Canton High School's Bulldog Blog: January 2014

Sunday, January 26, 2014

THIS WEEK AT CHS (JAN. 27-31)

Key events

Monthly Parent Meeting
Monday, January 27 at 6 p.m. in the CHS Library

Canton High School will be hosting its monthly parent meeting on Monday, J

anuary 27 at 6 p.m. in the CHS Library. The Monthly Parent Meetings provide parents an opportunity to have an informal discussion with Principal Derek Folan.

Monday night's topics will include AP Exam expectations, Senior Final Exams, PARCC pilot testing, Chromebooks, the Program of Studies and the revamping of Summer Reading. In particular, CHS has an Assessment Team that is examining its assessment practices, and the team is looking for feedback around final exams, mid-year exams and AP testing.

The next Monthly Parent Meeting will be Monday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. in the CHS Library.

CHS Jazz Night
Tuesday, Jan. 28 -- 7 p.m. in the Cafeteria

Once again, our fantastic musicians and singers will be on display. Come and enjoy the great sounds of jazz in the cafeteria, which will once again be transformed into a Jazz Cafe.

The tables will be set, the lighting will be perfect and the refreshments will be just right. As we learned last year, the acoustics in the cafe make for a great jazz environment.

Come and support our Performing Arts Program
Jazz Night starts at 7 p.m.

Canton Parent Advisory Council for Student Services workshop

Wednesday, Jan. 29 -- 7-9 p.m. in the Distance Learning Lab

iPad Applications for Learning
Presenter: Sean Sweeney

Culture of China: Festival of Spring
Wednesday, Jan. 29 -- 6-8 p.m. in the CHS cafeteria
Free and open to the public

JANUARY LUNCH MENU

January Gluten-Free Menu

Canton High School January Breakfast Menu

We are pleased once again to offer a terrific breakfast to our students for only $1.50. A great breakfast is a good way to start the day. Give it a try...The options are outstanding! Available in the cafeteria from 6:45-7:10 a.m.

**NEW: "Grab and Go" in the main hallway -- yogurt parfait or smoothie, muffin and milk

MONDAY, JANUARY 27

Last Day of Term 2
Day 4
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.
Monthly parent meeting, 6 p.m. in the cafe

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28

First Day of Term 3
Day 5
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m
Homeroom, 7:20 p.m. -- New schedules will be distributed
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29

Day 6
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.
Chinese Spring Festival, 6-8 p.m. in the cafe.
Canton Parent Advisory Council for Student Services (CPACSS) meeting, 7-9 p.m. in the DLL

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30

Day 7
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.

Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.
School Committee, 7 p.m. in the DLL

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

Senior Dues are due. $25 -- See Mrs. Sullivan. Check only.
Day 1
Last Day of Term 2
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m

SAVE THE DATE

Feb. 4 -- Report Cards will be emailed home

Feb. 10 -- Production of the Yellow Dress

March 14-15 -- CHS Drama presents Our Town

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS BLOG

Check out the recent post that lists the start dates and times for winter sports. Keep up-to-date with all of the winter sports happenings and results.

Input your email address and the Athletics Blog automatically sent to you.

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

The Canton school community has really taken to Twitter recently. Sign up today for up-to-date information that will be sent immediately and directly to your phone.

Canton Superintendent Jeff Granatino recently started his Twitter account.

Follow @CantonSuper for Canton Public Schools info

Follow @CantonHSnews for Canton High School news and updates

**Here are Three New Twitter accounts to follow

@CHSbulldogTRACK for Indoor Track info

@Canton_Bulldogs for Canton girls basketball info

@CantonGolf for Canton golf team info

Follow @CantonAthletics for Canton Athletic Department updates

Follow @CHSDogPound for Canton Superfan action

Follow @CantonHSHockey for Canton boys ice hockey info

Follow @CHSGHockey for Canton girls ice hockey info

Follow @CHSDogsBball for Canton boys basketball info

Follow @Cantonhighcheer for Canton cheerleading info

Follow @CantonSwimTeam for Canton swim team info

Follow @CantonLax for Canton lacrosse info

Follow @BulldogVball for Canton volleyball info

Follow @YearbookofCHS for Canton yearbook info

Follow @forclubchs for CHS Friends of Rachel info

Follow @IamCantonDrama for Canton Drama info

Follow @chslibrary for CHS library info

Follow @chssullivan for Canton High School info

CHS Robotics team hosts

first-ever FTC scrimmage in Library

11 teams compete in a "Field" of challenges and innovation

This was a first.

