CMHS Times

Macs of the Month is the high school's initiative to recognize our outstanding students and staff! Each month, a staff member will be recognized, voted on by their colleagues and students. Students will be recognized by their peers and staff in the categories of creative arts, kindness, academic achievement, school pride, athletic achievement, and leadership.

We proudly announce our October Macs of the Month below! Congratulations to everyone on the well-deserved recognition!

Our school community shined bright during this year’s “Disco” Homecoming celebration! Spirit Week brought energy and creativity to the halls as students dressed up and showed off their school pride. The pep rally had everyone dancing and cheering in true disco style.

The week wrapped up with a dazzling homecoming dance, where students lit up the night under the disco ball. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Homecoming a sparkling success — it truly was a celebration to remember!

2025 Homecoming Court

Corinne Amos - Ryan Wandara

Allison Angott - Logan Logsdon

Sydney Klasnick - Henry Klinar

Katie Adreon - Rocco Falconi

Sidney Greene - Jason Arent

Alyssa Carlson - Massimo Falconi

Students in Mrs. Krebs Early Childhood Education courses worked with the preschool students to decorate pumpkins. This activity was made possible by the donation of pumpkins by Bayer Family Farm and Greenhouse. Thank you!

Students in Mrs. Kristin Jakiel's Honors English 10 classes read William Faulkner's Southern Gothic short story, "A Rose for Emily." In order to demonstrate their understanding of the novel, thematic development, characterization, and the author's use of both Gothic and literary elements, students created one pager projects. One pager projects allow students to create and synthesize a succinct representation of their comprehension of the story as well as an artistic representation of what they learned. Great job!

The students in the two Tools/Machines & Materials classes have completed their first project. They built birdhouses out of cedar. These birdhouses should be great homes for wrens, chickadees, sparrows and bluebirds. The students learned how to use drills, pneumatic brad nailers, various hand tools, the bandsaw, orthographic projection and measurement. They are now onto making charcuterie boards.

The CM Esports competed at the UPMC Events Center at Robert Morris University on October 18th. They played Rocket League, Fortnite, Super Smash Bros, and Mario Kart in front of fans and college recruiters with prize money on the line! The team had a lot of success and even more fun!

Exploring Storytelling Through Mixed Media Art: A Collaboration Across Generations

In a single inspiring afternoon, creativity and connection came together in a special intergenerational art project titled “Exploring Storytelling Through Mixed Media Art.” The initiative brought together National Art Honor Society students and local senior citizens for a unique collaboration that blended memory, imagination, and artistic expression.

The session began with the seniors sharing personal stories, childhood memories, moments of adventure, and reflections on life’s changes. As they spoke, the students listened closely, taking notes. What started as simple storytelling soon grew into a rich exchange of perspectives, laughter, and lived experience.

Drawing inspiration from these conversations, the art students worked side by side with the storytellers to create original book covers, both front and back, that visually captured the essence of each shared story. Using collage and illustration, the teams blended words and images into expressive, one-of-a-kind works of art.

By the end of the afternoon, everyone agreed that art has the power to connect people of all ages. Exploring Storytelling Through Mixed Media Art celebrated not only creativity, but also the joy of listening, sharing, and making something beautiful together.

Canon-McMillan Parents:

Please click the link below to read an article regarding cyber attacks in the education sector.

Our strictness regarding technology protocols is a direct result of cyber attackers specifically targeting educational institutions. These attacks can cost millions for each incident and have led to a billion-dollar industry for the attackers.

If you have not yet submitted a free/reduced lunch application for the school year and are in need, please complete the application.

Applications can be completed at School Cafe, on Compass, or by filling out a paper application form out and sending it to Amber Kevech.

Email Ms. Erin Lenhart with any questions.

Created by Debbie Grebeck from our Human Resources Department, this student-driven wellness website is designed to promote health and well-being for students, staff, families, and the community. The CMSD Virtual Wellness Center offers a variety of engaging, individual activities and helpful resources that support mental, physical, and emotional wellness.

