CHS Islander News
Week of August 18-22, 2025
“Today is not just another day. It’s a new opportunity, another chance, a new beginning.
Embrace it!”
"All For One . One For All"
Go, ISLANDERS!
THIS WEEK
Aug 18 FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Campus opens at 8:00 am Period 1 begins at 8:30 am
Aug 20 Wednesday Bell Schedule
Aug 22 Senior Sunrise 6:00 am at Tidelands Park
- Back to School Student Pep Rally (be sure to check the altered bell schedule below if your student has period 1 off roll) Show your spirit. Wear your Islander gear!
- Schedule Change Request Form Closes at 3:30 pm
Welcome to all of our new and returning students! We loved connecting with many of you last Thursday and Friday and can't wait to see you for the first day of school. It's going to be a great year, Islanders!!
Thank you to our generous PTO families for the taco truck luncheon last week. The Islander Staff is beyond grateful for you and all that you do!
Back to School Night: Mark your calendar for CHS BTSN is Thursday, Aug. 28th. from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. We will have a welcome presentation in the theater from 5:00-5:25 pm, and period 1 will begin at 5:30pm. Please have your student provide their class schedule and classroom numbers prior to the event. Our partners in education will have tables set up in the quad. Please visit with them and don't forget to pick up your Islander gear. For more information: CHS Back to School Night Info
Schedule
Welcome in the theater 5:00-5:25
1st Period 5:30-5:45
2nd Period 5:50-6:05
3rd Period 6:10-6:25
4th Period 6:30-6:45
5th period 6:50-7:05
Canvas: Staying in the know about your student's classes and grades is an important part of our partnership in educating your child. Please be sure to regularly check Canvas . For login directions: https://bit.ly/CUSDCanvasparent
Note: You do not need to create an account from scratch. You will need to use your current email as your username (the email address you use for Synergy/ParentVue) and then reset your password.
Technology Help: Please use this resource when you have questions about technology. Student and Parent Technology.
Updates:
- Attendance Verification Google form on CHS website.
- No robocalls; daily calls from Mrs. Parodi.
- Student incentives for regular attendance, alongside monthly tardy sweeps.
- If you have any questions concerning attendance verification, please contact Rina Parodi via email at rina.parodi@coronadousd.net or call at (619)522-8907 ext. 2094
Open/Closed Campus: New Board Policy (5112.5, 6/5/2025) “establishes an open campus at grades 9-12” granting eligible students “the privilege of leaving campus during lunch.” Notably, this policy recognizes that students leaving campus for lunch is a “privilege,” and not a right. CHS Administrators “may revoke the open campus privilege for individual students for disciplinary and attendance reasons.” Students “shall not leave school grounds at any other time during the school day without express permission of school authorities."
- During the first two weeks of school, CHS 9th grade students will be asked to remain on campus to promote school spirit and a sense of community. Freshmen will be encouraged to participate in a variety of student-led activities in the quad organized and hosted by ASB. READ MORE HERE
Military Families: We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new military families. We are excited to have your student as part of the CHS Islander family for the 2025-26 school year. We know transition can have its challenges at times. If you have any questions, concerns, or would just like to stop by to learn more about CHS, please reach out to Wendy Lewis, Assistant Principal.
Campus Safety: Your children’s safety is our priority! We're fortunate to have CHS Campus Security , Ms. Marcia Morris who supports our efforts in securing the campus throughout the school day. As we begin the year, staff will be reviewing CHS emergency plans and procedures with students. We appreciate you following safety policies and protocols. Guests are required to always check in at the front office. ALL visitors must present their identification when visiting campus.
Bike Safety: Bikes and E-Bikes: Please remind your student to wear their helmet and follow all traffic laws while riding their bikes to school. Our top priority is to keep our students and community safe at all times.
Bike Racks: Student must use the bike racks at the 7th Street school gate. Parking around the school perimeter interferes with traffic, maintenance, and safety. Students are reminded to lock their bicycles and helmets even when bikes are inside the gates.
Welcome Our New Islander Faculty and Staff
NEW to CHS and CoSA
Caitlin Cohen - Mathematics
Rochelle Gittens - Education Specialist
Cynthia Bloodgood - CoSA Technical Theater
Caryn Ipapo-Glass CoSA Dance Director
Cristina Contreras - ASB Financial Clerk
Rina Parodi- Attendance Technician
NEW to CHS from CMS!!
