May PFA General Meeting

Annual Meeting & Coffee

Wednesday, May 8th

9:30, Faculty Lounge



Catch all the highlights from our 2018-2019 school year and insight for next year. Principal Bill Egan will also reflect upon the past year at NCHS. Enjoy some coffee and stay for an informal chat with our principal.

PFA 2019-2020 Executive Board Slate

Our New Executive Board

The NCHS PFA is pleased to announce the proposed slate for the 2019-2020 school year. We will be voting to approve this board at our meeting on May 8th.

Co-Presidents: Ann Whittaker and Jody O'Donnell

Treasurer: Jen Tchir

Secretary: Suzanne Harrison

VP Gifts & Grants: Clare Caione

VP Communications: Susan Morse

VP Education: Heather Budnick

VP Hospitality: Leslie Bisesi

Click here to see all our chairs for next year.

PFA Staff Appreciation Day

Toss a Teacher a Little Happiness

Thursday, May 2nd

Wagner Room



There is still time to make a donation to support Staff Appreciation Day. Please click on the Sign up Genius link below and follow instructions to call either Giacomo's or Walter Stewarts to make a cash donation. Many thanks in advance for supporting this very special day for our school's staff who touch our kid's lives every day.

Volunteers

Food Donations

Please contact Susan Welch if you have any questions.

Counseling Event for Sophomore Parents:

Post High School Planning for 10th Grade Parents

Friday, May 3rd

8:00am, Wagner Room

Counselors will outline the post high school planning process - considering how to begin the college search process, what to look for when visiting colleges, setting up a timetable for standardized testing and generally what to expect next year. Although this session is primarily focused on college planning, we will touch on alternative pathways as well.

Cookies & Brownies Needed for Graduation

Tuesday, June 18th

1:00-3:00pm Drop-Off, Dunning Stadium

Keep our NCHS tradition alive! Every year the junior class provides refreshments and sweet treats for the families and friends of our graduating seniors. Next year, the same courtesy will be provided to your graduate. Please volunteer if you can. Help ensure that our 2019 graduates' ceremony is festive and the best that it can be. Please provide home-made, bakery-like, nut-free, cookies and brownie type treats for our cookie buffet. Simply bring your donation to Dunning Stadium on a disposable plate/platter between 1:00-3:00pm. Anyone (not just the Junior Class is welcome to sign up!) Just click here to sign up!

Questions: Please contact Lauren Corbett or Patty Severance

NCHS 2019 Post Prom Party

Friday, May 17th

11:59pm, Waveny House

DONATE TODAY!! We are already booking entertainment, gathering prizes, and reserving tents. Please make your Post Prom donation now so we have sufficient funds to continue planning for this amazing event for your senior!

Make your Post Prom donation now! Click here !

Parents: Please remember to visit the school counseling website on the first of each month to read the School Counseling Update to get the latest information.

Winter & Spring Testing Dates  

May 4 .........SAT & Subject tests *

June 1 ........SAT & Subject tests *

June 8 ........ACT 

*Offered at NCHS 

SAT/Subject Tests may be registered for at  www.collegeboard.org

ACT may be registered for at  www.actstudent.org

A note about Subject Tests: 

Subject Tests are hour-long, content-based tests that allow a student to showcase achievement in specific subject areas where the student excels. Underclassmen who are doing well in classes where a subject test is offered by the College Board (especially if they are in an honors or AP level of that subject) should consider taking the subject test this spring as the course concludes - i.e. in biology or chemistry. If you have questions, have your student speak to the subject teacher or his/her school counselor.

AP Exams

May 6th-May 17th

AP exams will take place from May 6th through May 17th. Students should bring several No. 2 pencils, blue or black pens, a calculator, if needed, and wear comfortable clothing, with layers suggested since the temperature can fluctuate in the testing rooms. Food is only permitted outside of the testing rooms during breaks. Students should arrive 15 minutes prior to the start time of their exams.

Cell phones are not allowed either during the exam or at the breaks. All cell phones will be removed from the testing room so we suggest students leave their phones at home or in their cars.

