Jolwes Phanord has created a survey related to CBHS food choices, and he wants your input. Please complete his survey at the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SFPLKT2

Headline News

Thanks to all of the junior families who donated breakfast foods Saturday and helped our students bring their best on the SAT’s. Every PPS student who took the test on Saturday gets the day off today (Monday, 5/6).

 The school budget is now in the hands of the City Council. May 14^th will be the public referendum. We are still ½ teacher short of what we need.

 Progress report grades are now available on IC and from advisors. Students in grades 9-11 with more than one “2” as a course grade may be required to stay for BK 7 this week. We are now at the half-way mark of the spring trimester.

 May 11^th Prom tickets are on sale this week. CBHS juniors and seniors (only) are allowed up to 3 approved guests. All tickets must be purchased by THIS Friday 2pm.. Sign up for guests no later than this Wednesday, May 8^th. Tickets are $15 per person and $25 for a couple.We are seeking donations of finger foods and drinks for the prom. Watch for more details. Thanks.

 Congrats to Ms. Driscoll and the cast and the crew of All in the Timing for their rollicking weekend shows.

 Congrats to the freshmen for a tremendous culmination, to the juniors for surviving the SATS and to the senior authors who read original work at Cafe Night.

 From Margo (Will M’s mom): Thanks to all those who contributed to yesterday’s Lawn Sale for Project Graduation! We had a great day, and great sales beyond our hopes, leaving us in good shape for our seniors. Thanks for all your donations and time!

PAG News

The next PAG meeting will be a week from Thursday, 5/16 at 5:30

Thanks to a $250 donation from PAG, Cabinet has purchased a supplies of balls and fitness equipment (footballs, basketballs, jump ropes, soccer balls, red rubber balls, wiffle ball) for use by crews and others. Thank you PAG.

 PAG is looking for parents to become part of PAG’s leadership team for next school year to help us propel the school forward as we grow. Several key PAG positions are open, including treasurer, secretary, co-chair trainee, and a co-chair for our biggest money raiser, the craft fair. Please call Kim Crabill at 615-3181 to discuss how you could help, and thank you! It takes a village, and we hope you will join ours.

 Upcoming

5/13-14 – Math NWEA’s (9th)

5/14-16 – Model UN

5/15- AP US

5/20-21 – Eng NWEA’s (9^th)

5/20 – Final Words Begin

5/21 – Hidden History Dress Rehearsal

5/22 – 11:05 Dismissal

5/23 – Family Crew Night

5/24 – Hidden History Culmination

5/25 – Sam Pierce’s Maker Faire

9^th Grade – Great Space

10^th Grade – Library

11^th Grade – Outside (or Sweden, back-up)

12^th Grade – Somalia

Final: 1:37-2:05 – All in Great Space, on the floor, by crew.

Prelim judges unite as one panel to pick the final two. Applause O’Meter makes the final call.

Do you remember when Charles Maker and the Policer Officer presented at School Meeting about the “SEALsFit” program? If you might be interested in being part of their next session, which starts this week, see Mr. Pierce TODAY. The next session will be in the fall. Please visit www.mainelit.org and the “SEALsFit” tab for more information.

 Sophomores and juniors: If you are interested in a PATHS course for next year and have not scheduled a visit, see Mr. Hale. Spots are fast filling up.

 Monday: Good Luck AP Environmental Science Students!

Sophomores to Maine State Museum for Malaga Research

Juniors have the day off for taking the SAT’s Saturday.

 TST: You da Man presentation for 9^th Grade.

 Wed: Good Luck AP Calc. Students!

BK 1 – Brain Culmination with 9^th Grade

Gay Pride Day Assembly

MANDATORY Model UN Meeting on Wednesday for all delegates attending the USM Model UN conference in the library right after school.

 Thursday: Good Luck AP English Students!

