Charleston Catholic High School Newsletter

CHARLESTON CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

Scholarship-Leadership/Involvement-Service-Character

Family Newsletter

November 21, 2007

Dear Parents:

Technology is pervasive in our lives. Depending on how it is used, it can dramatically increase the quality of life for individuals and vast numbers of people all over the world or it can become the hammer of destruction. Advances in medicine, business, communications, agriculture, education, and any number of fields have been made possible by the new technologies. As a society, we reap a multitude of benefits.

The flip side is equally dramatic. As people connect more and more through technological devices, they sometimes lose the civility that comes with face-to-face contact. It is easy to ignore the person-on-the-other-end and that person’s feelings when there is little face-to-face (or mouth-to-ear) contact.

I am frankly alarmed and disappointed by the use of cell phones, computers, and other devices to hurt, intimidate, embarrass, demean, and malign classmates. Messages and images can appear out of nowhere, show up at any time of any day or night, and quickly be dispersed to a wide audience. Seemingly “nice” young people can turn into mean spirited, tyrannical, arrogant cyberbullies on Facebook, MySpace, cell phones, and other venues, using language, photos, videos, and other items that are hurtful, downright malicious, and dangerous, often but not always under the cloak of anonymity. Witnessing this behavior in our child should be, for the Charleston Catholic community, a wake-up call, a call to action.

I’ve been thinking quite a bit about this topic, especially when I witness our students suffering from the ill effects of information posted about them or their friends on instant messaging, text messaging, My Space, Facebook, e-mails, blogs, and the like. I’m starting to believe that middle school and many high school students are too immature to handle the responsibilities that come with the open nature of My Space, Facebook, and the various devices. It appears that college students’ websites (and remember, this is where Facebook started) are oftentimes intellectually witty, topically oriented, amusing in general, and indeed a harmless and productive way that young people in this age group stay in touch with friends they no longer see on a regular basis.

It’s not the same with preteens and most teenagers, however. In our society, where everything seems to be shoved increasingly into younger and younger hands, we have perhaps reached a stage where we are truly jeopardizing the future well-being of our young people. Physiologically, psychologically, socially, and emotionally, preteens and teenagers are not fully formed. They have a long way to go. They make mistakes as do their friends. We want them to grow from their mistakes, not be destroyed by them. And once they put something out there in cyberspace, it can never be deleted.

Our student handbook explicitly deals with cyberbullying and the fact that students’ behavior outside of school reflects on their personal integrity. “Cases of behavior that could influence other students adversely may result in disciplinary action deemed appropriate by school authorities. An all-inclusive listing of various expectations is impossible to outline. However, activity such as harassing or bullying another student either in person or via the internet/technology is unacceptable and deserves special mention. The school reserves the right to take appropriate action for any offense which, in the opinion of the faculty, staff or administrators, violates the good behavior expected of a CCHS student.”

What is cyberbullying? Here’s a short, but not inclusive, list: impersonating someone over IM or online; forwarding a private IM conversation or e-mail without the permission of the other person; posting pictures or information about someone without their consent; creating an internet poll or website about someone without their consent; using information found online to tease, embarrass, or harass someone in person; posting rude things or lies about someone, etc. You may want to check out the Stop Cyberbullying website and others. They are very informative (www.stopcyberbulling.org).

Martin Luther King, Jr., left many wise words for us to consider. “In the end we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.” While we certainly want to protect our own children from being victims, and need to do so aggressively, we must work equally aggressively to ensure that they do not participate in their own or their friends’ bullying activities. If they remain silent, they are feeding into the bullying frenzy that hurts others. In the end, they, too, are culpable.

Come to our parent seminar on Wednesday, November 28, at 8:15 a.m. to learn more about the world of technology that your children are living in. This one-hour session, conducted by our own computer guru David Hoffmann, provides a forum for learning as well as brainstorming.

Life is too short to spend any of it being unkind. Let us all continue to work together to help our students build positive images of themselves and others. Let us teach them to control technology rather than to let technology control them.

May the upcoming weeks be filled with appreciation for those who nurture us personally, intellectually, and spiritually. In the busy moments, may we take time to reflect upon our families, our priorities, our attitudes, and our beliefs. May we continue to give of ourselves.

