Friday Focus Newsletter

Today marks the end of our first month back in school this new year. A busy and exciting month at Marian Central!

Students are acclimating nicely back into the routine of school after Christmas break. As I walk through the halls of Marian Central, I see teachers and students engaged in the experience of education in earnest and with enthusiasm. A joy to see!

Earlier this week we celebrated our students at the second quarter academic breakfast. Congratulations to all the students who earned special recognition for Citizenship, Improvement and Excellence. Recognizing our students for their achievements is part of what makes the community of Marian Central strong and tight knit, and we are so glad to see parents and siblings join us in celebration earlier this week.

This Friday marks the end of Catholic Schools Week. We are happy to celebrate our faith throughout the week, which as a Deanery community culminated in our All-County Mass on Wednesday. Faith is what binds our Catholic schools together as a Deanery. To gather in celebration and reverence as an entire community is a true blessing. Thank you to Montini for being the host school, thank you to Fr. Warren for making Marian a school strong in faith all the time but this week especially, and thank you to all the participants who helped make an extraordinary Mass on Wednesday. The gathering of our current and future Marian Central students to engage in our faith together is truly a special sight.

I would like to end by issuing sentiment of good luck and congratulations to Marian Senior Colin Zecchin. Colin is currently at the All State Choir competition. Colin has been an awesome contributor to our fine arts program throughout his time at Marian Central. We are happy and proud of his accomplishments and wish him and Mr. Ossler good luck!

Go Canes!

Mr. Brad Williams

Course selections for the 25-26 school year will be made by our current students between Monday, February 3 - Friday, February 21 on PlusPortals. All of the information you and your student need to navigate the online course selection process is available on our website at: https://www.marian.com/academics/curriculum-guide/.

Parents, it is critical that you play an active role in this process by discussing and reviewing your student's course selections. It will be helpful to have your student fill out the grade-specific Course Selection Worksheet before they select their courses online. The counselors are available for you and your students to assist in this process, as needed. Please contact Mr. Fearn (afearn@marian.com) for current freshmen and juniors and Mrs. Hilton (khilton@marian.com) .

Online Course Registration Timeline:

Week of 1/27/25

Mrs. Hilton, Mr. Fearn and the mentors reviewed the course selection and online course registration process with current students during Advisory

Monday, February 3 - Friday, February 21

Online Course Registration open for students in PlusPortals

Monday, March 3

Tentative Course Selection Verification Forms mailed - if a student wishes to adjust his/her course selections after this mailing, they should bring in that form with the change indicated and a parent signature

Friday, March 21

Course Recommendation Forms due - for students who were not initially recommended for a course OR for students who did not meet the prerequisites for a course

Last day to change course selections (after 3/21 there will be a $30 fee to change courses)

Deadline to pay Advanced Placement (AP) course fees

All student athletes who plan to participate in a spring sport need to register through the Athletics website prior to the start of the season. Registration is available by clicking here.

Attention Families of Juniors:

Huntington Learning Center in Lake in the Hills is offering a FREE ACT practice test opportunity on February 14, 2025 at 1:00 PM. Please see the flyer below for sign up information. Sign up will be on a first come first serve basis.

It’s time to make your 2025-2026 Registration Fee payment.

The non-refundable registration fee is $325. However, if you submit payment before February 14, 2025, you receive a $75 discount making the amount due $250. Payment can be made by clicking here (a 4% fee will be applied) or by sending to the office. All returning students will register for courses online.

Incoming Freshmen will be receiving a registration packet in the mail. If you have any questions, please contact our Business Office.

Seniors

Seniors who would like to be exempt from Semester 2 exams, the process starts now. Please review the form below to make sure you understand what you will need to accomplish regarding academics, discipline and attendance over the next 2 quarters in order to be exempt from your second semester exams. Senior Exam Exemption Form 2024-25

AP Classes

All students (grades 9-12) who are enrolled in, paid the fee for, and eventually take the College Board test for any AP class have the option to be exempt from taking their end of semester 2 final exam for that class. Students qualify by earning at least an 87% in the class by May 17 AND have taken the AP College Board test. Please use the form below to submit your request to the main office no later than end of day Monday, May 16. AP Exam Exemption Form 2024-25

Dear Marian Community,

For years, the "Marian Cares" program has been a cornerstone of our Key Club’s mission to serve those in need. In partnership with local food banks, we’ve worked to provide vital resources to families in our community. However, this year, as we reached out to our trusted food banks, we discovered that they are facing shortages like never before.

In response, we decided to pivot our efforts and host food drives within our school, aiming to fill the gap and ensure that no family goes without a meal. It’s a small shift with a big goal: to continue the work of Marian Cares by putting food on the table for those who need it most.

We understand that we are continually asking for non-perishable donations, but every item - no matter how small - makes a difference. A single can of food or a single bag of rice can be the difference between a family going hungry or having a meal to share.

We are so blessed to have a generous and compassionate Marian community, always willing to band together and help. Your kindness inspires us every day and reminds us of the power we have when we come together for a common cause. We ask that next time you attend a basketball game, you prayerfully consider bringing in any non-perishable food items to donate. There should be a ‘Key Club Food Donation’ box at the admissions table, and you could give any donations to anyone there. Additionally, if you cannot make a donation at a game, you can always send in food items with your child to school, who can then drop them off in Mrs. Bolman’s room.

Let’s continue to care, to give, and to lift up those who need us most. Thank you for being a part of this mission. Together, we can make a real difference.

God Bless,

Marian Central’s Key Club

The Athletic Booster Club is excited to rock the night away with your headliner, Mike & Joe! Mike & Joe is a modern rock cover band widely regarded by its audiences, and peers as one of the best sounding cover bands in the nation.

With opener, Justin Wallace, a talented Johnsburg native, who is now sharing the stage with renowned artists like David Cook, winner of American Idol, and AGT’s very own Mitch Rossell, this concert is sure to be a good time.

Join us on Saturday, February 15 at The Vixen in McHenry at 7:00pm as we enjoy a night filled with music, food, energy, and good vibes – all to support a great cause. All proceeds go to the Athletic Booster Club, which helps support the needs of our athletic teams and student-athletes. Both general admission and VIP tickets are available!