Summer Newsletter
July 8, 2024
Principal's Letter
Dear Parents and Caretakers,
I hope you’re all enjoying the beautiful Cape summer! As we head deeper into July, I wanted to share a few quick updates:
Summer Reading: Keep the learning going! Our Summer Reading information is below. Remember 9th grade has one book and 10-12 has an English book and a Shop Book. Summer reading is a great way to build literacy skills and get ready for the new school year.
School Calendar: The calendar for the next school year is up. It includes key dates like the start of school, holidays, and other important events. You can find it below.
Student Schedules: If you missed my last update in late June about next year’s student schedules, I have include that information below.
As we all enjoy the summer sunshine, I want to remind you how important everyone is to our Cape Cod Tech Community. I hope all of our students are working hard at their summer jobs. Please keep in mind, that you are not just contributing to your future but also supporting our community with your efforts and skills.
Enjoy the summer, stay safe, and I look forward to seeing everyone in the fall!
See you on the beach,
Mr. Terranova
Summer Reading
GRADE 9 SUMMER READING
As an incoming freshman, you have a choice between three novels for your summer reading. Summer reading will be assessed within the first two weeks of school with a writing prompt about a key idea in the novel. Summer reading assessments will count as 10% of students’ first trimester English Language Arts grade. Students are encouraged to take handwritten notes*** that can be used on the assessment.
Option 1: Monster by Walter Dean Myers. Plot summary: Young, black 16-year-old Steve Harmon, an amateur filmmaker, is on trial for the murder of a Harlem drugstore owner and could face the death penalty. Steve copes by writing a movie script based on his trial. But despite his efforts, reality is blurred until he can no longer tell who he is or what the truth is.
Note taking focus: As you take notes, pay attention to how Steve Harmon is treated by others vs. how he views himself.
Option 2: Bomb-The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinken. Plot Summary: In December of 1938, a chemist in a German laboratory made a shocking discovery: When placed next to radioactive material, a Uranium atom split in two. That simple discovery launched a scientific race that spanned three continents. This is the story of the plotting, the risk-taking, the deceit, and genius that created the world's most formidable weapon. This is the story of the atomic bomb. Note taking focus: As you take notes,
focus on what global conditions led to the creation of the atomic bomb and how its existence has impacted life since its creation.
Option 3: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. Plot Summary: It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger who sets a magical voyage across the universe in motion for Meg, Charles Wallace, and a new friend. They are in search of Meg's father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the tesseract (time travel) problem. Note taking focus: As you take notes, focus on Meg’s personality and how it evolves throughout the course of the story.
***Students with typing accommodations on IEPs/504s are permitted to type their notes.
GRADE 10 SUMMER READING
Heading into your sophomore year, you have a choice between three novels for your summer reading. Summer reading will be assessed on the second day of school with a writing prompt about a key idea in the novel. Summer reading assessments will count as 10% of students’ first trimester English Language Arts grade. Students are encouraged to take handwritten notes*** that can be used on the assessment.
Option 1: Boy 21 by Matthew Quick. Plot summary: Having grown up with an absent mother, an embittered father, and a disabled grandfather, Finley has held on to basketball and his devoted girlfriend as his lifelines through high school. When his coach asks him for a special favor -- to look after and befriend a formidable young basketball player who seems to have suffered a mental breakdown -- Finley reluctantly agrees. The new student calls himself "Boy21" and claims to be from another planet, and Finley works hard to protect him at their tough, racially-divided school. But what will happen to Finley's basketball dreams if Boy21 takes his place on the team? Note-taking focus: As you take notes, pay attention to the role friendship plays on characters’ lives.