9-11 – 9^th Grade to Wittenberg Performance at Portland Stage

 6pm – National Honor Society Spring Induction

 Friday- Crew at the end of the Day – Crew Talent Show

 Saturday - Prom – on Casco Bay Ferry Lines – 8-11

 Upcoming

Seniors’ last day for classes is Friday, May 31st. All work required for meeting standards in the 3rd tri must be turned in by this date; only work in need of revision but not returned to students by May 30th can be dealt with June 3rd and June 4th after marching practice. All students must be meeting all standards for trimester 3 required for graduation by June 4th 2pm in order to participate in the ceremony.

Headline News

Spring Trimester Progress Report grades will be viewable online by Thursday.

The school budget is now in the hands of the City Council. May 14^th will be the public referendum. We are still ½ teacher short of what we need.

Thank you Parent Advisory Group for providing $250 additional money for the second place finisher in the Student Choice Grant: fitness equipment. Members of Cabinet will be purchasing the equipment soon.

 Thursday – 9^th Grade Sustain ME Culmination – Parents and loved ones welcome

9-11 – 9^th Grade Culmination at CBHS

12-2 – 9^th Grade Culmination at 1 Longfellow Square

 6pm – Senior Humanities Cafe Night (library)

 Come see the CBHS spring play this weekend – David Ives’ hilarious All in the Timing – Friday at 6pm and Saturday at 7pm in the Dance Studio.

 All juniors (or 3^rd year HS students) take the SAT’s at CBHS THIS Saturday morning. Attendance is mandatory. (Participating students do not have school on Monday, May 6^th.)

 PAG is looking for parents to become part of PAG’s leadership team for next school year to help us propel the school forward as we grow. Several key PAG positions are open, including treasurer, secretary, co-chair trainee, and a co-chair for our biggest money raiser, the craft fair. Please call Kim Crabill at 615-3181 to discuss how you could help, and thank you! It takes a village, and we hope you will join ours.

 Upcoming

5/6 – APES Exam

5/8 – GSA Pride Day

5/9 – AP English Exam

5/9 – NHS Spring Induction

5/10 – Crew Talent Competition

5/11 – Prom

5/14-16 – Model UN

5/15- AP US

 Project Graduation – Yard Sale – May 4th

 Other Select Student Announcements:

The annual Crew Talent and Variety Show is coming up ONE week from this Friday, May 10th. Acts may take no more than 5 minutes, be PG-13 and all crew members must participate. A panel of highly esteemed judges will preside. Start preparing.

 May 11^th Prom tickets go on sale this week. CBHS juniors and seniors (only) are allowed up to 3 approved guests. All tickets must be purchased in advance. Sign up for guests no later than a week from Wednesday, May 8^th. See Sophie McGovern for details.

 Congrats to the freshmen whose art is currently on display in the City Wide Art Show at City Hall. It will be showcased as a part of First Friday, this week, May 3^rd: Josie Pierce, Maeve Porter Holiday, Melody Fish, Maggie Ruff, Emily Damon, Anna Crabill, Maddy Bennett, Julian Lambert, Ayan Ahmed, Oliver Ellis, , Rowan Hoyt, Cyntia Ntanda, Curtis Brown, Adam Roland, Lona Peter, Hannah Clifford and Mel McLure Chute

 Sophomores and juniors: If you are interested in a PATHS course for next year and have not scheduled a visit, see Mr. Hale. Spots are fast filling up.

 Seniors: Be sure to update your college page on Naviance with your college acceptances and college choice. Also be sure to check for regular updates from Ms. Doyle and Mr. Hale about scholarships opportunities.

 Vocal Ensemble (from Ms. Sawtelle): We have a performance coming up May 23^rd, and we will need every rehearsal to make it happen. We will meet at 7:10am (or as early as individual students can arrive on buses, etc.) on the following Wednesdays: April 31, May 7, May 14, and May 21st. I . Likewise, the Instrumental Ensemble should plan to continue rehearsing on Tuesdays in order to perform that night.

 Please Welcome Our Visitors this Week:

1) Vicki Gordan a VP (in Business Development, Planning and Metrics) from UNUM will be visiting on Wednesday and Scott Hamilton from Idexx (also a Vice President) will be visiting for the day on Friday as part of the district’s “Principal for a Day” program.