Students should contact Mrs. McGann or Mrs. Lenci in the counseling office if they have any questions.

Check out NCHS Library's latest blog post . And be sure to follow them on social media .

A fabulously fun award-winning musical based on the adored movie, LEGALLY BLONDE the Musical, follows famously perky and fashion-savvy sorority girl Elle Woods, as she tackles dumb blonde stereotypes in pursuit of her dreams. The story begins as Elle (Lucy Coutts) has her life turned upside down when she is dumped by her boyfriend Warner Huntington III (Ben Dooley), who is looking for someone "more serious." In an effort to prove to Warner that she is more than just some blonde sorority girl, she puts down the credit cards, hits the books and follows Warner to Harvard Law School. She struggles to fit in, however, she meets supportive friends like Emmett (Wyatt Lysenko) and Paulette (Kaleigh McCarthy), who along with her Delta Nu girls, see her through. There is Warner's new girlfriend, Vivienne (Kate Murphy) to deal with, and Professor Callahan (Zach Jones). Elle realizes her potential in working on a murder case involving a former Delta Nu member, Brooke Wyndham (Devin Findlay). Ultimately, she defies expectations all while staying true to her delightfully pink personality. 

Tickets are $15 & $18 and will be available online at New Canaan High School Theatre 

April 1st BOE Meeting

Six community members spoke in support of later school start times. Dr. Bliss gave an update on school climate/emotional intelligence. NCHS is actively working to create an environment that fosters respect, ethical behavior, and responsible citizenship amongst the students in our schools. In congruence with the EI (Emotional Intelligence) presentation - Brendan Hayes voiced support for poet Carlos Gomez’s appearance at NCHS, which may have been considered controversial or political to some, but actually focused on the topics of empathy, mutual respect, and the understanding of various perspectives. The goal of the presentation was to get high school students to talk about issues and to understand each other’s differences and respect them. To view meeting minutes click here. To view meeting video click here.

April 2nd Town Council Public Meeting / Town Hall

At the Public Hearing, the vast majority of the nearly 30 speakers provided heartfelt support for the BOE, its schools, teachers, and administrators, and the quality education it provides. They strongly urged the TC not to cut the current budget proposal, arguing that any cut would have a significant negative impact. Parents and PTC members, BOE members, and even an elementary school student spoke to that effect. That 3rd grader commented that his teachers “make learning fun,” adding “New Canaan is doing something correct. Why would anyone want to mess with that.”

April 4th Town Council Meeting

 

The Town Council approved the 2019-2020 Board of Education's operating budget of $91,434,688 at its April 4th meeting. The number reflects a 1.86% increase and consists of an Operating Expense budget of $79,145,162; and Health Insurance budget of $12,289,526.

April 22nd BOE Meeting

Mr. Bill Egan shared the latest information on NCHS Graduation Requirements. Dr. Keating updated the board on the Solar Co Gen Project. Dr. Luizzi provided updates on School Start/End Times. Dr. Keating reviewed Statement of Accounts. To view meeting minutes click here. To view meeting video click here.

Next BOE Meeting May 6th, 7:00pm in the Wagner Room. Proposed items: K-12 VPA Update 

Michelle Crookenden and Sue Holland for Co-Chairing 12th Grade Level Networking Meetings. These ladies have kept the parents of soon to be 2019 graduates “in the know” with valuable meetings and programming.

Kim Gilbert and Alexandra De Marino for Co-Chairing 11th Grade Networking Meetings and serving parents with valuable information to make navigating the stressful junior year a little easier.

Susie Catlin and Lauren Corbett for Co-Charing 10th Grade Networking Meetings and tailoring meetings to meet specific sophomore needs, including a meeting for parents of new teen drivers! Susie and Lauren served the Class of 2021 for two years and their donated time is much appreciated.

Kate Licata and Stefania Bopp for Co-Charing 9th Grade Networking Meetings. They provided programming to aid the parents of 9th graders in preparation of first time midterms as well as a roadmap for the next three years at NCHS.

