Here you can find a snapshot of what we are up at CHS. If interested, you can also read about our community’s bigger events here.
Maggie Ellmore (’12) Shares Her Experience
CHS’s Silkscreen class was proud to host a day with CHS alum, Maggie Ellmore (’12). Maggie shared about her unique experience as a free-lance photographer, interior designer and behind-the-scenes documentarian. Students brainstormed ideas for a silkscreen print edition to help promote Maggie’s excellent work. Learn more about Maggie’s business here.
Spring 2024 Gristle Butter #11
Click here to read Gristle Butter #11, featuring Zora D, Jay S (‘22), Miles C, Sarah P, Rosie A, and Maddox B.
Language Lunch
Our foreign language faculty prepared a multi-cultural luncheon for all to enjoy. With Spanish, German, and French selections, it was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to celebrate diversity through food.
Creative UV Light Blocking Experiments
How would you try to protect a strain of yeast that was particularly sensitive to UV light? Our Biology students designed their own experiments to compare methods. Would glass, tears, a dollar bill or tanning oil provide any protection? How would denim protect the yeast compared to cotton, and would the color of the cotton […]
Pride and Prejudice
Students in the Jane Austen class took an enriching outing to the Black Friar’s playhouse in Stanton to watch a wonderful new stage adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice”. Their picnic lunch after added to the charm of the day, creating an atmosphere for the students to relax and bond over their shared love for the […]
Sheep Brains
In anatomy class, students dissected sheep brains to explore the intricacies of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) in three dimensions. The sheep’s brain is large enough to allow for the observation of key features without the need for magnification. This hands-on experience provides students with a deeper understanding of the structure and function of […]
Spring 2024 Community Service Day
On Community Service day, new CHS students took a walking tour of various downtown nonprofit organizations including Angels of Assisi, Roanoke Diversity Center, Jefferson Center, Ursula’s Cafe, Samaritan Inn, United Way of Roanoke, Roanoke Outside Foundation, Roanoke Regional Partnership, and Council of Community Services. Returning CHS students volunteered at the Rescue Mission and serviced in […]
Cimafunk!
Cimafunk, a prominent Cuban jazz funk musician and Afro-Cuban Rockstar, graced our school with a live performance before an engagement at the Jefferson Center. It was truly a special treat for all of us to witness his incredible talent and unique blend of musical styles. His latest album, “El Alimento,” has garnered widespread acclaim […]
Spring 2024 Gristle Butter, Issue #10
Click here to read the Spring 2024 Gristle Butter, Issue #10 featuring Maddox B, Daniel A, Kylie G, Odessa M, and Tristan S.
Clay Muscles in Anatomy
Our anatomy class demonstrated their understanding of muscles by sculpting at least 12 muscle groups onto skeleton models using clay. Through this activity, the students gained a deeper appreciation for the complexity of the human musculature system and honed their anatomical knowledge in a practical manner. Some chose to give their skeleton a little extra […]
“Pride and Prejudice” Ball
After attending two balls in their reading of Pride and Prejudice, students in the Jane Austen class were tasked with choosing the wardrobe for two of the characters. They found the origins and names of various parts of the clothing they chose, and noted any significance in coloring. Next, they selected the music to be played […]
Latin Voices in the Valley welcomes Vladimir Espinosa
Our “Latin Voices in the Valley” Advanced Spanish class welcomed local musician, Vladimir Espinosa, for a private visit. Vladimir is a multi-talented artist hailing from Havana, Cuba, who now resides in the Roanoke area. With expertise in music, acting, and choreography, he possesses well-rounded musical performance skills. In addition to demonstrating his percussion instruments, Vladimir […]
Precalculus Art
By solving rational equations, Precalculus students were able to work together to create a colored pencil mosaic resembling Van Gogh’s Starry Night.
