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 Cougar Connection
Monthly
E-Newsletter
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| Dux Esto . . . Be A Leader! | September 2011 |
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 Greetings!
Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year. A special welcome to all of you who may be new to our community. I know you will find Gross Catholic to be a good place for both you and your families. This year we welcome the largest incoming freshman class in six years. We have 122 new faces in our building and we are happy to have them with us. The year seems to be off to a smooth start. We have several upcoming events that will not only be fun to attend, but will benefit our school community as well. Our annual Grandparents' Day Mass will take place on Friday, September 9 at 11:00 a.m., followed by an early dismissal for all students to enjoy the day with their grandparents and other family members. On Monday, September 12, we begin our Homecoming Week festivities. We hope to see many alumni come back and take part in our Homecoming Tailgate party prior to the game on Thursday, September 15. Our dance is on Friday night, September 16, and lots of special days are planned for our students throughout the week. Check out the schedule for all the Homecoming events online. Finally, our Cougar Classic Golf Tournament, which raises money to benefit our sports and activities programs, takes place at Platteview Country Club on Monday, September 26. Thanks to Mr. Tim Burke and his sons, Matt '02 and Pat '04, for chairing the golf tournament committee. Please join us for a great day of golf and camaraderie while supporting the Cougars. Register your foursome online today! We are looking forward to another exciting school year. We thank you for entrusting us with your wonderful children. We consider it a privilege to be able to work with them. God's Blessings, Beckie Cleveland President |
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| Provide an Integral, Quality Education | |
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Back to School Night
Wednesday, September 7 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm
We welcome parents to meet classroom teachers and to learn more about our curriculum. Copies of student class schedules will be distributed as parents arrive and period 1 classes begin promptly at 6:30 pm. Classroom presentations will run approximately 10 minutes. |
 Join the Nebraska Federation of Catholic School Parents
The NFCSP is a statewide organization committed to the education rights of parents. Its 17,000 members work to inform the Catholic school community about public policy affecting Catholic schools, advocate for parental choice in education, mobilize the Catholic school community to communicate with legislators, and enhance the advocacy efforts of the Nebraska Catholic Conference. Click here to download your registration form. We encourage you to enroll today. |
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21st Century Strategies for Healthy Teens
Tuesday, October 4 at 7:00 pm
Marian High School
The Parent Awareness Coalition will present a program for teens and parents featuring Kimberly Haugen, PhD, LP, NCSP, Psychologist & Assistant Training Director for Boys Town Center for Behavioral Health and Natasha Robinson LCSW, LIMHP, LADC, Director of Chemical Use Program for Boys Town Center for Behavioral Health. All Catholic high school students and parents are invited.
The mission of the Omaha Catholic Parent Awareness Coalition is to communicate available resources to the families of our Catholic High Schools. The PAC Resource link "Parent Resources" provides direct access to websites from credible sources to the parent population. The intent is to support: open communication, educational information, and social awareness of resources available to parents, reflective of Catholic beliefs. To learn more about the Parent Awareness Coalition and access their resource page, click here. |
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 Grandparents Day Mass
Friday, September 9 at 11:00 am
Early Dismissal after Mass
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It's a bird . .. It's a plane . . . It's  Homecoming!
Tailgate, Chili Cookoff Competition & Game
Thursday, September 15 beginning at 5:00 pm in West Parking Lot
The Cougar Family is invited to join us for our annual Homecoming Tailgate, sponsored by the Alumni Association. Enjoy the famous Cougar chili, drinks and side dishes. Please bring a dessert or chips to share and a lawn chair.
After the tailgate, join the Homecoming Court and Cougar Band in the spirit march to Bryan stadium and cheer on the Varsity Football team as they face the South Sioux City Cardinals at 7:00 pm.
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| College & Career Counseling | |
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Catholic College Fair
Monday, September 19
9:00 - 10:00 am in Main Gym
Students are invited to visit with representatives from over 25 Catholic colleges. Parents are welcome to attend.
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 Register for the ACT & SAT Tests The registration deadline for the October 22 ACT offered at Gross Catholic is September 16. The cost is $34 for ACT or $49.50 for ACT plus writing test. Students may register online.
The Gross Catholic code for both tests is 281712. |
 Information for Seniors Mrs. Schow, College Counselor, will be visiting senior classes soon with planning information about the college application process, financial aid and scholarships, and college visits.
