February 7, 2017
Can you dig it? A fun-loving group of seniors had a fantastic time at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Carondelet Athletics Complex on Feb. 2. Visit our Facebook page to see more photos from the event.  
A Message from the President and Principal

Dear Parents and Guardians,
 
Thank you for attending the Parent Forum that we hosted in collaboration with De La Salle on January 17. Your participation, questions and suggestions for how we can strengthen our culture of respect were incredibly valuable, and it was just the first step in an on-going conversation.
 
We understand that there are important issues that need to be addressed, and we are taking steps to address them effectively. To continue the dialogue around how to keep your daughters safe physically, emotionally and spiritually, our Parent Association has invited several experts to participate in a panel discussion titled "Difficult Conversations" this Thursday, February 9 at 6:30 p.m. here on campus. We hope you will join us for this important event focused on how to engage with your teenager and discuss difficult topics, such as sexual assault, harassment, and the importance of building healthy relationships.
 
One issue that came up at the forum last month was a concern about inappropriate dancing at school-sponsored events. Our administration has been working diligently with De La Salle to address this issue and we have created new procedures for the February 11 Sadie Hawkins Dance as we work toward an updated joint policy. They include:
  • The DJ that Carondelet has used for more than 15 years will control the music. He will also talk to the students about respectful dancing, and he will stop the music if it appears the dancing is becoming inappropriate.
  • Carondelet staff will control the lighting as necessary, turning up the lights if the dancing becomes inappropriate.
  • Chaperones will be walking through the dance floor and will be stationed in areas around the dance floor.
  • Students who are dancing inappropriately will be pulled from the dance and taken to the dean of their respective school.
Self-respect and respect for others is paramount. We are a community that fosters respect for each individual, and we will continue to emphasize this inside and outside of the classroom.
 
We encourage you to maintain open lines of communication with us, and we welcome your suggestions for how we can develop a stronger, more unified and positive school culture where our students feel safe, and where our girls feel empowered to speak up for themselves and for others.
 
Sincerely,
 


Bonnie Cotter, President     Kevin Cushing, Principal
Carondelet Breaks Ground on Athletics Complex

We are so excited to announce that we have officially broken ground on the Carondelet Athletics Complex! On Thursday, Feb. 2 the groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated with our Board of Trustees, distinguished alumnae, generous donors and several elected officials including, Walnut Creek Mayor Rich Carlston. Immediately following the ceremony, benefactor Lisa Hofmann Morgan publicly announced that The Hofmann Family Foundation has pledged $15 million to fully fund the school's endowment for student scholarships and to support the construction of a new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) center.



In discussing the impact of this transformative gift, president Bonnie Cotter said, "This is an incredible gift and an incredible opportunity for our school.  This gift paves the way for us to complete our Athletics Complex and take on two other important priorities for the school - need-based student aid, and STEM education for women."
 
Our students also got in on the action, enjoying special treats at lunch on Friday and striking a pose in front of our rendering of the complex. We can't wait to celebrate the grand opening with everyone later this year.  To get the latest updates on the complex and STEAM center, visit our website
Francesca Arrigoni '20 Film to be Featured at the Portland Film Festival
Last summer, Francesca Arrigoni '20 participated in Camp Reel Stories at the Oakland School for the Arts. 
Her film, titled  "A Deeper Meaning: Behind the Stereotype,"  focuses on the different stereotypes women have encountered throughout their lives and how it has affected them. " My favorite part about this camp was walking around and interviewing people on the street for our film," Francesca said. "The topic  we chose is important to me because I think it's very relevant today in our society."

Francesca participated in the summer program because she is interested in film and the camp's goal is to empower more young women to share their stories and create their own films. The camp teaches the basics of filmmaking, from operating a sound boom, to techniques for getting the best shots with a camera.  The five-day program also includes daily visits from guest speakers who produce different genres of films, and allows the girls to get more insight into the film making process. They were given three days to collaborate in groups and create their own films. 

