CANTON HIGH SCHOOL: IMPORTANT INFO

MEETINGS, COURSE SELECTION, TERM DATES AND MORE

Dear Parents/Guardians and Students,

Good morning and happy February vacation! I hope your families enjoy a restful week and recharge for an important stretch in the school year.

Please take a moment to review the important information below.

MONTHLY PARENT MEETING:

The next Monthly Parent Meeting will be Monday, Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. in the CHS Library. (Please note the 7 p.m. start time.) We will discuss course selection, the school budget, class sizes and the proposed start time plan. All are welcome.

TERM DATES:

Due to the snow days, I am shifting Term 3 by 5 days. (This is consistent with the Galvin Middle School.)

Here are the new dates:

Term 3 halfway point: Friday, March 6

Term 3 ends: Thursday, April 9

Term 4 begins on Friday, April 10*

Senior Externships will start on Friday, April 10.

(Term 4 halfway point will adjusted accordingly.)

The end dates for seniors will not change.

Report card and progress report posting dates will be forthcoming.

COURSE SELECTION:

SAVE the DATE: Canton High School will be hosting a Course Selection Parent Presentation on Monday, March 16.

The parent presentation for parents/guardians of 8th graders will begin at 6 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium. The presentation for parents/guardians of 9th, 10th and 11th graders will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium.

The March 16 presentation will be a comprehensive review of our course offerings, elective opportunities, level choices, graduation requirements and the overall selection process. We are committed to taking steps to ensure you have the information to make "informed decisions" about courses for next year.

After March 12, you will receive a letter with even more information about course selection and a digital copy of the CHS Program of Studies. I hope you can attend on Monday, March 16.

Students will select their courses on Wednesday, March 18

DISTRACTOLOGY:

Distractology will be returning to Canton High School during the second week of March. Distractology is a program designed to alert student drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. 

There will be an assembly for juniors and seniors at 9:15 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 26 to review Distractology with the Canton Police Department and our Wellness Department.

THE MIRACLE WORKER

CHS Drama will be presenting The Miracle Worker on Friday, March 13 and Saturday, March 14. Both shows start at 7 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the door: $10 for adults and $8 for students, seniors and staff. Come enjoy the show and support CHS Drama.

MCAS

Attention 10th grade students: The ELA MCAS dates are March 24, 25, 26.

The JUNIOR PROM will be held on Friday, March 27. 

Have a fantastic week.

Canton High School
2-Hour Delay Schedule
for Wednesday, February 11

Student parking and drop off:

Due to the high volume of snow, student parking and drop off will require some alternative plans and expectations.

1. Safety is the top priority. Please be very cautious and drive slowly.

2. If you are dropping off your son or daughter, please do so by entering the Washington Street entrance. Please drop off in the main loop only. You will then be directed to exit on Washington Street as well. 

3. The road near the Legion will be blocked.

4. Student drivers: please enter campus via Reynolds Street and park in the lower lot. (Seniors, you still have access to the upper lot spots). Students will be directed to park in either the lower lot or the parking lot near the Veterans' Memorial field. 

5. Students are NOT allowed to park in the staff lot or the Rodman lot.

6. Everything will take a little longer, so please plan accordingly.

7. Keep smiling. It is good to be back at school.

Day 4

1^st period (D) 9:20-9:52

2^nd period (A) 9:56-10:28

3^rd period (B) 10:32-11:55


               1^st Lunch 10:32-10:57
               2^nd Lunch 11:02-11:22
               3^rd Lunch 11:28-11:55


4^th period (G) 11:59-12:31

5^th period (E) 12:35-1:07

6^th period (F) 1:12-1:44

Wednesday, Feb. 4 -- FULL Day -- Day 6

Periods: C5, D5, A5, B5, F6, G5

A reminder to all students participating in athletics, clubs and activities and/or attending school-sponsored events: you are required to be in school for the final five (5) periods to be eligible. (No dismissals.)

