Family Newsletter

In This Issue

Upcoming Events

From the Principal

Dear Marist Families,

At last, a decision has been made regarding our new uniform company!  After extensive comparison shopping and parent input, we believe we can get the best quality for the best price right here in Bayonne.  Herbert Army and Navy Store, which stocks uniforms for the public schools in town, is eager to be of service to Marist.  The store is located at 468 Broadway between 21st and 22nd Streets, with convenient parking on 22nd Street between Broadway and Avenue C.  Their phone number is 201-437-7904. The owners are creating a website as well, for our convenience.  All embroidery and alterations are done on site.  Delivery within 10 days is guaranteed.  We hope this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship! 

As we transition into this new service, we ask that parents/guardians be more mindful of the Marist High School dress code.  Please purchase only shirts and slacks that bear the Marist logo.  In addition, carefully measure the length of the skirt to be sure it is modest in length, no more than four inches above the top of the knee.  Freshmen girls can now purchase the sweater vest that the former company failed to stock.  Please note, that as we move forward starting with the class of 2015, all girls will be required to wear either a sweater vest or a long-sleeved sweater as part of the standard uniform.   Likewise, the uniform shoe for both boys and girls, beginning with the Class of 2015 is an all-black, tie VAN.  Herbert Army and Navy is looking into stocking the shoe as well.

Our intent is to have our students look as smart as they are!  Professional behavior implies dressing for success.  We all know that we only have one chance to make a good impression.  We also know that we ourselves act more professionally when we are dressed in our professional attire. 

Attaining a uniform dress code has been difficult up to this point.  We also know that purchases have already been made for this year, and that it will take a little time for us to reach 100% compliance.  What we ask is that no new purchases be made from any vendor other than Herbert Army and Navy store.   We are willing to be patient until the end of this school year.  By September 2012, all must be in compliance.

Forgive me for devoting so much of this letter to the mundane topic of uniforms!  Let me end on a different note.  As we approach Christmas, awaiting Our Lord's coming during this Advent season, I am reminded that Our Savior came dressed in human form.  God became man for our sake so that we could know Him in His son Jesus, and so that He could know us as brother and sister.   The Coming of God brings us joy and compassion, peace and understanding.  Let us embrace the season and let it embrace us.  May the goodness of God reign in your hearts at this season and all throughout the new year.  Enjoy the holidays with your loved ones.

Sincerely,
Ms. Miesnik

P.S.  Please note that this newsletter is for both December and January.  You'll hear from me again after the mid-term exams!

Academic News

Thank you to each of you who attended Parent/Teacher Conferences in November.  Please keep the lines of communication open, especially if your son/daughter needs to improve in a given subject.

Study Hall began November 15 for any student that failed two or more subjects.  This mandatory supervised quiet time will enable students who need it to start their homework, read or review for the next day, and to obtain tutoring.  Each Friday a weekly progress report will be mailed home to you so that you too can keep up on your child's progress in the subjects that they had failed.  Encourage your son/daughter to take advantage of this opportunity to turn around a failing grade. 

Activity Period began on November 30 and will take place again on December 14 and on January 11.  Ask your son/daughter in which activity he/she is participating.

MEDQUEST in the News:  Two of our students and our MEDQUEST Director, Ms. D'Alessio, were interviewed by New Jersey New 12!  Check it out on "12 in Our Schools" Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11 at 7AM, 12 noon, and 3PM.

Progress Reports for grades-to-date at the mid-point of the marking period will be ready on December 15 and will be sent out via e-mail.  Please be sure that the school has your correct e-mail address.  If you have changed your e-mail address, please contact Mrs. DePoalo (201-437-4545 x 201) and let her know.

Chapter 192 is a free program provided through the Bayonne Board of Education that offers remediation for students who have scored below the 40th percentile onstandardized tests. If your son/daughter is eligible, you should have received a letter and a form in the mail. Mr. Mathews is the in-house contact for the program. If you have a question, please feel free to contact him at [email protected]. You may want to revisit this opportunity after you review the PSAT results. Remember this is a free service, so take advantage!

Mid-Term Examinations, which count for 10% of the final grade, will be administered according to the following schedule:

• Monday, January 23: English and Religion
• Tuesday, January 24: Mathematics, Spanish, Language Arts, Psychology
• Wednesday, January 25: History, Criminal Justice, Science, Economics
• Thursday, January 26: Exam Conflicts and Make-Ups

Students will not be given a make-up exam without a doctor's note.  Failure to present a doctor's note will result in a student receiving a grade of zero (0) for that exam.

