From the Assistant Principal

Dear Parents:

It is time to prepare your daughter’s academic schedule for the school year 2010 - 2011.  Your daughter will bring home a current transcript with her course requirement materials.  The 2010 – 2011 Course Catalog will be available on the school website (www.carondelet.net) at the end of January.  On February 1, Sr. Anne Eugene, Ms. Harris and I will be visiting classes to instruct students in the pre-registration process; we will be available every day from January 28 – February 19 during lunch and at break in the Inner Court to provide advice and answer questions.  Online Course registration begins Feb 4 and must be completed by Feb 22.

Summer School:  Please note that any D's or F's on your daughter’s transcript will need to be remediated for one of the following reasons:

a.   Course must be retaken in summer school to meet the prerequisites for the next level course.  Please note that course prerequisites are confirmed by Semester 2 grades; if these grades do not meet the required minimum, the course will have to be retaken during summer school to raise the grade.

b.   Course must be retaken in summer school to satisfy Carondelet High School graduation requirements; a grade of “D” is passing and need not be remediated to meet graduation requirements.

c.   Course should be retaken in summer school to raise the grade to a C- or better in preparation for college/university application.  Please consult either Mrs. Susich or Mrs. Breazeale if you have any questions about college eligibility.

PLEASE NOTE: Both semester and summer school grades appear on transcripts.  Only the semester grade is averaged into the cumulative GPA.

Advisement Evening:  In order to better assist you in planning your daughter’s schedule, our annual Parent Advisement Night is designed this year as a “Drop-In” Advisement Evening on Thursday, February 4, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in the Garaventa Center.  The chairs of our academic departments will be available to speak with parents about class offerings, Mrs. Susich and Mrs. Breazeale will address any college concerns, and Sr. Anne Eugene, Ms. Harris and I will answer questions about graduation requirements and co-curricular activities.  Because this evening is designed solely for advisement purposes, concerns about your daughter’s progress in a particular class should be raised in a separate conference with her teacher.

AP Classes:  On February 4 at 7:30 pm, we will hold a meeting in the DLS Hofmann Center for students and parents interested in information on Advanced Placement Classes.

Individual teachers cannot make any exceptions to prerequisites or enrollment limitations.  Placement is made on the basis of the student’s transcript and first-semester grades, and confirmed by the second-semester grades.  Certain courses have strict prerequisites which have been developed in consultation with the academic departments and approved by the Assistant Principal.  In addition, enrollment is limited in Advanced Placement and Honors courses.  If the number of students requesting a class exceeds the spaces available, final selection will be based on GPA; a “wait-list” will be maintained.  Students who do not meet prerequisites will be removed from the class; reinstatement will be at the discretion of the Academic Advisor.

Please refer to the Course Catalog, especially the Four-Year Planning Guide, in preparing your daughter’s pre-registration requests.  If you will be coming to the “Drop-In” Advisement Evening, please bring the Course Catalog, your daughter’s Course Request Form, and the enclosed unofficial copy of her transcript.

If you have further questions as you and your daughter plan her future courses, please e-mail either Ms. Harris, 9- 10 ^grade Academic Advisor, Mrs. Libby 11^grade  Academic Advisor or Sr. Anne Eugene, 12 ^grade Academic Advisor.

Sincerely,

Nancy K. Libby, ‘76

Assistant Principal

Please print the word “SCHEDULING” in the Subject Line of your e-mail.

Ms. Harris: e-mail: kharris@carondeleths.org

Mrs. Libby: email: nlibby@carondeleths.org

Sr. Anne Eugene: email: sranne@carondeleths.org

A busy second semester is in full swing.  Our Ash Wednesday service will be Wednesday, February 17^.  Students will need to wear dress uniform attire (skirt or long pants, a white polo, school sweater and black dress flats). 

The annual Mother/Daughter Retreat is scheduled for Sunday, February 21 9:15 am-1:30 pm.  This is a wonderful opportunity for young women to spend time with their mother or adult woman in their family who nurtures them.  Registration forms, which can be picked up in the front office, are due by February 11.

Save the date—March 7—for the Father/Daughter liturgy and brunch. This annual event celebrates the importance of the fatherly role model in the lives of our young women.  If a father is unavailable to attend, we encourage our students to invite the adult man in their family who encourages and supports them on their path to womanhood.  The 10:30 am liturgy in the gym is followed by a luncheon in the Garaventa Center.  Tickets are needed for the luncheon.

