FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mr. James G. White, Principal
Marquette
Catholic High
School
306 West
Tenth Street
Michigan City, Indiana 46360
Phone: 219.873.1325
www.marquette-hs.org
MARQUETTE CATHOLIC
HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES TEXT FOR THE
COMMON EXPERIENCE
Michigan City, Indiana
- June 22, 2010 - Marquette Catholic High School
Principal 
James G. White announces today that the text for The Common
Experience for the Class of 2014 is To
Kill A Mockingbird.
Marquette Catholic
High School is committed to developing
a college-preparatory atmosphere that promotes high expectations, rigorous and
relevant studies, and a faith community for all students. In our quest for
excellence, we continue to search out best practices in secondary and
post-secondary educational opportunities that will support this endeavor. The
Common Experience is a current practice modeled after many college and
university freshman orientation programs. The intent of this "book talk" is to
provide a shared reading experience for all incoming freshman students and
their teachers. By embracing the opportunities of reading one common text, it
is hoped students and staff will begin to connect and communicate personal
experiences, discuss core values, and to cultivate a positive and nurturing
school culture and community. In addition, the program is intended to promote
sustained, multiple conversations, on a common theme, both in and out of the
classroom.
Each year, the Marquette
staff has an opportunity to recommend a text that might be utilized for The Common
Experience. After a text is selected and approved, all incoming freshmen are
provided a copy of the text for summer reading. A team of teachers are then
selected to facilitate a format for discussion which will be implemented at our
freshman orientation. The text will then be used for study in our freshman
English classes.
Mr. White states, "we hope The Common Experience provides incoming
freshmen with an introduction to academic expectations and intellectual
engagement, a common experience with peers and faculty, opportunities for
self-reflection and critical thinking and a powerful, meaningful, and FUN
experience. It is opportunities and
programs like The Common Experience that continue to make Marquette Catholic
the place it is - a place for students to be challenged - to deepen their faith
- and learn of the issues of social justice.
We simply remember what we learned in the 25th Chapter of
Matthew's Gospel when Jesus reminds us that "whatever you do for one of
the least of my people, you do for me."
Therefore, we will continue our focus of service learning and service above
self - themes that are expressed in To
Kill A Mockingbird."
Marquette Catholic selects Harper Lee's novel, To Kill A Mockingbird, as the text for The Common Experience for
the Class of 2014. All incoming freshman students will be provided a copy of
the text in July. Students are expected to read and research the text over
their summer break. The text will be discussed in a "book talk" setting during
freshman orientation. All students are expected to share ideas about the text
during our first week of school. A reflection paper and additional assessments
will measure students' comprehension. Assessment grades will be applied to
freshmen English 9 courses. Assignments, a study guide, and reflection paper
will be assigned when students receive their copy of the text.
The school will afford every incoming freshman a copy of To Kill A Mockingbird. Texts are
available for pick-up at no charge in our Advancement Office in the Scholl Center
from July 5th through the 31st from 8 a.m. until 11
a.m. If you cannot pick the book up
during these times - please email Jennifer Quinlan at jquinlan@marquette-hs.org and
arrangements will be made.
# # #
For information: www.marquette-hs.org
Contact: jwhite@marquette-hs.org
Phone: 219.873.1325
