The school year has a certain rhythm to it with discernible mile markers along the way. Holidays, the beginning and end of sports seasons, concerts, progress reports, theater productions, the end of a quarter or semester, prom, graduation for seniors, Q5 for underclassmen, etc. Countless stops, both large and small, greet us along our school-year journey.
We have a few signature events; none of which are bigger, or more important, than Kicks for Cancer. It is a true community-wide event with contributions, both large and small, from hundreds of individuals.
The 2018 rendition was historic on several levels. Kicks plus the Mighty Moose 5K on Sunday, raised over 115,000 dollars to help support ovarian research at Dana Farber. Please read on for schedules for the upcoming weekend and for information on how you can contribute.
"Kicks Weekend" now includes the Pink Dance (As part of our commitment to safety and a drug/alcohol-free dance, SRO Kevin Gena will randomly choose students to breathalyze at the dance), the Saturday Sticks and Kicks for Cancer games (Field Hockey & Soccer), and the Mighty Moose 5K FunRun on Sunday, (register here).
I want to highlight an inspiring collaborative project that has garnered a lot of attention for good reasons. The timing is impeccable in light of a recent Washington Post article that cited research that labeled students in high-achieving schools an "at-risk" group. As with any publication shared in this blog, I do not necessarily prescribe to all its contents, but it is an interesting read that I highly recommend.
I urge everyone to take the time to read the stories of each individual student who took a circuitous route to their path of success.
CCHS Alumni Stories
At CCHS, we recognize that today's students are often bombarded with messages indicating that the path to success as an adult is linear and that there is only one definition of achievement. To provide a broader perspective, we reached out to CCHS alumni from all over the world, all of whom have graduated within the last twenty years.
We asked about their work and educational experiences, their setbacks, and triumphs, along with any advice they have for current students. Their stories, now on display outside the Learning Commons, provide many different illustrations of what “success” can look like post-CCHS.
We want every student to find the path that is right for them and to leave high school empowered to embrace the inevitable joys and setbacks that are part of the journey of reaching adulthood.
Thank you to the parents on the Challenge Success Committee Polly Meyer, Lauree Eckler, Lynn Delise and Jennifer Clarke, and to the staff members who contributed to this project, Ned Roos & Madeleine Pooler, & Tracie Dunn, and to Senior Matthew Ngaw.
Character Day
CCHS is taking part in Character Day for the second year. A description follows along with a great video highlighting the day.
“Character Day is an annual event that unites millions of people in schools, companies, and homes to develop and deepen their character: strengths like empathy, grit, gratitude, and leadership. Why? Because character development leads not only to school and career success, but also to stronger, more engaged individuals and a more just world. Last year, over 4 million people across 200,000 groups in 125 countries and all 50 states participated in Character Day. Today, CCHS continues its participation in Character Day for the second year.”
Watch the following 11-minute film, called 30,000 Days:
The Secord Annual Mighty Moose 5k and Fun Run/Walk:
On Sunday, September 29th, a 5k and 1-mile Fun Run/Walk will be held at CCHS to raise money to support ovarian cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event is being held in memory of Jenna Swaim, a loving mother of 3 children who attend Concord Public Schools, who lost her courageous four year battle to ovarian cancer on July 3, 2018.
She was 43 years old. Jenna herself had done much of the organizing for this race and her family felt strongly after Jenna passed away that they should continue Jenna’s work and start the event this year. Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities we welcome!
This race will be supported by the boys and girls cross country teams.
The Race Details:
Sunday, September 29th
Start Times: 8:30 am (1 mile) 9:00 AM (5k)
Location: Concord Carlisle High School
Length: 1-mile race for kids, and a 5k for all others to run or walk.
Register: CLICK HERE
Event Questions: please contact Amy Davagian at Mighty.Moose.5k@gmail.com.
