News
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May Messages
Posted May 1
As May approaches we know that the school year is quickly coming to an end. I hope and trust you will encourage your daughters to stay focused during the last few weeks of the school year. Teachers are asked to post a final Progress Report for the fourth quarter no later than Wednesday, May 17. Please review these with your daughter and contact any teachers if necessary.
There are many activities that take place between now and the end of the school year:
Archbishop’s Holiday
I am sure many of you heard that we had a wonderful celebration and dedication of our new athletic fields. We were very blessed to have Archbishop Lori preside over our celebration. The Archbishop very generously granted our school a special holiday to be used at the discretion of the administration. As I shared in an email last week, I am happy to announce that we will take this holiday on Monday, May 20. The Art and Talent Shows originally scheduled for that evening have been moved to Tuesday, May 21. We hope that all of our faculty, staff and students enjoy this holiday.Seniors
Announcements for Graduation will be distributed to seniors during Advisory during the week of May 6. Each senior receives 15 announcements. If you need a few more, please contact Trish Miller at millert@maryvale.com.Gym Meet
An exciting event every year, Gym Meet will take place on Friday, May 24 at Oregon Ridge. We will ask that students be dropped off at Oregon Ridge at 8:30 a.m. and picked up no later than 3:00 p.m. It is important that students be picked up by 3:00 p.m. because we must be off the grounds by this time.
Sports Boosters will be selling lunch beginning at 10:45 a.m. Students should bring money for lunch, and leave their iPads home for the day. Marches will begin at noon. Please bring a blanket or chair and join us for an afternoon of fun. For the safety of students and guests, we ask that you do not bring any pets with you.
Traffic in the morning around Shawan Road can be challenging, such as cars turning left from Shawan Road onto Beaver Dam Road to access Oregon Ridge. An alternate route is to travel Padonia or Warren Road north on Beaver Dam Road. You would then turn left directly into Oregon Ridge. This will help with the intersection at Shawan and Beaver Dam Roads. The address of Oregon Ridge is 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville for those using GPS. We are working to make the day safe and ensure that everyone has a good time. The purpose of the day is to have fun and build community spirit. Please stress with your daughters that it is important to be "good sports" whether they win or lose the Gym Meet Banner.
Exams/Tests
Teachers will be finishing course content and preparing students for exams. The exam/test schedule will be posted on Edline. Teachers will be giving review guides or outlines to students later in the month. Exams count as 20% of the semester grade. Students often do not perform as well on final exams because they do not spend as much time preparing and studying for these important tests as they do in January. This is often due to thoughts of summer vacation and other activities. Limiting schedules and helping students set priorities can help them stay focused and do well on their exams.
Used Books
The course selection process has concluded and the next step will be selling and buying used books for next year. Students will receive a copy of their course selections from their advisors during the last week of school. Scheduling for the next school year will continue through the summer. Sometimes conflicts occur and books may need to be exchanged. I strongly encourage you to participate in the Mothers’ Club used book collection and sale. The Mothers’ Club will exchange books if conflicts occur. Important dates to remember:- May 17: Used Book list posted on Edline.
- June 5 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.: Senior books will be collected prior to Graduation practice.
- June 5: Middle School books will be collected after exams/tests.
- June 6: Upper School books will be collected after exams.
- June 10: Used Book Sale in the Dining Room.
A list of new books will be posted on Edline later this summer. More -
Happy Spring
Posted April 1
As you read this month’s newsletter we will have started our Spring Break.
Report cards were mailed Wednesday, March 27. If you have a question about any of your daughter’s grades, please email the teacher directly.
