Friday, November 14, 2008 (Homecoming Week)
Well, it's been quite a couple of weeks. Our gym repair is going very well with the new gym floor installed and sanded. The painting of the artwork is being completed now and will be followed by lacquering of the entire new floor. I'll have a picture of the floor next week for you to see.
Our Red Cross blood drive was a great opportunity for our students and parents to give of themselves to save lives. With well over 125 pints donated CSHM set a new record. Special thanks to Ms. Velasquez and all of the students who made the day a big success. I have a few photos of the day below.
Our Homecoming was a huge success. I always enjoy our Homecoming festivities, from the events at school through the floats, the football game, and the Homecoming Dance. The students had a wonderful time the entire week. I put together a slideshow below so you can enjoy some of the highlight of the week from the Homecoming election to the crowning of the 2008 Homecoming Queen and King.
Homecoming Week Slideshow
Blood Drive Slideshow
Monday, November 3, 2008 (Gym Fire)
As you have heard from my PACE telephone message to all of our parents, we had some real excitement on our campus in the form of a fire between the ceiling and the roof of our school. In the picture below you can see the culprit. Apparently an old light fixture that was inset in the ceiling shorted out, arcing and causing the casing of the fixture to heat up. It became so hot that it ignited the wood that was holding it in.
When the Montebello Fire Department arrived they cut a hole in the roof and sprayed water on the fire. The result was some pretty serious damage to the gym floor. The fire itself created a relatively limited amount of damage thanks to the fast action of the fire deparment. However, the overall damage and cleanup has resulted in an estimated $150,000 in damage. The gym will have to be re-wired to be sure that old fixtures are not receiving power and all wiring is safe and up to code The good news is that it will all be covered by insurance. The bad news is that it will be a major inconvenience until the floor and wiring are repaired.
Our faculty and students have responded with a very positive attitude. We will have our Homecoming ceremonies in our football stadium and our Homecoming Dance in the Senior Lawn. Home games will be switched with league teams or rescheduled in local gymnasiums. The gym should (we hope) be ready within one month.
I have created a slide show of photographs that shows the damage and the ongoing work that you can click here to view.
Gym Repair Slideshow
Monday, September 1, 2008 5:18 PM
We had a great time on Thursday evening as parents and 
students participated in the annual blessing of our football players, cheerleaders, and their uniforms and jerseys. Before each game our football players gather in front of the statue of St. Phillip and ask for God's blessing and protection before they step on to the field. Each year it is a very moving beginning to our first season of sport at CSHM High School. If you would like to see all of the pictures from this evening, just click here.
Friday, August 22, 2008 7:28 PM
New teacher Mr. Bauer
states his point of view.
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Well, it was a very nice first week of school activity. Our first full day of classes is on Monday, August 25th, but this week was filled with faculty meetings, inservices, orientations for students, and plenty of planning.
On Monday we attended an inservice about motivating students, however I think the most positive outcome of the day was the reuniting of the faculty after a couple of months away from one another. We learned some important things, but you realize the cohesiveness of this group when we are all together after a time apart. I don't know if "absence make the heart grow fonder" is an appropriate description, but certainly it brings one back to a renewed realization how close-knit this faculty is.
Zaven prepares lunch for
faculty and
football
players.
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Our students returned with gusto on Wednesday and Thursday for Orientation Days. It was particularly fun on Thursday watching our new Class of 2012 touring the school with the seniors. This group of freshmen is an excellent new class. They are a great addition to our school.
Mrs. Sergi welcomes back
the Class of 2011.
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I have always found that one of the most refreshing things about this line of work is the beginning of a new school year. I've been a teacher or administrator since 1982 and every single new year has the same sense of freshness and renewal. Every student comes to us in September with a clean slate. Those who excel strive to maintain or build upon their excellence and those who wish to improve upon past work have the freshness of a new beginning. September is a great time to be an educator.
Monday we start a new school year with the first full day of classes. I'm looking forward to it with anticipation.
Mr. Chambers
Friday, August 15th, 2008 5:13 PM
Welcome back to Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary High School and welcome to my journal. I hope that all of our students have had a summer that was rejuvenating, restful, and productive. We certainly did at CSHM.
For those who are unfamiliar with this journal or "blog" of mine, it gives me the opportunity to share with you on a more personal level little items and tidbits about the school that I become aware of from time to time. Usually these things that brighten or inform my day are absorbed by the normal hustle and bustle of the days' events. I hope to share them with you informally so you can enjoy and be informed about some of the happenings that I come across in the course of my experience with your daughters and sons. I'll sprinkle in some news and upcoming events that come across my desk as well as some pictures and video along the way when I have my camera handy.
I hope you drop by here often to share some of my experiences at CSHM High School.
The halls, cafeteria, and gym have been shined and polished, rooms scrubbed, improvements made, and we are ready to go. Monday we begin with a faculty inservice at 8:00am where we will discuss "Student Motivation", followed by meetings on Tuesday. Wednesday, August 20th, we officially begin with our students with Orientation Days. The first full day of classes is on Monday, August 25th. I've worked all summer revamping my Photography class curriculum so I'm excited and ready to start teaching. I know all of our teachers are as well.
I hope to see you back here often in the months ahead.
Mr. Chambers
