MBSCS


To Jesus Through Mary

Mission Statement
  
Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School, serving students in the eight sponsoring parishes of the region in grades pre-kindergarten to eight, is dedicated to excellence in education by developing life-long learners and leaders. We foster a faith-filled environment in partnership with families, emphasizing reverence, respect, and personal responsibility in the traditional spirit of Christian teaching.
 

November 30, 2017  

Phone: 410-208-1600

Fax: 410-208-4957

[email protected] 


Jesus said to his disciples: "Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know
when the time will come. It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'"
Mark 13:33-37

   
 
Dear Parents and Guardians,
 
In 1858, Our Blessed Mother Mary identified herself as "I am the Immaculate Conception" to St. Bernadette of Lourdes.
 
On December 8th, our Church observes the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is through her Immaculate Conception that God first prepared Mary to be the mother of Jesus.
 
Evil has been present in the world since the time of Adam and Eve. A special favor of God would be required for us not to be infected by the evil in and around us. This special favor was given to Mary, the Mother of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Thus, the greeting of the Angel Gabriel to Mary, "Hail full of grace! The Lord is with you."
 
We encourage our families to observe the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception by attending Mass in their parishes.
 
FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION MASS 
The students will be attending Mass on Friday, December 8th at 10:00 a.m. to celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. All classes will attend Mass and students should wear their regular winter uniform -  NO PE UNIFORMS.
Students will NOT be attending Mass on Thursday, December 7th.  
 
 
 
ADVENT PRAYER SERVICE 
Each week, our Catholic School community will gather for Advent prayer and reflection. All are invited to join us. The first service will take place on December 7th and will be an Advent Penance Service. It will begin at 12:30 p.m. Please join us if your schedule allows. 
 
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DIOCESAN and MBS TUITION ASSISTANCE --
VERY IMPORTANT
The Diocese of Wilmington will start accepting Tuition Assistance applications on December 11th, 2017 for the 2018-2019 upcoming school year. Tuition assistance through the Diocese of Wilmington is provided to children attending grades K-12. Pre-school, before and after care are not funded through this program.

To be considered, parents must submit an application online to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment for evaluation at www.online.factsmgt.com/aid. FACTS representatives are available to guide parents through the application process and to answer any questions by calling 1-866-441-4637. Completed applications, including all supporting documentation such as tax forms, are due March 1st. Applications that are submitted after that date will NOT be considered for assistance.

PLEASE REMEMBER: ALL families who wish to be considered for MBS assistance must complete and submit the FACTS application.
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OPEN HOUSE
Please, pass the word!! Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School is hosting an Open House Tuesday, December 5, 2017 from 9:00am-11:30am for parishioners, new families, and members of our communities in Delaware and Maryland. You will have an opportunity to tour facilities, meet the teachers and speak to administrators on hand regarding enrollment possibilities for the 2017-2018 academic year. We are located at 11242 Racetrack Road, Berlin, MD 21811. Should anyone have any questions or for more information, please contact Lisa Edmunds, Director of Admissions at, 410-208-1600.
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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS OFFICE VISIT
On Tuesday, November 28th our school hosted a visit from the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Wilmington. Visiting us for the day were:  
 
Dr. Lou DeAngelo, Superintendent
Miss Carol Ripkin, Associate Superintendent
Sr. William Adele, SSJ, Associate Superintendent
Mrs. Mary Fillipone, Personnel Coordinator
Mr. Dave Bruno, Technology Coordinator
 
Our guests spent the day visiting classes, speaking with administrative staff, instructional coordinators, teachers and students. At the end of the day the Catholic Schools Office staff met with Mr. Record to provide a summary of their observations. In speaking about our students, the following was reported.
 
"Your students are engaged in the learning process."
"Your students are respectful, polite and welcoming."
"Your students demonstrate a deep understanding of our Catholic faith."
"Your students appearance is outstanding. Their uniforms are very clean and neat."
 
We are very proud of our students. Thank you for your support and continued collaboration in our ministry.  
 
