CBHS School Opening Letter - August 2023
Dear Casco Bay Students and Families:
Happy August! To help facilitate a successful school opening, please review the following information carefully. Please contact us if you would like any additional information. We are excited to see you all (fairly) soon!
CBHS Events Between Now and the First Day of School
Next Monday, August 14th: Fall Sports Tryouts
We know sports can be one important way for our students to build community, develop leadership skills, foster personal health and wellbeing, and just have a lot of fun! We encourage you to try out and get involved! If you have any questions or concerns, please email our Assistant Principal Ms. Natarajan (natarp@portlandschools.org) to help you or connect you to one of our returning athletes on that team.
Even if you have not gotten a physical yet, please register and get connected before tryouts.
Deering High School
Coaches' Information by Sport and Season
Portland High School
Head Coaches' Contact Information
Summer Bridge for the Class of 2027: Wednesday August 23 and Thursday, 24 from 9am-2pm.
Although not required, we are hoping for ALL of our rising 9th graders to attend this CBHS orientation experience to meet classmates as well as to learn more about what it means to be a Casco Bay High School 9th grader and how to have a successful 9th grade year. Students should arrive at Casco Bay by 8:50am each morning. We invite students to bring in food to share as possible for a grade-wide potluck lunch on the second day, Thursday the 24th.
Quest Information Night and New Student Ice Cream Social: Thursday, Aug. 24th (7 to 8pm)
9th graders (and seniors) and their parents and guardians are invited to the CBHS Great Space for Quest Information Night at 7pm.. 9th grade families are invited to stay for the ice cream social right afterwards. You can meet your child’s crew advisor, enjoy some ice cream and learn more about the great CBHS 9th grade tradition of Quest that will happen for all 9th graders on Cow Island at the end of September 27th-29th. (Returning Students: If you would like to be an ambassador for the event, please contact Mr. Pierce (piercd@portlandschools.org) to sign up.)
Tuesday, August 29th Parent Advisory Group (6-7pm, CBHS Library)
All CBHS parents are welcome to connect with other parents and the principal and to learn about the coming year and how parents can get involved.
Thursday, August 31st: Parent and Student Input on 2023-24 Expeditions (1:00-2:30pm, Great Space) All parents and students are welcome and encouraged to come give feedback to faculty on draft expedition plans for the coming year. This annual ritual is at the end of the faculty summer institute.
Friday, September 1st: School Beautification Day (9am-3pm)
Student and parent volunteers are sought to help us get spaces ready and looking good for opening day. Any and all help – both skilled and unskilled – is appreciated! Come for one hour, all day or whenever you can. There is plenty to do, so thanks in advance for considering.
2022-23 Opening Day
Wednesday, September 6th: Special Schedule:
Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors should arrive at the district’s normal high school start time: by 8:20am. They will be dismissed early, prior to lunch, about noon. Freshmen should arrive by 10am (and after 9:30am). 9th graders will be dismissed at 2:50; school lunch will be available for freshmen - as well as to older students as they depart. Students will be in crews (only) during the first day of school. Thursday, September 7th will begin at (8:20am), and all academic courses (blocks #1- #6) will meet. Friday, September 9th will be the first “A” Day (and when PATHS courses will begin).
Daily Schedule
The daily schedule for 2023-24 will be similar to the 2022-23 schedule, centering on an instructional day that runs from 8:20-2:50 (to 1:50 on Wednesdays).
What School Supplies Do You Need to Start?
All CBHS students are strongly encouraged to acquire an agenda book, a marble composition book, two double pocket folders, three one-inch binders (with dividers) and plenty of writing utensils to start the year. Juniors should also obtain a 2 inch binder. Some additional supplies may be suggested by particular teachers during the opening days of school. Here’s a more detailed list for incoming 9th graders. If you need assistance with any school supplies, please let us know. Each student will have the option of receiving a Google Chrome book again this year.
Metro Bus Service
The Metro will again provide free bus service for all PPS high school students.
Free or Reduced Lunch
Meals will again be free at school for all students this year. You can find all of the information you need here: PPS free & reduced. Please complete a free and reduced lunch application if you might qualify. Even if your child does not typically eat school lunch, qualifying for free or reduced lunch can give your student access to scholarships, reduced testing fees, reduced school fees and more.
District Health and Safety Protocols
The district will again be basing our health and safety guidelines on local health data, current science and guidance from the state DOE and federal CDC. Masks will remain optional in the coming school year. Testing will remain available from our school nurse (only) for symptomatic students or staff. Consistent with CDC recommendations, students or staff who test positive for COVID 19 will be asked to remain out of school for five days. If they are feeling well after five days, they may return to school and wear a mask for five additional days. COVID 19 Vaccination rates remain thankfully high among our student body, but students and families are encouraged to get a booster whenever eligible or recommended.