Debra K. Sullivan, Principal

SECOND QUARTER PROGRESS REPORTS ARE ENCLOSED – While reviewing your child’s progress, please keep in mind some “time considerations” -- Exams are scheduled for December 17 – 19. The first semester ends on Friday, January 18, 2008, two weeks after we return from Christmas break. Upon our return from Christmas vacation, teachers will cover additional coursework, give tests, etc. which will be calculated in second quarter grades which will affect the first semester average. As of today, if students are not where they want to be (or should be) academically, time remains for students to improve grades, if a very serious approach is taken to address deficiencies. GPAs reported on the first quarter report card were incorrect for high school students. We apologize for any anxiety that might have been caused by this error. GPAs will be correctly stated on the semester report cards.

PARENT SEMINARS – As mentioned in the letter, it is not always easy being a parent! Come join other interested parents in monthly seminars focused on topics of interest to CCHS parents. The first hour-long seminar is scheduled for Wednesday, November 28, at 8:15 a.m. in the Commons. The topic will be “Internet Safety: What YOU Don’t Know Can Hurt Your Children.” At that time, future dates and possible topics will be discussed. Take this opportunity to become more informed and to meet some parents who share your concerns.

VIRTUS– Please keep in mind that all parents or other adults who volunteer, coach, drive students, chaperone, etc., are required by the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston to complete the diocesan sexual abuse awareness training before being allowed to work with our students. Complete information and necessary links and forms may be found on the CCHS website. Please contact Ms. FitzGerald if you have questions. These upcoming training sessions are scheduled locally: Monday, December 3, CCHS at 6 p.m.; Sunday, February 3, Pope John XXIII Center, 2 p.m.

CONGRATULATIONS

- to the CCHS Drama Club for their uproarious production of “The Worst High School Play in the World” which they presented earlier this month. What a talented group of students and teachers! All of us look forward to their upcoming performances, knowing that the group will provide many more wonderful evenings of entertainment.

PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES – The high school teachers held 652 individual parent conferences and the middle school teachers held 198 group conferences during parent-teacher conference days. Additional conferences were held by phone since teachers’ schedules were filled. This response is a real testament to the partnership existing between parents and school!

FIRST SEMESTER EXAM SCHEDULE -- All classes will have exams and exams must be taken at the scheduled times. If on any day we have a two-hour delay due to weather, we will start that day’s exams at 10 a.m. and school will be dismissed at 1:15 p.m. or 3 p.m., depending on the day’s exam schedule. If school is cancelled on any exam day due to weather, exams for that day will take place on the next day the school is open. In the event this situation occurs, exams will be administered on the first day we return from Christmas break, namely, Monday, January 7. IN THE EVENT OF ANY WEATHER-RELATED CHANGES, CHECK THE SCHOOL WEBSITE FOR UP-TO-THE-MINUTE INFORMATION. Students should prepare for exams by reviewing past tests and quizzes, using study guides that some teachers have prepared, rereading notes and homework/class assignments, reworking math problems, and so on. First semester report cards will be mailed Tuesday, January 22, 2008.

Sixth grade: Monday, 12/17 exams for periods 2 and 5; 11:15 dismissal

Tuesday, 12/18 exams for periods 1 and 8; 11:15 dismissal

Wednesday, 12/19 exams for periods 7 and 6; 11:15 dismissal

Seventh/eighth grades: Monday, 12/17 - exams for periods 1 and 3; 11:15 dismissal

Tuesday, 12/18 exams for periods 5 and 7; 11:15 dismissal

Wednesday, 12/19 exams for periods 2 and 8; 11:15 dismissal

High school: Monday, 12/17 exams for periods 1 and 8; 11:15 dismissal

Tuesday, 12/18 exams for periods 6, 7, and 4; 1:00 dismissal

Wednesday, 12/19 exams for periods 2 and 3; 11:15 dismissal

THOUGHTS ON MIDDLE SCHOOL EXAMS – Semester exams for middle school students serve an instructional purpose; namely, helping students learn how to take exams so they are better prepared for high school. For this reason, middle school exams make up only a small percentage of the overall grade. Focus your attention on quarter grades to get a more accurate assessment of your child’s progress. Also, to assist your children in doing their best, please make sure they have adequate rest and a good breakfast before coming to school each day.

