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CGHS Student & Family Newsletter
Feb. 20th to Feb. 24th, 2023
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Happy President’s Day Weekend and Black History Month, Common Ground Students & Families! I hope you've had a joyful, safe, warm long weekend.
There are so, so many people & experiences to celebrate from last week:
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Huge shout out to our student culture creators – Xavier, Jeremiah, Patience, Madison W, Areyanna, Deja, and Mikela – and to our culture team – Ms. Miriam, Ms. Ericka, Mr. Gammy – for a week of Black History joy and spirit this past week! Thanks as well to Chef T, Chef Antoine, and Chef Waleska, for nourishing our bodies and souls with this week’s special Black History Month lunch! Learn more in CG’s community newsletter.
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The POWERful leadership and learning of Diana, Asia Vilsaint ‘22, Malek, and other students were center stage at this week’s visit from the State Education Commissioner, State Board of Ed, and State Education Committee. Check out stories on WTNH and the New Haven Independent!
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Student food justice leaders Jayden B, Fernando, Patience, Devin, Areyanna, Jozelynn, and Clouds represented us so well at a lunch with Leah Penniman and fellow leaders from across New Haven.
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Ms. Fernandez and the Student Pathways Team organized a GREAT summer opportunities fair this week. Are YOU planning for an intentional summer?
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Thanks to Ms. Pertesi, Ms. Miller, and Mr. Rios for getting our Multi-Media Art and Latin American Language & Culture students into New York City this week to explore El Museo del Barrio – and to all the students for diving into this learning opportunity and representing Common Ground so well!
- A shout out as well to all the students & staff who helped make Friday’s Valentine’s Day Dance so sweet!
It’s a short week ahead – and your attendance matters so much, this week and every week. Students, you MUST be in school, fully engaged, to learn and thrive. Students who missed a day or less of school last month: stay tuned for an invitation to an ice cream social to celebrate the way you are SHOWING UP! All students: We’d love to celebrate YOUR attendance next month!
Sincerely,
Cherry Pacquette-Emmanuel
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What's In This Newsletter
- ONE WEEK LEFT for new students to apply to Common Ground!!!
- YOUR VOICE NEEDED: Funding for Public Charters like Common Ground is on the line!
- SENIOR Experiences & Fees - $40 Deposit Due March 3!
- Join CG's Team for the Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride!
- Apply Now: FREE Residential Photography Workshop at Yale School of Art
- APPLY NOW For Spring/Summer Green Jobs Corp!
- Spring After-School Programs Have Begun! Sign Up Today!
- Recreation & Parks Programs from the City of New Haven: All Ages Pottery & More!
- Design the Rock to Rock 2023 T-Shirt! Deadline March!!
- Self-Care Group with Ms. Jacobs - Open for Interested Students!
- Sundays In March: Maple Syruping for Families Common Ground!
- CONGRATULATIONS to all the members of the Class of 2023 who have earned admissions to college!
- Families: Reduce Your Electric Bills! Make Your Home More Comfortable! Help Fight Climate Change!
- Volunteers Needed: Loaves & Fishes - Food, Clothing & Community
- For Families with Kids Ages 4-14: Common Ground Camp!
- Students & Families: Drop Your Compost @ Common Ground!
- Families, Get The Support You Need
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2. YOUR TESTIMONY NEEDED! HEARING ON HARTFORD ON THURS FEB 22 @ 4PM!!
At a time when federal COVID funding for public schools is going away, and the CT state budget is projecting a $6.4 billion surplus and reserve, Governor Lamont’s draft budget doesn’t include a single dollar of new funding for charter schools. No new steps toward an equitable funding formula for all public schools, where schools that serve a larger number of students with additional needs (like Common Ground!) would automatically receive proportionally more funding. No funding for charter schools that were given permission to open in Danbury and Norwalk years ago, but have yet to receive the budget they need to do so.
Teachers, staff, students, and families who want to raise their voices can submit testimony, and/or show up in Hartford this Thursday at 4pm! The Education Appropriations Subcommittee – co-chaired by Rep Toni Walker, a huge supporter of Common Ground – will be holding a hearing on the Governor’s draft budget. Want to get involved? Submit Testimony Here, or reach out to Mr. Joel Tolman (jtolman@commongroundct.org, 203.389.4333 x1214)
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3. Senior Activities & Fees: Deposit Due March 3!
Seniors & Families: To move forward with planning for important end of year experiences, we need all students to make a $40 deposit by Friday March 3. You can look forward to the following senior experiences and opportunities:
- Prom- Saturday, June 3rd from 6-10pm $50 per person- Grassy Hill Country Club. 441 Clark Lane Orange, CT 06477
- Senior Trip- June 5th Holiday Hill $55 per student
- All School Trip to Lake Compounce Friday June 9th $50 per person.
- Cap and Gown $40
- Yearbook will be available for purchase later this spring: Price TBD
Students and families can pay the fees for these experiences on Common Ground High School's Square Site, or in the main office. Questions? Reach out to Ms. Iris at 203.809.4333 x1200.
