Welcome Letter from Principal Mrs. Santabarbara

September 1, 2020

Dear Carmel High School Parents and Students,

I hope you enjoyed the summer months; we are so excited to see you on September 8, 2020! Your teachers can’t wait to meet you, and I am so excited to welcome you to the start of a new year. I know this may not be the way you imagined the school year, but we are in this together.

Although the year 2020 has brought tremendous change, it has also grounded us. It has forced us to rethink the way we communicate and has ignited a creative light within all of us. Elizabeth Gilbert said, “Ruin is the road to transformation.” When something is torn down, and is rebuilt, there is beauty is the transformation. Schools have reinvented themselves in order to open, so that the safety and health of our students is at the forefront. I can’t help but think, what does this mean for you? With so many changes, is there a light within the dark? Depending on your cohort, there is an opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with your friends and teachers, and to begin your blended learning experience.

This year, I ask that you “look for the light”. When things don’t seem to be going your way, try to find the positive. Every experience teaches us something new about ourselves. Remember to keep the 6 Cs in mind; we need compassion and citizenship now more than ever.

I cannot wait to see you and to start our year together! Included in this letter are some helpful reminders to navigate your first day on remote learning. Good luck on Tuesday and have a great 1st day!

Warm regards,

Lauren Santabarbara
Principal
Carmel High School

 

Helpful Hints

Remote Learning Model: (September 8, 2020 – September 18, 2020)

* Information about your classes will be sent to your student email in the upcoming days

* Each of your teachers will send you directions on how to access their class and what you will need for September 8th.

* You are to logon to all of your classes in real time. For example, (If you have a 1st period class, you will login to your class at 7:05am).

* When you have a “free period”, please use this time as a screen break. Grab a snack so that you have strength throughout the day.

* Most of your assignments will be submitted through Teams.

* Please check your student email often. This is your main source of communication.

* Classlink is your platform which houses all of your resources for Remote Learning.

 

Hybrid Learning Model: (September 21, 2020 - TBD)

* On your Cohort Days, you will attend school in person and follow your schedule.

* On your Non-Cohort Days, you will be following your schedule at home (like you did in the Remote Learning Model).

* Please remember to stay with your Cohort. Students are not allowed in the school building on their Non-Cohort Days.

* If your schedule includes periods 1-9, you will take the 1:55pm bus if you are taking transportation.

* If your schedule includes periods 2 – 10 or 3 – 11, you will take the 3:20pm bus if you are taking transportation.

 

Remote Learning Model (Opted in): (September 21, 2020 – TBD)

* You are to logon for all of your classes in real time. For example, (If you have a 1st period class, you will login to your class at 7:05am).

* When you have a “free period”, please use this time as a screen break. Grab a snack so that you have strength throughout the day.

* Most of your assignments will be submitted through Teams.

* Please check your student email often. This is your main source of communication.

* Classlink is your platform which houses all of your resources for Remote Learning.

 

September Cohort Calendar

Parent Orientation for 2020-2021

Please click the PowerPoint link below for our Parent Orientation for the 2020-2021 school year.

The PowerPoint is narrated by the CHS Administrators, so please make sure sure your sound is on, and you view in "Slide Show" mode.

 Carmel High School Parent Orientation 2020-2021_3(1).pptx 

Parent Orientation FAQs

General CHS Questions:

