MCCHS FRIDAY FOCUS
133rd EDITION: November 1, 2019
From the Desk of Ms. Debra Novy
I would have started this note with a comment like, “It’s hard to believe that we are already in November…” but looking out the window right now, I am questioning if it isn’t December! Time certainly flies, especially with so much activity going on at Marian.
Conferences October 24 & 25 seemed to be a success, allowing Marian families to meet with the faculty and discuss student progress. We are very blessed to have a faculty that always has students’ best interests in mind; always focused on raising the bar and holding students accountable for their learning. Our faculty continues to improve on clarifying the standards, utilizing effective teaching strategies, and challenging our students with rigorous curriculum, while at the same time developing relationships and modeling our Catholic beliefs. It isn’t easy, and there are always bumps in the road, but our entire staff realize that it takes a collaborative effort in order to push the needle on student achievement, and they do just that.
An example of just how our teachers focus on continuous improvement is through professional development opportunities. We have already had several teachers attend AP conferences, a conference on social emotional wellness for both staff and students, and one on technology integration just this fall. We have also provided in-house training on differentiated learning, utilizing formatives to drive instruction, and developing a growth mindset. As you can see, Marian is dedicated to what the educational world sometimes refers to as the three R’s… Relevance, Rigor, and Relationship… and of course always being grounded in our faith.
Finally, what better way to recognize student achievement than through celebration. This coming Tuesday, November 5th, we will be having our first of four academic breakfasts. Students who were recognized for academic achievement, academic improvement, or discipleship will be awarded while their families look on. We look forward to seeing those families and anticipate that many more will be recognized throughout the year!
As the fall sports wind down, and the winter sports and theater season rev up, we will be excited to see Marian families attend these events. We also encourage parents to stay involved. Opportunities include the Parent Association, Fine Arts Boosters, our new Athletic Boosters, and even coming to the quarterly Principal’s Coffee, which allows parents to find out firsthand what is going on at our school. It also provides a platform in which parents can provide input and suggestions to move our school through the next decade and beyond. We cannot thank you enough for your support. Please pray that by working together, our beloved Marian Central Catholic will continue to grow.
Ms. Novy
Kairos - Parent Meeting
To all parents of students attending Kairos in December: There will be a parent meeting to discuss very important details of the retreat. Please plan to attend either Monday, November 4th or Tuesday, November 5th at 7:00 pm in the Marian Central Chapel. Thank you.
Chaperones Needed
Make Up/E-Learning Days
Marian Administration and the Diocese of Rockford have come to a decision with regards to addressing the missed instructional time due to the lightning strike in mid-September. As you recall, due to the immediate assessment of damage to our school and safety concerns, Marian was closed from September 10-13. Since this incident, all Marian staff has been trained in how to implement E-Learning Days, a way to conduct school through the use of technology when school cannot be in session due to inclement weather (think of snow days). With this new procedure in place we have decided to use November 15, 2019 (Marian’s annual 8th Grade Visit Day, a day of non-attendance for Marian students) as an E-Learning Day to make up some lost time from the lightning strike. If you have not had a chance, please check out our new E-Learning protocols found on pages 20-21 in the 2019-20 Student Handbook.
What does this mean for your students? As the handbook indicates, all classes are required to post assignments. In addition:
- Students are responsible to check each course’s webpage by 9:00 am, complete an assignment and submit online as per the teacher’s instruction, including but not limited to Google Classroom, OneNote, or Teams.
- All work is to be submitted no later than 4:00 pm of the same day. The submission of the assignment serves as evidence of student attendance.
- Teachers will also provide designated “office hours” in which students will be able to obtain help, answer questions, etc. during the E-Learning Day.
We do understand that some students from theater, band, department helpers, and student mentors will be “working” on the 8th grade visit day. All of those students will be marked “FT” which indicates field trip, so it will not affect the student’s attendance record, and they will have an additional day to make up assignments.
As for any additional instructional time missed due to the lightning, the Diocese has evaluated and counted all of our instructional time/contact hours with the students and has determined that we do not need to make up any more time. Please note, however, that we still may need to make-up up to 4 additional days if/when Marian closes for winter weather or other emergencies.
College Applications
Senior Parents and Students - College Application Deadline Season is Upon Us!
Beyond the first major college application deadline of November 1, there are three additional deadlines that are just around the corner: November 15, December 1, and January 1. It is critical that students are aware of the application deadlines for the schools they plan on applying to and that they inform Guidance well in advance of that deadline so that all application materials that are sent by Guidance (official transcripts, standardized test scores, school profile and letters of recommendation - teacher and counselor) can be produced, gathered and sent to the schools on time. IMPORTANT: Students do not have to have completed their application to a school before they submit a Transcript Request Form (available in Guidance and on our website). In fact, once a student knows he/she will be applying to a school, they should submit the form. That way, as the student is working on completing the application, we can take time to put together application materials. If a school requires a counselor recommendation, it is important that students turn in their completed Transcript Request Forms at least 10 school days in advance of the application deadline set by the college or university. Please reference the following schedule:
Application Deadline...........................Transcript Request Form due to Guidance
..........................................................(If a school requires a Counselor Rec)
Friday, November 15 ..............................Monday, November 4
Sunday, December 1 ..............................Monday, November 18
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.
Parent Association
The Marian Central Parent Association (MCPA) is looking for enthusiastic volunteers! As you know, it takes many hands behind the scenes to make every school event a success. Whether you can make a regular time commitment or only have an hour or two to spare, you truly can make a positive impact on our school!
We meet on a monthly basis and do most of our planning via email. Please consider being a part of this dynamic group and help us turn a "wish list" into a DONE list!
The next Parent Association meeting is Wednesday, November 6 @ 6:30 pm in the Annex.
Sweater Season
Picture Day - November 5th
Fall Production
Marian Central Theater will present the play, Ask Any Girl, on November 8-9 at 7 pm and November 10 at 2 pm in the school auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Tickets may be purchased at the door beginning 30 minutes before each show. Seats are not reserved.
The show guarantees an evening of 1959 charm and nostalgia and revolves around Meg Wheeler, a recent college graduate who moves to New York to escape her small, midwestern hometown. While there, she hopes to find a good job and a successful husband. With many twists and turns, the audience, as well as her boss, can expect the unexpected. The cast and crew promise an evening of lighthearted humor, laughter, and fun. Don’t miss it!