Canton High School's robotics team is in its second year and has a ton of momentum going into this season's series of competitions. But Thursday marked a whole new experience -- Canton High School and the CHS Robotics team hosted its first FTC scrimmage!

The CHS Robot -- with its special scoop
and a hook for the pull up.

Around 4 p.m., 11 teams converged on the CHS Library and prepared for several rounds of competition. Each team entered with its robot in hand (some had creative carts), boxes of tools and an intense focus. You could just tell the students and their coaches loved this type of challenge -- even though it was a scrimmage. Competition is competition.

Robotics requires a passion for building/design, problem-solving, innovation, creativity, critical thinking and technology. The robot is designed and constructed to accomplish the tasks set forth by FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge).

The Field -- featuring the ramp and pull up bar, the blocks
and containers and the PVC flag poles.

This year, for example, a team's robot needs to pick up plastic blocks and place them in a container, turn a handle and raise a flag, and finally climb a ramp and do a pull-up on a bar!

Of course, the robot needs to be sturdy and mobile enough to compete within the "field" -- the name of the competition area. CHS' entry is Robot 6040, and it features a special scoop manufactured at CHS and a hook that is used for the pull up. Additionally, it can be controlled wirelessly.

Tools of the trade

The scrimmage was an incredible success and a tremendous learning experience for the many students
who competed. It was a great learning event for Canton High School as well, providing students, staff and administration with an up-close look at the field of robotics -- the epitome of 21st century learning and essential skills for the future workforce.

Kudos to CHS teacher and Robotics coach Mrs. Healey and the Robotics team for coordinating a great event. Her unwavering dedication to this group is incredible. Her vision was on display.

The following are Mrs. Healey's and CHS' notes of thanks.

A job well done to the CHS Robotics team: Peter Bartlett, Sebastien Casimir, Andre Chmyrov, Albert Demeers, Quentin Germain, Chris Gildea, Max Godbey, Daniel Guan, Noah Healey, and Jason Reese.

Thank you to the visiting schools: Notre Dame Academy, Needham High School (2 teams), Lincoln, the British School of Boston, Woburn, and Beaver Country Day School in Brookline (3 teams), and St. John's Prep. Nearly 120 students were involved, and we had around 30-40 spectators.

A huge thanks to CHS teacher Kirk Pantos for his work with the Robotics team. Kirk, you are wonderful with your students and the team. I appreciate your work, your advice and your unique perspective. Much of the team's growth and success is due to you!

A shout out to CHS television/video teacher Ed McDonough and student producers Daniel Guan and Molly Manning for documenting this experience through pictures and video. The documentary on technology and the team video is going to be outstanding.

To Della Larsen and her 8th grade robotics team members who volunteered (Thomas Cahill, Geofrrey Bonnanzio, Mathew Larsen and Jack Healey) from the FLL team The Robots Downstairs -- thank you for escorting the arriving teams up to the library and helping out in numerous ways throughout the scrimmage. We look forward to you joining the CHS Robotics team next year.

To our parent volunteers, John Bartlett and John Healey: I thank you for coordinating the food for the evening. You did a great job feeding all those people smoothly and efficiently, even with a team showing up unexpectedly.

To Loretta Bassette and your volunteers from Massachusetts FTC, thanks for all the time and effort you put into bringing robotics to the students here in Canton and around the State.

Thank you to the Canton staff members: Librarian Joanne Teliszewski for hosting the event in the library; Ed Amico for coordinating student volunteers (Derek, Cory and Nathan) to reset the playing "field"; the custodial staff for setting up and creating a great environment for the event; and staff and administration for support and encouragement.

Interested?

If any student is interested in joining the Robotics Team, please see Mrs. Healey or email her at healeyk@cantonma.org. The team is looking to grow and develop. New members are welcome! Want to learn more about FTC, click here.

