News
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December News
Posted December 1
Yesterday marked the beginning of a new church year as we began the holy season of Advent. Part of our preparation as a school community is helping others in need, and need is not always financial. Under the direction of SoJuCo, advisory groups in the Upper and Middle School will be assigned a family from Johns Hopkins Pediatric Oncology Unit, and they will be asked to provide gifts and food to these families for the holiday. This tradition is led by faculty member Laura Hanna, who lost a son to cancer many years ago. She continues to educate our community about the many needs of families struggling with a life-threatening illness.
It is amazing to see the generosity of our students as gifts for children and young teens who are suffering with cancer are brought forward during our Candy Cane Social Christmas Prayer Service. Our students are living the true meaning of Christmas.
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November News
Posted November 1
Happy November! The quarter ends today, November 1. Despite our few days off due to Hurricane Sandy, Maryvale’s faculty is confident knowing there are enough assessments to evaluate students for the first quarter. Any tests or quizzes scheduled for this week will count toward the second quarter. Report cards will be mailed November 9.
I would like to remind parents how your daughter’s GPA (Grade Point Average), a cumulative calculation done at the end of every school year, is determined. Based on a student’s final grade, her GPA is obtained using the chart on page 26 of the handbook, which may be found on the Maryvale website.
The quarter and exam grades are used to calculate the semester grade. The exam is 20% of the semester grade. Honor Roll is determined using the same chart on page 26 and is announced following each quarter and at the semester. A student’s semester, final and GPA are recorded on her transcript, a document sent to colleges. If you ever have any questions about your daughter’s GPA please do not hesitate to contact me.
As we begin November, I want to update you on our ongoing Middle States Action Plans. Last year the faculty and administration examined our school schedule and, as you know, created our current 10-day model. Maryvale continues to evaluate this model with our faculty and students and will make slight changes if necessary.
Throughout the year, department heads and administrators are evaluating our present course of studies due to our focus on academic excellence and our students’ personal development. Currently, we are placing a priority on Modern Language and our Fine and Performing Arts program. We will keep you updated on our progress. Lastly, I wish you and your family blessings and I thank you for being part of our Maryvale community. I have asked faculty not to assign any homework or projects over the Thanksgiving or Christmas breaks so students may enjoy time with their families. God Bless,
Donna Bridickas
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Happy October!
Posted October 1
Classes are well underway and summer is a faint memory. Last month included the Investiture of our new president, Tracey H. Ford as well as Internet Safety Day. A nice article about our Internet Safety Day ran in the Baltimore Sun; please click here to view the online version. Maryvale is into the second year of our iPad integration and we continue to stress with our students the responsible use of technology. If you missed Richard Guerry’s presentation on digital consciousness, you may find information at www.iroc2.org. Hopefully your daughters came home and talked about the “Golden Rule of the 21st Century”: Public and Permanent. Ask them about it! Here is what is happening in October: Parent/Teacher Conferences
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At least one progress report has been sent from your daughter’s teachers via Edline. As a reminder, one must have an Edline account to view this information; therefore, it is important to have a valid email address on file in order to receive notification. Everyone should have received an email about Parent/Teacher Conferences. Conferences will be held on Wednesday, October 17 from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Thursday, October 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Conferences are held at these times for parent convenience and so that parents have an opportunity to see teachers before the first report card is sent home. Parents still have time to make appointments with teachers. Conference requests must be scheduled through Edline by 8 a.m. on Monday, October 15. Parents will receive a schedule with times and room assignments via email by Tuesday, October 16. -
Welcome to the New School Year!
Posted September 1
It is wonderful to hear our buildings and grounds come alive with the sounds of happy students and faculty who have returned for the year. We are all very excited to begin the new school year
The faculty attended the Archdiocesan Convocation on Monday, August 20, beginning with a liturgy celebrated by Archbishop William Lori. The following Maryvale faculty members were recognized for their years of dedication and service to Catholic Education. For 15 Years: Sarah Butcher, Sarah Read and Margaret White; 20 Years: Marce Fackler Hughes ’88; 30 Years: Maggie Sprinkle; and 40 Years: Betty Coyle. The afternoon concluded with Keynote Speaker, Dr. David Sousa, who spoke about “How the Brain Learns.” The remainder of the week was spent at Maryvale setting goals, updating our Advisory Program and finding new Apps to use on the iPad. I am continuously impressed with our faculty’s commitment and dedication. Your daughters benefit from their passion and knowledge every day.
Please come and meet your daughter’s teachers at the Upper School Back to School Night on Thursday, September 6 at 6:30 p.m. and the Middle School Back to School Night on Thursday, September 13 at 6:30 p.m. Both events will begin in the McCarthy Hall Auditorium. You will have the opportunity to meet teachers as you follow your daughter’s schedule. If you are new to Maryvale, these events are also a great way to meet fellow parents in your daughter’s classes.
As a result of our current Middle States Strategic Plan, the faculty studied our daily schedule last year and the school decided to implement a new schedule for the 2012-2013 year. An Advisory Period and a Resource Period have been added to the end of the school day, providing purposeful time each day for academic skill building, test preparation, personal growth, social awareness, one-on-one academic advising, and more. It will also assist athletes who have to leave early for games. To accomplish this, the school day will now begin at 7:55 a.m. but still end at 3:00 pm. Students should report to their first period class each morning.
We have been using the new circle between the turf field and Rodriguez Center for student drop-off and pick-up. Student drivers who are parking should use the road that leads to the parking lots. If students arrive late, they must be dropped off at the front of the Rodriguez Center to receive a late pass. Students will not be admitted to class without a late pass. All Middle School students should wait in the Dining Room if they arrive before 7:40 a.m. They will be dismissed to the Locker Room at 7:40 a.m. As a reminder, the Dining Room will be open in the morning until 7:50 a.m. for breakfast.
Students who are not picked up by 3:30 p.m. should wait in the Dining Room after school for their rides. As we live through this new procedure, we will continue to assess and make changes if necessary.
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Back to School News
Posted August 1
I trust that everyone has been enjoying a restful and relaxing summer. As you read this newsletter, the back to school mailing is on its way to your home. It is filled with information regarding the purchase of books as well as numerous letters to start the school year in the right direction. Please carefully review the list of times and places indicating when and where your daughter should report for orientation, computer training and classes. These items may also be found under Campus News in the newsletter.
As you read in Mrs. Ford’s letter, much has been done to ready the campus for your daughter’s arrival in a few weeks. The faculty has been working over the summer, many taking classes and/or working on their curriculum to ensure a successful academic program.
Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Amy Belz, who will teach Middle School Spanish and Spanish I; Mrs. Melissa Boyle, who will teach Religion 6, 7 and 9; and Ms. Christina Astheimer, who will teach Upper School Spanish. We also welcome Mrs. Molly Mayer who will direct our St. Julie Billiart Scholars program. You will have an opportunity to meet them, as well as the entire faculty, at our Back to School nights in September.
Has your daughter grown over the summer? If you have not already done so, now is a good time to find your daughter’s uniform! Does the hem need to be lowered? Do blazer sleeves or pockets need to be sewn? The Uniform Company will be in the Rodriquez Center from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Monday, August 27 and Tuesday, August 28 for those who need to buy new shirts or skirts. Used Uniforms will also be available. You may visit The Uniform Company online at www.dennisuniform.com.
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