CMHS Times
Canon-McMillan High School - May 2023 Newsletter
Throughout the month of April, CM students participated in many activities both inside and outside of the classroom. Many students were recognized and received awards for projects completed both in and out of school.
To showcase all of our students, the newsletter is lengthy. We encourage you to read the entirety of the newsletter for important upcoming dates and events through the end of the this school year. We hope to see you at an upcoming event this month!
CM students continue to make us proud! Keep up the amazing work, Big Macs!
New Report Card Process
2023 Senior Class Information
Advanced Digital Media
JUST DRIVE
Annual contest recognizes the importance of Distracted Driving Awareness Month
NJM Insurance Group, in partnership with the Pennsylvania DUI Association (PA DUI) and the Brain Injury Alliance of New Jersey (BIANJ), is awarding a total of $60,000 to the winning New Jersey and Pennsylvania high schools of the fifth annual "Just Drive" public service announcement (PSA) video contests.
Students representing 92 high schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania created 30-second video PSAs highlighting the dangers of distracted driving. Over 12,000 students also registered to "Take the Just Drive Pledge," a campaign to help put an end to distracted driving. According to the National Safety Council, car crashes are the number one cause of preventable deaths for teens.
This year Mr. Zach Maisner used his Advanced Digital Media class to compete in the challenge. “I think anytime students can use a real world situation to create something meaningful, it's a perfect opportunity to take that on.” The class was divided into 3 groups of students and each created their own version. The staff was sent a poll to vote on which they felt was the best and with that, we submitted our file. I was honestly shocked. I was sitting in my classroom before the start of classes and heard the news and jumped with excitement. I'm more excited and proud of the students, who together pushed each other to create wonderful videos more than any prize money.”
NJM announced the winners in special virtual showcases on Facebook and Instagram on April 26 and April 27, 2023. The news was also shared on TikTok. During the virtual presentation, participants viewed the winning NJ and PA submissions.
This contest serves as a reminder each year that teens are our greatest ambassadors. Their collaborative work to raise awareness and end distracted driving gives us promise that safer roads are achievable
"Each year we are impressed and inspired by the creative approaches students take in developing safe driving messages," said Felicity DeBacco-Erni, project director at PA DUI Association. "We're delighted to continue our relationship with NJM to work together educating Pennsylvania teens on the importance of safe driving."
Art Club
Big Mac Band
On April 20th, the Big Mac Band traveled to Gatlinburg, TN to compete in the Smoky Mountain Music Festival. Groups in competition included the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Canonettes, Flags and Majorettes.
Over 20 schools and 30 groups from around the country participated in the Competition, and our students did exceptionally well in their designated categories.
1st Place
Concert Band
Jazz Band *Superior Rating
Canonettes *Superior Rating
Majorettes *Superior Rating
2nd Place
Flag Corp
Symphonic Band *Superior Rating
Congratulations to our talented students!
Business Classes
Civic Leadership II
Computer Science
Learning with the Finch Robots has been rewarding and fun for computer science students at Canon-McMillan High School. The Finch Robot is a programmable robot that brings computer science to life by providing students a hands-on representation of their code to make learning fun and engaging. After receiving a generous mini grant from CSforPgh, Ms. Gutosky was able to purchase Finch Robots, professional development, many fun classroom accessories, prizes, and snacks to provide to students as they collaborated to complete different activities and programming challenges with the Finch Robots. The lessons are designed to empower students to take ownership of their technical and creative skill sets, to engage them in flexible problem-solving activities that apply various computer science topics. The students get to experience a physical representation of their code, which is rewarding and engaging.
During the initial days of play with the Finch Robots, students explored the different functions and used Python code to make the robots respond to and do different things such as move, light up, respond to sensors, and make sound. The students worked collaboratively to apply prior knowledge to new skills to make programming concepts come alive. One of the coolest things the students did was a maze challenge activity that they had a lot of fun with, as shown in the video.
In the days, months, and years to come, Ms. Gutosky intends to expand upon the Finch Robot learning initiatives at Canon-McMillan High School. Through her affiliations with CSforPgh, CSinPA, and CSTA Pittsburgh, she is connected with other computer science educators so that lesson and activity ideas can be shared. A special thank you to Remake Learning and CSforPgh for their generosity and support in making this project possible.
