|
|
Dear NCHS Family,
Wow! It is hard to believe that April is upon us and itās turning out to be another busy month! I am looking forward to the weather heating up and the feel of Spring in the air!
Safe Driving Week, April 1st-5th, will be amazing as always. Our studentsā safety is always our number one concern. A big thank you to the PFA for sponsoring and coordinating multiple safe driving activities including motivational assemblies for all grades featuring safe driving advocate Tim Hollister, plus daily interactive activities for students that will drive home safety messages to help prevent the riskiest of teen driving behaviors. Parents ā if you missed Timās powerful presentation last year, you are welcome to sit in on the student assemblies on April 4th.
Details are below.
Mark your calendars for College Admissions Events in April:
April 3rd ā NCHS cafeteria ā 7:00pm
Explore England - Sophomores and juniors, join the School Counselors for an informational session on the differences between UK and US universities. A number of universities will be on hand to discuss the application and admission process and give you a brief overview of their schools.
April 11th ā Wagner Room ā 7:00pm -College Admissions evening for 10th and 11th-grade parents and students. Hear about the many parts of a college application and how to approach the admissions process. Ann Fleming Brown from Union College will join the School Counselors in an interactive and comprehensive discussion.
Attention Juniors there will be a college interviewing workshop held in the College and Career Center on April 10th (Day G) during the lunch block. To reserve a space, email
Mrs. Carroll (susan.carroll@ncps-k12.org) and let her know what lunch you have that day.
We will be talking about the interviewing process and conducting mock interviews as well.
Innovation Night is back! This is the 14th year in which the NCPS provides students and educators an opportunity to showcase how their innovations enhance and encourage learning. Innovation is not solely the use of technology, but rather a spark that captures our imagination. Innovation Night is an evening that highlights the students k-12, as they demonstrate their innovative projects created outside of school and within their classrooms. Innovation Night will take place on Wednesday, April 10th, 2019 from 6:30-8:00pm at New Canaan High School.
The NCHS Scholarship Foundation is celebrating its 52nd Anniversary this year! Hopefully, the entire community will participate in the NC Color Run on Saturday, April 27th. The NC Color Run benefits NCSF.
For more information about the NC Color Run and NCSF
,
click here
. We hope that everyone will join us! If you need further information on scholarships, please don't hesitate to contact your school counselor or Mrs. Granite in the Guidance Department.
Our Spring Break begins Saturday, April 13th and we come back to school on Monday, April 22nd. Once again, the April break should be homework free. The only caveat is the occasional AP class that has some required materials, however, this will prove to be the exception and not the rule. We hope that everyone enjoys the break and is an opportunity for families to spend quality time together.
Thank you again for your continued support, enthusiasm, and dedication.
All the best,
William Egan
Principal
|
|
PFA Staff Appreciation Day
Toss a Teacher a Little Happiness
Thursday, May 2nd
Wagner Room
ļ»æ
Please volunteer to help with set-up, serving, decorating, breakfast donations, or lunch donations. Let's celebrate our amazing teachers and staff who work so hard for our students! Please click on the links below to volunteer or donate a food item.
|
|
Safe Driving Week
April 1st-5th
|
|
Our week-long initiative focuses on keeping our teen drivers safe! Students will learn about how to avoid the 5 riskiest teen driving behaviors: illegal passengers, texting, speeding, alcohol and drugs, and the most dangerous times for teens to drive. All grades will attend a motivational safe driving assembly featuring Tim Hollister, a CT resident and safe driving advocate.
PARENTS
, if you missed Timās powerful presentation last year, you are welcome to sit on the student assemblies (times below). Students will also participate in daily interactive activities and hands-on simulations designed to drive home safety messages and reinforce safe driving behavior.
Monday, April 1st
- NCFD/NCVAC/NCPD Rescue Reenactment including Jaws of Life
- AAA New England presents Teen Driving Safety
Tuesday, April 2nd
- SAVE A LIFE simulators
- AAA New England presents Teen Driving Safety
Wednesday, April 3rd
- Fatal Vision Goggles Challenge
Thursday, April 4th
- School assemblies featuring Tim Hollister, CT safe driving advocate. Parents welcome.
