Dear Parents and Students:

 

            This week found five young men in my office:  two recent graduates, one rising sophomore, and two incoming sixth graders.  While each of their stories was unique and reflected individual circumstances, they  were identical in one significant way.  Each possessed hopefulness for the upcoming school year.  The alumni  were confident in their backgrounds, believing that they were well prepared for the college experience.   The sophomore was eager to get started and prove to himself that he could prosper at Charleston Catholic.  And the sixth graders, eyes shyly peeking, were thrilled at the prospect of joining the Irish, filled with optimism and joy about the upcoming year.

            Hope is, to my way of thinking, an essential component of the human spirit, part of what it means to be fully alive.  It is what helps us imagine who we can be, sustains us through the hard times, propels us when we confront roadblocks.  

Hope is something we inspire in one another.  As Elie Wiesel, author of Night and a holocaust survivor, remarked, “Just as despair can come to one another only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings.” 

            There are people who touch our lives who make us “good.”  They bring out our best although we may not recognize it at the time, if ever.  Beyond our families and friends, who shapes us into the individuals we become?  At graduation, I frequently urge the graduating seniors to surround themselves with good people, for it is those people who will bring out the best in them and in each other.  They are the ones who will inspire us and provide subtle direction when we need it most  They will celebrate our victories and help us refocus when we fail.

            The faculty and staff at Charleston Catholic are some of those “good people” I’m referring to.  We see potential and special qualities in our students that perhaps they don’t even recognize themselves.  And on the first days of school, days marked with optimism and enthusiasm and a dose of nervousness, we should all be mindful that our students are depending upon all of us – faculty, staff, families, and each other – to help them set and achieve their hopes and dreams.

            I am frequently reminded of the beauty of our Charleston Catholic community.  May each of us enjoy its warmth and do what we can to keep it vibrant, positive, strong, and full of hope. Our dreams and hopes will help us forge ahead, turning difficulties into opportunities.

            It’s going to be a great year.

                                                                                    Warmly,

 

                                                                                    Debra K. Sullivan, Principal

 

CONDOLENCES – Unfortunately, the summer has brought sadness to a number of our students and their families.  Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers:  Barbara Sovick Luoni, grandmother of Emma  and Andrew (CCHS 2007) Sovick; Della Marie Brohard, grandmother of Morgan, Will (CCHS 2008), and Courtney (CCHS 2006) Pack; Phyllis Shapero, grandmother of Haley and Wolf Shapero; A.R. Robertson, Jr., grandfather of Rachel Silverman; Elizabeth R. Hamrick  (CCHS 1942), grandmother of Kelly, David, Jessica, and Russell Miller; Julia Michael, grandmother of Perry (CCHS 2008) and Corey (CCHS 2005) Campbell; Carl Fletcher, grandfather of Samantha, Terry (CCHS 2005), and Kelly (CCHS 2004) Fletcher; Betty Holstein, grandmother of Justen and Jason (CCHS 2007) Holstein; Robert Fluharty, grandfather of Robert, David, Megan (CCHS 2007), John (CCHS 2003), and Michael (CCHS 2008); Beatrice Abdon Mullins, great grandmother of Morgan Mick.  May their souls rest in peace.

 

PLEASE READ AND SAVE THIS NEWSLETTER -- and refer to it often.  Many of the questions that you might have now and in the future may be answered by referring to items in newsletters rather than by calling the school office.  The newsletter (sent out approximately every 5 weeks with student academic reports) and the Student-Parent Handbook provide information that you will need to know.  Newsletters and the handbook are also available on the CCHS website (www.charlestoncatholic-crw.org).  