What's next?
The CHS Robotics Team will compete in the FTC Qualifier in Milton on Feb. 2. Good luck!

Photos by Jeff Granatino, April Goran and Derek Folan

Saturday, January 25, 2014

AP Biology Students gain valuable experience at Biotechnology company Biogen Idec

This week, Ms. Stang's AP Biology students had the opportunity to conduct DNA analysis in a professional lab environment. Biogen Idec, located in Cambridge, opened its doors to Canton High School students and engaged them in a full-day of experiments. The students returned energized and appreciative of the field trip. For some, it provided them a glimpse into their future work.

About Biogen Idec

(from the company's website)

Through cutting-edge science and medicine, Biogen Idec discovers, develops and delivers to patients worldwide innovative therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, hemophilia and autoimmune disorders. Founded in 1978, we are the world’s oldest independent biotechnology company... Patients worldwide benefit from our leading multiple sclerosis therapies. To our patients, we are the trusted source of vital therapies for multiple sclerosis, such as AVONEX^® and TYSABRI^®. We also discovered RITUXAN^®, the world's most prescribed treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and an effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

One group's lab results -- four students' fingerprints for a particular genetic marker on chromosome 1 -- is located below. The additional photos are snapshots of the CHS students conducting their lab work. Photos by Ms. Stang, CHS AP Biology teacher.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

GMS and CHS Edline Parent Training Workshop

The Canton school community is using Edline more and more to communicate information, and we want to support you with this technology.

All GMS and CHS Parents/Guardians are invited to attend an Edline parent workshop on Thursday, January 23, 2014.

Click Here for the flyer.

All sessions (offered in 1/2-hour time slots) will be held in the CHS Art Computer Lab (located on the right in the main hallway -- with the blue walls)

No need to sign up prior to the session you would like to attend. All sessions will be held in the CHS Art Computer Lab and instructed by April Goran, Technology Integration Administrator.

During this training session, you will learn how to navigate around Edline. You will learn how to access your child's private reports, calendars, class webpages, attendance reports and unofficial transcripts.

Open sessions will be held from 4-7 p.m starting every half hour. 25 slots per session.

Session 1 will be held from 4:00-4:30 p.m.

Session 2 will be held from 4:30-5:00 p.m.

Session 3 will be held from 5:00-5:30 p.m.

Session 4 will be held from 5:30-6:00 p.m.

Session 5 will be held from 6:00-6:30 p.m.

Session 6 will be held from 6:30-7:00 p.m.

If you would like additional Edline Information please click here for our Edline Resource webpage.

If you have any questions about this training, please email April Goran at gorana@cantonma.org or call at 781-821-5060 ext 1127.

Term 2 Extended to Monday, Jan. 27

Due to today's snow day (Jan. 22), I am extending Term 2 by one school day. The final day of Term 2 will be Monday, Jan. 27. I hope this shift helps staff and students close out Term 2 in a comprehensive manner.

New Timeline:

Monday, Jan. 27 -- Final day of Term 2

Tuesday, Jan. 28 -- Term 3 begins

Tuesday, Jan. 28 -- We will hold a homeroom at 7:20 a.m. to pass out Term 3 schedules.

Tuesday, Feb. 4 -- Report cards will be emailed home at 2 p.m.

Have a great day!!

Monday, January 20, 2014

THIS WEEK AT CHS (JAN. 20-24)

Martin Luther King Day

One of Canton High School's core values is an Inclusive Community. With this in mind, CHS honors and celebrates Martin Luther King Jr for his vision of equality and opportunity for All. Our school -- our inclusive value -- is part of his "dream". As always, we "move forward" as "one" strong school.

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character -- that is the goals of true Education."
- Martin Luther King Jr.

JANUARY LUNCH MENU

January Gluten-Free Menu

Canton High School January Breakfast Menu

**NEW: "Grab and Go" in the main hallway -- yogurt parfait or smoothie, muffin and milk

MONDAY, JANUARY 20

No School - Martin Luther King Day

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21

Day 7
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22

Day 1
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.
Panel presentation by the American Identities class, 2 p.m.
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23

Day 2
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.

Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

Robotics Competition in the CHS Library, 4-8 p.m.

