And so it begins......

Good Evening,

Tomorrow is day 1 with all CCHS students and staff. Last week we prepared for the opening of the school with two faculty professional days. We also invited all-new CCHS students, 10th graders who were fully remote last year, and all incoming 9th graders for orientation. Tomorrow is day one of 180 with all students and staff. We all rest on Sunday evening impatient for the morning. 

The elephant in the room is another school year that begins with COVID-19 uncertainty lingering. If nothing else, the main achievement of COVID-19 is the uniting against it of everyone. We all suffer from COVID fatigue; however, the goal is to have all students in school and to maintain "normal" extracurriculars. We must follow all safety precautions, so everyone remains safe while enjoying the things we naively took for granted until they were taken without warning. 

I remind all members of the CCHS educational community of the need for sustained and increasing efforts to combat COVID.

Despite a relatively normal summer, vigilance is vital to our ambitions of normalcy and aspirations for a typical school year. Threats will emerge when the weather grows cold, but I am confident we are up to the challenge.  

Below is the schedule for tomorrow and information previously shared but sent again for those who have not yet seen them. Enjoy the Evening.

Michael J. Mastrullo

Opening Day

Monday, August 30, 2021

Advisory                                                              8:00 – 8:20
Assembly  # 1                                              8:20 – 8:40 Grades 9 & 10 Zoom Link	Advisory                                          8:20 – 8:45 Grades 11 & 12
Advisory                                         8:40 – 9:05 Grades 9 & 10	Assembly # 2                                              8:45 – 9:05 Grades 11 & 12 Zoom Link
A1 Block                                                              9:11 – 9:47
B1 Block                                                            9:53 – 10:29
C1 Block                                                          10:35 – 11:11
D1 Block                                                          11:17 – 11:53
E1 Block                                                           11:59 – 12:35
F1 Block                                                             12:41 – 1:17
G2 Block                                                              1:23 – 1:59
H1 Block                                                              2:05 – 2:41

Assembly # 1: Grades 9 & 10  (https://concordps.zoom.us/j/92327724631)

Assembly # 2: Grades 11 & 12   (https://concordps.zoom.us/j/92327724631)

COVID Protocols

Back to School Packet

Parking, Open Campus, & Community Service Information Blog Post

Welcome Back Letter

Important Orientation Information

COVID Return to School Forum - Recording

Student Vaccination Documentation

Thank you to everyone who submitted student vaccination documentation to date.  Please continue to submit vaccine documents to this email address and include the child’s grade level for the 2021-2022 school year:

                        CCHS:  healthservices@concordcarlisle.org

Phone App for Symptom Screener

As noted in the COVID protocols for this fall, the symptom screener will again be used daily in Aspen.  The screener can be accessed by cell phone.  I am resharing the video we posted last summer in hopes it makes this process as easy as possible.  The video is located here.

Parking, Open Campus, & Community Service Information

Please read on for important information regarding student parking, Open-Campus, and Community Service

Parking

• Parking is only available to seniors (YOG 2022).  All seniors requesting a parking spot will be entered into a lottery.  In order to enter the lottery, you need to purchase a parking permit and complete the required information on MySchoolBucks.com.  If you are not assigned a parking spot, your purchase will be refunded. We are hopeful that all seniors can be accommodated.

• In order to be entered into the lottery, you must complete the purchase of your permit in MySchoolBucks by Tuesday, August 24 at 11:59pm.
  
  

• There are two parking products available.  

• The first is the standard offer for $300, this is for any student who did not have a parking spot last year.  

• The second is a reduced offer for $285, this is for any student who did have a spot last year.  As promised, these students will receive a $15 discount because they were not able to park on campus following April break.

• Students may only park in the numbered space they are assigned.

• Seniors who receive a parking spot will be emailed their spot assignment and should park in this spot on the first day of school.

• Parking passes will be distributed by Mr. Hernandez during all lunch blocks when we return to school.

• All spots in front of Beede will be assigned through the parking lottery.  No students without an assigned spot should park in any numbered spot.

• Please review the parking/driving regulations and contract and parking map for more details.  Students will complete the parking contract when parking passes are picked up from Mr. Hernandez.

• Email Mark Hernandez (mhernandez@concordcarlisle.org) with any questions regarding parking.

Open/Off-Campus

• With parental permission, students in grades 10, 11, and 12 may have open campus/off-campus privileges. 

• Parents/Guardians can complete the online permission via a workflow in Aspen.  This workflow is not yet available.  We will send a notification when parents/guardians of grades 10, 11, and 12 students can complete this workflow in Aspen.

• Review the open campus information sheet for more details.

• Email Adrienne Dunne (adunne@concordcarlisle.org) with any questions regarding open campus.
  
  

• All 9th-grade students must remain on campus and will be assigned to a directed study.

Community Service

• All community service will be entered in Aspen.
  
  

• A specified number of community service hours are required for membership in our National Honors Society (NHS), and also for open campus.  