2) National researchers involved in the AIR “Deeper Learner” study will be visiting and conducting focus groups with students and staff this Thursday and Friday.

 Monday: Juniors to Bates and St. Joe’s.

The 9^th Grade is having a “walls down” today on Monday in prep for Sustain ME

Room Shifts: Bk 1 Croft (Sr. Hum) moves to Haiti

Sr. Supported Study – to Senegal and Afghanistan

 2:30 – Facilities Task Force in the Great Space.

 Wed:

Course Registration for next year for students (9-11) should be completed in IC by the end of crew on Wednesday

 Art Wednesdays in May: This is a call out to students who like to paint, draw or collage: come decorate a wooden mirror frame to be auctioned next fall to raise money for Painting For A Purpose (www.paintingforapurpose.net). PFP is a local organization that funds grants to Portland public school students to make a difference in their community. (PFP helped fund the garden at CBHS).

The group will meet Wednesdays after school with artists/parents to complete the project. All materials provided. Start date: THIS Wednesday, May 1st, 1-2:30

A sign up sheet is posted in the great space. Questions? Contact Penny Sarvis (pjsarvis@gmail.com) or Elizabeth Szatkowski (Elizabeth.Szatkowski@opportunityalliance.org)

 The Sailing Team is having a fundraiser this Wednesday, May 1, at Gelato Fiasco (much like the one for Junior Journey – 100% of the proceeds to go the team.

 Friday- Crew after Lunch

Crew and BK 3 – 9^th Grade Celebration and Sustainability Build Challenge

All in the Timing (6pm)

 Saturday – SAT’s for all 3^rd year students

All in the Timing (7pm)

 Upcoming

Seniors’ last day for classes is Friday, May 31st. All work required for meeting standards in the 3rd tri must be turned in by this date; only work in need of revision but not returned to students by May 30th can be dealt with June 3rd and June 4th after marching practice. All students must be meeting all standards for trimester 3 required for graduation by June 4th 2pm in order to participate in the ceremony.

April 2013

Below is a letter I shared with our school community on April 26, 2013 before the release of the state Department of Education’s grades… You can find our school report card from the state at the end of this letter….

- Derek Pierce

Dear CBHS Families and Friends:

 We have learned that the Maine Department of Education will be releasing “A-F” grades for each school in the state in the next few days. As of this writing, I have not seen the “grade” for Casco Bay High School. When a student receives a grade at Casco Bay, it is based on a diverse body of evidence: an array of formative and summative assessments – from papers to projects – each with clear learning targets and accompanying rubrics. Sadly, the state system is not that complex. Two factors will determine a high school’s grade from the state: state standardized test scores (in reading and math only) and graduation rates (4 and 5 years). Given this narrow lens, I anticipate a grade that may seem inaccurate and even demeaning to many in our community.

Here are some data points that are not considered in the state’s grade of a high school:

- Demographics: We are proud to be one of the most diverse high schools in the state, reflective of our city. CBHS has a higher percentage of special education students and economically disadvantaged students than the state as a whole. Our percentage of English Language Learners is about ten times the state’s rate.

- 11^th Grade Standardized Test Scores in Science and Writing: CBHS students have exceeded state and district pass rates by over 10% in each test of the last five years

- Drop-out Rates: CBHS has consistently been lower than state average in our dropout rate.

- College Acceptance Rates: Our college acceptance rate has been among the top in the state for four years and 100% several times.

 We very much believe in public accountability for our results. In our October newsletter, we shared how we are doing on the thirteen measures our faculty devised to assess our progress, from the percentage of students earning college credit before graduation (48%, in 2011-2) to the percentage of English Language Learners who made more than one year’s growth in literacy during the school year (61% in 2011-2). We also shared our targets for improvements by 2015 (eg: that 75% of students earn college credit before graduation).

