THIS WEEK AT CHS (FEB. 24-28)

Celebrating Black History Month

FEBRUARY LUNCH MENU

February Gluten-Free Menu

Canton High School February 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, FEB. 24

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

*The monthly parent meeting, originally scheduled for Feb. 24, has been postponed.

TUESDAY, FEB. 25

• Day 6
• CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m
• Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m. 
• MIAA Playoffs: Boys Hockey vs. Scituate, 8:30 p.m. at Metropolis Rink in Canton

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26

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

• MIAA Playoffs: Boys Basketball vs. Sandwich, 6:30 p.m. at Canton High School

• CPACSS Workshop, 7 p.m.
• School Committee., 7 p.m. in the Distance Learning Lab

THURSDAY, FEB. 27

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

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

FRIDAY, FEB. 28

• Day 2
• CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m
• Dismissal at 10:30 a.m.

• 1/2 Day Professional Development Day

• Periods BEFG

SAVE THE DATE

March 14-15 -- CHS Drama presents Our Town
March 19 -- Parent Meeting to review scheduling and the Program of Studies
March 18, 19, 21 -- ELA MCAS exams for 10th graders

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS BLOG

Check out the recent posts about the great accomplishments of our winter teams and student-athletes. 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.

THIS WEEK AT CHS (Feb. 10-14)

Celebrating Black History Month

One of Canton High School's core values is "Inclusive Community". To live this value, it is important to take time to reflect on and appreciate the perspectives of all cultures, races and experiences. To that end, February is Black History Month, an annual "celebration of achievements by black Americans and time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in US History" (History Channel). Below, I have included a narrative about the origins of Black History Month (from the History Channel) and a link that provides great resources that showcase the accomplishments and experiences of African Americans. 

History Channel: Black History Month 

Origins of Black History Month

The story of Black History Month begins in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slaveryin the United States. That September, the Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the prominent minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by black Americans and other peoples of African descent. 

Known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), the group sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays ofAbraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event inspired schools and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations, establish history clubs and host performances and lectures.

In the decades the followed, mayors of cities across the country began issuing yearly proclamations recognizing Negro History Week. By the late 1960s, thanks in part to the Civil Rights Movement and a growing awareness of black identity, Negro History Week had evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses. PresidentGerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."

Since then, every American president has designated February as Black History Month and endorsed a specific theme. The 2013 theme, At the Crossroads of Freedom and Equality: The Emancipation Proclamation and theMarch on Washington, marks the 150th and 50th anniversaries of two pivotal events in African-American history.

Well Done!

Chinese Spring Festival a great success

Kudos to the students in the Mandarin I class for coordinating and presenting an amazing Chinese Spring Festival. Over 130 people attended the Jan. 29 event, which featured work by the Mandarin I students, games, music and food. Special thanks to Ms. Yan and Ms. Olson for bringing this great cultural event to fruition and empowering the students. And a tremendous thank you to Food Service Director Martha Lawless and CHS cafeteria coordinator for Donna Scott for the tremendous food. 

February LUNCH MENU

February Gluten-Free Menu

Canton High School February 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, Feb. 10

• Day 7
• CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.
• The Yellow Dress for Grades 11 and 12
• Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, Feb. 11

• Day 1
• CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m
• Afterschool Academic Center in the CHS Library, 2-3:30 p.m. 

WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12

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

THURSDAY, feb. 13

• Day 3
• CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m.

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

FRIDAY, Feb. 14

• Day 4
• CHS breakfast, 6:45-7:10 a.m

Have a great February vacation!

SAVE THE DATE

Feb. 24 -- Monthly Parent Meeting, 6 p.m. in the CHS Library
Feb. 26. -- CPACSS Workshop, 7 p.m.
Feb. 26 -- School Committee Meeting, 7 p.m.
March 14-15 -- CHS Drama presents Our Town
March 19 -- Parent Meeting to review scheduling and the Program of Studies

CANTON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS BLOG

Check out the recent posts about the great accomplishments of our winter teams and student-athletes. 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 @CantonAthletics for Canton Athletic Department updates
Follow @CantonHSnews for Canton High School news and updates

Follow @CHSDogPound for Canton Superfan action

Follow @CHSbulldogTRACK for Indoor Track info

Follow @Canton_Bulldogs for Canton girls basketball info


Follow @CantonGolf for Canton golf team info

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

3D Design and Build

A bridge to 21st Century skill development

So what are the critical elements for 21st Century learning and and key skills for today's college experience and workforce? More than ever, there is an emphasis and a need for research, design, creation, critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration.

All of these are on display in the 3D Design and Build class, taught by Mr. Pantos. (This is a new class that aligns with the STEAM initiative in the district.) The students spent the semester analyzing how parts and mechanisms interact and experimenting with design and function. It was a daily exercise in thinking, innovation and creativity. 

While working in teams, the students designed, manufactured and created these bridges. Kudos to Mr. Pantos and his students.

The Yellow Dress

CHS seniors and juniors set for a powerful presentation 

On Monday, February 10, Canton High School will host the The Yellow Dress, a renowned dating violence prevention play. The production was developed and produced by Deana’s Educational Theater, a non-profit organization that uses theater and interactive trainings to teach audiences of all ages about dating violence, harassment and respect. All Grade 11 and Grade 12 students will view the play in the CHS Auditorium.

The following paragraph is Deana’s Educational Theater’s description of The Yellow Dress.

The Yellow Dress is a powerful one-woman play that stimulates a thought-provoking discussion about relationships. The actress portrays the progression of an abusive relationship, starting with young love and ending in tragedy. The program consists of a 30-minute performance and a 30-minute interactive discussion with our actors. The play will help students recognize the different types of dating violence, how to identify the early warning signs, and where to seek help if they or a friend are involved in a violent relationship. The Yellow Dress program is produced and directed by Deana’s Educational Theater, a non-profit organization based in Wakefield, MA that is dedicated to promoting healthy relationships. Deana’s Educational Theater, formerly known as Deana’s Fund, was established in 1994 after the death of Deana Brisbois, a young woman from Topsfield, MA who was a victim of dating violence. The organization provides theater & arts-based educational programs to schools and communities all over the world.

I highly encourage all parents and students to visit the Deana’s Educational Theater website www.deanaseducationaltheater.org to learn more about the play and the organization. This programming, much like Rachel’s Challenge and the Chris Herren presentation, is aimed at enhancing a student’s social growth and fostering responsible and respectful relationships -- one of the CHS core values.

Since the topic may be emotional and spark many feelings, we have made arrangements for our guidance, counseling and wellness staff members to help facilitate and support the discussion. 

I would like to thank Nurse Leader Janet Donnelly, K-12 Wellness Coordinator Katey Swanson, Assistant Principal Henry McDeed, and Dean of Students Jim Goff for coordinating this event. In particular, I would like to thank CAPE for awarding the grant that brought The Yellow Dress to CHS.

As a staff, we believe the The Yellow Dress will have a powerful and positive impact on our students. However, if you do not want your child to participate in this program, please notify Principal Derek Folan at foland@cantonma.org by Friday, February 9, 2014. 

The Sweet Sounds of Jazz

The CHS Jazz Night hits all the right tunes

The Canton Performing Arts Department put on another amazing display of jazz and singing at the annual Jazz Night last week. Once again, Mr. Thomas, Mr. Whidden, parents and students transformed the cafeteria into a Jazz Club, filled with terrific food, great music and good company. Special kudos to the A Capella group for their version of Lorde's Royals -- tremendous.

Thank you to Paul Burega for the the following photos!