JANUARY 2021

Dear Chariho Community,

This past week, we learned of the unexpected passing of Ms. Jeanne Ross, a special education teacher for the high school.  Ms. Ross contributed to the growth of our students and school as a teacher, administrator at CALA, class advisor and colleague during her 29-year tenure in Chariho schools.  Our hearts go out to the Ross family and all those impacted by her passing.

We are glad to welcome students back for in-person learning this week.  We have some important dates to make you aware of in the upcoming weeks.  

First, our CHARIHOtech Virtual Open House will take place on Thursday, January 14th from 6-8pm.  Please go to https://charihotech.chariho.k12.ri.us/ to locate the Open House Link.  

Our Semester 1 Exams will take place the week of February 1st through the 4th, with make-up exams on the 5th.  We have decided that our Semester 1 exams will all take place virtually this semester.  Much thought and input from stakeholders went into this decision-making.  Our main intent is to provide an equitable experience for all students while maintaining the rigor and integrity of our exams.  Additionally, uncertainty about which Learning Plan (Limited, Partial, or Full In-Person) we will be in next month informed our decision.  Please know that our departments and teachers are working hard to create virtual semester exams that reflect semester 1 instruction and that capture the priority standards our students have learned over the course of this past semester.  All students will be distance learning the week of February 1st through the 5th and will take their scheduled exams virtually.  Please understand that it is important that students take their exams at the scheduled time.  If, for some reason, a student misses an exam, permission to make-up the exam will require administrator approval.  Decisions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  If  a student needs to make-up the exam, they will be expected to email Mr. Mac, Ms. Spas or Mr. Auth for approval prior to the exam make-up date of February 5th.  Our semester exam schedule is posted below and can also be found here. 

Additionally, based on the challenges facing our students throughout Semester 1 (including shifts from in-person to distance learning this semester), the CHS Leadership Team requested and School Committee approved a waiver of the "Must Pass" policy on semester exams in classes required for graduation.  Students will still be able to retake exams if they fail following remediation towards earning credit, but retakes will not be required for these classes.  We believe that this decision will facilitate a smooth transition from Semester 1 to Semester 2 and alleviate pressures during exam week. 

Finally, students will begin the 21-22 Course Selection process in early February.  Our 21-22 Program of Studies was recently approved by the School Committee and can be found here.  You can also locate the Program of Studies by going to the CHS mainpage and clicking on the Student Resoures section.  We encourage all parents and students to view the Program of Studies together and to make thoughtful and informed decisions about which classes best meet your child's learning goals.  If your child is an underclassmen, consider mapping out the next few years.  Identify courses that may align with future college or career goals.  As always, connect with your child's school counselor should you have any questions.  More information about the course selection process will be made available in our February Blog.  Stay Tuned!

Wishing you a healthy year ahead,

Craig MacKenzie, Principal            Andrea Spas, Assistant Principal            Gerry Auth, CHARIHOtech Director

Supporting our Seniors

On behalf of our 2021 Senior Class parent group:

With much excitement and anticipation a parent group was created to assist our Chariho High School graduating class. All members of this group have children that will graduate in June 2021. Our mission is to provide increased support and create fun activities for our senior class. We have begun asking our local community partners and parents for support, funding, and ideas that will better assist our seniors during this difficult time. We will be working in partnership with Mr. MacKenzie and the senior advisors to make their graduating year memorable and fun.  Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic great barriers have been created which has impacted so much of our children’s lives. Social opportunities, fundraising, and traditional school events have been put on hold or cancelled. Our group will comply with all state regulations and use community property for all planned events. At this time we have created eight fundraising events, and seven fun activities for the graduating class.  Information will be forthcoming on our new Facebook page and can be found at CharihoClassy2021.  Our group is proud of our children, their teachers, our administrators and our amazing Chariho community. For more information please reach out to Christina Willett at chriswillett24@gmail.com. Congratulations to the Class of 2021!

Important FAFSA Info

Calling all Parents and Students of the Class of 2021!

 

The FAFSA deadlines are fast approaching! Chariho will be hosting our second FAFSA Day on Tuesday, January 26 from 11:30 am-7pm. If you have not completed your FAFSA or have questions about the FAFSA, book a free appointment with a representative from the College Planning Center of RI who will be available through virtual appointments to help parents of Chariho seniors.   Please note, these appointments are for answering specific questions on part of the application, specific financial questions or help getting started.  You will not be completing the entire FAFSA during this 30 minute meeting.

Sign-up today at CHARIHO FAFSA DAY! 

Students who plan to attend CCRI must also complete the FAFSA. If you have any questions please contact your school counselor.

Virtual Post-Secondary Planning Night

Dear Parents,

The CHS School Counseling Department will be presenting a Virtual Post Secondary Planning Night on Wednesday January 27 at 6:30pm.  Learn about 4 year college requirements, 2 year schools, technical schools and military opportunities.  This event is primarily geared towards grade 11, but all students or parents in grades 9-11 are welcome to attend!  