We are as determined to improve as we are proud of our success. In October, in addition, we shared our faculty’s goals: to deepen the quality of our assessment practices, to improve our support for at-risk learners, and to increase student’s math achievement. This work is ongoing, but our progress is promising. Of the sixteen students that the state views as “non-completers” in our 2012 “4-year graduation rate,” ten are on track to receive their diploma (and be college ready) this year, and four are pursuing or received their GED. Our percentage of seniors who’ve met SMCC cut scores on the Accuplacer in math has increased about 20% in one year.

 No matter how we are labelled next week, we are the same school that is expanding next year because of community demand, the same school that was recognized as one of Maine’s top ten high schools by US News and World Report in 2012, that was again chosen to be one of sixteen Expeditionary Learning “Mentor Schools” nationwide. Our 2011 external evaluation by the Great Schools Partnership concluded, “the school has demonstrated consistently high levels of accomplishment in every dimension with exemplary performance… in many areas.”

The best measure of our students is in the work they create and the citizens they become. But don’t take my word for it. Come see for yourself on May 2^nd at the 9^th Graders’ Sustainability Symposium, or May 24^th at the Maine Historical Society when the sophomores share their Hidden Histories, or at SALT Gallery on June 11^th when the juniors debut their DVD of West Virginian oral histories. Better still, some weekday morning between May 20th-29^th, come sit in on the seniors’ Final Words. Each senior gives a speech to their classmates and loved ones about who they are on the verge of one of life’s milestones. Every year, after witnessing each senior bring their best and after considering their astounding journeys, I teem with pride about these young adults and the exceptional school we have forged together.

This year, perhaps we will invite the Maine Department of Education.

Sincerely,

Derek Pierce

Principal

The following school report card was released on May 1st, 2013:

Casco Bay High School 2012-2013 State Report Card

Headline News

The School Committee will be making their final review on the budget (7pm at CBHS, 4/23) before passing it along to the City Council. May 14^th will be the public referendum.

 The April Parent Advisory Group will be THIS Tuesday night, April 23^rd (still from 5:30-7pm). Agenda items will include the Expansion, the school budget, the PAG Budget for 2013-2014 and Parent Advisory Councils.

Wednesday – 11:05 dismissal

“Make it Happen” Students to UMO

The Spring Moth is THIS Friday night, April 26th from 7:00-8:30. The theme is “Adventure and Misadventure.” All are welcome to tell a story or just be entertained. Dessert and beverage pot luck.

 Also Friday: Grades Close for Progress Reports. Spring Intensive Grades viewable online.

8:30-1:30: Sophs to USM “Thinking Matters” Conference

 Upcoming

Mon – 4/29 – 9^th Walls Down

4/29 – Juniors to Bates and St Jo’s

5/2 – Progress Reports Mailed

5/2 – Sustain ME Culmination

5/3-4 – All in the Timing – Spring Play

5/4 – SAT’s

5/6 – AP Env. Science Exam

5/8 – GSA Pride Day

5/9 – AP English Exam

5/9 – NHS Spring Induction

5/10 – Crew Talent Competition

5/11 – CBHS Prom

Other Select Student Announcements

The annual Crew Talent and Variety Show is coming up two weeks from this Friday, May 10th. Acts may take no more than 5 minutes, be PG-13 and all crew members must be involved. Start preparing.

Intensives students and teachers: Please get any newsletter submissions and photos electronically to Ms. Kierstead and Mr. Pierce by the end of the day.

Seniors: One senior-created piece of writing will be read or performed at graduation. To be considered, any senior may submit a piece of writing by THIS FRIDAY April 26TH to Mr. Pierce. (DEADLINE EXTENDED) Parents, students, and staff on the Graduation Committee will review submissions and make the choice.

Poetry and Spoken Word Students: See Mr. Pierce to collect your writing and feedback. Let him know this week if you would like to participate in the Exceeds performance opportunities at Port Veritas and First Friday.

Art Wednesdays in May: This is a call out to students who like to paint, draw or collage: come decorate a wooden mirror frame to be auctioned next fall to raise money for Painting For A Purpose (www.paintingforapurpose.net). PFP is a local organization that funds grants to Portland public school students to make a difference in their community. (PFP helped fund the garden at CBHS).

The group will meet Wednesdays after school with artists/parents to complete the project. All materials provided.

