Principal's Weekly Newsletter
WE ARE HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
* December 6th, 2020 *
Letter from the Principal
Dear Celtic Families and Friends,
Christmas is in the air at school - the decorations are up, mid-terms are approaching, it's even cold outside at times! And most importantly, we're all in school, making it through this global chaos, and managing to keep ourselves true to a self-discipline that seems to be eluding so many organizations and cities and countries, including our own!
With the sometimes overwhelming temptation to dismiss Covid as something not that serious, or that is being imposed on us, we've learned to stick to our principles and make good on Jesus' reminder:
"whatsoever you do to the least of your brothers and sisters, you do unto me"
When you wear your mask, you do so not for all those around us who thankfully have negligible complications from Covid, you do it for the least of us, that unknown person among us who may be the only one deeply affected by exposure to Covid. And that, Holy Trinity, is what sets you apart in the pandemic - the choice you make each day, in school and at home, to wear your mask for the least of your brothers/sisters.
A few housekeeping items:
*Friday is our all-school Advent Retreat, hosted this year at St. Luke's Catholic Church. All students should have turned in their permission slips by Thursday. Please refer to the email about the Retreat for further information.
* Monday 12/14 is the last day for turning in assignments or repairing grades as per teachers' guidelines. Students should be checking their status in each of their classes via their Renweb account, and reaching out to teachers about addressing any grading issues.
* Monday is also a Friday schedule (all 8 classes) and is a review day for the mid-terms that begin on Tuesday.
* And lastly, Monday is also our Christmas sweater day: all students wear spirit wear and if they want, also wear their funnest Christmas sweater. Nothing obscene or offensive on the sweater, but zany is fine, including lights and glitter etc..
* Mid-terms begin on Tuesday. Information about mid-terms is attached below and is also being sent out via email.
As we begin the sprint to our Christmas break, I ask everyone to stay positive (but not Covid-positive!), stay focused on finishing with good grades, and continue to embrace the promises represented each week in the Advent candles.
~Mrs. Brogan
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Advent Retreat Friday, December 11th at St. Luke's Catholic Church
Hello Celtics!
Below are some details about our Advent Retreat on Friday. Be sure to sign and return the attached permission slip to the front office before Friday!
Location: St. Luke Catholic Church in Temple. St. Luke's address is 2807 Oakdale Dr., Temple, TX 76502.
- Drop-off: Please drop students off at St. Luke's by 8:15am. Bus riders will be dropped off at St. Luke's by the bus. Students who drive themselves should drive to St. Luke's in the morning, rather than the school.
- When Arriving: Go to the Parish Hall (next to the Church building).
- Pick-up: The retreat will end at 3:30pm. Please pick your children up at St. Luke's no later than 3:45pm. Bus riders will be picked up from St. Luke's.
Food:
- Please volunteer to bring the items we need for lunch using the following Sign Up Genius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0f4eaaac23a5fa7-food
- If you volunteer to bring food items, they may be brought to St. Luke's the morning of the retreat. Please do not bring them to the school early.
- Lunch will be provided for all the students at the retreat. If you have any specific dietary restrictions, it is best to plan to bring your own sack lunch.
Attendance:
- This is a school day, and as such all students are expected to attend.
- Attendance will be taken and absences applied for those not present.
- The ONLY EXCEPTION to the two bullet points above are those students who are 100% distance students for COVID-related reasons. These students will not be considered absent from class. If students have been attending class in person, they are expected to attend the Advent Retreat on Friday.
****Parent Volunteers Needed:****
- We are in need of a few parents to help volunteer to prepare, serve, and clean up after lunch.
- If you are interested in helping to prepare, serve, and clean up lunch, please fill out a slot on the Sign up Genius link above or contact Mrs. Rockwood at srockwood@holytrinitychs.org.
- Volunteers should plan to arrive about 10:00 am to begin preparations for lunch which will be at 11:00 am.