 

WELCOME – We welcome our newest faculty and staff members to the CCHS community.  Eve Fingerett, with a Master’s degree in Secondary Mathematics from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, is an experienced teacher, most recently in Birmingham, Alabama.  She will be teaching geometry.  Candice Jarrell, a Kanawha County native and graduate of West Virginia University, also joins our high school mathematics department where she will teach trigonometry.  Ashley Reynolds, who has her B.A. in Journalism/ News Editorial Writing from West Virginia University and is pursuing her Master’s degree in Secondary English at Marshall University, joins our middle school team where she will teach 7th and 8th grade English.   Kristen Walsky comes to us from Florida to become a member of the 6th grade team, teaching social studies and health/ PE.  An elementary school teacher for the last ten years, Mrs. Walsky received her undergraduate degree from West Virginia University and her Master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.   Kathy Crain, mother of two CCHS students, joins our kitchen staff, bringing her years of experience from the cafeteria at St. Francis School in St. Albans.  Additionally, two CCHS teachers have been reassigned following the resignation of Theresa O’Leary, high school theology teacher, who was named principal at St. Agnes School.  Michelle Patterson, 6th grade theology/ health/ PE teacher, completed her Master’s degree in May 2008 from Wheeling Jesuit University in theology, making her the ideal candidate to fill the high school theology position left by Mrs. O’Leary’s departure.  Lorrie Iszkula, with her past experiences working with younger students, was pleased with the opportunity to teach 6th grade theology and language arts.  Please join in welcoming our newest members of the CCHS community, as well as returning faculty and staff!

 

PARENT-TEACHER NIGHT -- Mark Wednesday, August 27, on your calendar as a time to meet your student’s teachers and other CCHS staff members.  We will meet in Sacred Heart Co-Cathedral at 7 p.m. and, after this orientation session, will return to the school where parents will follow their children’s schedules of classes.  Following classroom visits, the Parent Volunteer Association’s hospitality committee, with help from sixth grade parents, will provide refreshments in the Commons.  This evening has become a traditional, enjoyable way to open the school year, renew acquaintances, and welcome newcomers to the CCHS community.

 

PARENTS OF INCOMING 6TH GRADERS:  At the Parent Back to School Night on Wednesday, August 27, you will be meeting as a group in the library with the 6th grade teachers after the opening session in the Cathedral.  This meeting will give you an important opportunity to ask about assignment notebooks, homework, uniforms, lunch, and all the other nitty-gritty things you want to know.  So keep a list of all of your questions!  The transition to CCHS need not be difficult!  Read the Handbook in front of the students’ assignment notebook to know what is expected at CCHS. 

 

STUDENT SCHEDULES AND PLACEMENT IN CLASSES -- During April, May, June, July, and August, an extraordinary amount of thought, time, and effort goes into building the master schedule and individual student schedules.  Academic requirements, student choices, teacher recommendations, previous achievement, standardized achievement test results, class period conflicts, and class size are just some of the factors that come into play during this very complex process.  Please assume that the schedule your child receives is the best one possible!  Unless there is a critical reason to change a student’s schedule, it will not be changed.

       Please keep in mind that all CCHS classes are part of a college preparatory program and, therefore, ALL of our classes are presented at college preparatory levels.  Students’ placement in courses varies from year to year and subject to subject -- our students are not “tracked” within an inflexible framework!  Each year, students’ records are reviewed to ensure suitable placement in classes.

       A note about 7th grade math classes:  For placement purposes, a mathematical formula is used which analyzes each student’s 6th grade math grades, results from a math placement test administered during 6th grade, and standardized test results.  61% of the students study Math 7 during the seventh grade, further solidifying their math foundation and ensuring their success in high school math classes.  For students who excel in Math 7, Prealgebra 8, and 9th grade Algebra I, there is an option available in tenth grade, namely, to enroll in both Honors Algebra II and Honors Geometry courses during the sophomore year and postpone physical education until their junior or senior year. 

 

2008-2009 REGISTRATION DAYS -- The following times have been set aside for students to pick up their schedules, pay class fees, buy used textbooks, order new textbooks, and pick up/buy gym uniforms.  Student schedules are completed during the summer months and will not be available until August registration days.  Schedules for each particular grade level will only be available during the times listed below, so it is critical that parents and students adhere to the schedule listed.   Used textbooks, however, are available for purchase for all grades on Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m.   If families with more than one child would like to pick up schedules and so on for all of their children at one time, they must come on Thursday, August 14, from 2:30 - 4 p.m.  At all other times, schedules and fee sheets for the particular grade levels listed will be the only ones handled at particular time slots.  There will be no exceptions.

