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St. Joseph Scholars volunteer at Matthew 25
The Class of 2019 St. Joseph Scholars organized a day of service on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving at Matthew 25: Ministries. The junior Scholars were challenged to plan their own service activity beyond McNicholas High School, and the students chose to work together at this charity. Danielle Robben took the lead in setting up the day of service, and her fellow scholars arrived at Matthew 25: ready to work. Advisors Mrs. Ashley Brothers and Mrs. Julie Dill assisted as chaperones.
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Block Days
Thursday, Nov. 30 - Late Start at 8:40 a.m. - D - Advisory Bell - E/F - G
Friday, Dec. 1 - Regular Start at 7:40 a.m. H - A - B - C
Semester Exam Schedule for December 2017
Monday, December 18
7:40 a.m.--Students are to report to A Bell for announcements
7:45 - 9:15 a.m.--A Bell exam
9:35 - 11:05 a.m.--B Bell exam
11:05 - 11:35 a.m.--Eat lunch in your C Bell classroom. We are encouraging students to pack their lunches, but the cafeteria will be open for cheese pizza and fries as well as the snacks in the convenience store.
11:35 a.m. - 1:05 p.m.--C Bell exam
1:05 p.m.--Announcements
1:10 p.m.--Dismissal
4:00 p.m.--Library closes
Tuesday, December 19
7:40 a.m.--Students are to report to D Bell for announcements
7:45 - 9:15 a.m.--D Bell exam
9:35 - 11:05 a.m.--E/F Bell exam
11:05 a.m.-- Announcements
11:10 a.m.--Dismissal
1:30 p.m.--Library closes
Wednesday, December 20
7:40 a.m.--Students are to report to G Bell for announcements
7:45 - 9:15 a.m.--G Bell exam
9:35 - 11:05 a.m.--H Bell exam
11:05 a.m.--Announcements
11:10 a.m.--Dismissal for Christmas Break
Noon.--Library closes
Peer tutoring and essay reviews available
National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta offer peer tutoring at different times. Click here for more information and to sign up.
National Honor Society now offers essay review. Please allow five days for someone from NHS to review your essay. Click here to submit your paper.
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Campus Ministry
Entering Advent Faithfully
from Jeff Hutchinson-Smyth, Theology Teacher + Director of Campus Ministry
"Thus, particularly in this Season of Advent, which is the time of waiting, in which we prepare ourselves to welcome once again the comforting mystery of the Incarnation and the light of Christmas, it is important to reflect on hope."
from the General Audience of Pope Francis on December 7th, 2016
As the parents of a both a high schooler and a grade schooler, my wife and I find ourselves joyfully anticipating the coming weeks of Advent and the opportunities the season holds for us to grow in faith together as a family, and hoping our efforts bring a little light in the midst of the darkness.
We hope the sampling of ideas below is of help to you and your family as we all await Christ's coming:
Light the Way.
This weekend, the fall gourds and pumpkins at the center of our dining room table will give way to a simple Advent wreath constructed of candles and evergreen branches. Lighting it at dinner time, especially when accompanied by a brief reflection or an abbreviated version of the daily examen, is a powerful way to bring mindfulness to our eating and conversation at the dinner table. I always find that I share the sense of anticipation that lighting the Advent candle creates for our boys. For a prayer of blessing of an Advent wreath from
Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers, click
here. In that same collection, you will also find a prayer of
blessing of a Christmas tree, and a prayer of
blessing of a Christmas manger or Nativity scene.
Live in Sacred Time.
The Advent season is a perfect opportunity to give special attention to how we live in time by following the rhythm of the calendar together as a family. While my crafty wife has created an Advent calendar that we fill with chocolates and kind gestures (much to the delight of all in the house), a printable "Family Advent Calendar" can be found here from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops that contains daily reflections, suggested activities, and links to the readings of the day. In addition, a Divine Chocolate Advent calendar can be purchased through CRS-partner SERVV International for $7.99 + shipping costs. This holiday season, the purchase of every Fair Trade chocolate calendar will support the microfinance programs for women in Ghana.
Take back St. Nicholas.
