MCCHS FRIDAY FOCUS

It’s been a quiet week around here, which as a Dean I am thankful for, but I am finding it hard to think of something to write about this week. Well, let me think…. I could write about how the Girls Basketball team set the school record for wins this week with 23, but that seems like something our Athletic Director Mr. O’Neill should write about. Maybe, I could mention the fact that we are getting a special visit and celebrating Mass with Bishop Malloy next Tuesday, but then again that seems like something that should come from Father Warren. Or I could talk about how our Guidance Department has been hard at work presenting to each grade level on how to choose classes for the upcoming school year during the advisory periods. I know, I could mention the students who pitched their ideas to our community leaders as part of our IDEA class. Those students in the IDEA class have been developing a business model, experimenting, and testing the model throughout the year, but then again that should probably come from our Curriculum Director, Mrs. Novy.

What does that leave the Dean of Students? Discipline? Uniforms? Do people want to talk about how discipline is a way to set limits for the children so that they know what is right and what is wrong? How it improves the character of the students and they become strong as well as self-reliant? Discipline even develops the analytical skills of the students. So, when they grow up, they can exploit their skills to solve real-life challenges. Or do people want to hear that wearing school uniforms creates a level playing field among students and helps them stay focused on their education?

Nah, I don’t think anyone will want to hear about that. I’ll keep tinkering with it and see if I can find something to write about, check back with me later…..

Have a great weekend,

Benji Winkelman

The Most Reverend David J. Malloy, D.D., J.C.L., S.T.D., will be visiting Marian Central on Tuesday, February 14th. During this visit, Bishop Malloy will be spending time with our students and staff by dropping in a few classes and celebrating Mass. We are thrilled to be able to host Bishop Malloy as our special guest!

Parents are welcome to join us for this Mass on Tuesday, February 14th at 9:45 am.

The Winter Dance has been rescheduled! The new date is Saturday, February 25, 2023.

The freshmen class raised the most money during our Hurricane Day fundraiser in November. Congratulations! All freshmen have earned the day off of school on Friday. February 17th. Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors are expected to be in attendance for this half day of school.

Every year, Marian Central Catholic High School serves as a test center for the ACT in April. This year, the test date will be Saturday, April 15th, 2023. Please know that while we serve as a test center, we are not able to reserve seats for our Marian Central students. If you are interested in signing up for the April 15th ACT, please register on the ACT Registration website. For the April 15th test here, be sure to use our test center code: 174990. And our school code is: 144475.

As our junior class prepares to take the ACT this spring, and sophomores in the future, I wanted to share an opportunity with you that is free and could provide some additional assistance in preparing for the exam.

We will be providing a free practice ACT here at Marian Central Catholic on Wednesday, March 1st. This is a day off for students, so the practice exam will be from 8:00am - 12:30pm in the library. Space is limited to the first 20 students who sign up.

Students can sign up for one or both opportunities through the Revolution Prep website. The Revolution Prep website will have links to additional free practice tests as well as some group test prep sessions, which come with a fee.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Wochner, College Counselor, at 815-338-4220 x120 or swochner@marian.com.

Course selections for the 23-24 school year should be made by our current students between February 6 - February 24 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/.

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 print and fill out the grade-specific Course Selection Worksheet and review/discuss the course choices with them before they choose their courses online. The Guidance Counselors are available for you and your students to assist in this process as needed. Please contact Mr. Kruse (tkruse@marian.com) for current freshmen and juniors and Mrs. Hilton (khilton@marian.com) for current sophomores.

Online Course Registration Timeline:

2/6 - 2/24: Online course registration by students in Plus Portals

2/24: 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

3/6: Course Selection Verification Forms mailed to parents - if a student wishes to adjust his/her course selections after this mailing, they should bring in that form with the change indicated and signed by his/her parent

3/24: Last day to change courses and to pay Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit (DC) course fees without an additional late charge

Marian Central Catholic High School invites you to our Red Carpet Event

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Enjoy a social evening, featuring great food, entertainment, and fun! Help us surpass our goal of raising $125,000 for our students in need of tuition assistance. For more information and to purchase tickets/sponsor the event, visit marianauction.givesmart.com.

Event registration deadline: February 17

If you have formal dresses that you're not wearing, please consider donating to this worthwhile cause. Students who donate a dress will receive a bonus dress down day (date to be announced later).