| Dear Parents and Guardians,
These weeks are flying by, with the first quarter now behind us, and the holidays just ahead. During these busy days, always feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns at mwilliamson@nwcath.org. Calendar Updates: Due to impact of the unprecedented Oct. snow storm we have decided to make a few changes in the calendar. More changes are likely, but at this point in time we do not have any details. Please note that contrary to published calendars school will be in session on: Monday, Nov. 28, 2011 Friday, Mar. 16, 2012 Thursday, Apr. 12, 2012 Mid-term Exams will now begin on Fri., Jan. 20 and go through Wed., Jan. 25, 2012. Sincerely, Margaret R. Williamson, Principal/Chief Administrator Minutes from October Parents’ Club Meeting Dear Parents, Guardians and NWC Community, Our first quarter has been quite full, culminating with a visitation from Alfred. This press is sent with our hope that your lives are returning to normal after such devastation impacted our state. NWC’s 50th Anniversary Mass was a special time for connection both currently and historically. Please feel welcomed to visit a proud display in honor of NWC memories located in the lobby of the Breen Art Center. The freshmen were given the privilege of attending retreats coordinated by ACTS students. How fortunate we are that our students have the opportunity for Spiritual growth in their everyday lives at NWC! A day of silence in solidarity with the unborn took place in recognition of Right to Life month. NWC celebrates the successes of our students in so many different aspects of life: One national merit semifinalist and 3 commended students were announced. In addition, 26 students achieved “AP Scholar” status from last year’s exam results. Several NWC fall sports teams have qualified for state championships. Our fall one act play over Columbus Day weekend was very good. We look forward to the full length play scheduled for December 2, 3 and 4. Students thrive in many other clubs including Mock Trial, Model UN, Student Council, Art Club, Newspaper, Yearbook, etc. And, winter sports are around the corner! Immaculée Ilibagiza, New York Times best selling author and Rwandan genocide survivor, gave an unforgettable presentation at NWC last month. Left to Tell was a school wide summer reading assignment; we hope you have enjoyed the book along with your student. As Immaculée shared her inspirational story of faith, hope, and forgiveness, many were touched by her sincerity and authenticity. One could not possibly have left the auditorium without being greatly impacted. Thank you to our volunteers who came out in support of this poignant and memorable event! Also noteworthy was our October Parent Meeting. Our guest speaker, Abigail Sullivan Moore, coauthored The iConnected Parent – Staying Close to Your Kids in College (and Beyond) While Letting Them Grow Up. Ms. Moore traveled to many prominent, respected universities interviewing professors, students and parents. Interesting data was gathered regarding the challenges we face with opportunity for instant and sometimes constant communication. While close relationships with our college aged young adult children are of unquestionable value, this book exhorts parents to give room to allow kids to grow into healthy adults. Some very interesting findings were reported! NWC alert system is fully functioning through the website. Feel free to sign up for an alert (text, email or both) with changes in your student’s athletic schedule. The athletic department updates their info line on the phone system with the day’s schedule as well as any changes. Just press “6” then “1” when you get the main message. Our theme of Love is very appropriate as we have relied on one another to weather the recent storm. I believe that I am speaking for all when I thank NWC for consistent and thoughtful communication during a challenging event. If you are in need of assistance, please feel free to contact the school to access our strong parent network. Respectfully submitted, Carrie Hoefer Saturday Night Live is in the Home Stretch! NWC's biggest fundraiser is just over a few days away -- Sat., Nov. 19, 6:30-midnight-- and the excitement is building! And there's still time to be part of the fun!
Here are some ideas: - Donate an item, gift basket, tickets, or a service for the Silent Auction -- click here to donate. No item is too big or small!
- Buy tickets -- $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Tickets are in the mail and our hope is that each family will buy at least 2 tickets. Invite your neighbors or a family that's considering NWC for their children -- what a great way to showcase the very best of our community! Contact Jane Leary at jleary@nwcath.org.
- Volunteer to work that night -- just an hour will help tremendously. Team up with a friend (or make a new one on your shift!). You can also volunteer to help with set-up on Fri., Nov. 18 at 5:30pm. Contact Sue Healey at wshealey@comcast.net.
