A Message From The CCHS Principal

On Saturday, students made us aware of an unacceptable and reprehensible video made by a CCHS student, and we denounce it in no uncertain terms. The video was disturbing and laced with racist language and graphic imagery. Concord Police were notified immediately, and the investigation continues.  Further, these actions violate our code of conduct policies, consequences consistent with our handbook will follow.  

Concord Public Schools and Concord Carlisle High School has zero tolerance for acts of hatred, racism, discrimination, and bigotry. There is no place for this in society, and it will not be tolerated at our schools. Our school stands for respect and inclusion and a place where all are welcome and appreciated. 

We will always condemn words of hate, but the national outrage over the senseless killing of George Floyd compels us to stand together and universally and vehemently condemn vile and racist words and behaviors perpetrated by anyone.  This reprehensible action is entirely inconsistent with our school values and beliefs.   We are deeply affected by these acts of hatred and bigotry, and we encourage any student in need of support to reach out to a trusted adult.

During a pandemic, the need for sustained, willful acts of kindness and love that promote unity is vital to healing the damage caused by a health crisis that further perpetuates racial inequality. Even in the time of a pandemic, tragedies occur that have nothing to do with a health crisis, and the daily crush of grim COVID-19 news has pushed aside critical issues plaguing our country that require dialogue and understanding. 

The tragic killing of George Floyd opens the national wound, and the unfortunate incident within our school community compels me to express how deeply we sympathize with those having to bear the racial injustices that exist in our country.  


Hate has no place in our society or our schools; Concord Public Schools and Concord Carlisle High School stands firm in its commitment to a respectful and inclusive environment. Even when we fall short, we must tell everyone that our schools are a place where all are free to learn in a safe and welcoming environment.  That is the work that lies before us.

Michael J. Mastrullo
Principal
CCHS

A Video Tribute To The Class of 2020

A great tribute to the amazing #classof2020. A big thanks to Owen Curtain for compiling this video and to all of the staff who contributed. Wishing the Class of 2020 a lifetime of happiness and success.

A Video Tribute to the Class of 2020

Important Graduation & Senior Celebration Information

Important Graduation & Senior Celebration Information

I am pleased to announce our plans for the CCHS Graduation ceremony that will allow for a long-overdue celebration of the Class of 2020.  Several weeks ago, we surveyed students with three options to consider for commencement exercises (Drive-in, virtual, or socially distanced with no spectators).  Garnering nearly eight-out-of every ten votes, students selected the socially distanced option with no spectators. We were waiting for official approval from state and local leaders to move forward, and I am excited to say approval has arrived.  

At that point, without approval, we could not broadcast plans that were simultaneously underway that could potentially allow for limited spectators at the Graduation ceremony.  We have faith in our students and feel strongly that we can plan a safe, celebratory graduation with limited spectators.  Our patience and planning have paid off.  

Please read the information below on the Graduation ceremony including the information from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  

In the coming weeks, a future correspondence will provide additional details on the graduation ceremony, but it is essential we save the date and provide information so families can plan.   Please note, all plans are subject to change if circumstances change or if state and/or town rules and regulations change.  

Graduation

Date:

• 19 July
• This is the first day an outdoor ceremony is allowed.
•  The ceremony must be outside, so rain date(s) will be the entire week of 20 July.  

Time:  

• 9:00am
• This may change if held during the week due to rain.  

Spectators: 

• Each graduate will receive two tickets for their family.  
• School personnel will also be in attendance.  

Additional Details:  

• Everyone will maintain social distancing and wear masks.  
• We purchased masks for students.  
• The ceremony will be broadcast live by Minuteman Media Network.  

As noted, future correspondence will provide detailed information on the graduation ceremony.  

Student Masks Are Provided

Likely not a single person around the globe escaped some form of impact by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Everything is relative, and COVID-19 has gradations of impact, but as noted in a previous blog post, few have suffered more than the Class of 2020. Although a graduation ceremony with limited spectators is not the exact model we are accustomed to, it is the best we can do under the conditions. We are so excited for this day to come.

Additional information celebrating seniors is below.  

Senior Exit Survey
Seniors, please complete the survey for the Guidance Department.  
https://forms.gle/gcAgAoSaYyLQVWo86



Senior Parade
Due to the rainy forecast Saturday, we decided to CHANGE the DATE of our Senior Parade. 

Please plan to join us on SUNDAY 31 May, from 4:15 - 5:30 pm. We will send out a detailed email about logistics for all participants later this week. All CCHS seniors and their family members are welcome. 

Please sign up on this Google Form by noon on Friday, 29 May, if you plan to join us. Once you have registered, you will receive an Evite where you can see who else will be at the parade, and add/access photos after the event.

