Cougar News

Good Afternoon, Cougar Nation!

We are officially on holiday recess! I am grateful we made a snow-free run leading up to the break.

One highlight of the week for me was supporting our music program at our annual holiday concert on Tuesday evening. Our students are so very talented!

If you have not had a chance to take our school climate survey, please see the link below. This link is for parents/guardians to fill out. This data is important as we continue to take positive steps forward and should not take more than 10 minutes to complete.

If you are a prospective graduate and have yet to order your cap and gown, ordering has been extended to January 5, 2024. Please be sure to read below and place an order.

I wish you all a very safe and happy holiday. I look forward to welcoming staff and students back to the building next year.

Have a wonderful weekend and restful recess. As always, GO COUGARS!

Best,

Heather

Upcoming Dates and Events

School Climate and Culture Survey

Cap and Gown Orders

Attendance Procedure/Tardies

School Counseling News

Express Admissions!!!

ConVal Alumni Panel Addresses Current Students

Winter Concert

NH All State Classical Band

English 9 Honors Class

Athletics and Co-Curriculars

Reminders About Illness

ConVal Throw Blanket

Support The Class Of 2025

Rise Up

GMYC Registration

Essay Contest

Student Transportation of America (STA)

• December 23, 2023 - January 1, 2024 — Holiday Break
  

Dear ConVal Families,

As shared in our previous newsletter, part of our ongoing work toward our goal of improving ConVal's overall school culture and climate, we have been conducting surveys with students, families, and staff. The committee spearheading this data collection effort is ConVal 2025, a group comprised of staff members, community members, parents, and students. As a result of feedback from last year's survey, we implemented initiatives to reinforce our core values (ConVal C.A.R.E.S. - Community, Adaptability, Respect, Engagement, and Safety) in more visible ways, such as signage and lesson plans in classes and at TASC, and our work toward this continues.

We are again asking for your input on a fall survey. Your thoughts are appreciated and vitally important when it comes to making improvements and changes at CVHS that will lead us toward a stronger climate and culture as a school. We are especially interested in knowing about how we can best communicate with you.

The survey can be accessed by the link below and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

https://surveys.panoramaed.com/conval/5668494651/surveys?language=en

The survey will remain open through December 24, 2023.

Thank you!

Attention Seniors and Parents of Seniors:

While graduation is still several months away, we need everyone to order a cap and gown. We have extended the deadline to order to Friday, January 5. The cost is $21 this year; if there is a financial need, please see Mrs. Coyne in room 469. Click here www.buildagrad.com/convalhs to reserve your cap and gown and thank you for completing your order as soon as possible.

Just as a quick reminder, if your student is not coming to school or will be late coming to school, please send an email to cvhs-attendance@conval.edu. Alternatively, please call our office at (603) 924-3869, ext 3232.

Expectations

• Students are expected to attend school for the 180 days scheduled by the district per year.
• Students are expected to attend school for the entire day on scheduled testing days, field trips, and other special days.
• When reporting a student absent, parents/guardians need to provide the reason for the absence.
• Students who are tardy to school and arrive after 10:15 AM will be considered absent for half a day; students dismissed before 10:15 AM and who do not return to school that day will also be considered absent for a half day.

Please refer to school board policy “JH – Attendance, Absenteeism, And Truancy” for district truancy information.

School counselors are assigned to students alphabetically by last name. Students have the same counselor for all four years that they are at CVHS.

Rebecca Dunn: A-F (rdunn@conval.edu)

Nikki Pike: G-N (npike@conval.edu)

Amanda Haley: O-Z (ahaley@conval.edu)

Please click on this link for our December newsletter.

Keene State, Plymouth State, NHTI, SNHU, and Nashua Community college, will be coming to ConVal in January and February for our Express Admission Days! Apply for free, and receive a decision on the spot. Sign up through the link in Google Classroom, or email your school counselor.