Akisha Chaney CHS Registrar- Front Office
Class Change Requests - Important
Schedule Change Requests - Important
If there is an error in a student's schedule (missing a period, has two classes in one period, wrong level of a class, or they are new to CUSD), students may go to the front office on the first day during the period that the error is occurring in their schedule.
The schedule change request window, for all other changes, will open on Monday, August 18th at 3:30pm and will close on Friday, August 22nd at 3:30pm.
Only requests submitted via the online Course Change Request Form will be accepted. Please note that students need to be logged into their CUSD google account to complete the form. The form can be accessed during the open window on the CHS Counseling Website as well as QR codes posted throughout campus.
Please Note:
Requests to change class selections prior to August 18th at 3:30 pm will not be accepted.
Requests emailed directly to counselors will be redirected to the proper course request form.
Course changes will be very limited based on class size and schedule compatibility.
Requests for specific teachers or class periods will NOT be permitted, no exceptions.
Change requests not submitted on the Course Change Request Form during the appropriate time will not be accepted.
All course requests are time/date stamped and will be considered in the order in which they were received.
Individual teachers do NOT have the authority to grant a student permission to join their class. Please do NOT ask individual teachers if you can get added to their class.
Students may have an alternate elective in their schedule or an off roll request that was not granted. The counselors do their best to honor first course choices and off roll requests, however the change is not an error and cannot be changed per CHS administration.
New students to CUSD and CHS should not fill out the course request form. Go to the front office to see your counselor regarding a course change.
Student Support: Our Clinical Counselor and Lead Counselor are available to students throughout the day for social emotional support.
Island Cafe - Breakfast and Lunch Information Video
PSAT and AP Testing Information
Even though it is early in the school year, please be on the lookout for information regarding PSAT and AP Testing.
PSAT Registration Information:
This year the PSAT will be administered on Saturday, October 18, 2025.
To register for the PSAT please fill out the form linked below before September 1, 2025.
PSAT Frequently Asked Questions: PSAT FAQ
New AP Testing and Registration Information:
There are important updates for AP classes this year. If you are enrolled in an AP class, please click the link below to read policies and procedures for AP testing and Registration for the 2025-26 school year.
Also, if you are interested in registering for an AP test for a class that is not taught at CHS, you must notify Mrs. Lewis no later than October 3, 2025. You can make your request by stopping by to see Mrs. Lewis in person or via email wendy.lewis@coronadousd.net
Coronado School of the Arts (CoSA)
Please mark you calendars for the CoSA Foundation and CoSA Council Community Carnival on September 23rd.
5:15 PM-6:00Pm in the theatre. Hear from the Foundation, Council and staff
6:00PM-6:45PM in the Quad for activities, games, connections and more....
Counselor Corner
Welcome back from the Counseling Team!
Fall Dual Enrollment Courses
All students with a dual enrollment course for fall term (ASL 101, Intro to Business, or Calculus III) will attend class the first day of school and will meet in the MPR.
Did you take a summer class outside of CHS? If so, you must request that they send CHS your official final transcript and grades as soon as possible to CHS registrar, Akisha Chaney at akisha.chaney@coronadousd.net. Transcripts are required to be put on your CHS transcript and/or to be enrolled in the next level of class. Please contact your counselor if you need a course change based on the summer course completed.
Fall College Visits!
Private and Public college representatives from California and across the country come to visit CHS almost daily during lunch. Look out for the list in next week’s newsletter.
Fall CHS College Counseling Workshops
CHS Counselors will have informative sessions and drop-in help availability on various topics throughout the fall on Mondays during lunch in room 202. The following are the workshops offered:
September 15th - Common Application & Xello/Scholarships
September 22nd - UC Applications
September 29th - College Essays
October 6th - Cal State Applications
October 20th - Military
October 27th, November 3rd, 17th-21st, December 1st - College Application Drop-in Workshops
August 22, 2025
JOIN CHS PTO
PTO Executive Board 2025-2026
Liz Riebe, President (coronadoptopres@gmail.com)
Alison Gregory, Vice President
Arlene Ventimiglia, Secretary
Keli Craig, Treasurer
Mandy Cohn: Hospitality
CUSD Chromebooks and Device Requirements
CUSD Chromebooks and Device Requirements
Dear CHS Families:
Coronado Unified School District is committed to preparing students for success in school and beyond. Part of this preparation includes exposing students to technology and guiding them in its appropriate uses. We are happy to continue providing 1st through 12th grade CUSD students with a Chromebook, case and charger for educational use at school and at home. This 1:1 Student Device Program will continue for the 2025-2026 school year.
