MCCHS FRIDAY FOCUS
143rd EDITION: January 31, 2020
From the Desk of Ms. Debra Novy
As we complete our fourth week of the second semester, there seems to be quite a buzz going around. Our students are seeing the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel” knowing that they are on the down-swing of the school year, our seniors are becoming very aware of their grades, discipline, and attendance as they anticipate trying to earn final exam exemptions, and our 9th – 11th graders are thinking about what courses they might want to take next school year!
Exciting things are happening with regards to next year’s curriculum. Our 2020-21 Curriculum Guide will be up on the Marian website no later than Monday, February 3… just in time for our new online course selection process! This online course selection process will be open from Feb. 4 through Feb. 21. Our Student Mentors will be stepping into our freshmen (2023) homerooms Monday to teach them how to navigate the process and understand how to choose courses that best fit their goals. At the same time, Mr. Kruse and Mrs. Hilton will be training the current sophomores (2022) and juniors (2021) to navigate the online selection process so they are ready to begin on Tuesday.
Focusing on Curriculum, we are excited to announce that we will be doubling the amount of dual-credit options with McHenry County College (MCC) for our students! What is Dual Credit? Simply put, it is a way for students to earn tuition-free college credit while taking classes at Marian. Dual Credit classes are directly aligned with the expectations of a college course offered at McHenry County College but taught by a qualified Marian instructor. The content, rigor, syllabus, and key assessments are the same as MCC’s course but with no additional cost, and in the end, if the student passes the course at Marian, they will also receive college credit at MCC that can be transferred to most colleges.
In addition to our dual credit courses, we are offering more opportunities for our students to participate in MCC’s Partnerships for College and Career Success (PCCS) program. If enrolled in this program, Marian students start their day at MCC in the chosen program and then come to Marian to complete their day’s course load. For the past few years, we had offered both the Nurse Assistant and Early Childhood Education programs to our juniors and seniors. We are now opening opportunities in Fire Science, EMT, and Criminal Justice! Please note, the PCCS program is a separate enrollment with MCC that requires additional admission processes and fees, directly handled through MCC and not Marian.
As you can see, there are many growth opportunities at Marian so that students have a variety of paths (regular, honors, AP, Dual-Credit, and PCCS) with which to choose from in order to make their four-year experience at Marian a successful one. As Administration finalizes next year’s calendar and bell schedules to adjust to some of these offerings, please know that we will be communicating these out to you as soon as possible. Thank you for continuing to support all that we do here at Marian, and for supporting and encouraging your students to challenge themselves daily to be the best they can be!
Ms. Debra Novy
Late Start Added
Marian Central students and staff will be participating in an all-school retreat on Wednesday and Thursday, March 4th and 5th. As part of the retreat, we will be adding a late start day to the calendar for Wednesday, March 4th. We will follow our regular late start bell schedule with the retreat beginning promptly at 9:45 am. The late start bus schedule will apply. On Thursday, March 5th, regular bell times of 8:05 - 2:30 will be in place. Watch for more information about this exciting retreat in future editions of the Friday Focus.
Winter Dance Volunteers Needed
We are still looking for volunteers for the Winter Turnabout Dance TOMORROW (2/1)! Sign up by clicking here.
Set up 11 am - 2 pm
Coat and shoe check 6 - 10:30 pm
The next Parent Association meeting is Tuesday, February 4 at 6:30 pm in the Annex.
Registration Fees
Students will register for next year’s courses February 3rd – February 21st. The 2020-21 registration fee is $275, however, families of currently enrolled students who pay the registration fee by February 14th will receive a discount and therefore will pay $200 ($100 of each registration fee will be transferred to the 2020-21 tuition assistance fund for next year’s financial aid program). The registration fee can be paid at any time and must be paid by February 14th to take advantage of the discount. The fee may be paid using a credit/debit card (3% surcharge added) by clicking here, or to the Business Manager by check, cash or credit card (3% surcharge added for credit/debit cards). The registration fee is non-refundable since the school depends upon the course selections made during the registration process for hiring staff for the next year.
Tuition Assistance Program for 2020-21 – In an effort to provide all families who desire to send their students to Marian Central an opportunity to do so, the school provides a tuition assistance program. As in the past, two forms of assistance will be available next year: 1) the work/job program, and 2) the Fr. Joseph Egan financial aid grant program. Detailed information about the tuition assistance program is available by clicking here. We invite families that may have difficulty meeting the total tuition costs to apply for assistance beginning January 16th.
Spring Sports Registration
Spring sports season is right around the corner and we invite all students to explore the possibilities! If your student athlete does plan to participate in a spring sport, please register on Marian's Athletic site by clicking here: https://il.8to18.com/MarianCC/. Click the picture for tryout information and more!
Not interested in participating? Consider supporting your fellow Hurricanes from the cheering section by attending events. GO CANES!