PROMOTION POLICY – As we near the end of the semester a reminder may be in order:

1. All students (grades 6-12) must pass both semesters of theology in order to be promoted. The required number of community service hours and fine arts/humanities credits must also be completed before being granted a diploma or before being readmitted for the next school year.

2. Promotion to grades 7, 8, and 9 is granted when a student passes both semesters in: English, health/PE, math, science, social studies. If a student fails one or two semesters in any of these courses, he/she must complete summer programs selected by CCHS for each failed semester. Failure to complete these summer requirements will result in the student being denied enrollment at CCHS in August. Middle school students failing more than two semesters in these core courses will not be readmitted to CCHS.

3. Students who fail courses in grades 9-12 must enroll in CCHS-approved summer school programs in local public schools during the summer following the failure to make up the credit if they wish to remain at CCHS. No more than two semesters of coursework may be earned during the summer. To graduate from CCHS, students must earn 28 specific credits in grades 9 – 12. Since only two summer school sessions are offered, each one worth half a credit, a student who is deficient in more than one credit (i.e., one semester of two classes or two semesters of one class) will be unable to accrue the number of credits needed for graduation.

4. To be classified as a sophomore, a student must have earned 7 credits, 14 credits to be considered a junior, and 21 credits a senior.

The Academic Standards Committee will review records of students with a first or second semester GPA below 2.0 to determine students’ enrollment status at CCHS for the upcoming semester/year.

CLAY COUNTY CHRISTMAS PROJECT—Preparations are well underway! This year our Clay County Christmas Project is serving approximately 210 families and 500 children. Our project is a beautiful way to provide direct services to needy children, most of whom will attend our party at The Church of the Risen Lord in Maysel on Saturday, December 8. At the celebration, they will have their photos taken with Santa, enjoy cookies, receive stockings from the elves, and pick up their bundles of Christmas gifts and food boxes.

Some upcoming deadlines:

1) Monday, November 26 - Stockings and stocking stuffers are due. Each student needs to bring a 12-14 inch stocking (about $2 from K-Mart) along with their grade level’s stocking stuffer assignment:

Each 6^thgrader: 8 chapsticks

Each 7^th grader: 4 small boxes of crayons (8-16 count) and 4 think coloring books

Each 8th grader: 4 thin coloring books

Each freshman and sophomore: 4 hairbrushes + 4 bars of soap

Each junior and senior: 4 individually wrapped toothbrushes and 4 tubes of toothpaste

EXTRA ITEMS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME!

4) Tuesday, November 27 - Food items are due -- each classroom will be preparing food boxes. Each student will be asked to provide specific food items. The majority of the food boxes are being provided by Sacred Heart Grade School children. CCHS students help fill the remainder of the boxes required by the number of families participating.

5) Tuesday, December 4 - wrapped gifts are due with the family number and Clay County child’s name securely taped on the front.

6) Various dates -- Our student activity groups, service clubs, and other student groups are also participating by donating cookies, candy canes, etc. These students will receive specific information from their sponsors. Thank you for your generosity to the children of Clay County!

MESSAGE FROM TEACHER AMY ARNOLD – “Due to health issues, I will be out of school from November 29 through December 19. I want to take this opportunity to assure you that I will be planning and evaluating instructional activities during my absence. I will also be writing and grading the exams. I appreciate your patience and understanding. Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns about anything related to my absence.” Amy Arnold

CHECK THE CCHS WEBSITE – for weather-related announcements, fine arts critiques and community service forms, the handbook, and PVA information and order forms for polo shirts and fleece jackets -- www.charlestoncatholic-crw.org.

MARSHALL SCORES COMPETITION -- The annual S.C.O.R.E.S competition will be held at Marshall University on March 15, 2008.  There are contests in many academic areas and in the fine arts for high school students with a GPA of 3.0 or better.  Details will be available after Thanksgiving break.  Please encourage your student to participate.  Contact Mrs. Stone if there are questions.

FOOD AT THE ATHLETIC FACILITY – Food sold at the CCHS concession is the only food available at the CCHS athletic facility. No food or drink may be brought into the facility. Income from the concession helps defray the cost of officials and overhead at the facility. Please help take care of our beautiful home! Many thanks to all who made the volleyball concession the wonderful success that it has been! Remarkable!