Another Kairos retreat happens Feb 2-4.  Please keep all attendees in your thoughts and prayers.  Spaces are still available for the April 19-21 Kairos, but registrations need to be turned in now.  Please contact Mrs. Mondello if your daughter would like to attend, if the $250 fee is a problem.  Some financial assistance has been made available.

CHS Junior religious study classes begin taking their Urban Plunge this month, visiting  and working at St. Anthony’s Foundation in the Tenderloin district of San Francisco.  Please direct any questions you may have about this one day immersion experience to your daughter’s religious studies teacher.

Stephanie Mondello, Director of Campus Ministry

Interscholastic Sports

Congratulations to the Varsity Volleyball team and the Varsity Cross Country team for attaining the highest goal of educational athletics, combining outstanding academic performance with interscholastic athletic participation.  Both teams earned the NCS Scholastic Girls’ Div. II Varsity championship team award for the Fall season; Cross Country with a grade point team average of 3.69 and Volleyball with a 3.48.  Recognizing that there are 168 schools in the NCS, this is indeed an outstanding achievement.

The Girls’ Varsity Basketball team has been busy competing: San Diego La Jolla Country Day Sweet Sixteen tournament, West Coast Jamboree, Martin Luther King Classic and are doing well in EBAL league play. Ricki Radanovich and Erica Payne were named as Athletes of the Week in the Contra Costa Times.  Erica was also mentioned in the San Francisco Chronicle in January in the “Week in Review/High School” section.  The Frosh and Junior Varsity Basketball teams ran very successful CHS Cougar tournaments and are having a successful season.

The Varsity Soccer team competed in the Tri-Valley Invitational and are also doing well in the EBAL.  Frosh and Junior Varsity teams are working hard and have won several tournaments.

Cheer and Dance have been competing at the United Spirit Association regional competitions with Junior Varsity Dance and Junior Varsity Cheer receiving first places at the Deer Valley regional competition in January; Varsity Cheer received a second place.

Please mark you sports calendars for the important upcoming events:

February 8 – Spring Sports begin (tryout site information on the CHS Athletic web site and is posted on the Athletic Director’s window).

February 18 – Spring Sports Parent’s Meeting, 7:00 pm in the Garaventa Center.

CIF/NCS requires that students must have a current (only considered current for up to one year from the date that the physical was given) physical or physician’s release before trying out for any of Carondelet’s sport teams.  This information needs to be on the “CHS Physical Form”, which has been approved by the CHS school board.  All physicals are kept on file in the Attendance office.  A list containing student names and dates are available in the Athletic office.  Blank physical forms, to be filled out by the doctor, are available in the Main office, locker room lobby, Athletic office or online at the Carondelet High School athletic web site.

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.

From the Personal Counselors

Conflict is an inherent part of the parent – teen relationship. It can be intensified during these years, as teens experience increased growth of identity, independence, and responsibility. As they struggle for independence, there may be a lack of willingness/readiness to accept the accompanying responsibility. Sometimes parents have difficulty letting their teens have the freedom that their young person thinks they deserve.

Positive management of conflict can bring families closer together and encourage healthy growth of teens. If however, conflicts are not managed constructively, families can divide, and relationships suffer. Below are some suggested tools to help manage conflict between parents and teens:

1. Asking open-ended questions that begin with: How, When, Where, Do, What or Is, is a great place to start. Tensions ease and the shift to problem solving comes naturally.
2. Communication: Focus on the present. Leave past issues in the past. All parties agree that the following rules will be kept:
   • No name calling
   • No swearing
   • No saying hurtful things
3. Issues will be discussed calmly. If that is not possible parties will separate, and each sit down and write out what they are angry about. They will then meet and exchange their papers, giving the other person time to read what is angering the other. Each will then ask: “What would you like to see happen?”  From there, both will listen and develop a workable solution. Active listening, cooperation, and respect are key here.

Parents and their teens have more things in common than they think. Both share frustration, stress, time-pressures, disappointment, and fear of failure. They both want the best for each other. How they deal with these feelings and desires can create disconnects, but it can also be a basis for managing conflict constructively.