            Wednesday, August 13             9 - 10:30 a.m:  Seniors only       

10:30 – noon:  Juniors only

                                                            CLOSED NOON - 1 P.M.

                                                            1 - 2:30 p.m.:  Sophomores only 

2:30 - 4 p.m.:  Freshmen only

            Thursday, August 14                9 - 10:30 a.m.:  8th graders only

10:30 – noon:  7th graders only

                                                            CLOSED NOON - 1 P.M.    

                                                            1 - 2:30 p.m.:  6th graders only

2:30 - 4 p.m.:  Families with more than one student wishing to register all their children at one time; also, anyone unable to come at scheduled times

 

To help with your planning, know that you will need to write a separate check for each used textbook purchased (no cash payments).   A separate check or cash will be needed to pay for P.E. uniforms.   All prepaid P.E. uniforms for 7th, 8th, and 10th graders were distributed in May.  Prepaid orders for 6th graders should be picked up at registration.  Additional uniforms will be available for purchase.  PVA items (shirts) will need a separate check.  Class fees must be paid by separate check or cash.    

 

PLEASE NOTE:  Make-up fine arts critiques and community service hours must be submitted to Ms. FitzGerald BEFORE GOING TO THE SCHEDULING TABLE.  Students may bring their completed forms into Ms. FitzGerald now or on the day of registration.  Students will not be allowed to register if they have not fulfilled these past due requirements.  Similarly, families with tuition balances must meet with Mrs. Shay before going to the scheduling table.

 

BUYING USED AND NEW TEXTBOOKS   During assigned schedule pick-up times, students will learn which classes they will actually be taking and can buy used/order new textbooks at that time. 

Used books may be purchased for all grade levels on both days of registration.  If you still have a few old books you would like to sell in the book sale they will be accepted on August 11 and 12.  Remember when turning in books they must have a stamped, self-addressed envelope with the name of the book written on the back of the envelope.  Any unsold books must be picked up by the end of registration; otherwise, those books become property of CCHS, to be sold at some time in the future or discarded as appropriate.  Journalism textbooks are new.   Used workbooks cannot be sold so please don’t buy them!   ALL used textbooks purchased become the property and responsibility of the purchaser.  No refunds will be given by PVA if a used book is later found to be incorrect or if the student makes schedule changes.  The used book sale is a wonderful project coordinated by the Parent Volunteer Association to benefit our families.

New textbooks may be ordered through CCHS and prepaid during registration.   This practice marks a change, i.e., parents will no longer have to search on-line for needed textbooks!  Textbooks will be ordered by and delivered to CCHS where they will be distributed to students.  Parents who ordered new textbooks in June may pick them up in the library during registration days.

 

FORMS TO BE RETURNED --

1)       On the first day of classes, each middle and high school student will receive an assignment notebook which contains the Student-Parent Handbook.   The last page of the handbook should be torn out and signed by parents and students, acknowledging that they have read the handbook.  This form must be returned to homeroom teachers by Monday, August 25.

2)        At registration, parents will receive the emergency card.  Please complete it during registration and turn it in.

3)       Off-campus lunch forms for grades 10 – 12 are due Thursday, August 21 by 8 a.m.

4)       In-lieu of transportation forms are due to homeroom teachers by Monday, August 25.  Families living in Kanawha County who reside 2 or more miles from CCHS are eligible for a one-dollar-a-day transportation reimbursement from Kanawha County Schools.  Putnam County does the same.  Since our families are saving state and county taxpayers over $3 million each year, you are encouraged to take advantage of this reimbursement.

5)       PVA forms should be turned into the office within the first couple of weeks of school.  PVA volunteer forms and ALL ordering forms for white polos, green polos, and fleece will be available at registration and are on the website.