Here is the FAQ document for seniors and families, which should address most of your questions about the parade. Seniors, you can email jcottonherman@concordcarlisle.org or anyamekye@concordps.org directly if you have any questions about your participation. We especially wish to hear from any senior who wants to attend but is dealing with transportation challenges. We will do all we can to help you be a part of this special event.

We can't wait to celebrate all of you this SUNDAY at CCHS. We hope to see you there!

With congratulations from all of us at CCHS.  

Senior Awards
A virtual ceremony will take place on 9 June.  All students and families receiving an award will receive an email invitation.     

Graduate Lawn Signs- We delivered lawn signs to all Graduating seniors.  

Tote Bags
We are in the process of ordering our version of a CCHS "swag bag." We plan to fill them with small items and arrange for a pickup in June of student records, cap and gown, and other things.  Details and the date to follow soon.  


Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Graduation Guidance

On Thursday, 21 May, DESE sent districts guidelines developed in conjunction with the Department of Public Health about high school graduation ceremonies (download). High school graduations are an important ceremony in the lives of the graduate and their loved ones. High school graduation ceremonies should proceed with the following schedule and guidelines:

• Ceremonies held between now and Saturday, 18 July should be held virtually or in extremely limited other circumstances following safety protocols (e.g., car parades).
• Ceremonies held beginning Sunday, 19 July may take place OUTSIDE under the standards outlined in the guidance and assuming the public health data supports the continued opening of our state.

As an agency, DESE would also like to make a special effort to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2020. As graduation time approaches, please encourage the high school community, particularly teachers, to share highlights about the graduating class on social media with the hashtag #ThatsMyStudentMA and tag the DESE account at @MASchoolsK12 on Twitter or @MassachusettsDESE on Facebook. The Department hopes to feature a rotating display of photos of the class of 2020 (from before the school closures) on our homepage and welcomes photo submissions from schools and districts. Please add them to the online folder and include the district in the file name as soon as possible.
 
In addition, Governor Charlie Baker, in partnership with WGBH, will deliver a commencement address to the Class of 2020 as part of a celebration for graduating seniors that will be broadcast at 7:30 pm on Tuesday, 9 June. In addition to the Governor’s remarks, the event will feature congratulatory messages from local celebrities, a performance by members of the Boston Pops Orchestra, and a speech by students.

A Message to your Graduating Seniors from Congresswoman Lori Trahan

Registering to Vote Read Congresswoman Lori Trahan's letter to Seniors here 

Senior Celebrations

Graduation & Senior Recognitions

There is a group comprised of staff, parents, and students currently working on end-of-year recognition for seniors.  I want to thank all of them for helping to plan unique ways to celebrate seniors.  The parents either represent a parent group, or are in close contact with parent groups who continue to offer their time, energy, and generosity to the students of CCHS.  Students are providing great feedback that help shape the decision making and staff members are working hard to help organize.  

Although this is not an exhaustive list of ideas currently under consideration, the list below is an update on plans that are marching ahead.  

Graduation-Seniors received a survey yesterday and have until midnight tomorrow to offer feedback.  

Graduate Lawn Signs- We are in the process of ordering lawn signs made for all Graduating seniors.  Brian, Katie, and I plan to personally drop them off at each graduates residence.  

Tote Bags- We are in the process of ordering our version of a CCHS "swag bag." We plan to fill them with small items and arrange for a pickup in early June of student records, cap and gown, and other items.  

Senior Parade- This requires detailed cooperation with town officials, but the planning has commenced.  A date in late May is likely.  A rolling rally with a publicized route to allow staff to say goodbye to the Class of 2020 is the desired result.  

Senior Awards-Staff/individual departments will deliberate over the next two weeks.  We will announce all winners and either mail or arrange a pickup in late May or early June.  

Please be aware, that all events and dates are subject to change.  Other groups who generously support CCHS students continue to plan ways to recognize the great Class of 2020!  We are grateful to all those willing to help celebrate the great students of CCHS.  

Important Information: Graduation & Senior Recognitions, Phase 3 Learning Expectations, Student Q&A, Parent Q&A, and Kahoot Event

All,

I hope this correspondence finds you and yours in good health during this unprecedented time. The week of May 4th is Teacher Appreciation Week.  This noble profession always deserves appreciation, but I cannot think of another time in our nation's history when they deserved more than they do right now.  Thanks to each and every teacher across the country!

Let me start with a sobering assessment of our current situation. We are seven weeks into the current learning environment that continues with the massive cloud of a health crisis hanging overhead.  We begrudgingly accepted the fact that schools are closed for the year.  This decision moved us from Phase 2 of the learning plan to Phase 3 (outlined below).  

