Charleston Catholic High School June 2008 Newsletter

Dear Parents and Students:

               Ray Bradbury, recipient of the 2000 National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, said in his acceptance speech, “We're always asking, ‘What are we doing here on earth?’ We are the audience. There's no use having a universe, a cosmology, if you don't have witnesses. We are the witnesses to the miracle.  We are put here by creation, by God . . . We're here to be the audience to the magnificent.  It is our job to celebrate.”

What a beautiful outlook!  I’d like to think that each of us shares Bradbury’s vision and that we communicate it to our children.  Let’s help them look for the magnificence present in this wonderful world.

               On behalf of the faculty and staff, I wish each of you a healthful and invigorating summer.  May your days be filled with special blessings and with opportunities to enjoy family, friends, and the sun upon your faces.  Celebrate!

                                                                                                           Debra K. Sullivan, Principal

FOND FAREWELLS-- Each year brings its share of personnel changes and next year will be no different. We bid farewell to two faculty members: We are grateful to Patricia Noronha who stepped in to fill a part-time mathematics position this school year. She will continue to substitute here at school and will continue to tutor math. Lauren Paul, who joined us this year, will return to her hometown in Maryland where she will teach at an all girls’ Catholic school. Both Mrs. Noronha and Ms. Paul have touched the hearts and minds of so many of our staff, students, and parents during their year with us. We wish them well.

CONDOLENCES – Please keep Mrs. Toni Erby and her family in your thoughts and prayers. Mrs. Erby’s father, Jerry Casto, died quite unexpectedly last week. Mrs. Erby’s address is 5402 Church Drive, Charleston, WV 25306. Also, we express our sympathy to Stephanie Supcoe and her family on the death of her maternal grandmother, to Brandon DiGregorio and family on the death of his paternal grandfather, and to Erin and Emma Casey and their family on the death of their grandmother, Mrs. Helen DeFranco Casey.

NEW AND USED TEXTBOOKS FOR 2008-09 – The used book sale last week was well received and well attended. Parents and students were appreciative of the changes that made it so much easier to order new textbooks and buy used ones. In August, used books may be purchased for all grade levels on both days of registration. Students will receive their schedules at that time so they can buy used textbooks and order new ones through the school’s new process. 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 will be new next year. Used workbooks cannot be sold. 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 families

TUITION FOR 2008-09 -- payment in full is due June 16 (late charge assessed at $1.00 per day after June 16).

GREEN & WHITE REUNION WEEKEND -- What a nice turn out Friday night at school and on Saturday afternoon at the athletic facility! Many thanks to our in-school committee for planning and organizing this event – Mary Frances Casey, Colleen McCartney, and David Hoffmann. Special thanks to Russ Miller for capturing the event!

SUMMER OFFICE HOURS -- The school office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. through June 27. The office will reopen MONDAY, August 4 at 9 a.m.

COMMUNITY SERVICE AND FINE ARTS/HUMANITIES REQUIREMENTS – Students who attended CCHS during the 2007-08 school year may begin to fulfill next year’s community service and fine arts/humanities requirements during the summer months. These activities must be submitted during the first quarter in order to receive credit. 6^th graders and other students new to CCHS in 2008-09 may not begin to work on these requirements until after the requirements are discussed in theology and English classes in August.

VIRTUS Training – All coaches and volunteers must complete this diocesan safe schools program before they can be involved in activities with CCHS students. Log onto www.virtusonline.org or www.charlestoncatholic-crw.org (see DWC Safe Environment/Volunteer Information link) to register. Please call Ms. FitzGerald for questions. The next training session here at CCHS is August 25 at 6 p.m. at CCHS.

CHANGES TO THE 2008-09 HANDBOOK: PERSONAL ELECTRONIC DEVICES, WATER BOTTLES, AND PROGRESS REPORTS – Look for changes next year in these three areas. 1) The use of personal electronic devices is not permitted during the school day. In addition to consequences already in place, others will also be in effect. 2) Water bottles have become a litter problem in classrooms, lockers, and hallways, despite our recycling efforts. There will be a change implemented next year. 3) Progress reports (not report cards) will be numerical rather than the range (e.g., A-B, etc.) previously used. These changes will be detailed in the 2008-09 Student and Parent Handbook.