A Sincere Thank You
to our wonderful Parent Association for expressing a "World of Thanks" to our staff during Catholic Schools' Week/Teacher Appreciation Week. Throughout the week our staff enjoyed food and treats representing Italy, Mexico and more. A special thank you to all of the parents who donated their time, baked goods and crock pots. We appreciate all of the thought and effort displayed during this special week at Marian Central.
Super Raffle tickets coming next week!
As part of the fundraising for the 60th Anniversary event, Marian Central is holding a Super Raffle! The Grand Prize is choice of $7,500 or free tuition for 1 year. Students are encouraged to sell tickets, but are NOT required. The competition will be between Juniors/Seniors for the day off of Prom and Freshmen/Sophomores for dress down for an entire week. One ticket will be sent home with every student on Monday and must be returned with money by April 10.
Click on the Anniversary image below for more information on this year's Auction.
Support Hurricane Baseball
Marian Central Catholic Varsity Baseball - Meat Raffle
Saturday, February 8th; 4:00 pm
Held at Offsides
680 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock
Hams - Steak - Pork Loins - Brats
Surf & Turf and More!
CollegeStock Update
COLLEGESTOCK 2020 LINEUP
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH: Butler University, Carthage College, Cornell College, Ferris State University, Grand Canyon University, Illinois College, Johnson & Wales University, Kent State University, Northern Illinois University, St. Anthony College of Nursing, Texas Christian University, University of Dayton, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Wabash College
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 11TH: Beloit College, Central College, Central Michigan University, Colorado State University, Dominican University, Drake University, Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, George Williams College of Aurora University, Iowa State University, Lawrence Technological University, Loyola University-Chicago, Northern Michigan University, University of Denver, University of Louisville, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Oregon
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12TH: Aquinas College (Michigan), Cardinal Stritch University, Creighton University, Holy Cross College, Loras College, Marian University (Indiana), Marian University (Wisconsin), Marquette University, Mount Mercy University, Providence College, Quincy University, Regis University, Saint Mary's College (Indiana), St. Mary's University (Minnesota), St. Ambrose University, St. Norbert College, Viterbo University, Xavier University
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH: Arizona State University, College of St. Benedict & St. John's University, Illinois Wesleyan University, Indiana State University, Indiana University/Purdue University Indianapolis, Lake Forest College, Michigan Technological University, Rockford University, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, University of Arizona, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of South Alabama, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
CollegeStock - What is that?
50 years ago, a four-day music festival that took place in Bethel, New York etched its place in history as a pivotal moment in popular music history and a defining event for the counterculture generation.
In February 2020, a small, Catholic high school located in a town that shares a name with that iconic festival will hold its own four-day celebration. But instead of bringing in musicians like Joan Baez, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, and James Marshall Hendrix that school will bring in representatives from nearly 60 colleges and universities to promote their schools to Marian Central Catholic’s entire student body.
Marian Central Catholic High School celebrates our first annual COLLEGESTOCK from Monday, February 10 through Thursday, February 13th! 14 college admission counselors will visit Marian each day that week and be in the Cafeteria during the lunch periods to meet Marian students and answer questions about their respective colleges.
A full listing of colleges visiting each day will be posted in the Friday Focus and on the Guidance Department’s website soon, so stand by for more information!
A special “Thank You” goes out to Marian Central Catholic’s own Aila Reuter (Class of 2022) and Isabel Odahowski (Class of 2022) for designing the official CollegeStock logo!
College Information Night
WHEN: Wednesday, February 26th from 6:30-9:00 PM (Check in begins at 6:00 PM, Program begins at 6:30 PM)
WHERE: Marian Central Catholic Theatre
WHAT: An opportunity to learn about starting a college search, financial aid, the differences between the ACT and the SAT, and to attend a mock college application review. Students and families will also attend a question and answer session about the college admission process with a panel of college admission officers.
Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors and their parents/guardians are invited to attend this program. We strongly encourage juniors and their parents/guardians to attend College Information Night. We’ve put together a comprehensive program that’ll be slightly different than last year’s program. We’re confident students and their families will leave with insight into some of the most complicated and confusing parts of the college search.
We ask that those planning to attend this program please register online at: https://forms.gle/LFhoogdgc5aJcPYn6
Fr. Twenty will also be providing an Ashes Service from 5:30-6:00 PM for any families that wish to observe Ash Wednesday before the evening’s program.
Please direct any questions about College Information Night to Mr. Stamatakos (jstamatakos@marian.com) or Mrs. Diamond (guidance@marian.com). We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, February 26th!
St. Mary, Woodstock, Welcomes
Eric Scheidler
Executive Director of the Pro-Life Action League
February 3rd
6:30 pm Mime for Life Presentation
7:00 pm Keynote Speaker
Please click the photo for additional information.