Please find below Parent/Student Announce for Wednesday February 17, 2016.



Letter from the President
 
 
February 17, 2016

Important Parent Information:  PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND THOROUGHLY AS WE HAVE NEW PROCEDURES IN PLACE!

Scheduling for Next Year

Dear Parents: 
        It is that time of year when we begin to plan for student courses for next year.  Please note that this week, I invite you to go to our website and view our course catalog for school year 2016-17 as student scheduling will also begin this week.  This year, there will be some changes to our process. 
 
         Current freshmen will be going to the Computer Lab with their guidance counselors to register online for their courses.  Teachers have already determined their placement levels.  They will see these online and have a chance to discuss this with their guidance counselor, if needed.  They will also select any electives for which they have room in their schedule.  CAUTION:  Sophomore year is a very intense year with required courses from the State of Maryland's defined curriculum so students have little space for electives.

HOW CAN PARENTS HELP?   It is extremely helpful if parents review the course catalogue with their daughter and become aware of what still needs to be taken and what electives can be taken.

HOW DO I FIT IT ALL IN MY SCHEDULE?  In recent years, I have had several parents tell me that their daughter would like to take 3 electives to continue studies they have already taken.  For example, parents may say:  "My daughter wants to continue in LEAD, music, and Spanish:  how can she do this?"  When your daughter, meets with her guidance counselor, please let the guidance counselor know the situation.  If a student wants to take 3 electives in courses she has already been studying, we will look at several options.  The guidance counselors will also make a note of this and tally this information so that we can see how many girls and what courses are affected in this way.  Often times, we offer creative solutions to the problem, like an 8th period which is taught from 7:30-8:10 or the possibility of taking a class online.  Often times, we can create avenues that parents and students can't see, so it is very important to let your guidance counselor know your thoughts.

 IF ONLY, WE HAD AN EIGHT PERIOD DAY - HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF THAT?  The discussion of an eight period day has been considered several times by a committee of faculty members and the administration.  Formerly, an in-depth survey was completed to see how many students were affected by this.  At that time, an eight period was day was not cost effective and would have increased tuition significantly.  However, the faculty continues to discuss this and will further discuss this as we need to continually evaluate the program.  At this point, there will not be an eight period day in 2016-17, but I will keep you informed as to the results of our study. 
This is why I urge students to talk to their counselors.  I also highly recommend that parents send their daughter's guidance counselor an email and copy me on the email only when their daughter is looking at continuing 3 courses that she has already been studying.  I may not be able to help everyone, but I will do my best to consider schedules, classes and additional offerings we can make. 
 
Re-Registration Information 
        As we look to next year, please allow me to offer you many details about tuition and fees and the process for re-registration. Please read everything carefully.  Students re-register in the cafeteria on assigned days.  After students have re-registered, we officially start to build the schedule that they created with their guidance counselor.  Students who re-register on time have the best opportunities to get the classes that they wanted. Students who re-register after the class date, may have a difficult time getting the courses they want and could be placed in electives that were not their preferred classes. 
   
       Once again, there is no mailing of information.  All forms and information are attached and  must be printed from our electronic communication to you.

       Next year's tuition will be $13,300.  The re-registration fee is $175.00.  Parents of seniors only must pay the graduation fee at the time of re-registration, which remains $200. 
 
        I urge you to please read the enclosed information very carefully. It details for you information on payment plans. It is our policy that every family who is paying monthly makes their payments through the FACTS program.  Families who were in FACTS last year will automatically be re-enrolled in FACTS next year. A re-enrollment fee of  $50.00 will be charged to you by FACTS prior to the start of tuition payments.  Families who wish to start paying monthly for the very first time, must enroll in FACTS.  Please see the directions below. The first tuition payment is due June 5th or 20th  

        Facts Enrollment Directions for families who are not already enrolled in FACTS

Please go to Seton's homepage (www.setonhs.org); click on "Quicklinks" and then FACTS.  Once in FACTS, click on Create a FACTS Account and complete the enrollment. 
  