- 9th/10th grades during Period 4 from 8:23-9:11am
- 11th/12th grades during Period 1 10:11-10:59am
Friday, April 5th
- Under the Hood demos with AAA Battery Truck and Lewis School of Driving
- GIVEAWAY FRIDAY
ļ»æ
Thank you to the Town of New Canaan and Lewis School of Driving for their generous support of Safe Driving Week.
|
|
NCHS Scholarship Foundatio
n
Third Annual Color Run
Saturday, April 27th, NCHS
Kid's Color Dash: 9:00am (.8 miles)
NC Color Run/Walk: 9:30am (5k)
|
|
Online Registration (April 26th deadline):
Individual $35, Family maximum $130.
ļ»æ
Day of registration opens at 8:00am and will be an additional $10 per individual. Children 5 and under are free! Registrants receive a NC Color Run T-shirt, sunglasses, wristband, and a paint packet (while supplies last). T-shirt and race-packet pick up is April 24th-26th from 11:00am-3:00pm in the NCHS Lobby.
By participating in the Color Run you will help support the New Canaan High School Scholarship foundation. This foundation is critical to many of our high school graduates who hope to pursue higher education at the undergraduate level. To volunteer, please click
here
!
|
|
Come and Run for this great cause! Register
NOW!
|
|
Please make a donation to the NCHS Scholarship Fund
HERE!
|
|
We need your help! Volunteer
NOW!
|
|
Grade Level Parent Meetings & Information
9th Grade, Freshmen
|
|
PFA 9th Grade Networking:
4 Year College Roadmap
Tuesday, April 23rd
9:30am, Wagner Room
Please join us to hear from our experienced Guidance Department on your Freshmanās 4 year path to college. These years go by very quickly and it is important to be informed about topics such as understanding academic requirements and graduation credits, developing a standardized testing plan and learning about Naviance which will become a very helpful resource for you and your student as you start to look at colleges.
|
|
PFA 10th Grade Networking
No further programming
|
|
PFA 11th Grade Networking:
The College Application Process & Senior Year Sneak Peek
Thursday, April 25th
9:30am, Wagner Room
Mark your calendars for the last 11th grade PFA networking event of the year. Learn what you can do this summer regarding the college application process to ease your junior into senior year. Topics of discussion: common application account, essay questions, college recommendation letters, and more. Also, gain insight into those senior year "extras" that happen early in the year.
Counseling Event for Juniors
Wednesday, April 10th
Lunch Block, College & Career Center
There will be a college interviewing workshop held in the College and Career Center on April 10th during the lunch block. For students to reserve a space, email
Mrs. Carroll and let her know what lunch you have that day. We will be talking about the interviewing process and conducting mock interviews as well.
|
|
PFA 12th Grade Networking:
Transitioning to College-the Emotional and Legal Aspects of Young Adulthood & Encouraging Good Decisions
Tuesday, April 9th
9:30am, Wagner Room
Speaker: Elissa Stein, MA, LMFT, LPC The Riverwalk Group
Elissa Stein brings her expertise as a licensed psychologist, founder of Riverwalk Group practice, and parent to this essential topic! Elissa will share her advice and "emotional toolbox" for nurturing graduating seniors into young adulthood and a successful transition to independent college living. We'll also touch on practical aspects of legal adulthood, including health care proxies, grade disclosures (spoiler alert: they're not required to share!), school safety, insurance, etc. that can make for a smoother first year. Recommended even for those who have launched a college student - much to be shared in conversation. Don't miss!
|
|
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
!
|
|
ļ»æDesperately Seeking Senior Photos!
Needed for the Post Prom Senior Video:
- Candid Group Shots of 3+ Seniors
- Any High School Event
- From Any Grade
- JPG Format with Good resolution
- Please Identify Students with Names in the Email
- Email to: nchs19seniorvideo@gmail.com
|
|
Parents We Need Your Help!