CCHS SHAMROCK CLASSIC TENNIS TOURNAMENT AND PIG ROAST – After two very successful experiences, the Shamrock Classic is back on tap for September 12 – 14. 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 with the pig roast scheduled for Saturday evening. Anyone who would like to volunteer to help or to get other information should contact Lisa Dobbins (346-4995), Kelly and David Sadd (344-0651), or Sandy Campbell (343-8090). 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!

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. If families with more than one child would like to pick up schedules and so on for all their children at one time, they must come on Thursday, August 14, from 2:30 - 4 p.m. At all other times, schedules and other items 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

RISING SENIORS -- Photo Graphix is the official CCHS yearbook photographer and will be sending out a letter to each senior before the end of June. 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 (week of September 22).

DIOCESAN TUITION ASSISTANCE -- Those parents who applied for tuition aid through the Diocese should have heard from the Bishop’s office regarding their status. If you have not been informed, please contact Lisa Shay at CCHS.

DID YOUR CHILDREN COMPLETE SUMMER PACKETS FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CLASSES FAILED DURING 2007-08 SCHOOL YEAR? – If so, they must take their end-of-summer final exams with Simone Thomas on Wednesday, August 6 at 9 a.m.

THE IRISH WAY BASKETBALL CAMP – Once again, Ashley Shepler, CCHS high school teacher and coach, is offering sports camps at the CCHS athletic facility. The “development camp” for boys and girls in grades 3 through 6 (2008-09 school year) is scheduled for July 28-August 1 from 8:45 to noon. Boys and girls will not be playing together. The development camp costs $75. For information, contact Ms. Shepler at ashleyshepler@hotmail.com.

NOTES FROM THE PARENT VOLUNTEER ASSOCIATION (PVA) – Watch CCHS website for info!!!

1) Order forms for fleece jackets with CCHS logo, uniform white polo shirts, and green polo shirts for high school extracurriculars will be available on-line Monday, August 4 at the CCHS website (www.charlestoncatholic-crw.org).

2) 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.

3) 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.

4) 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.

A REMINDER ABOUT UNIFORMS -- As you and your children enjoy the non-uniform days of summer, please keep an eye toward August and the return to CCHS expectations. Uniforms are part of the CCHS package – and, as the school year wound down, some uniforms were looking ratty (!). Please take time to go through your children’s uniforms now and discard anything that is FADED, worn, torn, or otherwise inappropriate in a business-type atmosphere. A full description of uniform guidelines may be found in the handbook on our CCHS website. If you have any questions about uniform guidelines please call Ms. FitzGerald in August. And a word about face piercings: Students will not be allowed to wear facial jewelry or “place holders.” So please discourage your children from doing anything rash until after they graduate from high school!

IF YOUR LAST NAME IS DIFFERENT FROM YOUR CHILD’S NAME – please put the child’s full name on 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 August.

VOCALISTS and INSTRUMENTALISTS -- The CCHS choir needs you! There will be an introductory practice for anyone interested during the week of August 11. Details will be in the August newsletter. Please feel free to contact Mrs. Gail Stone at 548-6086 or gabipiedra@hotmail.com in the meantime.

HOPE (Housing Outreach Project Express) – Our summer home repair project with low income families in Clay County is pleased to announce the awarding of a very generous grant from Equitable Resources to help fund the purchase of construction materials. Our group of 65 Charleston Catholic students, parents, teachers, and alumni will work with eleven families this summer to help make their houses warmer, safer, and drier. We appreciate Equitable Resources’ generous support of HOPE ’08.

STUDENTS NEW TO CCHS–New students (7^th grade or higher) who have already been accepted to CCHS for the 2008-09 school year who are interested in playing fall sports should contact Bill Gillispie, our athletic director, for information (550-5702 or cchsathletics@yahoo.com).

SUMMER READING -- Each CCHS student is required to read selections for upcoming English classes as part of the school’s summer reading program. Tests will be given at the beginning of school in August – students should be prepared the first full day of school. Additional reading and writing activities involving the book(s) will occur during the first two weeks of school. Check Amazon.com to find less than list prices. No written responses are required during the summer but will be assigned after school begins. Reminder to students: Finish reading before school begins. Start the year with high scores!