Option 2: Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Plot Summary: Kirsten Raymonde will never forget the night Arthur Leander, the famous Hollywood actor, had a heart attack on stage during a production of King Lear. That was the night when a devastating flu pandemic arrived in the city, and within weeks, civilization as we know it came to an end. Twenty years later, Kirsten moves between the settlements of the altered world with a small troupe of actors and musicians. They call themselves The Traveling Symphony, and they have dedicated themselves to keeping the remnants of art and humanity alive. But when they arrive in St. Deborah by the Water, they encounter a violent prophet who will threaten the tiny band’s existence. The novel moves back and forth in time, with chapters from characters’ perspectives vividly depicting life before and after the pandemic. As the tale of survival concludes, the strange twist of fate that connects them all will be revealed. Note-taking focus: Pay attention to what people took for granted before the pandemic and what people value in their new world after the Georgia Flu.
Option 3: Turtles All the Way Down by John Green. Plot Summary: This is a story of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship. Aza Holmes never intended to pursue the disappearance of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Pickett’s son Davis. Throughout her journey, Aza struggles deeply due to issues with OCD and anxiety. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. Warning: This book contains some mature content. Note taking focus: Pay attention to how Aza’s life is affected by her mental health struggles and how she learns to cope with her issues.
***Students with typing accommodations on IEPs/504s are permitted to type their notes.
Grade 11 Summer Reading
Juniors
Please choose one of the following three books. You should take handwritten notes in anticipation of a summer reading writing assignment during the first week of academics in the fall.
Dragon Hoops, by Gene Luen Yang (graphic novel)
Gene understands stories―comic book stories, in particular. Big action. Bigger thrills. And the hero always wins. But Gene doesn’t get sports. As a kid, his friends called him “Stick” and every basketball game he played ended in pain. He lost interest in basketball long ago, but at the high school where he now teaches, it's all anyone can talk about. The men’s varsity team, the Dragons, is having a phenomenal season that’s been decades in the making. Each victory brings them closer to their ultimate goal: the California State Championships. Once Gene gets to know these young all-stars, he realizes that their story is just as thrilling as anything he’s seen on a comic book page. He knows he has to follow this epic to its end. It is going to change the Dragons’ lives, and his life as well.
I Must Betray You, by Ruta Sepetys
Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force. Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe. Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom?
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, by Ibram Kendi and Jason Reynolds
The construct of race has always been used to gain and keep power, to create dynamics that separate and silence. This remarkable book reveals the history of racist ideas in America, and inspires hope for an antiracist future. It takes you on a race journey from then to now, shows you why we feel how we feel, and why the poison of racism lingers. It also proves that while racist ideas have always been easy to fabricate and distribute, they can also be discredited. Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative written by award-winner Jason Reynolds, this book shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas--and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives.
Greade 12 Summer Reading
Please choose one of the following three books. You should take handwritten notes on it in anticipation of a summer reading writing assignment during the first week of academics in the fall. The essay will be worth 10 percent of your first trimester grade.
Laughing at My Nightmare, by Shane Burcaw
With acerbic wit and a hilarious voice, Shane Burcaw's Laughing at My Nightmare describes the challenges he faces as a twenty-one-year-old with spinal muscular atrophy. From awkward handshakes to having a girlfriend and everything in between, Shane handles his situation with humor and a "you-only-live-once" perspective on life. While he does talk about everyday issues that are relatable to teens, he also offers an eye-opening perspective on what it is like to have a life threatening disease.
Fights, by Joel Christian Bill (graphic novel)
Fights is the visceral and deeply affecting memoir of artist/author Joel Christian Gill, chronicling his youth and coming of age as a Black child in a chaotic landscape of rough city streets and foreboding backwoods. Please note: this book contains adult situations, language, and subject matter that some students might find disturbing.
Propelled into a world filled with uncertainty and desperation, young Joel is pushed toward using violence to solve his problems by everything and everyone around him. But fighting doesn’t always yield the best results for a confused and sensitive kid who yearns for a better, more fulfilling life than the one he was born into, as Joel learns in a series of brutal conflicts that eventually lead him to question everything he has learned about what it truly means to fight for one’s life.
Fire Keeper’s Daughter, by Angeline Boulley
Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi’s hockey team. Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a lethal new drug.
Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, drawing on her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source. But the search for truth is more complicated than Daunis imagined, exposing secrets and old scars. At the same time, she grows concerned with an investigation that seems more focused on punishing the offenders than protecting the victims. Now, as the deceptions―and deaths―keep growing, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she’ll go for her community, even if it tears apart the only world she’s ever known.