- Please consider helping with the Post Prom Ram Jam and the actual Night of Post Prom. Contact Meghan Cioffi to volunteer.
|
|
Counseling News
Mark Your Calendars!
|
|
Remember that you can "like" NCHS College and Career Center on Facebook and follow it on Twitter (@nchscolcar) for updates and information about college admissions, standardized testing and summer opportunities etc.!
Winter & Spring Testing Dates
April 13
.......ACT *
May 4
.........SAT *
June 1
........SAT *
June 8
........ACT
*Offered at NCHS
|
|
AP Exams
May 6th-May 17th
IMPORTANT - All students taking an AP exam are required to ATTEND one pre-administration session to fill out preliminary paperwork. These sessions are separate from the online signup and will be offered on
April 23rd, 24th and 25th, immediately after school in the cafeteria. Please make arrangements with your after school commitments well in advance so that you can attend one of these MANDATORY 30 minute sessions.
Please note that it is NCHS policy that underclassmen must take the AP exam to receive the GPA weight for the year. Seniors receive the weighted grade only for first semester if they do not take the exam. If students and parents want to see which colleges offer credit for AP exams, access the information directly by
clicking here.
|
|
Two College Admissions Events in April ā Save the Dates!
Explore England
Wednesday, April 3rd
7:00pm, NCHS Cafeteria
Join the School Counselors for an informational session on the differences between UK and US universities. A number of universities will be on hand to discuss the application and admission process and give you a brief overview of their schools.
College Admissions Evening
Thursday, April 11th
7:00pm, Wagner Room
For 10th and 11th grade parents and students. Understand the many parts of a college application and how to approach the admissions process. Ann Fleming Brown from Union College will join the School Counselors in an interactive and comprehensive discussion.
|
|
NACAC College Fair
Tuesday, April 2nd 9:00-11:30am and 6:30-8:30pm
Wednesday, April 3rd 9:00-11:30am
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford
|
|
Academy Night
Wednesday, April 24th
5:00-9:00pm, Maurice Rose Armed Forces Reserve Center, Middletown, CT
The Connecticut Congressional Delegation will be holding its annual Academy Night for freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are interested in attending one of our nationās preeminent military academies ā U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Naval Academy. This is a great opportunity for students to meet with representatives and cadets/midshipmen from each of the academies.
F
ļ»æor more information, Contact Senator Murphy's office at 860-849-8463
|
|
Summer jobs will be posted this month
in the College and Career Center. The early bird catches the worm!
|
|
School News & Notices
NCHS Library News
|
|
NCHS Creative & Performing Arts
Music Showcase
-A recital showcasing individual and group performances by the NCHS Music Dept. senior class
Thursday, April 25th
6:30pm, NCHS Wagner Room
|
|
Join the Music Department as we honor our seniors in Band, Choir and Orchestra by giving them an opportunity to showcase their music study to the NCHS community outside of our concert settings. Our annual Senior recital coincides with the opening night of the Senior Art Show.
Please come with your family and invite your friends
to help celebrate the musical accomplishments of our Seniors in this showcase recital. Sharing their talent and musical growth with others in the community is a wonderful way to honor the work they have put in the past four (plus!) years and the commitment they have made to individual vocal and instrumental study.
|
|
New Canaan High School Choir
Carnegie Hall Performance
Sunday, April 28th
8:30pm, Carnegie Hall
Members of the New Canaan High School Concert Choir and Madrigal Ensemble have been selected to perform
The Music of Eric Whitacre
on the DCINY Concert Series in New York City. They will perform on Sunday, April 28th in the Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall under the baton of Grammy-award winning Composer/Conductor Eric Whitacre. Our student musicians will join an auditioned chorus from around the world to rehearse and perform with Mr. Whitacre, who will serve as clinician for the 3-day residency presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY).
