Weekly Cougar News
ConVal High School Happenings - January 29, 2021
Message From Principal McKillop
Congratulations on concluding semester one! Next Monday, February 1 is the official start of our second semester.
February invites a fresh start for all students as we begin the second half of our year. If you are attending in person with the blue cohort on Monday, please report directly to your block 1 class. If you are participating remotely, and are starting a new class, be sure to join your new Google Classroom.
Today I was fortunate to virtually join the Sophomore class during TASC. I was excited to participate in the online trivia about ConVal High School. It was great to see some students and share some laughs.
Last night, we were able to host a virtual parent/guardian night in regards to course selection for parents/guardians of current ConVal students. The session provided an overview of the course selection process and helped provide an understanding of options available to help support decision making. Course selection will be formally rolled out to current 9-11th grade students on February 5. Please see the links below under the School Counseling section to access the presentation slides, audio, and current program of studies.
We created a virtual elective showcase online as an additional piece for students/families to view and explore. Please see the link here that will direct you to short videos that explains many of the elective options that ConVal has to offer...our staff did a terrific job!
Next week is National School Counseling Week. A BIG thank you to the school counselors in our school and in our district for all they do each and every day for our students.
There are many helpful pieces of information below... happy reading!
Have a wonderful weekend,
Heather
Email: conval.highschool@conval.edu
Website: http://cvhs.convalsd.net/
Phone: 603 924-3869
Important Upcoming Dates
February 9 — ASVAB Test Gold Cohort
February 16 — ASVAB Test Blue Cohort
March 15-26 — School vacation
April 13-15 — SATs for 11th Grade (more details as we get closer)
2nd Semester Information
School Counseling Information
National School Counseling Week
February 1-5, 2021, is National School Counseling Week. Our counselors are living this year’s theme, All In For All Students, as we work together to support students through a complicated year. The week, presented by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), highlights the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems and the tremendous impact they have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. Take a moment to thank your local school counselor(s). Follow #NSCW21 on social media, and follow our department on Instagram (@convalcounseling) as we continue to be All In for All Students.
Teen Dating Violence Prevention
February is Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month. The counseling department will be sharing resources throughout the month each week in the newsletter, through social media, and via Google Classroom to emphasis the theme of healthy relationships and preventing interrelationship violence. The first resource we would like to spotlight is the LoveIsRespect.org – we’re including a pdf regarding the Healthy Relationship Spectrum that can be accessed here (link). Additionally, we wanted to share this link for parents/caregivers as a starting point for understanding how to support your child if they find themselves in an abusive relationship: https://www.loveisrespect.org/supporting-others/support-your-child/
Talking About Relationships
Todd Bennett, our student support counselor, and Jacqueline Roland at Avenue A are teaming up to offer students the opportunity to talk about relationships on Mon. Feb. 15 from 7-8pm. This will be an opportunity for teens to share their thoughts on relationships, the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships, the meaning of consent, and advice that teens would share with friends that are in a relationship. This is an Avenue A event, and will be held virtually. Students would need to register in advance by emailing avenuea@grapevinenh.org. For more information, check in with Todd Bennett! tbennett@conval.edu
Course Selection Information
Course Selection
Counselors will be presenting course selection information to students next Friday, February 5 during TASC. Students will need to review the course selection information with their parent/guardian, and enter their course requests online before February 12. School counselors will be scheduling meetings with students to review their course selections beginning on February 15th, beginning with rising seniors. All students will have the opportunity to meet with their school counselor to review their course selections before finalizing them. Additional information and resources regarding course selection will be communicated directly to parents/guardians on the 5th.
Additional information and resources regarding course selection will be communicated directly to parents/guardians on the 5th. In the meantime, if you were not able to make last nights Course Selection Info Session for Parents/Guardians. See below links to access information.
Course Selection Slide Presentation
Course Selection Audio Presentation
ATC Information
ATC Application
Is your student interested in taking part in one of the many exciting career and technical education programs offered at the Region 14 Applied Technology Center next year? It’s almost time to register! Students who are interested in registering for an ATC class should speak with their school counselors during enrollment; in addition, students should complete either the pen & paper or electronic application. The focus of enrolling students in ATC classes is to ensure the right students are enrolled in the right programs for the right reasons. Because of this, several programs require students to interview with the program instructor and/or the CTE director to discuss career path options and program requirements. Questions? Please contact Mrs. Kiley.
Running Start Program
The Running Start registration portal for Semester 2 classes, DualEnroll.com, will be open February 1. March 1 is the deadline to register, and no late registrations will be accepted. If your student is enrolled in any of the classes below, please make sure to register. These college credits from the Community College System of NH (CCSNH) are available to your student at no cost to you, through both the Governor’s STEM scholarship and the support of the ConVal School Board.
Students will be watching a short video in their Running Start approved classes regarding how to register and then start the process by logging in at https://ccsnh.dualenroll.com/login There is also a parent/guardian video for more information available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh4xW3dOYk0 Once your student has started the registration process, parents & guardians will receive an email to approve the registration (only if the student is under 18).
If you have any questions regarding the process or Running Start as a whole, you can contact Jennifer Kiley at jkiley@conval.edu or support@dualenroll.com
Health & Wellness 2 Projects
Thalia Stafford, a junior in Mrs. Heidi Barb’s class, created this poster as part of her exploration into Yoga during the Mental Health unit. For this assignment, every student researched a stress management technique of their own choosing, tried it out, and identified locations in the community where one could practice it further. The students shared their findings with each other during class.
During the Current Health Topics unit in Mrs. Judy Heddy’s class, seniors Sierra Aho and Steven Conway investigated the benefits and negative effects of social media on teens. The images above are excerpts from their collaborative presentation. Mrs. Heddy’s students viewed each other’s work during an online gallery walk and discussed their observations, questions, and take-aways with one another.
Click here to view presentation
Students Working In The Ceramics Studio
ConVal Drills
With a new semester starting, we will continue to conduct various emergency drills throughout the semester. This will include an evacuation drill, shelter in place drill, and a lockdown drill. We hope to practice many of these drills as the semester begins in order to review and modify procedures if necessary. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Steve Bartsch, Dean of Students at sbartsch@conval.edu
National School Counseling Week (February 1 - 5)
The CVHS School Counseling Department goes above and beyond to support our students and their families. In addition to helping students plan for their futures and focus on academic success, our school counselors also support students with mental health check-ins and professional relationships to make sure each child is seen and heard. Consider letting the counselors know you see and hear THEIR hard work by sending a message to your student’s counselor!
June Graduation Planning
Planning for the 2021 graduation is already well underway. The members of the graduation team, including the graduation advisors Deb Coyne and Judy Heddy, have already held meetings to ensure that we have ample time to plan for this special event.
We anticipate that the ceremony will be held outside in observation of physical distancing guidelines. At their meeting in March, we will propose to the School Board an early to mid-June Friday evening date with a Saturday rain date. As soon as the date is confirmed, we will share, via direct email, additional information with families and students.