• Every year we have students who are ineligible for induction into NHS because they have not entered their community service hours (even though they have completed the service).  Please avoid this situation by completing this quick task of entering the information.

• Email Martha Hammer (mhammer@concordcarlisle.org) with any questions regarding community service.

• Volunteer Opportunities:  We will continue to search for meaningful service opportunities.  2volunteer is gathering an up-to-date list of community service projects happening in our area. 

• 2Volunteer committee: David Holdorf, Laura Close, Jen Clarke, Erin Duggan, Court Booth, Ann Sgarzi, Martha Hammer

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

Important Orientation Information: 9th-Grade Orientation, Grade 10 Students Who Were Fully Remote Last Year, & New Students in Grades 10-12

9th-Grade Orientation, Grade 10 Students Who Were Fully Remote Last Year, & New Students in Grades 10-12  

Orientation: Grade 10 Students Who Were Fully Remote Last Year, & New Students in Grades 10-12  

Orientation for these students is Wednesday 8/25 from 12:30 - 2:30. Please meet at the main entrance of the building. 

9th-Grade Orientation

Hanna Bruno, Orientation Leader

Dear Class of 2025,

 

As some of you may know your first day at CCHS will be a little different than the normal school day.  We have organized a Grade 9 Orientation in order to familiarize you with the school and ease you into your first year of high school.  On the day of Orientation, there will be members of the Class of 2022 and 2023 who will serve as Orientation leaders to provide you support and guidance.  

During the day, the leaders will help “orient” you with CCHS and give you an opportunity to meet fellow 9th graders in addition to 11th and 12th graders.  Our goal by the end of the orientation is to make every 9th grader comfortable for their first day of classes. 

This year Grade 9 Orientation will occur on Friday, August 27, 2021. 

Grade 9 Orientation will begin at 9:00 AM and end at 2:40 PM. Buses will operate with normal routes on a 1 hour later schedule. A catered lunch will be provided down on the lower fields.

Please visit the district webpage for bus routes (when available).

Transportation Contact Information. Email us or give us a call at 978-461-3981

• A large portion of the day will be outside. 

• Students must wear masks indoors and we strongly encourage you to wear sunscreen and “active” clothes (T-shirts, sneakers, and shorts or pants).  

• We would also suggest that you avoid sandals and skirts, and in general “nicer” clothing. 

• Upon arriving at the school at 9:00 AM, please check in outside cafe where you will be directed to your assigned group and leaders. Parents who are dropping off should drive up past the main entrance and drop off by the pods near the maroon gym stop sign.

• Those with allergies and any medical concerns should touch base with the school nurse prior to the 27th. 

• You DO NOT need a backpack or school supplies on this day; however, you will need a mask, water bottle, and any other snacks or personal items.

• If you do have severe allergies, asthma, or other special health concerns, we recommend that you carry your Epi-pen, inhaler, and other supplies with you throughout the day.  

• Please notify the school nurse (can leave a message on x 7500 or stop in room 207) and be sure to let your leaders know your health concerns at the beginning of the day so we can help prevent any complications and you can get immediate help if needed. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email Ms. Bruno: hbruno@concordcarlisle.org or the student leader captains Eli Holmes: eholmes22@concordcarlisle.org or Shivani Durvasula: sdurvasula22@concordcarlisle.org.

 

We look forward to seeing you on the 27th. Enjoy the rest of your summer! Also don’t forget to order a class of 2025 sweatshirt:  https://www.concordcarlisle.org/product/classof2025hoodie/

Hanna Bruno

Grade 9 Orientation Leader

CCHS Chorus Emmy Awards Ceremony

 44th Annual Boston/New England Emmy Awards

The CCHS Chorus video

"You Raise Me Up"  

received three Emmy® nominations!

 

The Boston/New England Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) accorded the nominations in the three categories below.  In two of the categories, we are included with entries from the BSO, so everyone is pretty excited to be in such distinguished company!  NATAS will present the Emmy® Awards Ceremony as a virtual event on Saturday, June 26, 2021, at 7:00 pm ET.

 

We are nominated in three categories: 

• Best Arts and Entertainment Program
• Best Cinematography/Photography 
• Best Sound/Audio

Best Arts & Entertainment Program

Joseph Maar, Director/Executive Producer 

Deborah Smith, Choral Director/Executive Producer 

Isabelle Germino, Producer 

Owen Curtin, Audio Producer

 

Best Photography – Short Form 

Joseph Maar, Director of Photography 

Isabelle Germino, Cinematographer 

Mark Pauley, Senior Videographer 

Peter Maar '18, Lead Drone Videographer 

Joshua White '22, Drone Videographer 

Pam DeBarros, Videographer 

Sheila Dohmann, Videographer

 

Best Audio

Deborah Smith, Sound/Audio Producer 

Owen Curtin, Sound Editing, Postproduction and Mastering

Click below to watch the broadcast:

https://newenglandemmy.org/

- Deborah Smith, CCHS Director of Choirs

Mentors and Sponsors Needed For The CCHS Robotics Team

CCHS Robotics Team

The Concord-Carlisle High School FIRST Robotics team is looking for mentors and sponsors.  The CCHS First team consists of approximately 25 students across four grades.  Each year, beginning in January, we design and build a robot to enter into the FIRST Robotics competition held in the spring. 