Start date: NEXT Wednesday, May 1st, 1-2:30

A sign up sheet is posted in the great space.

Questions? Contact Penny Sarvis (pjsarvis@gmail.com) or Elizabeth Szatkowski (Elizabeth.Szatkowski@opportunityalliance.org)

Sophomore Students are invited to apply for the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA) conference. See Mr. Hale or Ms. Doyle for an application. They are due TODAY April 22^nd.

Thursday

2:30 – Cabinet and 3:30 – Yoga

Friday – Crew at the End of the Day

Headline News

Monday – Spring sports begin. Contact Scott Shibles FMIPanera Junior Journey Fundraiser – Eat Bread to Raise Dough

TONIGHT Monday, March 25^th – 4 to 8pm

Main Street in Westbrook. You must bring in the flyer below to get CBHS the discount: CBHSJJ2013

Wednesday – 11:05 Dismissal

On Wednesday, we will have 28 faculty from other Portland Public Schools visiting our classrooms and talking with students and teachers to learn more about our standard-based grading and assessment practices. New state law means all Maine schools will be moving towards a standards-based approach.

Thursday: 1pm: Sophomores’ Shakespeare Performances (Library, Great Space and Sweden). Parents welcome.

 We are seeking parents to join students and staff on a Future Expansion Task force that will make recommendations about our space as we expand next fall. First meeting this Thursday: 3/28 – 2:30-3:30 in the library. Subsequent meetings will be Monday: 2:30-4pm – 4/29, 5/13, 5/20, 6/3. Please contact Derek if you are interested or FMI.

 The Math Cup is this Thursday – 6 to 8pm. We have 13 teams competing! Please contact Renee Serio at  reneeserio at yahoo.com if you would like to help  out.  Thank you!!!

 The Portland Board of Public Education will hold (the once postponed due to snow) public forum on the Fiscal Year 2014 budget on April 2 at 7 p.m. in Room 250 at Casco Bay High School. 

 The April Parent Advisory Group meeting has been postponed from April 9^th until April 23^rd (still from 5:30-7pm).

Input on Expansion Survey:

We are gathering student, staff and parents’ initial feedback by the expansion. If you are interested in sharing your perspective, please complete the following 4 question online survey by the end of this week. Thanks to everyone who has given their input so far:

 http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CHC9HH7

 Upcoming

4/4: Intensives Pre-Meeting at Noon

4/4 – Model UN Global Fusion (International) Night

4/6 – Junior Journey Departs

4/8 – Intensives Week!

Local Parent Events: Paula and Barry Spencer: If I knew then…

Portland High School. Tuesday, April – 6:30, Room 304

Deering High School, Tuesday, April 9-6:30, Auditorium

Model UN Global Fusion (aka “International”) Night – Thursday April 4th. Please come and be part of the global community that is CBHS and Model UN. This is our major fund-raiser for Model UN 2013.

Food and Performances. $12.00 Food and Performances, $6.00 performances only. Tickets available from any Model UN member after Wednesday. If you are interested in performing, see Fatma Adnan.

Seniors: One senior-created piece of writing will be read or performed at graduation. To be considered, any senior may submit a piece of writing by April vacation 2013. Parents, students, and staff on the Graduation Committee will review submissions and make the choice.

The state is expanding its offering of free online AP courses next fall called, “AP for ALL.” Interested sophomores and juniors should register by April 3^rd. Spaces are limited. See Mr. Hale or Ms Doyle for more information – or go to go to http://www.ap4all.org . The following courses will be offered in 2013-14 as part of AP4ALL:

AP Art History

AP Biology

AP Calculus AB

AP Calculus BC

AP Chemistry

AP Computer Science

AP Environmental Science

AP English Language

AP English Literature

AP European History

AP Latin

AP Macroeconomics

AP Microeconomics

AP Music Theory

AP Psychology

AP Spanish Language

AP Statistics

AP Studio Art: 2D Design

AP Studio Art: 3D Design

AP Studio Art: Drawing

AP US History

AP US Government and Politics

AP World History

Monday – Spring Sports Begin… See the signs in the main hallway indicating which sports are practicing when and where. See Mr. Shibles with questions.

