Welcome to the first edition of the electronic
Parent Press! We're always trying to be more efficient, more cost-conscious, and more environmentally sensitive -- which is why I'm delighted to be sending you this newsletter electronically! (FYI, if you'd like a complete version of the newsletter to print out, click here for a pdf version, which will also reside on the school web site.) It is now more important than ever that we have your correct, preferred e-mail address. Please send any updates to my assistant, Katie Rose, at krose@nwcath.org. And, please know that I will always be happy to hear from you at my usual e-mail address: mwilliamson@nwcath.org.
Next Parents' Club Meeting on May 18 to Feature NWC President Fitzsimons Plus Prominent School Psychologist
We are fortunate that a nationally certified school psychologist, Marcie Swift, M.Ed., NCSP, will be the guest speaker at our next Parents' Club meeting on Mon., May 18, at 7:00pm. Ms. Swift, the consulting psychologist at Renbrook School, has 30 years of experience assessing and counseling private high school students. She will talk about how important it is for students to know themselves -- their strengths and desires -- as they think about college and the rest of their lives. (This fall, she will offer a two-day workshop for NWC juniors and seniors called "Roadmap for Success," which helps students focus intently on competencies, high potential career options, and future majors; details about cost and precise timing will be available at the meeting.)
NWC President Matthew Fitzsimons will also speak at this meeting, offering a "State of the School" address. And, we will have a panel of NWC grads home from college to offer the "inside scoop" about the transition from high school to college. We look forward to seeing you at this informative meeting!
Other Important Dates (Check www.northwestcatholic.org for constant updates)
May 11: Grandparents' Day (for Class of '12)
May 15: Field Day
May 16: Junior/Senior Prom
May 19: Art Show/Dance Recital
May 21: Spring Concert
May 22-23: One-Act Play
May 25: NO SCHOOL (Memorial Day)
May 27: Sports Awards Night
May 28: Academic and Service Awards
Jun 1: NWC Golf Tournament
Jun 3: Baccalaureate Mass (10am, Church of St. Timothy); Commencement (7:30pm, Cathedral of St. Joseph)
Jun 9, 6:15pm: Parents' Club Cookout
Looking Ahead ...
Sep. 2: First day for Class of ‘13
Sep. 3: First day for Classes of '11 and ‘12
Sep. 4: First day for Class of ‘10
Feb. 15-19, 2010: Winter break
Apr. 19-23, 2010: Spring break
Jun 9, 2010: Graduation
Please Help Make the Senior Cruise Memorable!
One of the great NWC traditions is the post-graduation cruise, when newly minted NWC alums leave St. Joseph Cathedral and board the "Lady Katharine" for an all-night, substance-free cruise down the Connecticut River. After docking at Charter Oak Landing at 4:30am, they return to NWC for breakfast -- and then home to bed! This fun-filled evening features many activities, including a "raffle" through which students win prizes they can take off to college. Traditionally, current NWC parents (and local businesses) donate the prizes and/or cash (which is used to buy prizes). We know this is a difficult time financially; any donations would be greatly appreciated! Please contact Madelyn Filomeno (m.filomeno@comcast.net or 521-5458) or Betty Ann Grady (bettyanngrady@comcast.net or 521-1409).
Exam Schedule
The end of the year is approaching fast! Here is the schedule for final exams; a student's last day of exams is his/her last day of school.
Thurs., Jun 18: A and B Period classes
Fri., Jun 19: C and D Period classes
Mon., Jun 22: E/F/G/H Period classes
Tues., Jun 23: I and J Period classes
Teeing Up for NWC's 32nd Annual Golf Tournament
There is still time to be part of the fun of the NWC Golf Tournament, to be held on Monday, June 1, at Wampanoag Country Club in West Hartford. Contact Tom Steen (tsteen@nwcath.org or 236-4221, x138) to pursue golf slots, sponsorships, or to donate prizes for the 18-hole round, which begins at 1pm; contact Jane Leary (jleary@nwcath.org or 236-4221, x131) if you're interested in the Ladies' 9-hole, which begins at 9am. Not a golfer? Not a problem! Join us just for lunch ($25) or dinner ($50).
NWC's New "Bookstore" -- Opening June 2009
Northwest Catholic's new virtual "bookstore," powered by eCampus.com, opens in June. In addition to textbooks, the store will offer general reading books (including summer reading books) and supplies like lab goggles, thumb drives, and Texas Instruments graphing calculators. Plus, NWC earns a commission on every sale! To be sure your purchases are credited to NWC, you must access the bookstore through Edline and/or links on the Academics and Parents section of the school web site (www.northwestcatholic.org).
Although we are switching vendors, students may still sell books back for cash or credit. The Class of '09 buyback day is Wed., May 27 (checks will be distributed at their first reunion, on Nov. 25, 2009); for other classes, the buyback days are Jun 22 and 23, and students will get vouchers toward the purchase of next year's books. To sell books back on-line, click "Sell Your Books" and enter the ISBN number to get a quote. Shipping is free! Print off the postage-paid mailing label and send the textbooks to eCampus.
NWC's "Relay for Life" Takes Shape
Northwest Catholic will once again host West Hartford's "Relay for Life," supporting the American Cancer Society; the event will begin at 4pm on June 26 and end at 10am on June 27. We expect to see hundreds of people walking our track to raise money for cancer research. For more information about walking or supporting the NWC team, visit http://main.acsevents.org/goto/NWCHS or contact Luke Pelton ‘10 at pelton123@gmail.com.
