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Originally delivered on 12/4/2022 8:06 pm

SUBJECT: Ram-O-Gram, December 2022

DECEMBER 2022
A NOTE FROM PRINCIPAL EGAN
Principal Bill Egan NCHS

Dear NCHS Family,

As we begin December, I look back to think how quickly this school year has gone by. I want to express my gratitude to all who help make NCHS an amazing place. We are a community with many gifts and talents, which we share daily with one another and, most importantly, our students.

One of the unique gifts our NCHS learning community shares is selflessness in making a positive difference for families in need, and I would be remiss if I did not commend our students and staff for the joy they bring to those who need help the most. From food drives, Toys for Tots, and other outstanding programs, the impact our learning community makes in the lives of so many, especially during the holiday season, is truly touching, and I am very proud of every one of you!

In the spirit of this holiday season, I extend my sincere thanks to our PFA and parent volunteers for all they do for our school and students.  Always generous with their time and resources, they continually look for ways to enhance our school with exciting and engaging programs. 

As we conclude 2022, I wish you all a joyous and memorable holiday season with time to relax and enjoy family and friendships.  Cheers to 2023! 

All the best,

Bill Egan, Principal

A LOOK AHEAD
Mark Your Calendars!
Wednesday, December 7
8:30a PFA Executive Board Meeting
Tuesday, December 13
9:30a 9th Grade Networking: Mid-Term Prep: Study Strategies & Helpful Hints
Thursday, December 22
9:15a Alumni Roundtable Brunch (Seniors Only)
Friday, December 23
Holiday Break (Early Dismissal)
Monday, December 26
Holiday Break (No School)
See Full Calendar
PFA NEWS + EVENTS
9th Grade Parent Program: Midterm Prep—Study Strategies & Helpful Hints
Tuesday, Dec 13 | 9:30 am

This is the first time your student will have to study for important exams in every subject over a short period of time. Join us to hear some great advice from our 9th Grade Principal Kristi Carriero, School Counseling Department Chair Cynthia Rivera, as well as a panel of our very own NCHS teachers. Don't miss these valuable tips on how your child can successfully navigate midterms and how you can support them at home. 

EVENT LOCATION: Wagner Room

Save the Date: Post Prom 2023!!!

Friday, May 12, 2023 | 11:59 PM

The NCHS PFA is happy to continue the tradition of giving our seniors a safe and fun venue in which to keep celebrating after Prom. The Post Prom party held at Waveny House is an enormous undertaking. We will host over 400 students from midnight until 4 AM. There will be food, games, entertainment, music and prizes. Everything is geared toward keeping our students safe on Prom Night. And every year the theme is a surprise!


Post Prom Co-Chairs Elizabeth Cosco and Jen Richardson need your help to create a night of incredible memories for our seniors. We are making it easy to get started! Just follow the Post Prom Parent Checklist for 12th grade families:


  1. Please make a Post Prom donation of $175 to fund our budget.

  2. Be a parent volunteer! It takes a village to put on this party!

  3. Email photos for the Post Prom video

  4. Save the date for Ram Jam 2023: Friday, March 31.


EVENT LOCATION: Waveny House

Donate Now!
NCHS ❤️ OUR FACULTY AND STAFF

Thanks to the generous support of our members, the PFA was able to provide coffee and bagels to the Special Education Staff in honor of National Special Education Day. This is one more way NCHS parents are able to show teachers how much we appreciate the difference they make each and every day in the lives of their students. Thank you NCHS faculty and staff for all that you do!

COUNSELING NEWS & EVENTS
Gap Year Fair
Wednesday, Jan 12 | 6:00 pm

Get the inside scoop on taking a gap year in 2023 and beyond and meet with gap year program providers from all over the world!

EVENT LOCATION:  Fairfield Warde High School, 755 Melville Ave Fairfield, CT

Remaining ACT Testing Dates
  • Dec 10: ACT*
  • Feb 11: ACT
    *Denotes NCHS as testing location

Click HERE to register for the ACT.

PSAT Results

PSAT results are expected electronically by early December and students will be emailed instructions from the College Board to be able to access them online. The test results will come with a diagnostic explanation. Please review the results and the suggestions for improvement with your child. This is a valuable tool in creating a testing prep plan and it is used as baseline data as the counselors begin to discuss an appropriate college list. Your child will also have the ability to link his/her results to Khan Academy and receive free, personalized SAT practice recommendations based on their performance. if you have any questions, please contact your school counselor.