Today is the last day for any crew who has not completed the final round of voting in the PAG $1000 Student Choice grant.

Tuesday: AP English students: Tues. is Fiesta day. Arrive to class with costumes and delicious Colombian food.

Friday – Crew After Lunch

8-10:30 – MHSA Test in Science (for all 3^rd Yr Students). Good luck juniors!

Crew – 10^th – Work is Play Celebration

Come see Antonio Macomber’s Senior Expedition Friday March 29th at 7:00PM at Zero Station.  It is called Tell Me What I Like: A Concert Extravaganza. Antonio’s band The Stolen Mural will be performing a show with various segments with each segment showcasing a particular style of popular music.  The goal of the culmination is to raise awareness of the musical options that are available to the public besides the regular bombardment of of Top 40 radio. 

Headline News

There will be an opportunity for public input on the proposed school budget at 6pm at King Middle School on Tuesday night.

 Thursday and Friday are district wide early release days (11:05 at CBHS). We will have “Mud Season” School for eligible students from 11:30-2:30. Eligible students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to earn credit. Do as much as you can ahead of time!

The March Newsletter is right here: CBHS March 2013

At last Thursday’s meeting, the PAG approved $4000 to support spring intensives as well as a student grant request for paint for the new outdoor basketball court.

Expansion Update:

1) We are gathering student, staff and parents’ initial feedback by the expansion. If you are interested in sharing your perspective, please complete the following 4 question online survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CHC9HH7

2) We are seeking parents to join students and staff on a Future Expansion Task force that will make recommendations about our space as we expand next fall. Tentative Meeting Times: Thursday: 3/28 – 2:30-3:30, Monday: 2:30-4pm – 4/29, 5/13, 5/20, 6/3. Please contact Derek if you are interested or FMI.

Upcoming

3/25 – Spring Sports Begin!

3/27 – 11:05 Release Day

3/28 – Sophomore Shakespeare performances (1:00pm)

3/28- Future Facilities Task Force

3/28 – Math Cup

3/29 – MHSA Science Test for Juniors

4/2 – Springfield Visit

4/4 – International Night

Local Parent Events:

1) Paula and Barry Spencer: If I knew then…

The Spencer’s of Falmouth were charged with hosting an underage drinking party. Their trial, which ended in a jury deadlock, made national news. They are now speaking publicly about their experiences.

Come join the conversation with Paula and Barry Spencer of Falmouth as they talk about what they have learned about teen parties.

Two opportunities:

Portland High School

Tuesday, April 2: 6:30, Room 304 at Deering High School

Tuesday, April 9, 6:30, Auditorium at PHS

1) Youth and Parenting in the Digital Age – Parent Workshop – see below:

Always On_poster_v2

Help Wanted

PAG is looking for parent volunteers to serve on a nominating committee to select and nominate PAG officers for the 2013-2014 school year. This will require a very short term commitment and will help PAG identify key board members for the next two school years. If you’re interested in helping and are the parent of a freshman, junior, or senior, please call Kim Crabill at 615-3181 to join the effort! And thanks!

We are looking for parents who might be interested to help in putting together a brief “Parent Field Guide” (a kind of “insider’s guide”) for new CBHS parents. If you are interested in being a part of this, please contact Derek.

Math Cup Update

Thank you to so many people who have already donated their time and/or cooking prowess to the upcoming Math Cup Night on Thursday, March 28th from 5-8:00.  Being a new CBHS parent, I am looking forward to what I have heard is an incredibly fun night of community and computation.  Below are some of the gaps that we need to fill. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

We still need volunteers to:

 set up rooms from 4-5:30 (2 people)

 moderate rooms during competition (2 people)

 clean up from 8-9 (4 people)

In the food area, we would greatly appreciate the following donations:

 5 more lasagnas

 9 loaves of bread  (feeds 10)

 8 large salads  (feeds 10)

 4 desserts  (feeds 10)

 water, snacks for individual rooms

Please contact Renee Serio at  reneeserio at yahoo.com if you would like to help  out on Thursday, March 28th.  Thank you!!!