Mid-Term Exam Preparation has two aspects:  What the teachers and students do together in school and what you and your son/daughter do at home.

• In school, preparation begins Tuesday, January 17 and extends through Friday, January 20.  Teachers will outline what material is to be studied, provide study guides and review sheets, etc.
• At home, please be sure to encourage your son/daughter to set a study time each evening during review week.  Ask to see the review materials and contact the teacher if your son/daughter tells you that review materials were not provided.  Please insist that your son/daughter prepares each night before the scheduled exams and allow them to have a study area that is free of distractions.  Encourage your son/daughter to get at least 8 hours of sleep before each exam, eat breakfast before each exam, and arrive to school on time for the exam.
  

We look forward to very positive results from each of our students.

Students will be dismissed at the conclusion of the second exam each day and buses will run after each exam.  No bus transportation will be provided on Thursday or Friday of exam week.

There is no school on Friday, January 27; that is a grading day for the teachers.

Exams cannot be administered to any student who owes tuition.  Please make every effort to satisfy your financial obligation so that you son/daughter's education will not suffer.

We look forward to very positive results from each of our students.

Campus Ministry News

The Canned Food Drive, conducted in November, was a great success.  Coordinated by our Campus Ministry Department and Student Council, Marist students contributed over 1000 cans of food to local food pantries.  Thank you for your generosity and for encouraging your son/daughter to be concerned about the needy.

A Thanksgiving Prayer Service was celebrated by our entire school family on Tuesday, November 22.  The service highlighted our need to say thanks for all the blessings we've received and reminded us to be aware of all of our brothers and sisters who have so much less than we do. One highlight of the prayer service was music by the Gospel Choir, led by Mr. Mack Williams, a deacon at his church in Rahway. Another was the personal reflections on their own gratitude, presented by our Senior Retreat Leaders. Our kids are very comfortable leading prayer through reflection and song and we are pleased that they have such faith and confidence.

Advent:  November 27th marks the beginning of the season of Advent.  During these four weeks, we reflect on and prepare for the celebration of Jesus' birth on Christmas Day.  During this season, Campus Ministry will take a different homeroom to the chapel each day for special Advent prayer.  The Advent Theme of the Marist Brothers this year is The Rights of Children: Non- discrimination. As educators in the Marist tradition we are called to educate children, protect them and advocate for them for the right of non-discrimination. There will be an Advent Twilight Retreat (no, not the vampires)Twilight as in 4:30-7:30 PM, on Thursday, December 15 at Marist. Prayer, reflection, supper, sharing. Students from other schools in the Marist family will join us. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted.

Gospel Choir:  On Tuesday, December 6th our Gospel Choir will sing at the Newport Mall at 1:00 PM.  Please come and join us! All Gospel Choir alumni are welcome to join us! The choir will also visit nursing homes in the area to entertain the residents.

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which celebrates Mary, Jesus' mother, is on Thursday, December 8.  Catholic students are obliged to attend Mass on that day.  There is no school for students.  The faculty will celebrate Mass together and participate in a day of retreat.

Christmas Toy Drive:  Our annual Toy Drive "Ryan's Toy Round-up" will take place during Advent from December 1-9.  It is being sponsored jointly by the Admissions office, Campus Ministry and our Student Council.  Please encourage your son/daughter to bring in a new, unwrapped toy for a young child to his/her year level moderator and help make that child's Christmas a little happier.

Christmas Prayer Service:  Our Christmas Prayer Service will take place on Tuesday, December 20 at 9:45 AM.  If you're free, please come to celebrate Jesus' birth with our entire school family. Traditionally, the Senior Retreat Leaders present a very stirring pageant, reenacting St. Luke's story of the Nativity. This year we will have a guest star in the person of Mr. & Mrs. Hansen's baby, Ryan, starring as the Baby Jesus!

In January we will celebrate the Feast of St. Marcellin Champagnat, founder of the Marist Brothers, St Elizabeth Seton, founder of the Sisters of Charity and Dr. Martin Luther King. Come and celebrate saints and heroes at our MLK Service on Tuesday, January 17th at 9:45.

Encounter: The next Encounter Retreat for Seniors is Feb.20-25.  Twenty-two Seniors have already signed up!