Summer Programs
Registration is under way for NWC's summer programs -- including athletic clinics and PSAT/SAT review courses -- for boys and girls in grades 2-12; click here for a registration form. For info about sports programs, contact Athletic Director Josh Reese at jreese@nwcath.org, and for questions about the SAT classes, contact Betsy Quinn at bquinn@nwcath.org.
Hospitality Committee Thanks -- Pasta Supper and President's Reception
Cindy Gworek would like to thank the following people who helped tremendously with two Hospitality Committee events in the past month:
For the Dramateurs Pasta Supper: Anna Lenczewski, Margie Williamson, Kristin Tomaiuolo, Mary Sitaro, Katie Sitaro, Kate Conway, Cori Webber, Shannon Webber, Susan & Russ Pelton, Edith & Giuli Di Francesco, Joanne Yurso, Jean & Mark Molloy, Kathy Fitzpatrick, Patti & Kevin Hannifan, Susan Banks, Laura Garger, Debbie Soucier, Judy McGowan, Mary Butler, Bob Crawford, Claire Daly, Maura Kearns, Jim & Kathy Hunter, Scott & Marianne McKenzie, Karen Hull, Kelly Skalski, Sheila Sherer, Greg & Debbie Sullivan, Gail Baker, Anne Pidano, Kim Bowen, Michelle Kuhlberg, Terri Sands, Cindy Rook, Paula Tomazic, Diane McAndrews, Diane Beckerman, Kathy Lawton, Camille Kilgore, and Kathleen Davenport. We served a delicious dinner to over 150 people and had everything cleaned up before the show started! It was a true example of many hands making work light.
For the President's Reception: Susan Pelton, Gail Riley, Loretta Whiting, Patty Visintainer, Betty Ann Grady, Gene Denver, Anne Pidano, Lyn Connery, Camille Kilgore, Laura McDonnell, Virginia Gilmour, Donna Lorenzo, Patrick & Barbara Higgins, Suzanne Piacentini, Coreen Sumple, Ann Strid, and Vicki Ferrell.
Third-Quarter Honor Roll
For the list of academically outstanding students who earned honors during the third quarter of the year, click here.
Winter Sports Wrap-Up and Awards
For the names of student-athletes who participated in NWC's Winter sports, as well as for special awards and/or records that were set during the season, click here.
Parents' Club -- Minutes from March 19, 2009 Meeting
Anne Pidano welcomed parents to this evening's meeting, and Mrs. Williamson followed with a prayer written by Mrs. Gillespie that was used in school this week.
Tomorrow is "Cool School Day" at Northwest. Mrs. Williamson reports that about 400 students, allowed to dress down in something green, are expected to arrive at 4:45am to participate in this special event. NWC will be featured during the morning news from 5-7am on WFSB Channel 3. Click here for highlights from that show.
In academic news, the administration has been working on the Program of Studies for next year and has added new courses; the listing of next year's courses will be included in the third-quarter report card, scheduled to go out around Easter. As previously announced, eCampus will be the school's textbook provider next year. College planning has begun in earnest for juniors, as seniors are now hearing from the schools to which they applied. A rep from FACTS, the new tuition collection company, will be at school from 5:30-9pm on Apr. 6 to answer questions.
On the spiritual front, there was a Mass for sophomores today in the gym. As part of the Cool School celebration, Campus Ministry has launched several service projects: a collection of socks for refugees, creation of baby blankets for St. Gerard's, and letters written by our students and sent with packages to soldiers overseas.
In athletics, winter sports are almost done; all teams did very well. The Girls' Basketball team made the quarterfinals, while the Boys' Basketball and the hockey teams both made it to the semi-finals. Our Indoor Track team did exceptionally well, with team members making the New Englands and the Nationals. Two new sports will be added this Spring: Girls' Golf and the Unified Sports program, through which NWC students will help teach and play volleyball with students from the Intensive Education Academy, a private school for students with special needs in West Hartford. The Chemical Health Policy Meeting -- mandatory for all Spring athletes who have not played a sport in another season -- will be on Apr. 6 at 6:30pm; team meetings will be held first.
On the extracurricular front, the spring musical, "Godspell," will be performed Apr. 3-5, with the traditional fundraising pasta supper sponsored by the Dramateurs and the Music Department before the Saturday evening performance. This will be "Godspell's" third run at NWC -- the first two were in 1981 and 1991. The Alumni office is hosting a reunion on Apr. 5 for the casts from these years. Other events in May include the Jazz Cabaret Night on Sat., May 9 at 7pm, and Prom on Sat., May 16.
The Hospitality Committee reported that teachers were treated to delicious food, plenty of desserts, and a gift card to Dunkin Donuts on Teacher Appreciation Day. Hearty thanks to all volunteers for their flexibility after the date was changed due to poor weather. In the Advancement Department, Spring fundraising phonathons will be held on Apr. 1 & 2, 7 & 8, and 21-23; eight callers are needed for each night from 5:30-8pm. Training and supper are provided! The 32nd Annual NWC Golf Tournament will be held on Mon., Jun 1 at Wampanoag Country Club; sponsors, raffle prizes and many volunteers are still needed! Contact Tom Steen at tsteen@nwcath.org or Jane Leary at jleary@nwcath.org to help.
Mrs. Kim Crabbe, the Director of Career Counseling at Drew University in N.J., then offered a presentation on career counseling for high school students. She has worked in this field for 18 years.
