MCCHS FRIDAY FOCUS
125th EDITION: September 6, 2019
Pilgrims on the Way of Truth
From the Desk of...
It has most certainly been an exciting and busy transition as the newest member of the administrative team. I am truly grateful and blessed to be a part of the Marian learning community and I look forward to getting to know the staff, families, and students in the coming weeks and months. I am also grateful to be surrounded by such a dedicated team who strives to bring out the best in others.
In reflecting on Father Twenty’s message from last week, I can honestly say that “At Marian, Christ Lives.” From the moment I walked in through the doors, I have sensed a presence here - MCCHS has so much more to offer than I ever imagined. To build upon this, the entire staff has committed to setting spiritual goals for the 2019/2020 school year. My personal goal is to grow my relationship with my heavenly Father through the practice of Humility, Gratitude, and Trust.
Luke 14:11 For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
A primary function of my position as the Assistant Principal/Dean is to support students and staff in their journey and to ensure the safety and well being of all. This includes teaching, learning, attendance, and discipline. I strive to accomplish this through both professional and spiritual lenses that will enable me to see and bring out the very best in those whom I serve.
I believe that one of the characteristics of Marian Central Catholic High School that sets us apart is that we live by a higher standard. The expectations we set for ourselves and our students are beyond what is common in most organizations. This drive and commitment will ensure continual growth in all that we do and I consider myself to be very fortunate to be among such a wonderful learning community.
“Ah, but a man’s reach should exceed his grasp, Or what’s a heaven for?” - Robert Browning
Joe Price
Assistant Principal/Dean of Students
Classroom Device Management
In a continued effort to improve student safety as well as student engagement in their classrooms, Marian Central has adopted a new tool for our teachers called DyKnow. During this past Wednesday’s Late Start meeting, teachers learned how to implement this new program within their classrooms.
DyKnow is a classroom device management program that allows teachers to monitor students’ use of their devices while attending class. As much as we want our students to utilize their school issued devices safely, effectively, and creatively, we are also aware that, at times, students can get distracted with the worldwide web at their fingertips. This program allows teachers to be sure that when students are using their devices, they are on the assigned websites, and not on other sites that do not relate to the classwork at hand. Besides the variety of monitoring tools available to teachers, they can also use this to check understanding when students are engaged in an online activity. By sending students a quick note or question directly through their device, teachers can adjust their teaching strategies based on student responses.
We are very excited to implement this program and anticipate that as our teachers get more familiar with it, there will be a lot of other ways that teachers can use it to increase student engagement and ultimately, academic success!
A Note About Early Dismissals...
We understand situations do arise when students need to be dismissed early. When this occurs, please send a note with your student to the school office prior to 8:00 am. Your student will be given a pass to excuse him/herself quietly from class at the requested time.
When early dismissals are not arranged prior to 8:00 am, this results in interrupted learning time for the entire class. Of course, please let us know if there is an emergency, and we will dismiss your student as soon as possible. Thank you for your cooperation!
The Shirt
It's BACK! Yes the rumors are true…THE SHIRT is back. We are again offering the official school spirit shirt to the student body for $15. (+$2-$3 for XXL-XXXL) Starting 9/23 students can purchase the shirt in room 216 before or after school. We will have a variety of sizes available. Simply send a check (made out to Marian Central) or cash and this form with your student. If we run out of your size we will place a second order later, it just may not be here for the Homecoming Game on 10/4.
Remember, parents and younger siblings can show Hurricane Spirit too! To guarantee your order by Homecoming or if you have a large order, or orders with the larger sizes (XXL-XXXL), please email me ASAP with those details. The first order will be placed on Monday 9/16. After that date your order will be subject to the availability of our stock, and you may have to wait for the second order to be made.
The profits from this year’s shirt will go to the Don Penza Scholarship that is given each year in memory of our dear coach who coached football here from 1981-1989. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Laura Littner at llittner@marian.com.
Go CANES!!
Athletic Booster Meeting Date Change
The Athletic Booster meeting that was scheduled for Thursday, September 5th was changed to:
Monday, September 9th at 7:30 pm in the Cafeteria.
We are excited to get the Booster Club going with the support of Marian Central alums and parents Colleen Geils, Jeni Hopp, and Denice Taylor.
We need your help to make the Marian Central Athletic Booster Club a success!
Click here to nominate your Athletic Booster Club board members
no later than Monday, September 9 at noon.
The Marian March for Life
The Marian Central Cafeteria serves delicious, healthy menu options to students and staff daily. But the one menu item that stands out above the rest is the Marian Central french fries. Alongside beef stroganoff, cheese ravioli, chicken or vegetables, these delicious fries are enjoyed by students and staff so much that we decided to share just how much they are loved.
Each day 90 pounds of fries are sold in our Cafeteria. That means 450 pounds each week, 1,800 pounds each month and roughly 16,200 pounds of fries are sold each school year.
Whether enjoyed with ketchup, cheese sauce or just as they are, the Marian Central fries are a proven winner!
Grandparents Mass
College Corner
Financial Aid Information Night will be held on Tuesday, September 24th 2019 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. in the Auditorium. This program will provide families with an understanding of how families’ financial need is determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile and how colleges use that information to award need-based financial aid. This year’s presenter will be Susan Teerink, the Associate Vice Provost for Financial Aid and Enrollment Services at Marquette University. This program is open to students and parents from all grade levels, however junior and senior families are strongly encouraged to attend.
…and now…Mr. Stamatakos’ one weird trick to “game” the college search process!
Mr. Stamatakos is starting another multi-part series for the Friday Focus! Learn more at: http://bit.ly/2lziNqq
The Tradition Returns
Save the Date: Thursday, October 3rd at 3:30 pm in the Woodstock Square.
Come celebrate your Hurricane pride with our athletic teams and clubs/organizations!
Senior Photos
The 2019-20 school year is underway and it is time to think about Senior Pictures! Each year, these pictures are taken for the senior composite, which is hung in the Commons area and printed in the yearbook. Copies of the photographs may be purchased from DeWane Studio in Woodstock if desired. If you know that you will have special circumstances that preclude your student from participating in pictures at the time or on the day assigned to them, please notify Mrs. DiSilvio at 815-338-4220, ext. 107 or email at ldisilvio@marian.com. Schedules will be posted prior to picture days.
Please remember that these photos are the traditional yearbook “portrait” that features each student’s head and upper torso, which is why we require ALL students to wear dress pants or uniform pants and appropriate shoes.
Senior Women:
...will be photographed on Tuesday, September 17th. Appropriate attire on this day includes dress pants or uniform pants and a blouse or sweater that covers the shoulders. Dresses/skirts are not allowed. No nose rings/studs, facial piercing, and no more than two earrings per ear will be permitted on girls. Since students are expected to follow a full day of course scheduling, appropriate and comfortable shoes are recommended. High heels are discouraged.
Senior Men:
...will be photographed on Wednesday, September 18th. Suitable dress on this day includes a white shirt and tie, a sport coat or suit coat, and dress pants or uniform pants. No nose rings/studs, facial hair, facial piercing, and no earrings will be permitted on boys.
Hair for girls and boys must conform to Student Handbook guidelines.
Thank you for your cooperation and your support of the dress code listed above.
Congratulations as we celebrate this exciting milestone!