Many technical companies sponsor first teams.  During the past year, we were very fortunate to have Analog Devices as a sponsor as well as being funded by the Concord Carlisle Regional School District.   We are seeking to obtain more sponsors to offset rising costs. 

The robot we build is an electrical-mechanical-software device that performs specific and challenging tasks.  Currently, our software programming is done in Java.  Competition tasks require both human control and autonomous operation of the robot.  We design and build all of the mechanisms on the robot, primarily using aluminum.   Our fabrication facility consists of a variety of drill presses and saws (band, table, miter), a CNC milling machine, 3D printer, and laser cutter.

The CCHS Robotics Team needs mentors that have the ability and desire to collaborate with and guide high school students.  Having work or teaching experience in software, programming, electrical, or mechanical engineering or as an electrician, carpenter, fabricator or technician is desirable. Another requirement is the ability to dedicate a minimum of 10 hours per week during the competition season, which runs from the 1st Saturday in January until the end of March.  The season is modeled after an industry project with the release of robot performance tasks at the beginning of January,   FIRST 2020 Game Reveal.  The design, prototype, build, and test phases are followed by two weekend-long competitions.

The following links provide additional information on the FIRST Robotics Program and our team.

FIRST Vision and Mission

CCHS 2020 Season Team Video

Please complete the Mentor Interest Form or the Sponsor Interest Form Become a Sponsor if you are interested in becoming a mentor or a sponsor of our team.  If you know anyone else who may be interested, please pass feel free to forward this information to them.

If you have any questions or would like additional information please contact me epicard@concordcarlisle.org or Coach Hickman at  whickman80@gmail.com.

Thank you,

Elaine Picard & Walter Hickman

CCHS Robotics Coaches

Good Old A Cappella, Thank You to CCHSPA President, 50th Anniversary CCHS Art Show, 2021 NEADS Award Winner, MSEF Award Winner

Below I share a few of many highlights from our great students. They remain an inspiration and the driving force to work hard on their behalf. Please read on to review these highlights.  I want to thank every member of the CCHS Educational Community for making this year a success by any measure. A year we will not soon forget, and we eagerly anticipate better days ahead.  

Good Old A Cappella

It's simple and sweet, 

kids just singing and being themselves, 

just kind of…normal.  

After the year we’ve been through, 

normal feels pretty darn awesome.

 

We hope you enjoy the 

CCHS Select Choir 

performing “Good Old A Cappella”!

https://youtu.be/LAEEoS6Ckjs

Thank you to Karen Smith, CCHSPA President

When it comes to the PA, there are many people who deserve a thank you, particularly this year.  The efforts of parents and families to ensure a quality end-of-year experience for students are appreciated and humbling.

A special thank you goes to outgoing President Karen Smith. She quietly and humbly goes about her business to provide students with good experiences and show school staff they are appreciated.  It is time for us to return the favor and repay her in the only way we can, and that is to stand, applaud, and say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU! 

50th Anniversary CCHS Art Show @ Concord Art

Here is the link to the slideshow created by the Art Association.

This year's senior portfolio award winners are Nicola Hunt for painting, Jack Scheffel and Ruth Benyo for photography, and Jeremy Pietropaolo for ceramics.

Ruth Benyo

Jack Scheffel

Jeremy Pietropaolo

Nicola Hunt

Images from the CCA Gallery:

2021 NEADS Award Winner

Congratulations to Sophia Lester for winning the 2021 National Education for Assistance Dog Services (NEADS) Award. NEADS trains service dogs to help individuals with disabilities. This award typically goes to a junior or a senior at CCHS, but the Pathways Staff voted unanimously for Sophia to receive this award due to her tremendous citizenship and service within the CCHS Community.

Below are two links detailing the great work NEADS conducts.

https://neads.org/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu_JesK40M4

MSEF Award Winner: Lauren McIlhenny

Congratulations to CCHS senior Lauren McIlhenny for winning the American Society of Microbiology Outstanding Microbiology Proposal Special Award at this year's Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair (MSEF).

Amanda Thompson sponsored Lauren to enter the science fair. Lauren’s Science Fair work, “Increasing Cell Proliferation in Acinetobacter calcoaceticus,” investigated how to accelerate the life cycle of this bacteria to improve its use in bioremediation of industrial effluents like chromium. For this work, Lauren won the American Society of Microbiology Outstanding Microbiology Proposal Special award!
 
Please check out all of the 2021 winners at the MSEF here. Congratulations Lauren!