 

LUNCH TIME – Thursday, August 21, marks the first full-day of school and the opening of our food service program.  CCHS has three separate lunches:  sixth grade lunch, seventh-eighth grade lunch, and high school lunch.  Students in grades 10 - 12 may go off-campus for lunch if they have submitted their parents’ permission on the official school form.  In order for students to go off-campus for lunch beginning Thursday, August 21, their permission forms must be returned to homeroom teachers by 8 a.m. that morning.  Notes/phone calls from parents will not be accepted for off-campus lunch privileges.  Off-campus lunch is a privilege and will be rescinded for students who arrive late to school, are late after lunch, display unsafe driving practices at lunch time, or who are being disciplined for other reasons.  Parents may also withdraw their children’s lunch privileges by notifying Ms. FitzGerald.  

 

CCHS SHAMROCK CLASSIC TENNIS TOURNAMENT AND PIG ROAST – After another huge success last year, this year’s weekend event at the CCHS Athletic Complex is sure to be even bigger and better!  The doubles’ tennis tournament starts on Friday evening, September 12, and runs through Sunday, September 14.  Cost per doubles team is $50 and includes 2 tickets for Saturday evening’s pig roast.  The pig roast is Saturday evening and costs $10 per adult, $5 per student, and $25 per family.  Anyone who would like to volunteer to help or to get other information should contact Lisa Dobbins (346-4995) or Kelly and David Sadd (344-0651).  This is a fun activity to get involved in!  Tickets for the pig roast as well as entry forms for the tennis tournament will be available at registration August 13-14.  Funds raised last year helped every CCHS team in one way or another.  Let’s do it again!

 

TECHNOLOGICAL PROGRESS – We are pleased to report that all science classrooms have been outfitted with smartboards and projectors, bringing our total number of smartboards in the building to nine.  In addition, we have seven digital projectors available for use in classrooms and the library.  Be prepared for changes in the CCHS website as we transition to a new content management system. 

 

REPORTING STUDENT PROGRESS -- We are instituting two changes which should help parents have more accurate pictures of students’ academic progress:  1)  Mid-term progress reports will report numerical grades rather than the range (e.g., A-B, B-C) previously used.  Report cards will continue to convey letter grades (e.g., A, B, C).  2)  Teachers will post dates for quizzes, tests, and major assignments on the CCHS website beginning August 25.  Directions will be on the website as to how to access the information. 

 

WATER BOTTLES  -- CCHS will sell reusable BPA-free sports bottles with the CCHS logo that students may fill with water and take to the classroom, if permitted to do so by the teacher.  These water bottles, the only ones permissible outside the Commons, will be for sale in the bookstore for $10 each after the first day of school.  As each bottle is purchased, the student’s name will be written on it by Mrs. Casey in the bookstore. We hope that this practice will help our school reduce its carbon footprint in addition to other “green” practices already in place. 

 

LOCKS ON LOCKERS – are required in middle school.  Locks will be given to 6th graders the first week of school.  High school students typically do not lock their lockers and those who do have locks on their lockers usually leave them dangling, fulfilling no useful function and damaging the locker paint in the process.  If your high school students are not going to lock their locks, don’t buy a lock, please.  Locks sold by the school (with plastic sleeves to protect the paint) are the only ones students may use.  Students are discouraged from bringing valuables to school.  The school will not be responsible for anything that is lost or stolen from a locker.

 

RENOVATIONS  --Our CCHS community prides itself on the condition of its buildings, a reflection of our standards of excellence in academics, faith and personal development, and extracurricular activities.  Just as we take care of our own homes, we must take care of our home-away-from-home.  Students are expected to accept personal and community responsibility for the condition of the facilities.  Students are expected to act responsibly and maturely, to take care of the facilities, and to contribute to the well being of themselves and others.  We are blessed to have excellent maintenance and housekeeping staffs who work diligently to keep school property – both downtown and at the athletic facility -- in good repair and clean.  In the summer, in addition to thorough cleaning and regular maintenance, we try to do a little bit extra each year as we continue to upgrade school facilities.  This summer the gym floors at the athletic facility and downtown were resealed.  The outside decking next to the tennis courts was rejuvenated and our new gym now has a sign announcing its presence!  The downtown gym was also painted, including the bleachers.  Electrical upgrades were made in the Commons.  Protective coating was put on the floors of the walk-in refrigerator and freezer in the kitchen.  The PVA purchased a new ice machine and it was installed in the kitchen.  A new air conditioning unit was installed at the athletic facility to replace one that was beyond repair.  Ever onward!  