Guidance News

Career Day for juniors and seniors took place on Friday, December 2.  Students attended three different seminars discussing different professions.  Ask them about it! A special thanks to Sr. Mary Agnes, Brother Luke and Mr. Hansen for organizing and coordinating the day.  We are especially delighted that nine of our alumnae were able to give their afternoon to helping our students.  You are always most welcome here at Marist.

PSAT Results will be made available to Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors during the month of December.  Remember, that Freshmen and Sophomores will have a chance to take the PSAT again and that those scores are not part of their permanent record.  The PSAT at their level is meant to provide added opportunity to practice for the SAT and to help them monitor their growth over their three years.

College Acceptances: Go to Marist, Go to College!  Here are our most recent acceptances:

• Jessica Goungounga        Wood Tobe-Coburn, NY
• Rom Julian Lipa              Rutgers University, NJ
• Timothy Ng                    Rutgers University, NJ
• Arveen Salvador              Rutgers University, NJ
• Merlin Taveras                Johnson & Wales, RI
• Samantha Martinez          Mercy College, NY

Seniors are doing well in the college application process.  We had a record breaking number of early action applicants.  Parents are reminded that there will be a FAFSA workshop on Thursday, January 12 at 6:00 PM in the cafeteria.

Other News

Voicemail and Email Blasts:  If you did not receive a voicemail blast from Ms. Miesnik on Monday evening, November 28, reminding you that there would be a Parent Association meeting on the 29th, then your phone number may not be correct in the Marist database.  Call Mrs. DePoalo at ext. 201 to check that out; at the same time, verify your e-mail as well.  Voicemail and e-mail blasts are becoming a preferred way of contact.  Just think of all the postage we're saving!!

Blood Drive sponsored by our American Red Cross Club, will be conducted on Friday, December 9.  If your child is eligible, encourage him/her to donate a pint of desperately needed blood.  Thank you to Brother Bob Warren and Mr. Jeremy Kay, moderators and the members of our Red Cross Club for organizing and coordinating this important activity.

Faculty Professional Day is scheduled for Wednesday, December 8.  No school for students!  Say a prayer for our faculty who will have a day of shared prayer and reflection that day.

Dress Down will be held on Wednesday, December 7.  Students who choose to dress down will contribute $1.00 which will support our Percussion Discussion performance group.

Freshmen Trip to NYC:  In an effort to expand our students educational experience, we have planned to take each year level to a major city for the day.  Seniors already visited Washington, D.C. in October, Freshmen will visit NYC for a Christmas Walking tour on Saturday, December 10.  Permission Slips are available in the Main Office.

Sophomore Trip to Philadelphia:  Stay tuned for details.  The tentative date is Saturday, January 28, right after the mid-term exams!

Individual Activity Pictures for the yearbook will take place during the school day on Tuesday, December 13.  Please make sure your son/daughter is in school that day if they are involved in any after school activities within the school.

Spirit Week begins on Friday, December 16 and continues through Thursday, December 22.  Each year level has a theme, a color, and participates against each other in friendly competition.  "Secret" judges award points during the week for enthusiasm, sportsmanship, teamwork, and of course, winning various competitions.  The week culminates with the Champagnat Games, an indoor field day.  Here is a schedule of the week's activities: 

• Friday, Dec. 16 - Pep Rally:  Tree judging, Blue & Gold Day, Winter Sports honored
• Monday, Dec. 19 - Twin Day
• Tuesday, Dec. 20 - Christmas Prayer Service and Pageant
• Wednesday, Dec. 21 - Decade Day:  Year levels dress according to decades:
            Seniors - 80's
            Juniors - 70's
            Sophomores - 60's
            Freshmen - 50's
• Thursday, Dec. 22 - Champagnat Games

Students wear class T-shirts for the Champagnat Games.  Students should see Student Council moderators for details.  Spirit Week is lots of fun.  Stop by the school any day during the week to see why.

Christmas Vacation:  begins at 12:00 noon on Thursday, December 22 and extends through Monday, January 2. School resumes on Tuesday, January 3.  Enjoy your time with family and friends.