Questions? Contact co-chairs Linda Moran Buda at lindamoran31@hotmail.com or Ellen Moran DeLorenzo at ellen.moran342@gmail.com. Looking forward to seeing you on Sat. Nov. 19. Athletic Department News
Nov. 30, 7pm -- Fall Sports Awards Dec. 6, 6:30-8pm -- Athletic Department/Team Meeting Information Night (mandatory for all Winter athletes and parents) and Chemical Health Presentation (mandatory for Winter athletes, coaches, and parents who did not already attend in the Fall) Prospective Winter athletes must have the following forms turned in to the Athletic Office before Winter tryouts begin. All athletes must have had a physical after April 1, 2011. - Girls' Basketball Tryouts - Mon., Nov. 21 and Tue. Nov. 22. Tryouts for Freshmen, 2:30pm, grades 10, 11, &12 will try out at 4pm. Wed. Nov. 23 tryouts: Freshmen 12:20 - 1pm, grades 10, 11, & 12 1:30-4pm. Due to the post season for the Girls’ Soccer team, there will be additional tryouts for the athletes currently on the Girls’ Soccer team on Nov. 28 and 29 from 3:30 – 5:30pm in the Stosuy Gym.
- Boys' Basketball Tryouts - Begin on Mon., Nov.28, Freshmen from 2:30 – 3:30; Open Tryout to all levels start 3:30 – 6:00pm. Pending the completion of the Football season, there will be an additional day for tryouts for the athletes participating on the Football Team. All student-athletes who are in this situation must see Coach Mirabello before the original tryout on Nov. 28.
- Ice Hockey Tryouts - Begin on Mon., Nov. 28, tryouts will be held at the ISCC in Simsbury, all levels will practice at 4pm on the ice. Students needing transportation from NWC will take the Simsbury/Granby Bus to ISCC. Students must arrange for transportation home. All Players must bring their own equipment.
- Swimming and Diving Tryouts - Begin on Mon., Nov. 28, tryouts will be held at the Farmington Valley YMCA, Granby CT. All levels will practice at 3pm. Students needing transportation from NWC will take the Simsbury/Granby Bus to ISCC. Students must arrange for transportation home. All Swimmers must have a bathing suit, goggles, and towel.
- Indoor Track - Mon., Nov. 28, practice will be held outside on the NWC Track, all levels will practice at 2:30pm. Be prepared to practice outside.
- Cheerleading Tryouts - Mon., Nov. 28 and Tue., Nov. 29, tryouts will be held in the Stosuy Gym from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Wed., Nov. 30 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm and Thurs., Dec. 1 and Fri., Dec. 2 from 5:30pm – 7:30pm.
Note: The Boys' and Girls' Indoor Track Team does not hold tryouts, but will begin practice on Mon., Nov. 28, at NWC from 2:30-4:30pm. Any student who does not make another team will have three additional school days to join a non-cut school team (see Athletic Handbook). The NWC Fitness Center will be open and supervised for student use from 2:30pm to 4:30pm daily beginning Tue., Nov. 29. Intramural 3 on 3 Basketball is regularly scheduled for Mon. and Fri., see Mr. Gallagher for start dates. * Questions? Contact Interim Athletic Director Matt Martorelli (mmartorelli@nwcath.org or 860.236.4221 x127). First-Quarter Honor Roll
Congratulations to the students who earned First or Second Honors or Honorable Mention during the first quarter; click here for the complete list. Admissions Office Needs your Help... Spread the word to your friends and neighbors: NWC Entrance Exam is Sat.. Dec. 3, 8am Our Admissions application process is now online. Students applying to Northwest Catholic will be able to: - Create their own account.
- Register for our entrance exam on Dec. 3 with their completed application.
- Track their status throughout the process.
- Schedule a shadow day and receive important updates and reminders of upcoming events.
