CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MCAS English Retest........................................................November 6,7,8, 2007

Veteran’s Day........................................................................November 12, 2007

MCAS Math Retest...........................................................November 14,15, 2007

Thanksgiving Vacation.....................................................November 21-23, 2007

Fall Sports Banquet...............................................................November 25, 2007

Professional Development.......................................................December 7, 2007

*******************************************

ASBESTOS NOTIFICATION

This notification is required by the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERN, 40 CFR Part 763 of the Toxic Substance Control Act).   An asbestos plan has been developed for each of the Chicopee Public School buildings.  This plan is available and accessible to the public at the Chicopee Academy Building, Maintenance Department, 650 Front Street, Chicopee, MA.  To view this plan please call Ron Simard at 414-594-3417 to make an appointment.

*******************************************

CCHS RENAISSANCE “GOOD SAMARITAN” PROGRAM

Chicopee Comprehensive High School is launching a Good Samaritan program to recognize students for doing “good deeds”.  These “Good Samaritan” deeds may include, but are not limited to the following:

·          Returning lost items

·          Picking up Trash

·          Improving Behavior

·          Helping Classmates or Staff

Faculty, staff and administrators who personally witness a “good deed” will issue that student a “Good Samaritan Card”.  The student will fill the card out with his/her name, the “good deed” and the person who issued card.  The student will then put their “good deed” card in a special box to become eligible for a drawing that will take place once a week.  Each week the winner will receive a prize donated by a local business.  They will also enjoy a luncheon with Mr. Kozikowski.  The purpose of the Renaissance Club is to promote and reward students who show academic, character and citizenship achievements. 

*******************************************

IMPORTANT REMINDERS FROM GUIDANCE!!

JUNIORS: Start researching colleges by searching web sites and attending college fairs.

SENIORS: Pay attention to college admission deadlines.  Colleges review first term grades – don’t let them slide! 

JUNIORS & SENIORS: CCHS will be offering the ASVAB on December 5^th for juniors and seniors that are interested.  As always, the ASVAB is free and our school will not be releasing the test results to recruiters.  The ASVAB Career Exploration Program is designed to help students learn more about themselves and the world of work, identify and explore potentially satisfying occupations, and develop an effective strategy to realize their goals.  Research has shown that students who participate in the ASVAB Program experience less career indecision, enjoy greater confidence in making career decisions, and consider more thoughtfully their options than do students who do not participate in the ASVAB Program.  If you’re interested in taking the ASVAB, sign up in Guidance by November 30^th.

FRESHMEN & SOPHOMORES:  We didn’t forget about you!  It’s not too early to start planning for your future.  Be sure to ask your counselor for tips to improve your grades, information on career exploration, and college information.  Be sure to use your agenda books and get involved!

*******************************************

FOOTBALL PLAYERS READ TO DONAHUE SCHOOL STUDENTS

Comp Colt Football Captains recently volunteered at Maurice Donahue Elementary School in Holyoke to read to the students to help launch their 25 Books Campaign.  The young men participated in the program at the request of Luz Perez, principal.  They were given a recognition awards for their participation.  The students involved were Aaron Beaulieu, Dionisio Perez, Atoa Ripley.  Congratulations on your award and for making a difference in the lives of young students.

*******************************************

Used ink and toner cartridges are being collected by CCHS-SkillsUSA.  Your child can drop off your used cartridges in either the Main Office or the CTE office.  Members from SkillsUSA will properly recycle these cartridges.  Please help the environment and our club. 

IMMUNIZATION CLINICS

The Chicopee Health Department will offer the following immunizations free of charge to Chicopee residents:

·          TD Tetanus Diphtheria

·          MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella)

·          Hepatitis B

The Health Department does not carry Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine due to the need to be kept frozen.  Lead tests will be done by appointment only.  The Health Department will continue their regular 8:00 to 10:00 am clinics on the first Wednesday of the month for the month of November.  The rest of the school year parents can call to schedule the above offered immunizations or be given referral advice.  No clinics will be held in July, August or September.  A parent or legal guardian must be present and bring the immunization record and forms for immunization requested from the school.  If you have any questions, please call the Health Dept at 594-2660.

