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CGHS Student & Family Newsletter
Week of December 9, 2024
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This week, we’re excited to shout out:
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The incredible cast of Much Ado About Nothing – Greer, Alanna, Rhiannon, Josh, Clouds, Isonnette, Taylor, Alexander, Lillian, Glow, Jayda, and Z'riyah – and their director Sarah Bowles from Elm Shakespeare Company. Their all-school performances this week were AMAZING, and earned them this great article in the Arts Paper. You can see them perform this Saturday at 2 – details below!
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Student Ambassadors Rhiannon, Stephanie H, Alex A, Joshua C & Dayana F, who did an incredible job introducing 8th grade students and families to Common Ground at magnet school fairs and middle school presentations. Interested in becoming a Student Ambassador? Email Mr. Tolman at jtolman@commongroundct.org!
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Alanna Herbert, one of just 2,627 students chosen from among 25,000 applicants across the country for the Questbridge Scholarship – earning her a full four-year scholarship to Skidmore College in New York. We want to shout out ALL the seniors who are earning admissions to college this fall – please be sure to let Ms. Jacobs and Mr. Tolman know when and where you get in!
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Ms. Field and her service dog Bo, who came to school to visit the After-School Animal Club on Thursday, and who brought a little extra love and joy to our campus for the whole day.
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CPEN Director Doreen Abubakur and the student volunteers who helped us raise awareness about drug use prevention for Red Ribbon Week!
Shakespeare Performance Photo Credits: Lucy Gellman, New Haven Arts Paper
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Dear Common Ground Students & Families,
The week ahead is full of opportunities to learn and lead, both in and beyond the classroom:
- Fall Recreational After-School programs have their final sessions this week, but after-school academic supports & Saturday Academy continue through the end of the semester on January 23rd.
- On Tue, Shakespeare Workshop students travel to Naugatuck Valley Community College for full-day tech rehearsal.
- On Thu, Outdoor Leadership students will be off campus 9:30-12 for an indoor climbing trip.
- Fri 10-12, seniors who have signed up to do so will visit University of New Haven.
There are just two weeks left before winter vacation, and then just three short weeks before the end of the fall semester on January 23rd. NOW is the time to make sure you are in good standing in your classes and are ending the semester strong.
Sincerely,
Monique Frasier
School Director
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What's In This Newsletter
- The CGHS Lottery Is Now Open. Spread the Word About This Saturday's Open House!
- This Sat @ 2pm: Much Ado About Nothing @ Naugatuck Valley Community College
- Important Early College Updates
- Recreational After-School Programs Run Through This Friday. Academic Labs & Saturday Academy Continue Through The End of the Semester
- Tuesdays After School: Green Jobs Corps Pathfinder Workshops!
- Green Jobs Corps Applications Are Re-Opened! Apply TODAY!
- Common Ground Is Seeking Our Next Executive Director
- Community Service Reminders
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1. The CGHS Lottery is Open. Spread the Word About This Saturday's Open House!
Do you know a young person who's blazing a path to college success and ready to help build a just and sustainable world? Common Ground's Lottery for 2025-26 is now open!
FAMILIES, please support Common Ground by inviting your networks to join us at our next Open House for Future Students & Families on Saturday, December 14 from 10-12, and sharing this link on social media:
https://www.commongroundct.org/high-school/become-a-student/
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2. This Sat @ 2pm: Much Ado About Nothing @ Naugatuck Valley Community College
Come see our Common Ground students take the stage as part of the Elm Shakespeare Company's Second Annual Shakespeare Festival! Common Ground students perform at 2pm on Saturday, December 14th. Details and ticket information here -- tickets free if you are 18 and under. We hope to see you there!
Get a sneak peek of what you'll get to expereince in this article in the New Haven Arts Paper.
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3. Important Early College Updates
Common Ground students who meet the eligibility requirements can choose to take college courses, free of charge, at local universities. Now is the time to consider whether you qualify and are interested! If you are, your next steps are to:
- Complete this interest form
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Review these Key Early College Resources.
- Follow up with Mr. Tolman with questions -- in person, or at jtolman@commongroundct.org!
Here are the Latest Early College Updates for The Week of December 9th:
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The SCSU Spring early college application is now open. ALL students who plan to take an SCSU course, whether they have taken courses in the past or not, MUST complete this application to register for classes and avoid receiving a bill. New Early College students will need to wait to receive their SCSU ID before they can register.
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SCSU has just tightened its early college eligibility criteria. Only juniors and seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher will automatically be approved to take courses at SCSU. If a student is a 9th or 10th grader, or has a GPA below 3.0, we must now provide written justification as to why they should be allowed to participate in Early College. To provide this justification, we will need students who do not have a 3.0 to provide evidence (e.g., their current grades in schoology) that they are succeeding in their current Common Ground courses. Any 9th graders interested in participating in Early College must submit a teacher recommendation AND have college-ready scores on the PSAT or MAP; any 10th grader interested in taking Early College must have a teacher recommendation OR college-ready scores.
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Yale & Gateway Early College applications are now open as well for qualifying students (juniors and seniors only, 3.0 GPA for Gateway and 3.5 GPA for Yale). Students interested in Yale courses must attend a mandatory zoom info session Mon, Dec 16. Details here. Gateway students must complete an online application before January 2. Details here.
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4. Recreational After-School Programs End This Week Academic Labs & Saturday Academy Continue Through The End of the Semester
If your midterm grades show that you need additional support, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of after-school academic labs (M/T/Th/Fr 3:15-4:15) and Saturday Academy (Sat 9-12). It is CRITICAL that students show up for these supports when assigned by a teacher. Drop-ins are also welcomed. Academic support run through the end of the semester in January.
Our fall recreational and enrichment programs run through This Friday, December 13th:
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Mondays: Basketball, Expressive Arts
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Tuesdays: Cooking Club, Book Club
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Thursdays: Gaming, Animal Club, Volleyball, Media Club
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Fridays: Wonder in the Woods, Wetland Crew/Green Team, Student Council
After-school programs operate 3:15-4:15. Remember, for every 75 hours of ASP time you participate in, you get .5 credit towards graduation!
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5. Tuesdays After School: Green Jobs Corps Pathfinder Workshops!
Want to build the skills you'll need to GET and KEEP a Job? Get a leg up on future Green Jobs Corps opportunities? Join our GJC Pathfinder Workshops! If you have questions or want to RSVP, email Crystal Fernandez, GJC Director, at crystal.fernandez@commongroundct.org.
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7. Common Ground Is Seeking Our Next Executive Director
We are in the midst of our search for our organization's new Executive Director, and we need *your* support to help spread the word far and wide! Do you know our next leader?
The new Executive Director will lead Common Ground High School, Urban Farm and Environmental Education Center in our mission to invite people across ages and identities to connect to their urban environment, build community, and contribute to a just and sustainable world.
Learn More and Apply Here!
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8. Community Service Reminders!
All Common Ground students are required to complete 15 hours of service each year in order to earn credit on their transcript in guidance.
Did you know:
- Students can volunteer Wednesdays after school on the Farm. Meet at the Harvest Pavilion!
- The Wetland Club/Green Team -- which meets Fridays after school -- also earns community service!
Students must complete this online form every time they complete community service, and must attach proof of service signed by the supervisor of that service. Paper community service sign-off forms are available in the main office. Any student can check the service they've logged here at any time.
Have questions? Talk to your guidance teacher or Mr. Tolman for support!
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