Derek Folan

Derek Folan, Principal foland@cantonma.org

Saturday, February 23, 2013

A Blizzard of Events

Over 2 feet of snow. Blizzard conditions. Two snow days. Plus, the excitement and urgency of a week leading up to February vacation. What an amazing couple of weeks! And through it all, CHS students took part in a flurry of great events and continued to achieve at a high level.

Mock Trial

Objection!
The Canton High School Mock Trial Team completed a successful season with wins over the Foxboro Charter High School and Medfield High School. In its final trial, CHS lost to Westwood in a close a case.

The CHS Mock Trial Team                                           Cameron Boyce photo
Throughout the season, which runs from October to March, the thirteen CHS students on the Mock Trial Team gained valuable experience as attorneys and actors/actresses in a court setting. Additionally, they learned about the law, legal strategy, and teamwork and enhanced their critical-thinking, public speaking and problem-solving skills.

This year's mock trial was a criminal case involving a great nephew who was accused of poisoning his great aunt and murdering her before she changed her will. He allegedly poisoned her with her own medication and attempted to make it look like a heart attack. She was a wealthy widow and the nephew was due to inherit millions.

Local attorneys volunteer their time to serve as judges and hear the cases. A mock trial team is judged on the merits of its case and additionally on the performance of the roles. The competitions are held at Stoughton District Court and Brockton District Court.

CHS had six attorneys on the team and six witnesses to portray the characters in the case. Canton represented the defendant against Foxboro Charter High School and recorded wins on both counts. Against Medfield, CHS represented the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (prosecution) and scored a successful conviction and won the performance.

Special thanks to advisor-coach Mrs. Bauman and volunteer attorney coaches Steve Bauman, Andrew Kepple and Brian Pariser for their countless of hours of practice, advice and guidance. The Mock Trial Team is getting stronger and stronger...See Mrs. Bauman if you are interested in joining.

Be My Valentine

CHS students visit the Senior Center

On Valentine's Day, Mr. Amico's Career Planning class visited the Canton Senior Center to deliver carnations to the seniors. The kind gesture and the good company were greatly appreciated. Many multi-generational conversations took place and it was a great learning experience for the students and the Canton residents.

Mr. Amico's Career Planning Class
A highlight of the visit was "The challenge" -- one of the seniors and junior Matt Kelly engaged in a friendly game of billiards for bragging rights. Let's just say the senior played the role of wily veteran and defended his turf. With a big smile, Kelly was humble in his defeat.

The seniors loved the carnations.

"The Challenge"






A Night of Music

BRAVO!

Bravo! to the CHS and GMS students who delighted the audience with incredible individual and collaborative musical performances at the Honors Recital on Feb. 14. The students rose to the occasion with brilliant numbers, showcasing amazing talent and skill. Well done.

Special thanks to all of the performing arts teachers and the support of MusicCounts!

Good Morning Eye Opener!

In case you missed it...Canton High School was featured on Channel 5's Eye Opener on Monday, Feb. 4. To those who made the video...Kudos to student/director Dan Sheehy, student/assistant director Nick Ciolfi, student/cameraman Danny Klein, student/cameraman Matt Chamberlain, stunt driver Ben Wiseman and teacher/executive producer Mr. Ed McDonough.

This talented group of students continues to shine and continually demonstrates great expertise, creativity and professionalism. Well done!

Check it out. Click the link below.

Canton High School Eye Opener


¡Adiós!...Spanish Exchange

"What an amazing opportunity!"

On Thursday, Feb. 14, we said ¡Adiós! to 22 CHS students who headed to Spain as part of the inaugural Spanish Exchange program. They left with bags packed, big smiles and sense of adventure. Señora Pam D'Agostino (teacher) deserves so much credit for organizing every last detail and Señora Gina Nova (parent chaperone) -- a big thank you for your great presence, passion and energy. 

Itinerary:
Depart Boston February 14
Arrive Madrid February 15 - 17 

  • Explore Madrid: El Prado ( museum: one of the largest art museums in the world) Walking tour of Old Madrid (from 16th - 17th century), Palacio Real ( residence of all Spanish Kings), Parque el Retiro ( famous royal park founded in 1632) among other highlights, enjoy delicious food.

  • Afternoon of Feb 17 Depart for Toledo: once the capital of Spain in Medieval times, discover its beauty, visit beautiful gothic cathedrals, take in the most famous painting by El Greco, learn some of the history and understand the reasons for the fortified walls. 
  • Feb 18- Feb 26  To Almería!  Greet and meet host families, settle in and get ready to attend school. Make new friends and learn more Spanish and participate in local activities.
  • Feb 27 : Farewell to host families and friends then off to visit Malaga: discover the shared Muslim and Christian heritage as you visit Castillo Gibralfaro,  and Alcazaba de Malaga, an Arab Palace fortress built in the 11th century.  A visit to Museo Picasso: collection of Picasso's works.
  • Feb 28 Leave for Madrid and then back to Boston!
(Thank you to Mrs. Augenstern, Foreign Language Coordinator, for compiling the trip itinerary)

Library & Academic Support Center

Just a reminder that the CHS Library is now open Monday through Thursday, from 2-3:30 p.m. Students may use the space to study, read, use the computers, print documents or work in groups. Additionally, we have the Academic Support Center for anyone who needs extra help. Two CHS staff members will be available from 2-3:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday.

Parents, please encourage your son or daughter to take advantage of this opportunity to improve his or her learning. Just a few extra help visits will make a world of difference. Students, time to embrace the opportunity to improve! Be great.

Here are the teachers supervising the Academic Support Center
Mondays -- Ms. Duggan (Math) and Ms. Ashley (English)
Tuesdays -- Ms. Duggan (Math)/Ms. Hayes (Special Education)
Wednesdays -- Ms. Rousseau (Science) and Mr. Murphy (English)
Thursdays -- Ms. Busa (Spanish) and Ms. Lisi (Math)

CHS Breakfast Program


Another reminder (and plug) for the CHS Breakfast Program. Research shows that a good breakfast will have a significant and positive impact on a student's academic performance.

The CHS Breakfast Program is open to all students Monday through Friday, from 6:45-7:10 a.m., in the Cafeteria. A complete meal costs ONLY $1.50! (30 cent reduced price if you qualify for reduced lunch. If you qualify for a free lunch, you can receive a free breakfast too.)

What's on the menu?
Hot Breakfast Sandwiches
Cereal
Fresh Fruit
Bagels
Yogurt              
Muffins
Juice
Milk

Start your day of right! Get some breakfast!