MCCHS FRIDAY FOCUS
181st EDITION: February 5, 2021
From the Desk of Brad Williams
I hope everyone is staying safe, healthy and trying to avoid the difficulties that tend to develop during this time of year. Around this time is typically our coldest weather with heavy snowfall. On top of that, to protect our staff and students, we have decided to enter into this period of remote only learning. It can be easy to fall into a rut with the lack of sunlight, limited outdoor activity and now no in person learning until 2/16.
But, I am optimistic. I know that the weather will change. That soon I’ll be able to take my son outside for walks. In a little over a week, we’ll be able to offer in person learning once again. For me, it’s important to take time and recognize these upcoming changes and find comfort in their eventuality. I am reminded of a famous slogan my mother cites often, “this too shall pass”.
With that being said, I want to thank our teachers for being adaptable and doing everything they can to provide a quality educational experience to our students in response to what was a rapid development. I want to thank the students and families for their adaptability as well. It’s not an easy thing to be told that you may want to be in the building to learn but can’t. I often think about the stresses that our country is experiencing in the context of school aged people specifically. I am sure it is very difficult. But, as I said before, I think there are reasons to be optimistic. For our students specifically, I know there is energy around the possibility to be engaging in athletic activities. As a former coach I think this is a great chance to insert some energy into our student body and am excited to see the positive effects of that on our atmosphere here at Marian.
So, as we approach the weekend, I encourage everyone to go out of your way and make a conscious, deliberate choice to do something to take your mind off the negatives that tend to develop around this time of year. Brave the cold, watch the Super Bowl, get lost in a good book, binge watch a show—what ever helps your mind wander a little bit away from some of the stresses we may be going through.
Brad Williams
Dean of Students
February Calendar
To all Junior Students and Parents - IMPORTANT MESSAGE REGARDING ACT REGISTRATION - APRIL
It is customary each school year that Marian Central is a test center for the National ACT Test in April. We will, again be a test center for the April 17 ACT test.
Due to COVID 19, many test centers have closed or are no longer offering the test. Therefore, the seats available for testing at Marian WILL fill up fast. In fact, we have been made aware in the last couple of days that our test center is "full". Therefore, some of our Marian students have had to register at alternate test locations.
Mrs. Hilton, the testing coordinator, contacted ACT on 2/2/21 and increased the number of seats available at Marian to maximum capacity. Therefore, we are confident that (once the additional seats are added by ACT) all Marian students wishing to test at Marian in April will have an opportunity to do so. We've been informed that it takes from 24-48 hours for the additional seats to be added to the registration portal. Unfortunately, we are not allowed to reserve seats specifically for Marian students and therefore, it is critical that all students wishing to test at Marian in April register ASAP at: Registration - The ACT Test | ACT. You should be checking online regularly within the next couple of days to get registered as soon as seats open up.
For those juniors that already registered for a location other than Marian who wish to test at Marian in April, you must login to your ACT web account and go to Test Center Change. It will ask you the test center code and you should enter: 174990 for Marian Central. There is no additional fee for a test center change. This must be done ASAP to ensure a seat at Marian and no later than March 26, 2021.
If you have any questions regarding the April ACT test at Marian Central, please contact Mrs. Hilton at 815-338-4220, or khilton@marian.com.
2021-22 Registration Fee - Returning Students
2021-22 Course Selection Process
Course selections for the 2021-22 school year should be made by our current students between February 1-February 19 on Plus Portals. All of the information you and your student will need to navigate the online process and to make the best course selections is available on our website at: https://www.marian.com/academics/curriculum-guide/.
UPDATE: Due to the fact that we'll be remotely learning until Tuesday, February 16, students who need recommendations for courses should reach out to the appropriate teacher or department head via email to make the request. In these cases, no official recommendation form will need to be filled out. Teachers and Department Heads will email Guidance if a recommendation has been made.
Next Week's College Visits
2/8: McHenry County College, 9th period. (This is for any financial aid or FAFSA questions and you need not be going to MCC!)
2/9: Ancilla College, 8th Period
2/10: Central State University, Period 2
Virtual Scavenger Hunt
Practice ACT Test
Yearbook and Sports Team Photos - Update
Yearbook picture make ups and retakes have been rescheduled to Thursday, February 18th and Friday, February 19th. When details are finalized regarding seniors and remote students, they will be shared as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience.
Sports team photos will take place Thursday, February 18th and Saturday, February 20th. Additional details will be shared soon.
College Information Night - Virtual
WHEN: Tuesday, February 9th, 2021 from 6:30-9:00 PM (Program begins at 6:30 PM)
WHERE: This year’s program will be virtual, with links being sent to participating families no later than Friday, February 5th, 2021.
WHAT: An opportunity to learn about starting a college search, how colleges review Marian transcripts, test optional admission policies, and to attend a mock college application review. Students and families will also have the ability to ask the college admission officers who will be presenting on these topics questions.
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/4Pf4b6S5vj94fAaq8
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 Tuesday, February 9th!