Computer Science: Creative Task Challenge
Congratulations to Dylan Landucci (grade 12), Dominick DeLuca (grade 11), and Anna Chambers (grade 10) for winning in the Spring 2023 Creative Task Challenge for CMU CS Academy!
CMU CS Academy is a graphics-based computer science curriculum provided by Carnegie Mellon University, and each Spring and Fall they hold a competition for participating schools. These students used programming skills that they learned in Computer Science I and II in Python at Canon-McMillan High School to create these winning projects for class that showcase their talents, skills, and creativity.
CMHS Winning Project Links: Dylan Landucci, Dominick DeLuca, Anna Chambers
Great job everyone, and congratulations to the winners!
Computer Science Field Trip
Computer Science: Women in Engineering
Congratulations to Tessa Dalbo (grade 10), Nova Rogowski (grade 11), and Makenzie Wolf (grade 12) for being recognized by the Pittsburgh Society of Women Engineers for their high achievement in math and science, specifically for their accomplishments in Computer Science courses at Canon-McMillan High School.
About this award: The SWE Pittsburgh Certificate of Merit program was established to honor high school women who are considering a career in engineering or technology and have high achievement in math and science. They feel it is important for young ladies interested in this career to know that there is a community of women engineers who will support and encourage them, and provide resources to them, throughout college and their careers. They give Certificates of Merit to the female students that each high school selects: one Sophomore, one Junior, and one Senior. In addition, the Senior who is selected receives a $100 award.
Congratulations Tessa, Nova, and Makenzie!
Engineering Club
Pictured below, from left to right: Hunter Holmes, Ryan Landucci, Vriana Ruvalcaba, Tyler Smith, Dylan Landucci, Rich Natilie (Range Resources), Matt Porter (Range Resources), Robert Lynch, Zoe Gray, Kailee Hendrick, Cole Ceklosky.
Congratulations to the following winners:
- Dylan Landucci - Most Complex Design and Student Favorite Design
- Jeremey Michrina - Best Looking Design
- Ryan Landucci - Most Practical Design.
Competition participants, pictured below, from left to right: Jeremy Michrina, Ryan Landucci, Daniel Skarja, Dylan Landucci, Tyler Smith and Vriana Ruvalcaba
A huge shoutout to the following teachers for helping our students prepare for this competition: Mr. Nickovich printed out all of the designs for the students; Mr. Maisner stayed after school one day for an Engineering club meeting to assist students with CAD programs; and Ms. Carroll helped by providing some of the materials needed for the students' projects. Thank you for your support!
Envirothon Competition
Congratulations to our Canon-McMillan Gold Team on placing 1st at the Washington County Envirothon Competition. Canon Mac Gold scored the highest in the Current Issues category today. Also, congratulations to the Canon-McMillan Blue Team and our 3 freshman alternates team! Canon Mac Blue and Alternates scored the highest in the Wildlife Category.
Each member of the 1st place team won $500 and additional prizes. Congratulations on a job well done by all!
Canon Mac Gold Team: Gia Chambers (grade 12); Caitlin Stambaugh (grade 12); Nikki Zhang (grade 12); JT Markovich (grade 12); and Daniel Skarja (grade 10)
Canon Mac Blue Team: Lilly Zhang (grade 10); Jessica Jost (grade 9); Tova Wudkwych (grade 9); McKenzie Heirendt (grade 12); Carli Paulhamus (grade 9)
Alternates: Sadie Rodes (grade 9); Julie Lukasewicz (grade 9); Anna Jaworski (grade 9)
ESports
Canon-Mac's Esports team won its first championship in late April 2023. The Varsity Super Smash Bros. Ultimate team consisting of Armin Rejaie (11), Dale Wieczorek (11), Christopher Thomas (11), and Hayden Steele (11) beat Wilson High School in a decisive 3-0 sweep in the PlayVS Eastern Championship.
This is the equivalent of winning States except even harder because they faced off against teams from multiple states on the East Coast. They came in first out of 167 schools that competed in the Spring season. Next the team goes on to Nationals where they compete against other championship winning teams and have the opportunity to win prize money in the form of scholarships.
