Dear Parents and Guardians,
Let us hope that winter is truly fading and enjoy the early days of spring! Thank you so much for your understanding regarding early dismissals, late openings and closings. We have many factors to consider – the most important one being the safety and welfare of the students- but this can make some days very challenging.
You will see that Hospitality Committee is grateful to everyone who donated and volunteered to make the Teacher Appreciation Lunch such a resounding success. On behalf of the Faculty and Staff, I want to thank everyone for their assistance and for your best wishes. It is truly appreciated by all of us.
We look forward to a busy spring and hope that you will join in as many activities as you can. It is never too late to get involved!
March Parents' Club Meeting
Please join us for the next Parents' Club Meeting on Mar. 28 (note a change in date) where we will discuss exciting new plans for NWC. The “State of the School” will include the announcement of our 50th Anniversary Celebrations and Renovation projects. The Advancement Department has been working diligently to provide the means to implement the recommendations in the Master Plan. The nature of the projects will directly impact student learning and the community in its entirety. An updated Strategic Plan will be reviewed along with enrollment trends, testing data and curriculum changes. All parents and guardians are welcome, come find out more about NWC and meet your fellow parents at 7pm in the Gelormino Library.
Hearty Thank You from Parents' Club Hospitality Committee!
Nancy Boccuzzi and Linda Crawford would like to thank every parent who donated items and helped set up for the Teacher/Staff Luncheon which was held on Fri., Feb. 4, 2011. Over 50 parents contributed paper products, drinks, desserts, salads, chips, appetizers, wraps as well as providing such generous monetary donations to assist in providing the teachers and staff members each with $10 Dunkin Donuts gift certificates and purchasing food from Stop & Shop. All contributions were greatly appreciated and allowed the Teacher/Staff Luncheon to be a huge success! Thank you for your time, talents and contributions! The luncheon was attended by many staff members and teachers of NWC who enjoyed all of the food and desserts provided.
Mark Your Calendars Way Ahead!
The 2011-2012 school calendar is starting to take shape, for your planning purposes, here are some key dates that are set. Please note we will return to the full week of vacation in February next year.
- Aug. 31, 2011: First day of Class '15 and all transfer students
- Sept. 1, 2011: First day of Class '13 & '14
- Sept. 2, 2011: First day of Class '12
- Feb. 20-24, 2012: Winter Break
- Apr. 16-20, 2012: Spring Break
- June 6, 2012: Graduation
The West Hartford Public Schools have created a survey for parental input on the vacation schedule for the 2012-2013. NWC is obligated to follow the WHPS vacation schedule due to Archdiocesan rules. Please read the article on West Hartford Patch and use the survey link to cast your vote.
Mark Your Calendars
Up Coming Parents' Club Meetings
May 16, Parents' Club Meeting, 7pm
June 14, Parents' Club Meeting, 6:15pm, cookout
Mar. 15, Empty Bowls Dinner, 6pm
Mar. 18, Blood Drive
Mar. 22, Winter Sports Awards, 7pm
Mar. 24, Third School Wide Dance, 8-11pm
Mar. 25, No School, Faculty Retreat
Mar. 26, Athletic Hall of Fame Induction, 6pm
Apr. 4, Spring Sports Team Mtgs. & Chemical Health Policy, 6:30pm
Apr. 8 & 9, 42nd Street, 7:30pm
Apr. 10, 42nd Street, 2pm
Apr. 14, Grandparents’ Day (freshmen only)
Apr. 18-22, No School, Spring Vacation
May 7, Jazz Cabaret Night, 6:30pm
First Semester Honor Roll
For a list of academically outstanding students who earned honors during the first semester of the year, click here.
Unified Theater
NWC will be the first Catholic High School in the country to participate in a Unified Theater production on Mar. 11 at 7pm at the Intensive Education Academy in West Hartford. The students from both schools are working together on a fully inclusive production. The student led performance will feature students with and without special needs in a production that discovers new talents, develops student leaders, and challenges communities to emphasize ability over disability, creativity over conformity, and collaboration over competition.