A Message from Superintendent Jeff Granatino

Good afternoon.  Due the excessive number of snow days we have had over the last seven school days, tomorrow’s scheduled early release for Professional Development (PD) is going to be changed to a FULL DAY of school (no PD).   All Canton Public Schools will be open on Wednesday, February 4th for a typical full day.  The PD early release will be rescheduled for later in the school year and you will be given sufficient notice.

With 4.5 out of the last 7 school days lost to snow days or late starts (with more bad weather predicted), the students and their teachers have had to endure disjointed learning time.  Another half day of school will only add to the lack of continuity in the classroom.  While this may entail some changing of schedules, we feel the move is in the best interest of our students and will allow for more meaningful learning time in the classroom.

If you have a situation where you had something scheduled for your child based on the early release hours, please feel free to communicate that with your building principal.

Again, Wednesday, February 4th will be a full day of school for the Canton Public Schools.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey W. Granatino

THIS WEEK AT CHS (Feb. 2-6)

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Term 2 Report Cards

Term 2 report cards will be emailed home on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m. (The date and time is subject to change due to weather-related events)

A quick reminder

Wednesday, Feb. 4 is a 1/2 Day Professional Development Day

Edline

Additionally, please be sure to check Edline on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Teachers will be posting grade reports that provide a detailed account of assessments (test, quizzes, projects, homework, etc) used to determine the Term 2 grade. This detailed information is important to review with your son/daughter, and it serves as key feedback for areas of growth moving into Term 3. For example, learning demonstrated on tests may be solid, but homework and quizzes may need improvement. It's great information for a discussion with your son/daughter.

At minimum, teachers are required to post Edline grade reports at progress report time and at the end of the term. Many teachers post much more than those times. Checking Edline is a critical means of communication between school and home, and it helps you stay on top of your son or daughter's progress.

If you need help with Edline or need to sign up for Edline, please contact Doreen Shea at shead@cantonma.org

Monthly Parent meeting

The next monthly parent meeting is Monday, Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. in the CHS Library. Topics will include the Program of Studies, course selection, the CHS learning expectations/core values and the Handbook.

Parking and Drop Off

Snow is fantastic, but it does present some problems for driving on campus and parking. I applauded the student drivers this week for driving slowly and safely, and for cooperating with our parking expectations.

As the Canton DPW and Canton Public School Maintenance staff work to clear spaces and remove snow from the upper and lower lots, I have stated the following expectations to students:

1. Please drive slowly and safely. The snowbanks are tough to see around, the roads are slick and narrow, and many walkers are nearby.

2. Park in a spot. Creative parking presents issues for everybody, especially when school is dismissed.

3. Students MAY park in the lot near the Veterans' Memorial Turf field -- to make up for the snow-covered spots in lower lot.

4. Students MAY NOT park in the Staff Lot or the Rodman Lot.

5. Be respectful of our neighbors on Reynolds Street and Washington Street.

6. Only students with a parking sticker may park in the school lots. (Currently, all spots are taken.)

Afterschool Academic Center

The Afterschool Academic Center in the library is still up and running. The library is open from 1:44 to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and there are two teachers available for tutoring in the library. It's a great opportunity for extra help. Here is the schedule.

Mondays           Mr. Dybdal (Math)

                         Ms. Busa (Spanish)

Tuesdays           Ms. Hayes (Special Ed.)                        

                         Ms. Rousseau (Science)

Wednesdays      Ms. Iacobucci (English)

                         Mr. Murphy (English)

Thursdays           Ms. Aspell (Math
                            Mr. Pfiefer (Special Ed./History)

If students want to access the library for technology or a structured environment, that's fine as well. Let's work extremely hard during Term 3 and Term 4.

Late Bus

The Late Bus is available on Mondays and Thursdays. Students taking the late bus must report to the Rodman loop by 3:20 p.m. The Late Bus pick up is 3:25 p.m.

Student Morning Drop Off

Please use the main loop to drop off the students. You may also use the Rodman loop after 7:10 a.m. for drop off. 