Safety and Security Reminder:   We remind you that the Knight Club and the Library Media Center are open every day after school and there are other activities and clubs meeting at that time.  However, the school closes at 4:00 PM.  Students are not allowed to be in the building after this time unless they are supervised by a faculty member or a coach.  In addition, as we start our winter sports program, home basketball games will be over by 9:00 PM and the building will be closed at 9:30 PM.  Please keep this in mind as you make arrangements to pick up your child if they are attending these games.

School Closings:  In the event of inclement weather, you will receive an automated phone call from the school.  Please listen to the message carefully and completely.  You can also find out if school is closed or if there is a delayed opening by logging onto our website at www.marist.org.  School closing or delays will be placed at the top of the Marist home page.  Should you suspect that school will be closed or delayed, you can also contact the school
(201-437-4545) and listen to the pre-recorded message.   Please note:   Marist no longer announces closings on TV or the radio.

Student/Partner Alliance Holiday Party takes place in the Marist Cafeteria on Wednesday, January 11 from 6:00-8:00 PM.  All SPA families have already received an invitation from Mrs. Margaret Momber, Executive Director.  All SPA families are expected to attend this great party.  Mark your calendars!

Martin Luther King Holiday is celebrated nationally on Monday, January 16.  There is no school on that day.  Marist strongly encourages students to devote this day to service in their local communities.  If you plan to do service, remember to get the form from your religion teacher which the agency should sign.

Open House will be held for prospective students on Wednesday, January 18 at 7:00 Sharp.  Please encourage friends and neighbors with high school age children to take a good look at Marist.  We will have a 1:40 Dismissal on Thursday, January 19.

MSG Varsity at http://www.msgvarsity.com/new-jersey/marist is now our host for Marist News that is produced by our students.  The articles, photos, and videos are all student created.  Many thanks to our moderators:  Ms. John, Mrs. McDonough, and Ms. Sisk.  If you are an Optimum Online subscriber, you can view all of the materials found on MSG Varsity.  If not, check it out anyway for the limited view to at least see what's been posted there by Marist students. 

Marist Parents' Association Update: So far, we have raised almost $3,000 toward our goal of purchasing a new electronic sign for in front of school.  At last Tuesday's meeting, nearly 30 parents met to form volunteer work crews to work the concession stands at Boys' and Girls' Basketball Home games.  A committee to plan a Harlem Wizards Event was also created.  Remember, all proceeds support the purchase of the sign.  We hope to reach our goal by the end of this school year.  Stay tuned!  Interested in helping and haven't been contacted?  E-mail Mark Lenzo at [email protected].

Student of the Month: Isamy Cuevas

For the month of November, we honor a sophomore, Isamy Cuevas, a top-notch student-athlete for her outstanding volunteerism.  Isamy is involved in an exceeding number of volunteer opportunities which serve the needy, especially the disabled.  She prepared and served dinner for families staying at Ronald McDonald House in New Brunswick.  She volunteered at the "Catch a Rising Star Swim Clinic" and at the "Paraolympic Experience Event" for challenged athletes. Isamy also volunteered an impressive 106 hours at the Navigators Adaptive Sports Club for children with disabilities!  Isamy's dedication to service is taught at home.  Her mom and dad are equally dedicated to volunteerism.  We are so proud of you Isamy!  You set an example for us all.

Athletic News

Football Honorees:  Congratulations to the following football players for making All County in the White Conference:

• Troy Garland: Defensive player of the year; Second team both offense and defense
• Hasaan Caldwell: Second Team defense
• Aaron Smith: First Team offense
• Kevin Parker: Honorable Mention
• Daryl Black: Honorable Mention
• Christian Gonzalez: First Team both offense and defense
• Giovanny Alfaro: Second Team defense
• D'Ondre Robinson: Second Team defense
• Shadaun Brown: Honorable Mention

Winter Season Begins:   With the fall sports season behind us, we look forward to the winter sports.  Bowling and Swimming begin regular season play on December 5th.  Coed Swimming will go against Bayonne while the boys' and girls' Bowling squads will compete against Kearny in their opener.  Boys and Girls Basketball regular season kicks off on December 16th with the girls taking on Kearny here at Marist at 7:00pm while the boys travel to Kearny for a 4:15pm start. 

Sports Calendar:  Refer to the homepage of our website for the upcoming games calendar!  Hope to see you there!

Winter Sports Pictures will take place after school on Tuesday, December 13 as well.  Order forms will be distributed to your son/daughter prior to the picture date in their homeroom.

Go Lady Knights!!!!
Go Royal Knights!!!!