[CCHS] Chit-Chat, Friday, March 18

[Chit-Chat]

CHIT-CHAT

A weekly publication of the CCHS Parents Association
Friday, March 18
2004-05 Edition

------------> HOW TO POST TO THE CHIT-CHAT <---------
Send your notice by email to: cchschitchat at comcast.net. The deadline is:
THURSDAYS at NOON. Please, NO PHONE CALLS. Items must be submitted in
writing, must be sent by NOON on THURSDAY, must be school related, and are
subject to editing. Late submissions and submissions by phone will not be
accepted.
Thanks,
Anne Wagner, ed.
----------------------------------------------------

NEXT WEEK'S DATES:

Monday, March 21
    Spring sports try-out begin
Thursday, March 24
     Professional Day -- NO SCHOOL
Friday, March 25
     Good Friday -- NO SCHOOL
Sunday, March 27
     Easter


+++++ SPED PAC HOSTING TALK ON COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES +++++

On Thursday, April 14, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., at the New Alcott School 
Auditorium, 91 Laurel Street, Concord SPED PAC is hosting a talk on how 
to help foster healthy communication between parents and teachers and 
school specialists. The speaker will be Communication Specialist Sally 
Heerde, M.Ed, CCC. Sally has 28 years of experience as a certified 
speech-language pathologist. She has worked in a variety of settings 
including public schools (elementary and secondary levels), 
collaborative programs, Boston's Children's Hospital, and currently 
Innovative Learning Partners. She has extensive knowledge of language, 
literacy, learning, and strategic teaching, and is a highly skilled 
diagnostician, clinician, and educator. Visit the SPED PAC's website for 
directions and more information: www.concordspedpac.org. School staff is 
welcome, and the SPED PAC invites you to bring a friend. There is no 
charge for this presentation.

Concord SPED PAC is a state mandated parent volunteer group that acts as 
a resource and advisor to parents of children with disabilities and the 
Concord schools. We need your input and support to succeed!  Please 
consider assisting SPED PAC by helping to promote our workshops or 
sharing your own talents and ideas. If you are interested in helping, 
contact our chairs: Melody Orfei 371-2182, Anne Randle 369-5255, 
Christine Corr 369-8479, or one of your school's SPED PAC liaisons, all 
of whom are listed on our web site.

+++++ FOURTH ANNUAL NICK RESSLER MEMORIAL BLOOD DRIVE  +++++

The Fourth Annual Nick Ressler Memorial Blood Drive will be held on 
Saturday,
April 9, from 8 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the First Parish Church, 20
Lexington Rd., Concord. The blood drive is an annual event held in 
cooperation
with Massachusetts General Hospital to honor Nick Ressler, a member of CCHS
class of 2005, who died at age 14 in 2001, but inspired many with his 
hope and
courage. Your donation will make a difference to the many people in our
community who require the specialized critical care that Mass General 
Hospital
provides to children, adolescents, and adults. You can make a difference 
in the life
of a person who needs blood products, as over 300 donors did for Nick
Ressler during his illness. Did you know that someone needs blood every 2
seconds and that 90 percent of us will need blood at some point in our 
lifetime? If you
are 17 years old or older, you may be eligible to donate. Appointments are
necessary to donate blood and it takes about 30 minutes. Call Pam 
Ressler at
978-369-0869 or Cindy Tenner at 978-371-0306 to schedule an appointment 
or to ask
questions.

+++++ CENTER FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS PROGRAMS  +++++

Youth Engaged in Service:  Promoting Positive Development While Reducing
Risky Behaviors, presented by Madeline Yates, M.A., Fulbright Fellow and 
K-12 Service Learning Specialist.
Parents can be instrumental in connecting their children's interests and
passions with helping others. Come learn how service can be a powerful way
to create meaning and nurture positive developmental assets in the lives
of our young people at this community forum. Thursday, March 31, 7 to 9 
p.m., CCHS Library.   
Suggested donation: $10. No registration required.

Coming in May...
Raising A Teenage Boy, presented by Bill Gresser, MA, and Kelli 
Kirshtein, CCHS Counselor
This program will look at the difference between a 13-year-old eighth 
grader and a 17-year-old senior and how to tailor parenting approaches. 
May 5, 7 to 9 p.m., CCHS Little Theater  
Registration: $15  

Please call the Center for Parents and Teachers at 978-202-1146 to 
pre-register for this program or mail payment to the CPT, 120 Meriam 
Road, Concord, MA 01742.

+++++ DRIVER EDUCATION +++++

Community Education is offering Driver Education at CCHS, starting  
April 5  and running for 15 sessions through May 31 on Tuesdays and 
Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m. The fee is $420 (includes 
text). Register directly with Christo Auto School by calling 508-481-6384.

+++++ BUILD WILLARD COFFEES +++++

Learn more about the condition of Willard and the financial implications 
of a new building. To understand the reasons why both the school 
committee and the finance committee support Town Meeting Warrant Article 
#24: Design Funds for a New Willard School, please come to one of the 
following Build WIllard coffees:
16 March, Wed., 9:30 a.m. -- Host: Betsy Door, 89 College Rd.,  369-1123
17 March,  Thurs., 9:30 a.m. -- Host: Deedo Painter, Upland Dr.
23 March, Wed., 9:30 a.m. -- Host: Meg Howes, 23 South St., 369-3158

Please RSVP by calling the host or go to www.buildwillard.org. Submitted 
by Build Willard.