For information, contact Maryann Lacouture in the Admissions Office at 860-236-4221 x140 Coming Soon to NWC's Mortensen Stage: A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley Enjoy a night out at the theater as NWC Dramateurs present the seasonal favorite, "A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley" by Israel Horovitz, based on the Dickens novel. Come get in the mood for the Christmas Season as the NWC Dramateurs take you on a fantasy tour of the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. The cast features Adrian Hatch '13 as Scrooge, Dan Lusardi '13 as Marley, Ryan DeFranzo '14 as Cratchit, Abbie Reed '13 as Christmas Past, and Sara Ball '13 as Christmas Present. The play will be performed on Fri., Dec. 2, and Sat., Dec. 3 at 7:30pm and on Sun., Dec. 4 at 2pm. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors; NWC students are free. Contact the NWC Box Office at 860.236.4221 x240 or drama@nwcath.org to purchase tickets. Did you get an email about 1st Quarter Grades? If not you need to log into edline, put your mouse over My Account, (on the upper left hand side of the page) and click on Manage Account. Next click the box under New Report Alerts, then click Save and Return at the bottom of the page. If you do not have an edline account or forgot your username or password contact Mrs. Beth Boyle at bboyle@nwcath.org for assistance. News from NOWECA -- The Northwest Catholic Yearbook Attention Senior Parents: There are a limited number of senior ad pages left for purchase (the equivalent of ten pages). If you’d like to purchase an ad please contact Mrs. Nita Vitaliano as soon as possible. The deadline for submitting all materials for an ad is Dec. 5. Click here to order your copy of the 2012 edition of NOWECA, the Northwest Catholic yearbook. The cost is $70 -- same as last year! All senior students will receive a yearbook. If Senior Parents wish to purchase one to share with friends and relatives you are welcome to do so! We are also having a sale on LAST year's 2011 edition of NOWECA--$60! If you are interested, please contact Mrs. Vitaliano. How You Can Help Others This Season ... There are many opportunities within the NWC community for those who wish to reach out to others less fortunate this holiday season: Turkey Drive: This year the sophomore class is again sponsoring a turkey drive; raising money to buy turkeys for the less fortunate. The money we collect will be used for two programs this year. Money for 60 turkeys will go to The Catholic Worker and the rest will be used to purchase turkeys to be distributed by Food Share. Food Share needs over 20,000 turkeys to meet the needs of the people in the communities they serve. We will be collecting donations starting Mon., Nov. 7 until Mon., Nov. 21. Funds will be collected in homeroom. The St. Vincent DePaul Club of Northwest Catholic High School is hosting a food drive to complete the Thanksgiving dinners of the 60 children in the Catholic Worker House after-school and Saturday programs. Our food drive is a complement to the sophomore turkey drive…they will raise the funds for the turkeys, and we will assist with the rest of the meal! We are collecting the following until Fri., Nov. 18: - Sweet potatoes (real ones!)
- Potatoes (real ones! 5 lb bags)
- Celery
- Bags of carrots
- Apples or Pears
- Canned vegetables
- Canned fruit
- Stuffing mix
- Bisquick
- Corn muffin mix
- Jars of gravy
This is an unusual drive because we are asking for so much fresh food, but we will be delivering it immediately and dinner is always nice when it is made from fresh food. The Freshman Class is collecting new, unwrapped toys for infants through teenagers. The Catholic Worker House is in need of toys for their families. Please consider picking up a toy for a special girl or boy in need. A list of specific items will be on edline next week. Toys will be collected from Mon., Nov. 28 until Fri., Dec. 9. Students who donate a toy earn a dress-down day, scheduled for later in the year. Thank you for making a child’s Christmas extra special. Blood Drive at NWC The Student Council will hold a Blood Drive on Wed., Nov. 30 from 10am-3pm in the Stosuy Gym. Students who are 17 and older and weigh more than 110 lbs will be able to sign up in the café 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 to reserve a time. Are You Looking for Your Directory? Send your student to the front office to pick up your family directory during the hours of 7:30am - 3:30pm. Weather or Not ...
If the weather is severe, notice of a delayed opening or school closing will be posted on the NWC web site. Notice will also be posted on www.wtic.com; www.wrch.com; www.drcfm.com; www.nbc30.com; and www.wfsb.com. Announcements will also be made on WTIC-AM 1080; WTIC-FM 96.5; WZMX-FM 93.7; WDRC-AM 1360, and WRCH-FM 100.5, and on TV Channels 3 or 30. In the case of early dismissal, which is usually around noon, buses will run. How You Can Help NWC? 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; click here for Shop Rite; and click here for Target. You must re-register your Stop & Shop and Shop Rite card every year. Mark Your Calendars Nov. 19 - "SNL", 6:30pm-12am
Nov. 23 – Early Dismissal, 12:16pm
Nov. 24,25 – No school; Happy Thanksgiving!
Nov. 28 - School will be in Session
Nov. 30 - Blood Drive, 10-3pm
Nov. 30 - Fall Sports Awards, 7pm
Dec. 2 - A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, 7:30pm
Dec. 3 – Entrance Exam for Prospective Students, 8am-12:30pm
Dec. 3 - A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, 7:30pm
Dec. 4 - A Christmas Carol: Scrooge and Marley, 2pm
Dec. 6 - Chemical Health Policy and Winter Sports Team Mtgs., 6:30pm
Dec. 8 – National Honor Society Induction, 7pm
Dec. 10 – Semi-formal Dance at NWC, 8-11pm
Dec. 13 – Christmas Concert, 7pm
Dec. 15 – Art Show/Dance Recital, 6:30pm
Dec. 23 – Early Dismissal, 12:16pm
Dec. 24-Jan. 2 – No school; Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Parents' Club Meetings:
Jan. 17: TBD
Mar. 19: The State of the School Address will be given by Margaret Williamson
May 21: Recent Alumni discussing their adjustment to life at college (tentative)
June 12: Cookout Volume XVII - Number Three - November 2011 
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