Volunteers to help before or on race day please contact Siobhan Mee at siobhan.mee@morganlewis.com
Kicks for Cancer
The 12th Annual Lois Wells Kicks for Cancer Event, where 32 boys and girls teams from around the state raise money to support ovarian cancer research at Dana Farber by playing the games they love, will take place Saturday, September 29th. Last year we raised over $112,000. If you have never been, we'd love to have you join us on the 28th, it’s turned into an amazing school and community event.
The 13th Annual Lois Wells Memorial "Kicks for Cancer" event will be held on Saturday, September 28th, 9:00 am-6:00 pm. Please join us at CCHS on this exciting and meaningful day in support of women's cancer research. There are many ways for parents and students to help out via the volunteer signup: KFC 2019 Volunteers
Over the past 12 years, KFC has raised over $463,000 for Dana-Farber's research into the fight against women's cancers. The full game day schedule is viewable here.
All three events during "Kicks Weekend" have one goal - to raise money for ovarian cancer research. Total donations from "Kicks Weekend" events will go directly to Dr. Kevin Elias’ lab at the Dana Farber Institute.
Dr. Elias’ lab is developing a groundbreaking new blood test for early detection and diagnosis of ovarian cancer. This is on the forefront of ovarian cancer research and we are all proud to contribute in support of this work.
Please plan to come out and be a part of Kicks for Cancer 2019 !!!
Meri-Sue Nuzum & Trish Siefer
Chairs KFC 2019
Click HERE to make a donation!
Fallon Vaughn
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| Senior Fallon Vaughn Committed to play at Yale in 2020 Photo Courtesy of Wicked Local |
The talented student-athlete was one of 88 players chosen by US Lacrosse for its inaugural USA Select teams.
The senior continues to enjoy a remarkable athletic career at CCHS. She excels both athletically and academically and we are proud, albeit not surprised, that she was selected for this elite honor.
Wicked Local ArticleUS Lacrosse honors Concord-Carlisle senior midfielder
There are numerous national and local publications utilizing different metrics to rank public high schools across the state and country. They measure variables ranging from standardized test scores, teacher-to-student ratio, number of Advanced Placement courses and school resources and funding.
I will refrain from getting too deep into the details; partly because ranking public schools is a difficult undertaking once you move beyond standardized test scores. Although important, I can say with certainty that MCAS results, Advanced Placement scores, SAT, ACT, and a small sampling of other standardized tests are not the only measure of a school's success. Regardless of metrics employed, you will find CCHS ranks near the top of all lists when measured solely on academic (see below for a comparison between #7 CCHS and #1 Dover-Sherborn) performance; however, our best qualities are not easily measured.
I will refrain from getting too deep into the details; partly because ranking public schools is a difficult undertaking once you move beyond standardized test scores. Although important, I can say with certainty that MCAS results, Advanced Placement scores, SAT, ACT, and a small sampling of other standardized tests are not the only measure of a school's success. Regardless of metrics employed, you will find CCHS ranks near the top of all lists when measured solely on academic (see below for a comparison between #7 CCHS and #1 Dover-Sherborn) performance; however, our best qualities are not easily measured.
As I have stated previously, we are never perfect and ahead lay countless hours of work to improve, but there is no doubt that CCHS is a high achieving academic institution that excels in many areas, and it is a fantastic place to come to school and work each and every day. We are all so very lucky to have the opportunity to do so.
Wicked Local Article: Concord-Carlisle among top 10 best high schools in the Boston area
Post Secondary Planning
By Alison Nowicki
Beginning the week of September 23rd, counselors will be running a series of weekly seminars to discuss Post-Secondary Planning with seniors. These meetings will give us an opportunity to give students information about the steps they need to take regarding the college application process, give them time to work on different pieces of the application and give them time to check in with their counselor. Counselors will also offer individual meetings as needed. The seminars will run until the end of Quarter 1. Students will be assigned to one block per week, which will be added to their schedule the week of Sept. 16th.
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