Explore each section to discover tools, strategies, and activities that work best for you, and take a moment to focus on your own well-being today!

Click here to visit the CMSD Virtual Wellness Site!

SENIOR PHOTO REQUIREMENTS

Attention Class of 2026: The yearbook staff wanted to provide information regarding your senior photos for the 25-26 school year! Canon-McMillan seniors are required to submit a formal ‘Head and Shoulders’ portrait photo. We recommend all formal ‘Head and Shoulder’ portraits be taken using a neutral background, without any props.

Senior Photo Submissions

1. All senior portraits will need to be taken and submitted to the yearbook staff prior to winter break (December 19, 2025).
2. If M & M Photography takes the senior portrait, they will submit the photo directly to the yearbook staff.
3. All other senior portraits will need to be emailed by parents, students, or photographers to yearbook@cmsd.k12.pa.us. When submitting the photo, please ensure the image is high resolution and the email contains the senior’s first and last name.

M & M Photography Senior Photo Options

1. (Payment required) Call and Schedule a paid senior portrait session at the M & M Photography Studio. Pricing available on https://mm-photography.net.

If you have any questions regarding senior portraits, please contact the yearbook staff at yearbook@cmsd.k12.pa.us. Thank you!

November 26: 2-Hour Early Dismissal; Staff Development

November 27-December 1: Thanksgiving Break

December 3: Progress Reports

December 3-17: Winter Keystone Exams

Follow our School Counseling Office on Instagram @CMHS_COUNSELING

Every high school student is encouraged to join the School Counseling Resources group in Schoology! Resources including academic development, career development, employment, community service opportunities, scholarships and more can be found there! Students can join the group by using the following access code: DB7QW-K4WWP

Each month, the Chill Project will provide the community an evidence-based coping skill that is being reinforced at school.

We look forward to a strong partnership, and if you have any questions about the Chill room or the Chill Project, please reach out to the Chill room Facilitator, Mr. Dan Harshman, harshmand@cmsd.k12.pa.us, or Mrs. Kelsey Oberly, Special Education Coordinator, oberlyk@cmsd.k12.pa.us.

Kristen Speer, School Nurse

Email: speerk@cmsd.k12.pa.us

Phone: 724-745-1400 ext. 5013

We will be giving away 1 free parking pass for the 2026-2027 school year. The drawing will be held on May 1, 2026. To enter, all you need to do is turn in your completed 11th grade physical and immunizations turned into the nurse's office before May 1st, 2026.

All 11th graders are required to turn in a physical assessment completed by a physician. To fulfill this requirement, please complete one of the following options:

• If you wish to have your student seen by the school physician in March of 2026, pelase complete the following Physical Examination Google Form.
• If you wish to have the exam done by your family physician, you may do so at your own expense. Please have the physician complete the Physical Exam Form and return it to the school nurse.

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Speer at speerk@cmsd.k12.pa.us or by phone at (724)-745-1400 x 5013.

To start the 12th grade, a second dose of the Meningitis A,C, W, Y vaccine is required.

Please provide the nurse with a copy of your immunization records either in person or via email at: speerk@cmsd.k12.pa.us

If you have any questions, please contact Kristen Speer at speerk@cmsd.k12.pa.us or by phone at (724)-745-1400 x 5013.

If your student needs to take a daily medication or needs to have an as needed medication available at school please use the following form . It must be completed by a doctor and signed by the parent/guardian. The medication must be brought in the original pharmacy container or unopened over the counter container that matches the paperwork.

The medication authorization form must be completed each school year by the physician and turned in to the school nurse for the new school year.

If you have any questions you can contact the nurse.

Marijke Lucia

Secretary of Student Affairs

mailto:luciam@cmsd.k12.pa.us

Phone: 724-745-1400 ext. 5009

Fax: 724-745-4490

All forms are linked below. You can also access the forms on the high school's website under School Forms, linked here for your reference.

