Week at a Glance
Marian Central Catholic High School Faculty Newsletter
October 28, 2017
Well, we seemed to have started Quarter 2 out with a bang! Spanish classes were presenting their Day of the Dead presentations, students were engaged in interesting science labs containing pigs and marshmallows, others were creating their own country or reading the Odyssey in English, and still others were multiplying binomials or using imaginary numbers. No matter which class or grade level, one thing is for certain... our students are utilizing their problem solving skills to enhance their learning both in and outside of our school!
Meetings throughout the school also proved to be quite productive. Administration has been working on building the school's strategic plan focused on ways to sustain and improve enrollment through a variety of marketing strategies and enhancing the delivery of academic programs and rigor. The SIP Team focused on analyzing the exam process, articulation with Deanery schools, and the potential for summer programs. The Technology Team continues to break apart Marian's current policies and agreements to refine them for our ever-changing needs.
Grade meetings seemed to have went well, although there are still several exams outstanding. If you have an student who has yet to schedule or complete a Quarter 1 exam, please make arrangements to get it completed and submit a grade change report (last page of Exams Procedures packet) indicating the exam grade to Ms. Novy.
You may have noticed that Mrs. Loy and Ms. Novy have been popping into more classrooms a little more... yes, evaluations have begun! A big thanks to those teachers who were among the first of the year... as they are first in experiencing the new Diocesan Evaluation tool and Evaluwise. As we continue going through the pilot year of this tool, please let us know your feedback, both on the evaluation tool and the use of Evaluwise. We are all in this together, learning and hopefully growing!
Finally, there is no shortage of spirituality glowing within our school. Our Grandparents Mass on Friday seemed to be extremely well attended. It was heartwarming to see our students and the love they exuded when hugging and chatting with their grandparents. Additionally, many of our staffulty have been gracious enough to read a decade of the Rosary each morning during announcements as we are nearing the close of this, the month of the Most Holy Rosary as well as the Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima.
~ Our Lady of Fatima, Pray for us!
Looking ahead...
As we close out October and welcome November, we have many activities to look forward to prior to our Thanksgiving break. Strangely enough, our students actually have three Friday's off this month! (Bet they like that!) Here is how it breaks down...
Marian Central Catholic Open House
Here are the main parts of the email you received this past week about our upcoming Open House Sunday, November 5 from 1pm - 3pm.
Here are THREE links that we ask you access:
- Open House Agenda & Contest Descriptions: Ms. Loy will be placing a hard-copy of this in your mailboxes too. Please take a few minutes to read through it to understand how you can help participate in the contests.
- Club/Org/Sport Table Info Form: Please fill this out ASAP so a master list can be built, the table placement arranged, and ensuring get you any supplies you may need. Form has 5 required questions and should take less than 2 minutes!
- Open House Staffing Spreadsheet: If you haven't already marked which open house you are working, please do so immediately. Ms. Novy has highlighted those still missing for your convenience.
Parent Teacher Conferences
- The Conference Scheduling portal will be open for parents from Nov. 2 through Nov. 7.
- You will be able to see and print off your conference schedule after Nov. 7 at 3pm so you can prepare.
- Conferences will be 8am-11am, 12pm-4pm, and 5pm-8pm on Friday, Nov. 10
- There are 10 minute slots in which the parents have the opportunity to talk with you about how their student is progressing in your class. It is always a great idea to invite your students to join their parents at conferences, as it is about their education, isn't it?
- In appreciation for all the tireless effort you will put in that day, please accept this invitation so you can keep up your energy for the long day!
- If you anticipate a difficult conference and would like Administrative representation during that conference time, please notify us so we can arrange to have one of us come join you for that conference.
8th Grade Visit Day & Teacher Inservice Day
8th Grade Visit Day is on Friday, Nov. 17 from 9:45am to 12:15pm
Here are some basic pieces of information...
- The schedule is linked here
- Please work with your department to determine what you will be sharing, presenting, and/or facilitating to best showcase your department
- Social Sciences will be articulating with 8th grade teachers... please let Ms. Novy know which room the teachers will be meeting in
>>>To all teachers of Freshmen... Since we will need several Freshmen students to participate, please email Ms. Novy with the names of a couple of students you think display of qualities such as leadership, enthusiasm, being welcoming, and modeling a strong focus on both academics and faith. Please submit your names no later than Friday, Nov. 3rd.
The Teacher Inservice, immediately following the 8th grade visit day includes the following information:
- 12 - 12:15pm Teachers come to cafeteria to pick up box lunch and find a seat
- 12:15 - 3pm Inservice with Dr. Lee from Loyola (continuation from August)
>>>Please come to meeting with access to your UBDs and supplemental material as well as your laptops.