Empty Bowls - Tuesday, March 15 at 6pm
Empty Bowls is a grass-roots national organization whose goal is to alleviate hunger in America. Each chapter raises money through the simple soup dinners which feature hand-made and hand-glazed ceramic bowls made by chapter members and donations. The funds raised are then donated to a local food-bank or soup kitchen. The Northwest Catholic chapter holds two dinners per year, one in the November and one during Lent. The NWC chapter also holds an Ice Cream Social in June. The funds raised from the three events are donated at the end of each school year to The House of Bread in Hartford. The next dinner is being held on Tues., Mar. 15 at 6pm in the cafeteria. The cost is $10, which includes soup, salad, bread and beverage and the hand-glazed bowl in which the soup is served. All donations are accepted and much appreciated! Please call Beth Oates at 860.236.4221 x150 if you are interested in attending or would like additional information.
Yearbooks for Sale!
Yearbooks are still on sale, but get them quick. The price has increased to $75. You can order your book here. Or you can send in a check payable to Northwest Catholic High School attention: Ms. Jennifer Puskarz. Checks can be dropped off to Ms. Puskarz in Room 103 or her mailbox in the main office. Remember seniors do NOT need to order books!
Dennis Uniforms to visit NWC!
On Sat., Mar. 26 representatives from Dennis Uniforms will be at NWC from 10am - 12pm. At that time parents and students may choose from all the dress code options and be measured for them. Dennis Uniforms will be back on Monday, July 19, from 11am-1pm, as well. Please stop by to try on samples for sizing. Girls' skirts, slacks, sweaters, and vest must be bought through Dennis Uniforms. The boys' dress code does not require that slacks and shirts be purchased from Dennis Uniforms, however, they have these available at competitive prices. Their stores are located in Orange and Waterbury or you may shop on line, our school code is WB00NW. Please read the dress code carefully, if you have any questions please contact Mr. Richard Callahan at rcallahan@nwcath.org.
Grandparents' Day
On Apr. 14, 2011 Northwest Catholic will host our fifth annual Grandparents’ Day. Designed for the grandparents of our freshmen, this special event will begin with a continental breakfast at 9:15am, a tour of our building, a music performance, a buffet lunch with their grandchild, and a slideshow that’s guaranteed to make them smile. Invitations will soon be mailed and we look forward to welcoming our freshman grandparents in April for a wonderful morning. For more information contact Mrs. Jane Leary at 860.236.4221 x131 or jleary@nwcath.org.
Drama at NWC!
The NWC Dramateurs present 42nd Street April 8, 9 and 10th. This is the story of hard work, being in the right place at the right time, talent and love. FORTY-SECOND STREET is a celebration of Broadway and the people involved in shows. It focuses on aspiring chorus girl Peggy Sawyer, and takes us along her journey. Musical hits include You're Getting to Be a Habit with Me, Dames, I Know Now, We're In the Money, Lullaby of Broadway, Shuffle Off to Buffalo and Forty-Second Street. Every audience enjoys watching the underdog succeed! Both the original 1981 Broadway production and the 2001 revival were Tony Award Winners. Come and meet those dancing feet!
Tickets prices: Adults $10; Students & Seniors $7; NWC students are free, but must pick up a ticket from the office. Tickets are available by calling the Dramateurs Box Office at 860.236.4221 x240 or by emailing your request to drama@nwcath.org. Tickets may be picked up during lunch waves in the cafeteria or at the box office on the night of the performance.
Athletic Department News
Mar. 22, 7pm -- Winter Sports Awards
Apr. 4, 6:30-8pm -- Athletic Department/Team Meeting Information Night (mandatory for all Spring athletes and parents) and Chemical Health Presentation (mandatory for Spring athletes, coaches, and parents who did not already attend in the Fall or Winter)
Prospective Spring athletes must have the following forms turned in to the Athletic Office before Spring tryouts begin. All athletes must have had a physical after April 1, 2010.
- Green health form
- Athletic Handbook and Form, agreement signed by parents & students
- ImPACT Concussion Consent Form. ImPACT testing dates for each grade are available here for all athletes who were not tested in the Fall or Winter.
- List of Spring Try Out dates and locations click here.
