Graduation Requirement Change: Effective beginning with the Class of 2013

New Career Graduation Requirement:

All students, beginning with the class of 2013, will be required to earn an additional ¼ credit for careers above the ¼ credit careers class that has been required for several years. This ¼ credit will not require course time, but instead, will be earned through an experiential approach. In grade 10, students will meet with the school-to-career coordinator and be guided through a career interest survey that will be used to begin an electronic portfolio. In grade 11, students will carry out two (2) career exploration experiences such as two job shadows. These may or may not be completed during school hours. Students must work closely with the school-to-career coordinator who will track, verify, and lend her expertise in guiding them when necessary. The guidance staff, as well as the administrative team, is very excited to offer opportunities for valuable hands-on, authentic experiences as our students navigate future planning.

For more information, questions, or concerns, please contact School-to-Career Coordinator, Nancy Carrigg at ncarrigg@hopkintonschools.org or your student’s guidance counselor.

Update for the Class of 2013: The majority of students from the graduating class of 2013 completed their career interest assessments last year and now have career electronic portfolios to add to and refer to throughout high school. 2013 student graduates who have not completed the assessment are few and include only new students to the district.  Students met with Ms. Carrigg in groups and individually last year – the first year of implementation of this requirement, to review and discuss their future planning results and to begin planning their two career exploration (job shadow) requirements which they are expected to complete in this year.  Many students have met with Mrs. Carrigg since school began for advice and guidance with their career interests. Career interests are very wide ranging.  Some student interests in which they will be job shadowing this year include placements in NH State Refugee Programs, careers in International Relations, Law, Veterinary Medicine,  Music Teacher, Chef, Firefighter, Detective, and Auto Mechanic to name a few.

Some students wasted no time and rather than wait until their junior year, they are already job shadowing; learning though first hand experiences. Students are encouraged to participate in these activities whenever they have time in their busy schedules. Weekends, school vacations etc, are all viable options. The one requirement is completion of the Attendance Verification Form & Student Worksheet which must be returned to Ms. Carrigg in order to receive credit. Remember, students are required to complete two.

Have questions? Need guidance? Please contact Nancy Carrigg at ncarrigg@hopkintonschools.org or contact the guidance office at 746-2502. Thank you!

Capital Area Student Leadership Program (CASL) 2011

The CASL program or Capital Student Leadership Program encourages high school sophomores from schools throughout the region to become effective participants and future leaders in their communities through exposure to the historical, cultural, environmental, and civic aspects, of Greater Concord. The program was limited to 25 students region wide so it is with great pride that we congratulate the following tenth grade student leaders for being selected for CASL, class of 2011.

Emily Geiger

Elizabeth Hancock

Shannon Nadeau

Colin O’Keefe

Samuel Smith

Benjamin Thesing

The program meets on three consecutive Wednesdays in March. It is required that each student selected participate in all three sessions.  The following are the dates that these students will not be in school:

Wed, March 9, 8am-2:30pm     Session I: History and Culture Day (downtown Concord)

Wed, March 16, 8am-2:30pm    Session II: Communications Day (Concord Monitor)

Wed, March 23, 8am-2:30pm   Session III: Justice & the Courts (courts/jail)

Wed, March 23, 5:00pm             Graduation (students & families)

*Wed, March 30th                          Reserved as snow make-up day

We would like to thank the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce for their continued support of this extraordinary program!