Welcome Back Letter

Dear CCHS Educational Community: 

It is with great excitement that we open our doors for the 2021-2022 school year. For students, staff, and families with school-age children, the start of school marks the unofficial end of summer, and, with that, comes excitement, enthusiasm, and maybe a little anxiety and a slight longing for the summer months. 

Last year was a challenging school year for all members of the CCHS educational community: students, parents/guardians, staff, faculty, and administrators. At the height of the pandemic, we endured days of despair, the vaccine and summer brought great hope, and recent events bring cautious optimism that this year will be a far better experience for all involved. 

Soon we will greet our incoming 9th-graders beginning with orientation on August 27th. (Detailed information for 9th-grade orientation). We eagerly await the returning sophomore and junior classes and collaborate with the class of 2022 to provide the leadership necessary to make every student’s high school experience positive and memorable. We are confident that new students and staff members and the current staff and student body will continue to make Concord Carlisle High School one of the best in Massachusetts and the country.  

We are excited to welcome new staff and faculty into our community. Also, we are thrilled to add Heidi Harris-Lemmel as the new Metco Director. Equally exciting is Andrew Nyamekye in his new role of Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

The high school leadership added a great new addition as well.  Frances Wooff is the new high school special education, administrator. She has worked in education for two decades with thirteen years in special education administration in various communities and roles. She is eager to collaborate with students and families to enhance their educational experience. She is hosting a welcome back-to-school coffee in the fall; details to follow soon. In the meantime, she can be reached at fwooff@concordcarlisle.org.  

If nothing else, a new school year brings optimism, and it is hard to be anything less than optimistic when entering 500 Walden. A beautiful campus, a majestic building, and a warm and welcoming place for students and staff. 

All of our goals support the overarching objective of preparing Concord Carlisle High School students for their futures. Preparing our students to compete and contribute in the 21st Century is a monumental task that requires a hardworking, dedicated staff committed to student achievement and our own personal and professional growth. Outcomes are not guaranteed, and each year arrives with unique challenges. We welcome them as any challenge in which a successful outcome is assured is not a challenge at all.  

Three necessary components of any successful school system are safety, organization, and high expectations for teaching and learning. I assure you that these three factors will guide our daily decision-making in the months and years ahead. We look forward to your input, participation, and support as we work together to achieve our goals.  

Sincerely,

Michael J. Mastrullo

Principal

CCHS