Please join the New Canaan High School Choir musicians at Carnegie Hall for an incredible concert experience! Tickets are currently on sale through the Carnegie Hall Box office: Carnegiecharge - (212) 247-7800
www.carnegiehall.org
Please use our NCHS code CAN30825 when purchasing tickets, as the Choral Program receives a percentage of the cost to defray travel and performance expenses.
|
|
NCHS Athletic Department
A Letter from our Athletic Director
|
|
It is with great NC Pride that I write to you today with our Winter Wrap Up. It has been an exciting, award-winning and record-breaking winter for many of our sports. Thank you to all the coaches and assistant coaches who have guided our athletes to reach these levels. And thank you to the incredibly supportive parent and student body, many of which came out to cheer on our teams.
CONGRATULATIONS:
Boys Varsity Basketball - 2019 Division IV State Champions! The team had a tremendous win (55-39) over Granby at Mohegan Sun to win their first state championship since 1962. MVPs of the game were Ben Sarda and Luke Rwambuya, who had seven combined steals, two each in the pivotal third quarter. Congratulations to Coach Melzer for his outstanding coaching this season and being named FCIAC Coach of the Year. The team finished the regular season 20-4.
Girls Ice Hockey - 2019 FCIAC and State Champions! Girls Ice Hockey won a hard fought 3-1 win over rival Darien to earn their seventh state championship and their first since 2013. Blythe Novick was named the MVP after making 21 saves, 10 of which came in the third period. Earlier in March, the girls beat the Greenwich Cardinals, 3-1, to win their first FCIAC Ice Hockey Championship since 2012. Jess Eccleston was named MVP of the game. The team finished the season with an overall record of 22-1-2. Congratulations to Rich Bulan, named FCIAC Coach of the Year.
Boys Swim and Dive ā Won the CIAC Class L Championship! The boys scored 776 to out-distance second place Darien at 620. New Canaan took first place in 7 of the 12 events. Senior Michael Kotlyar, won the 100 breaststroke, the 50 free and swam legs on two victorious Rams relays. New Canaan divers, James Regusa, Connor Cloud, George Moore and Jackson Camporin swept the top four spots in Class L diving to give the Rams a singular boost toward the title. The team also had an outstanding finish in the CIAC State Open Swim meet, coming in second only to Greenwich. The boys finished the season as the second best swim and dive team in the state of Connecticut. Congratulations to Swim Coach Kat Munson and Dive Coach Joe Somma. Joe was named CHSCA Diving Coach of the Year.
Wrestling - Tyler Sung and Justin Mastroianni, State Open and New England Wrestling Champions! At the State Open, Mastroianni, the No. 2 seed at 138 pounds, defeated No. 1 Sean Johnson of Ellis Tech, 4-3. Sung, the No. 1 seed at 145 pounds, clinched the title when he closed out Berlinās Daniel Valeas 5-0 in the final. Tyler claimed the championship at New Englands where he finished the weekend with a perfect 4-0 record. Justin won a silver there when he fell to Ellis Techās Sean Johnson, 7-4.
ļ»æIndoor Track - In the CIAC State Open, Jack Conley finished third overall. His throw of 54ā11.5ā qualified him to compete in the New England Championship meet and broke the NCHS school record!
Thank you to the NCHS All Sports Booster Club, which funds additional assistant coaches for all our sports and helps maintain our excellent coach-to-student ratio. We believe this is one of the keys to New Canaanās success. If you have not done so, please join the Booster Club at
ncrams.com
. Your membership makes a difference for every NCHS athlete in every season. Go Rams!
Thank you for supporting NCHS Athletics!
ļ»æ
Go Rams!
Jay Egan
Athletic Director, NCHS
|
|
March 4, 2019 BOE Meeting:
Cancelled
March 18, 2019 BOE Meeting:
Budget Update
Special Recognition for retired Board member Hazel Hobbs. Ms. Pianka gave an update on the alternative high school program. Dr. Luizzi shared the latest information on school start/end times and the school budget. The Board also approved the 2020-21 NCPS School Calendar. For details on budget proposal
click here.
