MCCHS FRIDAY FOCUS
98th Edition: January 4, 2019
Pilgrims on the Way of Truth
Welcome Back to School!
So we turn the page into a new year! While it may take a full month to remember to write 2019, this is when we reflect on what the previous year brought into our lives. We also reflect on what lessons God has presented to us through all the changes, victories, losses, and encounters we experienced. We also are given time to pause and re-dedicate ourselves to the resolutions made at the beginning of the school year. We reflect on Fr. Twenty's call to Rejoice and Be Glad! Let's begin and end our hectic days by giving thanks to God, and see how that spirit of gratefulness can fill our lives with wonderful opportunities to serve Him! Call it a "spiritual fitness" goal!
You may have noticed that we link the daily scripture readings within the Week-At-A-Glance. We also have a permanent link to the wonderful FORMED program (see below!) Also, in previous newsletters, we have recommended enrolling in Carpe Verbum - which sends the daily scripture reading and reflection instructions to your phone or computer! There are so many ways to vary your spiritual fitness program!
We are so excited to start the final half of the school year with you! May 2019 be our best year yet! Peace and joy to you and your family this year and always.
WEEK AT-A-GLANCE January 5 - 11, 2019
Click on date below for daily Scripture Readings!
9:00 am: Musical Set, Costume, Dance
3:00 pm: Boys So/F-A Basketball vs Benet Academy
4:30 pm: Boys Var/F-B Basketball vs Benet Academy
7:45 am: Daily Mass in Chapel
4th - 6th Pds: Confessions in Chapel
2:30 pm: Confessions in Chapel
7:45 am: Daily Mass in Chapel
4th - 6th Pds: Adoration in Chapel
2:30 pm: Confessions in Chapel
7:45 am: Daily Mass in Chapel
2:30 pm: Confessions in Chapel
7:45 am: Daily Mass in Chapel
3rd pd: American Academy of Art rep in Guidance
4th - 6th Pds: Adoration in Chapel
2:30 pm: Confessions in Chapel
Friday, January 11, 2019 - Grade Portals will Reopen by 3:00 pm today!
8th pd: University of Iowa rep in Guidance (Marian alum & current UI student!)
2:30 pm: Confessions in Chapel
Check out our detailed Athletic Calendar for all practice times, team dinners, and "Away" games for this week!
For a detailed calendar of all MCCHS Clubs & Organizations meetings and events, please see our Clubs & Organizations Website!
JANUARY 15th 7:00 PM CONVERSATIONS THAT MATTER: Vaping & E-Cigarettes
Please JOIN US for this very important Conversations that Matter! Click on the link above to RSVP to this event on January 15th in the school cafeteria! As you've probably seen reported in the news recently, vaping amongst teens has DOUBLED in the past year! As medical research catches up to usage (and longer-range data is collected) there is clear evidence of not only grave health consequences but also behavioral and developmental side-effects as well!
Bring your family to learn what to look for, what the most updated medical findings report about this highly addictive behavior, and how to best promote the health and well-being of our students.
In a previous Friday Focus, we shared photos/signs of what to look for regarding e-cigarettes. Please consider cleaning out backpacks and cars over this holiday break! If you find packaging or anything suspicious - please have that conversation with your student! Even if a student is 18, any vaping or related paraphernalia on school property is against school policy and will result in an immediate out-of-school suspension plus a Saturday detention.
SENIOR SEMESTER 2 EXAM EXEMPTIONS
At the beginning of the year, we shared with all seniors during a class assembly the new exam exemption program we began with last year's class. We want to encourage our seniors to finish their high school career strong, reward students who have been working so hard to be a great student in every aspect, and perhaps even ease a little exam anxiety towards the end of the year. Last year was a great success and we received positive feedback from students, teachers, and parents.
Please read through the 2018-2019 Senior Exam Exemption form. Seniors will be responsible for printing, completing, and submitting this form for consideration.
Here are the general criteria that we will be able to measure:
SENIOR FINAL EXEMPTION CRITERIA
Academics:
Senior students must be passing their course BOTH Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 with a minimum 91% (rounded) B+, in order to waive out of that respective final exam.
Senior Students have the option of taking their final exam, if doing so increases the chances of earning a better grade.
Discipline:
Senior students must have accumulated NO MORE THAN three (3) detention hours over the course of the entire 2018-2019 school year.