COVID Protocols:
- All COVID Protocols that are in place during a regular school day will be enforced at the retreat (mask-wearing, temperature screening, etc.)
- We have moved our location to St. Luke's this year (from Cedarbrake) to allow for more social distancing among our student body.
- All parent volunteers will also be expected to wear masks, etc.
Uniform:
- Students may wear spirit wear.
- Comfortable shoes (i.e. tennis shoes) are recommended.
- Non-Holy Trinity outer-wear will not be permitted during the retreat. The same rules apply as during a regular spirit-wear day.
Liturgy:
- We will have Mass at 8:30 am on Friday morning in the main Church sanctuary. Since this is the normally scheduled daily Mass at St. Luke's, parents are welcome to join.
- There will be an opportunity for students to go to Confession in the morning.
- There will be Adoration in the afternoon.
What to Bring:
- Permission slip if not already turned into the front office before the retreat.
- Food items if you have signed up to bring those in
- Personal Bible or journal for reflection (optional)
- An open mind and heart!
Permission slips can be turned into the front office before Friday, or brought to St. Luke's on Friday morning.
Please let me know if you have any further questions!
Christ's Peace,
Miss Snyder
***
Midterm Schedule 2020
Below is the schedule for December 14th through December 18th (the last week before the Christmas break). Please note that Monday is a Friday schedule and will be a Midterm Review Day. Tuesday through Friday will be half-days dismissing at noon. There will be no lunch period Tuesday-Friday.
Please also note these additional details:
· Students must wear their regular uniform for all finals.
· If a student does not have an exam during a noted period they may leave early or arrive late.
· There will be NO mini-bus during Midterm Exams (December 15-18)
· 10:00 am – 10:25 am during Midterm Exam days will consist of break/study time in the student center.
Monday, December 14 (full day)
· Friday Bell Schedule
· Christmas Sweater Day or Spirit wear
Tuesday, December 15 (noon dismissal)
· 8:15 am Morning Prayer
· 8:30 am to 10:00 am Second Period Midterm Exam
· 10:30 am to Noon Sixth Period Midterm Exam
*Bus will leave Holy Trinity at 12:15 pm
*All Students should be picked up by 1:00 pm
Wednesday, December 16 (noon dismissal)
· 8:15 am Morning Prayer
· 8:30 am to 10:00 am First Period Midterm Exam
· 10:30 am to Noon Fifth Period Midterm Exam
*Bus will leave Holy Trinity at 12:15 pm
*All Students should be picked up by 1:00 pm
Thursday, December 17 (noon dismissal)
· 8:15 am Morning Prayer
· 8:30 am to 10:00 am Fourth Period Midterm Exam
· 10:30 am to Noon Eighth Period Midterm Exam
*Bus will leave Holy Trinity at 12:15 pm
*All Students should be picked up by 1:00 pm
Friday, December 18 (noon dismissal)
· 8:15 am Morning Prayer
· 8:30 am to 10:00 am Third Period Midterm Exam
· 10:30 am to Noon Seventh Period Midterm Exam
*Bus will leave Holy Trinity at 12:15 pm
*All Students should be picked up by 1:00 pm
Christmas break until Tuesday, January 5th
Merry Christmas!
***
Snacks for Midterm Week
Since next week is exam week, we need to make sure that students eat a healthy breakfast preferably with lots of protein to increase their mental clarity and concentration. So, I would appreciate it greatly if you could volunteer to bring some healthy snacks such as, fruit, fruit bars, cereal, nuts, orange juice, apple juice, etc. You may also bring other types of snacks such as cookies, donuts, etc. I know these are not healthy, but I want to encourage the students to eat something before their exam.
Please bring items to the front office on Monday, December 14th. I will send out another reminder on Sunday. Remember, these donations will count towards your family 20 service hours that you are required to have by the end of the school year.
Thank you so much for all you do for Holy Trinity. You are so much appreciated.