 

WHEN DOES THE BUILDING OPEN EACH DAY? -- When Mrs. Sullivan goes to the front door on Virginia Street at 7:45 a.m., students may enter the classroom floors, go to the bookstore or office, etc. Students arriving at school between 7:15 a.m. (no earlier, please!) and 7:45 a.m. may go to the gym (entering the building through the gym doors on Leon Sullivan Way), where a teacher is on duty, or they may wait outside of the building on the sidewalk, near the Commons.  For safety reasons, students are not to congregate near the curb, in the school’s entryway, or on the stairs.  The first bell rings at 7:55 a.m. and students are expected to be in their classrooms when the 8 a.m. bell rings to start morning prayer and announcements.  Classes, announcements, and prayers end at 2:45 p.m. and students are expected to leave the building by 3 p.m., unless they are meeting with staff members, attending club meetings, etc.

 

IF YOUR LAST NAME IS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR CHILD’S NAME – please put the child’s full name on all checks issued to CCHS.

 

FAMILIES WISHING NEWSLETTERS/REPORT CARDS/PROGRESS REPORTS SENT TO 2 ADDRESSES – must send in 12 stamped addressed envelopes by the first week of September.

 

STUDENT PARKING – We thank Monsignor Sadie for once again making arrangements for our students to pay $45 for monthly parking in the lot at the corner of Quarrier St. and Leon Sullivan Way.  Interested students should sign up in the office.  

 

CELL PHONES, IPODS, AND OTHER TECHNOLOGY  -- As has been our policy in recent years, the use of cell phones and other electronic devices is prohibited during school hours (8 a.m. until 2:45 p.m.).  Such electronic items, if present in the building, must be turned off and not visible (i.e., kept in backpacks).  Students can check their cell phone messages immediately after school to see if their parents have called to update them.  Students who are texting, checking messages, playing with, or otherwise handling cell phones or other electronics in the classroom or in any location within the building during the school day will have these items confiscated.   Should this happen, the item will be returned to the parent/guardian of the student owning the item.  A $25 fee will be assessed for each additional infraction.  If students need to use the phone during the school day, they may use the office phone or, if they are at lunch or break, the one in the Commons.  

 

TELEPHONE MESSAGES -- Because of the number of students enrolled and the limitations on office staff and telephone lines, we strongly urge parents to make arrangements with their students regarding transportation, appointments, etc. before students leave home.  If you must leave a message for your child, call the office.  The names of students who have messages are announced at the end of each school day.

    

MRS. THOMAS’ TIDBITS --

1)  SAT and ACT testing and registration dates (CCHS code:  490-205)

                 SAT I and II (can register on line -- www.collegeboard.org): 

                        TEST DATE               DEADLINE               LATE REGISTRATION

                        October 4                    September 9                September 16

                        November 1                 September 26               October 10

                        December 6                 November 5                November 18

                        January 24                    December 26               January 6

                        March 14                      February 10                  February 24

                        May 2                          March 31                      April 9

                        June 6                          May 5                          May 15

                ACT: (can register on line -- www.act.org)

                        TEST DATE               DEADLINE               LATE REGISTRATION

                        September 13               August 12                     August 13- 22              

October 25                   September 19               September 20 - Oct. 3

                        December 13               November 7                November 8 - 20

                        February 7                   January 6                     January 7 - 16

                        April 4                          February 27                  February 28 – March 13

                        June 13                         May 8                          May 9 - 22

            2)  Seniors will need to complete their fine arts requirement by the end of the third quarter and community service hours by the second Friday of May of their senior year. 

            3)  Seniors wanting their applications mailed to the colleges before Christmas vacation must have their materials to Mrs. Thomas by Monday, November 3.