* Questions? Contact Athletic Director Josh Reese at jreese@nwcath.org or 860.236.4221 x127.
Let's Celebrate!
Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner
Sat., Mar. 26, 2011
6pm Cocktails
7pm Dinner and Induction Ceremony
For ticket information click here, to see the current honorees click here.
Good News from the Communications Department!
NWC is starting to get more “ink” again in the local media, thanks to the addition of new print and on-line publications in our area. If you live in West Hartford, be sure to get your free subscription to the new weekly, The West Hartford Press (registration coupons are available in each issue). This paper offers excellent coverage of NWC, and especially NWC sports. (Unfortunately, the paper is not available to people who live outside West Hartford, although the sister publication, The Valley Press, admirably serves towns in the Farmington Valley.) And, if you haven’t already done so, sign up to get news from The Patch, AOL’s new local, on-line news service. Click here to find The Patch that covers your town (many, but not all, towns in our area have Patches).
As always, please continue to send photos of NWC students in action to Michelle Murphy for possible use on the web site or in Logos.
Blood Drive at NWC
The Student Council will hold a Blood Drive on Fri., Mar. 18 from 8am - 1pm in the Stosuy Gym. Students who are 17 and older and weigh more than 110 lbs may sign up in the cafe during lunch waves. This is a great way to start a lifelong habit of helping others. Parents and Guardians are invited to donate too! Please contact Mr. Dave Woodford at dwoodford@nwcath.org to reserve a time.
You Don't Have to Kiss a Frog
Help every girl feel like a princess, donate your formal and fancy party dresses to Princess and the Prom. Dresses will be collected in the front office until Mar. 15 and will be professionally cleaned by Best Cleaners.
Jazz Cabaret Night - Sat., May 7, 2011
Come and hear our award-winning Thursday night/Monday night jazz band/jazz choir/jazz combo in a 1940's cabaret-style setting featuring desserts, coffees, and a silent auction. Tickets will available in late March, $20 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Watch edline for details and contact Mr. Dan Luddy at dluddy@nwcath.org to see how you can help.
34th Annual Northwest Catholic Golf Tournament
Save the date: Monday, June 6, 2011
Morning 9-Hole Event and Lunch especially for Ladies
Afternoon 18-Hole Event and Dinner for All
Planning Meetings are at 7pm in the Fr. Bock Room
- Wed., Mar. 30
- Wed., May 11
Please join us as we get ready for this highly anticipated and enjoyable annual tradition. The Tournament is not only a great day of golf; it is also an important fundraiser for the Northwest Catholic Fund, providing tuition assistance to deserving NWC students. Committee members and volunteers are needed to put together foursomes, solicit sponsors or raffle prizes, and provide support on the day of the event. Contact Patricia Walsh pwalsh@nwcath.org or 860.236.4221 x138 or Jane Leary jleary@nwcath.org or 860.236.4221, x131 in the Advancement Office if you would like to be part of the committee or volunteer. New Northwest Catholic parents are especially welcome!
Drive 4 Drama
Test drive a Ford (from Selig Ford) on Sat. April 30 and $20 will be donated to the NWC Dramateurs! It's that easy! Choose from many new and fun vehicles to test drive, no pressure, no hassles to purchase anything. More information will be forth coming.
“Relay for Life” to Return to Northwest Catholic in June 2011
West Hartford’s “Relay for Life,” supporting the American Cancer Society, will be held again this year at Northwest Catholic. Beginning at noon on June 4 and ending at 9am on June 5 the Relay is sure to attract hundreds of people from many different fundraising teams who will walk our track to raise money for cancer research. Teddy Mucha '11 and Collin Paternoster '12 are coordinating the Northwest Catholic team; for more information, contact Teddy at Theodora.Mucha@nwcath.org or Collin at Collin.Paternoster@nwcath.org or visit "Relay for Life ". Please become part of this great opportunity to display the legendary Northwest Catholic hospitality while supporting an excellent cause at the same time!
How You Can Help Northwest!
One easy way to help our school is to recycle money you're already spending! Register your frequent shopper cards and earmark NWC for the contributions. Click here for Stop & Shop and click here for Target.
Volume XVII - Number Five - March 2011