God Bless
Virginia Mungia
Administrative Assistant
***
Our Religious say: "Wear your mask! "
Scientific Brief: Community Use of Cloth Masks to Control the Spread of SARS-CoV-2
The CDC updated its guidelines for mask usage, based on the results of their latest studies.
Click on the link below for the full text. You'll be so proud to see that HT is doing exactly what they are imploring the rest of our country to do.
"Adopting universal masking policies can help avert future lockdowns, especially if combined with other non-pharmaceutical interventions such as social distancing, hand hygiene, and adequate ventilation." CDC-11.10.2020
NEW HT MASKS - $10 each
Gray Fr. Charlie Mask
Both have inserts and come with 2 filters
Navy HT Mask
Contact Mrs. Mungia for purchase details.
Masks will also be available at HT events.
***
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
December 6th - December 12th
VIRTUE OF THE WEEK: FORTITUDE
Sunday, December 6th - Second Sunday of Advent
- Click here to learn more about the Second Sunday of Advent
- Saint of the Day: Saint Nicholas
Monday, December 7th
- Saint of the Day: Saint Ambrose
- Monday class schedule - Class periods 1, 3, 5, 7.
- School starts at 8:15 am and ends at 3:45 pm.
- Lunch at 11:59 - Pre-Ordered CFA or BYO
- Uniform: regular uniform
- Prayer Service: 9:54 am. Distance Learners Link here: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77873474293?pwd=by8vSEZpTXdEUElldDRtNU5kaDdpUT09
Tuesday, December 8th
- Saint of the Day: Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Tuesday class schedule - Class periods 2, 4, 6, 8.
- Lunch at 12:19 - Pre-Ordered Schlotzky's or BYO
- Uniform: Mass uniform
- Prayer Service: Mass with Fr. Francisco Rodriguez IIIrd from Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Basketball AWAY GAME vs. Bryan Allen Academy 6pm (*)
- Faculty Meeting - 4pm
- Saint of the Day: Saint Juan Diego
- School starts at 8:15 am and ends at 3:45 pm.
- Lunch at 12:19 - Pre-Ordered Tres Magueyes or BYO.
- Uniform: Mass uniform
- Mass: 9:44am - Celebrant: Fr. Chris Downey from St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Killeen
- Mass live streamed here: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77873474293?wd=by8vSEZpTXdEUElldDRtNU5kaDdpUT09
Thursday, December 10th
- Saint of the Day: Blessed Adolph Kolping
- Thursday class schedule - Class periods 2, 4, 6, 8.
- School starts at 8:15 and ends at 3:45
- Lunch at 11:59 - Pre-ordered Big Chew Chews or BYO.
- Uniform: regular uniform
- Prayer Service: Advent door decorating - Meet in your Family homeroom
- https://us04web.zoom.us/j/77873474293?pwd=by8vSEZpTXdEUElldDRtNU5kaDdpUT09
Friday, December 11th - All School Advent Retreat
- Saint of the Day: Saint Damasus I
- All Students participate in Advent Retreat
- Retreats begins at 8:15 and ends at 3:45
- Uniform: Spirit wear
- Boys Basketball AWAY game @ Florence - JV/V Boys 5:00 pm.
- Girls Basketball HOME game vs. St. Joseph - V Girls - 6:00 pm.
- Saint of the Day: Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Girls Soccer AWAY game @ SA Holy Cross -
- Forensics Tournament Online @ North Catholic HS-Pennsylvania.
YOU CAN PRE-PURCHASE TICKETS TO HT GAMES ONLINE AT: https://holytrinitychs.org/online-tickets
***
Next Monday is Christmas Sweater Monday!
***
VIRTUE OF THE WEEK
The virtue of Fortitude is a Cardinal Virtue, also know as Courage.
FORTITUDE DEFINITION:
Enables one to endure difficulties for the sake of what is good.
KEY POINTS OF FORTITUDE:
- Fortitude ensures firmness in difficulties and constancy in the pursuit of good
- It moderates the emotions of anger and fear which come into play when a person faces complex and difficult situations, such as the threat of evil
- Christian martyrdom is a shining example of fortitude in action
***
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The Family Door decorating tradition at Holy Trinity.