SUMMER READING LIST:

Grade 12: (required for all) Siddhartha by Herman Hesse;

plus, choose one of the following: Worlds of Exile and Illusion (read Rocannon’s World and Planet of Exile) by Ursula LeGuin or Longitude by Dava Sobel

Grade 11: (both books required for all) Going after Cacciato by Tim O’Brien and Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson

Grade 10: (read two of the following) Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe, The Thirteenth Tale: A Novel by Diane Setterfield, Life of Pi by Yann Martel, Water for Elephants: A Novel by Sara Gruen

Grade 9: (both books are required for all) Click: One Novel Ten Authors by David Almond, et al. and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Grade 8: (both books are required for all) Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelsen and Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Grade 7: (both books are required for all) Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi

Grade 6: (required for all) The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

MRS. THOMAS’ TIPS --

1) SAT and ACT testing and registration information and registration is available online at -- www.collegeboard.org and www.act.org (CCHS code: 490-205).

2) Senior final transcripts will be mailed by June 25 to the colleges indicated by the students.

3) Class of 2009 (seniors) will need to complete their fine arts requirement by the end of the third quarter of their senior year and community service hours by the second Friday of May.

4) New students (except those from St. Agnes and Sacred Heart) must mail final report cards and achievement test results to the office by August 1.

5) Proof of Enrollment forms for drivers’ permits/licenses will be processed after classes begin in August.

6) College applications are due to Mrs. Thomas by November 1.

7) Stanford results and 7^th/10^th grade State Writing Assessment scores will be included in the August newsletter.

8) In the fall, Mrs. Thomas will schedule meetings for parents of rising 9^th, 11^th, and 12^th graders.

9) WV STARBASE Summer Engineering Camp – July 14 – 17 at the 130^th Airlift Wing in Charleston. Students entering grades 9 through 12 are invited to participate and will learn the fundamentals of 3-dimensional computer-aided design. Applications are available at www.wvstarbase.org. Applications are due June 27.

FALL SPORTS -- Students must have a completed doctor’s physical (administered after June 1, 2008) to give coaches on the first day of practice. This physical is good for the entire school year. Once teams have been selected, students participating on teams must turn in their athletic fees ($75 per sport) before uniforms will be issued. A student who has not turned in athletic uniforms from another sport will not be permitted to participate in the next sport. CCHS students in grades 7-12 are eligible for athletics if they meet SSAC requirements (including having 2.0 GPA at end of 2007-08 second semester). Sixth graders are encouraged to continue involvement in community and recreational sports leagues. If you have questions about fall sports – how to get involved, when practices start, and so on -- please contact Bill Gillispie, CCHS athletic coordinator, at 550-5702. Fall sports offered are: middle school (grades 7/8) – boys’ and girls’ soccer, volleyball, cross country, and cheerleading; high school – cross country, cheerleading, golf, boys’ and girls’ soccer, volleyball. For cross country (grades 7 – 12), please call Scott Welch (344-3006). Girls interested in playing middle school soccer should contact Benton Erskine at bser@suddenlink.net.

PHOTO CLUB -- We would like to begin a CCHS Photo Club in the fall open to all CCHS students and any parents wishing to participate. In addition to actually taking photographs, the group will meet weekly to explore photography topics along with what to do with the photos after they are taken. Anyone interested in taking or editing photos and in maintaining the CCHSPhotosOnline website should consider joining. You are not required to have your own camera equipment. For more details, please contact Russ Miller at russm01@suddenlink.net or 346-3441.

MERCURY DISPOSAL – Dorothy Scharf has made arrangements with Joel Hogue at Elemental Services and Consulting of Bowling Green, OH, to dispose of elemental mercury (e.g., in old thermometers) at CCHS. Mr. Hogue is actively trying to remove as much mercury as possible from our environment and will be coming to Charleston in July to pick it up and has offered this same service at no charge to our families. If you are interested, please call him at 740-815-9660.

SPORTS ROUND-UP from Bill Gillispie, CCHS Athletic Director --

Charleston Catholic had another great year in athletics. At the high school level, the volleyball team finished in a tie for third at the State Tournament, while the girls’ x-country team had a fifth place showing at the State Meet. The golf team won the State Championship giving the school its 20^th State Championship since it joined the SSAC in 1978. The girls’ soccer team became the first in school history to be named #1 overall in the state’s power rankings and set a record for wins in a season. The boys’ team experienced their 10^th winning season in a row. Both the middle school boys’ and girls’ soccer teams swept the Kanawha County Championships while volleyball had a winning season.

Winter sports brought boys’ and girls’ basketball at both levels as well as swimming for the high school. The high school basketball teams both appeared at the State Tournament with the two-time defending boys’ team falling in the championship game and the girls’ making it into the semifinals. Both middle school basketball teams had strong (winning!) seasons. Swimming is where the Irish made the biggest splash under first year coach Shannon Vollmer with the girls’ team not only making it to the state tournament but finishing third among all classes, the highest finish ever by a CCHS swim team.