Edline Info Night for Parents, 4-7 p.m. (1/2 hours sessions with Tech Director April Goran)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24

Day 3
Last Day of Term 2
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m

SAVE THE DATE

Jan. 27 -- Monthly parent meeting, 6 p.m.
Jan. 29 -- Chinese Spring Festival/New Year's celebration, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 30 -- School Committee, 7 p.m.
Feb. 10 -- Production of the Yellow Dress

March 14-15 -- CHS Drama presents Our Town

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS BLOG

Check out the recent post that lists the start dates and times for winter sports. Keep up-to-date with all of the winter sports happenings and results.

Input your email address and the Athletics Blog automatically sent to you.

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Follow @CantonSuper for Canton Public Schools info

Follow @CantonHSnews for Canton High School news and updates

**Here are Three New Twitter accounts to follow

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Artists in Bloom

Photography Class visits the Audubon Gallery

Ms. Palmer's photography class recently visited the Massachusetts Audubon Society's exhibit Birds As Art, featuring photographs taken by world renowned bird photographer Arthur Morris. While at the gallery, students got to experience the impact of seeing art in a museum setting. They had time to look at the exhibit, and they participated in an activity that helped them make connections between their own photography experiences and the exquisite images on display. The students were wonderful representatives of our school community, enthusiastically sharing ideas, observations and questions related to the experience.

Photo by Tammis Coffin

Photo by Kiyana Aldin

Sunday, January 12, 2014

THIS WEEK AT CHS (JAN. 13-17)

9 Days left!

TERM 2 ends Friday, January 24

I posted this paragraph last week, but it is worth another posting. Academic achievement is paramount, and it takes hard work and great communication between teacher, student and parent.

Life moves pretty quickly, and so does Term 2. There will be many opportunities to showcase your learning in the coming days and weeks, but just remember that Term 2 closes on Friday, January 24. Monday, January 27 is the start of Term 3.

It is a great time to check in with your teacher regarding your current standing or any make-up work that needs to be completed. It's also a great time to spend some time afterschool in the library to get extra help or use the structured space to complete high-quality work.

But, most importantly, keep working hard in and outside the classroom. Your hard work will ensure great learning and a readiness for opportunity.

PARKING & DROP-OFF REMINDERS

1. Students -- The Rodman Lot and the staff/visitor lots are off limits.

2. Parents -- Please be sure to drop off in the main loop (and not in the parking lot). Safety is compromised when students are walking through the parking lot and then need to cross the main loop drop-off. I thank you for your cooperation

3. Afterschool -- Parents, please do not pick up your son/daughter in the Rodman loop (near the buses). We need to keep a clear pathway for emergency vehicles.

Thank you!

JANUARY LUNCH MENU

January Gluten-Free Menu

Canton High School January Breakfast Menu

**NEW: "Grab and Go" in the main hallway -- yogurt parfait or smoothie, muffin and milk

MONDAY, JANUARY 13

Day 2
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14

Day 3
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15

Day 4
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

School Start Time presentation, 6:30 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium

FAFSA presentation -- Free workshop to help parents complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), 6-8 p.m. in Room 173 at CHS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16

Day 5
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.

Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.
School Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. in the DLL

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17

Day 6
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m

SAVE THE DATE

Jan. 23 -- Edline Workshop for Parents, presented by April Goran
Jan. 23 -- Robotics Competition, CHS Library
Jan. 29 -- Chinese Spring Festival/New Year's celebration, 6-8 p.m.
Jan. 30 -- School Committee, 7 p.m.

March 14-15 -- CHS Drama presents Our Town

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS BLOG

Check out the recent post that lists the start dates and times for winter sports. Keep up-to-date with all of the winter sports happenings and results.

Input your email address and the Athletics Blog automatically sent to you.

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Follow @CantonSuper for Canton Public Schools info

Follow @CantonHSnews for Canton High School news and updates

**Here are Three New Twitter accounts to follow

Sunday, January 5, 2014

THIS WEEK AT CHS (Jan. 6-10)

Welcome back! CHS staff and the entire school community wishes you a Happy New Year! Let's make 2014 great!