Course Schedules
Students will receive a paper copy of course schedules and room assignments from their crew advisors during school’s opening. They are NOT needed ahead of time. Most students will be able to view their schedule in Infinite Campus by mid to late August, but schedules are subject to change before the start of school as counselors make adjustments and balance class sizes. If you have questions about your schedule, please contact Mr. Pierce (grades 9 and 10, piercd@portlandschools.org), Mr Hale (grade 11, halem@portlandschools.org) or Ms. Doyle (grade 12, doyles@portlandschools.org). As a reminder, all students will be with their crews (only) on the first day of school. Part of the first day for 9th graders will include a tour of their classrooms. Courses for all students will begin on our second day, Thursday, September 7th.
All rising juniors and seniors planning to take a college course this fall: Make sure you have completed the requisite paperwork from SMCC or USM to enroll in your desired course. Contact Ms Doyle (doyles@portlandschools.org) with any questions. Please be aware that the first meeting of your USM or SMCC course will be the week of the 28th before the first day of classes at CBHS. The SMCC Introduction to Psychology course at CBHS on Wednesday evenings will begin on Wednesday, August 30th in Australia.
New CBHS Courses this Fall (for 11th and 12th)
Creative Writing - semester long (Sept-January), 1 UP in English (Ms. Nicholson), BK 4 in the fall. This course will run again in the spring semester, BK 1.
Science of Spinning - semester long (Sept-January), 1 UP in Science (Ms. Loughlin), meets during Academic Support
SMCC Introduction to Psychology - semester long (August-December), 2 UPs in Social Studies (SMCC Faculty), Wednesday evenings at CBHS
Electronics and Robotics - semester long (February-June), 1 UP in Science (Ms. Loughlin), meets during Academic Support
Summer Reading
All CBHS students are expected to complete summer reading. Grade level expectations are detailed in the documents below. Please contact us with any questions. Happy reading!
Summer Reading for Incoming 9th Graders (Class of 2027)
Summer Reading for rising 10th Graders (Class of 2026)
Summer Reading for rising juniors (Class of 2025)
Summer Reading for rising seniors (Class of 2024)
Additional summer reading and work for students taking AP Literature. Copies of Under the Feet of Jesus are available in the CBHS Main Office.
Summer Work for Ms. Loughlin’s USM Environmental Science (formerly AP Environmental Science))
Google Classroom Code- fe62p5c
There are 3 assignments: (found on the Classwork tab in the GC)
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Assignment #1- Investigating Environmental Justice
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Assignment #2- Watch and Review an Environmental Science Documentary
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Assignment #3- Read the Text Cry of the Kalahari by Mark & Delia Owens (1992)- take the DYRT Quizzes as you complete the chapters
You can get a copy of the book in the CBHS Main Office or order your own copy (ISBN #'s below)
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ISBN-10 : 0395647800
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ISBN-13 : 978-0395647806
9th Grade (9/27-9/29) and Senior Quests (9/19-9/22)
The Casco Bay Quest is an innovative orientation experience based on Cow Island for all freshmen and a kayaking or backpacking expedition for all seniors at Casco Bay High School. The Quests promote community, citizenship and leadership through writing and adventure-based learning. We partner with Rippleffect to design and implement this “learning expedition.” The quests are a hallmark of our school and are vital in the development of our vibrant community. We aim to have every Casco Bay freshman and senior participate. As detailed above, all interested students and parents are invited to a Casco Bay Quest Information Night on Thursday, August 24th (7:00-30pm).
Parents/Guardians Involvement
CBHS Parents: All CBHS parents are automatically members of our Parent Advisory Group (PAG), and we need your help and expertise! Thanks
The purposes of the Parent Advisory Group are:
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To advise the principal on select issues.
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To facilitate communication between the school and the parent body (and the broader community).
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To promote parent involvement at Casco Bay High School.
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To lead efforts to appreciate CBHS staff.
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To provide feedback on proposals for school change..
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To assist with fundraising and securing resources that will improve teaching and learning.
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To support one another as parents of teens.
We will have our first PAG meeting of the year in the CBHS library on Tuesday, August 29th from 6 to 7pm to review plans and priorities for the year.
Subsequent meetings will be monthly on Tuesdays from 5:30-7pm. The September meeting will be 9/12. Please come to any meeting you can, and watch for more details in the weekly CBHS Parent Newsflashes about meeting agendas, links and parent education topics. Watch for a survey soon about all of the ways you can get involved this year. The weekly Newsflashes will resume as school does.
Our annual Open House will take place on Thursday, September 14th at 6:30pm. All are welcome. More details in September, but please save the date.
Enjoy the remainder of summer!