WHAT IS CAREER CRUISING

Career Cruising is an Internet-based career exploration and planning tool that will be used by all of our students to explore career and college options and develop a career plan.  Career Cruising can be accessed from school, home or wherever the student has access to the internet. 

Mrs. Lafleur will be training all students this year in the Career Assessment Center and the School counseling staff (Guidance) will use this information individually with students.  Parents and Staff can access the information on-line by contacting Mrs. Lafleur at mlafleur@chicopee.k12.ma.us   Features of the program include:

Internet and Skills Assessment-a world-renowned career assessment tool to help people identify suitable career options based on their interests and skills.

Career Profiles-thorough and up-to-date information about hundreds of different occupations, including direct links between careers and related college programs.

Multimedia Interviews-interviews with real people in each occupation, which add depth and realism to career profiles.

College and Financial Aid Information-comprehensive college and financial aid information, with a number of useful search tools that help students find the right career plans from wherever they access Career Cruising.

Resume Builder-integrated with the portfolio to help students format and print professional-looking resumes quickly and easily.

*******************************************

iPARENT IS NOW AVAILABLE

At this time Chicopee Comprehensive High School is beginning a Chicopee School District pilot program for iParent.  iParent is a component of our web based SIS (Student Information System) that will provide parents access to the following student data.

The iParent offering provides a collection of views designed to give you quick on-line access to your child’s current status.  You can apply for access by logging on to chicopee.mec.edu/iParent/assess.htm.  Please call your school if you have questions.

*******************************************

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION CEREMONY

The National Honor Society will hold its Induction Ceremony on Monday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. This important event recognizes the new members of the Society on their academic achievements, leadership, community service, and character. The students being inducted on this date are: Hillary Arvanitis, Molly Barone, Zachary Bono, Jessica Brown, Andrew Crafts, Jacqueline Desmarais, Kimberly Dout, Kellie Dwyer, Lindsay Forrette, Olivia Galecki, Caitlyn Goda, Cassandra Herd, Bethany Heroux, Ariel Idica, Anastasia Kalenichenko, Michael Lemme, Sharrie Lopez, Brittany Muldoon, Krista Pickett, Matthew Pierog, Daniel Roberge, Jeffrey Rodowicz, Jack Senecal, Lauren Tauer, Zachary Wagner, and Michael White.

*******************************************

PARENTS, DO YOU HAVE A CHILD STRUGGLING WITH MATH?

If so, then you can have your child assessed for weaknesses and placed in an individualized program to strengthen those math skills.  You can follow their progress throughout high school and better prepare them for careers or college.  The voluntary, non-credit program requires additional studying outside of the student’s normal class schedule but has been proven beneficial.  Currently, all ninth grade students have already been tested and results are available through the student’s guidance counselor.  For more details or to sign up, have your child contact their guidance counselor or Mr. Frank Szydlo, the math department supervisor.

*******************************************

MRSA ALERT

Chicopee Comprehensive High School would like to bring to the attention of parents  that we are actively encouraging students and staff to help prevent the possible spreading of the MRSA infection.  MRSA (Staphylococcus aureus) are bacteria commonly carried on the skin or in the nose of healthy people.  MRSA is a kind of staph that is resistant to some kinds of antibiotics.  Staph including MRSA., are spread by direct skin-to-skin contact, such as shaking hands, wrestling, or other direct contact with the skin of another person.  Staph is also spread by contact with items that have been touched by people with staph, like towels shared after bathing and drying off, or shared athletic equipment in the gym or on the field. Parents are encouraged to remind their students to 

·          Shower immediately after contact sports.

·          Keep hands clean by washing frequently.

·          Keep cuts and scratches covered till healed/avoid contact  with others wounds

·          Do not share personal items with others, i.e., towels, deodorant, ointments, etc.

·          Wash uniforms in hottest possible water and dry at hottest settings.

·          Avoid whirlpools or common hot tubs, especially when having an open wound, scrapes or scratches.

·          Inform their coach/athletic trainer or school nurse if they think they have a skin infection.

For more information about MRSA, visit MDPH website at www.mass.gov/dph or call 1-617-983-6800 or your local health department.