SKI CLUB --forms were made available last week. All CCHS students are invited to join ski club and travel on chartered buses to Winterplace for five Wednesdays: January 16, 23, 30 and February 6 and 13. Buses leave school at 3:30 p.m. and return at 10:30 p.m. For $225 students receive transportation, lift tickets, and ski rentals. Lessons each time are also included, if desired. For students wanting to rent blades or snowboards, the price is $295. There will be a mandatory 15 minute meeting on Wednesday, January 9 at 3 p.m. for all ski club participants. There will be an optional meeting for parents on December 12^th at 6:00 p.m. in the school library. If this is the first time your child has participated, it is highly recommended that you attend this parent meeting. Permission and information forms are due back on or before Friday, November 30. If you have questions, please call Ms. FitzGerald at school.

KHAKI PANTS – worn by high school athletes along with the green PVA-ordered polo shirts on specific game days must be DRESS KHAKI TWILL pants of modest fit. Girls’ pants may be ordered from Schoolbelles. Docker Iconic Pants and Docker Metro Pants (available at Penney’s and other stores) have also been approved for girls. If parents or students find other pants they would like to have added to the “approved list,” please talk to Mrs. FitzGerald. When in doubt, wear the school uniform – it’s always in style!

MRS. THOMAS’ TIDBITS – Be sure to check out “College Counseling” section on the CCHS website for updates and additional information!

1) SAT and ACT testing and registration dates (CCHS code: 490-205)

SAT I and II (can register on-line -- www.collegeboard.org):

TEST DATE DEADLINE LATE REGISTRATION

January 26 December 26 January 4

March 1 January 29 February 7

May 3 April 2 April 10

June 7 May 6 May 15

ACT: (can register on line -- www.act.org)

TEST DATE DEADLINE LATE REGISTRATION

February 9 January 4 January 5 - 18

April 12 March 7 March 8 -21

June 14 May 9 May 10 - 23

2) Seniors need to complete fine arts requirement by the end of the third quarter of their senior year.

3) The deadline for having all transcript request forms turned in to Mrs. Thomas was November 1. Seniors should check that ALL of their college applications and supporting materials (e.g., letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.) have been received by the colleges. Many colleges have this updated data available on their websites while other required that students call the admissions office to inquire about the status of application.

4) Mrs. Shannon Vollmer and Mrs. Sarah Griffith will be offering an SAT Prep Course for juniors. The course will last 8 weeks and will focus on improving critical reading, math, and writing skills as well as tips on how to take the SAT. Classes will be held at CCHS from 5:00-9:00 p.m. beginning Sunday, February 24, and continuing through Sunday, April 27. Classes will not be held on March 23 and 30). Students taking the class should sign up to take the SAT on Saturday, May 3. Cost for the 8 week course is $250. Availability is on a first-come-first-serve basis. Please send checks payable to CCHS to Mrs. Vollmer to hold your child’s place.

5) CCHS encourages students to take both the ACT and the SAT before the end of their junior year. Doing this allows students to get a baseline score and allows students to prepare for future tests. Both tests are accepted by all colleges and universities for admission. We have found the students perform better on these tests if they are taken before the end of the school year. By the June testing dates, students tend to be tired and not as fresh. So, if possible, consider an earlier test date.

6) Mrs. Thomas handles college visit requests. Students should get the forms from her and return the completed forms to her at least 2 days before the trip. Seniors are allowed 2 college visit days; juniors are allowed 2 college visit days. College visits must be made before May 1.

7) Students wishing to take AP tests for non-AP courses (e.g., world history, biology, foreign languages, etc.) may choose to do so and must notify Mrs. Thomas in February.

8) PROMISE scholarship and FAFSA deadline – March 1. Students must complete BOTH the PROMISE and the FAFSA applications in order to be considered for the PROMISE scholarship. Additionally, colleges and universities throughout the country use FAFSA information to determine scholarships and financial aid.

9) Students interested in applying for the Honors Program at WVU will need to fill out an Honors Program application in addition to the WVU application. Both are available on-line.

10) To calculate what schools expect you to pay, go to www.collegeboard.com

11) Check www.fastweb.com, www.finaid.org, www.Petersons.com for scholarship searches. Also, check the CCHS website College Counseling section for additional scholarship information.

12) Seniors should let Mrs. Thomas know their admission status/scholarship offers as the various institutions notify them.

