Thanks to Food Justice Education Coordinator Esther Chiang, Teacher and 10th Grade Guide Mr. Mel Morales, and our partners at Amistad House and Loaves & Fishes for this week's opening pictures of our whole-school eclipse viewing, French class at the wetland, and Community Service Day!

Dear Common Ground students & families, 

Happy Earth Day, Common Ground community! We hope you had a great week off. Here’s what’s coming up next:

• No school for students Mon, so our teachers have the time for learning and planning together. Get outside and enjoy the beautiful day for Earth Day!
• This Wed is an A day, and we’ll end the day with a POWER assembly. If you haven’t already, there is still time to nominate a teacher for a POWER award -- deadline is end of day Monday!
• Next Wed, May 1st is Decision Day! Seniors, we're excited to see you rep the college, program, or next step of your choice that day – come dressed to share your next step!

At CG, EVERY week is a chance to step up as a POWERful leader, working together to create a more just and sustainable world. And, we hope you’ll join in our celebration of Earth Day Spirit Week and the Rock to Rock Earth Day Ride this week in particular -- see all the details below!

Speaking of POWERful leadership – huge shout out to all the Earth & people care that guidance groups took on during last Friday’s Spring Community Service Day:

• Amadi & Morales guidance cleaned up the Long Wharf Nature Preserve with Gather New Haven.
• Dennehy & Winkler guidance help to rebuild the school garden at Brennan Rogers Magnet School.
• Feliz guidance helped Cris Watson on his senior project, decorating planting containers and writing positive messages!
• Alamo guidance worked with Eli's Garden of Healing to create art that will help honor Eli’s memory and create a healing space in his honor in Hamden.
• Green guidance worked with Loaves & Fishes, helping organize their clothing closet, and supporting Friday food deliveries!
• Juniors worked with Mr. Granado and Mr. Bower, helping Youth Continuum pack up backpacks for young people who are housing insecure. 
• Other juniors worked with Ms. Miller to clean and beautify the school – Hilltop looked great when you were done!
• A third group of 11th graders joined Ms. Misbach & Ms. Maresca, leading games and providing academic support to elementary students at Brennan Rogers. 
• Mr. Carney’s guidance helped LEAP pack up books from their library, getting ready for a big renovation of their community center.
• Townsend & Williams guidances headed over to Elm City Montessori, where they filled garden beds with compost, read to kids, and more! 
• Cataldo & Malvares guidance helped our farm team get ready for our seedling sale, take popcorn off the cobs, get the garden ready for the growing season, and more!
• Field & Poirier guidance played games, build connections, and organized at Atwater Senior Center.
• Claire & Sharnick guidance worked at Amistad Catholic Worker House – helping in the community garden, cooking, and talking with community members.

Keep showing up as POWERful learners, this Earth Day and every day -- our planet and out community needs you!

Sincerely,

Cherry Pacquette-Emmanuel

School Director

What's In This Newsletter

1. This Week: Join in CG's Earth Day Spirit Week!!!!
2. This Saturday is Rock to Rock! We Need YOU!
3. APPLY BY THIS THURS, APRIL 25: Summer Green Jobs Corps!
4. Community Service & Leadership Opportunity This Thurs @ 5:30: Help Create the Vision for New Haven's Future!
5. SENIORS, NEW Scholarship Opportunity from ConnexCares, DUE APRIL 30th!
6. SENIORS: Decision Day is May 1! Prom Is June 6 & Graduation Is June 14 -- important details below!
7. Save the Date: Yearbook Picture Day is Wed, May 8th!
8. Payments Open for Our End of Year Trip to Lake Compounce!
9. Volunteer Wednesdays on the Farm
10. Student Farm Share: Get Fresh Veggies for Your Family This Spring!!!
11. Apply Today: Regional Water Authority Environmental Careers Camp
12. Apr 30: Yale Pathways to Science Exploring Science Program!
13. 18-30 Years Old? Love to Make Things & Build Businesses? Apply Today for EcoLab!
14. Liberation on the Land (L.O.L) Youth Immersion, July 9 - 11, 2024 @ Soul Fire Farm in New York
15. Students: Join The Beautification, News & After-School Committees of Student Council!
16. College Scholarship Opps: Scholarship Database!
17. Due Apr 26: For Future Landscape Architects!
18. Seniors: Apply for the 94.3 WYBC Chevrolet of Milford Beat The Odds Scholarship!
19. New Haven Promise Updates: Pennington Scholarship & Servio.City Community Service Site
20. Congratulations to Seniors on their College Acceptances!
21. Sign Up for CG's Summer Farm Share!
22. Portfolio Support Tues & Thurs After-School!
23. Spring After-School Programs Continue! Sign Up Today!
24. Students & Families, Attendance Matters

1. This Week: Join in CG's Earth Day Spirit Week!!!!

2. This Saturday is Rock to Rock! We Need YOU!

THE ROCK TO ROCK EARTH DAY RIDE & HIKE IS THIS SATURDAY 4/27/24! Students and families, we need your support to raise much-needed funds for CG & raise awareness about climate change through this special event. Here's how you can help:

• Make a gift of any amount at bit.ly/cgrocks24 - every dollar makes a difference! We have over $20,000 left to raise to reach our fundraising goal. Donations directly support CGHS, our urban farm & our community programs. 
• Share our team fundraising page (bit.ly/cgrocks24) or a guidance group's page (scroll down on our team page - 9 guidances are participating!) through social media, texts and emails with your friends, family, neighbors & coworkers!
• Join us for a family-friendly hike at CG 4/27/24 10:30-12:30am. RSVP HERE. CGHS students earn community service hours for hiking. 
• Volunteer at the rest stop for bikers that CG is hosting on our campus 10am-12pm. SIGN UP HERE.

3. APPLY BY THIS THURS, APRIL 25: Summer Green Jobs Corps!

Looking for a Summer Job with Green Jobs Corps? Apply to Green Jobs Corps by Thursday April 25, 2024 at 4:30pm.

Have questions? Reach out to Ms. Ana Reyes (ana.reyes@commongroundct.org) and Ms. Crystal Fernandez (crystal.fernandez@commongroundct.org), of visit them in the Pathways Office

4. Community Service & Leadership Opportunity This Thurs @ 5:30: Help Create the Vision for New Haven's Future!

Students and Families, YOU should be shaping our city's future! Join in the FIRST public workshop for New Haven's Comprehensive Plan! Rsvp at Students earn community service hours for participating -- check in with Mr. Tolman! More info in below, and at https://newhavenvision2034.com/events.

5. SENIORS, NEW Scholarship Opportunity from ConnexCares, DUE APRIL 30th!

Check out the details below -- and learn more & apply on the ConnexCares Website!

6. SENIORS: Decision Day is May 1! Prom Is June 6 & Graduation Is June 14!

Seniors, Common Ground will celebrate Decision Day on May 1! As you make your decision about your plans for next year, think about getting your hands on college swag -- clothing, penants, etc. -- that can help you celebrate and announce your decision on May 1!

Tickets are now for sale for Prom, on Thursday, June 6th! Purchase Your Ticket.

Graduation will be Friday, June 14th at 6pm at Common Ground! Now is the time to make your payment for your Cap & Gown ($45) Make your payment here. We will reserve 4 tickets to graduation per senior -- talk to Ms. Miriam with questions!

7. Save the Date: Yearbook Picture Day is Wed, May 8th!

An important message from our Yearbook Club: During guidance on Wed, May 8th, there will be staff photos, guidance groups, and individual photos taken to put in Common Ground’s yearbook. 

8. Payments Open for Our End of Year Trip to Lake Compounce!

On Friday, June 7th, Common Ground students & staff will take our end of year trip to Lake Compounce. You can purchase your ticket and reserve your space now! Purchase your Lake Compounce Ticket.

9. Volunteer Wednesdays on the Farm!

Earn Community Service hours on the farm every Wednesday 1-2:30pm. We will be waking the farm up for spring-mulching pathways, weeding, compost sifting and more. Your work will help us grow over 12,000 pounds of food for our community! You must come by 1pm to be able to earn credit. *if school let's out early we'll meet at 12:15pm.

10. Student Farm Share: Get Fresh Veggies for Your Family This Spring!!! Due Apr 30th!

WANT FRESH PRODUCE FROM THE COMMON GROUND FARM?

WHAT: 5 weeks of Fresh Spring Veggies (greens, eggs + more!!)

WHEN: 5 afterschool pickups: Thursdays 5/2, 5/9, 5/16, 5/23, 5/30

HOW MUCH?: PAY WHAT YOU CAN $0-$25 per week *everyone gets $20+ worth of produce each week.

HOW DO I APPLY? Fill out THIS FORM by April 30th to be one of 25 CGHS families to receive a weekly share of veggies. We will follow up with confirmations before the start of the Farm Share.

11. Apply Today: Regional Water Authority Environmental Careers Camp

Interested in an environmental career AND being part of a team that provides a service everyone relies on for clean, healthy drinking water? Water utility careers are crucial to providing a necessary product for our community and are in high demand.

Join us this summer at the Regional Water Authority for a week-long program exploring careers offered at water utilities, taking place June 24-28. All the careers directly or indirectly link to the environment; we are stewards of the environment and the natural resource we provide! Some of the careers highlighted during the week include Watershed Protection Specialist, Natural Resource Technician, Water Treatment Plant Operator, Water Quality Analyst, and Forester.

Regional Water Authority employees will share their careers with participants through presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. A good portion of the week is spent outside at different locations throughout the RWA's service district.

This is an excellent opportunity to hear directly from water utility professionals about what they like most about their careers and learn about unique job opportunities. Stipends are provided to students who complete the week-long program!

Link to RWA ECSC 2024 Flyer

Link to RWA ECSC 2024 Application - due May 24, 2024

12. Apr 30: Yale Pathways to Science: Exploring Science!

Tuesday, 6-7 PM EST, on Apr 30

Open to grades 6-10

Join us for an online discussion with Yale scientists about the subjects they love! Learn about their pathway to science, their field of interest, and how in the world they actually study it! From particles to planets there is so much to explore! Zoom links will be sent the day before the event to registered students. No need to register again if you already did for previous events!

Register Here.

13. 18-30 Years Old? Love to Make Products & Build Businesses? Apply Today for EcoLab!

Apply today! MakeHaven is collaborating with Gather for the New Haven Innovation EcoLab (see video), a program designed to offer young people hands-on learning in fabrication and product development. Participants who complete the 8-week program, scheduled for nights and weekends, will receive a $1,000 stipend. Our aim is to engage 18 to 30-year-olds, particularly those who have faced limited opportunities yet possess an interest in entrepreneurship and the environment. More details can be found here: https://gathernewhaven.org/our-programs/eco-lab/

14. Liberation on the Land (L.O.L) Youth Immersion

July 9 - 11, 2024 @ Soul Fire Farm in New York

L.O.L (Liberation on Land) is an immersive 3-day program for B.I.P.O.C. youth, ages 14-16 that harvests the power of land as a tool for personal and collective liberation. Together, we will engage in creative and healing arts, regenerative farming, whole foods cooking, mindfulness practices, and physical activities, both as skill-building exercises and as a means for emotional-spiritual growth. There will be abundant time in nature, observing, playing, making music, and listening to the languages of the Earth. Participants will receive mentorship in trusting their inner guidance, naming their needs, identifying their super powers, pushing their limits, self-acceptance, collaboration, interdependence, empathy and compassionate communication. The young people will also learn some of the revolutionary history of their ancestors’ struggles for liberation and how they can shape movements for justice in their own communities nowadays. Learn more here!

15. Students: Join The Beautification, News & After-School Committees of Student Council!

The Student Council is officially starting up the following committees: the Beautification Committee (aiming to beautify and embellish the appearance of our school), the News Committee (working towards creating awareness about different important events taking place at our school and in the larger community), and the After School Committee (arranging affairs for the after school programs so that each program has the items they need). Click on the following survey to get more details on each committee and express your interest in joining: Student Committees Survey.

16. College Scholarship Opps: Scholarship Database ... Many Due in April!!

Students & families, check out this scholarship bank, and let us know if you need help with applications. And, check out the applications below in particular -- they are GREAT opportunities!

17. DUE THIS FRI, APR 26: Scholarship Opportunity from CT Chapter of American Society for Landscape Architects

The Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects (http://www.ctasla.org) is pleased to provide scholarships for high school seniors interested in pursuing education in the field of Landscape Architecture in college. Scholarship awards are up to $2,500. To be eligible for the Landscape Architecture Environmental Stewardship Scholarship for High School Seniors, applicants must be a legal resident of the State of Connecticut and maintain a 3.0 or greater GPA (or equivalent). Applications must be received by April 26, 2024. Learn more at http://www.ctasla.org/scholarships.

18. Scholarship opportunity: Apply for the 94.3 WYBC Chevrolet of Milford Beat The Odds Scholarship!

WYBC and Chevrolet of Milford are giving away a $4,500 scholarship to local Junior or Senior in High School that has overcome adversity and is succeeding in the classroom and looking to continue their education beyond High School.

The last day to apply is June 30, 2024. This form should be submitted only once. Multiple submissions could lead to disqualification. Apply Here.

19. CONGRATULATIONS To Our Seniors Who Have Already Earned College Admissions!

Last week, we asked our seniors to give us an update on where they'd earned college acceptances. We got an IMPRESSIVE list back -- check it out below! And, we know that many students are still in the process of applying, or waiting to hear back. We know ALL our seniors are college material, and can and will earn college admissions -- and we celebrate ALL the paths they choose after high school!