Letter regarding next year's student class schedules
Dear Parents and Caretakers,
Student schedules for the upcoming academic year for grades 10 through 12 will be delayed until later this summer. This adjustment is due to an exciting opportunity at our school.
We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Maxanne Most, a highly experienced and licensed Chemistry teacher. Ms. Most brings over 11 years of teaching experience to our school and has also served as a Chemistry Supervisor at Boston Edison. Her extensive background in both education and the field of chemistry will allow us to offer our students more opportunities in this vital subject. Ms. Most's real-world knowledge and passion for Chemistry will undoubtedly inspire and enrich our students’ learning experiences.
To accommodate these new opportunities and ensure that all students have the chance to benefit from them, we need additional time to finalize the schedules. We aim to have all schedules completed and distributed before August. Rest assured, we will keep you informed through multiple communications as soon as the schedules are ready to be viewed. We apologize for any inconvenience this delay may cause, but we believe it will significantly enhance our students’ educational experience.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at 508-432-4500 ext. 2000. Thank you for your understanding and support.
Sincerely,
William Terranova
Principal
Cape Cod Regional Technical High School
Dear families,
Thanks to all of you who were able to make it to the meetings about our upcoming trip to Ireland & England in April Break 2025.
Lock in one of the spots for your student to go with a $95 Enrollment Fee by next Friday, June 21. By enrolling now, you will also receive a $200 tour scholarship and qualify for your risk-free enrollment period!
For those of you who attended our first and second meetings but have not yet enrolled, we’ve extended the $200 discount, as noted above. We’re encouraging families to enroll before heading into the summer so that you have more time to break up monthly payments and secure a spot for your student.
We cannot guarantee there will be space on the tour in the fall,
and the price will have increased significantly as well.
Enroll now with this link: www.eftours.com/2741939DB
Please view the Parent Guide to Travel from EF Educational Tours, our travel partner. This guide covers all the details about EF, including options for academic credit, payment plans, and what to expect on tour. Additionally, once you enroll, you will have access to your individual fundraising page and can apply for EF’s Global Citizen Scholarship.
Thanks, everyone!
Nicholas Conti
Advisor
World Traveler's Club
Cape Cod Tech Regional High School
email: nconti@capetech.us
Ph: 508-432-4500 x3125
SkillsUSA Success
Congratualtions to all students who participated.
STATE OFFICER ELECT
Damian Cook
NATIONAL VOTING DELEGATE
Cierra Hoyt
MODELS OF EXCELLENCE STUDENT PRESENTERS
Cierra Hoyt
Sophia Riker
GOLD MEDALS
Chapter Business Procedure
Bryanna DeMoraes
Sean Gillette
Cayden Garcia
Milowa Frias
Reaghan Rogers
Aiden Schafer
Internet of Things
Aaron Newman
Esthetics
Amanda Sanches - esthetician
Samantha Montero- model
SILVER MEDALS
Employment Application Process
Alex Malone
Natural Hair and Braiding
Trisha Joseph
BRONZE MEDALS
Extemporaneous Speech
Isiah Johnson
Marine Services Technology
Sean Cloney
Mobile Robotics
Lily Raposo
Sebastian Peto
Barnstable County Online Behavioral Health Needs Assessment
English
Portugues
Espanol
Cape Cod Baseball League and CARE Volunteer Opportunity!
Did you know each Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) game has an average attendance of over 1,000? Currently, there are limited recycling bins located at the fields and we aim to change that! If we conservatively say 25% of the fans had at least one recyclable item that went into regular trash – that equates to a staggering ~300K recyclable items unnecessarily ending up either burned or buried in landfills. For the sake of our environment, we want to end that and we need your help!
CARE for the Cape & Islands, is excited to expand upon last year’s pilot program conducted with the Chatham Angler. In collaboration with the Cape Cod Baseball League and the generous support from Massachusetts Beverage Association, CARE wants to tackle litter and enhance recycling efforts during CCBL games in Bourne, Chatham, Cotuit and Falmouth field this year. Sign up here to volunteer for one or more games. Roles and responsibilities for Field Supervisor and Take Care Ambassadors may be found here.
