CCHS Newsletter

“Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to your protection, implored your help or sought your intercession, was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word incarnate, despise not my petitions, but, in your mercy, hear and answer me. Amen” The Memorare

Elizabeth Aleo, Evan Horvath, and David Pluster have been invited to participate in the 2013 National Merit Program. This means that Elizabeth, Evan, and David placed in the top 50,000 students of the approximately 1.5 million who took the PSAT/NMSQT test scores last fall. Semifinalists and Commended Student in the 2013 program will learn of their standing in September. Semifinalists will be the only students who will have an opportunity to continue in the competition for the 8,200 National Merit Scholarships. Congratulations to Elizabeth, Evan, and David!!!

The school year is winding down for our senior class at Coyle & Cassidy High School. I have truly enjoyed getting to know the members of the Class of 2012 these two past years. It has been my pleasure to acknowledge their academic successes, their fine arts’ accomplishments and their athletic efforts in representing our school.

However, this is the time of year that concerns school administrators the most. It is our desire to conduct safe and successful senior events and activities. Yet, at times, students will make poor decisions that can endanger their well-being and result in tragic consequences. Accordingly, it is necessary to review our Drugs and Alcohol Policy as stated on page 24 of our Student Handbook:

“Coyle and Cassidy High School does not support the use of drugs or alcohol at any level or in any form. Any student in the presence of, possessing, consuming (regardless of amount), passing, distributing; buying or selling any substances deemed to be harmful and/or covered by law as being illegal in the school building, on school grounds, prior to attending school or at any school sponsored activity, or at anytime when the student is accountable to and/or a representative of Coyle and Cassidy High School will be subject to the most severe penalties including, but not limited to, suspension or expulsion. Any infraction of these policies can end in dismissal from Coyle and Cassidy High School. A report to police may be made depending on the severity of the infraction.”

I want to be very clear as to how I will enforce this policy in the upcoming weeks. Any student who violates our Drugs and Alcohol Policy will not be allowed to participate in all end of the year senior activities. This also includes not participating in our graduation exercise. Seniors in violation of the substance abuse policy will be required to attend a sanctioned substance abuse program and will not receive their diploma until the program has been completed. Undergraduates who violate school policy will be placed on probation and will be subject to sanctions as outlined in our Student Handbook.

We will be having an in-school assembly on Thursday, May 3 to discuss our concerns with the students and the sanctions that violators will face. Dr. Carolyn Roy-Bornstein, a pediatrician in Haverhill, MA and the mother of a survivor of a traumatic brain injury, will be our guest speaker at theassembly. Her visit has been facilitated by the Brain Injury Association of Massachusetts.

In my administrative career of twenty-four years, I have had to deny students participation in their senior activities and graduation. Although such occurrences have been few in number, they have always been difficult for all people involved in the matter. However, the last thing I want to do this year, or any year, is to be having a moment of silence for a student who was a victim of poor decision-making that led to a tragic circumstance. I certainly urge parents to assist us in discussing this issue with your child.

Another concern I wish to share with you is student behavior after our senior activities. For example, when the students leave the prom, they are no longer under our direct supervision and thus, we cannot be responsible for their safety. I ask parents to monitor after-prom parties or any gathering at private homes. You should know where your child is going after the prom and how long they will be staying at that location. Parents who are hosting after-prom parties have a tremendous responsibility and legal obligation to provide for a safe and secure environment. I strongly encourage parents to have after-prom parties well supervised so that drug and alcohol issues do not arise and endanger the health and well-being of any child or their classmate.

The Baccalaureate Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Church on Tuesday, May 29, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. A reception at the school will follow. Graduation will be on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church. Attendance to graduation is by invitation only. Each graduate will receive 4 tickets to the graduation ceremony. Requests for extra tickets may be made in writing and submitted at the FIRST GRADUATION PRACTICE on Monday, May 21, 2012. Extra tickets are limited.

In order to participate in the junior year community service project in religion, we will complete the CORI application process and provide students with the Diocesan Abuse Training Workshop on Monday, May 7, 2011. The completion of paper work will be completed in the Sophomore Religion classes.

This year we are working with Follett Books to ensure the best possible opportunities and prices for our students. There will be a senior class on site “buy back” opportunity on Wednesday, May 23 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. in the auditorium foyer area.

During the onsite “buy back,” students will be given money for their returned books that are currently in use within the Coyle & Cassidy curriculum. Additional information will be forthcoming on our school’s website.