I have included links to both the Back-to-School presentation and the 9th-grade parent presentation. In the 9th-grade presentation, we aimed to demystify the high school experience and to reassure parents, particularly those who have not encountered high school from the parental perspective, that we have a staff that is dedicated to helping all students be successful. Freshmen students will not finish their first year of high school understanding what college they will attend or what profession they will pursue, nor should they, but they will have a better understanding of the person they want to be.
During the presentation to all parents, we had the opportunity to highlight some of the messages conveyed to students at the beginning of school. A main focus of the presentation was the importance of creating and sustaining a positive school culture. All contributions are valued, and regardless of who you are or what you do, we all play a role in making this a great place.
Although filled with trials and tribulations, it is important for all of us to remember that high school is meant to be enjoyed and it is not merely a passage endured to advance onward toward greater things. It is important for students to learn the importance of hard work and commitment, but it is equally important that they enjoy the journey, and more important that they wake up every day with the intention of contributing to the well-being of others.
Parent Presentation
9th Grade Parent Presentation
Last spring a film made by CCHS students Ben Tull & Cooper Ernst won acclaim at the Student Production Awards, which is sponsored by The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, who happen to sponsor the Emmy awards. The film is now one of 5 nominees in the category of Animation and Special Effects for the National Emmy Awards. Congratulations, gentlemen!
Ben Tull & Cooper Ernst's Press Release
Ben & Cooper's Film
Please be advised that the movie is not yet rated, but it includes PG-13 rated imagery.I also included a few short clips that highlight some of Ben's recent work.
Still Sliding
Finally, Some Time to Relax
CC Teacher Spotlight
Throughout the year we will spotlight Concord Carlisle staff members. The third edition of teacher spotlight features the World Language Department Chair, Iolanda Volpe. Please follow the link to learn a little bit more about Iolanda. I have included a particularly poignant excerpt from the feature.
What is a piece of advice you have for students at CC?
"Take a deep breath and remind yourself that each day you are growing and making progress towards your goals as a student and as an individual. Enjoy learning and focus on your day-to-day interactions with your teachers and your peers–they care about you! Finally, there is a place for everyone after high school!"
CC Teacher Spotlight, Iolanda Volpe
METCO Turns 50
By Aaron Joncas
METCO celebrates its 50th year in the Concord Public Schools this year. To kick off the year, we will hold a family-friendly picnic at CCHS on Sunday, September 17th from 2:00 - 5:00. We will have plenty of food, children's activities and lots of alumni returning to campus. Please visit Concord METCO on facebook to view the event and invite friends, families and former colleagues. The picnic is open to all!
Kicks for Cancer
Saturday, September 23, 2017 - Kicks for Cancer
Please come to the 11th Annual Kicks For Cancer (KFC) All Day Event.
Raising funds for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute - Women's Cancer Research.
There will be eighteen local schools participating in twelve full-length games that will run 10:00 am through 7:00 pm. 24 soccer teams, 20 Varsity, 4 Junior Varsity, girls and boys teams will play. CCHS JV and Varsity girls field hockey teams will play "Sticks For Cancer" 10:00 am and 11:30 am.
KFC has raised $288,149 in ten years for Dana-Farber, in 2016 alone we raised $60,021. This year we have again set the goal of raising $50,000! Watch for more day of information, game time details, how to donate in person and online. See you there! Meri-Sue Nuzum (Chairperson Kicks for Cancer)
Iceland: From Them to Us
At the end of last year, our students traveled to Iceland as part of a school-sponsored Environmental Science trip. Below is a write-up from CCHS junior Hali Moran. Also, I included a video from the Icelandic bus driver who shared his sentiments on our students. It is a 50-second clip that is worth your time.
I enjoyed reading the article and loved this particular quote by Grace King. “It was extremely rewarding to leave our small towns of Carlisle and Concord and experience a new culture, all the while meeting new people” and I feel like that’s the true purpose of the CCHS Earth Science trip to instill unity through education."
Bus Driver Video
By Hali Moran
In the weeks before jetting to Iceland, students found themselves worrying about the unknown. ”What if I don’t have anyone to sit with on the bus?” “What if I don’t know anyone?” “What if I get lost?” The overall theme of their worries were “what if I wasn’t enough for them." “Them” being the Icelandic people; them being everything that is not “us;" them being the unknown. I find that it is very easy to talk about “them” negatively and in light of recent events, it is ever more important that we realize there is no them. “Them” is a construct created to distance people from each other, when we are all one “us;" and that idea of unity is what embodies the Icelandic way. In fact Colleen Boyle a freshman at the time was nervous to go to Iceland because she didn’t know anyone. Later said she was happy because “[Colleen] got to meet so many new people that [she] wouldn't have even thought about talking to if [she] had gone with a friend.” She also included that “traveling with people I had never met before really brought me closer to many of them and I've even made a good friend from that trip” whom she still makes a point to talk to regularly.
