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MONDAY, MARCH 28 NOW A SCHOOL DAY
School Closed Friday, March 25
As communicated in an email from Charlie Britton to parents last month, school will be closed as planned on Friday, March 25. However, in light of the unusual number of snow days this winter, we will hold classes on Monday, March 28, which was slated as a possible snow make-up day on the 2015-2016 academic calendar.
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ID NEEDED FOR BREAKFAST
New Procedure to Reduce Wait Time
Beginning Monday, April 4, Middle and Upper School students will be required to use a McDonogh ID to purchase breakfast or dinner in the Paterakis Dining Hall. Previously, students were able to use just their names to charge meals to their accounts, but this sign-in procedure resulted in long lines and extended wait times. Each student already has a McDonogh ID, which is available both as a plastic ID badge and as a digital ID on smartphones. Students may request a replacement ID badge for $5 (charged to their student account) by emailing jwhardcastle@mcdonogh.org. |
AFTER-SCHOOL SPRING PROGRAMS
Classes for Students in K-8 begin Tuesday, March 29
The spring session of After-School Programs begins Tuesday, March 29. Space is still available in many programs. Learn more and register here.
Please note, you will have to reset your password on your initial log-in on the right side of the page under "New user sign-up." If you have any questions, please contact Olivia Grant, Director of After-School Programs, at ogrant@mcdonogh.org.
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ARE YOU READY FOR LIFEREADY?
Parent Program Gives First-Hand Experience
Join Kevin Costa, Director of Innovation and Learning, for a LifeReady class for parents. The evening is designed to give parents a first-person experience of what LifeReady can look like in classes at McDonogh. LifeReady Learning for Parents will take place on Wednesday, March 30 at 7:00 p.m. in the Mullan Board Room of the Edward St. John Center. Please click here to sign up. If you have questions, please contact Kevin Costa at kcosta@mcdonogh.org or 443-544-7130. |
HEARING AND VISION SCREENING
Testing for Students in K, 1, 4, and 8
At the end of March, the Baltimore County Department of Health, Division of School Health, will conduct hearing and vision screening on students in grades K, 1, 4, and 8. Kindergarten and first grade will be tested on Tuesday, March 29; screening for fourth grade will take place Wednesday, March 30; and screening for eighth grade students is scheduled for Thursday, March 31. Please make every effort to ensure your child is present on their assigned screening day. If your child wears a hearing or visual assistive device, please be sure they bring them for the testing. The hearing and vision screening is free of charge. Students who do not pass the test will be contacted in writing by the Baltimore County Department of Health. |
THE LATEST BUZZ ON THE BEE CLUB
Next Meeting: Saturday, April 9
 Now that spring has arrived, things are really humming at Roots. Join us at the farm on Saturday, April 9 from10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for the next Bee Club meeting led by experts Courtney Gonzalez and Lissa Caltrider. You will see McDonogh's brand new apiary, home for our honey bees, created by Mark Ross, Director of Grounds; and get an up-close and personal look at the hives. Those who are interested can also learn how to start a hive and care for it.
Additionally, everyone is invited to join us on Sunday, May 1 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Roots to meet our new queen bee as she is introduced to the hive. Our experts will explain the role of the queen and explain how all the other bees in the hive take care of her. If you are planning to attend either meeting, please RSVP by emailing beekeeping@mcdonogh.org. |
DIVERSITY STRATEGIC PLANNING
Update for Parents, April 20
Please join Malika Delancey, Director of Diversity and Associate Head of Lower School, for an interactive presentation on the school's Strategic Plan for Diversity. Over the past year, Malika and her PK-12 team have been working to create a vision that will allow McDonogh to provide a program for students which will prepare them for life in a pluralistic world. This interactive presentation will give parents the opportunity to offer input and feedback on the school's Plan for Diversity thus far. All are encouraged to attend.
The program will take place in the Klein Lyceum in the Edward St. John Student Center on Wednesday, April 20 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Click here to RSVP. For more information, please contact Malika Delancey at mdelancey@mcdonogh.org. |
SIGN UP NOW FOR ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE
Red Cross Blood Drive Wednesday, April 20
McDonogh is sponsoring an American Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday, April 20 from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Louis E. Lamborn Alumni Memorial Field House. View eligibility requirements and make an appointment online. Every drop counts! If you have questions or would like to volunteer to register donors, hand out refreshments, or just hold a hand, please contact Susan Waskey at swaskey@mcdonogh.org. |
PILLOWS STUFFED WITH TRADITION
 Looking for the perfect gift for someone who "bleeds" orange and black? Purchase this one-of-a-kind McDonogh pillow full of images that evoke McDonogh traditions - from the cavalry and The Week to boarding, coeducation, and the McDonogh seal. The pillows measure 16"x16" and cost $150. They are down-filled with a 10% linen/90% white cotton cover that may be removed for cleaning. Please note: the pillows are not available in the school store. To purchase your pillow, contact Jen Little, Associate Head of Advancement for Alumni Relations, at jlittle@mcdonogh.org. |
SEE IT ON THE WEB
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LOWER SCHOOL
Parents Association Meeting: April 7
The next Lower School MPA meeting will be held Thursday, April 7 at 8:30 a.m. in the Mullan Board Room of the Edward St. John Student Center. All are welcome. For those who cannot attend, meeting minutes are posted online.