While it wasn't a part of my childhood growing up, we observe the feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th) in our house by giving each of our boys a Fair Trade hand-crafted Christmas ornament from Ten Thousand Villages in O'Bryonville in their stocking each year. My wife is always prepared with a brief reading or reflection on the life of the real St. Nicholas despite the little that is known of him.
Friday Morning Mass
Fr. Paul Ruwe will be with us to preside at this Friday morning's 7:00 am Mass in our school's chapel, and Fr. Dave Endres will be with us on Friday, December 15.
There will be no Friday morning Mass on December 8.
The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary
On Friday, December 8, our entire school community will gather at 1:20 pm in the sanctuary of Guardian Angels parish to celebrate the Eucharist on this holy day of obligation. Please feel free (as always) to join us if your schedule allows.
Lessons and Carols
The celebration of Lessons and Carols is a beautiful way to enjoy the sacred music of the season as a complement to the unfolding of our salvation history. The annual Lessons and Carols service at Mt. St. Mary's Seminary will be held on Thursday, December 7at 7:30 pm in the St. Gregory the Great Chapel.
Our own celebration of Lessons and Carols will feature the very dedicated and talented McNicholas High School Liturgy Choir under the direction of Dr. Loretta Graner and will take place on Sunday, December 10at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary at Guardian Angels. We hope you'll make plans to attend with your family and to invite other families to do so as well!
Enter the Story.
When St. Francis of Assisi initiated the first Nativity scene in the early 13th century, he was both hoping to awaken the senses to the story of Jesus' birth as depicted in Luke's Gospel and also to deepen peoples' appreciation of Christ's humble beginnings in contrast to the materialism and excess that characterized life for a growing number of people in his day.
A visit to the Nativity Scene at Krohn Conservatory, complete with live animals, has been a sacred family outing for me going all the way back to my own childhood. Our youngest son was especially enamored a few years back by the baby lamb that was born there on Christmas Eve.
Additionally, since 1947, the Comboni Missionaries have hosted an annual Animated Nativity with music and narration at their mission center at 1318 Nagel Road. To reflect together on the Nativity stories the Gospels of Matthew and Luke is a powerful way to root the experience of Advent in the story of Christ's coming.
Give a gift to the world.
While visiting with family during the Thanksgiving break, the toy commercials blaring during a cartoon on TV had our youngest son enumerating his lists of wants for Christmas. My wife and I both come from families where the annual Christmas purchases often go well beyond generous and into budget-busting. We try to make it a point annually to emphasized the tradition's origin in (and departure from) the gifts given by the Magi as reported in Matthew's Gospel. We also maintain a tradition to make a family "gift to the world" a part of our Christmas day rituals, typically by setting aside a portion of our Christmas budget to make a donation to Catholic Relief Services through the organization's Gift Catalog. We enjoy giving our kids ownership of the process by allowing them to decide which type of program we'll be supporting.
However you and your family celebrate the sacred season approaching Christmas, on behalf of the Campus Ministry Team and the entire Faculty and Staff of Archbishop McNicholas High, we wish peace and blessings to you all!.
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#RocketsCare
Rockets for Life's collection for pregnancy help center
Rockets for Life is sponsoring a collection for A Caring Place Pregnancy Help Center who is in desperate need of
- diapers (all sizes, but especially size 6 and pull-ups)
- clothes (fall/winter clothing for girls & boys sizes all sizes but especially sizes 2T, 3T, 4T, 6T, 6X)
All items can be dropped off to Room 309 in the Convent. We will continue to collect through December 15. Thank you for your generous donations!
For more information on A Caring Place Pregnancy Center visit https://www.acaringplace.org
Gifts of Hope-Deadline extended!
Fill a shoe box with small gifts and items for a local teen age 12-18 for Student Council's Gifts of Hope. Warm winter items, hygiene items, anything fun could fill the box. Don't wrap it but drop it off in the library by Thurs., Dec. 7. Thanks for your generosity!
Eat Pizza-support the Rocket Band!
McNicholas Band Boosters is sponsoring a fundraiser at Mio's Pizzeria in Mt. Washington on Monday December 4.
No flyer needed, just eat at Mios on Monday Dec. 4!
Does your gift list include McNicholas?
