From the Assistant Principal

Final First Semester grades will be posted BY 9:00 am on Thursday, January 7, 2010 on PowerSchool.   While some final grades may be visible before that date, grades are NOT due until that time so please do not call or email teachers about missing final grades until AFTER that date and time. 

Classes resume on January 11, 2010!  That date marks new educational beginnings whether or not your daughter is in a new semester course OR a year long course. If her course of study “worked” for the first semester …. satisfactory grades and thorough understanding of material …. then encourage her to continue.  If she is less than pleased with her understanding and performance, perhaps she should attend Study Skills on Mondays in order to learn some new techniques which may help her to do better.

And on that note …. Absences severely challenge students to learn material and to keep up with coursework.   During First Semester we found that we had an inordinate amount of students missing class for reasons other than illness.  It is IMPOSSIBLE to replicate the instruction missed when a student returns after an absence.  (Teachers cannot spend time re-teaching in private sessions.  There simply isn’t enough time in the day!).  Please use designated vacation times for family trips.  If a student must be absent for more than a day for an unexcused reason, she must see her advisor PRIOR to the dates she will be out.

Get ready because as strange as it may seem, it is also time to get ready for next school year, 2010 – 2011!  (Time does fly!) Course catalogs, class registration procedures and Advisement opportunities will begin during the first two weeks of February. Specific information to follow in the next newsletter.

On Saturday, January 23, Carondelet students are invited to participate in the West Coast Walk for Life in San Francisco.  Mr. David Mammola, a religious studies teacher, will be accompanying our students.  We would welcome the addition of parents who would like to walk with our group.  Please contact the Campus Ministry Office at Ext. 167 if you are interested.  This annual event is particularly close to our heart because one of its original sponsors was one of our former Religious Studies teachers, Ms. Diane Barberini, now deceased.

The annual Mother/Daughter Retreat is just around the corner. The event begins early on Sunday, February 21 and concludes with a mass in the early afternoon.  This is a wonderful opportunity to spend some quality time together.  Additional information regarding the event can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.

Parents whose daughters are scheduled to attend the February 2-4 Kairos Retreat should expect to receive a mailing from the Campus Ministry Office in early January.  Please contact Mrs. Mondello at Ext. 167 if you do not receive it by January 10.

Seniors who are interested in attending the April 19-21 session should turn in a registration form to the Campus Ministry Office by January 31.  Please contact Mrs. Mondello if financial assistance is needed.

The Campus Ministry Office wishes you and your family a very Happy New Year.

Stephanie Mondello, Director of Campus Ministry

Interscholastic Sports

Ms. Harris is leading a Study Skills workshop on the first day of the week at Period 7 (2:30-3:00) in Room 10.  Topics include goal setting, getting organized, managing time, discovering what kind of learner you are, learning how to study effectively, note taking and test preparation.  Check the schedule outside Ms. Harris’s office for the topic of the week.  Drop in for one topic or come for the entire series.

Community Service

The Jefferson Awards Student Leaders have had a very productive second quarter of the school year. With the help of the period four representatives and a generous faculty, they have raised over $4,800 for the Get On The Bus Foundation.  This brings them over the half-way mark toward their goal of $9,000.  On November 18, four juniors were honored at an assembly for the extraordinary service they have performed.  Kelsey Chabolla  served the poor children and farmers in Northern India through the Rustic Pathways Organization.  Jessica Roland used her initiative to raise over $8,000 for breast cancer research in honor of her grandmother.   Robyn Birkenfeld-Malpass is being honored for her continuous service to physically and mentally challenged teen-agers and their care givers through a program called Reachin’ Out.   Jessica Fleming has been involved with the Delta Children’s Theater for many years and is continuing that commitment this year even though it means she will not be dancing in The Nutcracker herself.

From the Personal Counselors

Over the past decade there has been much written about helicopter parenting and its negative effects on our current generation of youth.  Though this over-parenting was rooted in an attempt to do what is best for the child, it has contributed to the high stress level teens experience as well as challenged the growth of healthy decision making skills, independence and creativity.  Over scheduling in grade school is continuing into high school and beyond.  College deans are noticing students arriving at school already burnt out or ready to break at the tiniest stress.  Parents are becoming increasingly involved in the college life of their children prompting schools to create policies around parent involvement; i.e. parents prohibited from course registration.  It has also been noted that some parents continue to deliver morning wake-up calls even though their son or daughter is off at college.