            4)  Mrs. Thomas handles college visit requests.  Students should get the forms from her and return the completed forms to her at least 2 days before the trip.  Seniors are allowed 2 college visit days; juniors are allowed 2 college visit days.  College visits must be made before May 1.      

            5)  AP tests are required of students enrolled in AP English 11/12, AP Human Geography, AP Calculus AB and BC, AP Computer Science, AP Physics, AP Political Science, AP Statistics, and AP Economics.  AP testing fees for these courses are included on the registration fee schedule.  Students wishing to take AP tests for other courses (e.g., psychology, biology, world history) may do so and must notify Mrs. Thomas in February.

            6)  College representatives will start visiting soon, typically during the lunch period.  Juniors and seniors may come to the library after picking up their lunches to meet with the representatives.  Students should take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about different colleges.

            7)  Mrs. Thomas will host a seminar, “The High School Years at CCHS:  Prelude to College,” for 9th grade parents and other interested parents at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 4, to learn more about making academic plans for high school and college.  There will also be meeting with parents of juniors on Thursday, September 11, at 6 p.m. to review the college selection process and with parents of seniors for the college application process on Thursday, August 28, at 6 p.m.

            8)  Senior parents need to complete their parent questionnaires, available at the CCHS website, and return them to Mrs. Thomas by Tuesday, September 2.  This information is used in writing student recommendations from the school.

            9)  Check the website calendar for important dates, e.g., college rep visits, parents meetings, deadlines, etc.

            10)  Scholarship information will be listed on the college counseling section of the website.

            11)  Stanford results are included from 2007-08 spring testing.  

            12)  Wendy’s High School Heisman Program --  All seniors with at least a B average who are athletes on CCHS teams are eligible to apply.  The link to the online application is available at www.wendysheisman.com.  Seniors must submit online applications no later than September 19, 2008, the CCHS deadline.   In order for the application to be considered by the national Heisman Review Committee, the application must first be reviewed online by Mrs. Thomas, hence the September 19 deadline.  Students should notify Mrs. Thomas once they have submitted the application online.

 

ASSIGNMENT NOTEBOOKS – will be distributed by the teachers on the first day of class.   

 

BOOKSTORE REMINDER -- The bookstore is open each day from 7:45 a.m. - 8 a.m. and from 2:45 - 3:00 p.m.  Mrs. Casey will have computer disks, pencils, pens, envelopes, composition books, assignment books, and notebook paper, payable at the time of purchase. 

 

CARE OF UNIFORM FLEECE – Parents have reported that the best way to retain the shape and the consistency of the fabric is to NOT dry the fleece with a fabric softener sheet or include fabric softener in the wash cycle.  Line drying is recommended.

 

FAMILY TRIPS, APPOINTMENTS, ETC. -- Please avoid taking students out of school for vacations, family trips, appointments, etc.  If students miss school for any reason (including illness), it is their responsibility to find out what they missed. If your child is ill or will miss school for any reason, please notify the school office by 8:30 a.m. In addition, at the end of the semester students will have to stay after school to make up any time missed during excessive absences/tardies.

 

HIGH SCHOOL DANCES -- High school dances are held from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. and students sign in/out.  Parents need to know that students are permitted to sign out prior to the end of the dance.  Once a student leaves the dance, the student MAY NOT return to the dance.  Parents having questions about when their children arrived at/left a school dance should call Ms. FitzGerald to request this information.

 

Supply lists for middle school – check the CCHS website.  Click on the “Middle School” link. 