This a huge accomplishment for the kids, the Esports program, and Canon-McMillan as a district. Coach Klebanski stated, "I'm unbelievably proud of the team and the work they put in to achieve this. This marks the first of many championships for the CM Esport Dynasty!"
Pictured below, from left to right: Esports Club Sponsor Brian Klebanski, Armin Rejaie, Christopher Thomas, Dale Wieczorek, Hayden Steele and Esports Club Sponsor Michael Seelhorst
History: Whiskey Rebellion Poster Contest
Canon-McMillan High School's Jordin W. Won First Place in The Bradford House Historical Association's Whiskey Rebellion Poster Contest
Canon-McMillan High School's ninth grade student Jordin Williams competed against public, parochial, cyber, and home-schooled high school students from Washington, Greene, Allegheny, Fayette, and Westmoreland Counties to win first place in The Bradford House Historical Association's Whiskey Rebellion Poster Contest. (Her winning poster is pictured below!)
According to the rules on their website, this contest is held annually and the poster must include:
"The poster board should reflect your research and interpretation of the topic's significance in Western Pennsylvania history during the years 1750 – 1850. It should be at least 60% visual images (portraits, maps, documents, photos, diagrams, illustrations, etc.) with labels, captions, and brief written content (bulleted lists and timelines are appropriate), in their own words and creatively displayed to enhance your presentation. 1. The subject will be a topic of Western Pennsylvania history, 1750 – 1850. Cash prizes were awarded to the top 5 entries in each division: Middle School (grades 5-8) and High School (grades 9-12)."
Congratulations Jordin and special shout out to Mr. Charriere for bringing this opportunity to her!
No Place for Hate
The No Place for Hate Club organized a Humanitarian Drive for the International Rescue Committee to help the victims of Turkey and Syria.
Through their efforts, the NPFH raised $3,500!
Thank you for holding the drive and for your support of those in need all over the world!
PMEA All-State Choir
Congratulations to CMHS Sophomore Brenton Rahman who earned first chair in his section at Region Choir and advanced to the All-State Festival. He participated the All-State Conference at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Pocono Manor, PA which included a concert on April 22. Brenton ends this year's run of competitive auditions being ranked 15th amongst Bass 2s across the entire state. Well done, Brenton!
Sports & Entertainment Management
On Friday April 14, students in Mrs. Carney and Mrs. Johnson's Sports and Entertainment Management classes participated in a comprehensive tour around PNC Park in Pittsburgh. These students got the opportunity to see exclusive areas of the stadium which are not available to view to the public, as well as seeing in the real world some of the jobs that come with a degree in sports management. The students visited sectors such as the press box, the warmup batting cages, the different clubs and levels, and finally the dugout. The students learned how our class applies to real life jobs, while also learning some new things about Pittsburgh's favorite baseball team.
Student Leadership Forum
Senior Caleb Mowery, who attended the Forum has been awarded a $1,000 scholarship from Ballpark Scholarships Inc. stemming from an application in relation to the Student Leadership Forum. Out of the 30+ students attending the Forum, Caleb was selected as the scholarship award winner! Congratulations, Caleb!
Technology Student Association
Congratulations to the Technology Student Association or TSA for short to all those who competed this past week at the 45th annual TSA State Conference held at Seven Springs. CM is proud of all the hard work and great representations all members held while attending. With over 100 different schools totaling 1600 plus students across PA, any member who placed in the top ten should be proud!
The Technology Student Association (TSA) is a national, non-profit organization of more than 250,000 middle and high school students engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Almost 5,000,000 student members have participated in TSA since 1978 through challenging competitions, leadership opportunities, and community service.
TSA competitions provide an opportunity for students to take learning beyond the classroom and explore topics of career interest. TSA chapter advisors can use TSA competitions as an intracurricular resource to enhance classroom instruction and extend learning through chapter meetings.