Doors will be judged next Monday!
***
Congratulations to Holy Trinity's 2020 Celebrating Catholic Schools Honorees, Larry and Mona Lockhart!
Holy Trinity Catholic High School has nominated Mr. Larry Lockhart, and his wife Mrs. Mona Lockhart as the 2020-2021 Catholic Education Service Award Honorees.
In selecting Honorees, we seek to recognize persons whose charity and kindness have a demonstrable impact on our school. The Lockharts are almost unmatched in both these qualities. For over 10 years, both Larry and Mona have been ever present at Holy Trinity as parents, as volunteers, as coaches, and as benefactors.
The Lockharts consistently show up to help for events at HT. They show up to set up chairs each year at graduation, and return to put them away. They show up to help with our Gala each year, then return to clean up late into the night. They accompany athletic teams to their away games, providing meals, rides, snacks, and support, regardless of the distance or of the sport. And they're always on the sidelines cooking hamburgers or running the concession stand, even if it means missing their own son's success on the field just beyond the concession stand.
Through the years, they have shown a love for Holy Trinity in all its expressions. Most importantly, Larry and Mona are devout Catholics and qualify all their generosity by placing their thanks directly on Christ and on His peace and His love. They embrace and embody the Christian call to recognize the sacred heart of Jesus in every person around them and to treat them accordingly.
Larry and Mona Lockhart have supported our school financially, emotionally, spiritually and through countless hours of service and volunteerism. They are an outstanding family and are pillars in our school history and culture.
It is with the utmost gratitude and admiration that we nominate them as this year's Celebrating Catholic Schools Catholic Education Service Award Honorees.
All are invited to join us in celebrating the Lockharts at the
2020 Celebrating Catholic Schools (CCS) ceremony
on January 23rd, 2021.
Please contact Mrs. Julie Enriquez for more information (jenriquez@holytrinitychs.org).
***
Senior Nelle Summers and sophomore Lela Kelley say: "Wear a mask!"
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Thank you to all those who gave on iGiveCeltic day - and to all our generous donors - thank you!
Thank you for supporting Holy Trinity! We are Celtic Strong!
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Last week at a glance.
Mr. Mosmeyer says: "Wear a mask!"
Gold Day Mass with Fr. John Guzaldo
Keep wearing your masks and this will only ever be a memory honored on Mass days.
Thank you to all who serve and who through their ministry enable us to celebrate Mass each week!
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Freshman Joshua Barkis says: "Um... don't wear your mask like this!"
Senior Basketball girls Abby Rockwood and Paloma Navarro say "This is how you wear a mask!"
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Deck the Halls of Holy Trinity....
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Basketball Tournament at HT
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Junior Sophia Howell says: "Wear a Mask!"
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HELP SUPPORT OUR 2020-2021 ANNUAL APPEAL
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COUNSELOR'S CORNER
COLLEGE ADMISSIONS
Scholarship Applications Being Accepted for Current Texas High School Seniors
I strongly encourage you to take advantage of these opportunities.
Cheryl Sanders
Counselor
Holy Trinity Catholic High SchoolCatholic Life Insurance Scholarship
Seniors,
Please see attached file about the All American Scholarship that Catholic Life Insurance is offering. If you are not currently a member of Catholic Life Insurance, you might want to find out how to become a member so that you can apply for the scholarship. The deadline to apply is March 1, 2021, which should give you time to find out about Catholic Life Insurance. We have had students in the past who received the scholarship.
Cheryl Sanders, Counselor
Texas Colleges and Financial Aid Calendar Booklet
Click below to access the Compendium of Texas Colleges and Financial Aid Calendar for High School Seniors. The booklet contains information about all the colleges in Texas with application deadlines, financial aid deadlines, admission tips, and various other information.
National Scholarship Month
Seniors,
November is National Scholarship Month, referred to by the National Scholarship Providers Association as a time to raise awareness of scholarship opportunities for current and future college students.