This poignant short film will now be featured at the Portland Film Festival from March 2 to 5 in the Youth / POWGirls Showcase. Congratulations, Francesca!
Parent Education Night: Difficult Conversations This Thursday! 

We all want our kids to be safe - physically, emotionally and spiritually.  As parents, we have to teach them how to stay safe and this requires  having difficult conversations about tough topics, like sexual assault. We also have to teach our kids how to build healthy, respectful relationships . To help our parent community feel more confident in  tackling these issues, our Parent Association has invited a panel of  experts to discuss these topics and answer your questions.
To learn about our panelists, click here.

Thursday, Feb. 9
6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Garaventa Center
Carondelet Parents: RSVP Here
De La Salle Parents: RSVP Here

RISE Up, Carondelet! Join us 2/13


Now in our fifth year of celebrating the international One Billion Rising mass action, Carondelet is taking on a larger role this year as a host site.

Members of the community-at-large are invited to campus to join with us as we rise in solidarity to end violence against women. In addition to a number of student-focused events beginning on Feb. 9, we will also host a student-led community-wide event, "Carondelet Rising: Empowering Women to be Agents of Change."  

The program will include guest speakers, including writer/poet Emari Dimagiba '90 and Concord Mayor Laura Hoffmeister, engaging activities, dancing (we'll teach "Break the Chain"), a "Rise Up" performance by our nationally acclaimed dance team, informational booths, and more. 

"The goal of this event is to empower our young women to be advocates for social justice and equality," said Principal Kevin Cushing. "We do this by emphasizing what brings us together as a community instead of focusing on the issues that might divide us." 

Monday, Feb. 13
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
Register Now for Our Mother-Daughter Retreat

Carondelet's Annual Mother-Daughter Retreat is a special time for mothers and daughters to explore, affirm and celebrate their unique bond in a renewing, relaxing and spiritually enriching atmosphere. The event includes the retreat, coffee/juice service, brunch and celebration of the Mass.  
The retreat is open to all mothers, grandmothers, aunts, alumnae and their daughters who are in high school, college or beyond. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Financial assistance is available. For further information call Stacie Besagno at 925.686.5353 ext. 158, or Sarah Alpert at ext. 156 or Sister Joann at ext. 179.

Sunday, Feb. 26
9:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
$25/per person (includes brunch and the retreat)
Tickets Now On Sale
Get group ticket discounts now through Feb. 17!

Tickets to Carondelet's annual Crab Feed, on are on sale now! Enjoy delicious crab and tri-tip; test your luck on the 50/50 game; bid on one of the delectable desserts offered during our auction; anticipate winning a coveted raffle prize; and dance the night away. 

Parents, sign up today to earn PIP hours. We need volunteers to tend bar, supervise tables with student servers, serve as sous chefs to Chef Jerry, and help with clean up at the end of the event. This is a fun-filled volunteer opportunity organized by the Parent Association with all proceeds going to benefit our girls. This is also one of your last opportunities to fulfill your PIP hour requirement for the 2016-2017 school year. Thank you in advance!

Saturday, March 4
6 p.m. to 10 p.m. 
Ready to Serve! Students Explore Their Passions at Service Fair

We were so pleased to have 18 local organizations attend Carondelet's Service Fair last Thursday. This event highlights our students' passion for service, and it's a great way for them to learn about the wide range of service opportunities our partners offer. Whether our students want to get involved at a summer camp, day camp, tutoring center, assisted living facility or go an a service trip, this fair is their chance to explore it all!
Community Service Opportunities


Interested in making a difference in your community? Want to help your dear neighbor? Please come to the Community Service Office to learn more about current service opportunities and how you can get involved!
  • Carondelet Crab Feed on March 4 (servers)
  • Atria Montego Heights (senior assisted living)
  • Pleasant Hill Post Acute (senior assisted living)
  • Sunrise Assisted Living (senior assisted living)
  • The Kensington (senior assisted living)
  • Bus Stop After School Program (tutoring)
  • Concord Library (tutoring)
  • Monument Crisis Center (tutoring and homemade cookies)
  • St. Perpetua (tutoring)
      
Carondelet Dance posing with their trophies after winning  Grand Champion honors at last weekend's California Open at UC Davis. 