Attendance:
Senior students must have a minimum of 94% attendance rate (no more than 5 excused absences) for second semester.
Senior students must have no more than 5 excused absences for the class during second semester.
Extended medical situations approved by the administration and/or medical emergencies supported by medical documentation will not count towards the excused absences, tardies, or early dismissals.
Off-site college visits will not count toward the attendance criteria if the visit is pre-approved by administration and is verified upon return with a letter from the college visit
School-sponsored absences, such as spiritual retreats, administrative-approved field trips, and school-sports early releases will not count toward the attendance criteria.
APPEAL PROCESS:
We did have several students appeal exemption decisions last year since they knew a grade was in progress. This worked out very well - and we were able to approve a few more exemptions as a result. Students may appeal if they do not receive preliminary approval for an exemption- or know in advance that a grade needs a second look (for pending grade change.) We review all appeals and watch those grades closely. Appeals were mostly regarding grade-update issues and a few unique attendance situations. Discipline appeals, however, will not be considered. For the sake of clear, advanced communication to students and teachers, the appeal deadlines are firm and all appeal decisions are final.
WINTER DANCE: January 26, 2019 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Our Winter Dance is coming up at the end of this month!
Ticket sales ($10 per ticket) will take place during all lunch periods from Monday, January 14th through Thursday, January 17th in the school office. Please purchase tickets early to avoid last-minute lines, as the office staff will not issue hall-passes.
Please refer to our Dance Dress Code and respect our policies regarding appropriate attire. Students who are in violation of our reasonable attire guidelines (or whose date is in violation) will be issued detention, and may be denied entry into the dance.
Practice ACT in the Library - Please note the change of the January Dates
Due to the March for Life Pilgrimage, January 16-20, the previously announced January Practice ACT dates have been changed to the beginning of that week, January 14 and 15.
The Marian Central Catholic H. S. Library is offering an opportunity for Sophomores and Juniors to take a complete practice ACT test, spread out over two after-school sessions. The testing will take place on January 14 (2:30 - 5:00) and January 15 (2:30 - 4:00). These are official practice tests from ACT, and students will receive scaled scores for each test section and subsection. This is an opportunity for Marian students to get an idea of the types of questions they will be seeing on the real test. They will also experience the ACT testing environment, complete with proctored instructions, ACT rules, and more than one test in one sitting. Test seating is limited to the first 25 students to register. If you are interested, please print the form linked below, complete the signature block, and return it to the Marian library no later than January 11. You will be notified by e-mail once your form has been received. Watch the Marian website for up- to-date information on the number of seats available.
ATTENTION SENIOR PARENTS: Come Help Plan the SENIOR BREAKFAST!
Our graduating class will be celebrating their Senior Breakfast on Monday, May 20, 2019. We realize this is still months away - but it takes a lot of planning and coordination to make it memorable for our students!
We are hosting a Senior Breakfast Planning Meeting on WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16th at 7:00 pm in the ANNEX. Please consider joining us as we brainstorm themes and ideas for this celebration!
If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to our Parent Association President, Mrs. Lori Lee at ll524@comcast.net or give her a call at (847) 309-0702!
We are so excited to work together to make this the best Senior Breakfast!
Rockin' the Hill: Steven Tyler & The Loving Mary Band
Marian Central has received an exclusive invitation to be part of a private, invitation-only concert in Woodstock. Tickets for 2019’s hottest concert of the year at Bunker Hill Farms are now on sale. Don’t wait and miss a chance to see Steven Tyler & The Loving Mary Band at Rockin' The Hill on July 27th, 2019! Get your tickets now and start planning for what’s going to be the most talked about night of 2019!
Please note this is a private event and we ask that you not share this broadly with your network, but rather with key people who you feel will support Marian Central and would enjoy this exclusive event. Bunker Hill Farms strictly prohibits any mention on ANY social media platform.
Bunker Hill Charities is granting 100% of all ticket proceeds to local charities so make sure to type in Marian Central when you are prompted to answer how you were invited.
Event Details
Date: Saturday, July 27th, 2019
Location: Bunker Hill Farms in Woodstock, IL
Time: Doors Open at 5pm
Due to the popularity of the event, tickets are selling quickly! Make sure to purchase your tickets ASAP. Purchase tickets now
For more information, click here.