13) ALL SENIORS SHOULD APPLY FOR THE PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT PLANNING TO ATTEND A WV COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. Plans can change!

14) By December 15, we will have processed over 307 college applications for our 58 seniors. Many students have already received acceptance letters and scholarship offers. Students are asked to contact the colleges to which they applied to make certain everything has arrived (e.g., SAT, ACT).

PARENT VOLUNTEERS – are needed to help in our school library. Any time that you can give will be greatly appreciated! Please contact Dara Krack at school for details.

BASEBALL FAN GEAR -- Order forms are available in the office for 2008 Baseball Fan Gear. Orders and payments are due to the office Tuesday, November 27.

2007-08 SCHEDULING FOR CURRENTLY ENROLLED STUDENTS – Scheduling forms will be distributed to students by the end of February.

NEW STUDENTS FOR 2008-2009 –The Admissions Committee has released its schedule for the upcoming school year. If you have other children or are asked by non-CCHS families about the school, please refer to this section of the newsletter. Applications for all grade levels will be available on line (www.charleston catholic-crw.org) by Monday, January 7. Mail completed applications directly to CCHS.

Monday, January 7 – application packets for new students available on-line.

Wednesday, January 16 – prospective 6^th graders visit CCHS 9:30 – 11:15 a.m. (5^th graders not currently enrolled at Sacred Heart Grade School must call CCHS office to make reservations. 5^th graders at Sacred Heart will be invited automatically.)

Thursday, January 24 – information meeting for parents of prospective students (grades 6-10) at 6:00 p.m. in the CCHS library.

Saturday, January 26 – admissions test for all prospective students at 10:00 a.m. in CCHS Commons

Friday, February 1– deadline for receipt of applications of students currently attending Catholic schools who wish to be given first consideration. Applications from area Catholic schools received after this date lose “first consideration” status and are placed in the general pool of applicants.

Monday, February 4 – first day applications will be processed from students in public schools

Friday, February 15– deadline for all students to submit applications who want to be considered in the first round of acceptances

Thursday, March 20 – first round of acceptance letters mailed (for applicants whose files are completed by February 15 – applications received after February 15 will be reviewed periodically by the Admissions Committee and notification as to enrollment status will be mailed periodically)

NOTE – It is rare for CCHS to accept students as juniors and seniors. Generally speaking, only juniors and seniors moving into the area attending Catholic schools elsewhere will be considered.

AFTER SCHOOL PICK-UP – Teachers are reporting that parents are clogging the intersection and that students are having to walk in-between cars. Please help us avoid this dangerous situation and to follow teachers’ directions regarding pick-up.

GREEN & WHITE REUNION WEEKEND (June 13-14) -- Be sure to check out the CCHS website for photos from last year’s event. Alumni from the ‘40’s through 2007 gathered and reminisced, telling stories and catching up with classmates for a weekend in June. Plans are in the works for this year’s reunion on the weekend of June 13-14. If you have information regarding any lost alumni, please contact Colleen McCartney or Mary Frances Casey at 342-8415.

VERIZON SUPPORT OF CCHS – Receive phone, high-speed Internet, and TV and support CCHS! If you join the Verizon VeloCITY program, funds will be contributed to impact our academic programs. For more information, call 1-888-695-5299 and use tracking code #1004.

SCHOOL DANCES – While we want to provide opportunities for students to socialize, it is becoming increasingly difficult to assure that dances are the best way to do so given the nature of our Catholic school philosophy. This same situation is affecting schools across the country. Since many students are exposed to changing societal values on MTV, the internet, video games, and movies, their perception of acceptable behavior differs from that of most adults. CCHS has consistently addressed this issue with students over the past few years and will do so again – and again. Expectations are also included in the student handbook and will be further defined in the dance policy that all high school students attending CCHS dances, their parents, and guests from other schools will need to sign prior to each dance.

Perhaps our students just don’t know how to dance. Perhaps someone knows of an instructor who could teach our students all forms of dance which could include hip hop and funk.