Please remain up to speed on the 2019-2020 school budget. The Board of Finance reduced the BOEās proposed budget by 150,000 (due to potential savings incurred by replacing retirees at lower costs) and approved a school budget of 91.43 million. Now, the fate of the budget rests in the hands of the Town Council, which could request further cuts. Town Council looks forward to hearing parentsā voices on Tuesday, April 2
nd
at 7:00 pm at a Town Hall Public Hearing. Should evening meetings prove challenging, parents may send emails to all members of the Town Council.
Town Council Meetings
Tuesday, April 2
nd
at 7:00 pm- Town Hall Meeting Room, Public Hearing on Budget
Thursday, April 4
th
at 7:00 pm- Town Hall Meeting Room, Vote on Budget
For more information regarding the 2019-20 NCPS School budget and town board meeting dates,
click here.
Next BOE Meeting
Tuesday, April 2nd at 7:00pm- Town Hall Meeting Room, Public Hearing on Budget
|
|
Thank You for All of Your Hard Work!
The PFA's sincerest gratitude goes to:
|
|
A big thank you to
Gretchen Russell and
Kristen OāConnor, our Career Night Chairs, for their many months of careful planning and coordination with all of the speakers and various NCHS staff to revamp and revitalize the program. Their entire team including:
Maryalice Gelhaus,
Lori McLoughlin,
Chris Farley, and
Caroline Lamorte were unbelievably hard working and dynamic. The event was a wonderful evening of learning for all the students in NCHS.
We would also like to thank
Corrine Patten of PepsiCo Foodservice for the very generous donation of Aquafina water and Bubly sparkling water and chips.
Also,
Michelle Santulli for donating all the paper plates for the evening.
HUGE Kudos and thanks to
Megan Sibbett and
Jaime Smith for their vision, time, and dedication in putting together the first ever RamJam! It was a huge success and such a fun night for our seniors and schoolā¦..thank you!!
|
|
Community Events
New Canaan CARES
|
|
All Fortnited Out:
How much is too much video gaming and what to do about it.
Tuesday, April 2nd
7:00pm, Wagner Room
Parents with children of all ages welcome!
Video games are becoming an increasingly pressing issue as they consume more and more of kids' time and attention. Come hear from experts in the field and a young adult who struggled with video game overuse
LiveGirl and NC CARES present:
Using Social Media in Positive, Empowering Ways
Thursday, April 4th
6:30-8:00pm, NCHS Wagner Room
Recommended Grades 5 - 12
MediaGirls teaches girls to think critically about what media content they are consuming. In this engaging, interactive workshop, parents and girls will learn concrete strategies to better understand how girls are influenced, for better and works, by social media and how to use social media to create a more empowering culture.
|
|
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention
Tuesday Evenings March 5th - April 2nd
6:00-8:30pm at Grace Farms
A free five-week class taught by certified instructors, with lectures and physical resistance technique training. "Defense education increases awareness and provides a deeper understanding of one's potential." Open to females ages 14 and older. Class size is limited: advanced registration is required by
clicking here
.
|
|
Interview and Conversation Skills Workshop
with Jim Foley, Assistant Head of School for Leadership & Innovation at St. Lukeās School
Tuesday, April 2nd
6:00-8:30pm at Grace Farms
This interactive workshop, put on by the YMCA Teen Board Members and New Canaan High School Seniors, Luke Crowley and Solomeya Marynovych, and lead by Jim Foley, will help you perfect your conversation and interview skills. Great for students' future college and job interviews! The event is free and will be held Wednesday, March 6th, from 6:30-8:30 pm at the New Canaan YMCA. Sign up by going to
Eventbrite.com
and searching āinteractive interview skills."
|
|
The Town of New Canaan's Youth and Family Services Announces:
April is 30 Days of Family Month celebrating tech free family time.
visit
newcanaanchamber.com/30-days-of-family/
to see all the great Family Friendly Activities planned.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ā 
ā