Project Graduation Fundraiser – Hannaford Gift Cards

We are resuming the Hannaford gift card fundraiser for Project Graduation.  For every $1000 in gift cards that we purchase, Hannaford gives us an extra 5% back, which will be used for Project Graduation.

You can purchase a new card, or recharge an existing one.

If you would like to participate, please write a check payable to CBHS PAG for the gift card amount that you want (minimum $50, in increments of $25).  To recharge an existing card, please write your current card number on your check.

Send the check to: Bob Cave, 80 Chenery Street, Portland, ME 04103

The deadline to be included in the next purchase is March 30th, 2013.

If you have any questions, please feel free to give me a call at 773-4292, or e-mail me at caveb@maine.rr.com

Other Select Student Announcements:

Applications for this week’s Pre-Summer School (aka “Mud-Season” School) are now available on the website – and outside Mr. Pierce’s office. Applications and any payment must be submitted by the start of Mud Season School Thursday. See Mr. Pierce if you have any special financial considerations.

You have two weeks to create your crew’s yearbook page. See Mr. Nichols if you need help or more guidelines.

Junior and senior course sign-ups will take place through crew, Acad (and Infinite Campus) this week.

Monday – 11^th Grade – Junior Oral History Field Work

Tuesday: We can send 20 to 30 CBHS students to the PATHS Dance performance at noon. Seniors, then juniors, will be given preference.

Seniors: The selection process for the senior class graduation speaker will begin soon, In addition to this speaker, one senior-created piece of writing will be read or performed at graduation. To be considered, any senior may submit a piece of writing by April vacation 2013 that meets the following criteria:

The piece of writing:

• Is appropriate to be shared at graduation/
• Captures either the specifics or the spirit of the class and of the event.
• Can be any genre of writing (a story, an essay, a poem, a rap…)
• May or may not be read or performed by the author. If the author will not be the reader, the author needs to identify whom the reader/performer will be when making the submission.

Parents, students, and staff on the Graduation Committee will review submissions and make the choice.

Casco Bay High School Expansion Planned for 2013-2014 School Year

The Portland Public Schools will expand Casco Bay High School’s ninth and tenth grades next fall in response to increasing demand. The expansion is part of a three-year plan to increase the school’s size to a maximum of 400 students.

“We are excited to build on the Portland Public Schools’ diverse and rich choices for secondary schooling,” said Portland Superintendent Emmanuel Caulk. “Now, Portland families will have even more opportunity to choose the high school that best fits their children’s needs.”

Casco Bay High School (CBHS) currently is capped at 70 students per grade level because of space limitations. For the past four years, CBHS has held a lottery to determine which students can be offered spots. This year’s lottery pool of 133 students was the largest to date.

Next fall, CBHS will increase its ninth grade class by up to 30 students, thus cutting the waiting list in half. In addition, all of the sophomores on the waiting list will be accepted. Impacted students will receive additional information from Casco Bay within the next week.

The plan calls for additional expansion in the following two years, until the school grows from its current enrollment of about 275 students to no more than 400 students. The enrollment cap will ensure that CBHS continues to offer a small school environment that fosters close relationships between students and faculty.

“We expect to still know our students deeply, while better meeting community demand and achieving economies of scale that will benefit teaching and learning,” said CBHS Principal Derek Pierce. He noted that teachers will be able to focus their efforts primarily on one grade level team rather than two, as is now the case.

Since its opening in 2005, CBHS has shared a campus with Portland Arts and Technology High School and the district’s Central Office at 196 Allen Avenue. Central Office will move during the 2013-2014 school year to create the space necessary for the expansion.

Last spring, CBHS was named by “US News & World Report” as one of Maine’s top 10 high schools. CBHS currently is one of the “Mentor Schools” within the national network of Expeditionary Learning schools.

Below are a copy of remarks Principal Pierce shared with the student body on March 7th.