On June 20th Keflavik airport gained 58 eager travelers at five am, and the first thing these new travelers noticed was the brutal cold, but Grace King exclaims that “Even the cold rains of the first few days couldn't bring us down.” Thanks to the competence of Mr. Pavlik, Mr. Nichol, all of the students were readily prepared for the vicious weather. The two groups split up and boarded their buses. Although group two immediately faced a dilemma: where would they stay/sleep that night. Due to the weather camping was no longer an option. In between teaching the group about Iceland, Ardis, group 2’s tour guide had already solved the problem in a matter of minutes. In hour 12 of their 29 hour day (yes you read that right we were awake for 29 hours) group two conquered the 3rd largest waterfall in Iceland which is quite surprising seeing as Iceland has a lot of waterfalls! At the end of the day they had visited Rangárbing eystra waterfall, Black Sand Beach, Diamond Beach, Reynisfjara Beach in search of puffins, and the Myrdalsjokull. At the end of the day we reached where we were to stay for the night; a small school. We were greeted with open arms by four local elementary school teachers; I found it so humbling that four teachers housed 28 complete strangers in exchange for nothing.
A memorable moment for group two was at the end of a troll themed hike on day six when Ardis had instructed both students and teachers to lie down in the grass for a quick break; the uneven terrain made for a comfortable bed. After our quick break everyone went to to explore and play around in interesting landscape. Ms. Yousha led a group of girls who were trying to cartwheel, while Mackenzie and Alyssa led a mini cheer squad. Most of the juniors however sat in a circle, so when it came time to leave Spencer Torres was very surprised when he heard a loud rip and was puzzled at where it came from. He had ripped his “precious” rain pants; a necessity to the trip. He explains his feeling towards the whole ordeal; “I remember packing for the trip and seeing "rain pants" on the packing list and rolling my eyes, thinking this was something I would have to drop tons of money on and never use. I was so wrong! I used them all the time; we all wore them everyday, even when it didn't rain. The biggest tragedy of the trip by far.” Shortly after ripping his rain pants Spencer ripped his shants, and Grace King even went so far as to say that it was one of her favorite moments of the trip because she thought it helped everyone get comfortable with each other.
Although the scenery was beautiful most students found that their favorite moments of the trip were so special because of the people they were with. Angie Serafini explained that her favorite moment was not one of sheer excitement and awe but rather a moment of unity and togetherness. She explained that despite “getting to see some of the most spectacular natural phenomena on the planet” her favorite moment was when “we had a long drive to our next destination, and to pass the time our entire bus sang songs. I loved this part of the trip because at this point we had really come together as a group.” Grace King really highlighted the nature of the trip when she said “it was extremely rewarding to leave our small towns of Carlisle and Concord and experience a new culture, all the while meeting new people” and I feel like that’s the true purpose of the CCHS Earth Science trip to instill unity through education."
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| CCHS Staff Members Tracie Dunn & Tom Keane in Austin, Texas |
VSA & Pathways Blog
Over the summer CCHS staff members, Tom Keane and Tracie Dunn presented at the VSA Intersections Conference in Austin, Texas. Their presentation focused on the impact arts education has on supporting students from an educational, vocational and social perspective. During their time in Austin, they toured the University of Texas campus and met with Superintendent Paul Cruz from the Austin Unified School district. This district is a leader in progressive K -12 arts integration as a means to access the general education curriculum for all students.
Pathways Blog
By Tom Keane
The purpose is to help keep students, parents, and other interested parties up-to-date on exciting Pathways news and events. The blog is located at the following internet address: http://cchspathways.blogspot.com/ Once at the page, you can click "SUBSCRIBE" at the top of the page and enter your email address to get email notification whenever the blog is updated. We hope you enjoy this new method of communication and we are excited to be able to easily share all the great things that are going on with Pathways students every day.
CCHS Social Media
If you are interested in following us on social media, here are the links:
Facebook @concordcarlislehs
Twitter - Mike Mastrullo @MJM_CCHS
Twitter - Brian Miller @CCHSAPMiller
Twitter - Leslie Knight @LPK_CCHS
Instagram @concordcarlislehs
Blogger (principal’s blog) @cchsmm
Student Newspaper
Read the Voice's first issue of the year! Hurricane Relief Fundraising, Fall Sports, Parking Passes, TV and Movie Reviews, and More!
SAT Prep Bootcamp
By Jill Asser
Take the first step down the road to academic success with this SAT prep bootcamp. This Summit Educational Group workshop includes one full-length practice test and one four-hour instructional session, and is designed to give your child an overview of the academic skills and strategies he or she will need on test day. Two sessions, both 9 am -1 pm at CCHS: 9/23 & 9/30 (for the October test) or 10/21 & 10/28 (for the November test). Fee is $280, register at www.concordcarlisleace.org, or by calling 978-318-1432.
Concord Lawnmower "Swap Plus" Event
By Jill Appel
September 23rd, 9am to 1pm, Concord Public Works, 133 Keyes Road
Come check out the newest and coolest electric lawn and garden tools that will do a great job for you and make your yard safer, healthier and quieter! No more smelly gas and oil! No more air pollution! No trips to the gas station to fill up the tank! No blasting music in your headphones to cover up the mower noise! Over 80 Concord homeowners have already signed up to turn in their old dirty gas mowers for a big discount on the new Consumer Reports #1-rated EGO battery-powered mower. Both push and self-propelled models are available. Go to www.coolerconcord.org to learn more about the event and reserve your mower and $100 Concord rebate. Mowers, blowers, hedge trimmers, string trimmers, snowblowers and more from EGO and Ryobi will also be on display. This event is sponsored by Concord's Sustainable Energy Committee and Concord Public Works. Join us! You'll be glad you did!
Event Flyer
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