It is likely that the month of November will come and go as quickly as the weather changes these days! Thank you for continuing to support our students in their academics, spiritual, and personal lives. Remember the saying shared in the Oct. 10th inservice... Students do not care about what you know until they know how much you care!
Blessings for a wonderful week!
All Saints Day, November 1
A Prayer for Saintly Grace
Almighty and Everlasting God,
who dost enkindle the flame of Thy love in the hearts of the saints,
grant unto us the same faith and power of love;
that, as we rejoice in their triumphs
we may profit by their examples, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Gothic Missal
All Souls Day, November 2
Benedictine Collect for All Souls Day
We suppliants, O Lord,
pour forth our prayers
for the souls of Thy servants and handmaids,
that Thou wouldst mercifully pardon
whatsoever they have committed
through human frailty
and graciously bring their sufferings to an end.
Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
From the Benedictine Diurnal
Professional Development Opportunities
If you are interested in attending one of these PD opportunities, please contact Ms. Novy. For more information, please click on the links provided.
Grading Smarter, Not Harder Online PD
Questioning for Classroom Discussion Online PD
TECHNOLOGY CORNER
If you are wondering how to integrate technology into your specific subject area, check out the BestPrep - Technology Integration" Resource Library. Click on your subject area and find a multitude of ideas on how to bring your content to life with technology. The lessons are also already in UBD format!
If you are interested in one of these, or other technology conferences or workshops, contact Ms. Novy!
Upcoming events:
IETC Conference Nov. 15-17, 2017 in Springfield If interested, please contact Ms. Novy no later than Nov. 3
ICE Conference Feb. 26-28, 2018 If Interested, please contact Ms. Novy no later than Dec. 11
ISTE Conference June 24-27, 2018 in Chicago If interested, please contact Ms. Novy by Feb. 15
This Week's Schedule
As you work through your plans this week, please note these events. For a more detailed list, check out our school calendar, 8to18 Athletics Calendar or Clubs/Organizations Page
Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017
Youth Summit, Rockford
Monday, Oct. 30 , 2017
7:30 am ~ CIA, rm 229
Lunch ~ Confessions, Chapel
2:30 pm ~ Math Club, rm 207
2:40 pm ~ Club Med, rm 123
2:40 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Fall Play Rehearsal, Auditorium
7:00 pm ~ Athletic Recruiting Presentation, Auditorium
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2017
Happy Halloween!
7:30 am ~ Spanish Honor Society, rm 228
7:30 am ~ WYSE, rm 126
7:40 am ~ Rosary, Chapel
Lunch ~ Eucharistic Adoration
12:00 pm ~ Administrative Planning Meeting
9th Hour ~ Senior Assembly: Jostens, Cafeteria
2:30 pm ~ Ping Pong, Auditorium Commons
2:30 pm ~ Business Club, rm 219
2:40 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Gavel, rm 218
2:40 pm ~ Chess Club, rm 129
2:40 pm ~ Scholastic Bowl, rm 219
2:45 pm ~ Smart-Fit Club, rm 147
3:00 pm ~ Fall Play Rehearsal
Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017
All School Mass: All Saint's Day Mass Schedule #4
NHS Rise Up Presentations at Deanery Schools
7:00 am ~ 1st Year Teacher's Meeting, Library
7:30 am ~ Student Council, rm 127
Lunch ~ Eucharistic Adoration
12:30 pm ~ Facilities Meeting
2:30 pm ~ Key Club
2:40 pm ~ 1st Year Teacher's Meeting, Library
2:40 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ Art Club, rm 110
3:00 pm ~ Fall Play Rehearsal
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017
All Souls Day
P/T Conference Parent Portal Open
NHS Rise Up Presentations at Deanery Schools
Lunch ~ Eucharistic Adoration
2:30 pm ~ Writer's Society, rm 130
2:35 pm ~ Journalism Club, rm 128
2:40 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
2:40 pm ~ FOR Club, rm 134
2:40 pm ~ Scholastic Bowl, rm 219
2:40 pm ~ MUN, rm 219
3:00 pm ~ Fall Play Rehearsal
Friday, Oct. 27, 2017
Spirit Dress Down Day
P/T Conference Parent Portal Open
NHS Rise Up Presentations at Deanery Schools
7:30 am ~ NHS Meeting, Auditorium
7:30 am ~ All Council Student Council Meeting
Lunch - Josten's for Seniors
Lunch ~ Confessions, Chapel
2:30 pm ~ Ping Pong, Auditorium Commons
2:35 pm ~ Journalism Club, rm 128
2:40 pm ~ Mass, Chapel
3:00 pm ~ Fall Play Rehearsal, Auditorium
Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017
9:00 am ~ Fall Play Rehearsal
Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017
1:00 - 3:00 pm ~ Marian Open House (begins in Auditorium)
Happy Birthday To....
None this week!