  • Where can I find a printable version of the new bell schedule?
    All bell schedules have been updated and posted to the CHS website.
  • When will we receive instructions on the Health Screener that each student is suppose to complete daily?
    Information about the COVID-19 screening app was sent out on Monday, September 7th from Sue Dieck in our central office. She addressed both the screening app and ClassLink (single sign-on service)
  • When will we get info about logging in to ClassLink?
    See answer above.
  • Who is the contact for working papers at CHS?
    Please check the CHS website for working papers information. It directs you to Mrs. Harrison in guidance at eharriso@carmelschools.org
  • When the child login to start a period, what are they signing onto? Is it the office 365?
    Students should check their emails in Office 365 for information from their teachers. They should also check their TEAMS account in Office 365 where teachers will post information and resources about the class.
  • Will the students be given a map of the stairwells ahead of hybrid learning so they are aware of which stairwells go up and down since they will be one way & they have limited time between classes?
    Due to security reasons, we cannot provide maps of the school. The stairwells will be labeled as “UP Stairwell” and “DOWN Stairwell”.
  • Are students permitted to bring disinfecting wipes to wipe down their desk in each class?
    Yes. Absolutely.
  • Will CHS have it coffee meetings?
    Yes. Mrs. Santabarbara will host Zoom “Coffee Meetings” according to the following schedule:
    Sept 11: 2:00 (9th Grade)
    Sept 11: 3:30 (10th Grade)
    Sept 13: 2:00 (11th Grade)
    Sept 13: 3:30 (12th Grade)
    *Invitations will be sent out via email blast.
  • I’ve tried contacting Tech Support about getting a hot spot because our Optimum internet service is truly unreliable— speeds are great but it just stops working periodically throughout the day. I haven’t yet heard back from Tech Support. Is there a hotspot I can pick up at the school for my child?
    Tech Support is the best resource for this. Please email techsupport@carmelschools.org Also, please understand they are probably incredibly inundated with requests from both families and staff about a multitude of tech issues.  Please remain as patient as possible. 
  • Do all students have to have to fill out the COVID App or questionnaire each day?
    Yes. At this time we are asking that all students fill out the COVID App or questionnaire each day, regardless of cohort or remote.  The reason for this is two fold at this point:
    1. To help the students maintain a routine of doing it each day.  
    2. The App currently has limitations that we are working on with the developer.  We are unable to sort the data from the app by cohort or remote learner.   When we run a report in the morning to see who didn't complete their screener, it gives us a list of all of the kids who didn't complete it whether they are in school or not, even the remote ones.  This makes it extremely difficult to track down and follow up with the kids who actually showed up to the building without doing the questionnaire.  Once we have the capabilities to sort properly, we will pull back the request for all the kids to do it daily. We're  just trying to be able to keep the school a safe environment for the students when they come back.

 

BOCES Specific Information:

  • Will students be able to attend BOCES all 5 days and will transportation be provided?
    Update to date BOCES Information:
    BOCES starts on Monday, September 14th with Live In-Person Instruction for those students who wish to participate. Those not attending until the district opening date will not be penalized and will not miss instruction and material covered.

    Those students who are not able to attend in person will receive instruction remotely through live streaming. A ConnectEd message from BOCES went out to parents asking for        them to complete a form, also posted on the BOCES website, indicating how their child will participate for the first marking period (in person, remotely, hybrid). Those who  elected remote will be steaming their classes. 

    Please see the schedule below for CCSD transportation information.

For Monday 9/14 through Friday 9/18 – BOCES students in Cohort A and B will need to provide their own transportation to CHS in order to receive transportation to BOCES.  Specifically designated Cohort A and B busses will depart the Library Entrance at the following times for the appropriate sessions: Tech Session 1 departs at 7:10am; Tilly Session 1 departs at 7:40am; Tech Session 2 departs at 9:30am; Tilly Session 2 departs at 9:40; Tech Session 3 departs at 11:20am; Tilly Session 3 departs at 11:40am.  Students arriving at school must remain socially distant, wear masks, and may not enter the building.  Students in both cohorts will be brought directly home after their BOCES session. 

Beginning Monday, 9/21 for Hybrid learning we will follow the district Cohort Calendar
9/21, 9/22, 9/23 – Cohort A Days
9/24, 9/25 – Cohort B Days
9/29, 9/30 – Cohort A Days
10/1, 10/2 – Cohort B Days

During these days, students in the day specific cohorts will be bussed to school utilizing regular AM transportation, regardless of what BOCES session they are in.  Specifically designated cohort busses will depart the Library Entrance at the following times for the appropriate sessions: Tech Session 1 departs at 7:10am; Tilly Session 1 departs at 7:40am; Tech Session 2 departs at 9:30am; Tilly Session 2 departs at 9:40; Tech Session 3 departs at 11:20am; Tilly Session 3 departs at 11:40am.

Students who are in the “Off cohort” must provide their own transportation to CHS.  Specifically designated cohort busses will depart the Library Entrance at the following times for the appropriate sessions: Tech Session 1 departs at 7:10am; Tilly Session 1 departs at 7:40am; Tech Session 2 departs at 9:30am; Tilly Session 2 departs at 9:40; Tech Session 3 departs at 11:20am; Tilly Session 3 departs at 11:40am. “Off cohort” students arriving at school must remain socially distant, wear masks, and may not enter the building.  Students in the “Off cohort” will be brought directly home after their BOCES session.