Spring sports brought two more high school State Championships and a runner-up. Both boys’ and girls’ tennis won the class A-AA State Championships -- the boys’ third in four years, while the girls won their eighth state title. The middle school boys’ and girls’ tennis and golf teams all won County Championships. The high school softball team made their first state tournament appearance since 1999 and won 20 games for only the second time ever. The baseball team made it to their fourth straight State Tournament, falling to state champion Wheeling Central. Middle school softball, baseball, and track had successful, winning seasons. The high school girls’ track team racked up a state runner-up title with the boys’ team having a strong finish.

Overall CCHS made the State Tournament in 14 of the 17 high school varsity sports the school offers. Of those 14 sports, CCHS finished in the top 8 thirteen times.

Congratulations to all of our athletes and coaches for another spectacular year!

THANK YOU –

- to everyone who contributed to the faculty and staff benefit Fund for Excellence. The response, including those who will be joining us for the first time in August, has been solid and sends, in a very tangible way, a strong message of thanks to faculty and staff for their role in shaping young people’s lives. Thank you, too, to those who continue to donate to the Achieve the Dream Gym Campaign, helping to pay down the debt on the athletic facility.

- to the PVA board and committee members and to everyone who was involved in activities throughout the year – we couldn’t do it without you! So much good is being done through this group’s efforts. No words are adequate!

- to CCHS staff, supportive parents, dedicated coaches, loyal alumni, Monsignor Sadie, and others in the community who collaborated to make the 2008-09 school year so successful academically, spiritually, personally, and athletically for the student body.

- to the Class of 2008 for their class gift. During our recent graduation ceremony, they announced the establishment of the BOBBY HYPES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP, in honor of their classmate Bobby who died during their sophomore year. The school has followed their lead and matched the scholarship so that two rising freshmen can be recognized each year through $500 scholarships toward their 9^th grade tuition. The Class of 2008 will be missed in so many ways. This scholarship is just one example of their generous, beautiful spirits.

- to Kimberly Asseff and all who helped organize the beautiful 8^th grade moving up reception. It was a wonderful and delicious end to our students’ middle school experience!

- to Jake Krack, nationally recognized fiddler, for offering a performance to benefit the Quiz Bowl’s trip to the National Quiz Bowl in Chicago.

- to Pete Pauley and Mike DelGiudice who once again organized the CCHS golf tournament and to all the participants who came out for the wonderful experience and to support the school, raising $4000 in the process.

- to Russ Miller for his COUNTLESS HOURS spent at CCHS athletic, graduation, and other events, taking thousands (millions?) of pictures for our families and the school. What a selfless gesture to benefit members of the school community!

- to the 50 CCHS students who are working on 10 houses during HOPE (Housing Outreach Project Express) at the end of June in Clay County, improving living conditions for needy families. Special thanks to the adults, including alumni, who took vacation days to lead work crews. Many thanks to Clay County Schools personnel and members of the Catholic Church of the Risen Lord at Maysel for going out of their way to make housing and dining arrangements for our HOPE crew. Many thanks, too, to all who donated funds to support this remarkable project. All monies go directly into the project, buying construction supplies and other necessary items. Deepest appreciation goes to Jim Weimer, HOPE construction superintendent, and CCHS theology teacher Bill Mehle, who spend the year making contacts, working with students and community members to organize, raise money, train, and then “do” HOPE. This project truly makes a difference in the lives of our less fortunate neighbors.

- to Project Graduation chairs Ellen Linger and Susie Griffis and the Project Graduation committee members, volunteers, and sponsors who made the all-night celebration such a memorable and fantastic experience for the Class of 2008, the CCHS junior class, and their guests. We particularly thank Pam and Joe Farris, Stephen Seitz (06), Nancy Tompkins, Olivia Klee, Susan Scriptunas, Tom and Robert Linger, Maureen and James and Nathan Runyon, Mary Supcoe, Kathleen Bors, Mary Jane Baker, Ronald Baker, Amal Sankari, Mary Kidd, Terri and Tony Centofanti, and Todd and Sarah Witsberger. Special thanks to all the businesses and individuals who supported this party with their generous contributions: A special thanks to the sophomore class parents who donated so generously to the party, offering time, money, and wonderful spirit to the cause!