Carondelet Dance Earns Grand Champion Honors
at California Open 

 
The Carondelet dance team had another excellent showing this past weekend, bringing home Grand Champion honors in the varsity song/pom advanced category at the California Open, hosted by the United Spirit Association (USA) at UC Davis.

The varsity squad took first place in two routines getting top marks in varsity song/pom advanced and varsity jazz. The junior varsity team took first place in the song/pom intermediate division. Congrats, ladies!

More News

Basketball Senior Night Tonight!

Tonight's varsity basketball game against Amador Valley will mark the final regular season home game for Carondelet. Additionally, it will be the final home game in the careers of seniors Brianna Simonich, Sydney Sosa and Michaela VanderKlugt. The three seniors will be recognized in a pregame ceremony, so make sure you come early to cheer on the Cougars! The varsity game starts at 7 p.m.


Spring Sport Parent Meeting
 
On Wednesday, Feb. 15, there will be a spring sports parent meeting for diving, lacrosse, swimming and softball. 

Wednesday, Feb. 15
6 p.m.
Garaventa Center 


Athlete of The Week

BASKETBALL - Varsity
 
 
Brianna Simonich '17

As a senior forward Brianna had a big week helping the Cougars post a 3-0 record and remain undefeated in East Bay Athletic League play. In her biggest game of the week, a marquee game, she scored 29 points to key a victory over Salesian, which was ranked No. 6 in the NCS rankings by MaxPreps.


Go, Cougars!

Keep up with all the action by following us on Twitter @Go_Carondelet or liking us on our Athletics Facebook page.  

Chair People Needed for Grad Night!

Parent volunteers are needed for Grad Night. This will give you the opportunity to work with other parents to make Grad Night a safe and sober evening for our young women and men. We need a chair person to represent Carondelet, a chair person to assemble the memory wall boards and a chair person in charge of setup and clean up. Any questions or inquires, please contact Cheryl Stanton at 925.698.6681.
 
PIP Hour Opportunities

Looking for a way to get involved and earn your 20 PIP hours?  Visit the Volunteer Opportunities page of the website for a list of available opportunities. 

Reminder : PIP hours must be completed by April 30 for the 2016-2017 school year. We still need volunteers for several events, check out the opportunities below. Contact Angela Ricci if you would like to check how many hours you have completed or need help registering for an event. 

Snacks for Parent Education Night: Food and beverages are needed. Deliver your food items between 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9. Deliver the boxed hot coffee at 6 p.m. Please bring your items to the Faculty Room. Label each item with your daughter's name and ID number.

If you have any  questions  regarding your volunteer  requirements  clearance, contact our  Volunteer Coordinator Ms. Angela Ricci.
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As a reminder, this will ONLY add you to our E-Newsletter distribution list, it will not update any of your information in PowerSchool. For PowerSchool updates, you will need to contact Data Analyst Ms. Katie Almonte.

Upcoming Events & Special Schedules

Monday, Feb. 6 - Friday, Feb. 10 Spring Sports Try-Outs
Tuesday, Feb. 7  Basketball Senior Night
Thursday, Feb. 9 Parent Education Evening - "Difficult Conversations"
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Location:  Garaventa Center
RSVP Now!
Saturday, Feb. 11 Sadie Hawkins Dance
7 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Location: Garaventa Center
Monday, Feb, 13
5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 15 Spring Sports Parent Night
6 p.m.
Location: Garventa Center
Friday, Feb. 17  Student Holiday/Faculty Professional Day

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