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS WITH ARTISTIC TALENTS AND INTERESTS – are numerous at CCHS.  For example, the pep band promotes positive school spirit by playing at home high school basketball games and in the Showcase of Talent.  Practices are once or twice a week after school prior to and during the season.  The high school drama club has spring and fall productions that require the talents of actors, artists, stage hands, costumers, make-up artists, prop managers, and more.  Practices are held after school.  The choir sings at school liturgies.  High school choir practices once a week during lunch and the middle school choir also practices weekly.  Vocalists and instrumentalists provide appropriate meditation music before Mass and during Communion.  The Showcase of Talent and the Irish Coffee House feature students with a wide variety of talents.  The annual SCORES Festival at Marshall University has contests for high school students in all areas of the fine arts.  Our students are eligible to participate in auditions for All-County and All-State musical performance groups.  All of our sixth graders take a 9-week art class and 7th and 8th graders may choose to take a quarter of art as an exploratory.  High school students may opt for art classes including Art I, Art II, and Art Portfolio.  For further information, contact Mr. Josh Fix for drama or pep band, Mrs. Becky Burch for art, or Mrs. Gail Stone for choir or SCORES.

 

RISING SENIORS -- Photo Graphix is the official CCHS yearbook photographer.  Seniors should arrange to have photos taken at the studio this summer (5018 MacCorkle Avenue, one block before the Dunbar Toll Bridge).  For those students ONLY WANTING THE “OFFICIAL PICTURE,” (i.e., suit jacket for boys, formal drape for girls), Mike Hall will set aside dates for CCHS seniors.  Students wanting clothing changes and/or indoor/outdoor shots can call and make appointments (768-2000) any time during the summer.  For pricing info, go to website www.wvphoto.com.  Seniors who have not had their Photo Graphix sitting by the time school pictures are taken in September will have their senior yearbook photo (one shot) taken at the same time as underclassmen (September 25).

 

IMMUNIZATION NEWS – In an effort to keep all of our students healthy, we ask you to check with your doctor to see if your child’s immunizations are up to date.  If you have any updates to your records, please provide a copy to the office. 

            Required immunizations:  4 or more doses of DTaP, the last one after the 4th birthday

                                                 3 or more doses of IPV (Polio), the last one after the 4th birthday

                                                 2 doses of MMR, the second one after the first birthday

            Recommended immunizations:  3 doses of HepB (Hepatitis)

                                                           2 doses of Varicella (Chicken Pox)

                                                           1 dose Tdap (Tetanus Booster)

                                                           3 doses of HPV (Cervical Cancer)

                                                           1 dose of MCV4 (meningitis)

                                                           Annual flu shot

 

PROOF OF ENROLLMENT FORMS -- for drivers’ licenses may be requested in the school office using the CCHS request form.  It will take two school days for the forms to be completed by office staff.

 

NOTES FROM THE PARENT VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION (PVA) –

1)  The 2008-09 PVA parent Registration Packet is available online on the CCHS website.  Volunteer packets will be given out at registration.  It will remain online all year for parents to reference.  Hard copies of the packet will also be available on registration days.  The CCHS website also includes PVA sign-up forms for all activities.  You’re encouraged to become as involved as you can!  Please submit completed PVA volunteer forms to the school office during the first couple of weeks of school.

2)  Order forms for fleece jackets with CCHS logo, white uniform polo shirts, and green athletic/academic competition polo shirts are available on the CCHS website.  For questions, please contact Kathleen Bors (343-7963) for fleece jackets, Joanne Bronikowski (344-8850) for green polos, and Lisa Cassis (925-5946) for white polos.  Please note that high school students who are members of athletic teams and academic competition teams are permitted to wear a CCHS hunter green polo shirt to school on designated dates – normally home games and other days designated by the principal.

3)  Pre-orders placed in May for white polos and fleece jackets will be available at registration.  These items may also be purchased at registration from available inventory. 

4)  GREEN VARSITY LETTERMAN JACKETS -- Sophomores, juniors, and seniors may order these personalized jackets on registration day.  The company representative will have a display available in the Commons. PVA will facilitate sizing and ordering. When placing an order, a deposit of $50.00 in cash or check must be made with the balance due when jacket is delivered in 6-8 weeks.  Please bring your varsity letter with you when placing your order.

5)  INNISBROOK  ORDERS – Don’t forget- orders can be placed year round!  Go to www.innisbrook.com and click on “Buy Innisbrook Products” and enter CCHS school number 121949. Call Lisa Dundervill at 344-2566 for more info. 

