Minutes from the October Parents’ Club Meeting Mrs. Williamson opened the second Parents Club meeting by leading a recitation of the Hail Mary. In her principal’s report, Mrs. Williamson told us that are 10 seniors (8% of the class) who have reached various levels of National Merit achievement. All students attended the school’s mock Presidential Debate on Oct. 20, which was organized by Mr. Fitzpatrick’s AP Government class. On the spiritual front, Mrs. Williamson announced that the Pro-Life club has been rejuvenated. As part of the nationally celebrated Silent Solidarity Day, 15-20 students will wear a special armband and have pledged their silence tomorrow during school. The Youth Spectacular at Holiday Hill in Cheshire was another successful event. Participants heard various speakers and participated in outdoor Stations of the Cross and Mass celebrated by Archbishop Mansell. Next year’s event will be at the Rock Cats Stadium in New Britain. Extracurricular activities are in full swing. The Fall One-Act Play was very well done, and was performed twice this year – a first. The fall play, Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Nile,” will be performed on Dec. 5, 6 & 7. The Student Council is sponsoring an extra blood drive this year for the American Red Cross on Nov. 12. Other clubs and activities include the Art Club, the newspaper, the yearbook, The Writer, etc. Fall sports are winding down. Mrs. Williamson said she and the coaches have noticed a strong chemistry within each team this fall. Athletes are making an extra effort to work well together. Mrs. Williamson also mentioned a benefit being held Nov. 16 in honor of Michael McNamara ‘04, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer. On Oct. 29, the Community of Concern will host Liz Jorgensen at Hall High at 7pm. Her topic: “Delay Your Gray: How to Keep Your Teenager Safe and Yourself Sane.” Another event, “Our Kids on the Internet,” sponsored by the town of West Hartford, will be held on 10/21 at 6pm in the town auditorium. Mrs. Williamson urges those who use Comcast phone service to contact Katie Rose in her office regarding School Reach, the school’s new automated phone message service. There have been problems with Comcast users getting the messages, so the office needs another contact number. Saturday Night Live tickets have been mailed to parents ($20/person in advance and $25 at the door). There are still many volunteer opportunities at this great evening of entertainment and fun. In addition to many of the traditional favorites, there are several new additions to the evening: the Bistro Café, the Jazz Club, Studio 29, and a comedic hypnotist. Please contact Gail Riley or Carol Ciotto if you can help. The Hospitality Committee needs 5-6 volunteers to help at Open House on 11/13. Volunteers will sign in prospective families and hand out goody bags. Interested? Please contact Cindy Gworek. Cindy is also looking for volunteers for the Teacher Appreciation lunch in January. Our guest speaker for the evening financial advisor Charles Wareham, speaking on “How to Pay for College.” Mark Your Calendars – New and Exciting Topics for Parents’ Club Meetings! • Next Parents’ Club meeting: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, 7pm: Deacon Arthur Miller, Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Black Catholic Ministries, will preview the presentation he’ll give to NWC students during Black History Month. He’ll also offer tips on parenting in the 21st century. You won’t want to miss this incredibly dynamic speaker! • March meeting: THURSDAY, Mar. 19, 7pm: “How to Help Your Teen Find a Career” 1 Volume XI – Number Three – January 2009 Michelle M. Murphy, Director of Communications National Honor Society Inducts 70 New Members In a beautiful candlelit ceremony on Dec. 18, which featured Athletic Director Joshua Reese ’95 as the guest speaker, 70 juniors and seniors became the newest members of the Aquinas Chapter of the National Honor Society. Congratulations to moderator Mrs. Patricia Juda and to all NHS members on this tremendous achievement! Joel Adifon Katherine Krikawa Kerri Alexander Katherine Kuzoian Elizabeth Andruszkiewicz Nicole Lacouture Andrew Beaule Merideth Lathrop Mary Beckerman Brendan Lemp James Benanti Madeleine Livingston Nicholas Calitri Nathaniel Lombard Poirot Caileen Christina Kathleen Lynch Katherine Conlin Kelsey Marakovits Alexis Dahlem Joseph McAndrews Bridget Daly Emily McDonough Hilary Dees Meghan McGuire Connor Deneen Chelsea Mencio Michael Deneen, Jr. * Gladys Miranda * Ryan Dowd Chelsea Morelli Meghan Feeney John Murphy Colleen Fitzgerald Luke Pelton Mary Frailey Emily Peters Samuel Frasco Alex Picciano * Janae Frazier Grace Quinn Michael Freund William Reed Caroline Garger Lauren Rosano Kaitlyn Giblin * Na Rae Shin Faith Gilbert Devon Soucier Nicola Greco Justin Strid Morgan Green Kelsey Sumple Kathryn Hagen Ted Terrion Julian Harris Ryan Thompson Nia Harris Kristin Tomaiuolo John Healey * Margaret Tuite Daniel Huehner * Andrew Vicki James Italia Matthew Visintainer * Richard Jakiel Jr. Timothy Waltman * Ann Ragan Kearns Lauren Walz Eric Kennedy Sarah Wizner * Denotes senior. 