Six alumni of ConVal High School came to speak in the Lucy Hurlin Theatre to an audience of nearly 100 students about different aspects of their pathway to college. They addressed topics like the college search and admissions process, factors that determine the decision of which college or university to attend, how to make a successful transition to college, and how to choose classes and majors. They also presented on campus life and other experiences, such as athletics, study abroad, and clubs. The panelists were: Jason Bergeron, Junior (dual Mathematics and Psychology major, St Lawrence University); Erich Clark, Sophomore (Finance major, University of Florida); Kendall Larson, Sophomore (Chemical Engineering major, Georgia Institute of Technology); Gabby Oja, Junior (dual BioChemistry and Psychology major, Wheaton College); Thomas Sennett, Sophomore (Sculpting major, Massachusetts College of Art & Design); and Grace Shippee, Junior (Exercise Science major, University of New England).

The ConVal Performing Arts Department presented a WInter Concert this past Thursday evening and Friday morning to our school and community. Over 80 students performed- including all four choirs, the concert band and the Room 301 rock band. The students presented songs of the season, such as the concert band's "White Christmas" and "Let It Snow!" The choirs presented a varied repertoire spanning from songs based on a French Carol "Sing We Now of Christmas," to the classics "Welcome Christmas," "Last Christmas," and "This Time of Year," and non-traditional songs such as Sondheim's "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," and a piece based on the Edgar Allan Poe work "The Lake." The Rock band pleased the crowd with "Mr. Crowley," "The Ocean," and Eric Clapton's "Layla." The concert band, choirs and ConVal Performing Arts alum finished the concert with an audience singalong tradition, "A Christmas Festival." Congratulations to all our performing students!

Clara Christensen has been accepted to the NH All State Classical Band on Trumpet. Additionally, she was invited to participate in the NHMEA/NHBDA All State Chamber Music Festival, an honor presented to the best instrumentalists in the All State Bands.

As part of their current unit on memoirs of Agents of Change, Grade 9 students in Ms. Holcombe's English class met in small groups to discuss the books they've been reading. The unit is centered on the memoirs I Am Malala and Tuesdays with Morrie. As part of their study, they also engaged in acts of service, such as writing cards to hospitalized kids, to be agents of change themselves, even if only in a small way. The English 9 Honors Extension also met for the summative Socratic Seminar to discuss The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. The discussions were thoughtful, insightful, and sustained. Students even commented that they wanted to keep going and that it was even fun! The students also discussed how the rigorous work they engaged in during the English 9 Honors Extension can prepare them for English 10 Honors if they choose to take it next school year.

On Thursday, students in ConVal's Independence & Learning Support (ILS) program enjoyed a holiday party with their teachers.

ConVal Nation would like to give a huge shout out to all the support our fans have shown to our athletic teams so far this winter. Our fans have shown great sportsmanship and a positive culture to our various events. Please take note of the information listed below if you would like to check out any events over break or when we return after the New Year.

Important Dates:

December 30: Wrestling will travel to Lebanon for their Holiday Wrestling Tournament. Wrestling begins at 9am.

January 2: Boys JV and Varsity Basketball will be hosting Hollis-Brookline. The JV game will begin at 5pm and Varsity will tip off at 6:30pm.

January 3: Wrestling will host Lebanon in the Cave. Wrestling begins at 6pm.

January 3: Boys Ice Hockey will host St. Thomas at Keene Ice with a puck drop of 6:25pm.

January 5: There will be a triple header Reserve, JV, and Varsity Boys Basketball game at ConVal vs. Plymouth High School. Games are at 3:30, 5:00, and 6:30 pm.

January 5: Alpine will be hosting a home race at Crotched Mountain. Race begins at 3:30pm.

Please visit convalathletics.org to see a complete schedule of winter sports.

Are you looking for a rewarding opportunity? Become a School Bus Driver for STA and be a crucial part of our students' journey to success!

• Paid Training Provided-No experience required!
  
• Competitive Pay
  
• Flexible Hours
  
• Safe and Supportive Environment

• Valid Driver's License
  
• Clean Driving Record

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