One of the many difficult things to accept is the inaction required to address the pandemic.  We are programmed to identify challenges and take action to solve complex problems.  The pandemic asks of us the exact opposite.  Instead of action to tackle our problem, we must distance and hunker down, and that is not in our nature.

Despite this sobering reality, there are reasons for optimism.  First of all, I take solace knowing the best minds in the world have a common enemy and a singular focus to beat COVID-19.  It is not "if" we will return to normal, but "when."  Although the when still remains an unknown, I hope you can take comfort knowing that day will arrive.  

Our plans for the remainder of the year are listed in detail below. Phase 3 was motivated by new guidelines from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, along with input from both staff and the community. I wish nothing but health and resilience for you and your family.  

Please read below for details on upcoming informational sessions and information on end-of-year celebrations.    

Graduation & Senior Recognitions
There is a group comprised of staff, parents, and students currently working on end-of-year recognition for seniors.  We will meet tomorrow for the third time to finalize the details of our plans.  Further, seniors will receive a survey seeking their input on Graduation options.  The survey is non-binding and subject to additional approvals and subject to change. More information is forthcoming soon.  


Phase 3 Learning Plan
The most essential factor in the weeks ahead is the physical and emotional well-being of students and staff.  That remains the priority.  The plan in the weeks ahead is put into place, knowing that not everyone will be able to participate in full capacity.  If you need assistance, please contact your teacher and/or guidance counselor.  

Those able to participate should do so earnestly.  Beginning Monday, 11 May, each teacher will offer two 30-minute live, synchronous teaching sessions for students each week until the end of the 2019-2020 school year (for full credit classes, classes that only meet 2x per week, are expected to have one 30-min session per week).  

• These live sessions can be hosted in Google Hangout, Zoom, or another platform of the teacher’s choice.

• One intent of these sessions is to support students in learning new content.  In Phase 2, teachers had the option to hold office hours.  In Phase 3 each teacher will offer two 30-minute live sessions.  

• When possible, tutors and assistants will attend the classes they normally do when school is physically open.

• We expect all students who can attend these live sessions to participate. Mandatory attendance is a new expectation, and teachers will take attendance in Aspen.

• If able, we want students to attend all live sessions; however, to receive an automatic “pass” for Quarter 4, students need to attend more than 65% of live sessions. Flexibility will be determined for special situations by a team consisting of a teacher, administrator, guidance counselor, and, if applicable, a special educator.

• If able, students should complete all assignments; however, to receive an automatic “pass” for Quarter 4, students need to complete more than 50% of the assignments on May 11 through the end of the school year. 

• Last night Dr. Hunter shared Phase Three.docx of our learning plan.  

High School Schedule Effective 11 May

	10:00 am- 10:50 am	11:00 am- 11:50 am	11:50 am - 12:30 pm	12:30 pm-  1:20 pm	1:30 pm - 2:20 pm
Mon.	A1	B1	Lunch	C1	D1
Tues.	E1	F1	Lunch	G3	H1
Wed.	D2	C3	Lunch	B2	A2
Thurs.	H2	G2	Lunch	F2	E2
Fri.	Guidance / Student Supports / Asynchronous work / Clubs /  Teacher Collaboration

*Teachers will notify their students of the start time of the 30-min session within the 50 min block.

Thursday, May 7, 7:00PM - Student Q&A

Register in advance for this meeting:
https://concordps.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMud-ihqzksHd1LG_g7fE37Z3Pz2i8WvnUC

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

To allow us to be best prepared for the event, it would be helpful if you can enter your questions via the google form below.  Having your questions ahead of time will allow us to  conduct any research before the event and then be able to provide you the most accurate answer(s): Question Form

Thursday, May 7, 7:30PM - Community Kahoot Trivia

Register in advance for this meeting (if you have registered for the student Q&A, then you do not need to register again for this event):
https://concordps.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJMud-ihqzksHd1LG_g7fE37Z3Pz2i8WvnUC

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.

Friday, May 8, 1:30PM - Parent Q&A

Phase 3 & More will be covered in this Q&A 

This Event Will Be Recorded For Those Who Cannot Attend

Register in advance for this webinar:
https://concordps.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DpRswHIkSQaURLldUS84ug

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

To allow us to be best prepared for the event, it would be helpful if you can enter your questions via the google form below.  Having your questions ahead of time will allow us to  conduct any research before the event and then be able to provide you the most accurate answer(s): Question Form

Grades, Last Days of School, Graduation, & Office Hours

All,

I write on the last day of "April Vacation," and what a vacation it was.  I mean, sometimes doing the same thing every day is a good thing.  For example, I have been lucky in my life to enjoy a vacation getaway when all the days seem to blend together.  They might look something like this.  

Monday: Wake up, exercise, shower, eat, go to the pool, eat, nap, go to the beach, shower, go to dinner.  Tuesday-Saturday: Rinse & repeat.  "April Vacation" 2020 did share one similarity and that is routine.  

Monday: Wake-up, exercise, shower, eat, Zoom Meeting, read depressing news, Zoom Meeting, eat, eat a little more, walk Gus, yell at Gus for eating the furniture, bothering Darwin, eating my shoes, my socks, the baseboard;  Zoom meeting, eat, shower, put on same clothes, play a board game, watch Netflix, read, go to bed.  

Tuesday - Friday: Rinse & Repeat. 

My dog Gus.  He is a big fan of the quarantine and a fan of doing everything a good dog does not do!

Friday afternoon typically comes with excitement as weekend plans start to form, but now every day feels like a Tuesday; however, as we progress through our string of perpetual Tuesdays, I wonder if we will all come out the other side of this more grateful for life's simple pleasures. I know I will.

If nothing else, the American story is one of progress; not linear, but circuitous progress marked by long periods of prosperity derailed periodically by depression, war, and disease.  Woven into our DNA is a perpetual desire for more, and the past two centuries largely met our appetite with an abundance of plenty.  Perhaps a positive bi-product of this dreadful pandemic is a greater appreciation for life's simple pleasures that have been worn down and dulled by prosperity.  

Going out to dinner, seeing a movie in theaters, or stopping for an ice cream cone will be appreciated more as a result of this.  Visiting with friends, family, watching sports, a great concert, or a play will no longer be taken for granted and will likely be more fulfilling.  

By and large, we are all grateful for our second home at CCHS, but I think we will all return more grateful for all that it means to our daily routine and lives.  Wishing you and your family nothing but good health during this difficult time.

Warmly,

Michael J. Mastrullo


Last Days of School & Graduation
Seniors:                       5/22
Grades 9-12:              6/18

We have started the process of planning for Graduation.  I will share information as it becomes available.  Further, there will be no final exams this year.  


Grades
Why is the plan for  Q3 grades and why is CCHS moving to a Pass / No credit option for the 2nd semester of the 2019-2020 school year?


There was thoughtful consideration on the issue of grades.  We wanted to be fair and not cause unnecessary stress during a time characterized by enormous stress.  Considering we were six weeks into quarter 3, we initially gave students the option for a letter grade or a pass/fail for the third marking period. When we provided this choice the prospect of returning to school this academic year was still an option.  Governor Baker has closed schools for the year, so we need to pivot slightly.  

For Q3, some students chose a letter grade and some chose pass/fail.  Allowing that to remain would create a discrepancy in transcripts and require students who chose "pass" to explain to college admissions why they have a pass/fail in quarter 3. That seems unfair.  

There is another side to this dilemma. Students who performed well in quarter 3 want that grade factored as it boosts their grade, so forcing them to accept a pass for quarter 3 seems unfair.  The compromise addresses both of these dilemmas.  

Students who chose a letter grade for quarter 3 will receive this benefit in their semester I grade; however, all students will have a pass in quarter 3.   

Lastly, by issuing a semester I letter grade and a semester II pass/no credit, it allows for GPAs to be calculated fairly.  Humanities courses are semester-based, so making all classes in the 3rd and 4th quarters a semester class (regardless if they are full-year or not) will level the GPA playing field regardless if a class is a full-year or half-year. The graph below explains this far better than my narrative.  

The decision for pass/no credit for the second semester is in-line with Massachusetts schools, DESE recommendations, and feedback from colleges. Standard grading systems are designed for normal times and these are anything but normal times.  Supporting students academically and focusing on their emotional and mental wellness is the priority. A  Pass / No Credit grading system for the 2020 spring semester will help alleviate some of the stress that the uncertainty has caused not just for our students, parents, teachers, and staff.  

In a previous blog, I shared information from college admissions offices.  I share one from Stanford as well.

Stanford reassures prospective students for 2021-22 academic year of flexible, holistic admissions process | Stanford News

https://news.stanford.edu/2020/04/17/stanford-reassures-prospective-students-flexible-holistic-admissions-process/

Office Hours

We put forward two options for office hours and Option B was the favored choice. This will begin on Monday.

Option B

	Morning  (10am-11:30am)	Midday (11:30am-1pm)	Afternoon (1pm-2:30pm)	X Block (2:30pm-4pm)
Monday	English	Social Studies	Arts / CS / H&F / Rivers / AP Capstone	Clubs / Activities / Free
Tuesday	Guidance	Math	Science	Clubs / Activities / Free
Wednesday	Arts / CS / H&F / Rivers / AP Capstone	English	World Languages	Clubs / Activities / Free
Thursday	Social Studies	Science	Guidance	Clubs / Activities / Free
Friday	Math	World Languages	Clubs / Activities	Enjoy Weekend