As part of this program, all Coronado High School students are required to bring a fully charged device to school daily. Students who need a device will have the opportunity to check-out a Chromebook during scheduled pick-up.
Students Using Personal Devices: CHS students who have personal devices at home may use their own device as an alternative to a CUSD Chromebook. If your student chooses to use a personal device, however, please note that it will not have specific CUSD features, such as testing lockdown browsers and content filters. If your student chooses to use their own device for daily school work, they may still be issued a CUSD Chromebook for course-specific requirements and/or state testing in Spring 2026.
Please note, a school issued Chromebook is required for certain CHS classes. If a course syllabus states that a school issued Chromebook is to be used in that class, this policy will be enforced and upheld. Students may not use their personal device in classes that require a school issued Chromebook.
Students Using CUSD Devices: CHS students who check-out a CUSD Chromebook for their daily school work may keep the device for the duration of their enrollment at CHS, including summers. Students will practice responsibility for operating and maintaining their individual CUSD devices throughout their time at CHS. We also encourage families to purchase the OPTIONAL Mobile Device Protection Plan for CUSD Chromebooks for just $30 a year to limit any fines due to accidental damage. The Protection Plan must be purchased annually within two weeks of the beginning of the school year in order to be valid. A new Protection Plan must also be purchased if a student is provided with a replacement device due to damage/loss of their previous device. This plan only covers the device (NOT the case and charger).
For more information about this program, please visit the links below:
· 1:1 Student Device Program FAQs
CHS Library
Welcome Back, Islanders! Please encourage your students to swing by the CHS Library to check-out our new books and resources. The CHS Librarians, Ms. Hunt and Mr. Charles, will be happy to assist them in finding reading materials and reliable online resources.
Please note that the library will be closed during lunch on the first day of school.
Visit the links below with your students for additional information on the resources available in the library:
· CHS Library Digital Resources Brochure
o If you don’t have access to our CHS Library Canvas yet, please enroll at this link after you and your student have been provided with Canvas access: https://bit.ly/CHSlibraryCanvas
Library Hours and Contact
· CHS Library Hours: 8am – 4pm on school days
· CHS Library Extension: 2088
· CHS Library General Email: chslibrary@coronadousd.net
Come join Lead Librarian, Ms. Hunt, at the inaugural KPBS San Diego Book Festival on the University of San Diego campus on Saturday, August 23d. This is a free event for book lovers of all ages. Attendees will enjoy panel discussions with award-winning authors, activities, live entertainment, exhibitors including local authors and independent booksellers, and more. Reserve your free general admission tickets now!
CHS ASB
ASB (Associated Student Body)
The ASB Card
The ASB Card offers students an opportunity to enjoy discounts on activities that Islanders are already participating in! Students with an ASB Card gain free admission to home football and basketball games, receive discounts on dances, shows, along with other perks. The purchase of the ASB Card supports all student activities on campus this year. The card is $50 and can be purchased at the student store right now by clicking this link → Purchase ASB Card
More information about the ASB Card can be found here ---> ASB CARD
Do you want to start a club at CHS?
All of our Islander clubs are based on student interest, so there is something for everyone! All clubs, even those that were active last year, must apply to maintain club status each year. Club applications and more are due to Mrs. Belong in room 702 by August 26th. Club Rush will be on Aug. 28 and 29 in the quad at lunch.
More information about clubs at CHS, along with the application, can be found here. → Club Information Letter
Senior Sunrise is Friday August 22nd from 6:00-8:00 am at Tidelands Park. Come participate in this fun tradition and kick off the start of your senior year with the class of 2026,
Get Connected!
Stay in the loop with Islander Student Activities!
