CGHS Student & Family Newsletter

April 8th to April 12th, 2024

Dear Common Ground students & families,

This week's newsletter is FULL of updates and opportunities -- about Monday's eclipse, Friday's community service day, lots of other community service opportunities, prom, end-of-year trips, scholarship deadlines, summer jobs, Saturday Academy, student celebrations, and more. Make sure you read all the way through and don't miss out!

What’s coming up this week:

This Mon, April 8, New Haven will experience a partial eclipse, as the moon passes between the earth and the sun. This is an exciting and rare natural phenomenon, and it’s very important to be mindful of safety during the eclipse. The eclipse will begin at around 2:15, and will be at its peak in New Haven around 3:30. In New Haven, the moon will cover about 90% of the sun; the light levels will be similar to at dusk, not full night. It is not safe to look at the sun at any point during the eclipse, as this will cause instant and severe eye damage. Common Ground will dismiss at the usual time on Monday, but classes may go outside to view the start of the eclipse at 2:45. We will distribute ISO-certified eclipse glasses to all students during period 7 classes, and students may also safely observe the eclipse using an indirect viewing method. We ask that families remind your students about the importance of staying safe during the eclipse.
This Wed, Apr 10, Common Ground will be closed in honor of Eid Al Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
This Thu after school is our Senior Project Fair! This is a community service opportunity – get details and RSVP below!
Fri, Apr 12, is our spring school-wide Community Service Day! Guidance groups will be working at Common Ground and traveling by yellow bus to locations across the city. School dismisses at noon on Apr 12th, after a pizza lunch. Students, dress for the projects you are taking on – while some groups are working inside, many groups are building gardens, cleaning up beaches, and taking on other outdoor projects.
Saturday Academy WILL meet this Sat, April 13, but WILL NOT meet on Saturday, April 20th. Saturday is also the Rock to Rock Day of Service -- details below! Make sure you are showing up for the academic support you need, and earning your 15 hours of service!

This week, we want to shout out:

All the families who turned out for mid-term conferences! Midterm progress reports will be mailed home this week. Families, please make sure you review where your students stand halfway through the semester, and reach out to teachers if you have questions on how we can work together to support your students’ success!!
All our 10th grade students, who exhibited their work, read their poems, and led tours for middle school students, reporters, and community members. We admire your leadership, learning, and commitment to being part of solutions to climate change! Check out your work in the New Haven Independent!
Our student volleyball club, and the staff who turned out to compete in our student-staff volleyball tournament. Congrats to the student team on their victory – we demand a rematch!!!
Our seniors who are preparing for graduation and other senior related activities. Please ensure you begin making payments towards the prom and complete the senior trip survey that was mailed to you!
Alanna Herbert, who this weekend was named Miss Puerto Rico of Greater New Haven in our region’s Cultural Pageant!

Make sure you keep reading for more important news!

Sincerely,

Cherry Pacquette-Emmanuel

School Director

What's In This Newsletter

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY This Thu After School: Senior Project Fair!
THIS SAT 10-1: Rock to Rock Day of Service!
Payments Open for Our End of Year Trip to Lake Compounce!
Seniors, Decision Day is May 1! Prom and Graduation Are Around the Corner!
Save the Date: Yearbook Picture Day is Wed, May 8th!
Yale Pathways to Science: Check Out These Upcoming Programs!
Volunteer Wednesdays on the Farm
Student Farm Share: Get Fresh Veggies for Your Family This Spring!!!
Apply Today: Regional Water Authority Environmental Careers Camp
GJC Summer Applications Are Open!
18-30 Years Old? Love to Make Things & Build Businesses? Apply Today for EcoLab!
Liberation on the Land (L.O.L) Youth Immersion, July 9 - 11, 2024 @ Soul Fire Farm in New York
Students: Join The Beautification, News & After-School Committees of Student Council!
DUE THIS THURS: Summer Journalism Program
NEW Scholarship Opportunity: For Future Landscape Architects!
College Scholarship Opps: Scholarship Database!
Congratulations to Seniors on their College Acceptances!
Seniors: Apply for the 94.3 WYBC Chevrolet of Milford Beat The Odds Scholarship!
New Haven Promise Updates: Pennington Scholarship & Servio.City Community Service Site
Sign Up for CG's Summer Farm Share!
Portfolio Support Tues & Thurs After-School!
Spring After-School Programs Continue! Sign Up Today!
Students & Families, Attendance Matters

1. SERVICE OPPORTUNITY This Thu After School: Senior Project Fair!

This Thurs, April 11th from 3:15 - 5:15, several seniors will be working hard to carry out their senior projects. There will be multiple different activities to choose from like phone policy and mental health discussion sessions, a hip hop class, and West River clean up. By participating, students will be given community service hours based on the sessions they partake in. By filling out this form, you will be RSVP'd for the event - which means not only will you be able to earn community service, but will also apply to free food and drink at the event. We hope you'll be able to join us! RVSP FOR THE FAIR!