We want students and teachers to be comfortable at school events. Our teachers are becoming reluctant to chaperone high school dances. If it is too challenging to get teachers to chaperone, dances will not be scheduled, which would be unfortunate since our students do enjoy attending dances. The high school winter dance is scheduled for January 12. The prom is in jeopardy, based on behavior at the winter dance. Please address appropriate dance behavior and dancing with your children. Dance times, to ensure student and staff safety, will be adjusted as follows: middle school dances will be held from 7 – 10 p.m.; high school dances, other than prom, will be held from 8 – 11 p.m.; prom will be held from 9 p.m. to midnight.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES – Help your child discover a variety of age-appropriate leisure-time activities to enjoy with friends, such as bowling, ice skating, going to movies, watching televised athletic events at each others’ houses, playing Frisbee, cooking, and skiing. Encourage your child to see “social life” on a broader level, not as going to a bunch of “parties.” Habits learned now will affect your child’s outlook for a lifetime.

FINE ARTS CRITIQUES/COMMUNITY SERVICE FORMS -- Forms must be submitted to teachers during the quarter in which the activity occurred in order to receive credit for the event.

UNITED WAY – Did you know that you may designate Charleston Catholic High School as a recipient of your donation to the United Way? Pledge cards include a place on the back where you can earmark your dollars to go to the 501c3 organization (CCHS is such an organization) of your choice. Please consider this avenue to benefit CCHS!

GOLDEN HORSESHOE -- The testing window for the school level Golden Horseshoe Test is Jan. 7 -11.

REMINDER: PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL SPORTS -- In order to participate in an athletic event on a particular day, a student must be in school for the FULL DAY on the day of the event. This “full day” policy includes appointments so students need to avoid scheduling appointments during the school day. Students are also expected to be on time on days following athletic events. Students will be given one warning during the course of the year (not per season) for violations of this policy. After the warning, students with repeat violations will be suspended from the team for a period of time.

NOTES FROM THE PARENT VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION (PVA) –

1) The CCHS website includes PVA sign-up forms for all activities.

2) Order forms for fleece jackets with CCHS logo, white uniform polo shirts, and green athletic/academic competition polo shirts are available on the CCHS website. For questions, please contact Kathleen Bors (343-7963) for fleece jackets, Joanne Bronikowski (344-8850) for green polos, and Lisa Dobbins (346-4995) for white polos.

3) INNISBROOK ORDERS – It’s a good time to restock! Go to www.innisbrook.com and click on “Buy Innisbrook Products” and enter CCHS school number 121949. Orders can be placed year round! Call Lisa Dundervill at 344-2566 if you have questions.

4) Team lunches- Our athletic teams are dependent on parent support. Each sport is allocated a few team lunches. Guidelines and dates for these lunches (designated away games only) are distributed at the beginning of each season, once team rosters have been established.

5) Athletic family passes are still available through the PVA. These passes are good for immediate family members only (not cousins, in-laws, ex-in-laws, grandparents, fiancées, etc.) to attend CCHS home games. The passes do not cover tournaments played at home or homecoming games or any SSAC tournaments. Cost is $150 for all home middle school games only, $175 for all home high school games only, and $200 for all home games (both levels). A $100 senior citizen pass for all games is also available. Each adult in a family will be issued a pass that must be shown for admission to games.

6) Catholic Schools Week Project – We will undertake two projects in late January: 1) We will once again be collecting gently used children’s clothing to be distributed to area social service agencies; 2) We will also be collecting gently used or new children’s books to be taken to a small Catholic elementary school in Williamson, WV. If you have questions, please call Tina Tallarico at 925-5913.

7) The incredible International Dinner will take place on Sunday, January 27. Set aside the date and plan to come and enjoy a wonderful culinary and cultural experience! Many thanks to Sandy Campbell and her group of volunteers for staging this ever-popular event! If you’d like to help, please call Sandy at 343-8090.

8) CCHS Cookbook – Wonderful recipes have been sent in and are being prepared for inclusion in the cookbook. It’s not too late to submit your recipe. Recipes will be accepted until November 30. Visit the CCHS web site and click on “cookbook submission form.” Orders for the cookbook -- $12 each -- will be accepted through December 14 for January 15 delivery. Please complete the order form included below and return it to the school office. For information, contact Caryn Gresham at 342-3091 or caryn.gresham@verizon.net.

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CCHS Cookbook Order Form

Name __________________________________________ Phone ______________________

Name of CCHS student(s) ______________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________

Number of cookbooks ordered _________ @ $12 each = Total enclosed _______________

Make checks payable to CCHS – please write “cookbook” on memo line.

