Weekly Update 12/16
Dear NCHS Family,
On Thursday, December 22 from 2:30-3:00 pm, New Canaan High School will host a memorial service to dedicate a bench in honor of Kelly Devine, an English teacher and reading specialist at NCHS who passed away in April, 2016. The bench, which is located at the front of the school by the newly planted gardens, is a generous gift from the PFA. A short dedication ceremony will take place outside by the memorial bench to be followed by refreshments in the school lobby. Students, parents, and alumni are all welcome.
Vaping
In the last several weeks we have seen a rise in the number of incidents of students “vaping” in school. We are always concerned for the well being of our students and want them to make good choices. It is important to know that any student caught vaping will be suspended from school for a period of 5 school days. Please see the message below from our school nurses and have a conversation with your child about vaping and its dangers.
From Janet Reed, Head School Nurse:
The nurses are concerned about the increasing popularity of e-cigarettes by young people. In addition to significant health risks, the e-cigarettes are in violation of school rules and NCPS Board of Education policy. Use of e-cigarettes at school will result in school suspension.
The e-cigarettes consist of 3 components -
There is a cartridge which holds a liquid solution containing varying amounts of nicotine, flavorings and chemicals. There is also a heating device which vaporizes the liquid and a battery which is the power source. The vaping term comes from inhaling the aerosol or vapor.
Although e-cigarettes are marketed as a safer alternative than traditional cigarettes there are significant dangers.
- Nicotine is a highly addictive substance which has systemic effects including damage to the lining of one’s blood vessels. This damage to the intima of the blood vessels may result in heart attack or stroke over time. The refillable cartridges may expose the user to toxic levels of nicotine. Research indicates that nicotine exposure primes the brain for addiction to other substances.
2. Testing of the vapor has revealed cancer causing toxic chemicals including
formaldehyde and acetaldehyde which are poisonous.
For more information see the National Institute on Drug Abuse or www.fda.gov/tobaccoproducts
Feel free to stop by the nurses office with any questions.
Holiday Sweater Day!
On Friday, December 23 the Student Coalition will once again be sponsoring a holiday sweater contest. We encourage all students and staff to wear their brightest, most awesome holiday sweater/vest/jacket. Judging will take place during the school day, and small prizes will be given to the top 3 students and staff members.
Pictures from around NCHS:
Upcoming Events:
12/19 BOE Meeting 7:00 pm Wagner Room
12/20 Band Concert 7:00 pm, NCHS Auditorium
12/22 Graduates & Senior/Junior Breakfast (seniors 9:15 a.m, juniors 10:15 a.m.) Wagner Rm
12/22 PFA Alumni Brunch 8:23 am
12/23 Half day, early dismissal 11:30 am
12/26 Holiday Break, school resumes 1/3/17
Wishing you all the best,
Bill Egan
Department News:
VPA News:
The New Canaan High School Band will host the 17th Annual New Canaan High School Band Festival on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:00 P.M. in the Auditorium. They will be joined the Jazz Ensemble, Woodwind Trio, and Saxe 8th Grade Band. Selections will include Alchemy, A Christmas Fantasia, and the Polar Express Medley. Please come support them on Tuesday night and join them in the cafeteria for a reception following the concert.
Social Studies Department News:
During the week after Thanksgiving, the Social Studies Department administered a writing benchmark with the help and guidance of the Writing Center to sophomores in their Global History classes. The task was developed by the Writing Center and Social Studies department and is aligned with Language Arts and Social Studies skills that we work on in both subjects, skills that are also reflected on the new SAT. Results of the task are helping teachers and students understand more about their development as writers and historians.
AP European History students demonstrated their understanding of key 18thc. Enlightenment philosophers by simulating a French “salon”, a meeting originally hosted by noble women who wanted to promote discussion about the problems of society. Each student, in costume, took the role of a different contributor: Voltaire, Locke, Adam Smith, and others were also joined by “Enlightened Despots” such as Frederick the Great, Catherine the Great, and Joseph II. The tea party was hosted by French born Aurlie Mautron, who began the discussion with a French introduction. A lively discussion followed, where various points of view attempted to resolve issues such as the best form of government, the value of capitalism, how to treat criminals, and what role women should play in society. Jason Campe and Amy Chu used their skills as cellist and violinist to play classical music in the background. Several students used their culinary skills to bake French pastries, and others used their artistic skills to create name plates with illustrations.
Write for Rights - Amnesty International Club
All members of the NCHS community are still welcome to write letters during lunch to various government officials around the world on behalf of individuals who have been wrongly imprisoned or experienced human rights violations. Over two days, 70 letters were written! They also wrote holiday cards to the prisoners of conscience to express their support during this holiday season. This campaign, Write for Rights, is part of a global effort run by Amnesty International. Students and teachers are still welcome to write letters and can drop them off in room 206 after school on Wednesday the 21st.
Science Department News:
Happy Holidays from the NCHS Science Department!! Our Science classes were busy this week, as teachers are moving quickly towards wrapping up their units of study before the holiday break. With the holidays and midterms approaching, our AP Physics students were very focused on living a balanced life this week. Literally!!! In their lab this week students balanced torques to better understand rotational equilibrium. While this sounds intimidating, everyday applications are numerous. These rotational forces are used every time we open a door or unscrew a bottle of water.
Our Forensic Science class has just wrapped up its second simulated crime of the semester. The class has been studying blood and blood splatter evidence over this week and has been utilizing trigonometry to identify point of origin from blood splatter evidence. Not only can blood spatter marks be used to figure out where a crime occurred,is also helpful in determining the type of weapon that has been used as well as the force of impact.
As part of their study of the Earth's moon, Astronomy students met Wednesday evening to observe the moon through telescope. Although they disappointed that sky conditions did not allow an observation of the Geminid Meteor Showers this time around, they have an opportunity to observe another meteor shower before the end of the semester.
Lastly, we would like to recognize our own Tim Haag who served as a guest astronomer for a program on the moon held at Grace Farms earlier this week.
We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and we look forward to seeing you next year!!
World Language Department News:
Connecticut State Latin Day is April 28, 2017 and already Mr. Harvey’s and Mrs. Corona’s students are getting ready to compete. So far they have volunteers for the display projects and the video contest. More information about Latin Day and all the events can be found here http://classconn.org/
Library update:
