Our Varsity Softball team has done it again with another very successful weekend...a 2nd place finish at the Arroyo Tournament. I think those are a couple of MVP patches I see there as well. Special thanks to Ms. Marchant for the picture.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Wow...two weeks since my last post. Time just shoots by. A couple of things happened this last weekend. We had our annual Registration Day for incoming freshman. It was a very successful day with a large complement of freshmen for our new Class of 2013.
On Sunday a group of senior students who are recipients of the Catholic Education Foundation Grant gathered with other graduating seniors from across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to meet and listen to Cardinal Mahony and other speakers honoring them for their accomplishments. It was a wonderful day that began with Mass at the Cathedral and continued in a large meeting room for breakfast and various speakers and performances. I am very proud of our students who are recipients of the CEF grant, all of whom have done very well over the last four years.
Earlier today I received an email from a parent who shared a photograph with me of our Varsity Softball team showing off the trophy they earned at the Pioneer Tournament this last weekend. I'll share it with you below. Congratulations Cardinals!
Sunday, March 1, 2009 (1st Sunday of Lent)
Every month your children's teachers and the staff at CSHM gather for the Faculty/Staff Prayer Breakfast. The only hard and fast rule at this fellowship we share is that all must show up and no one can talk about business, including me (which, believe me, isn't easy). This is a picture of the Faculty and Staff on the Feast of St. Blaise, when we receive the Blessing of the Throats.
It's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day duties of our job and lose focus on the truism that CSHM High School is God's school, here to serve our students spiritually and academically, bringing all to Christ's call to follow Him. We are living in times that can provoke fear and uncertainty and as hard as we try to shelter our children from that fear, it can be difficult.
As a proud parent of a Catholic school student, I really believe that when our children see us pray as adults and share time with their parents in daily prayer, it eases their fears. When we do, we are helping our children see the outstretched hand and reassuring face of Jesus, saying "Be not Afraid"...words that can bring us, parent and child alike, to peace.
I was stopped at a traffic light on my way to school the other day and my eye caught a young mother saying goodbye to her little children at the bus stop. She made a cross with her thumb on each of their foreheads and blessed them before they went off to school. What a gift she is giving each of her children. What a gift she gave to me on that day! Her simple gesture reminded me of the importance that our children see their parents, imperfect and incomplete as we may be on our faith journey, as travelers on the path toward Christ. They will always remember it and it will help them when they themselves are parents, feeling that intense love that all of us feel in the deepest part of our soul for our children.
So...if you aren't already praying each day with your child, I highly recommend it. It can be quite simple yet heartfelt. We can start by asking God to bless them out loud as they leave for school. Let it grow from there. What better time to put our hearts into something so precious as this than Lent. So there, I've passed on the blessing that this young mother gave me that day when she blessed her children so beautifully at the bus stop. Pass it on to your children this week and we will all be a part of the endless chain of God's blessings.
Powderpuff Game 2009
Friday, February 27th was our first annual CSHM Powderpuff Football Game. We had a huge crowd come out to enjoy two Powderpuff teams... "Seniors/Freshmen vs. Juniors/ Sophomores.
Special thanks go to Mrs. Farias and everyone who helped with the organiation. It was a lot of fun and played with a joyous and friendly spirit. If you weren't there please enjoy the video below that captured a little bit of the fun.
Bishop Zavala Celebrates Mass at CSHM
A week or so ago Bishop Zavala honored us by celebrating the Freshman Liturgy in the gym. He is
such a wonderful, pastoral leader and we are blessed to have him as our San Gabriel Regional Bishop. I took a little video for you to enjoy.
Special thanks go to Ms. Velasquez, our Freshman moderator (in addition to the myriad of other things she does at CSHM) and the entire Freshman Class of 2012.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Many of you know that I teach a UC approved photography class at CSHM. It's great for me because it allows me to leave my office and spend some time with a great group of students in the classroom. I wanted to share some of the work they have done with you. Below you can click on the names of some my students to get a taste of the work they have done.
This will be a really quick post. Last week we had our basketball rally, complete with a faculty-student game. After a day of note-taking, tests, and lectures, the rally can be a great release. Watch below:
Friday evening was busy, but memorable. Our seniors returned from their Kairos retreat. I enjoy greeting their bus upon arrival because their comments about the retreat are always very moving. When your son or daughter is a senior, please don't let them miss the Kairos retreat. It is truly life-changing. At least three students who attended the retreat thanked me today for offering Kairos at CSHM. That means a lot. I don't get thanked personally for many of the programs we have at CSHM. If you know a student at CSHM who has been on a Kairos retreat, please ask them what they thought about it. I think you'll find that it is a part of the CSHM H.S. experience that should not be missed.
After the Kairos return I headed over to the Boys Basketball game at Don Bosco Tech. What a night! Our J.V. team was steady and strong handily defeating Bosco Tech. We have a great future with these young men. Our Varsity team was a joy to watch. They dominated the entire game, steadily containing the Bosco attack from start to finish. On offense our Varsity team could not be stopped. I have to admit, as fun as the game was, I also had a great time trying out a new 50mm f1.4 lens for my camera (for those who don't know, I teach a UC approved photography class at CSHM). A great lens and an even greater team. Now that is an unbeatable combination for a memorable Friday evening. Click here to see a slide show of those pictures.
Friday, November 14, 2008 (Homecoming Week)
Well, it's been quite a couple of weeks. Our gym repair is going verywell 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On Sunday a group of senior students who are recipients of the Catholic Education Foundation Grant gathered with other graduating seniors from across the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to meet and listen to Cardinal Mahony and other speakers honoring them for their accomplishments. It was a wonderful day that began with Mass at the Cathedral and continued in a large meeting room for breakfast and various speakers and performances. I am very proud of our students who are recipients of the CEF grant, all of whom have done very well over the last four years. 
Every month your children's teachers and the staff at CSHM gather for the Faculty/Staff Prayer Breakfast. The only hard and fast rule at this fellowship we share is that all must show up and no one can talk about business, including me (which, believe me, isn't easy). This is a picture of the Faculty and Staff on the Feast of St. Blaise, when we receive the Blessing of the Throats. 
Friday evening was busy, but memorable. Our seniors returned from their Kairos retreat. I enjoy greeting their bus upon arrival because their comments about the retreat are always very moving. When your son or daughter is a senior, please don't let them miss the Kairos retreat. It is truly life-changing. At least three students who attended the retreat thanked me today for offering Kairos at CSHM. That means a lot. I don't get thanked personally for many of the programs 
we have at CSHM. If you know a student at CSHM who has been on a Kairos retreat, please ask them what they thought about it. I think you'll find that it is a part of the CSHM H.S. experience that should not be missed.
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 
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.