Examples of high school competitions:
Architectural Design
Digital Video Production
Forensic Science
Future Technology Teacher
Photographic Technology
The group this year had several place winners, coming in 9th place for their Digital Video Production event was the team of Lily Gostic, Kara Adzima and Jacob Sauer. Becoming a two time place winner (3rd last year) and Placing 2nd for Photographic Technology was Nathan McWiliams. Finishing up our medals was the Architectural Computer Aided Design competition. Kalea Collins finished 5th and the student bringing home the GOLD, State Champion, Alexandra Stitt. Great job TSA!
Washington County Public Law Day Celebration
Western Area
Zoology
Article written by: Kelsey Shaffer, grade 12
Farming and agriculture are very important for our society and survival as a whole. However, it is even more important to have good and resourceful conservation practices for farmers. Materials are scarce, so farmers need to know how to be innovative with how they run their farms. Large farms with a lot of land take even more money to run. Luckily, farmers have come up with a way to use nature instead of adding to their expenses. Using streams or small bodies of water instead of fencing is a less costly way to keep livestock from escaping and to keep them safe. Farmers will fence off three sides of the pasture and use the water on the last side to keep the animals in their designated areas.
However, animals like cows and horses cause a lot of damage to the land itself. This is why rotating the farm animals is necessary. If the animals are left in one area for a long period of time, the grass will either be eaten at a faster rate that it grows or will be stamped down from the grazing. Both situations leave the land useless and the cows and horses without food. If the grazing land animals are rotated, the grass will have a chance to grow back and the land will be useful for the next time these animals will be moved. Not only does this work with the cows, but it also is for the crops too. If a farmer would plant the crops on the same portion of land every summer, the nutrients from the soil would be exploited to the point where the crops will not grow. For this reason, the crops will be rotated just like the cows and horses. The soil will have time to gather its lost nutrients and be ready for the next growing season. Farmers have developed many other ways to be more efficient like the no till seeder and manure management to help be as productive as possible and serve the people of the community. Even though these advancements have been made, there is always more that can be done to positively impact the farming industry.
We enjoyed learning about best farming practices and are excited to finish decorating the sheep feeder! Thank you for this opportunity.
Photographed below: Back Row: Brigid Torpey, Lidia Bazzano, Conner Hoyer, Molly McWilliams; Front Row: Vashti Litster, Kelsey Shaffer, Diana Merigo
Important Dates to Remember
May 1-12: Advanced Placement Testing
May 15-26: Keystone Testing
May 29: No School; Memorial Day
June 1: Graduation
June 2: Last Day of School; 11 AM Dismissal
YEARBOOK
Counseling Department
School Counseling Resources Group
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
The Chill Project
Athletics
Unified Track
This team is a combination of LifeSkills students and "partner" athletes that sign up to participate and compete with them. The students participate in both running and throwing related events!
The softball team participated in Cavasina Clean Up Day on Earth Day, Saturday April 22.
Thank you for giving back to the community!
CMHS School Nurse Information
Medication Pick Up
Immunization Requirement for ALL STUDENTS Entering 12th Grade
Mandated by the state, all students entering the 12th grade are required to have a second dose of the meningococcal vaccine before the first day of their senior year. The meningococcal vaccine is given to prevent meningitis, and may be known as Menactra or MCV4.
If your child has already received these immunizations, please provide written physician documentation of the immunization dates to the nurse.
For your convenience, you can have your physician fax the verification of immunizations to the high school at:724-745-4490. This immunization needs to be filed with the school nurse before the first day of school ( 08/24/2023).
Medication Authorization
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.
Student Affairs Information
Marijke Lucia, Secretary of Student Affairs
724-745-1400 ext. 5009
Fax - 724-745-4490
Attendance and Early Dismissal Procedures
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 child’s absence. Please send them in with an excuse within three (3) days of their last absence. You can either provide us with a parent note, an email or you can fill out an absence excuse found here: Excused Absence Form. 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 school year. 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.
Votech (WACTC):
Please note that if your child attends WACTC 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. No copies will be made of a student's excuse and forwarded to another location.
Pre-Planned Trips:
The pre-planned trip form is available on the High School website under “School Links” or by clicking here: Pre-Planned Trip Form. This form 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.
Mrs. Lucia can be reached by email at luciam@cmsd.k12.pa.us and by phone at 724-745-1400, ext. 5009.