In a recent related article in Time Magazine, they quote the Ithaca College website which offers a checklist of advice for parents:  “Visit (but not too often); Communicate (but not too often); Don’t worry (too much); Expect change; Trust them.”  While this advice is perfect for parents of incoming college freshmen, teens need to be prepared beginning in high school.  Increased responsibility for decision making, problem solving, use of personal time, social and academic life are critical for the development of the maturity and independence they will need in college and throughout life.  If they are not given the opportunity to experience for themselves their successes as well as failures and learn from these, they are being set up to remain dependent.  In other words (as quoted in the above article): “Less is more; hovering is dangerous; failure is fruitful.  You really want your children to succeed?  Learn when to leave them alone.  When you lighten up, they will fly higher.  We are often the ones who hold them down.”

Mary Ahern, MSW

Stacie Besagno, MS

Register on line November 15

at the DLS website: dlshs.org

Scholarships available.

Questions? CHS.DLSgradnight2010@gmail.com

Mother/Daughter Retreat

Sunday, February 21, 2010

For detailed information click here

From the Parent Association

We hope that all our Carondelet families were able to share a blessed and memorable Christmas with their loved ones.  And now it’s time for the New Year! The Parent Association has several exciting events coming this winter. But first, many thanks to Linda D’Souza for the wonderful Mother/Daughter Liturgy and Brunch this past fall.  It was a very special morning for mothers and daughters to share a wonderful Mass honoring their special bond. 

Also, we cannot begin to say thank you enough to Mickey O’Regan, Deborah Clawson and Susan Palomino and their incredible Hospitality Committee for providing refreshments for the mandatory Parent Education Series meetings on Sexting, the Freshman Retreat and the annual Carondelet Open House.  Many hands made sure there were lots of yummy snacks and beverages for those who attended these events.  If you would like to know more about the Hospitality Committee and volunteer opportunities available, please contact any of the co-chairs at their email addresses: mickeyor@comcast.net ,  debraclawson@comcast.net ,  palominog@comcast.net .  This is a wonderful committee which has several opportunities throughout the year to not only obtain PIP hours, but to become a part of our Carondelet community.

Upcoming Events

Annual Crab Feed – Saturday February 6, 2010 – 6:00 P.M.

Mark your calendars and order your tickets now for the always popular annual Crab Feed!  The date is set  and our tropical theme is just perfect for warming up winter!  Please see the following flyer for more information and ticket ordering.  This event is ideal for catching up with Carondelet parents and alumnae and making new friendships.  We have never known anyone to walk away from this event without smiles and memories!! Many helpful hands are needed to make this evening the success that it is every year so if you are interested in helping out, then please contact the Parent Association for more info regarding this fun evening! We have several volunteer opportunities  and maybe one will match your talents!

Father/Daughter Liturgy – Sunday March 7, 2010 – 10:00 A.M.

Our Father/Daughter Liturgy is a spiritually rewarding wonderful morning for fathers and daughters to share in their faith.  This special event is scheduled for Sunday, March 7 at 10:00 A.M. Please join us and be a part of this special liturgy with other fathers who believe in the faith and commitment we share with our CHS daughters. If your dad is not available, you may bring another adult male in his place that supports and serves as your male role model.  If you have any questions, please contact committee chair Rosanna Gastello at 925.639.4171 or rgastello@sbcglobal.net .

Parent Speaker Event Evening:  - Tuesday March 16, 2010:

In conjunction with the Carondelet Administration and Deans, the Parent Association will be co-hosting a special Parent Speaker Event prior to the Junior Prom and Senior Ball, addressing alcohol use and related issues.  This is a serious issue with our girls and we look forward to everyone attending this event.

Senior Grad Night – Sunday May 23, 2010

It ‘s the start of a new year and May seems so far off but before you know it, Grad Night will be here!  (Senior parents – you know how fast four years have gone by!)  This is a special event for our seniors and lots of work and planning is involved in making this night a success.  Your child does not need to be a senior for you to help at this event.  For parents of juniors and sophomores, it’s a great way to find out what’s ahead for the next year.  It’s also a great way to  meet people, have fun and earn your PIP hours. What a way to watch our seniors celebrate their graduation!!

Your participation and support of these events is greatly appreciated and always welcome!  And remember to keep checking our website for current information on events and volunteer opportunities. You can always call any one of us on the Board and we will be happy to help you.

Dottie Peters

Communications Liason

The Student/Faculty Calendar for 2009-2010 is now available online.