EducationQuest 11031 Elm Street in Rockbrook Seniors and their parents are encouraged to visit EducationQuest for free help with college searches, financial aid and scholarship searches. Call 402-391-4033 to set up an appointment. |
 Leadership Program for Sophomores
Sophomores are encouraged to apply for this year's Youth Leadership Omaha at Creighton University. This program is designed to provide high shcool sophomores with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills through interaction with community decision-makers and issue-oriented seminars. Applications are available online. The deadline for all forms is September 12. |
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Driver Education
Mondays & Wednesdays Oct. 3-26
3:05 - 5:35 pm
Students receive 25 hours of driver's education, 20 hours of classroom instruction and 3 - 5 hours of behind the wheel driving (during the school day). Successful completion of this course will qualify the student for a Provisional Operator's Permit (POP) and a Driver Education Insurance Certificate. Click here for the registration form. |
 September is Library Card Sign Up Month! A membership to your local public library is the most important school supply of all!
English assignments oftentimes depend on students using the public library databases. Omaha Public Libraries offer free tutoring for all ages in dozens of subjects at Tutor.com. Learning Express is another online resource filled with practice exams for all ages. There are also practice tests for those studying for the ACT, SAT, AP exams and dozens of other standardized tests.
Have your student see Mrs. Reddel in the school library for help with getting a public library card to any Omaha area public library system, or click here for links to more information on how to join! |
 Cougar Caller Directory
Safe Home Project |
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Cougar Classic Golf Tournament
Monday, September 26
11:00 am at Platteview Country Club
Join us for a wonderful day of golf supporting Cougar athletics and activities! Begin your day with a golfer's lunch, tournament shot-gun start, pin prizes on every hole, and door prizes, followed with dinner and awards!
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 Pancake & Sausage Family Breakfast
Sunday, October 2
8:30 am - 1:30 pm in Commons
Support the Gross Catholic Dance Teams and treat the famiily to pancakes! Cost: $5 adults, $3 children under 10 or $20 family rate. Contact coach Denise Gehringer for tickets or more information.
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Junior Cougar Basketball Sign Ups
September 1, 6 & 8
6:00-7:30 pm in Commons
Work with high school coaches! Improve your technique and skills! Learn more about Cougar athletic programs!
Junior Cougar Boys is for grades 3-8. Contact Tim Powers, Gross Catholic Boys Varsity Coach, for more information. |
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Educate for Formation in Faith 
You are always welcome to join the Cougar Family as we celebrate our faith.
September 8 Marianist LIFE Community at 6:00 pm in room 211
September 9 Grandparents Day Mass at 11:00 am in Main Gym
September 12 Homecoming Mass at 9:04 am in Main Gym
October 4 All-School Mass at 9:04 am in Main Gym
October 11 Marianist LIFE Community at 6:00 pm in room 211 |
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Live Broadcast of Homecoming Football Game! 
Our September 15 Homecoming Game will be broadcast live on KXVO/KTPM Thursday Night Showdown!
Tune in at 7:00 pm or set your DVR to tape the game on Cox Channel 11! |
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Upcoming Events 
September 5 Labor Day - No School
September 7 Back to School Night
September 8 Faculty Meeting - Late Start
September 10 ACT at Gross Catholic
September 16 Teacher Inservice - No School
September 19 Catholic College Fair
September 22 Faculty Meeting - Late Start
September 26 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament - No School
September 30 Archdiocesan Fall Conference - No School
October 2 Pancake Breakfast
October 6 Faculty Meeting - Late Start |
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College & Career Counseling 
Be sure to stop in and meet your counselor!
Mrs. Liz Schow (ext. 112) works with juniors and seniors and is the college couselor.
Mr. Joe Mlnarik (ext. 113) works with freshmen and sophomores. He coordinates special programs, standardized testing, and serves as the military contact.
Mrs. Hazuka (ext. 115) serves as the Guidance Dept. secretary on Monday & Tuesdays. |
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Fall Sports & Activities 
September 12-16 Homecoming Week
September 14 Power Puff Football at 2:17 pm on Practice Field
September 15 Homecoming Pep Rally at 2:17 pm in Main Gym
Homecoming Tailgate & Chili Cook-Off at 5:00 pm in West Parking Lot
Homecoming Football Game at 7:00 pm at Bryan Stadium
September 16 Homecoming Dance at 8:30 pm with Coronation at 8:45 pm in Main Gym Football Schedule Volleyball Schedule Softball Schedule Cross Country Schedule Boys Tennis Schedule Girls Golf Schedule |
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GEO Garden 
Anyone thinning out plants and would like to donate them to school, please bring them to school and place them by the gazebo with your name on them. I will get them planted. You can purchase a brick or tree for the garden. Contact Rich Carey for details. This is a great time to walk through the garden and smell the roses. |
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| Contact Information | |
Gross Catholic High School is a faith and family based community committed to developing Christian leaders through educational excellence in the Marianist tradition.
Gross Catholic
7700 S. 43rd St
Bellevue, NE 68147
402.734.2000 |
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