Some conflict cannot be managed constructively by those involved. Conflicts that keep occurring, are highly emotional, or where resolution isn’t reachable by the disputants themselves, are candidates for mediation. As counselors, we are here to serve as mediators for you and your daughter, should the need arise.

Thank You,

Mary Ahern, MSW

Stacie Besagno, MS

Reference: “Parent-Teen Conflict, Managing it Constructively”, by Bob Blyth

Registration began on line November 15, 2009

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 Parents' Association

We hope that everyone is staying warm and dry through all the winter rains.  What a blessing though, we sure do need it!  Please make sure you have marked your calendars for these upcoming events:

Upcoming Events

Father/Daughter Liturgy – Sunday March 7,10:30 am:

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 7th at 10:30 am.  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.  Please see the attached flyer for ticket info or visit the Parent Association page on the Carondelet High School website. 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, 7:00 pm, Garaventa Center

The Parents' Association, Administration and ASB are sponsoring a special Parent Speaker Event prior to the Junior Prom and Senior Ball addressing alcohol use and related issues.  Dr. Matt Bellace will be the guest speaker and his presentation will focus on natural highs and making healthy choices.  More information will follow closer to the 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 are needed to make 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.  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 would be happy to help you.

Father/Daughter Liturgy and Brunch

Sunday, March, 2010

10:30 am   $15.00 per person 

The Father/Daughter Liturgy is for current students and one adult male per family.

The Liturgy will take place at 10:30 am in the CHS gym and the doors will open at 10:15 am.   Lunch will be served in the Garaventa Center immediately following.  Lunch will not begin until Mass has ended.

Keepsake photos will be taken for an additional fee in the SAC room beginning at 9:30 am until 10:15 am and then again after the liturgy. 

Tickets will be distributed on Thursday, March 4, during period 4.

Should you have any questions, please contact Rosana Gastello at (925) 639-417 or at rsagastello@sbcglobal.net or Carol Padilla at (925) 525-6092 or at padillac@wellsfargo.com if you have any questions.

Detach, fill out completely and return with your check to the CHS Main Office.

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Father/Daughter Liturgy Reservation

Student’s name(s):  ____________________________________    Phone number:  _______________

Grade:  ___________________   Home room teacher:  ________________      Room #:  __________

Number of tickets:  __________ Amount of check payable to CHS:  __________  Check #:  _______

Join us on Monday, April 26 at Diablo Country Club.  Practice your swing and get on out there and see how much fun our golf tournament is!!  We would love to see more Carondelet moms on the course this year.  Why should the men have all the fun?  With a Scramble format, everyone can play. 

A delicious BBQ lunch on the course followed by a hosted bar and dinner in the Clubhouse is included with your registration fee.   

We all know the economy is tough, so take advantage of the Early Bird Special.   By registering prior to March 17^th you receive a $50 discount for each player.

When:   Monday, April 26, 2010

Time:    10:30 am Registration, Driving Range Practice, Putting Contest

            12:00 pm Shotgun Start

Place:    Diablo Country Club

Cocktails and Silent Auction:  4:30 pm

Dinner and Live Auction:  6:00 pm

Cost:      $325 per player for general registration

              $425 per player for general registration, on course games and a Grand Golf Drawing Ticket

              $60 for Dinner Only guests

Early Bird Special:  Deduct $50 per player until March 17.

Our Grand Golf Drawing “Pebble Beach Your Way” is a perfect way to support the Tournament. Only 200 tickets will be sold at $50 each.  Winner takes home a $5,000 credit card to be used at Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay and/or Spyglass.  Can be used to golf, shop, enjoy a spa treatment, have a gourmet dining experience and/or stay in luxurious accommodations.  Imagine the possibilities.  You do not have to be present to win.  One year the winner lived in Pennsylvania!

Registration, Sponsorship and Grand Golf Drawing forms can be found on the website www.carondeleths.org. 

We continue to seek sponsorships, items for golfer “goodie bags,” silent and live auction.

Please call Kathleen Russell, 686-5353 ext. 151 or Marybeth Anicich, ext. 153 in the Development Office for additional information.

Remember it’s all FORE Education!

Visions of Christmas

Yes, believe it or not, we are already planning for Visions of Christmas 10!   There are several openings for leadership positions this year.  Please call Kathleen Russell in the Development Office at 925-686-5353 ext. 151 or Marybeth Anicich at ext. 153 to find how you can be part of this fun and exciting event.  We need YOU.

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