Remarks to Students About Expansion 3-7 2013

To Members of the PPS Class of 2017 and their Families:

Thank you so much for your interest in attending Casco Bay High School.

On Wednesday, February 27th, we held a lottery that included 133 in-district students for 73 spots in the Class of 2017. Several CBHS staff members assisted me in the proceedings. We carefully followed the established lottery protocol in an effort to have a process that was fair and transparent. We used a random number generator to determine the initial order, and the process was completed without us viewing any students’ names (only student ID numbers and relevant demographics) to help ensure there was no unintentional bias. You can get further details about the lottery process by contacting us or downloading the policy from the “prospective students” section of the CBHS website.

The results of the lottery are in the attachment below. No student names are listed on the attachment – only student ID numbers. (Note: students in the lottery without a PPS ID number were given one by CBHS. You can find out what that number is by contacting us at 874-8160.) All students in the lottery will be receiving a letter within a week with additional information, some of which is repeated below.

Class of 2017 – Lottery Results

Additional Information For Students in the Class of 2017 on the Wait List and their Families:

Thank you again for your interest in Casco Bay High School.

We are grateful that all Portland residents have three great options for public high school within Portland Public Schools (four, including PATHS). Although we recommend students on the wait list pursue another option for high school next year, spots on our wait list are held unless we are told the name should be removed. We do anticipate that some students will be admitted off the wait list, especially in the short term and over the summer. Last year, approximately ten students were admitted off the wait list between the time of the lottery and September. Please know that for us, whether a student is admitted today or in September, there is no difference in the services or courses this student would receive. A student’s particular number on the wait list has been determined by the lottery. Because of our commitment to maintain a student body that looks like Portland, the next student admitted can depend on the demographics of the overall class and/or the student deciding to leave. This means that, in certain circumstances, students with higher numbers on the wait list may still be admitted before students with lower numbers. Portland students submitting a commitment form after the lottery will be added to the end of the wait list in the order in which their commitment letter is received. A student’s wait list number will change over time and can only improve. If a spot opens up, we will notify that family as soon as possible. If a student or family would like an update on their position, feel free to contact the CBHS registrar, Linda Pinard, or myself at any time. Further details about how the wait list works are published in the “lottery policy” document on the CBHS website.

Please feel free to contact us if you would like more information or clarification. We regret any anxiety or disappointment the wait list may cause. Thanks you again.

Sincerely,

Derek Pierce
Principal

Check out more about the upcoming production of Pippin (1/25-27) here: pippinposter

Headline News

We had a great Winter Intensives week. Look for details in the January newsletter, coming out soon. Student grades should be viewable online by day’s end on Friday. Special thanks to parents Margo Halverson and Maryanne Lloyd who helped launch a new “’Zine” intensive.

Our semi-annual Family Crew Night is THIS Thursday, January 17th from 6:30-8:30pm. The entire community is encouraged to come and eat as well as celebrate the accomplishments of the first half of the year. Dinner will take place from 6:30-7:15. A range of student entertainment and announcements will follow – from 7:15 to 8:30. Work from various intensives will also be on display, including a student photography exhibit. Please bring a favorite dish from your family’s traditions or heritage. Below are the guidelines for each crew.

Donaldson – Side Dish/Appetizer

Young – Side Dish/Appetizer

McNally – Side Dish/Appetizer

Weigel – Side Dish/Appetizer

Hagstrom/Hoover – Desserts

Morales – Desserts

Croft – Desserts

Loughlin – Drinks

Nusom – Main Dish

Burke – Main Dish

Doane – Main Dish

Teller – Main Dish

Nichols – Main Dish

Shibles – Main Dish

Hale – Main Dish

Pierce – Drinks

McCray – Drinks/Paper Goods

Appelbaum – Decorations/Paper Goods

Murray – Main Dish

Ford – Main Dish

We will be starting a lunch time piano concert series on Thursdays. If you are interested in playing and/or singing with piano, please sign up outside Mr. Pierce’s door.

Pippin – the CBHS Musical: 1/25-27

CBHS Pirates Game – 2/2