NCHS Senior Internship Program Needs Hosts

The NCHS Senior Internship Program (SIP) needs companies and organizations to host seniors from May 16 to June 9, 2023. Seniors intern for approximately 5 hours during the school day and receive school credit.  We will accept in-person, remote, or hybrid internships. 

The SIP is a mutually beneficial program for students and companies. The deadline to post an internship with us is January 3, 2023. Seniors will view available internships beginning in January. Please contact Heather Bianco via email or phone (203) 594-4752 for more information.

SCHOOL NEWS + NOTICES
Performing Arts
NCHS Choral Program Winter Performance

Wednesday, Dec 14 | 7:00 p.m.

The New Canaan High School Choral Program invites you to join us for an evening of music, celebrating our talented student vocalists. These students have just performed at Radio City Music Hall and are now sharing their musical work with our New Canaan community.

Their winter performance explores the theme of LIGHT, featuring a wide variety of musical styles, including "Northern Lights" by Ola Gjeilo, German art songs by Clara Schumann and Josef Rheinberger, "Fire" by Katarina Gimon, and a new theatre piece entitled "Dawn."

The one-hour concert will feature the Concert Choir, Madrigal Ensemble, Bella Voce and student soloists. Admission is free and open to all, with a reception afterward hosted by our choir parents. Please join us!

LOCATION: First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan

Athletics
NCHS Alpine Ski Team

Calling All NCHS Downhill Skiers! Are you interested in alpine racing at the high school level? Come join the NCHS Alpine Ski Team! 

NCHS alpine racers work on athletic conditioning and race training with experienced coaches in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. If interested contact Ned Ravanesi.

RAM REVEAL
Gift a Star for the Dome: A New Interactive Learning Theater for NCHS Students

In our second installment of the Ram Reveal, we are shining a spotlight on the “Be a Star” campaign to support a complete transformation of the original New Canaan High School planetarium. The 1971 technology and room design are ready to be launched into the 21st century! This past spring a group of New Canaan parent volunteers formed the “Renovate the Dome Committee” as part of a public-private partnership to revitalize this incredible NCPS asset.

This new learning theater will offer our high school students unparalleled educational opportunities and experiential learning across the sciences, arts, social studies and more.  The Dome’s state-of-the-art technology design includes the new Digistar 7 full dome platform, dual 4K image projectors, a new 30-foot NanoSeam dome, reclining seats for optimal viewing, LED cove lighting, advanced surround sound, and gaming style controls for ease of exploration.    

Imagine students engaged in awe-inspiring, interactive learning experiences through collective virtual reality, remote viewing of celestial events from around the world, live music and theater performances, and so much more.  NCPS Director of Innovation, Melina Meyer shared “The collective, immersive experience empowers students to become creative problem solvers and content creators.”  

In order to install it in 2023, we need your help!  Leave a lasting legacy in NCHS on a new “Star Wall” design and/or inside The Dome by gifting a star to honor or recognize your student(s) this holiday season. To learn more about the exciting changes to come and ways to name a star for your child or family, please click HERE. This opportunity is available through December 31.  

For more information or for an opportunity to see the old planetarium and hear more about renovation plans, please email info@renovatethedome.com and follow us @renovatethedome!

COMMUNITY NEWS
Person to Person Toy Store Donations Needed
Bring a Smile to a Child This Holiday Season!

Person to Person will be holding its annual toy store in person for the first time again this year and donations are needed. Please click HERE to visit the P2P Amazon Wish List and easily purchase a toy that will be delivered directly to the Person to Person toy store. You can also drop off new, unwrapped toys at Person to Person’s Darien site located at 1864 Post Road. Requested items include blow-dryers, makeup sets, watches, drones, teen purses, soccer balls, fragrance sets, wireless speakers, sports jerseys and robes/slippers. P2P appreciates your support!

New Canaan Chamber Music's 2022 Holiday Concert
Sunday, Dec 4 | 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

The New Canaan Chamber Music's 2022 Holiday Concert takes place this evening. For those who think that harps and flutes belong at weddings and in the hands of angels, this concert will be a thrilling shock to the system! Demarre McGill (flute), Valerie Muzzolini (harp) and Edward Arron (cello) join NCCM's very own Andrew Armstrong at the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan.Click HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.

EVENT LOCATION: First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan

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