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5. APPLY NOW For Green Jobs Corp!
Green Jobs Corps is a leadership and workforce development program for Common Ground High School students. Enrolled students are actively engaged in work that contributes to the dismantling of systems of oppression - developing as change makers and learning how to catalyze change. Paid work placements take place on Common Ground’s campus and across New Haven. WORK BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES – ranging in length from 6 to 12 weeks, which take place throughout the year, for between 5 and 25 hours per week – are the defining feature of Green Jobs Corps. Corps members take on meaningful, work and develop skills necessary to identify and pursue their career pathway.
NOW is the time to apply! Click here to go to Program Application!
PROGRAM DEADLINES:
- Spring Applications were due Friday, Feb 10, but summer applications are still open! Summer 2023 Applications due Thurs April 6, 2023 by 4:30pm
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For summer jobs, youth must also submit a Youth@Work Application located here.
- Paper applications are also available in the Pathways Office (Springside Building 1st Floor).
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6. Spring After-School Programs Have Begun! Sign Up Today!
Our Spring after-school programs have kicked off! Follow this link to check out all the offerings and schedule, and to sign up by adding your name to a program roster!
Remember: Please have your parents fill out the after school program permission slip that was sent out via email and text. If we do not receive a permission slip from your parents, you will not be able to participate this semester.
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7. Apply Now: FREE Residential Photography Workshop at Yale School of Art
Applications are now open for the Fredric Roberts Photography Workshop at the Yale School of Art, taking place June 24 - July 1. 9th, 10th, 11th grade students of New Haven Public Schools (including Common Ground!) are invited to apply for a free 8-day overnight summer workshop on storytelling with photography. Across eight days, students will live in the dorms and learn professional photographic techniques. Students will put their new skills to the test on exciting field trips to farm sites, botanical gardens, and other green spaces in and around New Haven. No experience with photography required.
Visit onha.yale.edu/summerphoto to learn more & apply. Application Deadline: Tuesday, February 28, 2023 11:59 PM. This will be one of the 18+ programs at this Wednesday's Summer Opportunities Fair -- make sure you are there!
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8. Recreation & Parks Programs from the City of New Haven: All Ages Pottery & More!
The City of New Haven is offering lots of recreation and parks-based programs this Spring -- from all-ages pottery, to indoor tennis lessons for elmentary kids, to fishing programs. Check out recreation programs here and ranger nature programs here!
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9. Design the Rock to Rock 2023 T-Shirt! Deadline March!!
It's the 15th Anniversary of the Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride! This city-wide event raises awareness about environmental issues and raises funds for 20 local nonprofits focused on sustainability (including CG!). This year's theme is "Cool the Planet." Designs must be submitted by March 1, 2023 to info@rocktorock.org. The winning design will be featured on hundreds of t-shirts for event participants, and the top 3 designs will earn gift cards to local businesses! Click here for all the details.
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10. Self Care Group: Open for Interested Students!
This semester, Ms. Jacobs will be offering a new self care group, open for 10 interested students. The group will focus on self care and self esteem. More details to come soon -- talk with Ms. Jacobs if you are interested!
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11. For Families: Maple Sugaring at Common Ground!
Sundays in March, you're invited to learn about maple sugaring through hands-on activities! Activity stations are open 1:00-3:30pm and visiting them is self-guided. Tickets now available for 3/5 & 3/12. $10 per child ages 2 and up, adults and children under 2 free! Registration is required here. All ages are welcome. Children must attend with an adult. Advance registration is required as space is limited. Questions? Email rholcombe@commongroundct.org.
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12. CONGRATULATIONS to all the members of the Class of 2023 who have earned admissions to college! | | |
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13. Families: Reduce Your Electric Bills! Make Your Home More Comfortable! Help Fight Climate Change!
I Heart My Home CT proves cost-free, one-on one counseling to renters, owner-occupants, and landlords to make home improvements for health, comfort, energy savings, and lower utility bills. Learn More & Register!
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14. Volunteers Needed: Loaves & Fishes - Food, Clothing & Community
STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Help get food and clothing to people who need it! Volunteer at Loaves & Fishes Food Bank & Clothing Closet in New Haven. This service qualifies for New Haven Promise & Common Ground's Community Service Requirement.
Interested in helping out? Email Ms. Cox, CG's past school director, at coxlizanne2@gmail.com.
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15. For Families with Kids Ages 4-14: Common Ground Camp!
Common Ground offers a full summer of fun for children ages 4 - 14! All of our camp information is available HERE and enrollment will open online on March 1. You can apply for financial aid HERE. The deadline to apply for financial aid is February 15, 2023. Students will hear about job opportunities with camp at the CGHS Summer Opportunities fair on February 15!
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16. Students & Families: Drop Your Compost @ Common Ground!
Did you know that 40% of the trash we throw out could be composted and used to grow more food for our community?
You can bring your veggie peels, apple cores, old bread, and more to the CG Farm and we will turn it into COMPOST!
For more info on how to drop of your scraps on our campus, email farm@commongroundct.org.
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