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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Dear CCHS Families and Community Members, Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year!

I am honored to introduce myself as the new Principal of CCHS. While this is my first year in this role, it is far from my first year at this school. I've spent the last four years serving as your Assistant Principal, and before that, four years teaching Social Studies here at CCHS. Altogether, this is my 20th year in education, and I can honestly say there is no place I would rather be than right here, with this community.

A bit about my family: ten years ago, my wife Jen, our sons Noah and Kade, and I moved to Colorado, and it has become home in every sense of the word. Like many of you, I am not just an educator at CCHS, I am also a parent invested in what this school means for our kids and our community.

A Foundation of Safety and Belonging

As I step into this new role, my top priority is straightforward: every student who walks through our doors should feel safe, valued, and like they belong. Academic success starts with students feeling secure, physically and emotionally, and with a culture where differences are respected, and every student knows they have a place here. Building and protecting that culture will guide every decision I make this year. Part of building that culture starts at home. I want to encourage every parent and guardian to talk with your student about the difference kindness can make. A small act, including someone at lunch, standing up for a classmate, offering a word of encouragement, can change the entire trajectory of another student's day, or even their year. These conversations, often repeated, are one of the most powerful tools we have in shaping the kind of school community we want CCHS to be.

Opportunities That Set CCHS Students Apart

I also want to highlight the incredible opportunities available to our students here at CCHS, opportunities that prepare them not just for graduation, but for life beyond it:

• Pathways that let students explore and build skills toward a career interest while still in high school
• Concurrent Enrollment classes, giving students the chance to earn college credit before they graduate
• Internships that connect students with real-world, hands-on experience in fields they're passionate about
• IRCs (Industry Recognized Certificates/Credentials) let students graduate with credentials employers already value in the workforce.

These programs reflect what I believe CCHS does best: meeting students where they are and helping them discover where they want to go.

An Invitation to Get Involved

None of this works without you. I want to invite every parent and community member to get involved this year, whether that's attending events, joining a committee, volunteering, or simply staying engaged with what your student is learning and experiencing. Your presence and partnership make a real difference, and I hope you'll find many ways to connect with us throughout the year.

I am genuinely excited about what this year holds, and I look forward to meeting many of you in the days and months ahead. Thank you for trusting us with your students.

Warm regards, Shane Thornton, Principal
Canon City High School