Student Activities Calendar Dates will be added as events are planned and approved throughout the year
ASB Canvas Page
Instagram @coronadoasb
Class of 2026 Instagram: @CHS.Islanders26
Class of 2027 Instagram: @chs.islanders27
Class of 2028 Instagram:@chs.islanders28
Class of 2029 Instagram: TBD
CHS Athletics
Check out our athletics at Islander Sports Foundation
Link to register online: Register for Sports Here
Link to a blank Physical: Sports Physical Form
CHS Athletic Director: Aaron.brooks@coronadousd.net
NJROTC
Welcome to our freshmen! Senior Chief Hellwig and I are excited to have you in NJROTC. This program will be challenging yet rewarding, and we are committed to your success.
For those not enrolled in NJROTC this fall, you will be referred to as "Reservists." We encourage your active participation in all activities. An ALL HANDS CALL will be held in the first two weeks to discuss expectations and opportunities for all cadets.
Senior Chief and I look forward to a productive year ahead.
Best regards,
Captain (Ret) Holzer
Internship Opportunities
Emerald Keepers
Emerald Keepers is accepting applications for the CHS internship program
CHS students are invited to apply for the Emerald Keepers internship program. The internship requires a minimum of 35 volunteer hours including:
• Working in the CHS Emerald Keepers Garden
• Volunteering at Emerald Keepers events
• Public speaking at a community meeting
• Proposing and implementing a passion project.
- Attending monthly meetings held during CHS lunch.
The internship offers excellent work and leadership experience and strengthens student resumes. To learn more and apply, go to emeraldkeepers.org/chs-internship-program and click on the online application button. Applications will be accepted from Aug. 11 to Sunday, Aug. 31
Safe Harbor
Student Opportunities
Student Rotarians
WHAT:
Student Rotarian opportunity coming in August!
WHY:
Become an honorary Rotarian for one month. Attend a Rotary meeting, participate in service projects such as Beach Clean Up & Flags on the Avenue
WHO:
10 CHS Student Rotarians to be selected via application process at the beginning of 25-26 school year
Class of 2026 Seniors are eligible to apply in August
WHEN:
10 students to each serve for one month participating as honorary members of the Coronado Rotary Club during the 2025-2026 School Year
Student Rotarian application available on August 1st. Submissions due 09/05/25
QUESTIONS:
If you have questions regarding the CHS Student Rotarian Program offered by the Rotary Club of Corondo, please contact Rotary member Jane Braun jane@coronadoadvisor.com
Please be sure to read the Student and Family Handbook
Senior Class of 2026
Seniors! Schedule your yearbook portraits now.
2026 Beachcomber Yearbook
Community Partners
Our programs and opportunities are the result of generous community support. We encourage you to connect with us and other families through joining and volunteering with our Coronado High School PTO, the Coronado Schools Foundation, CoSA Foundation, Coronado Safe Harbor, and attending school events and activities. CHS is a dynamic community; if you want to be involved and don’t know how, please reach out and ask. We are here to get you connected.
Navy School Liaison Officer: Mindy Hayes mindy.e.hayes.naf@us.navy.mil
619.991.2509
Calendar
August 27: Club applications due
August 28: Term 1 Back to School Night 5:00 - 7:00pm
August 28 and 29: Club Rush at lunch in the quad
August 29: Student Information Assembly
September 1: Labor Day -No School
September 2: First day freshmen permitted to leave campus at lunch
September 9: Teen Mental Health First Aid Certification Parent Information Meeting 5:30 PM MPR
September 11: Senior Class Assembly at 10:15 am
September 12: PTO Meeting 9-10 am
Lock Down Drill
September 15: Senior Appointments Begin with Counselors
College Workshop at Lunch in Room 202 - Common App and Xello/Scholarships
September 20: Quarter 1 Progress Report grading period ends
September 22: College Workshop at Lunch in Room 202 - UC Applications
September 23: Picture make up day
September 22-26: Homecoming Spirit Week
September 26 Homecoming Pep Rally, Parade and Football Game
September 27: Homecoming Dance
September 29: College Workshop at Lunch in Room 202 - College Essays
October 1: College Night at 6pm in the Theater and Breakout Sessions
October 7: CoSA Instrumental Music Recital 6PM
October 18: PSAT 8 am
Coronado High School
Website: https://chs.coronadousd.net/
Location: 650 D Avenue, Coronado, CA, USA
Phone: 619.522.8907
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoronadoIslanders