Weekly Cougar News
ConVal High School Happenings - December 9, 2022
Message from Principal McKillop
Good Afternoon, Cougar Nation!
I hope this email finds you well. I was grateful to partake in my first lantern parade last weekend where I was able to connect with some students and families. I want to thank members of the Children and the Arts Festival who helped make the event possible.
As we near the holiday break, our pace remains steadfast with learning opportunities in and outside the classroom. As seen in the contents below, we have students achieving, performing, participating, creating, and contributing in numerous ways and in various capacities. Our community has much to celebrate when reflecting on all of the positive things our students are a part of.
At the School Board meeting last Tuesday, it was announced that there will be no school for teachers and students on Friday, December 23rd. Please be sure to mark your calendars and be aware that our holiday break will start a day earlier than anticipated.
I look forward to popping into the wresting invitational on campus tomorrow, and hopefully will make it to Francestown on Sunday to support our select choir in their free concert with the Renaissance Men.
Have a wonderful weekend, and GO COUGARS!
Best,
Heather
Table of Contents
Upcoming Dates and Events
FCVA Seeks Volunteers
December 11 Concert with Select Choir
Classroom Snapshots
ConVal Career & Technical Education
School Counseling News
Athletic, Co-Curricular and Club Updates
Snowball Winter Formal
Clothes Donations Wanted
Nurses Newsletter
Crisis Text Line Information
Class of 2026 Snowball Dance Souvenirs
Help Wanted
Upcoming Important Dates and Events
- December 10: Wrestling Tournament at ConVal
- December 11: ConVal Select Choir/Renaissance Men Concert, Francestown
- December 20: Evening Winter Concert
- December 25 - January 2, 2023: Holiday Recess
- January 7, 2023: NHMEA Chamber Fest
- January 14, 2023: MVMF Festival (Band & Chorus)
FCVA Seeks Volunteers for December 10 and Future Dates
If you are interested in helping and promoting ConVal Athletics, volunteering with the Friends of ConVal Athletics (FCVA) is a great opportunity to make a lasting contribution. With the changeover from fall to winter sports, FCVA is looking for volunteers.
There is an immediate need for this Saturday, December 10. According to FCVA Volunteer Chair Jen Bergeron: "Specifically, we are in need of volunteers for Saturday's all-day Wrestling Tournament. We're looking for people to work the stand for however long they can, and for others who can donate crock pots or other food items."
To volunteer, please follow this SignUp Genius link. Prior volunteering experience is not required, and you can choose which winter sports team to support.
"Volunteers can earn money for any FCVA team they choose, for every hour or food item," Bergeron continued. "All those who volunteered and contributed in the fall season earned $28 per hour/item for the team of their choice. We also gladly accept food and money donations!"
Friends of ConVal Athletics fosters a spirit of cooperation and support among ConVal Athletes and the broader community. For more details, please visit the FCVA Facebook page or contact Jen Bergeron at fcvavolunteer@gmail.com with any questions you may have.
Select Choir to Perform in Free Francestown Concert December 11
On Sunday, December 11, members of the ConVal Select Choir will enjoy a unique performance opportunity — they will sing with the Renaissance Men in the Francestown Meetinghouse in a free concert, starting at 4:00 pm.
The Renaissance Men group, whose name is often shortened to RenMen, is a professional vocal ensemble based in Boston that performs in venues and concert halls in New England and across the United States. Their programs feature a wide variety of musical styles and instrumentation with a focus on lower voices: tenor, baritone, and bass.
The program will include the following song selections: "The Great Clear Twilight" (Austin Schend), "All Through the Night" (arr. William Averitt), "All is Quiet" (Josh Sparkman), "October Sun" (Daniel Elder), and "Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day" (arr. Paul Langford, originally performed by Celine Dion).
The free concert in Francestown will be the last stop before the RenMen take their program “A Very RenMen Christmas” to the Old North Church in Marblehead on December 12 and to WGBH Music’s Holiday Presentation in Boston on December 15.
Classroom Snapshots!
Mrs. Croteau's Physical Science Class
Students in Mrs. Croteau's Physical Science class are calculating speed. The students walk along a previously measured 5 meter and 10 meter course.
Each student was required to walk these distances while being timed by their peers. Students then divided that distance by the measured time to calculate each student's speed.
Mr. Winslow's Pre-Algebra Class
He and the instructional coach, Mike Stevens, are co-teaching the class. Mr. Winslow is using one of the high-yield instructional practices that the math department has implemented.
Achievements In World Language Poetry Recitation
A World Language Poetry Recitation Contest was held in German and Spanish classes at ConVal High School on Wednesday, December 7. Kudos to all the students who memorized and recited poems in their chosen foreign language. Special congratulations go to the students who won awards in their respective language class levels and sections:
German 1
- 1st place: Riley Heider, Kaelyn Samuelson
- 2nd place: Ivy Armstrong-McEvoy, Liam Armstrong
- 3rd place: Lydia Brening, Addie Regis
German 2
- 1st place: Aric Evans, Breanna Myers, Ryan Whitney
- 2nd place: Liam Lambert, Kai Reitnauer, Emily Vanderpool
- 3rd place: Broden Frosch, Lucy Jackson, Sam Moritz
German 4
- 1st place: Eva McCullough
- 2nd place: Laramie Wilson
- 3rd place: Jen Hopkins
Spanish 1
- 1st place: Gavin Niemela, Taylor Ouellette
- 2nd place: Hadley Bates, Braiden Boice
- 3rd place: Leigha Psiras, Kalyn Ross
Spanish 2
- 1st place: Alec Rogers
- 2nd place: Luci McLay
- 3rd place: Amanda Bergeron
ConVal Career & Technical Education
To access the information about the CTE programs at the Region 14 Applied Technology Center, please click this link.
Nicole Davison Student of the Month!
Congratulations to senior Nicole Davison, who was selected by the Region 14 ATC faculty as its November CTE Student of the Month. Nicole was nominated by her Digital Photo & Video teacher for demonstrating superior professional skills as well as skills in her content area. Nicole has won a $150 prize, courtesy of the Peterborough Kiwanis Society, as well as other honors.
Congratulations to the following Manufacturing I students who earned their OSHA 10 certification; this industry recognized credential can be added to their resumes to make them more attractive to potential employers: Eric Bergeron, Aiden Brissette, Roman Cadwallader, Eben Charlonne, Kast Chek, Mason Derosier, Landen Dube, Aric Evans, Troy Fedison, Seth Fowler, Jackson Henley, Mackenzie Noke, Henry Paradise, Eli Sawyer, Dylan Seavey, Colton Short, Hunter Wheaton, and Brooke Whitcomb.
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Vocational Scholarship
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Vocational Scholarship provides an opportunity for American high school graduating seniors to spend the year after graduation in Germany.
This opportunity offers students a chance to pursue vocational interests, such as:
• Architecture • Culinary Arts
• Education • Engineering
• Veterinary Science • Graphic Design
• Information Technology • Health Care
• International Business • Forestry
Is CBYX For You?
CBYX is ideal for U.S. high school graduates who have demonstrated maturity, responsibility, and who can be entrusted to fulfill their roles as exchange students without day-to-day supervision. This program offers graduating high school seniors the opportunity to spend their 13th year abroad living with a German host family, participating in a training or school program, and gaining work experience through internships with German companies. Interested in learning more or applying? Go to https://www.nacelopendoor.org/cbyx.
ConVal High School Counseling
- Electronic appointment requests
Suicide Prevention Lessons
- SAT Prep Information
- Upcoming Express Admission Dates
- Upward Bound Information
- FAFSA Application Guidance
- Alumni Panel Announcement, etc.
For more details, click here: December 2022 School Counseling Newsletter.
Athletic and Co-Curricular Updates
Upcoming in Athletics and Co-Curriculars:
Big News: ConVal Wrestling had their first two matches of the season Wednesday night where the Cougars defeated both Lebanon and Pelham.
December 9th: The ConVal Swim Team has its first meet of the season tonight at Colby Sawyer starting at 6pm.
December 10th: Early Bird Wrestling Tournament is an all-day event starting at 9:30 am. Concessions will be sold throughout the day. Come check out a full day of competitive wrestling in the Cave.
December 13th: ConVal will host a triple header Boys Basketball Game vs the Milford Spartans. Reserve team will play at 3:30. JV will follow at 5:00. Varsity will begin at 6:30.
December 20th: The ConVal Music Department will be performing their annual Winter Concert in the ConVal Gym.
CARE Youth Leadership Conference
On Thursday, students for the Student Leadership Team traveled to New England College to participate in the CARE youth leadership conference put on by SWOCO (Students Working On Community Outreach), a student leadership group from Kearsarge Regional High School. The conference included numerous high schools from around southern New Hampshire and was organized and run by the students. At the conference, students were broken up into smaller focus groups where they discussed what leadership looks like in their various schools. The ConVal Student Leadership Team would like to thank the students of SWOCO for providing this opportunity.
Snow Ball Winter Formal
Wanted:
Donations of new or gently used (no stains, please) men's formal wear (shirts, pants, and ties).
Donations may be dropped off at the main office to the attention of Jennifer Kiley.
Class of 2026 Snowball Dance Souvenirs!
The Class of 2026 will be selling souvenirs for the Snowball Dance, made in partnership with the CTE program. Wooden picture frames are being sold for $5 and wooden ornaments are being sold for $3. Items will be on sale during the dance and the following week at school during lunches.
Looking for Substitutes, Paraprofessionals
The ConVal School District is looking for substitute teachers and paraprofessionals.
The qualifications for employment as a substitute teacher or paraprofessional are as follows:
- Teaching experience not required
- Ability to work well with children and adults
- High school diploma or GED required
- At least 21 years of age
An appropriate certification or permission is required for long-term sub assignments.
To apply, please follow this link to the District’s online application system.
School Bus Drivers Needed
If you are looking to earn extra money while spending time with your children, including having the same days off as they do, then this is the perfect job for you.
- Be part of your community — drive a school bus!
- Company training with out certified instructors
- Great pay rate! We pay while you train, 6-8 weeks average
- Sign-on bonus available of $1,500 for qualified applicants
- Part-time hours
- Same vacation days off as ConVal schools
- Bring your kids to work, save on childcare expenses
Please contact Amy Wing by calling (603) 924-9211 or at awing@ridesta.com to request an application.
Student Transportation of America
364 Hancock Road
Peterborough, NH 03458
ConVal Regional High School
Location: 184 Hancock Road, Peterborough, NH 03458 (map)
Phone: (603) 924-3869
Email: conval.highschool@conval.edu
Website: cvhs.convalsd.net