The Reduce Reuse Recycle Challenge
The Nature Conservancy states, “Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. It is choking our waterways, polluting our oceans, killing wildlife and infiltrating our food supply.” To Take Care of Cape Cod & the Islands and prevent plastic pollution we always recommend “reduce and reuse” as the first course of action. However, we believe when done with care that recycling can also play a significant role in reducing plastic pollution and litter. We need your help with all three approaches to protect our fragile Cape Cod environment.
Here’s how you can Take Care of Cape Cod & the Islands:
- Reduce whenever possible
- Reuse when you can’t reduce
- Recycle when you can’t reduce or reuse
- Refill your water bottle from the tap
- Skip the Straw
- Pick up after your pet
- Challenge others to participate
- Take Care of Cape Cod and beyond!
Late Bus
The late bus is available for all student-athletes and students participating in after-school activities. Students who do not participate in activities will be denied late bus access. Students that stay after school will require a bus pass from their teacher/coach in order to take the late bus home.
THE CAPE COD TECH AFTER SCHOOL LATE BUS RUNS THE "SPINE" OF CAPE COD STOPPING AT PUBLIC AREAS CLOSE TO EXITS OR PUBLIC SHOPPING AREAS.
UPPER CAPE - WEST BOUND LATE BUS
EXIT 78 (OLD EXT 9) STOP & SHOP-(Dennis)-down the main driveway, turn left into parking lot
EXIT 75 (OLD EXT 8) STOP & SHOP-(Yarmouth)-at far end past PACKAGE STORE
EXIT 72 (OLD EXT 7) WILLOW ST-CAPE FOOD MARKET-on left (the old 7/11)
RT 132 STAPLES/OCEAN STATE JOB LOT(Hyannis)-middle of plaza
EXIT 68 (OLD EXT 6) & RT 132 BURGER KING-in the front parking lot
RT 149 CASH’S MARKET-(Marstons Mills)-105 Cotuit Rd at the Stop Sign
RT 28 STOP & SHOP-(Marstons Mills)-by the Gazebo on Plaza Rd to Stop Sign
RT 28 AT MAIN ST-(Cotuit)
MASHPEE COMMONS STOP & SHOP-take Great Neck Rd from Rotary, left into plaza, quick left along-side building right turn to the front corner at Bus Stop Sign.
ANDY’S MARKET ON RT 151-425 Nathan Ellis Highway, pull into right side of market
LOWER CAPE-EAST BOUND LATE BUS
BREWSTER-Ferretti’s Market-501 Underpass Rd
CHATHAM-CVS Chatham on Main St
ORLEANS-Shaw’s Supermarket at Skaket Corners-at the RTA Bus Stop Sign in front
EASTHAM-opposite of the Superette by the Fire Station
WELLFLEET-Dunkin Donuts on left on Rt 6, by the RTA Bus Stop Sign
TRURO-Truro Yoga-2 Noons Drive in N.Truro-just past the police/fire station
PROVINCETOWN-Stop & Shop on Shank Painter Rd
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
The state expects a 95% rate for student attendance. We want to achieve a higher rate for the year. We can do this, but students need to come to school everyday. Over the last two years our attendance policy has been more lenient than in the past. This year we will be re-instituting the policy to the fullest extent. Our expectation is that you will follow future employer's expectations. Remember, your boss will expect you at work everyday, and so will your co-workers. Build healthy habits now. Come to school because we want you here!
Tardy
If a student is not present in the class/ shop at the time attendance is taken in the morning, they will be marked tardy and will have to report to the main office for a tardy pass. Accumulation of excess tardies as defined in the student handbook will result in disciplinary action. Being on time is an employability skill. Cape Cod Tech not only trains students in skills specific to their technical area but CCT also teaches professionalism and employability skills to the standards of the industries in which they represent.
Please see below a quick link to our attendance policy as well as other important information about attendance.
Principal at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School