As we approach December, the Christmas spirit has spread throughout the McNicholas campus. The Spirit of Giving is found all around school in the many great Christmas activities and projects our students, faculty and staff are taking part in every day. The Spirit of Giving is truly of big part of the Christmas season. As you and your families are looking for groups to provide a gift this Christmas season, please remember the McNicholas Annual Fund. Your tax-deductible gift will have a tremendous impact on the lives of both current and future McNicholas Rockets. If you would like to make a gift to the Annual Fund, you can either mail a check (payable to McNicholas High School), or click here to make an online donation. You are now able to designate an area of the school you would like your donation to help. Help make this a great Christmas for McNicholas High School. Please email Mark Doran or call 231-3500, ext. 5141.
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Hooray for Rockets!
McNick Minute drops first episode
The McNick Minute is a podcast written, edited, and recorded by McNicholas High School students. The podcast will cover important news, interviews, and upcoming events at McNicholas High School.
Click here to hear the first episode.
The McNick Minute is also on iTunes!
Hop on over to the iTunes Store or the Podcasts app and search for The McNick Minute. Hit that subscribe button to get updates every time we drop a new episode!
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Athletics
Byrne up for Enquirer Athlete of the Week
Junior Emily Byrne has been nominated for Enquirer Sports Athlete of the Week. Byrne had 18 points, including three three-pointers in the team's 58-38 win over Milford. Vote here.
Men's Basketball Ball Boys
You could be one of two lucky fans to be one of the ball boys for the McNicholas High School men's basketball team at one of the team's home games this year. Submit your application below to be considered. If chosen, you will sit on the sidelines with the team and help where the team needs you! Eligible students should be enrolled in grades 2-6 at any area elementary school.
Click here to sign up.
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McNicholas Marketplace
Rocket Shop
The Rocket Shop is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when school is in session.
The store also will be open every Monday night from 5-8 pm starting through Christmas. ( Dec. 4, 11, and 18)
Reorders have been placed for the performance sweatshirts. Holiday bundles will be available by December 1. The bundles will be sweatpants and a long sleeve t-shirt $35. Please stop by once the bundles are in to check them out.
Rocket Shop will have the below special hours to meet your holiday shopping needs:
- Friday December 8-- during the men's basketball games 5pm- through halftime of varsity game
- Saturday December 9--during the women's basketball games 10:30am-2pm
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PTSA
PTSA Happenings: Did You Know?
- At the last faculty in-service meeting, the teachers, faculty and staff were each given a $5 Starbucks gift card from the PTSA as a way of saying, "We are Thankful for You!"
- On the last day of each quarter, McNicholas students, faculty, and staff enjoy a morning of "Doughnuts with the Principal" in the cafeteria before the first bell of the day. PTSA provides doughnuts and milk as a way to celebrate everyone's hard work during that academic quarter. Mrs. Beckert is there to congratulate the students and, if needed, help them select the best doughnut available!
- PTSA establishes a presence at McNicholas's Open House each fall with a table of treats to welcome potential new parents and students while helping them learn more about ways to get involved through the PTSA.
- Planning is already underway for the PTSA sponsored AFTER PROM to be held this spring. It's our largest event!
To learn more about the PTSA and our work, or to get involved, come to the December meeting or click here.
December PTSA Meeting
Please Join Us for the PTSA December Meeting Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at 7:00pm Hyde Perk Coffee Shop and Wine Bar 3664-B Edwards Road, Hyde Park. Appetizers provided~ coffee, tea, cocoa, wine available for purchase Optional $5.00 gift exchange RSVP by December 8th to Eva Booher @ eva@rookwooddr.com or Jen Malof @
jenmalof@cinci.rr.com
After Prom Meeting - Volunteers Needed!
After Prom volunteers are needed to help plan decorations and activities. If you are interested, please join us on Tuesday, December 19 at 7:00 p.m. in the library.
All volunteers are welcome! This is an incredibly rewarding event to be involved with and a great way to meet other McNick parents. Questions? Please contact Kirsten Hagenbarth at khagenbarth@gmail.com. We hope to see you on the 19th!
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Follow McNicholas on social media
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Archbishop McNicholas High School |
skapp@mcnhs.org | 513.231.3500 |
mcnhs.org
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