Weekly Update 3/22/2024

Dear NCHS Family,

Over 300 seniors participated in Tuesday’s first two senior internship training sessions. This engaging workshop features two presenters, Dolly Meckler (an NCHS alum) and Stephanie Scoon, who presented on personal branding, how to make the most of your internship, workplace etiquette, and tips and tricks for a stand-out resume.

A big thank you to our SIP Committee Members who volunteered their time to help make this event possible. Committee Members- Laura Budd, Sue Carroll, Susie Catlin, Lauren Jackson, John Knight, Stacey O’Malley, Rose Marash, Danny Melzer, Mimi Pitt, Kiana O’Reilly, Ari Rothman, Michelle Schneider, Karen Wilson, and Marnie Zaffino.

On Monday, 3/18, the Student Advocates traveled across the street to Saxe to assist the incoming 9th graders with course selection. In addition to providing insider guidance regarding electives, the Student Advocates fielded questions related to the transition to NCHS and general questions about life at the high school.

Fashion Forward, a student-run non-profit in partnership with Open Door Shelter in Norwalk, collects prom dresses for underprivileged teens in the surrounding area. We are asking for long, lightly used, and washed dresses! To donate a dress, be sure to sign up below. Fashion Forward will pick up your donation from your home and deliver it to Open Doors! Thank you for donating to Fashion Forward. If you have any questions, please email tuffadelaide@gmail.com!

Link to donate: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C4DAFAC2BA4FBC07-48631625-fashion#/

The Spanish Club has regularly visited local elementary schools to assist students at East School. High school students aid the younger ones in completing their homework and engaging in recreational activities together. The elementary students eagerly anticipate the arrival of the high schoolers, and the older students thoroughly relish their time supporting their younger peers.

A MESSAGE FROM THE NCHS RED CROSS CLUB:

Thank you to everyone who attended the Blood Drives at the New Canaan Library in October and the Wagner Room in January! Your participation significantly contributed to the success of both events, and we are truly grateful for your support.

We’re thrilled to announce that the New Canaan High School Red Cross Club will host another Blood Drive on Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the New Canaan Library! If you’re interested in donating, please click here to sign up. If you require a different time slot or have any inquiries, please contact siddhi.singhania@ncps-k12.org, President of the American Red Cross NCHS Club. Please click here for the eligibility requirements for blood donation. As the event date nears, we’ll send a follow-up email with any additional information necessary for donors. Thank you for your willingness to participate in this life-saving endeavor! We truly appreciate your support.

DEPARTMENT NEWS:

CTE:

The Baking & Pastry Art classes have been learning about eggs as an ingredient in custards. They prepared pate choux, molten lava cake, and creme brulees.

CTE:

Graphics students just finished creating buttons and have now started designing their own t-shirts. First, they sketch different ideas and concepts to decide how their shirt will look. After drawing a more precise rough layout, they will use that as a template to recreate their design in Adobe InDesign. Once that’s done, it’s time to create the actual t-shirt!

TV Broadcasting – TV students have been busy working on a variety of projects. They had a news broadcast last week and are now working on the show for next Wednesday. Several students recently recorded the latest episode of Beyond the Whistle, the March Madness preview. Don’t forget to check it out!

PE & HEALTH:

Students are learning how to bandage injuries in Silvestri’s Health class. Ty and Andrew really love participating in all the activities—it’s one of their favorite classes!!

Ms. Woods’ students are currently learning CPR, First Aid, and AED use in 11th-grade Health class.

SCIENCE:

Biology students study cell division and have the opportunity to use microscopes to view fish and onion cells in the different stages of mitosis and interphase.

Students in AP Environmental Science have been busy in the air pollution unit! They investigated the effects of sulfur and nitrogen oxide on seed germination, designed an experiment to compare the carbon dioxide levels in car exhaust, and modeled ozone depletion in the stratosphere using marshmallows.

Students in Environmental Science recently modeled the Exxon Valdez oil spill cleanup efforts.

SOCIAL STUDIES:

Ms. Goldhawk’s civics classes played Amendment-opoly, which tested students’ knowledge of the Constitution’s amendments and the important Supreme Court cases arising from them as part of our look at civil liberties and civil rights. To prepare, students created infographics of all the amendments and researched the court cases, filling out a case analysis form. We had lots of fun on game day!

World History 1 students were introduced to the wide variety of innovative resources available to them with the help of Mrs. Luhtala and Dr. G. in the Library’s Workshop and MakerSpace. They were then given the opportunity to present their conclusions about various global societies during the Middle Ages and the institutions that drove them. Throughout the week, students worked with 3D Printing, Stop-Motion filming, Podcasting, and various other creative and innovative mediums.

WORLD LANGUAGE:

French 4 Honors students studied politics and the judicial system in France. They learned how the presidential election is conducted in France by making an electoral campaign, including a political speech and a poster of their candidate. This authentic learning experience was concluded by an election “à la française.”

French II students focused on learning the imparfait by writing and illustrating sentences using this important verb tense with their partners.

Discovering France, One City at a Time! After completing their study of City Life, the French III Honors students chose and researched a city in France. They presented and narrated in French the beauty, history, and vibrant culture of their city and why it is an irresistible destination.

AP Chinese students experienced the art of Tea Zen meditation. Students discovered how the mindful preparation and consumption of tea can enhance focus, clarity, and relaxation. This unique cultural journey transcends language barriers and fosters inner peace.

VPA:

On the beautiful evening of Thursday, March 14th, at the Carriage Barn Arts Center in Waveny, The New Canaan High School Art community, including teachers, administrators, students, friends, and families, all celebrated the opening of Through Our Eyes XII, an exhibition of exemplary student artwork!

Congratulations to all of the artists exhibiting at the Carriage Barn, but a special shout out to Kailey Marti, who received the Carriage Barn’s Art Achievement Scholarship for her outstanding and creative portfolio and her pursuit of achievement in the Arts! Congrats, Kailey!

Thank you to the Carriage Barn Arts Center and all of the Visual Arts supporters at NCHS! The exhibit is open during gallery hours through March, so please stop by to enjoy the show…