   
NATIVITY RAFFLE
As in the past, our school is once again the recipient of a beautiful handcrafted ceramic nativity set through the generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Tony Carozza. This lovely set is currently on display in the MBS Office. We are very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Carozza for their continued thoughtfulness and generosity. Their love for the children in our school is always evident.  
 
In today's Thursday folders, each family will find twelve raffle tickets that we are asking you to purchase or sell. Each ticket is $1.00 or a sheet of twelve for $10.00. If each family sells ten tickets, we will realize almost $2000 in profit. The proceeds will benefit our athletic program. When you return your tickets, please be sure that all information is completed on the tickets and is legible. Please return the tickets along with the proceeds from sales to the school office. Additional tickets are available through the school office.   
 
Please feel free to stop in the office to admire the craftsmanship.
 
The winner will be announced at the Christmas Program on December 14th.  
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YANKEE CANDLE FUNDRAISER 
Brochure sales for Yankee candle have ended and should be turned in today, but don't worry... YOU CAN STILL ORDER  ONLINE!!! Just  go to www.yankeecandlefundraising.com. Remember to enter the MBS group number 990056115.
 
 
LYNCH CREEK FARM WREATHS
The  perfect gift this Christmas season for that hard to shop for person! Beautiful Wreaths and Garland shipped direct from the farm! They will last into the new year.  Give a gift that everyone can enjoy. MBS will receive 20% of the sales!! Visit the link
Free shipping. 
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CHRISTMAS CARD CONTEST
It's that time of year again! We are doing a Christmas Card contest! This is an optional contest for our students. Any student who wishes to participate should draw a favorite Christmas picture using 8 ½ x 11" paper and colored pencils, markers, or crayon drawing. All drawings must be submitted to office by December 5th. Winner will be chosen on afternoon of December 5th and will receive a $20.00 gift card from Michaels. Please email Mrs. Edmunds at [email protected] for questions.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITY PERIOD-CHESS
On every other Wednesday, our middle school students participate in Middle School activity period. During this period, students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade attend an activity class that is designed to extend our curricula. Students choose, on a trimester basis, to attend one of the following: Sewing, cooking, chess, dance, logic and puzzles, golf, garden club, coding and power walking. Many thanks to Mr. MacGuinness for coordinating the MBS chess club.
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MBS CAR RAFFLE
Benefiting the Technology Development Fund of MBS

MBS Car Raffle tickets, 1 for $10, 6 for $50, 13 for $100- 2018 Chevrolet Spark OR $10,000 CASH!
Have you sold your raffle tickets? We are asking every family to sell a minimum of 15 tickets for our MBS Car Raffle, to benefit the technology development fund of MBS. Through this fund, we will be able to purchase iPads and Surface Pro tablets. The goal is to have a one to one digital technology ratio to be used in classroom instruction for third through eighth grades. If each family sells a minimum of 15 tickets, that will bring in close to $15,000 for our technology development fund!  You can also encourage friends and family to purchase tickets online on our website at www.mostblessedsacramentschool.com or click this link: http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=xryz7ocab&oeidk=a07eepeuy0sc6a98d39.
 
   

SAVE THE DATES
Mark your calendars. The MBS Christmas Program is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, Decemer 14th at 6:30 p.m. More information will follow.
The MBS Piano Recital is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, December 20th at 6:30 p.m. 
 
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The MBS CaddyShack Classic had another banner year.  Thank you all for your support.  We would like to thank our sponsors and would encourage you to take a look at this list and support the folks that support our children and school: 
 
Presentation:  Atlantic Retina Centers, Atlantic Adult & Pediatric Medicine
 
Country Club:  1st Choice Properties, Chesapeake Eye Center, Tony Prochazka - Your Real Estate Agent, Fractured Prune, King Kone
 
Beverage Cart:  FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center, Taylor Bank, Denny & Genna Murphy, White Marlin Electric, ADEX Contracting & Electrical, The Adkins Company
 
Hole Sponsors:  New York Life, Mark Apolenis, Black Diamond Builders, Ruark Golf, The Insurance Market, Inc, McGee Fence, LLC, DePalma Dental, DJBK
 
Food and Beverage provided by: OC Ropewalk, Sunset Grille and Carey Distributors.  
 