An Exchange in the Lone Star State
Students Olivia L and Evalyn W participated in an exchange opportunity through the Network of Complementary Schools. They went to Houston, TX to attend the Kinkaid School for two weeks. They are grateful for the opportunity for personal growth and learning it provided, as well as the lasting memories. Here they share what this trip […]
Maddox’s Pet Menagerie
Maddox’s love for reptiles and other animals is evident in their menagerie of animals at home. They have a dog named Hashbrown, a cat named Betty, almost 30 reptiles, and 10 blue death feigning beetles. Their reptile collection includes 19 different species, and they have adopted many rescue animals who were in need of love […]
Hazel’s Morning Dew Flowers
Did you know that Hazel W is a local flower business owner? She has been fascinated with flowers since she was a child and started selling bouquets at her family’s farm when she was just 7 years old. Over the years, her interest in flowers only grew stronger and now she operates a small specialty […]
French Pen Pals
It’s always heartwarming to see how education brings people from different parts of the world together. In February 2018, CHS had the pleasure of hosting a group of French exchange students from the Saint Exupéry High School in Fameck. Now, the connection between the two schools is being rekindled as our CHS French students have […]
2023 RBT Nutcracker
Emma S and Sariye D danced in several roles in the Roanoke Ballet Theater’s 2023 Nutcracker production. Emma performed as the Harlequin Doll, a Mouse, an Arabian, and a Russian. Sariye showcased the roles of a Soldier, an Arabian, and a Russian. Charlie B (’23) was the Nutcracker! With their stunning performances, Emma, Sariye, and […]
2023 SWB Nutcracker
Tyrique found it to be great fun to sit on the throne as the Nutcracker Prince and watch his friends dance the second act of Southwest Virginia Ballet’s performance of the Nutcracker. This was Evalyn’s 6th year in this annual SWB production and she performed the roles of Snow Princess, Spanish Chocolate, and Arabian Coffee […]
Merry (Brothers) Grimmas
The holiday season inspired the Brothers Grimm class to be a little extra creative. What happens when you combine classic fairytales and greeting cards? Why, you get “Merry Grimmas” cards, of course!
Weimar Culture
Students in the Weimar Culture class considered the intellectual legacy of the Weimar period through philosophers of the time. Students read “On the Concept of History” by Walter Benjamin and excerpts from Minima Moralia by Theodor Adorno. The class explored questions about historicism, technological development, and the position of the modern subject in light of […]
Charlie B (’23) Dances As The Nutcracker
Charlie B (’23) danced as the Nutcracker in the Roanoke Ballet Theatre’s 2023 Nutcracker production. Current students Emma S and Sariye D also performed in several roles throughout the ballet.
Rocket Launch
Students constructed soda-straw rockets following instructions written solely in Spanish from the NASA Jet Propulsion laboratory at the California Institute of Technology. The best rockets were launched over 30 feet. The top 4 creators (in order) were Ronan, Wilbur, Sam, and Desmond.
Wound Evaluation
Anatomy students created “wounds” on themselves or others using a variety of household materials. After creating their laceration, abrasion, avulsion, or puncture, they analyzed which layers of skin were affected and which structures in each layer were damaged. They also discussed whether or not scarring would result from their wound, as well as how the […]
Bella’s Love For Theater Is Contagious!
Bella T’s passion for theater began at a very young age, and she has been involved in various theater programs ever since. She started taking classes with Virginia Children’s Theater (VCT) and Mill Mountain Theater (MMT) when she was only four or five years old. Since then, she has continued to work with them and […]
Indoor Rock Climbing
Indoor rock-climbing is an exciting and challenging activity. Our PE students took a trip to River Rock Climbing for an opportunity to engage in physical activity while also improving coordination, balance, and strength. Climbing also requires mental focus and problem-solving skills, making it a great activity for developing cognitive abilities while having fun.
Reading Spanish Books
Learning a foreign language can be a challenging but rewarding experience, and reading books can be an effective way to improve language skills. Our students read a variety of books in Spanish to help improve their vocabulary and grammar, but this also helps with developing a better sense of the language’s structure and syntax, making […]
Playdoh Epithelial Tissue
Epithelial tissue is one of the four types of tissue found in the human body. It is composed of cells that form the lining of various organs and body cavities. In the Anatomy class, students were tasked with creating models of different types of epithelial tissue using Playdoh to include simple columnar, simple squamous, stratified […]
Bungee Jumping Statistics
Statistics students conducted a bungee jumping experiment by attaching dolls to an increasing number of rubber bands. They measured how far the doll would drop each time they added a band, and after they added the 7th band they plotted the data and predicted the ideal number of rubber bands they should use to bungie […]
Artificial Intelligence in the Photo World
Futuristic photographic techniques also inspire creativity at CHS. As the Digital Photography class reached back into history to learn from their photophilic ancestors, they look inward — what is conscious image-making, they asked, as they read articles on the changes generative software (ie AI) is causing in the photo world. Is an AI composition your […]
Brain Architecture
Psychology students played “The Brain Architecture Game” which builds understanding of the powerful role of experiences on early brain development, helping them to gain perspective on the lifelong impact of early childhood experiences.