Please register at this link if you plan to attend.   Zoom meeting link here

A Message from our Nurse

Please click here for important messaging from our school nurse on health-related topics.  The link also contains information about upcoming dental and vision screenings.  

2021 Yearbook Announcement

Senior Recognition Ads:

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Can you believe that your student is graduating this year? Congratulate your student(s) with a Senior ad in the Yearbook! A Yearbook recognition ad is a great way for parents/family and friends to honor student achievements and important milestones. The revenue from these recognition ads help our school and students to create a better yearbook. To purchase your ad online click on the following link: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/ybAdDesigner/1043059/-/20201007044704403156/CATALOG_SHOP/  

Yearbook Sales:

While this year may not look the same as previous years, the yearbook committee is excited to let you know that Yearbook Sales are open! A yearbook is a keepsake many students wish to hold onto from their time in High School. Please click this link to purchase yours today: https://www.jostens.com/apps/store/productBrowse/1043059/Chariho-High-School/2021-Yearbook/20201007043901780156/CATALOG_SHOP/

From Hospitality & Event Planning 

The freshmen students are working on a project based learning assignment about careers in the Accommodation, Transportation, Food and Beverage, and Attractions industries.

Check out an example HERE

The sophomore students are presenting a portion of their Pro-Start Competition in Food and Beverage about creating a wedding with a budget of $35,000! 

Check out an example HERE

The junior's in Hospitality & Event Planning are participating in a certification program from the American Hotel Lodging Educational Program.  They will be trained in Guest Service Gold which focuses on Seven Elements of Guest Service:  Personalization, Passion, Commitment, Knowledge, Inclusion, Personality and Recovery.  

The senior's in Hospitality & Event Planning are finishing a presentation in attractions on creating a Disney Cruise and Itinerary for a weeks vacation. 

This month we have several guest speakers visiting our class: 

Laurie Camara, Manager of Hospitality Training and Education Rhode Island Hospitality: https://www.rihospitality.org/riha/Contact

Tori Owens, Clubhouse Manager, Point Judith Country Club: https://www.pointjudithcountryclub.net/Club/Scripts/Home/home.asp   

Barbara DiSaia, Johnson and Wales University Admissions Representative: https://www.jwu.edu/admissions/

Please visit us on Instagram @charihohospitality.  Applications for this opportunity are being accepted now.  Eighth graders can apply now right HERE online.

Winter Sports Preview

The Boys basketball looks to qualify for the playoffs for the 7th year in a row and Senior Captain Emmett Cummins looks to lead this year's young team along with fellow senior Jarrett Boisclair in Division 2 South.  This year's competitive matchups include Middletown, Mt Hope, East Greenwich and Portsmouth. 

Senior Captain Spencer Shiels looks to lead the Girls Basketball Team along with fellow Senior Captain Shelby Roode, Hannah Dias and Emily Norberg in their Division 2 South bracket.  The girls will see fierce competition from rival Westerly, Narragansett, Prout and Tiverton among others.  The girls look to qualify for playoffs and the RI state Tournament for the 4th year in a row.  Looking to build off of last year's playoff success. 

The Boys Indoor Track team will be lead by Senior Captain Sullivan Cummins along with fellow captains Finn Weeden, Colby James Elwell and senior Andrew Poirier.  This year's boys team looks to remain near the top of their division with dual meets against Coventry, Cumberland, Narragansett and Portsmouth.  

The Chariho Gymnastics Team will be led by Senior Captains Madison Chalifoux, Paige Swenson and Lianna Kissinger.  This is the 3rd year for this program and the team looks to be very competitive in their division with meets against Coventry, West Warwick, Cranston West and Toll Gate. 

The Girls Indoor Track Team is led by Senior Captain Abby Cole.  She is joined by fellow Senior Captain Paige Grissom and Senior Emma Hughes.  The girls team looks to remain at the top of their division with dual meets against Coventry, Narragansett, Cumberland and Bay View.  

The Chariho/Narragansett Co-op Ice Hockey Team is led by Senior Captain Caiden Wilson.  He is joined by Senior Captain Jason Desrosiers and Brendan O’Rourke.  The team will see difficult competition this year as they battle with South KIngstown, North Kingstown, Portsmouth and Coventry.

The Chariho/Narragansett/Prout Co-op Boys Swimming Team look to remain at the top of their division.  Chariho swimmers Nathan Ballard, Garret Barker, Jesse Brunelle, Myles Junger, Hudson Junger will look to swim in a highly competitive division against Lasalle, Barrington, North Kingstown and Portsmouth.

Three Chariho Female Independent swimmers are led by State Champion Hannah Benevides.  Hannah is joined by Erin VonHusen and Megan Mercille.   The girls will be competing in virtual swim meets during this upcoming  swim season.