Community e-News l 9.20.20 |
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Check out our brand new Weekly Video Announcement from ASB! Tune in every week to find out the latest updates on school events and more! |
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The Virtual Week Ahead...
Mon. Sept. 21
1/2/3/7 l 8:15 AM start
Tues. Sept. 22
4/5/6/0 l 8:15 AM start
Wed. Sept. 23
Thu. Sept. 24
1/2/3/7 l 8:15 AM start
Fri. Sept. 25
4/5/6/0 l 8:15 AM start
If you haven't yet, bookmark these pages:
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MAP Testing for Freshmen and Sophomore this week!
Parents and students should have received an email with their MAP testing information scheduled for Tuesday, September 21 and Wednesday, September 22 with a detailed schedule for their MAP testing. If you did not get your email, please contact Katie Almonte.
With learning shifted to online environments, our ability to assess our students’ progress and well-being becomes even more important. Last spring we held these tests virtually and the process went smoothly. This fall, we will again be conducting the tests online, leveraging Period 0 and Flex Day time on Wednesday to ensure that we do not lose instructional time. Please note these tests provide important insight and help prepare and predict student results on tests like the ACT and SAT. We depend on and appreciate you supporting your daughter by providing the best testing environment possible during the scheduled testing times.
All students will be given Panorama’s short social-emotional survey during announcement time.
We will again issue the Panorama’s COVID-19-specific distance learning survey. The following week, we will add to this the Panorama Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion survey to assess student well-being and belonging within our community. This will provide us a professional survey to better understand our students’ experiences currently and help us plan moving forward. The surveys will be given during Period 5 announcements the week of Sept 21 and September 28. The survey results will be used internally to support curricular and student life programming.
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Progress Reports and PowerPack
We are already six weeks into this school year! We have many cohorts in athletics and our Company Theatre group is meeting in socially-distant pods, but our academic program has been completely virtual due to state and county regulations. 2020 has forced us all to adapt to extreme conditions. We feel that one important piece to ensuring student success is maintaining a steady flow of communication. As a result, we have decided that progress reports will be sent home on September 25 in advance of the end of Quarter 1 to provide a clearer picture of how students are doing currently.
We messaged students last Tuesday to inform them of the new progress report on the 25 and invited them to use their academic time on Flex Day to review their classes and make sure they were up to date with all their work. We also encouraged them to contact teachers whenever necessary reminding them of some common email etiquette to employ in all communications and of the reality that late assignments are not "graded first" as teachers have to first ensure they too are able to stay on top of providing timely feedback for all students.
Please know, the academic team is committed to providing support for all students, and we invite any student that needs support to our PowerPack structure (info here).
Dr. Chaponot
Vice Principal of Academics and Ed Tech
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Company creates costumes and crafts on campus
Earlier this week we hosted our first in-person cohort on main campus, a meeting of the Company Costumes/Props Crew for our fall show: 12 Angry Jurors. We have met twice on Zoom and finally got to meet on Carondelet's campus to brainstorm ideas. This group is responsible for identifying all the props needed for the show and making what we can - including a detailed apartment diagram on a large poster. We are really hopeful that we will have a great production to share with the community in November.
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Update on Main Campus Cohorts
Thank you to all students who completed the Main Campus Cohort Survey on Schoology. We had a little over 400 students respond to our survey! Opportunities that students say that they would like to come to campus in small groups include clubs, student leadership, and frosh “Meet other Frosh” experiences. This feedback is invaluable as we work on planning these cohort opportunities. More information on opportunities and protocols to follow as we finish working out the details. We anticipate Main Campus Cohorts to begin in early October once club rosters are finalized.
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Good to see you at Pick-Up!
Thanks to all the families and students who came to campus to pick up your spirit wear and class supplies! And shoutout to the class of '22 for ordering your Junior Rings! If you couldn't make it to campus, an additional pickup date will be held on Wed. Sept. 30.
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Student Life Senior & Junior Town Halls
Save the date for two upcoming Town Halls with the Student Life Dept.:
Registration is required.
Hear from the Student Life team about the extracurricular opportunities and support systems for students. We’ll cover the entire Student Life Department, which offers support for all students. Offices presenting include: Campus Ministry, Student Activities, Deans and Attendance, and Wellness Counselors. Are you the parent/guardian of a member of the class of 2023 or 2024 and missed the town hall this past week? You can watch videos of past Town Halls on all subjects.
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AP Test payment now available
Payment for AP Tests is now available at a cost of $95 per exam. Payment is collected online with debit or credit. All students in AP classes are automatically enrolled to take the exam. If you choose to not take the exam, do not pay for it and an exam will not be ordered for you.
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Online Auction Opens Tomorrow
Auction opens Mon. Sept. 21 at 7 PM
Auction closes Mon. Sept. 28 at 10 PM
Our goal for this auction is $20,000 and with many fabulous and unique items, we know you won’t want to miss this opportunity to take one home. Funds raised during this auction benefit student programs including athletics, academics, campus ministry, visual and performing arts, and much more. Bid generously!
Thank you to our 2020 Cougar Classic Sponsors!
Beverage Host Sponsors
Hamill Family Charitable Fund
Corporate Sponsors
Better Living Care Homes
Boscacci Family
Monument Crisis Center
Hole Sponsors
Mary Beth Kulawiec Dittrich ’79
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Parent Association Leadership
For the past two years, Melissa Jose P’20 served as President of Carondelet’s Parent Association. Under Melissa’s thoughtful and enthusiastic leadership, the Parent Association expanded its educational programming, increased its fundraising and created innovative new initiatives all in support of our students and their families. We are grateful to Melissa for her dedicated service and governance, and look forward to building on her legacy.
I am pleased to welcome new President, Mara Hanck ’89, P’19, ’22 to this leadership role. Our students and families will certainly benefit from Mara’s alumna perspective and longstanding support of Carondelet. Please join me in congratulating Mara on her post and show your support by getting involved in the Parent Association.
Kevin Cushing
Principal
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Student Leadership Initiatives
ASB and all of Student Leadership have been working diligently to create a fun-filled year with exciting activities! September is club month: Make sure to check out the interactive club website to see ways to get involved. Student Leadership is also excited to announce our new Cougs-In-Action website, a one-stop shop to see everything involving our student leaders. Lastly, meet our new faculty members at Carondelet by watching their interviews on YouTube. Follow us on Instagram (@carondelet_asb) for more information!
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CSF Fall Members Announced
Congratulations to the those students who qualified for acceptance into the California Scholarship Federation, Chapter #825, fall 2020 membership. These students are recognized for their hard work and commitment towards their academics as they strive for CSF Lifetime Membership and CSF Lifetime with Service. This fall we have 275 members! That’s a tremendous show of effort! If your daughter is interested in future membership, please visit our honors society webpage.
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Green Team is Growing
This year, Green Team has almost doubled the amount of members as past years, which will allow them to accomplish much more! The team is currently working on writing a newsletter on sustainable topics and planning a virtual Earth Week planned for the first week of October. This year, there will be two Earth Weeks: one in the fall and one in the spring. The fall theme is animals, with each day consisting of a national animal holiday. The Green Team can't wait to host this event and are hoping for many participants!
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Ven a Ver DC - Applications Available!
Juniors & Seniors may Apply
Applications due by Thursday October 1 at 11:59 PM
Ven a Ver DC (2-4 PM on Flex Days: 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/18) is an immersion into the reality of social injustice and political advocacy. We will participate in this year’s virtual Ignatian Family Teach-In, where we’ll hear from experts and theologians about our responsibility to respond to the needs of our time. This year’s social justice focus includes racial justice, ecology, and migration. Interested in learning more about these issues and advocating for change? Apply to be part of Ven a Ver DC!
Apply today! Questions - Contact Ms. Miranda, Campus Minister for Community Service and Social Advocacy. NOTE: Applications for our other immersion experiences will become available later this semester.
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Coach Sopak News Highlights
“An earthquake hit not only the Bay Area, but potentially the entire California girls basketball landscape... when Carondelet of Concord named Kelly Sopak its new girls basketball head coach.” Read the entire Prep2Prep article.
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Short Film contest and Festival
Short films are a creative outlet for sharing stories and inspiring self-expression during the Covid-Funk. Let’s make something! Between now and October 10, the DLS/CHS Theatre is accepting short films under two-minutes that show an ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances. What are the circumstances? That’s where you come in. Show us a character who alternates between reality and a parallel reality. A perfect “what if” scenario. Teams of 1-4, no dialogue permitted, crazy editing cuts, and transitions welcome! Bring whatever movie magic you can muster.
Festival in November. Prizes will be awarded.
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Student Life Updates
Virtual Club Fair is Wednesday 9/23 from 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM
Students will be asked to sign up on their Flex Day planner to attend the Virtual Club Fair. Once they do so, they will get access to a spreadsheet of over 40 different clubs to choose from. To look at all of the options we have beforehand, please visit our Clubs Website! Contact Ms. Lettire for more details.
Ice Cream T-Shirts
Did you not pick up your t-shirt this Wednesday? We are hosting a Supply Pick-up on Wednesday, Sept. 30, from 1:00-4:00 PM. Contact Ms. Main with questions.
Junior Ring Sizing Follow-Up Day
This announcement is only for students who were unable to place their order either online or in person at Wednesday’s sizing appointments. Calling all students who still have not been sized for their Junior ring/want to be sized for their Junior Ring:
Please go to De La Salle’s campus on Wednesday, Sept. 23 between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM to be sized by Jostens (who will already be there sizing the Junior boys)!
Upcoming Spotlights
9/30 Freshman Spotlight
Frosh students will be introduced to the rich tradition of the Sisters of St. Joseph and the call to become Women of Heart, Faith, and Courage.
10/7 Senior Spotlight
Most of the morning will be dedicated to providing seniors with some necessary time and tools for college applications with the College and Career Center coordinating college essay workshops.
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Senior Council Updates
This week we were finally able to pick up our senior sweatshirts and t-shirts! We hope all the seniors loved the sweatshirts and the custom cookies made to celebrate the first few weeks of school
Council is also working on a senior skit, and we are still looking for volunteers to sign up so please sign up by this Wednesday, September 23!
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Keeping up with the Class of 2022
On September 11, Junior Council hosted a virtual Game night. Players logged on for a fun Kahoot including classmate trivia. Congratulations to the winners of this fun and first-time event: 1st Catherine Ellis, 2nd Ava Ribando, and 3rd Chloe DeSmedt!
This past Wednesday, Juniors came to campus for junior ring sizing. It was so nice to see so many friendly faces and we can't wait to celebrate later this semester!
Junior Spotlight this week!
In honor of National High School Voter Registration Week, Carondelet has invited Vote by Design to speak with Juniors at their Class Spotlight, as well as an additional session in the afternoon for Frosh, Sophs, and Seniors during our Exploratory Block. Vote by Design: Presidential Edition is a digital nonpartisan learning experience designed to help our next Gen voters feel more prepared and engaged in the democratic process.
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Spiritual Growth Opportunities in
Upcoming Class Spotlights
Juniors: “Eyes Open, Ears Attentive, Spirit Alert, Sleeves Rolled Up for Ministry.” This upcoming Wednesday (9/23), the Junior class will participate in an Examen. The Examen involves prayerful reflection on the events of the day in order to detect God’s presence and discern a direction forward. The Juniors will participate in an Examen for Civic Life, where they will be invited to reflect on specific ways the Gospel values and civic engagement are interrelated. There will be opportunities for journaling and small group reflection.
Frosh Spotlight: Campus Ministers will visit all Frosh Wellness classes on Mon. Sept. 28 and Tues. Sept. 29 to facilitate special retreat-like activities which will culminate in small group sharing and communal prayer on Wed. Sept. 30. The supplies needed for the activities that will take place Sept. 28-30. were to be picked up on Wed., Sept. 17.
Senior Retreat - Journey
- Though we cannot use the name Kairos for proprietary reasons, we are happy to provide Seniors with a Kairos-inspired retreat that will create a very similar experience.
- We are lucky to be able to provide an in-person retreat for our seniors during such uncertain times. Journey is a three-day retreat, held on campus and at the San Damiano Retreat Center. Although we cannot provide the overnight component, seniors will experience many of the long-awaited Kairos traditions such as small groups, leader talks, and other special gifts/surprises.
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Watch this short video to hear what some seniors from Spiritual Life Council have to say about the Journey Retreat.
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Students must register for Journey by Sept. 30, 2020. The sooner seniors attend, the sooner they will be able to apply to lead a Journey retreat in the spring.
- If we are still in Distance Learning, Journey will be a cohort and the school policy for cohorts will apply and a “cooling off” period from other cohorts may be required.
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Frosh Day of Service
This year’s Frosh Day of Service will be a virtual experience! Students will learn about Catholic Social Teaching, engage in a poverty simulation, and learn what it means to care for the dear neighbor without distinction, one of our CSJ charisms.
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College & Career Connections
Check out this new program sponsored by the Alumnae Association and College & Career Counseling for our students.
Join us weekly during Flex Days 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM, to hear from guest speakers about life from high school to college to a career. Ask questions about the path they took to get there and what advice they have for you.
Trying to figure out everything about college? Listen to recent college graduates talk about what college life is like at their alma mater. Ask them questions and get advice on how to make your college experience rewarding.
Wed. Sept. 23 - College Connections: UCLA & Loyola Marymount
Considering applying to one of these colleges? Hear directly from recent graduates about attending school there and ask questions.