- to co-chairs Dena Wilcox and Shannon Lane and those who helped create a classy, delicious, beautifully decorated reception following Baccalaureate, including Lisa Dobbins, Christy Prudnick, Melanie Schlarb, Michael Tupta, Chrissy Hovorka, Carla Stricker, Darlene Ratliff-Thomas, Maria Sherrard, and Georgette George. What a wonderful celebration for our graduates and their families and friends! Special thanks to 9th and 10th grade parents and students who volunteered their time, effort, donations, and generous spirits.

- to co-chairs Lisa Cassis, Debbie Bogan, Missy Deer and everyone who helped organize, prepare, and clean up after the middle school athletic banquet. Special thanks to Gary Lane and the staff at the Pope John XXIII Center for all their support in making this an enjoyable evening for all and with amazing attendance!

- to 7^th/8^th grade teacher Toni Erby for organizing the fifth annual eighth-grade-downtown-litter-pick-up. Our 75 8^th graders spent a morning combing downtown streets and riverbank to rid our neighborhood of debris. Thanks, too, to parents and staff who helped supervise the students!

- to our International Tasting organizers Sandy Campbell, Julie Robinson, and Liz Weisberg and all the volunteers who helped make this year’s event exceptional in every way: Debby Sokolosky, Shannon Lane, David Campbell, Paula Jameson, Chris and Melanie Schlarb, Maria Rendinell, Robin Claudio, Cindy Silvestrucci, Christy Prudnick, Chris Williams, Katy White, Tess White, Grace and Chris Kim, Feli McKown, Felicitas Espiritu, Kelly Massinople, Peachy Lee, Marilyn Urecki, Cyndi Persily, Donna Slayton, Bobbi Skaff, Lisa Dobbins, Peggy Sadd, Bernarda Bandak, Amal Sankari, Michele Stanley, Lisa Cassis, Leila Tarakji, Sara Busse, Jewell Hughey, Leslie Gallian, Mike Tupta, Martina Hart, Sophia Werning, Kim Lannan, Connie Eggleton, Bill Gillespie, Chef Royce Caldwell, Diana Reynolds, Dena Wilcox, Ruth Saldahna, Victor Nease, Annette Carey, Libby Shrewsbury, Kirsten Portillo, Kim Asseff, Mimi Dinsmore and Pam Kuyk. Special thanks to “graduate” Sandy Campbell for her years of devotion to this project, making it the success that it has been and establishing a routine that will help the International Tasting continue to prosper in future years.

- to Mrs. Dorothy Scharf and the countless parents, students, businesses, teachers, and others who made this year’s Midsummer Night’s Dream-themed prom the incredible experience that it was. This event is our CCHS version of a Hollywood production with the glitz, drama, technical feats, themes, collaboration, inventiveness, and joy that coalesce to create a special moment in time that students will long remember. An impressive event from every angle!

- to Judith Whipkey, Diane Beckerle, LuAnn Summers, and others who worked with school personnel to sort, price, and arrange the used books and to Mrs. Gail Stone who oversaw the collection of books in classrooms. Many thanks, too, to the students and parents who helped during the actual sale. Everything went smoothly!

- to the Saldanha and Kesner families who provided extra snacks for the Drama Club during their final performance of the year.

CONGRATULATIONS

- to Class of 2008 valedictorian Corey Brady and to salutatorian Nora Sheridan.

- to Bobby Bird and Elizabeth Davis, recipients of the Mary Ferretti Memorial Scholarship, a cash award toward college tuition.

- to Katie Robinson, recipient of the CCHS Alumni Award.

- to seniors Gina Majestro and Taite Hughes, recipients of the Cotto-Thorner Service Award.

- to awards’ recipients: Andy Phillips (Rensselaer Science Award), Natalie Tupta (Harvard Book Award), Joanie Zekan (HOBY), and Katie Robinson (Mary Hart Creative Writing Award)

- to Emily Cline, recipient of the Mary Jennings Memorial Scholarship, and to Emily Blake, recipient of the Charleston Catholic High School Scholarship of Merit, each worth $4000 toward tuition during the high school years.

- to Samantha Busch and Alex Casingal, first recipients of the Bobby Hypes Memorial Scholarship, one supported by the class of 2008 and one supported by CCHS, in honor of Bobby Hypes, deceased member of the class of 2008.

- to Andy Phillips, Evan Cole, and Stephen Carey, CCHS’s representatives at the Marshall Math competition. As a team, they brought home first place and individually each placed in the top ten: Andy 1^st, Stephen 6^th, and Evan 8^th.