Re-Registration Days

      This year we have established re-registration days for each class.

Current juniors will re-register on April 22 during homeroom period.
Current sophomores will re-register on April 21 during homeroom period.
Current freshmen will re-register on April 20 during homeroom period.

What do Students Bring to Re-Registration?


When students re-register, they will need to bring the following items with them
 
1.      Re-Registration Form (2 page form)

2.      Tuition Obligation Commitment Form (signed by the person responsible for tuition and the parent)

3.      Re-Registration Fee of $175.00 (cash, money order, or check).  Seniors will need to bring their graduation fee of $200.00 as well.  (cash, money order, or check)

       Again, thank you for all of your support.  I appreciate the sacrifices you are continually making for your daughter to attend Seton, and I offer you the gratitude and respect of myself and the entire Seton staff. 
 
       Gratefully,
Sister Ellen Marie Hagar
        President

 
Please click below to download documents:


Year of Mercy
 
Celebrating the Year of Mercy
On Tuesday, December 8th, the Church opened the Year of Mercy in response to the wishes and reflections of Pope Francis.  We invite all of you to become familiar with the Year of Mercy by watching this short Youtube reflection.
Please click here for video.

Forgiving offenses is a wonderful Spiritual Work of Mercy to practice during Lent. As Jesus Christ instructs us in the Sermon on the Mount, "If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions" (Matt. 6:14-15). These words immediately follow the "Our Father", stressing how important forgiveness is in following the will of God.
How do we learn to forgive? The same way we learn so many other things - through experience. We experience how God forgives us: joyously, completely, wiping away our sin, healing and restoring us, giving us a fresh start, over and over again if we need it. Contrast this with our human tendency to hold onto the times we've been wronged, saying, "I forgive you, but...." With God there is no "but." Instead he says, "Your sins are forgiven... go in peace" (Luke 7:48-50). Today and in the week to come, how can you share God's forgiveness and mercy with those around you, just as Christ instructs us?
Wednesday evenings during Lent, Catholic churches in the DC area are open for prayer and confession. The Light is ON for you.

http://mercy.adw.org/feb13/



New and Updated Information

Maryland Textbook Program
 
MARYLAND TEXTBOOK PROGRAM FOR NON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The State of Maryland Non-public School Student Textbook Program has been in effect for 15 years, Seton has received substantial grants each year from this program. This year, Seton parents saved $95.00 per student on tuition and fees because of this program..

Driver's Education
 
  1. The last Driver's Education class of the year will extend from March 7th through April 5th from 3 to 5:00 p.m. daily.
  2. Six hours of driving will be scheduled independently with each student in addition to the above classroom time.
  3. The course costs $340.00.  Tuition payments must be current in order for a student to enroll in the class.
  4. The company we use is Arrive Alive Driving School, Inc., 104 Old Largo Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774,    301-350-9575
Make checks payable to Arrive Alive Driving School, Inc. Payment is due the first day of class.
Students must sign up in the Main Office by March 3rd.

Cafeteria Menu
 
Please click here to view the menu for the coming week.


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Class of 2018 Parents
 
Campus Ministry is looking for parent chaperons for the sophomore class trip to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM). This is day one of the two day sophomore class retreat. The trip is on Thursday, March 3rd from 7:30 AM- 1:45 PM. Please email Mrs. Shahraky at nshahraky@setonhs.org if you are available to chaperon.

Parents will receive parent service hours for chaperoning.

Volunteers Needed for Alumnae Event
 
Volunteers needed to help work an upcoming Elizabeth Seton High School Alumnae Event...

