MCCHS FRIDAY FOCUS
136th EDITION: November 22, 2019
From the Desk of Mr. Mike Shukis
THANKFUL FOR TEACHERS
There is no question that exceptional teachers can change a life. They possess the ability to pull something out of us that we did not even know we had. When teachers look at us they see potential, and they make us feel as if we can achieve anything. They are so passionate about what they teach that we can’t help but love it too. Where would we all be without someone to teach us? My hope is that everyone has had at least one exceptional teacher in his or her life just as I have had. We are blessed here at Marian with an abundance of great teachers who day in and day out give the best that they have to offer. At this time of year we begin to take stock of all our blessings and it is at this time that I would like to say a special thank you to all the teachers and staff at Marian. My respect for them grows more daily as I witness the challenges they face as educational and spiritual leaders of our students. Despite these challenges, Marian Teachers continue to inspire our students and have a very positive effect in their lives.
It will soon be Thanksgiving and as we reflect on the many things for which we are thankful, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few of them with you: I am thankful for our students who come to school every day ready to learn – they remind us daily why we are here and what is truly important. I am thankful for the support of our parents in creating an outstanding partnership with our students. I am thankful for teachers, secretaries, support staff, coaches, lunchroom aides, and custodians (big Bob and John) who all really care about student achievement and have the best interests of our students at heart. In these most difficult and challenging times, I continually see dedicated and tireless individuals going above and beyond to make sure that great things happen in our school. They do make a difference, and the students, in their own individual ways, benefit from those efforts. I would like to wish all of you and your families a happy, healthy and relaxing Thanksgiving holiday!
Mike Shukis
Assistant Superintendent
Hurricane Day - Thank you
To our alumni, parents, and supporters, THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for making Hurricane Day so successful! In one day we raised over $9,400. YOU are making a difference in our students’ lives and ensuring that the tradition of a Marian Central Catholic education remains strong. For that, we are forever grateful!
If you still wish to give to one of the three designated projects for Hurricane Day, visit marian.com/hurricaneday.
Freshmen Placement Test
Attention Future Hurricanes - Class of 2024!
Please join us for our placement test
Saturday, December 7, 2019; 8:00 am
No pre-registration necessary
If your student is unable to attend on the 7th, we are offering an alternate date:
Wednesday, December 18th; 12:00 noon
If you plan to bring your student on the 18th
please call our Guidance Office at 815-338-4220 x115 to register.
Tuition
Reminder: Monthly tuition payments are due December 1st. Semester exams begin
December 18th. Please be sure your tuition account is at least half paid per the tuition policy below. Thank you.
TUITION PAYMENT POLICY: No student will be allowed to take first semester exams unless his/her tuition is current. Therefore, a minimum of one-half of the family tuition must be paid prior to the first semester exams. No student will be allowed to take second semester exams unless his/her tuition and any other fees are paid in full. In the event a family finds itself in an extraordinary circumstance, a request for an exception to the first semester payment policy can be made to the Superintendent. The written request is to include an explanation of the extraordinary circumstance accompanied by a payment plan. The Superintendent has the authority to make such an exception if it is deemed appropriate and the payment plan is acceptable. A family’s payment history will be examined in making such a decision. There are no exceptions to this policy at the end of the second semester. Once two weeks of a quarter are completed, the full quarter's tuition is required.
Marian Central Theater Classes Present
The Bully Plays
Written, directed and starring our theater students
Friday, November 22nd - TONIGHT!
This event is free
Please support our students as they showcase their 1st semester work
Parents Club News
Candy Cane Madness
In honor of St. Nicholas Feast Day, parents are invited to hand out candy canes to students in the cafeteria during the three lunch periods on Friday, December 6th, from 10:30 am to noon.
Please join us in this Marian Central tradition!
Be Like Nick
Christians from the Netherlands brought stories of Saint Nicholas to what is now New York City. Their kindhearted cleric shared small offerings with paupers in the weeks leading to the celebration of Jesus’ birth. These gifts while meaningful, were not meant to eclipse the humble birth.
Reclaiming that spirit of grace to humanity, we’re asking students for 100 words about how to Be Like Nick. We want them to stop. To think quietly. To write.
Coming soon is the Second Annual Student Essay Contest in honor of that simple cleric from Turkey. Details will be distributed during the three lunch periods on his day, Saint Nicholas Day, December 6.
Athletic Booster News
In an effort to highlight some of the terrific student-athletes at Marian Central, the Booster Club will be nominating an “Athlete of the Month” each month during the school year. With sponsorship from On Target Sales, the male and female award winners will receive a custom t-shirt, gift cards, and recognition in the school. Want to find out who our first winners are?? Keep an eye out for their pictures by the Landers Pavilion!
Student Council Annual Christmas Drive is Here!
On Monday, November 25th and Tuesday, November 26th members of Student Council will sell out-of-uniform passes for $5 during the lunch periods on both days. Purchasing an out-of-uniform pass will allow students to dress out of uniform on Monday, December 2nd. All money collected by Student Council will be used to purchase Christmas gifts for local families in need.
Please contact Mr. Stamatakos in the Guidance Office with any questions about this year’s Christmas Drive.
Holiday Office Hours
Thursday and Friday, November 28th and 29th
Office Closed
Monday, December 23rd through Wednesday, January 1st
Office Closed
Thursday, January 2nd and Friday, January 3rd
Office open 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
College Corner
The College Corner has returned after a hiatus! Read Part Three of Mr. Stamatakos’s Guide to Admission to High Impact Majors here: http://bit.ly/35okKYn
Senior Parents and Students - College Application Deadline Season is Upon Us!
Please reference the following schedule to submit Transcript Request Forms to Guidance:
Application Deadline...........................Transcript Request Form due to Guidance
..........................................................(If a school requires a Counselor Rec)
Wednesday, January 1 .......................... Monday, December 9
Information regarding each college/university’s application deadlines, and requirements for applying (including whether or not a counselor recommendation is required) can be found in SCOIR and/or on the institutions’ website. Of course, if any questions arise parents and students should not hesitate to contact us here in Guidance at 815-338-4220, ext. 115.
Free, full-length ACT Practice Exam for Marian Central Students!
Saturday, December 7th
9:00am-1:00pm (check-in begins at 8:30am)
Deadline to Register: Friday, 11/29/2019
To set yourself up for success in your college admission process, we have partnered with Revolution Prep, a nationwide leader in academic and test preparation tutoring, to provide a full-length ACT practice exam for Marian Central students. This is a great chance to get started on your testing plan, or if you’ve already started, to get some additional practice. Taking practice tests under timed conditions can help you improve your score! You will receive your score and a score report that same day. Plus, every exam comes with a free 30-minute score report review with Revolution Prep’s testing experts to assess specific strengths and areas of improvement. We highly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity.
Register today! Registration is required and seats are limited.
Step 1:
To enroll, please visit www.revolutionprep.com/partners/6911.
Step 2:
Schedule a Time with Your Testing Expert: www.revolutionprep.com/jeanette-brink
Schedule a time after the exam to review the score report with our school’s dedicated Revolution Prep testing expert, Jeanette Brink. She will help you understand the Score Report and develop a custom plan to prepare for the official exam.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Jeanette Brink at 708-300-9276 or email her at jeanette.brink@revolutionprep.com.