Order by December 14 for January 15 delivery.

FAMILY TRIPS, APPOINTMENTS, ETC. -- Students absent from class(es) for more than 5 periods per semester will receive no credit for those class(es) until time is made up in addition to the work being made up. Tardies of more than 10 minutes count as absences. The only absences that are excused are for CCHS field trips/activities and approved college visits. During exam week, students will have to stay after school to make up time missed in order to receive credit for the semester. Students’ attendance records will be examined by Mrs. Sullivan and Ms. FitzGerald to determine which students will need to make up the requirement. The school calendar is provided to help you plan ahead. Please avoid taking students out of school for vacations, family trips, appointments, etc.

CONGRATULATIONS

- to the newest members of the CCHS family, both born in November: Owen Marshall Good and Madison Brooke Villers.

- to senior Avrah Urecki. Her pillow design "Calm and Chaotic" was selected for the Pillow Talk art exhibit. The exhibit opens November 20, and is on display at the Bluegrass Kitchen until Christmas.

- to the high school volleyball team for their excellent season and for their first-round win at the state tournament.

- to 1^st team all county soccer players Corey Bonasso and Kirsten Mullins and to Diane Bronikowski and Abby Vorholt for being named co-freshmen of the year. Corey was also selected to the WV Sports Writers Association first team all state.

- to Joanie Zekan, CCHS’s Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership representative.

- to Bobby Bird and Avrah Urecki, named CCHS winners of the Optimist Award which honors outstanding youth in our area.

- to soccer players named by the WV Soccer Coaches Association: All state 1^st team Corey Bonnasso and Eammon Maher; 2^nd team Stephen Carey, John Busse, Michael Fluharty, and Kenneth Yonkers. Corey was named Defender of the Year and Addison Hutcheson was named Honorable Mention. In the girls’ division, Nora Sheridan, Kirsten Mullins, and Meg Whelan were named to the 1^st team; Rachel Silverman was named 2^nd team; and receiving Honorable Mention were Diane Bronikowski, Katie Robinson, Abby Vorholt, and Alex Thomas.

- to the CCHS high school quiz bowl teams who competed in Parkersburg recently. The varsity placed 10^th out of 26 teams in the morning rounds and the junior varsity placed 7^th in the preliminary rounds, making their way to the afternoon sessions.

- to Corey Bonasso and Alex Thomas for being named the CCHS recipients of the Wendy’s Heisman Award. This award is given to student athletes across the country who have excelled in academics, community service, and athletics.

THANKS –

- to Gordon Food Services for donating soup for the food pantry at the Church of the Risen Lord. The soup, along with other items, will be delivered to the church, the site of the Clay County Christmas party.

- to CCHS graduate Dickinson Gould, Buzz Products, Inc., for donating 200 cardboard boxes to be used for the family food boxes and trucks to transport gifts, food, stockings, etc. to the Clay County Christmas party.

- to ExxonMobil Educational Alliance Program for awarding CCHS a $500 grant to be used to upgrade technology. We deeply appreciate the efforts of Mike Graney who has been instrumental in helping us secure this grant.

- to everyone who participated in the November HOPE project in Clay County. Your hard work was greatly appreciated by the homeowners.

- to Virginia Slack and Pam Steelhammer for compiling, printing, and distributing the Student Directory – otherwise known as the “CCHS Bible.”

- to the PVA for all the wish list items requested by teachers for their classrooms. The number and variety of items is impressive. The Art Classes are particularly thankful for the purchase of 5 licensed copies of Photoshop CS3. This gift will allow the art department to become a true graphic design and video studio for the school.

- to all of our coaches for their commitment, poise, and skill in helping our teams achieve notable successes!

- to athletes, coaches, team parents, parents, and fans who work hard to ensure that CCHS teams are class acts!

SCHOOL CLOSINGS/DELAYS DUE TO SNOW/ICE – Well, we’ve had a cold snap to get our attention and the plethora of acorns suggests that winter could be challenging for our animal friends (us too!). Here’s a brief reminder about our policy. Find out about school closings and delays on the CCHS web site as well as through television/radio.

1) CCHS/SHGS will NOT follow ANY of the Kanawha County Schools’ weather-related procedures.

