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Community eNews | November 30, 2025 | | We hope you had a restful and reflective Thanksgiving. At the recent Thanksgiving Liturgy, we were grateful for the student reflection shared by Haley B. ’26, and everyone who was involved in the liturgy, including Spiritual Life Council. | | A Message from the Dean of Faculty: | |
Dear Carondelet Community,
There’s a meme circulating the social internet that compares the three weeks of school between Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks to the last stage in a video game when the music gets faster and the pressure becomes almost unbearable. Anyone who’s been in high school knows that this is an incredibly accurate analogy. So as we begin our last full week of regular classes before final exams, I’d like to invite a different image into our minds: the calm assuredness of people who’ve worked hard and are ready to demonstrate our achievements.
The last couple weeks of the term often leave students feeling the need to scramble, intent on cramming as much studying as possible into every spare moment of the day. The mere mention of the words “exam” and “semester project” can make even the most accomplished student feel worried and apprehensive. Increased anxiety and stress actually impairs students’ performance—these are not optimal conditions for brains to do their best work. Students can alleviate some of their nerves by attending teachers’ office hours (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons until 3:30 PM) or consulting the additional resources teachers have made available on their Schoology pages. Even a quick review session with classmates can take the edge off the pre-exam jitters.
Families can also help to counteract negative effects of the end of semester crunch by encouraging their students to have a snack, go for a walk, take a power nap, or even have a two-minute dance party to give their hardworking brains a break. Staying healthy and nourishing our minds and bodies with good food, sleep, exercise, and community will help all of us feel less overwhelmed and frazzled as we work through the end of the semester. No matter what, it’s important for students to remember that they’ve been working and learning hard for weeks and they’re ready to show what they know—and that we’re all cheering them on.
In partnership,
Kat Spradlin
Dean of Faculty
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Upcoming Dates
Click event names for details.
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Monday, Dec. 1
0-7 Day
Kairos 105 Begins
Tuesday, Dec. 2
B-Day (X Block)
Out-of-State College Fair (at DLS)
Prospective Student Campus Tour
Winter Sports Liturgy (information below)
Wednesday, Dec. 3
A-Day
Thursday, Dec. 4
B-Day (Late Start)
Christmas Concert
Friday, Dec. 5
A-Day
Saturday, Dec. 6
8th Grade HSPT Prep Course
Father-Daughter Dance (Get Tickets Here)
Monday, Dec. 8
B-Day (Liturgy)
Tuesday, Dec. 9
A-Day
CAC Open House
College Money Method
Wednesday, Dec. 10
B-Day (X Block)
Cougar U: Juniors
Prospective Student Campus Tour
Thursday, Dec. 11
A-Day
Friday, Dec. 12
0-7 Day
View the Athletics Website for game schedules and information.
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Click [Message Clipped] View Entire Message at the bottom of this email to see the eNewsletter in its entirety.
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Applications are Due Friday, December 5
Our Class of 2030 application deadline is this Friday, December 5! If you know an 8th grader who would thrive in Carondelet’s Sisterhood, please share this reminder and encourage her family to apply soon. Your referrals help us welcome the next generation of Cougars!
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Finals Week Prep
As we return from Thanksgiving break, we have only two full weeks of classes before finals begin (Dec. 15–18). Please encourage your daughter to check PowerSchool and Schoology, connect with her teachers, and submit any missing or late work as soon as possible so she can head into finals week as prepared and confident as possible.
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Winter Sports Liturgy—Tuesday, December 2
All athletes who are rostered on a winter sports team are required to attend our Winter Sports Liturgy on Tuesday, December 2. Athletes will meet during X Block from 1:45 to 2:50 PM.
| | | New Items in School Store! | | |
Stay Warm All Winter Long in Two New Puffer Jackets
We've added two new and exciting puffer jacket options to our school store just in time for your holiday shopping! And there are still great deals to be found in the Sale Section. Click the "Shop Now!" button to go to the school store, or click the images below to go directly to those items!
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Join us at the CHS and DLS Christmas Concert
The Carondelet and De La Salle music programs invite you to our annual Christmas Concert on Thursday, December 4, at 7:00 PM, in the De La Salle Hofmann Center. The concert will feature performances from our choirs and bands, each presenting festive repertoire that highlights the hard work and artistry of our students.