A big thank you to Gretchen Russell, our Safe Driving Week Chair, for her many months of thoughtful planning to further expand and strengthen our revamped Safe Driving Week program and truly make it a community-wide effort. The PFA also thanks Jacqueline D’Louhy, New Canaan Youth and Family Services Coordinator, for the generous financial support of our Safe Driving Week program as well as Marie Trant of Lewis School of Driving for her financial support and for having her driving instructors at the school every day demonstrating tire and oil checks. A special thank you to Officer Geoff Lambert, our School Resource Officer, for his tremendous support of and assistance with many of our interactive events during the week including the Fatal Vision Goggles Challenge, and also to Officers Jeff Deak and Tom Callinan for their in-school help. Kudos and huge thanks to Chief John Hennessey, New Canaan Fire Department, New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps, CERT and the many volunteers from these fine agencies that organized and staged the powerful and impactful mock crash demonstrations at the high school. The PFA could not put this week-long program into place without the amazing help and assistance from Stan Serafin and his staff who were involved in virtually every aspect of Safe Driving Week. Many thanks and much appreciation to John Howe, Superintendent of Parks, and his crew from NC Parks Department for all of their help. Thank you to Anthony Ceraso from AC Auto Body for all three of the wrecked cars on campus. Special thanks to our featured speaker Tim Hollister and to Fran Mayko and Michael Ferrari from AAA New England for helping to teach our teens to be safe drivers. Thank you to the CT Department of Transportation for providing the Save A Life Tour. Many thanks to Jayne Benton for her coordination and the volunteers who helped staff events throughout this important week. 

NCHS Scholarship Foundation

Color Run Wrap Up!

We Had a Blast & Hope You Did Too!

Close to $50,000 raised.

More than 1100 People Registered for the Race! Thank You New Canaan!

Click here for more pictures from the Color Run!

Thank You to our Color Run Chairs: Lori Byrne , Susie Catlin , & Katie Van Dussen for the amazing success of the NC Color Run!

Final General Meeting of the Year

Saturday, May 4th

2:30pm, NCHS Cafeteria (note later time due to SAT testing)

There will be some important announcements and ice cream sundaes. Congratulations to all the members on another successful year of service!

BSA Troop 70 Tag Sale 

Saturday, May 4th

9:00am-2:30pm, St. Aloysius Gym

Please support you local troop and find items like artwork, bikes, canoes, antiques, jewelry, power tools, lawn equipment, games, toys, baby items, mirrors, small furniture and more. (8am $10 early bird entry fee)

Young Women's League

The Art of Balance

Wednesday, May 1st

7:00-8:30pm, New Canaan Historical Society

The workshop will help women explore the value of balance in their lives. you will walk away with ideas and tips on how to find balance and maintain it in your busy schedule! Register at newcanaancares.org

Wellness Works!

Wednesday, May 8th

9:30am, South School

Join us as we discuss all topics related to children's health and wellness led by a panel of leading local experts. Please pre-register at newcanaancares.org

Family Conversations: Helping Youth make Healthy Decisions

Wednesday, May 8th

7:00pm, NCHS Choral Room

Rising Freshmen and their families explore the ins and outs of high school transition. Learn time management skills to juggle school work and extracurricular activities. Decision making in the face of peer pressure. Break out session for youth with high school leadership program teens. Please pre-register at newcanaancares.org

Kitchen & Home Tour

Thursday, May 16th

10:00am-3:00pm

Tickets on sale April 1st. Purchase Online at newcanaancares.org

Cares Shopping Event

Wednesday, May 22nd

10:00am-3:00pm, She la la

10% off for you, 10% to Cares.

Art in the Windows

May 30th-June 14th

Participating Stores in Town

The Carriage Barn Arts Center is seeking artists to showcase their work in New Canaan store windows and participate in a downtown celebration of the arts! Organized with the New Canaan Chamber of Commerce, this annual event promotes local artists and benefits the Carriage Barn Arts Center, home of the New Canaan Society for the Arts.

The theme is “TRUE COLORS” and artists may submit representational or non-representational work with a concentration on one color or a multitude of colors. 

Click here to learn more!