Additionally, beginning September 14th students can be dropped-off and picked-up from BOCES, or if they are a junior or senior and have their license, they can drive.                  

 

Music and Specials Questions:

Further questions regarding music and our programs, please direct them to mcabral@carmelschools.org

  • What precautions will be taken in band classes?
    We are following New York State's Reopening Guidance in terms of creating a safe learning environment in our Music Classrooms. Additionally, we are utilizing all of the independent research studies in order to make the most informed and SAFE decision for the students. We are distancing as well as playing with masks. Families will get instructions on how to create a mask for wind instruments for their child that will be utilized for band only. Additionally, we are looking at getting bell covers for the students’ instrument. Students will not be sharing instruments at all. If a child is utilizing a school instrument they will be assigned their own instrument, with their own mouthpiece.
  • In both sample schedules you showed in the orientation, the student had “MUSIC LESSON” listed.  Does the high school work like the middle school where band students receive a music lesson as part of the band curriculum?
    All high school students should have MUSIC LESSON listed as a 12th period. If they do not, the music teachers will make sure to have it added as we have not yet rostered the music lesson class.
  • How will Band, Studio Art and Gym be handled for students who are 100% remote? Can I pick art materials up at the school?
    We are going to be working on getting a pickup day for supplies – instruments, etc. Students who are 100% remote at the 7th-12th grade level will be calling into their class daily. They will be streaming the class at home and participating and playing(music) with the hybrid students. Students will also be receiving a (music)lesson time which they can do over zoom.

2019_2020 Yearbooks Available for Purchase

There are a limited number of 2019-2020 yearbooks available for purchase. The cost is $90 and must be paid for in cash and must be in exact change in order to limit exchanges. No checks.  Books will be on a first-come-first-served basis.  Please contact nzaccard@carmelschools.org.

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

LINK TO COMPLETE YOUR HOME ACCESS / ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES

AUGUST 29, 2020 SAT EXAMS CANCELED AT CHS

The SAT’s scheduled to be administered at Carmel High School on August 29, 2020 are canceled. Please contact the College Board for next steps or visit their website at https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/register/test-center-closings

SENIOR PARKING FOR 2020_2021

Senior Parking Update 2020_2021

Continue to check your student email accounts for information on taking the virtual SIDNE class required for a senior parking spot, and for the date and time of the senior parking lottery. Information will be coming by end August. Any questions, email Kristen Vinciguerra at kvincigu@carmelschools.org 

WORKING PAPERS

For any students looking for

Working Papers

Please email the completed Application for Employment Certificate and the Physical Fitness Certification to Mrs. Elizabeth Harrison at eharriso@carmelschools.org

Working Papers - Application for Employment Certificate AT-17

Working Papers - Physical Fitness Certification AT-16   (or an Annual Physical dated within one year. Must be signed, dated, and stamped by the physician)

Once completed documentation is received your Working Card will be mailed to your home address on file.

CHS RAM T.V.

Important Forms

UPCOMING EVENTS

  • In-Person Learning Begins

    Carmel Central School District

  • Cohort A Attends, Cycle Day 4

    Carmel Central School District

  • Cohort A Attends, Cycle Day 5

    Carmel Central School District

  • Cohort A Attends, Cycle Day 6

    Carmel Central School District

  • Cohort B Attends, Cycle Day 1

    Cohort B Attends

    Carmel Central School District
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Quick Links

Information and Policies

Reporting Student Absences

Parents/guardians do not need to call to report student absences.  Every parent/guardian will receive an attendance call when their child has been marked absent.  Written notes are required from a parent in these situations:

  • Absence - A note from home, doctor, or medical facility should be brought in for an absence.
  • Anticipated Full-day or Partial Day Absence - a note from home should be brought in, in advance of the absence, identifying the specific reason for the absence.
  • Late Arrival - A note from home should be brought in with an explanation for the student's late arrival.

    All notes should be dropped off in the "Absence Notes" basket located in the CHS Main Office. 

  • Early Dismissal - A note from home giving permission for early dismissal, with the specific reason for the request, should be brought to the CHS Main Office Secretary and she will give an "Early Dismissal Pass" that will allow them to leave CHS at the time you designated.