WE ARE ADDING TO OUR COMMITTEE.  If you are interested in working with a great bunch of parents and volunteers on a really fun event please send Rick Deale an email at [email protected] .  
Thank you!   
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CALLING ALL ACTORS!
Spring play preparations are underway! This year, we will be performing Mary Poppins, JR. Students in 5th through 8th grade are invited to audition. Below are two important dates regarding preparations and auditions.  
  • 1. Tuesday, December 5th- After School Script Read-Through until 5:00pm  
  • 2. Monday, December 11th- Mary Poppins Auditions until 5:00pm    6th- 8th grade students only .  5th grade students will be auditioning Monday afternoon during school hours .  
If your child is planning on attending the se events , please e-mail Mrs. Bennett at [email protected] by Monday, December 4 th .  
 
 
COUNSELING CORNER 
This week I met with grades K, 1 and 2.  We did a lesson on kindness.  In K we read, "Llama, Llama and the Bully Goat".  In 1 st grade we read, "Justin and the Bully".  In the 2 nd grade we read, "Put an End to Put Downs".  In all grades we had a discussion about how to handle unkindness.  I stress the importance of talking to a trusted adult if unkind acts take place repeatedly, which is then bullying.  We then focused on kindness, the importance of spreading kindness to one another and always treating others the way we want to be treated.
 
Attn: 8th grade parents
The Diocese of Wilmington will administer the HSPT (High School Placement Test) at our diocesan and parish high schools (Padua Academy, Saint Elizabeth High School, Saint Mark's High School, Saint Thomas More Academy, Saints Peter & Paul School) the first weekend in December. Registration will take place online only, through Scholastic Testing Services, Inc., at http://wilmington.stsusers.com.
 
 
LIBRARY NEWS  
The 7th grade Library & 2nd grade Spanish classes combined for a special Arts Integration activity.  Octavio Castellanos read to both classes "Jose el Chevere helado y dinosaurios" & "Jose el Chevere A bailar y contar en la fiesta" while Luke Mergott read the English version of "Groovy Joe Ice Cream & Dinosaurs" and "Groovy Joe Dance Party Countdown."  Students then met with their prayer buddies to read & translate "El osito perdido."  We are extremely proud of Octavio for his perfect reading in Spanish.   
 
 
 
 
 
Just a few reminders of the policies for student illness:
  • Diarrhea/Vomiting- must remain home from school for 24 hours until symptoms cease without medication. If the student is sent home, the student must stay home from school the next day.
  • Fever- 24 hour fever free without medication. If the student is sent home, the student must stay home from school the next day.
  • Strep Throat/Scarlet Fever-Your child needs to remain home for at least 24 hours after the onset of antibiotic treatment and must remain fever free before returning to school. If the student is sent home, the student must stay home from school the next day. You must have a doctor's note to return to school.
All health policies are listed in the family hand book on pages 13-15.  Policies are in place to help keep the children of our school healthy and to help prevent the spread of germs.
Remember if your student is out for 3 or more days, the student must return with a doctor's note.   
 
ATHLETICS
Fall Sports Recognition- We had a great Fall Sports Recognition event on November 17th. Thank you to all the parents who attended. Special thanks to our Fall coaches (Matthew Piperno- Golf, Antonin Prochazka- Golf, Todd Hayes- Soccer). They not only volunteered their valuable time but also gave some great motivational speeches at the end-of-season event. 
 
Award winners include:  James Barrett- Coach's Award (Soccer),  Lexi Berrie- Rookie of the Year (Soccer),  Roman Keith- Most Valuable Player (Soccer),  Griffin Jones- Coach's Award
(Golf), Ashton Selzer- Rookie of the Year (Golf),  AJ Kolb- Most Valuable Player (Golf).
 