For safety reasons and considering the snow banks, please DO NOT drop off in the following areas 

1. The area between B and C building.

2. The staff and visiting parking lot.

3. The Rodman loop prior to 7:10 a.m. -- as it used by the buses

Thank you!

Canton High School February Breakfast Menu

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

Canton High School February Lunch Menu

Thank you!!

A big thank you to the Canton DPW, Canton Public Schools Maintenance Crew and the building custodians for their terrific work this week -- sanding, shoveling, snowblowing and plowing the snow. CHS was in excellent shape on Thursday, and their countless hours of work allowed us to get back to school. It is much appreciated.

Thank you to the Canton Police Department for helping us monitor traffic on Reynolds and Washington street as we returned to school on Thursday. It was a major help and it allowed everyone to get to school safely. The CPD is always willing to help the schools, and it is appreciated.

Thank you to Chief Doody and the Canton Fire Department for turning our gymnasium into a emergency shelter / "warming center" on Tuesday afternoon. Chief Doody and many volunteers from the community (including police and fire personnel) needed only a 1/2 hour to get everything set up. Thankfully, it was not needed, but this resource and collaboration was very impressive. Very symbolic of Canton's community spirit and pride. Nice job CFD.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Kudos to the many CHS athletes who competed this weekend at the Hockomock Championships in swimming, indoor track and wrestling. These events are a culmination of a season's worth of hard work and a competitive environment that is exceptional. Check twitter @CantonAthletics and the Canton Athletics Blog for a full recap.

Congratulations of the CHS Mock Trial Team for its big win over Medfield on Thursday, Jan. 29. Under the direction of Advisor Donna Creed Bauman, the Bulldogs are heading into their next competitions (2/2 and 2/9) with a ton of confidence.

Bravo to the CHS Math Team for its continued dominance. The Bulldogs, under the guidance of Math teachers Marty Badoian, Jess Duggan and Paul Dybdahl, are have established a first place standing in both of their leagues.

On Tuesday, Feb. 3, many of these students will be participating in the American Mathematics Competition, a 25-question, 75-minute exam in secondary school mathematics. High scores on the AMC can qualify the participant for the American Invitational Mathematics Examination (top 5%).

2016 Italy trip

Spaces are filling up for the February 2016 trip to Italy.  Due to the recent snow days, the deadline for submitting registrations at the current lowest price has been extended through next week.  Information and registration materials can be found here: http://www.edline.net/pages/CantonHighSchool/Students/Italy_2016

Space is limited to 30 students. 

For more information, contact Mrs. Swanson, Room 139, swansonk@cantonma.org

CALENDAR AND EVENTS

MCAS Science RETESTS - Tuesday and Thursday

The MCAS science retests will be administered on Tuesday, Feb. 3 and Thursday, Feb. 4. Good luck to those students are taking the exams.

Wednesday, Feb. 4 -- 1/2 Day Professional Development Day. Students are dismissed at 10:30. Students: Feb. 4 is Day 6, Periods -- CDFG

Thursday, Feb. 5 -- School Committee, 7 p.m. in the Distance Learning Lab

Wednesday, Feb. 11

CPACSS meeting, 7-9 p.m. in the CHS Library

Transition Planning for Middle School and High School Students

Massachusetts law requires Transition planning to begin at age 14. Coordinated transition preparation promotes better post school outcomes for students with disabilities. This workshop addresses the development of self-advocacy and self-determination skills to support a student’s vision, how Transition Assessments identify students’ strengths, and how the Transition Planning Form guides planning for meaningful opportunities in education, training, employment and independent living.  

CPACSS team member Tracie Pustizzi sent this notice as well:

I wanted to reach out and get a count of how many families would like to take part in the IEP Clinic...Experienced advocates will come look over your child's IEP with you FREE of charge.   These advocates are from the Federation for Children with Special Needs.  I am working out the details now and want to get as many advocates as we need scheduled for that night... which is planned for March 11th 5-8 time frame.  You would be allotted one hour slots... Please respond back as soon as possible if you want to take part in this opportunity.

The CPACSS email is cpacss@gmail.com