April is a short month so here are a few updates: Justice Advocacy Day
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The third quarter ended last week with a day dedicated to Justice Advocacy. I would like to thank seniors Carly Lutz and Samantha Kozlowski for their leadership in organizing and coordinating all activities for the day. Under Mr. Vogrin’s direction, these student-leaders created a schedule, invited guest speakers and planned activities for students in both the Upper and Middle School. They raised awareness on several issues, and it is always inspiring to see our students become "teachers" on such important issues. Courses and Books for 2013-2014
At this time of the year, we begin to plan for the next school year. Students have selected courses and I am working with Department Chairs to finalize classes for the 2013-2014 school year. I will be working with students if course selections need to be changed. Please remember that rising seniors have first priority for electives, then juniors, etc. Students will receive a list of their classes in late May so they may buy used books. -
There is Much Excitement and Activity as March Begins at Maryvale
Posted March 1
Exciting events in March:
- March 4-5: Senior Retreat
- March 7: Meet the Coaches Night
- March 9: Maryvale MidAtlantic Lacrosse Invitational
- March 11-15: Middle School Stanford 10 Testing
- March 14: Pi Day, Sophomore Pin Ceremony and Quinceanera’
- March 23: Sports Boosters Bull and Oyster Roast
- March 27: Report Cards Mailed
- March 28-April 7: Easter Break
The Third Quarter closes on March 22. You should have seen a first Progress Report by today and a second by March 15. Please take the time to discuss these with your daughter and encourage her to make any necessary changes to be successful. Teachers are available for students during study halls, free periods and resource time. Teachers are also available before and after school. Remind your daughter to make an appointment to see a teacher if necessary. Course Selections for 2013-2014
All families should have received their reenrollment materials for the 2013-2014 year. During the week of March 11, students entering grades 9-12 will begin to sign up for courses. The Course Description Booklet will be available online this month and students will be able to download a PDF copy to their iPad. Additionally, I will meet with each class to review the procedure for signing up for courses. More -
Important February Dates
Posted February 1
Well, it is back to winter today as I write my message for the newsletter. Hopefully you noticed that the short days of light are becoming a little longer each day and spring will be here before we realize.
Thank you to the parents who attended our Parent Visitation Day on Tuesday, January 29 during Catholic Schools Week. We ended the week with a spirited Purple Friday! Go Ravens!
February is the shortest calendar month but always seems to be filled with the most activities!
The week of February 4 brings Fuel Fund Awareness Week in which students have developed a program of events for the entire week. All Upper School students and our 8th graders are invited to attend a Fuel Fund Lock-In on the evening of Friday, February 8. At the event, participants will experience what it is like to be without electricity and become aware of how the Fuel Fund helps our neighbors in need.Monday, February 11 is also a special day for the freshmen. They experience their first Upper School retreat at Sparks Retreat House. Under the direction of Mrs. Tilghman, our Campus Minister, students will build on the themes from their community building day and focus on personal growth.
Wednesday, February 13 begins the Holy Season of Lent. We will celebrate a 9:30 a.m. Liturgy with the distribution of ashes. You are always welcome to come and celebrate with our school community. Each year during Lent, students raise funds for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur’s efforts to provide clean water to impoverished parts of the world where they minister. Students will again be collecting pennies and other change as they battle against each other to see who can raise the most money. So if you are missing your spare change in February and March, you will know where it is headed!
Thursday, February 14, Valentine’s Day, will be a special day for our 8th graders. On the day before official acceptance letters are mailed to new students, we are going to celebrate our 8th graders, as they move to 9th grade, with a special treat in recognition of their accomplishments.
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Happy New Year!
Posted January 1
Happy New Year! I trust everyone had a blessed Christmas and a relaxing New Year. Here is what is happening in January:
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Exams/Tests
We have two short weeks until exams begin on Friday, January 18. The exam schedule is posted on Edline. Faculty have distributed, or will distribute, study guides and/or hold in-class review sessions to discuss what material will be covered on the exams. Students should study for exams for short periods of time over the next several weeks rather than hours the day before the exam. Additionally, an in-class review day has been scheduled for Thursday, January 17 for students to ask questions on material they have studied. We will dismiss at 2 p.m. that day so students may focus on their studying. There will not be any practices scheduled for this day.
Middle School students have a study day on Friday, January 18 and may make appointments to see teachers if necessary. Hopefully the review days are not the first day students begin to study and ask questions.
Make-up exams will only be given on Friday, January 25 to students who provide a doctor’s note indicating the student was out due to illness.
Classes resume on Monday, January 28. Students in semester courses will attend their first semester classes to review exams and second semester courses begin on Tuesday, January 29.
As always, students should be on time and in proper uniform for their exams. We will use the IRIS system and our website to share any weather-related announcements. Please make sure you have a current telephone and email address in IRIS. Maryvale follows Baltimore County Public Schools (Hereford Zone) announcements.