Dear Parents,
The Elizabeth Seton High School Alumnae Association is in need of volunteers to help with their biggest alumnae event of the year.
Alumnaepalooza 2016! - Saturday, March 19, 2016
Event Starts at 7pm - Elizabeth Seton Auditorium
There are several jobs available, and all volunteers will be awarded service hours for their time.
Please click on the link below to sign up on our SignUp Genius page:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0b4eaaa829a6f94-volunteers
 
Parent Club Organization - Volunteer Hours
 
Please contact the ESHS PCO at pco.setonhs.org or visit the Parent Organization page located at www.setonhs.org > About Us for more PCO information or please click here.
 

Repeated Information

2016 Father/Daughter Dance
 
2016 Father/Daughter Dance - "IT'S A RED CARPET AFFAIR!"

The PCO will be hosting our annual Father/Daughter Dance on Saturday, March 5, 2016 from 8-11pm!  This is a wonderful time for fathers to bond with their daughters in a fun environment.  As in previous years, a special tribute will be given to Seniors to commemorate their last year as "daddy's little girl".      Price: $35/couple      $50/couple plus one        Click here to purchase tickets: http://tinyurl.com/ESHSFatherDance

We are currently in need of parent volunteers as well as in-kind donations.  Please click on the link for volunteer opportunities: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f094eaca628a4fa7-fatherdaughter

Please contact the ESHS PCO at pco@setonhs.org or visit the Parent Organization page located at www.setonhs.org > About Us for more PCO information.

SAT Preparation Class
 
ESHS will be offering a SAT prep class for juniors that are interested in preparing for the May 7th SAT.  The course will provide an introduction to the redesigned SAT format, effective strategies for answering questions, and rigorous coaching for each specific subject area tested.  A mailing with all of the information will be sent out in the mail this week.  Space is limited so make sure that your daughter brings her registration form and fee to the Guidance Office as soon as possible.  If you have any questions, please contact Amanda Lawhorne at alawhorne@setonhs.org or 301-864-4532.

Senior Parents
 
Today, the senior class received information regarding prom, baccalaureate, and graduation (including event addresses). The flyer link is here for your information. Please feel free to contact Mrs. Ginger Thompson at gthompson@setonhs.org with questions.

Please click here to view attached flyer.

Scholarships
 
The Polish Heritage Association of Maryland will provide several $1,500.00 scholarship grants to current seniors for the 2016-2017 year. Students must be legal residents of Maryland with at least two Polish ancestors.  Please see www.pha-md.org for more information.

City of Bowie Scholarships
The City of Bowie has two scholarships: Excellence in Education and the Arts Committee Scholarship. For the education award, Seton may nominate up to four students who have a 3.5 or higher unweighted GPA. Nominations will be determined based on GPA. You must reside in the city limits to be eligible for these two scholarships. If you pay taxes to Bowie and Bowie trash trucks pick up your trash, then you live within the city limits. You can check your address at http://maps.cityofbowie.org/AddressCheck/ or confirm with Mrs. Roeder. For the arts scholarship, students must have applied to a visual or performing arts program at a post secondary or specialized school in addition to other requirements. Applications are available in guidance.

Senatorial and Delegate scholarships
If you reside in Maryland, please remember to find your elected officials at http://mdelect.net/ and review each official's scholarship application procedures. If you live in District 22, the application for Senator Pinsky's scholarship is available at http://www.senatorpinsky.org.


Helping An Alumna
 
Seton has received word that the daughter of Shakira Williams of the class of 1995 passed away last week at the age of 19.  She leaves behind 5 siblings.  Donations are being gathered to allow her mother to pay the funeral expense.  If you would like to contribute, please go to
https://www.gofundme.com/86jx46rg  to make an offering.
Thank you so much for your support.

Athletics
 
If your daughter wishes to try out for a Spring sport (Golf, Lacrosse, Track, Softball or Crew) she must have a physical performed after June 1, 2015 on file in the clinic. The correct medical forms can be found on our website under athletics or admissions. If you have any questions, please call the school and ask for the clinic.

Text Alert Messaging

If you wish to receive text alerts from Seton then please text SETONHS to 84576. You will receive a confirmation text, please complete the requested details.



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