Monday, September 30, 2019

CCHS Educational Travel Fair 1 October & Financial Aid Night 2 October

Educational Travel Night
Families and students are invited to the annual CCHS Educational Travel Presentation tonight Tuesday, October 1st, 6:00-7:00 pm in the Learning Commons.  The event will showcase all of the educational travel opportunities, including our Exchange Programs, offered for the students of CCHS in the coming year.  

The evening will showcase the opportunities in a“fair” style event where visitors can ask specific questions to the educational travel trip leaders. We hope you will join us to learn about the exciting opportunities for CCHS students. 

Financial Aid Night
Financial Aid Night this Wednesday, October 2nd 7-8:30pm. A representative from MEFA will be presenting about the process of applying for Financial Aid. 

Friday, September 27, 2019

Kicks-For-Cancer, Mighty Moose, Fallon Vaughn, CCHS Alumni Stories, & More

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.

"Kicks Weekend" now includes the Pink Dance (the all-school dance on Friday night led by CCHS students), the Saturday Sticks and Kicks for Cancer games (Field Hockey & Soccer), and the Mighty Moose 5K FunRun on Sunday, (register 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
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 Article
US Lacrosse honors Concord-Carlisle senior midfielder

CCHS Named one of Best Schools in Massachusetts
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.

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.  






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.

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

9-11 Announcement & Back-to-School Night

We hope you will join us at Back-to-School Night tomorrow evening.  Today I delivered a brief message over the intercom to all students and staff.  I have included the announcement below.  

Warmly,

Michael J. Mastrullo


9-11-2001
"Today marks the 18th anniversary of the worst terror attack on United States soil. A day that started like any ordinary day, and by 10 am on September 11th, 2001, life was forever changed.  For those alive at the time, you likely remember where you were when you heard the horrific news.  For those unborn or not old enough to remember that fateful day, you entered a world vastly different. This tragic day continues to influence our daily lives:  how we travel, national debates of personal privacy vs. public safety continue, and American men and women of the armed forces continue to fight terrorism around the globe.  

Today we honor the lives of the 246 people who perished on an airplane, the 2,606 who lost their lives at work, today we honor the 343 firefighters, 60 police officers, and eight paramedics who tragically lost their lives.  

Be mindful today that someone you encounter may have lost someone close to them.  Let’s honor the lives lost by being kind to each other, and telling those close to us how much we love them.   At this time, we will take a brief moment of silence to remember those lost." 


Back-to-School Night
Please join us for our Back-to-School Night on Thursday, 12 September. Students filled out their schedule today during advisory, please arrive with their schedule tomorrow evening.  There will be a presentation for parents of our first-year students at 6pm and a presentation for all parents at 7pm. Parents will follow the schedule of their son/daughter immediately following the presentations.


Concord Carlisle High School
Back to School Night
Thursday, September 12, 2019


6:00 - 6:45PM Freshman Parent Info Session (Auditorium)
7:00 - 7:20PM All Parent Meeting (Auditorium)


Time
Block
Teacher
Course
Room
7:30 - 7:38

A - 1



7:43 - 7:51

B - 1



7:56 - 8:04

C - 1



8:09 - 8:17

D - 1



8:22 - 8:30

E - 1



8:35 - 8:43

F - 1



8:48 - 8:56

G - 2



9:01 - 9:09

H - 1





Guidance counselors will be available during D, E and F blocks to meet Freshman parents/guardians in the following locations.


Jeff Block - Learning Commons Room 241 Rachele Brown - Student Support Suite Room 228
Paulina Chin - Learning Commons Room 247 Tamara DiCesare- Student Support Suite Room 224A
Tom O’Connor - Student Support Suite Room 230 Matt Rudmann - Learning Commons Room 242
Alison Nowicki - Lobby outside of Student Support Suite Katie Goldrick - Not Available

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Attention Senior Parents: College Application Process Event (Thursday, 5 September 7:00pm)

Parents of Seniors!  Don't forget - Thursday, September 5th, from 7-8:30pm is the Senior Parent Program at CCHS.  Counselors will be there to discuss time-sensitive information about the college application process, as well as share helpful information and advice about current trends in college admissions.