2. THIS SAT 10-1: Rock to Rock Day of Service!

Need more community service hours? Want to make our site and neighborhood beautiful, and give back to our community? This Sat, 10-1, work alongside Quinnipiac students and community volunteers to help clean up Springside Avenue or lend a hand on the farm! Come ready for outdoor work on a beautiful spring day. RVSP here.

3. Payments Open for Our End of Year Trip to Lake Compounce!

On Friday, June 7th, Common Ground students & staff will take our end of year trip to Lake Compounce. You can purchase your ticket and reserve your space now! Purchase your Lake Compounce Ticket.

4. SENIORS: Decision Day is May 1! Prom & Graduation Are Around the Corner!

Seniors, Common Ground will celebrate Decision Day on May 1! As you make your decision about your plans for next year, think about getting your hands on college swag -- clothing, penants, etc. -- that can help you celebrate and announce your decision on May 1!

Tickets are now for sale for Prom, on Thursday, June 6th! Purchase Your Ticket.

Now is also the time to make your payment for your Cap & Gown, so you can be ready for graduation, scheduled for Friday, June 14th. Make your payment here.

5. Save the Date: Yearbook Picture Day is Wed, May 8th!

An important message from our Yearbook Club: During guidance on Wed, May 8th, there will be staff photos, guidance groups, and individual photos taken to put in Common Ground’s yearbook.

6. Yale Pathways to Science: Check Out These Upcoming Programs!

Unique Careers in STEM

Sunday, April 14, 12-2 PM on Zoom

Open to students in grades 6-12

Are you curious about what STEM careers exist that you probably didn’t know about? Do you want to hear about hands-on experiences from speakers in that field? Come and join STEM Mentors’ webinar highlighting under-showcased career opportunities. Hear from the head of engineering at a biotech company, a biomedical illustrator, and more! Register Here.

Exploring Science

Tuesday, 6-7 PM EST, on Apr 30

Open to grades 6-10

Join us for an online discussion with Yale scientists about the subjects they love! Learn about their pathway to science, their field of interest, and how in the world they actually study it! From particles to planets there is so much to explore! Zoom links will be sent the day before the event to registered students. No need to register again if you already did for previous events!

7. Volunteer Wednesdays on the Farm!

Earn Community Service hours on the farm every Wednesday 1-2:30pm. We will be waking the farm up for spring-mulching pathways, weeding, compost sifting and more. Your work will help us grow over 12,000 pounds of food for our community! You must come by 1pm to be able to earn credit. *if school let's out early we'll meet at 12:15pm.

8. Student Farm Share: Get Fresh Veggies for Your Family This Spring!!!

WANT FRESH PRODUCE FROM THE COMMON GROUND FARM?

WHAT: 5 weeks of Fresh Spring Veggies (greens, eggs + more!!)

WHEN: 5 afterschool pickups: Thursdays 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30

HOW MUCH?: PAY WHAT YOU CAN $0-$25 per week *everyone gets $20+ worth of produce each week.

HOW DO I APPLY? Fill out THIS FORM by April 30th to be one of 25 CGHS families to receive a weekly share of veggies. We will follow up with confirmations before the start of the Farm Share.

9. Apply Today: Regional Water Authority Environmental Careers Camp

Interested in an environmental career AND being part of a team that provides a service everyone relies on for clean, healthy drinking water? Water utility careers are crucial to providing a necessary product for our community and are in high demand.

Join us this summer at the Regional Water Authority for a week-long program exploring careers offered at water utilities, taking place June 24-28. All the careers directly or indirectly link to the environment; we are stewards of the environment and the natural resource we provide! Some of the careers highlighted during the week include Watershed Protection Specialist, Natural Resource Technician, Water Treatment Plant Operator, Water Quality Analyst, and Forester.

Regional Water Authority employees will share their careers with participants through presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. A good portion of the week is spent outside at different locations throughout the RWA's service district.

This is an excellent opportunity to hear directly from water utility professionals about what they like most about their careers and learn about unique job opportunities. Stipends are provided to students who complete the week-long program!

Link to RWA ECSC 2024 Flyer

Link to RWA ECSC 2024 Application - due May 24, 2024

10. Summer Green Jobs Corps Applications Are Open!

Green Jobs Corps is an environmental job training and leadership development program that engages young people in paid, high-impact roles related to community engagement, public education, and on-the-ground action around Environmental and Social Justice challenges.

Looking for a Summer Job with Green Jobs Corps? Apply to Green Jobs Corps by Thursday April 25, 2024 at 4:30pm.

Have questions? Reach out to Ms. Ana Reyes (ana.reyes@commongroundct.org) and Ms. Crystal Fernandez (crystal.fernandez@commongroundct.org), of visit them in the Pathways Office

11. 18-30 Years Old? Love to Make Products & Build Businesses? Apply Today for EcoLab!

Apply today! Program Starts April 1. MakeHaven is collaborating with Gather for the New Haven Innovation EcoLab (see video), a program designed to offer young people hands-on learning in fabrication and product development. Participants who complete the 8-week program, scheduled for nights and weekends, will receive a $1,000 stipend. Our aim is to engage 18 to 30-year-olds, particularly those who have faced limited opportunities yet possess an interest in entrepreneurship and the environment. More details can be found here: https://gathernewhaven.org/our-programs/eco-lab/

12. Liberation on the Land (L.O.L) Youth Immersion

July 9 - 11, 2024 @ Soul Fire Farm in New York

L.O.L (Liberation on Land) is an immersive 3-day program for B.I.P.O.C. youth, ages 14-16 that harvests the power of land as a tool for personal and collective liberation. Together, we will engage in creative and healing arts, regenerative farming, whole foods cooking, mindfulness practices, and physical activities, both as skill-building exercises and as a means for emotional-spiritual growth. There will be abundant time in nature, observing, playing, making music, and listening to the languages of the Earth. Participants will receive mentorship in trusting their inner guidance, naming their needs, identifying their super powers, pushing their limits, self-acceptance, collaboration, interdependence, empathy and compassionate communication. The young people will also learn some of the revolutionary history of their ancestors’ struggles for liberation and how they can shape movements for justice in their own communities nowadays. Learn more here!

13. Students: Join The Beautification, News & After-School Committees of Student Council!

The Student Council is officially starting up the following committees: the Beautification Committee (aiming to beautify and embellish the appearance of our school), the News Committee (working towards creating awareness about different important events taking place at our school and in the larger community), and the After School Committee (arranging affairs for the after school programs so that each program has the items they need). Click on the following survey to get more details on each committee and express your interest in joining: Student Committees Survey.

14. DUE THIS FRI, APR 12: Summer Journalism Program!

The New England High School Journalism Collaborative is excited to announce that we will hold our all-expense-paid summer workshop for students interested in journalism for the 37th year. The 2024 workshop dates are June 22 - June 29, 2024.

The program is intended for students who are from traditionally underserved populations from urban areas. Some preference is given to current juniors and seniors in high school. Students will learn to report, write, and edit for a newspaper, and produce multimedia projects for a website. They will be assigned stories, do interviews, and will be exposed to working on a deadline to create their own newspaper. Learn more & apply!

15. NEW Scholarship Opportunity from CT Chapter of American Society for Landscape Architects

The Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (http://www.ctasla.org) is pleased to provide scholarships for high school seniors interested in pursuing education in the field of Landscape Architecture in college. Scholarship awards are up to $2,500. To be eligible for the Landscape Architecture Environmental Stewardship Scholarship for High School Seniors, applicants must be a legal resident of the State of Connecticut and maintain a 3.0 or greater GPA (or equivalent). Applications must be received by April 26, 2024. Learn more at http://www.ctasla.org/scholarships.

16. College Scholarship Opps: Scholarship Database ... Many Due in April!!

Students & families, check out this scholarship bank, and let us know if you need help with applications. And, check out the applications below in particular -- they are GREAT opportunities!

DUE THIS WED, April 10: For Students In Waterbury, Seymour, Portand, and 64 Connecticut towns served by American Savings -- check out this scholarship opportunity!

17. CONGRATULATIONS To Our Seniors Who Have Already Earned College Admissions!

Last week, we asked our seniors to give us an update on where they'd earned college acceptances. We got an IMPRESSIVE list back -- check it out below! And, we know that many students are still in the process of applying, or waiting to hear back. We know ALL our seniors are college material, and can and will earn college admissions -- and we celebrate ALL the paths they choose after high school!