Faculty Free FridayThe MPA invites parents to chaperone during lunch periods on select Fridays throughout the school year. The next Faculty Free Friday for the Lower School is April 1. If you would like to volunteer, please let us know by using our sign-up form. If you have questions, please contact Sharon Ahn at reportsharon@yahoo.com. Gently Used Book Collection
Children in kindergarten through fourth grade are invited to donate "gently read" children's books for a sale on Thursday, April 28. Donation boxes are in the Lower School lobby and at the second floor entrance near the first grade classrooms. On the day of the sale, children will have the opportunity to purchase two books for $1. Questions about the sale may be directed to Amy Roseman at amy@leadprobe.com.
Imagination Celebration Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to assist with preparing bulletin boards and hanging artwork for the April Imagination Celebration. If you can assist on Thursday, April 7 or Friday, April 15, please let us know on our volunteer sign-up form. If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact Nicole Keelty at nicole.keelty@dtz.com. Information Night for Parents of Rising Fifth GradersParents of current fourth graders (rising fifth graders) are invited to a short presentation, reception, and tour of the Middle School on Tuesday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m. beginning in the Horn Theatre. This is an opportunity to meet members of the fifth grade faculty who will offer their observations about the first year of Middle School, hear about the summer reading program, learn about required laptop devices, and more.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL
Parents Association Meeting: April 14
The next Middle School MPA meeting will be held Thursday, April 14 in the Mullan Board Room of the Edward St. John Student Center. All are welcome. For those who cannot attend, meeting minutes are posted online.
Spring Parent-Teacher Conferences
Conferences are scheduled for the evening of Thursday, April 7 and all day on Friday, April 8. There will be no school for Middle School students on Friday, April 8. We will launch the conference scheduler found on your Personal Page under DASH on Tuesday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m. The conference scheduler will close on Tuesday, April 5 at 4:00 p.m.
Ninth Grade Information Night (for current eighth grade)
The Upper School will hold its Ninth Grade Information Night on Thursday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m. in the Ceres M. Horn Theatre. The program will include details about course selection, scheduling, placement tests, summer programs, and other topics to help you make a smooth transition to the Upper School. All eighth grade students continuing at McDonogh next fall are required to attend with at least one parent.
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UPPER SCHOOL
Parents Association Meeting: April 12
The next Upper School MPA meeting is Tuesday, April 12 at 8:30 a.m. in the Mullan Board Room, Edward St. John Student Center. Please note: the date has been corrected from April 5 to April 12. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. For those who cannot attend, meeting minutes are posted online.
Mandatory Sophomore "Stay Safe Night": Tomorrow In order to receive the privilege of driving to school, sophomores and at least one parent are required to attend "Stay Safe Night," a mandatory meeting on Wednesday, March 23 at 7:00 p.m. in the Horn Theatre. The program will address issues and responsibilities faced by new drivers. This is a "no homework" night for sophomores.
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast Donations Needed The MPA will host an Upper School Teacher Appreciation Breakfast on Friday, April 8 in the Upper School Library from 7:45 until 9:30 a.m. This breakfast is one of the few times in the school year when the teachers are able to sit down together and enjoy some food and conversation before their busy day begins. As in the past, we are requesting homemade or fresh donations. To donate an item or two, please add your name to the sign-up form. Host Families Still Needed for French Students
Several host families are still needed for some of our French guests arriving on April 8 and staying with us until April 20 when they depart for New York. Hosting an international student is a great way for your family to learn about other cultures without traveling abroad! Your family does not need to speak French or have students of French in order to host. In fact, the more English our French students use, the more fluent they will become, thereby gaining as much as possible from their experience. Interested and want to learn more? Please contact Hilary McDonough at hmcdonough@mcdonogh.org. Senior Parent Get-Together: May 7 Mark your calendar for the Senior Parent Get-together, hosted by Arthur Adler, on Saturday, May 7. Invitations will be sent to senior parents via email.
COLLEGE COUNSELING CORNER
Important Upcoming Dates
April 14: AIMS College Fair for Juniors, Radisson Hotel North Baltimore, 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. or 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. April 17: Practice ACT for Sophomores, 9:00 a.m., 1873 Room
April 21: Understanding Athletic Recruiting (for students in grades 8-11 and parents), 6:30 p.m., Horn Theatre
April 27: Practice ACT Results Review, 7:00 p.m., Klein Lyceum
Notes for Parents of Seniors
Please remind your son or daughter to do the following:
Summer Study on College Campuses
Summer opportunities for rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors are listed in "enrichment programs" under the "colleges" tab on Naviance.
Information on Family Connection For off-campus college programs, scholarship information, and other opportunities, sign onto Family Connection. If you need help logging into the site, please contact Lynda Schultz at 443-544-7428.
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