Message from Principal McKillop
Good Evening, Cougar Nation!
I hope this email finds you inside and warm. We have officially entered February, and according to Punxsutawney Phil we have six more weeks of winter. Don't despair, his predictions have not always been accurate.
As shared on the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) website, National School Counseling Week 2023 is Feb. 6-10, and aims to focus public attention on the unique contribution of school counselors within U.S. school systems. National School Counseling Week, sponsored by ASCA, highlights the tremendous impact school counselors can have in helping students achieve school success and plan for a career. National School Counseling Week is always celebrated the first full week in February. We are grateful for the work our school counselors do to help our students DREAM BIG; the 2023 celebrated theme for National School Counseling Week.
Please see the table of contents below. I would encourage you to read through the entire newsletter at some point this weekend if time allows.
Have a great weekend, and GO COUGARS!
Best,
Heather
Weather Statement
This is a reminder that a decision to cancel school is determined from our Superintendent, Dr. Kimberly Rizzo Saunders. Principal McKillop does not make that determination for the high school. Families are notified via email and phone based on the information listed in PowerSchool. If you are not receiving these messages, please contact Mark Schaub at mschaub@conval.edu. We would also like to remind all students and families that lockers are available for all students to store winter gear and other belongings. Please stop by the main office if you would like to obtain a locker.
To access the information about the CTE programs at the Region 14 Applied Technology Center, please click this link.
Course Selection Process Starts For 2023-2024
Next week, the School Counseling team will be holding grade-level meetings about course selection for the 2023-2024 school year in the LHT. Here is the timeline for declaring course preferences:
- February 2-10: PowerSchool open for student course selection (this could be delayed if there are more snow days this week)
- February 10: Last day for students to select courses in PowerSchool (this could be extended if there are more snow days this week)
- February 13-March 24: Students meet 1:1 with school counselors to finalize course selections in PowerSchool
Students have also the opportunity to explore courses by checking out the Electives Fair online. By clicking on the links to short video presentations and .pdf guides, students can explore the elective course options. Stay tuned for more information via web posts, starting on Tuesday, January 31.
YRBS Survey To Be Conducted February 7, 2023
On February 7, 2023, our school will take part in the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), cosponsored by the NH Departments of Education and Health & Human Services. This voluntary survey asks about the health behaviors of 9th through 12th grade students and will be completed in TASC homerooms. Director of Counseling Terri Drogue shared an email with additional details, including a link to the actual survey questions and a link to an opt-out form.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741
You can also reach out by typing @CrisisTextLine on Facebook Messenger.
The service is here for any type of crisis and is available 24/7 for high-quality, text-based mental health support.
A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform.
Reach out to get the help you need.
Nurses' Notes
Please find the link to our monthly nurses' newsletter. Please reach out to your school nurse if you have any questions or concerns.
https://www.smore.com/mf3jh-conval-school-nurses-newsletter?ref=email-content#w-3765190189
Upcoming in Athletics and Co-curriculars:
Big News: On February 15th, ConVal and Souhegan in a joint effort will host the Claws for a Cause games at ConVal High School. The event will feature a double header match up between the ConVal girls and boys basketball teams and Souhegan. T-shirts will be sold during lunches over the next week as well as during the event for $15. There will be a general admission for the game; students/senior citizens $3 adults $5. All proceeds will go to a local charity, Break the Silence.
Big News: We celebrated our seniors during the Unified basketball game this past Wednesday. It was a great event with a full gym cheering on our basketball players. ConVal was victorious on the day but more importantly we celebrated each other as a community. Thank you to all who were able to attend and share the moment.
Coaches Needed: We are looking for a Boys Lacrosse Coach and a Girls Tennis coach for this spring. Please see our SAU jobs postings to apply or reach out to kproctor@conval.edu with any questions.
For Boys Ice Hockey Game Times Use the Link Below:
February 3rd: Boys Basketball will host Hollis-Brookline. JV at 5:00 and Varsity at 6:30.
February 10th: ConVal Nation Event of the Week- Senior Night for Boys Basketball. Come to the Cave to support our seniors as they host the Kingswood Knights. Reserve boys will begin at 3:30. JV boys 5:00. Varsity at 6:30. The ceremony for the seniors will begin roughly at 6:20.
All other teams will be on the road next week as they begin to make their runs to the postseason. Please visit our website for more information on away games/events.
Friends of ConVal Athletics
You may have noticed that concessions have been closed for the last few home games. We can't do it without the help from our volunteers! Please consider volunteering. Choose an available date and position — Concession Volunteer, Crockpot (Chili, Meatballs, Mac & Cheese, etc.), or Pizza Pickup at Peterborough Pizza Barn — and click the green "Sign Up" button. To sign up for any of the home sports events in February, please click here. Thank you!
Affordable Connectivity Program
The Federal Communications Commission has announced that 20 of the nation’s internet providers have committed to lowering costs for low-income households to help improve access to high-speed internet for 48 million households nationwide. The Affordable Connectivity Program lowers internet costs for eligible families by up to $30 a month. Parents must sign up on their own. Here are information flyers that promote this offer.
ConVal Theatre
Hey creative crew of ConVal! On Tuesday, February 7th, ConVal Theatre is hosting auditions for our spring musical, "The Pirate Queen", written by the geniuses behind Les Mis and Miss Saigon! There are also sign-ups for creative roles like costumes, set, and tech. If you'd like to perform but don't want to audition, there is an ensemble only spot on the sign-up sheet as well! Everyone is welcome, no experience necessary, we will teach you everything you need to know! Visit http://bit.ly/piratequeencv or see Mr. or Mrs. Moore for more details!