2 Attendance Reminder: Absent Students May Not Participate in After-School Activities All students must be in school and attend class in order to be eligible to attend after-school activities. This applies to all practices, rehearsals, set building, meetings, awards presentations etc. Students must report to school by 11 am to be eligible to participate in after-school activities. If a student is too ill to be in school, then the student is too ill to participate in other activities. Please note: Special circumstances (such as funerals and college visits) are usually exempt from this rule, as long as the school is aware of the matter. This makes communication from parents or guardians regarding tardies and absences even more crucial. Please remember to call the school attendance mail box (236-4221, press 1) as soon as you can so we know where the students are. Calendar Note: New Date for Final Schoolwide Dance The last schoolwide dance of the year will be held on Thursday, March 5, from 8-11pm. This is a new date; the dance was previously scheduled for March 12. Tuition Assistance Reminder NWC students who receive need-based financial assistance must reapply for aid each year in order to have the funds renewed. The necessary form from the Private School Aid Service (PSAS) becomes available Jan. 2. Parents should complete the form (available at www.psas.org, on Edline, or in the school office) and submit it by Feb. 9, 2009. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Questions? Contact Nancy Bannon, Director of Admissions: 236-4221, x124 or [email protected]. Help Wanted: Volunteers for Teacher Appreciation Luncheon Cindy Gworek, chairman of the Parents’ Club Hospitality Committee, is looking for volunteers to assist with the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon on Jan. 28, 2009. She needs help with setting up, cleaning up, and donating desserts. Interested? Please contact Cindy at [email protected]. “Relay for Life” to Return to Northwest Catholic in June 2009 West Hartford’s “Relay for Life,” supporting the American Cancer Society, will be held again this year at Northwest Catholic. Beginning at 4pm on June 26 and ending at 10am on June 27, the Relay is sure to attract hundreds of people from many different fundraising teams who will walk our track to raise money for cancer research. Kaela Paternoster ’09 is coordinating the Northwest Catholic team; for more information, contact Kaela at [email protected]. Please become part of this great opportunity to display the legendary Northwest Catholic hospitality while supporting an excellent cause at the same time! th The 25 Annual Saturday Night Live a Huge Success! The halls of Northwest Catholic were sparkling on Saturday, Nov. 22, for the 25th annual Saturday Night Live – and it seemed that the cash boxes were sparkling too! Although all the bills have not yet been tallied, indications are that this was another fantastic money-maker – particularly impressive in light of the struggling economy. Co-chairs Carol Ciotto and Gail Riley express many, many thanks to all the parents, alumni parents, alums, faculty, and staff who bought tickets, donated items, baked desserts, set up, served, or cleaned up at the big event. Mark your calendars: Next year’s Saturday Night Live will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009. 3 Kudos to the cast and crew of the fall play: Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Nile Mark your calendars now for the spring musical: Godspell Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak Apr. 3, 4 & 5 in the Rice Auditorium It’s That Time Already: Course Selection for 2009-10 Course selection for current students for the 2009-10 school year begins on January 28, 2009. During assemblies, guidance counselors will explain the scheduling process, and the Program of Studies book and Student Course Request sheets will be distributed. Counselors are available for any questions. From January 28-30, students will have teachers recommend and approve their classes by signing their Course Request sheets. Students should take the Program of Studies book home and confer with their parents. Over the weekend of January 31 and February 1, 2009, students will bring the Course Request sheets home to be signed by their parents. Students must enter their course selections for 2009-10 through Edline from February 1-5. (The process will be explained in school and directions posted on Edline.) Sheets must be returned to homeroom teachers by February 5. Counselors and Academic Departments will review selections after the data have been entered. Note: All who are involved in the process -- students, teachers, and parents -- must sign the Student Course Request sheet. January 28 Assemblies for explanation January 28–30 Teachers recommend classes / sign sheets January 31–Feb 1 Parents sign sheets February 2-5 Students complete selection through Edline February 5 Signed sheet due to homeroom teacher It is important for all students to consider an entire academic year during the course selection process.