Admission is complimentary, and all are welcome. We hope you’ll join us as we ring in the Christmas season with an uplifting night of music.
| | | Parent & Family Engagement | | |
Carondelet Parents Guild Meeting
All Carondelet parents and guardians are invited to our Christmas celebration on Wednesday, December 17, at 6:30 PM in the Carondelet Convent Community Room. Our 15-minute speaker will be our Wellness Counselors. We will be serving light appetizers and beverages. RSVP Today!
Freshman Family Volunteer Commitment
Volunteering is a great way to meet other families and be part of our community. If you are still needing points please take a look at our Volunteer Opportunities and see all the ways you can connect.
Still Need to be a Cleared Volunteer?
If you still need to be cleared to volunteer or drive for Carondelet High School, here is what you need to know:
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You need a Live Scan request completed for Carondelet; we cannot accept Live Scan from other schools or businesses.
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You also need to follow the steps on this form and upload all the required documents.
Once those are complete you will receive an email confirming your clearance. Questions? Contact Parent Engagement Manager Candice Mannoni.
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Spring Retreat Date Change Requests
All students who are signed up to attend a retreat next semester, please make sure you have your retreat dates in your calendar. If you need to change your spring retreat date, submit your request by Monday, December 1. Any date change requests after December 1 for Second Semester Retreats will result in a $75 Late Request Fee. Email Rick Grand-Lejano as soon as possible to get the correct Date Change Request Link for your retreat.
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All Students:
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De La Salle is hosting a college fair on Tuesday, December 2, from 1:40 to 3:00 PM. Colleges attending include: The University of Utah, Seton Hall, Belmont, Creighton, the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and many more!
Juniors and Seniors:
Juniors:
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There is a mandatory Cougar U workshop on Wednesday, December 10, from 1:40 to 2:50 PM in the Garaventa. This is the second workshop in the Cougar U series and will focus on steps to prepare for college.
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Register here for Winter Kickstart! A one-day winter session on Saturday, January 24, will focus on launching your college search, building your college list, and preparing for applications.
Sophomores:
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On December 3 and 4, College Counselors will be presenting to sophomores during their English classes to talk with them about selecting classes for their junior year. In late January and February, all students will have a required meeting with their College Counselor to select their classes. Students will also be introduced to the college search process using Maia, our college planning platform.
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HOBY exists to motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our society through understanding and action based on effective and compassionate leadership. Carondelet is eligible to send 2 current sophomore students to the NorCal HOBY seminar in June (exact date and location TBD). The cost to attend is $450. If the cost is a barrier to your family, some scholarship money from Carondelet is available. If you are interested in applying to participate, please respond to the following essay prompt in no more than 300 words and email your response to Allison Bly by Thursday, December 4, at 3:00 PM. A committee will select our school’s 2 participants.
Why are you interested in attending this program, and in what ways have you demonstrated leadership, integrity, or service to others?
Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors:
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Diablo Valley College is hosting a webinar on Tuesday, December 2, titled Concurrent Enrollment: How to Take College Classes as a High School Student. If you are interested in learning more, click here for more information and to register.
Carondelet shares these opportunities for informational purposes only. We do not affiliate with or endorse any particular organizations.
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We are grateful for individuals and families whose belief in our mission and have made extraordinary progress possible in this Campaign. Their investments have raised $2.6 million.
With less than $1 million to go, we feel a renewed sense of hope and determination. The Boscacci Performance Center opens to students after Thanksgiving break and we’ll celebrate at a ribbon-cutting with donors in January.
Every contribution to this campaign counts. Gifts of $1,000+ will be recognized on the Power of Her Donor Wall in the new Gym Lobby. Dedicated naming opportunities in the Performance Center and at the CAC are still available for those who wish to leave a lasting legacy.
Join us. The time is NOW!
| | | Check out our online school store for new Carondelet branded apparel and merch! Start your holiday shopping early with our most recent sale items! Get some great swag and an awesome deal. | | |
School Store Orders
Pick up your orders in the Convent stairwell. Purchases are in alphabetical order. Contact the Proforma team if you cannot find your order.
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Thank You to Our Annual Event Sponsors!
| | "At the heart of our charism is the belief that we are all one, that God's love unites us beyond fear and division." ~ Sisters of St. Joseph | |
More than high school. Her School.
Connect with us.
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Mission: Carondelet High School inspires excellence by preparing young women to live with heart, faith, and courage in the Catholic tradition and spirit of the Sisters of St. Joseph.
Vision: A Carondelet graduate is empowered by her Catholic, college-preparatory education and is known as a woman who responds to the needs of the times and makes a positive difference.
| | Carondelet High School l 1133 Winton Drive l Concord, CA 94518 l CarondeletHS.org |
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