TERM 2 ends Friday, January 24

Life moves pretty quickly, and so does Term 2. There will be many opportunities to showcase your learning in the coming days and weeks, but just remember that Term 2 closes on Friday, January 24. Monday, January 27 is the start of Term 3.

It is a great time to check in with your teacher regarding your Term 2 progress or any make-up work that needs to be completed. It's also a great time to spend some time afterschool in the library to get extra help or use the structured space to complete high-quality work.

But, most importantly, keep working hard in and outside the classroom. Your hard work will ensure great learning and a readiness for opportunity.

PARKING & DROP-OFF REMINDERS

1. Students -- The Rodman Lot and the staff/visitor lots are off limits.

3. Afterschool -- Parents, please do not pick up your son/daughter in the Rodman loop (near the buses). We need to keep a clear pathway for emergency vehicles.

Thank you!

January Lunch Menu

January Gluten-Free Menu

Canton High School January Breakfast Menu

**NEW: "Grab and Go" in the main hallway -- yogurt parfait or smoothie, muffin and milk

MONDAY, January 6

Day 4
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.
School Committee Meeting, 7 p.m. in the Distance Learning Lab

TUESDAY, January 7

Day 5
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, January 8

Day 6
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.
Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.
Financial Aid Seminar, Stonehill College, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, January 9

Day 7
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.

Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, January 10

Day 1
CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m

SAVE THE DATE

Jan. 15 -- Free FAFSA workshop at CHS, 6-8
Jan. 16 -- School Committee, 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 -- Robotics Competition, CHS Library
Jan. 30 -- School Committee, 7 p.m.

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS BLOG

Check out the recent post that lists the start dates and times for winter sports. Keep up-to-date with all of the winter sports happenings and results.

Input your email address and the Athletics Blog automatically sent to you.

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Follow @CantonSuper for Canton Public Schools info

Follow @CantonHSnews for Canton High School news and updates

**Here are Three New Twitter accounts to follow

Derek Folan

Sunday, January 26, 2014

THIS WEEK AT CHS (JAN. 27-31)

Key events

MONDAY, JANUARY 27

TUESDAY, JANUARY 28

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30

FRIDAY, JANUARY 31

SAVE THE DATE

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Follow @CantonSuper for Canton Public Schools info

CHS Robotics team hosts

first-ever FTC scrimmage in Library

11 teams compete in a "Field" of challenges and innovation

Saturday, January 25, 2014

AP Biology Students gain valuable experience at Biotechnology company Biogen Idec

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

GMS and CHS Edline Parent Training Workshop

The Canton school community is using Edline more and more to communicate information, and we want to support you with this technology.

All GMS and CHS Parents/Guardians are invited to attend an Edline parent workshop on Thursday, January 23, 2014.

Term 2 Extended to Monday, Jan. 27

New Timeline:

Monday, January 20, 2014

THIS WEEK AT CHS (JAN. 20-24)

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character -- that is the goals of true Education." - Martin Luther King Jr.

MONDAY, JANUARY 20

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22

THURSDAY, JANUARY 23

FRIDAY, JANUARY 24

SAVE THE DATE

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Follow @CantonSuper for Canton Public Schools info

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Photography Class visits the Audubon Gallery

Sunday, January 12, 2014

THIS WEEK AT CHS (JAN. 13-17)

9 Days left!

TERM 2 ends Friday, January 24

MONDAY, JANUARY 13

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15

School Start Time presentation, 6:30 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium FAFSA presentation -- Free workshop to help parents complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), 6-8 p.m. in Room 173 at CHS

THURSDAY, JANUARY 16

FRIDAY, JANUARY 17

SAVE THE DATE

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Follow @CantonSuper for Canton Public Schools info

Sunday, January 5, 2014

THIS WEEK AT CHS (Jan. 6-10)

MONDAY, January 6

TUESDAY, January 7

WEDNESDAY, January 8

THURSDAY, January 9

FRIDAY, January 10

SAVE THE DATE

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL UPDATES

Follow @CantonSuper for Canton Public Schools info

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character -- that is the goals of true Education."
- Martin Luther King Jr.

School Start Time presentation, 6:30 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium

FAFSA presentation -- Free workshop to help parents complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), 6-8 p.m. in Room 173 at CHS