            6)  CAFETERIA VOLUNTEERS: If you are interested in helping in the cafeteria for the interim schedule (August and September, 2008) please send your name, email address, complete mailing address (street, city, and zip code) and phone number to Chrissy Hovorka at 343-8040.  The regular cafeteria volunteer schedule for October 2008 through June 2009 will be completed for the school year after volunteers submit their CCHS Cafeteria Volunteer Form following 2008-2009 school registration.      

            7)  PVA DUES are $75 per family.  In addition to buying materials to support the school’s instructional program, this fee covers operational expenses of special student projects (e.g., Project Graduation, moving up reception, baccalaureate reception) so funds will not be solicited for various activities.  We’ll still be looking for your time, talent, and good cooking!

            8)  Parent involvement is critical for the successful operation of the CCHS athletic program.  Helping transport students to games and practices, working gates, being supportive of the players and coaches, attending games, and participating in the team lunch program are just a few ways that parents help.  EVERY parent of an athlete is needed to support the teams!  Each sport is allocated a few team lunches.  Guidelines and dates for these lunches (designated away games only) will be distributed to parents at the beginning of each season, once team rosters have been established.

            9)  Athletic family passes are available through the PVA.  These passes are good for immediate family members only (not cousins, in-laws, ex-in-laws, grandparents, fiancées, etc.) to attend CCHS home games.  The passes do not cover tournaments played at home or homecoming games or any SSAC tournaments.  Cost is $150 for all home middle school games only, $175 for all home high school games only, and $200 for all home games (both levels).  A $100 student or senior citizen pass for all games is also available.  Each adult in a family will be issued a pass that must be shown for admission to games.  PASSES MAY BE PURCHASED DURING REGISTRATION DAYS AT THE PVA TABLE.  Please ask Mary Crigger if you have questions about these passes.

 

VERIZON SUPPORT OF CCHS – Receive phone, high-speed Internet, and TV and support CCHS!  If you join the Verizon VeloCITY program, funds will be contributed to impact our academic programs.  For more information, call 1-888-695-5299 and use tracking code #1004.

 

MEDICATIONS – For our students having medical needs which necessitate their taking prescribed or over the counter medicines while at school, our goal is to have in the school office one plastic zip-lock bag per student, well organized and well documented, containing a student’s items.  When students need to take prescription medication at school, the medicine must be sent to the office with a doctor’s order and in a plastic zip-lock bag with the student’s name clearly labeled.  Also, any medications kept at school for various reasons – e.g., asthma, allergies, etc. – should be sent to the office in a bag with the doctor’s order and an allergy or other medical plan, if applicable.  Over the counter medicine such as Advil, cough drops, etc. need to be in a plastic bag with student’s name clearly marked and with specific information stating when such items should be dispensed.  At the end of the school year, we will ask your students to stop by the office and pick up their plastic bags with last year’s supplies.

 

BUY A CCHS SEAT CUSHION – Why be uncomfortable while attending sporting events?  Sit down in luxury on a green and white Charleston Catholic Irish rubber foam cushion.  Mary Frances Casey has the cushions in the bookstore on sale for $10 each.

 

GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP -- is something that is expected of athletes, coaches, parents, students, and other fans.  CCHS is synonymous with high expectations and we must reflect this excellence in all activities.  Good sportsmanship includes showing respect to opposing teams, coaches, fans, and officials.  People judge our school by viewing the behavior of those who represent it most visibly.  Many times this is the only exposure they have to a Catholic school community.  It is always best to “be the bigger person” and ignore (and certainly not imitate!) negative remarks or gestures from others.  Let’s work on this together to make it a great year!

 

STUDENT DRIVERS – Please encourage your student drivers to be responsible, safe drivers.  Talk to them about speeding down the street in front of the school (showing off for friends?), pulling out of parking lots too quickly, ignoring pedestrians, changing lanes abruptly, speeding through yellow lights, and so on.  Tragedies happen in an instant.  If you see inappropriate or reckless driving behavior, please note the license plate and make of car and notify Mrs. FitzGerald. 

 

PARTICIPATION IN SCHOOL SPORTS