Attendance:

If a student is not seated in their first period class by 7:45, they will be considered absent (shown as IUn in PowerSchool). Prior to the end of 2nd period, an attendance rollover will take place and those students still marked as absent will be marked absent for all 9 class periods. That evening you will receive both a phone call and an email from our BlackBoard messaging system alerting you of your student's absence.

Please send your student in with an excuse within three (3) days of their last absence. You can either provide us with a parent note, an email, or complete the form, linked below. Parent notes can be placed in the absence excuse bin in the Student Affairs Office.

Each student is allocated 15 absences (for any reason), per school year, before a doctor’s excuse is required. Any absence over 15, that is not accompanied by a medical excuse, will remain unexcused.

Tardies:

If your child is going to be entering the building late, they must first go through the Student Affairs Office to receive a late pass. Please provide your student with an excuse. Acceptable forms are a parent note, doctor's excuse, email or an online form submission found here: Tardiness Form. If they enter with an excuse, their absence will be changed to an excused tardy (TEx.) If they do not have an excuse, they will be entered as tardy unexcused (TUn.) If your child is marked as tardy unexcused, that evening you will receive both a phone call and email from our BlackBoard messaging system alerting you of their tardy. Each student is allocated 4 tardies, per semester (parent note or online submission) before a doctor's excuse is required. Disciplinary action will be taken for excessive tardies. There are no half days at the High School. Students must be present a minimum of 3½ consecutive hours in order to participate in an after school activity or a game or practice for a sport that is in season.

Early Dismissals:

If your student will need to leave the building prior to the end of the school day (2:40pm), you must provide them with an early dismissal note. This can be a parent note, email or online submission found here: Early Dismissal Form. A student is allocated 13 early dismissals per semester. All early dismissals require BOTH written and verbal confirmation. Please call Mrs. Lucia in the Office of Student Affairs (724-745-1400, ext. 5009) to confirm your child’s early dismissal. All early dismissal requests must be made by 9am. If you are requesting an early dismissal after 9am, please allow 20-30 minutes for your request to be processed. Once both forms are received, a pass will be sent to your child and they may leave at the time of their dismissal. If you are picking your student up, they will meet you outside, if they are a driver, they are free to leave and drive themselves. If you choose, you can come into the main office to sign your student out. No student’s will be permitted to leave until both forms of confirmation are received. All early dismissals will be entered as ER in PowerSchool. If your child has medical documentation for their early release, please provide us with this information and we will change their ER to a medical early release (MER.) Medical early releases are not counted in attendance reports. There are no half days at the High School. Students must be present a minimum of 3½ consecutive hours in order to participate in an after school activity or a game or practice for a sport that is in season.

The Student Affairs Office is closed daily from 12:30-1:00. Students may leave during the closure IF their early dismissal request was submitted and confirmed prior to the closure. If you did not submit a request and you need your child to be released during the office closure, please come to the main office to sign them out.

CTC (Western Area & Parkway):

Please note that if your child attends WACTC or Parkway and is absent from school, you must provide 2 excuses (parent note or medical excuse). One will need to be given to Mrs. Lucia in the Student Affairs Office and one will need to be given to WACTC/Parkway. No copies will be made of a student's excuse and forwarded to another location.

Pre-Planned Trips:

The pre-planned trip form, linked below, must be submitted no later than two weeks prior to the start of your trip. Please note that students will only be given one day, for each day they are absent, to make up their work, and they are highly encouraged to make arrangements for their work prior to their trip.

Standing Medical Notes:

If your student has a standing medical note, please note that we will need an updated copy for this school year. Medical notes are only good for one school year and must be updated annually.

Ms. Brittany Taylor - High School Principal

Ms. Jenna Handra - Academic Principal

Mr. Thomas Orr - Assistant Principal

Ms. Jamie Hopkins - Assistant Principal

Follow CMHS on Instagram @canon_mcmillan_high_school