Ibrahim: Southern Connecticut State University | Ava: Simmons, University of Maine, UNH, Central Connecticut State University, Fisher, Suffolk, UMass Boston, University of New Hampshire, University of New Haven, University of Rhode Island, Emmanuel, University of Connecticut | Leon: Hampshire College, University of Hartford, University of Connecticut | Amelia: Eastern Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, CCSU, SCSU, Penn State, URI, University of New Haven, University of New Hampshire, Quinnipiac, UMass Dartmouth, University of Connecticut | Jayden B: Albertus Magnus, ECSU, SCSU, WCSU, Penn State, Quinnipiac, Rochester Institute of Technology, The Culinary Institute of America (NY), University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of New Haven, University of Connecticut | Destiny: SCSU, Albertus Magnus, SUNY Purchase, University of Maine, University of Connecticut | Jayden C: Post University, Morgan State University, SCSU, University of New Haven, University of Connecticut | JC: SCSU, Uconn + more | Noah: SCSU | Charlee: U Bridgeport, UNH, SCSU, Quinnipiac | Edyson: SCSU | Heaven: CT State Gateway | Miyel: Cooper Union and Cheyney University | Andrew: SUNY Purchase | August: Albertus, Southern, Eastern, UHart | Sanai: Middlesex Community College | Isabella: Eastern, URI, Western, Central, UMass Boston, UMass Dartmouth, Manhattan College, Southern, Penn State, University of Connecticut | Juan: URI, UMass Boston, SCSU, University of Connecticut | Quinton: University of New Haven, Albertus Magnus, University of Connecticut | Ethan: Post University, Transition CT.

Seniors, let us know if we missed any acceptances, keep us posted as more letters come in, and ask for the support you need to keep on the path to post-high school success! Ms. Jacobs is always a great resource, and we are all here to support your success!

18. Scholarship opportunity: Apply for the 94.3 WYBC Chevrolet of Milford Beat The Odds Scholarship!

WYBC and Chevrolet of Milford are giving away a $4,500 scholarship to local Junior or Senior in High School that has overcome adversity and is succeeding in the classroom and looking to continue their education beyond High School.

The last day to apply is June 30, 2024. This form should be submitted only once. Multiple submissions could lead to disqualification. Apply Here.

19. New Haven Promise Updates: Servio.City Community Service Site

To qualify for either the Promise Scholarship, Passport to Promise Scholarship or James W.C. Pennington HBCU Scholarship, a student must complete 40 hours of community service during high school. Hours must be reported directly — BY THE STUDENT — to servo.city and documentation (signed by the supervisor at the nonprofit) must be emailed to service@newhavenpromise.org. The deadline to complete the community service requirements for high school class of 2024 is May 1, 2024 (April 1, 2024 for Pennington applicants). Learn more here.

New Haven Promise is an ENORMOUS opportunity for Common Ground students whose families live in New Haven. Don't miss out! Learn more about the steps to quality for Promise here.

20. Sign Up for CG's Summer Farm Share!

Farm Share Sign-Ups are Now Open! Head to THIS FORM to join our farm share running for 14 WEEKS, from June 27th to Sept 26th. Each week you'll get a bag of in-season, chemical-free, farm fresh veggies (like kale, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, tomatillos, cabbage and more) from the CG Farm!

This year, extras include: flowers, eggs, coffee from Cafe Rebelde, corn from Merry Mountain Farm, fruit from local CT farms, and compost drop off! You do not need to get veggies to sign up for extras.

With just $30 each week, you can support our farm and our farm’s future! With your help, we are able to provide fresh, local, organically grown food for you while training young people from our community! We also have “pay what you can” and payment plan options available at checkout.

Pick up will be on Thursdays from 3:00-5:30pm at Common Ground (358 Springside Ave, New Haven, CT) Sign up TODAY at bit.ly/cgfarmstore! More info here: bit.ly/farmshareFAQ

21. Portfolio Support Tues & Thurs After-School!

ALL students are required to create and defend a portfolio showing their growth as a learner and environmental leader in order to graduate from Common Ground!

Need help meeting this important graduation requirement? Portfolio support is now available Tuesdays and Thursdays after school! Questions? Ask Ms. Candi: candi.fulcher@nhep.com.

22. Spring After-School Programs Are Underway! You Can Still Join The Fun!

Spring After-School Programs are running strong! Check out and sign up for all these great opportunities ...

Have questions or ideas? Talk to Javier Fernandez, who manages all our after-school programs: javier.fernandez@commongroundct.org.

23. Students & Families, Attendance Matters!!

Students absent more than 2+ times per month are considered to be chronically absent and will require an attendance improvement plan. 10+ absences in a class risks losing course credit. Students may arrive at school at 7:30AM and no later than 7:45AM to allow time for breakfast, locker usage, and travel to class.

Together, Common Ground was able to cut its chronic absenteeism rate in half from 21-22 to 22-23. To get back to pre-pandemic levels, we need to cut it in half again. We can do it!

Connect with us

Common Ground High School | (203) 389-4333 | https://commongroundct.org/