November is also an excellent time to begin the scholarship application process if you have not done so already. Many of the scholarships are also dependent on the FAFSA. So if you have not submitted you FAFSA application, do so now. Go to https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa..
Attached is a Scholarship 101 flyer to help you understand scholarships. Make sure you meet the application deadlines when applying for scholarships. If you need a transcript or any additional information to complete your application, please let me know.
Blessings,
Cheryl Sanders, Counselor
Scholarship Websites
Seniors,
Attached is a flyer listing websites for scholarships. Below are the links to the scholarship websites:
Going Merry https://www.goingmerry.com/
Fastweb https://www.fastweb.com/
Chegg Scholarships https://www.chegg.com/scholarships
College Board - Big Future https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ (you should already have an account).
Be sure to check out the Financial Aid page for the college or university you are applying to or planning to attend.
Example - University of Dallas Financial Aid https://udallas.edu/admissions/ministry/finaid_scholarships.php.
Hopefully, you find this information useful and will spend some time checking out all the available scholarships that you may be eligible for.
Blessings,
Cheryl Sanders, Counselor
BigSun Scholarship for 2021
Seniors,
If you are participating in a sport, please see below about a scholarship opportunity. I encourage you to apply.
Cheryl Sanders
Counselor
Holy Trinity Catholic High School
BigSun Scholarship
The BigSun Organization is proud to be able to continue to help young athletes succeed in their academic pursuits. We are offering an annual scholarship to a deserving student. All student athletes are eligible for this award, regardless of which sport they are participating in. Their participation may be in any capacity, whether as a player, coach or official.
Deadline - June 19, 2021
Amount of Award - $500.00
The successful applicant will be a high school senior or be attending a post secondary institute and currently involved in some sport at that institution or in the community..
Please visit our website at http://www.bigsunathletics.com to learn how to apply.
This scholarship has been listed with FastWeb
We recognize that each school will have the responsibility for scholarships assigned to different staff positions so we are giving this notice a wide distribution to ensure that each school receives fair notice. Please note that at no time will any student or other individual be asked for a fee of any description for any service.
Norm Fielder
Director
Information about the US Military Academy application process.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congressman Carter, Texas 31 and his team developed a virtual Central Texas US Service Academy Nomination forum to replace the sixth annual in-person event usually held in the Fall. This virtual product (link attached) is designed to assist students and their parents with information about the nomination process to the five national services academies:
United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, United States Merchant Marine Academy, and the United States Coast Guard Academy.
While the deadlines for 2020 applications have past, we hope you will find these YouTube segments helpful to inform students, grades 9th through 11th, about the application process.
If you have any questions, please go to Congressman Carter’s website at carter.house.gov.
***
Senior Amro Fadl and his older brother Hassan say: "Wear a mask!"
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HT NEWS AND INFO
NEW CELTIC SPIRIT WEAR
Contact Jane Boone for purchase details (jboone@holytrinitychs.org)
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Walden Library info
Good day, All!
The Walden Library is now home to a few "new" books, lovingly donated! Please feel free to share this with your students. Also, you’re always welcome to drop by and pick up a book or two, yourself!
Our new classics (in paperback) include:
The Trial and Death of Socrates: Four Dialogues, Plato
Electra, Sophocles
Aeneid, Virgil
Utopia, Sir Thomas More
My Fall hours are Thursdays and Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
However, even if I am not here, you are always welcome to peruse the shelves on any day of the week.
Happy Reading!
Kira Ciupek
Librarian, Holy Trinity Catholic High School
For more information, contact Mrs. Ciupek at kciupek@holytrinitychs.org
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In the Community
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Senior Jolisa Ogunmuyiwa says "Wear a mask!"
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HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Website: www.holytrinitychs.org
Location: 6608 West Adams Avenue, Temple, TX, USA
Phone: 254-771-0787
Facebook: facebook.com/HolyTrinityCHS/