Basketball Practice Schedule- 
 
Girl's JV Basketball Practice (6th and 7th Grade)- Mon and Wed- 3:10PM to 4:30PM
Girl's Varsity Practice (7th and 8th Grade)- Mon and Wed- 4:00PM to 5:30PM 
 
Boy's JV Basketball Practice (6th and 7th Grade)- Tu & Th- 3:30PM to 5:30PM
Boy's Varsity Practice (7th and 8th Grade)- Tu & Th- 3:30PM to 5:30PM
 
Upcoming Basketball Games-
Wednesday, 12/6/2017- Salisbury Christian (Away)- Girls Varsity (4:00PM), Boys Varsity (5:15PM)
 
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 IMPORTANT DATES
   
   December
         5th                              Open House, 9:00-11:30 a.m. 
   15th                              School Closed for Students,  
                                       Teacher Professional Day
        22nd                             Christmas Holiday Begins - 12:10 Dismissal
        25th-Jan. 1                   Christmas Holiday - School Closed 
 
PARISHES 
St. Ann 
Hello Parents from St. Ann's Parish,
Every year, MBS families host "Donut Sunday" from October to April at St. Ann's in Bethany after 10:30 Mass.  We provide donuts and make coffee for parishioners to enjoy in Delaney Hall.  Our children are encouraged to wear their MBS polo shirt so that our Parishioners recognize them and know that they are part of the MBS family. The children help serve and clean up as well. If you are interested in helping out any of these dates, please email me directly. You may earn FIP hours for your time.
Dates are:  12/10, 1/14/17, 2/11, 3/11 and 4/8.
Thank you, Anne Flaherty ( [email protected] )
 
St John Neumann
St. John Neumann Parish and Family Life Committee invites all parishioners to attend our Advent Wreath Making Event on Sunday, December 3rd from 12:30-2:00 p.m. at MBS. If you have your ring from last year, please bring it! Wreath rings and candles will be available for $10 or you can bring your own wreath to enhance with greens, candles and ribbon. $15 donation per family is requested. 
Confirmation 2018 : The Dec 3rd  session has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict with the Advent Wreath making event. We will not be meeting this Sunday. In its place, please make plans to attend our Advent Penance Service on Monday 18 December at 6:30PM. This is a great opportunity to prepare our hearts for Christmas and the reception of the sacrament. Please check in with me when you arrive. There is also a homework assignment that will be emailed.
Parents of 2nd Graders: Our next important date is 21 January at 10AM. On this date the 1st Reconciliation folders will be due and the 1st Eucharist materials will be distributed. Also at this time the parents who are going through this experience for the first time will stay for a preparatory session.
The 11th Annual Saint John Neumann Women's Retreat will beheld on January 26-28, 2018 at the Dunes Manor Hotel located on 28th Street in Ocean City. Our Retreat Facilitator this year will be Sr. Pat Smith.  
The entire cost of the weekend which includes three meals on Saturday, one on Sunday, snacks and materials is $307 for a private room, $215 per person for double occupancey, $191 for triple, $180 for a quad, and $130 for the four meals, materials and not staying overnight. Registration has begun - please contact Nancy Groves 410-208-2854 or [email protected] to register. Payment is due December 20th.    
 
St. Jude the Apostle
BeachORIGINALS'  are HERE!  
Stop by the Religious Education Office to purchase your cards between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. 
Buy One Entrée, Get up to $15 Off the Second Entrée (of equal or lesser value) at several of the resort area's most exceptional restaurants through April 30, 2018.  Still only $20 a card!  Your purchase will help support St. Jude's Religious Education Program. 
   
St. Luke
St. Luke's Penance Service will be held on Thursday, December 14th at 6:30pm.
 
Christmas Mass Schedule:
Sunday, December 24th  
               4:00 PM
               6:00 PM
             10:00 PM
 
Monday, December 25th
               8:30 AM
             10:00 AM
 
   
Vision Statement  
 

Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic School provides rigorous and technologically relevant instruction that is intentionally integrated with Catholic identity.  Together, as Pastors, administrators, teachers and parents, we nurture the development of the mind, the body, and the soul, in each of our students.  Our students are able to make sound decisions based upon the teachings of Jesus Christ and modeled upon the lives of the saints.  As a faith and learning community, we teach students a passion for the truth and a love for discovery and knowledge. Our students are prepared to relate their Catholic faith to their culture and actively live their faith as members of the greater community.