- Katie Molyneux '14 - Graduated UCLA '18 - Major: Political Science & Communications
- Jordan Pittsey '15 - Graduated Loyola Marymount '19 - Major: Finance
Wed. Sept. 30th - Career Exploration: Mental Health/Social Work
Join our guest panelists to hear their stories and ask questions about working in the
mental health industry.
- Jonna Hall '98 - Child Welfare Worker/Child Protective Services, Alameda County
- Andrea Garcia Pezel '99 - Medical Social Worker, Sutter Care at Home
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Update from the Wellness Counselors
At the Sophomore Spotlight this past Wednesday, Sophomore Council talked about Suicide Prevention and how to keep our community and other teens safe. Sophomores worked on artistic projects to spread hope and love. Sophomore Council is also organizing a walk to raise awareness about suicide prevention.
Wellness links provided here are made available as a resource for parents to discuss these issues with their daughters. Below are some resources that specifically address suicide awareness and prevention:
Suicide and Crisis: 1-800-833-2900
We encourage families to keep the lines of communication open around this important topic, and to engage in regular conversation regarding mental health and well being.
The wellness counselors are available to support students and families in navigating these issues and developing strategies that foster social emotional health. Please reach out to them if you have any questions, concerns, or are in need of any referrals.
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Suicide Prevention Walkathon
September is Suicide Prevention Month so Soph Council is hosting their very own walkathon to walk and run for all those affected by suicide! Count your steps, and don’t forget to turn in photos and videos of you walking or running through the google form on Schoology! See the students' presentation here to get involved.
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Supply Pick-Up Moved to Sept. 30
Due to MAP testing on Wednesday, 9/23, we are moving our supply pick-up to the following Wednesday, 9/30 from 1:00-4:00 PM. Class t-shirts as well as course-specific supplies will be available. More information will be provided next week on schoology and in the e-News. Questions? Email Caitlin Main ‘05, Dean of Students.
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College & Career Updates
Each week, your College & Career counselors will share updates for students and families about upcoming opportunities for your road to college. In this week's edition, here are some of the highlights:
- Spend four days learning about Colleges That Change Lives.
- Attend the Best of Texas College Fair!
- Seniors, Financial Aid Night is on Monday, September 28 at 7:00 PM.
- Thinking about attending a Jesuit college or university? Participate in the Jesuit Excellence Fair (JET).
- Learn more about UCLA at their virtual Fall Open House.
- Find out about UC Berkeley and University of Chicago on their webinar.
- Attend a College Rep Visit this week (University of Portland, University of Oregon, Miami University, Western New England University, University of Oklahoma, Texas Christian University, Santa Clara University, Elon University, University of the Pacific, UC San Diego, University of Connecticut, Chapman, University of Arizona, and many more!)
And More!
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Parent Fund Appeal
Less than 2 weeks to go!
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Your continued partnership matters now more than ever. We are deeply grateful to those families who have participated in The Parent Fund this year. Below is a summary of participation by class:
Class of ‘21: 3%
Class of ‘22: 46%
Class of ‘23: 39%
Class of ‘24: 10%
Tuition alone covers roughly 90% of our operating expenses, so your vote of confidence in students through investment in the Parent Fund makes a critical difference. Together, we are nurturing the young women of Carondelet to live with heart, faith, courage, and excellence.
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Broadcast to future Cougars!
The Admissions portal has opened for the class of 2025! Tell your friends and families with students in 8th grade that they can now sign up for Virtual Town Halls, Student Ambassador Video Calls, and School Tours.
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Do you love reading books?
Carondelet Parents/Guardians, Aunts/Uncles, & Grandparents ~ Want to connect with new people? Have you considered joining a book club before but never did? Then join Carondelet’s Virtual Book Club led by Dr. Chaponot! Starting on Tuesday, October 6 at 5:00 PM. All meetings via Zoom.
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School Store
Direct Delivery to Your Home Available
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Shop for home delivery for your student or yourself at the Carondelet online school store. Lots of new accessories and spirit wear available for your family!
Back to School Basics Bundle
for just $60!
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SEPTEMBER SPECIAL
Choose one Comfy Pant and one Spirit Tee, and get Cozy Cougar Socks and a Carondelet Flag for FREE!
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e-Gift Cards available now
Send your Cougar a pick me up surprise!
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You can now shop Clearance items by size! |
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Flex Day Photo Walk
Here is a photo collage of some of the photos taken this week by students during the Flex Day Photo Walk with Mr. Walsh. The next photo walk will be on Sept 30!
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More than high school. Her school.
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