Ibrahim: Southern Connecticut State University | Ava: Simmons, University of Maine, UNH, Central Connecticut State University, Fisher, Suffolk, UMass Boston, University of New Hampshire, University of New Haven, University of Rhode Island, Emmanuel, University of Connecticut | Leon: Hampshire College, University of Hartford, University of Connecticut | Amelia: Eastern Connecticut State University, Western Connecticut State University, CCSU, SCSU, Penn State, URI, University of New Haven, University of New Hampshire, Quinnipiac, UMass Dartmouth, University of Connecticut | Jayden B: Albertus Magnus, ECSU, SCSU, WCSU, Penn State, Quinnipiac, Rochester Institute of Technology, The Culinary Institute of America (NY), University of Massachusetts Boston, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, University of New Haven, University of Connecticut | Destiny: SCSU, Albertus Magnus, SUNY Purchase, University of Maine, University of Connecticut | Jayden C: Post University, Morgan State University, SCSU, University of New Haven, University of Connecticut | JC: SCSU, Uconn + more | Noah: SCSU | Charlee: U Bridgeport, UNH, SCSU, Quinnipiac | Edyson: SCSU | Heaven: CT State Gateway | Miyel: Cooper Union and Cheyney University | Andrew: SUNY Purchase | August: Albertus, Southern, Eastern, UHart | Sanai: Middlesex Community College | Isabella: Eastern, URI, Western, Central, UMass Boston, UMass Dartmouth, Manhattan College, Southern, Penn State, University of Connecticut | Juan: URI, UMass Boston, SCSU, University of Connecticut | Quinton: University of New Haven, Albertus Magnus, University of Connecticut | Ethan: Post University, Transition CT.

Seniors, let us know if we missed any acceptances, keep us posted as more letters come in, and ask for the support you need to keep on the path to post-high school success! Ms. Jacobs is always a great resource, and we are all here to support your success!

20. New Haven Promise Updates: Servio.City Community Service Site

To qualify for either the Promise Scholarship, Passport to Promise Scholarship or James W.C. Pennington HBCU Scholarship, a student must complete 40 hours of community service during high school. Hours must be reported directly — BY THE STUDENT — to servo.city and documentation (signed by the supervisor at the nonprofit) must be emailed to service@newhavenpromise.org. The deadline to complete the community service requirements for high school class of 2024 is May 1, 2024 (April 1, 2024 for Pennington applicants). Learn more here.

New Haven Promise is an ENORMOUS opportunity for Common Ground students whose families live in New Haven. Don't miss out! Learn more about the steps to quality for Promise here.

21. Sign Up for CG's Summer Farm Share!

Farm Share Sign-Ups are Now Open! Head to THIS FORM to join our farm share running for 14 WEEKS, from June 27th to Sept 26th. Each week you'll get a bag of in-season, chemical-free, farm fresh veggies (like kale, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, tomatillos, cabbage and more) from the CG Farm!

This year, extras include: flowers, eggs, coffee from Cafe Rebelde, corn from Merry Mountain Farm, fruit from local CT farms, and compost drop off! You do not need to get veggies to sign up for extras.

With just $30 each week, you can support our farm and our farm’s future! With your help, we are able to provide fresh, local, organically grown food for you while training young people from our community! We also have “pay what you can” and payment plan options available at checkout.

Pick up will be on Thursdays from 3:00-5:30pm at Common Ground (358 Springside Ave, New Haven, CT) Sign up TODAY at bit.ly/cgfarmstore! More info here: bit.ly/farmshareFAQ 

22. Portfolio Support Tues & Thurs After-School!

ALL students are required to create and defend a portfolio showing their growth as a learner and environmental leader in order to graduate from Common Ground!

Need help meeting this important graduation requirement? Portfolio support is now available Tuesdays and Thursdays after school! Questions? Ask Ms. Candi: candi.fulcher@nhep.com.

23. Spring After-School Programs Are Underway! You Can Still Join The Fun!

Spring After-School Programs are running strong! Check out and sign up for all these great opportunities ...

Gaming | Anime | Expressive Art | Media Club | Yearbook| Pickleball | Basketball | Volleyball | Soccer | HW Center | Lit Lab | Math Lab | Student Council | Cooking | Animals | Wonder in the Woods | Dungeons & Dragons

Have questions or ideas? Talk to Javier Fernandez, who manages all our after-school programs: javier.fernandez@commongroundct.org.

24. Students & Families, Attendance Matters!!

Students absent more than 2+ times per month are considered to be chronically absent and will require an attendance improvement plan. 10+ absences in a class risks losing course credit. Students may arrive at school at 7:30AM and no later than 7:45AM to allow time for breakfast, locker usage, and travel to class.

Together, Common Ground was able to cut its chronic absenteeism rate in half from 21-22 to 22-23. To get back to pre-pandemic levels, we need to cut it in half again. We can do it!  

Connect with us

Common Ground High School | (203) 389-4333 | https://commongroundct.org/