Dancing in the Community
It is impressive that CHS has eleven students who are passionate about dancing and represent six different dance schools in our community. Dancing is clearly something these students enjoy, but it is also an activity with numerous benefits for physical and mental health. In addition to exploring their individual talents, these students are also building […]
Cyanotypes
Traditional photographic techniques inspire creativity at CHS. CHS’s Digital Photography class hasn’t limited itself to creating images using cameras alone. In a scintillating display of technical and conceptual unity, these students have boldly captured images of high contrast and printed them using a few chemicals and the power of the sun: Cyanotypes.
Neuron Model
To prepare for their upcoming test, the Psychology students used a giant model of a neuron’s synapse to visualize the structure and function of this site of transmission.
Brain Food Menus
Our Psychology students showcased their understanding of the roles and functions of complex brain structures by creating “brain food” menus that cleverly describe their unique functions in the brain. Would you like a little boost in your memory? Maybe you’d like to order up Keegan’s “Hippocampus Hawaiian Pizza”. It has a nutritious storage of juicy […]
Spanish Board Games
By practicing math in Spanish while playing board games, students were able to practice their target language skills in context, improving their vocabulary and comprehension. The social nature of board games also encouraged collaboration and communication, further enhancing their language learning experience.
Grandin Film Lab
Jupiter C and Ivor G are currently taking an exciting course at the Grandin Film Lab. The process of scriptwriting is a crucial part of filmmaking, as it sets the foundation for the entire production. They’ve been learning about storytelling, editing, directing, and sound operation, all of which are essential elements of a successful film. […]
Global YCRED 2023 Language Conference
CHS Spanish and French students participated in the Global Y-C.R.E.D. 2023 language conference. This conference provided students with valuable information on how to leverage their bilingualism in future career opportunities. With the global economy becoming increasingly interconnected, employers are seeking individuals with language skills to help them navigate the complexities of international business. The Y-C.R.E.D. […]
Evalyn’s SWOON Dance
One of the highlights of the opening of SWOON at the Taubman Museum of Art was the series of interpretive dances presented by Southwest Virginia Ballet. Our very own Evalyn W delivered a graceful performance of art through movement. A special thanks goes out to Nicole Cooper for perfectly capturing Evalyn’s magical talent in these […]
Ecosystem Storyboards
The Environmental Science students created storyboards and comics to represent changes related to the effects of human impact and invasive species on various ecosystems.
Dia de los Muertos
The Day of the Dead, or “Dia de los Muertos” in Spanish, is a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other parts of the world. It is a time for remembering and honoring loved ones who have passed away. One traditional way of celebrating is through colorful decorations and artwork, such as these Dia de los […]
Daphnia Magna biomonitoring
Daphnia magna is a small planktonic crustacean found in freshwater environments that is emerging as model for biomonitoring because its biological responses are very similar to those of humans. The Anatomy students introduced these water fleas to a variety of stimuli and monitored changes in their heart rates to see if they would respond in […]
Mario / Game Night 2023
Derek M once again organized a game night and for the second time Medhi E won the Wii Mario Cart tournament. Other board game and video game players also joined in the night’s fun.
Horseback Riding
Tiffany took the PE students to visit the Harmony Equestrian Center, LLC in Fincastle where they had the opportunity to take horse riding lessons.
Nerve Cells
To better understand how neurons send signals to other nerve cells, psychology students were each assigned specific cell roles and then they acted out various scenarios on stage as if they collectively were a giant firing neuron with the aid of beads, balls, and brooms.
Kickball
After a productive day of Community Service, students took advantage of the wonderful weather and enjoyed a kickball game at River’s Edge Park.
Greenway Cleanup
For our fall Community Service Day students and faculty took to cleaning up the Greenway! They rolled up their sleeves and picked up trash between the Vic Thomas and River’s Edge Parks to help make our Roanoke green space neater and nicer for the next person to enjoy. The group also had a chance for […]
Stream Quality
Environmental Science students identified and counted macroinvertebrate organisms gathered from Carvin Creek during their leaf pack study. They found lots of critters, including cranefly, stonefly, and dobsonfly larvae, as well as crawdads and clams and lots of snails! The students will use this data to assess stream quality and compare two different areas of the […]
Manipulation in Three Dimensions
The students in 3D Modeling and Sculpture learned about basic geometry creation and manipulation in 3D space. Using a 3D art program blender they each created a photo composition in 3D, including custom objects that they created themselves. Individual vertices are manually placed, and extrapolated into Three Dimensional forms. Students also learned about using virtual lights to give their […]