2) Families will need to connect to the CCHS web site or listen to the radio/television for changes to CCHS/SHGS schedules. The following stations will be notified by 6:15 a.m. if there are changes to be made: WV Public Radio, WCHS, WCHS-TV, WSAZ-TV, V100, Kicks96, Super 102, WBES, WKAZ, and WQBE.

3) If no announcements are made for CCHS/SHGS, classes will be held on the regular schedule.

4) If a two-hour delay is announced, classes will start promptly at 10 a.m. The building will not open until 9:30 to give staff time to get to school. Please do not drop off your children before 9:30!

5) As always, if you cannot get your child to school for health or safety reasons, notify the school.

2007-08 SCHOOL CALENDAR

Thursday/Friday, November 22-23 Thanksgiving vacation

Monday, November 26 Clay County stockings and stocking stuffers are due

Tuesday, November 27 Clay County food items are due

Wednesday, November 28 Parent one-hour seminar in Commons 8:15 a.m. on internet safety

Friday, November 30 ski club forms due (get in earlier – first-come-first-served)

Monday, December 3 VIRTUS training at CCHS 6 p.m.

Tuesday, December 4 Clay County wrapped gifts are due

Saturday, December 8 Clay County Christmas Party

Wednesday, December 12 optional meeting for ski club parents at 6:00 p.m. in school library

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, December 17, 18, 19 exams (no exceptions- see newsletter for details)

Thursday, December 20 first day of Christmas vacation

Monday, January 7 classes resume; applications for new students available online

Wednesday, January 9 mandatory ski club meeting for students

Saturday, January 12 HS Winter Waltz 8 – 11 p.m.

Wednesday, January 16 rising 6^th graders visit; ski club

Friday, January 18 end of first semester

Monday, January 21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - no school

Wednesday, January 23 ski club

Thursday, January 24 Prospective Parent Night 6 p.m. in library

Saturday, January 26 Admissions Test at 10 a.m. in Commons

Sunday, January 27 International Dinner

Wednesday, January 30 ski club

Sunday, February 3 VIRTUS training

Wednesday, February 6 ski club

Wednesday, February 13 ski club

Monday, February 18 Presidents’ Day - no school

Sunday, February 24 SAT/ACT prep classes start (registration required)

Saturday, March 15 SCORES competition at Marshalll U.

Friday, March 21 Good Friday - first day of Easter vacation

Monday, March 31 classes resume

Thursday, April 24 sophomore retreat

Friday, April 25 freshman retreat

Sunday, April 27 middle school athletic banquet at Pope John XXIII Center

Saturday, May 3 prom

Monday, May 26 Memorial Day - no school

Tuesday, May 27 Baccalaureate

Wednesday, May 28 Graduation

June 3, 4, 5 exams for middle school students (early dismissal on June 4 and 5 only)

June 4, 5, 6 exams for high school students

Thursday, June 5 8^th grade moving up ceremony at 5:30; followed by pizza party for 8^th graders in the Commons and a parent reception in Sacred Heart Center; a dance for 7^th and 8^th graders will be held from 7 – 10 p.m. in the Commons

November 26 - Pizza

27 - Corn dogs

Home made veggie soup

Corn bread

28 - Chicken strip

Baked potato

Chicken Caesar

Salad

29 - Meatball sub

Potato wedges

30 - Baked chicken

Corn

Mashed potatoes

December 3 - Pizza

4 - Beef & chicken

Wraps

Onion rings

Chicken noodle soup

5 - BBQ chicken baked potato

6 - Hot dogs

Spicy fries nacho’s

7 - Ham slice

Baked mac & cheese

Green beans

10 - Pizza

11 - Baked ravioli

Green beans

Garlic bread

12 - Chicken strip

Baked potato

13 - Cheeseburger

Tater tots

Nacho’s

14 - Baked chicken

Mashed potato

Chicken Caesar salad

17 - NO LUNCH

EXAMS

18 - NO LUNCH

EXAMS

19 - NO LUNCH

EXAMS

20 -NO SCHOOL

Christmas Vacation

NO SCHOOL

Through 1/6/08

January 7 -Pizza

8 - Sloppy joes

Potato wedges

Cole slaw

9 - Baked chicken

Spaghetti

Green beans

10 - Hamburger

Tater tots

11 - Fried chicken

Mashed potato

Green beans

School rolls

14 - Pizza

15 - Beef taco