- to 8^th graders who had perfect attendance for grades 6, 7, and 8 at CCHS: Graham Davis, Haleigh Jeffrey, and Samantha Moore.

- to 8^th graders who earned all A’s during their 6 semesters of middle school at CCHS: Emily Blake, Alex Casingal, Samantha Istfan, Ian Lough, Lucky Lucente, Alexandrine Ratnani, Anna Wood.

- to 8^th graders who performed numerous extra service hours: Heidi Buscher, Dominick Centofanti, Taylor Deer, Keaghan Ritchie. We apologize for not recognizing Dominick during the 8^th Grade Moving Up Ceremony as being a member of this notably selfless and generous group.

- to 2008-09 high school student council officials: student body president Chava Urecki, senior class president Carly Treister, co-secretary/treasurers May Zekan and Lindsey Coyle, freshmen representatives Keaghan Ritchie and Alexandrine Ratnani, sophomore representatives Alexandra George and Christian Kim, and junior representatives Max Gottleib and Emily Sokolosky.

- to the Drama Club students and sponsors (Mr. Fix, Ms. Paul, and Mrs. D’Brot) for their third production of the year, “As You Like It.” Their “As You Like It” must have Mr. Shakespeare smiling broadly!

- to our high school Quiz Bowl team for their strong performance at the national Quiz Bowl event over Memorial Day weekend. We look forward to watching you continue to prosper!

- to all of our students and staff for all of their accomplishments this year!

- to Jamie Deviese, CCHS Class of 1998, who was ordained as a deacon in May. After continuing his studies in Rome this year, he will be ordained priest in June 2009.

- to Nick Casey, CCHS alumnus (1971) and active participant in the life of the school, Church, and state, for being honored with the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory the Great on Sunday, June 15.

CALENDAR FOR 2008-09 SCHOOL YEAR – This calendar is being provided to help families plan for the next school year. With this information in hand, families should be able to look ahead and avoid student absences for family trips or other occasions. At the end of each semester, students must make up time missed for illness or other non-school related reasons (more than 5 absences per semester in any class) in order for class credit to be granted. Please note exam days -- students must take exams on the days/times when the exams are scheduled.

Wednesday, August 13 high school registration (schedules, used books, book orders, fees, etc.)

Thursday, August 14 middle school registration (schedules, used books, book orders, fees, etc.)

Wednesday, August 20 first day of class for all students

Monday, August 25 VIRTUS training at 6 p.m. at CCHS

Thursday, Friday, August 28/29 senior retreat

Monday, September 1 Labor Day - no school

September 12-14 Shamrock Classic Tennis Tournament and Pig Roast

Thursday, September 25 School photos

Saturday, September 27 HS homecoming soccer games and dance

November 1 college applications to Mrs. Thomas in order to be mailed by Christmas

Monday, November 10 Veterans Day celebration - no school

Wednesday, November 26 11:30 a.m. dismissal for Thanksgiving

Thursday/Friday, November 27-28 Thanksgiving vacation

Wednesday-Friday, December 17, 18, 19 exams (no exceptions)

Monday, December 22 first day of Christmas vacation

Monday, January 5 classes resume

Monday, January 19 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - no school

Monday, February 16 Presidents’ Day - no school

Friday, April 10 Good Friday - first day of Easter vacation

Monday, April 20 classes resume

Monday, May 25 Memorial Day - no school

Tuesday, May 26 Baccalaureate (tentative)

Wednesday, May 27 Graduation (tentative)

June 3, 4, 5 exams for grades 6 - 11 (no exceptions)

Thursday, June 4 8^th grade moving up ceremony

Congratulations,

Charleston Catholic High School

Class of 2008!

58 graduates---all college bound

10% National Merit Finalists

74% PROMISE Scholarship Qualifiers

9% Eagle Scouts

~Offered $ 4.6 million merit-based scholarships – every graduate received some sort of scholarship

~Contributed over 4900 community service hours during their senior year

~Took AP College Board Exams in Art History. Biology, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Computer Science, English Language and Composition, English Literature, French Language, Human Geography, Physics Mechanics, Physics Electricity and Magnetism, Psychology, Statistics, Studio Art, and U.S. History---(28% of Class of 2007 were honored as AP Scholars, AP Scholars with Honors, and AP Scholars with Distinction)

~Accepted by 113 colleges and universities and attending *34 across the U.S.