National Yearbook Week is a celebration established by President Ronald Reagan in 1987 to recognize the hard work, creativity, and dedication of student yearbook staff and their advisors.

The week is used to acknowledge the lasting memories and milestones that are captured in yearbooks, which chronicle school traditions and educational achievements. Yearbooks capture the events, people, and culture of a specific year and preserve memories through photos, text, and highlights of student life, sports, and student organizations. They serve as a historical record and a tangible reminder of a significant period in every student's life.

The 2026 ConVal Yearbook is on sale now. We have sold out for the last four years, so you don't want to miss out. Order your copy today by clicking here!

On Thursday, October 2, twelve National Honor Society students participated in a service learning opportunity at the Hundred Nights Shelter and Resource Center in Keene.

Students received a tour of the facilities while learning more about the positive impact Hundred Nights has on a vulnerable population in our greater community.

Students then volunteered for various tasks, including assisting in the donation room, organizing the supply closet, tidying the pantry, helping with the lunch meal preparation, and general cleaning of the facilities.

A few students expressed interest in volunteering again in the near future!

ConVal High School's Fall Day of Service will take place on Thursday, October 9.

The purpose for ConVal’s Day of Service is to dedicate an afternoon for students and teachers to volunteer with nonprofit organizations and local government facilities. They will take part in service projects that make a meaningful difference in the community.

There will be three service tracks. Students and teachers may choose one extended project off campus, one extended project on campus, or two shorter-term projects on campus.

There are over 30 community service opportunities to schoose from. Projects range from working alongside the Peterborough Recreation Department at Adams Park to shape up shrubs and make the park more inviting for the whole community to volunteering at Temple Elementary School to attend recess and engage in partner reading with Temple students.

Students will volunteer at the Peterborough and Antrim-Bennington Food Pantries, help out at the Pheasant Wood Nursing Home and at the Rivermead Lifecare Community, lend assistance at the Peterborough Fire Department, and team up with the Rotary Club to clear litter along Route 202.

The ConVal Day of Service is organized by the student members of the National Honor Society under the guidance of their advisor, Social Studies teacher Amy Rushford.

Last weekend, German students Cadel Cox and Nik Rusin, along with teacher Cindi Hodgdon, traveled to Estes Park, Colorado for a language immersion weekend. The students were chosen based on their interest and German class level. The trip was completely financed by the Goethe Institut and was organized under the "Schools: Partners for the Future" (PASCH) initiative.

The theme for the extended weekend was "Fußball" (soccer) as North America begins its journey to host the World Cup in the summer of 2026.

There are fourteen PASCH schools in the United States, and each brought two students to Colorado. Additionally, there were students representing PASCH schools from Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras.

Students were quickly immersed in all things soccer. They got professional soccer training from Peter Acker, founder of Atlanta Keepers Academy, advisor for Borussia Dortmund and the US women's team, and Devon Godde, a former US semi-professional player. The students trained and eventually had a tournament.

Additionally, they visited stations which included activities including interviewing the coaches, soccer puzzles, practicing slogans of the various teams, soccer trivia, team geography, and vocabulary practice.

In their spare time, students also went on hikes, roller skated, went fishing, and played cards. Students presented about their home countries during the "Länder-Abend," and we all sang in German and danced to German music.

The 2025 Homecoming Dance for ConVal High School was held in the South Meadow School gymnasium this year.

The dance was organized by the Class of 2026 with the theme of "A Night in Rio." 375 students came together in this culminating event for Spirit Week to celebrate school pride and to foster a sense of community among all students.

Several students and teachers gathered on the front apron after school to create signs in support of the ConVal athletes and sports teams.

Students and teachers collaborated to create at least a dozen signs to cheer on the ConVal Cougars during their Homecoming 2025 games.

ConVal held its annual Clubs and Co-Curriculars Fair on Wednesday. With Larry Pimental, Director of Athletics and Co-Curriculars, looking on, students manned tables to explain what specific clubs do and what their activities entail.

More than 25 clubs and co-curriculars at ConVal offer a vital space for personal and social growth by developing skills like teamwork and leadership. They provide opportunities to explore new interests and career paths, foster community and belonging, and allow students to contribute to their school and broader communities.

Participation in clubs and co-curricular activities also enriches the overall educational experience of students by giving them a well-rounded foundation of skills and experiences beyond the classroom, which can be instrumental in strengthening their college applications.

To read the latest edition of the Cougar News by Principal Heather McKillop, please click here.