabulous group potluck dinner on Friday, CCHS students spent time with their guests doing everything from being scared at Witches Woods, dancing at the Spectrum Dance, playing laser tag and experiencing a fall nor'easter. Most importantly we witnessed new friendships being forged among the students. We look forward to our visit to Denmark this April.
Fall Athletic Update
By Aaron Joncas
After winning the Sportsmanship Award at the Marlborough Invitational the Cheerleading won the DCL Championship Thursday evening. They move on to compete in the Regionals. Checkout their impressive performance. https://youtu.be/bfWA-oW4eHU
Congratulations to our student-athletes and coaches on a fall season that continues with postseason play. Our students are representing CCHS with determination and integrity each time they head out to compete. Highlights include:
Boys' and Girls' Cross-Country both won the DCL Championship. Matt Kleiman and Emma Kerimo were the overall Varsity winners in their races. The teams compete in the EMass Championship and the All-State Meet on Nov. 10th and 17th.
Varsity Football lost in the 1st round of the MIAA Playoff Friday night vs. Lynn English in an incredibly exciting game featuring several big plays down the stretch. The team was within a 2-point conversion of leading or tying the game twice within the last few minutes in the 4th Quarter. They also traveled to Billerica and fought hard in a tough loss 34-21.
Field Hockey lost in the state tournament to a tough Belmont team. I am proud of our team. as they competed for the entire game and had some great scoring chances. Good luck to our Seniors.
Volleyball beat Wellesley in the 1st Round tournament matchup on Friday night but lost a difficult five-set match last night. Congratulations on another great season.
Boys' and Girls' Soccer both advanced with decisive 4-0 and 6-0 victories in the 1st Round.
The girls will host Arlington HS on Tuesday at CC's Memorial Field at 630pm in Round 2 of D2 Soccer Playoffs, and the boys will host Boston Latin with both time and date to be determined.
Stay tuned for more updates as our teams continue to compete in the playoffs.
Gabrielle Shieh, AJGA All-American
Congratulations to Gabrielle Shieh for her selection to the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Scholastic All-America team.
Every year, the AJGA recognizes the academic and athletic efforts of its members through the Transamerica Scholastic Junior All-America Team. Only twelve junior/senior boys and girls receive this honor. Those selected are invited to the Rolex Tournament of Champions (November 2018). Congratulations, Gabrielle
Gabrielle Shieh
Carlisle, Mass. (2020)
Best 2018 finish: 4th, Junior Golf Hub Championship presented by John D. Mineck Foundation
Community involvement: Volunteered to make a website and help run a charity event in her community for a fallen police officer, co-captain of co-ed varsity golf team, volunteer at Open Table
Complete List of National Winners
CCHS Colonial Sound
Boxed Water, a metal band formed by the guitarist Maheeb Rabbani has released an EP on Bandcamp. Maheeb is joined by fellow seniors Jason Fletcher on bass guitar, Caleb Cramer on drums, and vocalist Alessandro Lopresti. Peter Albanese, a junior, plays guitar. This much anticipated release represents many hours of dedication and hard work at Colonial Sound. Many thanks to talented CCHS staff member and Colonial Sound engineer, Owen Curtain for his great work with CCHS students.
Maheeb Rabbani
Caleb Cramer
Alessandro Lopresti
Peter Albanese (2020)
Outdoor Club
By Patrick Savage
Twelve members of the Outdoor Club continued the Kicks for Cancer momentum and volunteered their time at the Edith Nourse Veteran’s Hospital in Bedford. It was the 15th Annual Vettes to Vets event where over 650 corvettes parade into the campus to provide the veterans a fun car show to attend before the cold of winter keeps them inside. Students were there to help wheelchair-bound veterans get out of the hospital and onto the grounds where they could enjoy the amazing cars, live band, and an excellent cookout. For many of the veterans getting outside is a challenge that can only be met with the help of others. Students did a wonderful job in this role with physical effort and smiles all around.
Students in attendance: Evan Field, Ashley Burpee, Rachel Hayes, Mia Taylor, Juliet Taylor, Natalie Slade, Henry Slade, Duncan Stephenson, Danny Harrington, Olivia Coutre, Porter Coutre, Chris Park.
Volunteer Service Specialist Kevin Dougherty said “we truly appreciate your willingness to come in and volunteer for the afternoon, making our largest event of the year so incredibly special for our Veterans. You and your students are absolutely the best!”
MVP Club
On Wednesday, Oct. 10, some members of the MVP Club (Mentors in Violence Prevention), Ms. Slocum, and Mr. Carpenter attended the Game Change Leadership Summit hosted by Robert Kraft and the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Game Change: the Patriots Anti-Violence Partnership is a grant provided in collaboration with Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. This program has provided training to thousands of students and teachers at more than 120 high schools across the state, including CCHS.
As part of domestic violence awareness month, hundreds of students and teachers attended the summit at Gillette Stadium to discuss best practices for teaching their peers about recognizing the signs of an unhealthy or abusive relationships. Kraft and Healey spoke at the summit and MVP Club advisor, Ms. Slocum, moderated a panel discussion for teachers. The CCHS MVP Club aims to provide another student training this year pending funding. Stay tuned if you are interested in getting involved with the MVP Club to help prevent gender-based violence in all of its forms!
MassCUE
Brian Miller and Terry Smolka represented CCHS well with a presentation at the MassCue conference. I include their presentation for your education and review.
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MassCUE is a resource-rich, vibrant network of educators providing New England's premier educational technology conference as well as ongoing, high-quality professional learning opportunities, including specialized webinars, workshops, camps, onsite learning tours and more.
Boys Hockey Community Service
The Boys Hockey team had a fantastic teambuilding fundraiser a few weeks ago. They sold, delivered and stacked a total of 16 cords of kiln-dried firewood to over 40 locations in Concord and Carlisle.
Captain Charlie Cook, and Assistant Captains Brad Labadini and Jack Perkins were able to mobilize players for a teambuilding success for students as well parents. Everyone pitched in and had a good time.
Thank you to parents Alden Perkins, Tina Labadini, and Lori Cook for helping to organize the event that included 25 student-athletes, 10 parents, five trucks and 40 delivery locations.
Student PR Team
We assembled a fantastic student-led PR team that aims to cover all things CCHS. CCHS students Ellen Su, Grace Jennings, Ted Sweeney, and Gabby Shih make a fantastic team, and we look forward to showcasing their coverage throughout the year.
The best opportunity to see their work is to follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Halloween
Halloween is always a fun day at CCHS. I include some great pictures along with costume winners. Many thanks to the beloved Lou Ann Franke for all the wonderful pictures.
For more Halloween pictures click here.
National Student Emmy Award
Congratulations to CCHS graduates Ben Tull, Alexis Kirkpatrick, and Burke Hutchinson for winning the National Student Emmy award. Rob Carter from the Concord Journal recently wrote a piece on this amazing achievement
Concord Journal Article
