March 2018
Family Newsletter
Stay current with Marist news and events
Letter from the Head of School 

Dear Marist Families:
 
We are now one week into the forty days of the solemn season of Lent.  Lent is a time of year when we prepare for the Resurrection of our Lord on Easter Sunday by engaging in fasting, prayer, and almsgiving.  Let it be said of us as they said of the early Christians: "See how they love one another."
 
First and foremost, I am happy to announce that our Freshmen Registration for the 2018-2019 was a success. We met our expectations and surpassed them! Please encourage anyone you know who is still thinking about Marist, whether an 8th grader or transfer student, that now is the time to apply. Don't wait! Contact Ms. O'Brien, our new Admissions Officer at 201-437-4545 ext. 225 or at admissions@marist.org .
 
Thanks to those of you who completed the Financial Aid Survey announced in last month's newsletter. Ms. Botti is checking on those and will be emailing the link again to those who did not submit. Please do so by March 15. Remember, only those re-applying for Marist aid need to complete this survey.
 
If you plan to apply for Marist Financial Aid for the first time or renew your present aid, please do so by April 15. Just go to the new and improved Marist website and click on Quick Links: Facts Tuition>2018-2019. Remember, completing a re-application form is required for Marist Aid. Reach out if you need assistance.
 
If you are a recipient of SFIC assistance, you should have received a link directly from them to re-apply.  Contact SFIC at (973) 497-4279 if you have questions.  Their deadline is April 30. You must re-apply each year to renew your SFIC aid.
 
The Super 50/50 Spring Fundraiser will be run in two phases this year. The first phase, running from March 26-April 27, will be a student competition where students can try to outsell one another for cool prizes. Details will be distributed in a flyer along with the ticket booklets later this month.
 
The second phase, for weekly prizes during the month of May, will be a community-wide effort. Whoever sells the most that week, whether an alum, friend, neighbor, or family member, will garner the weekly prize. Four prizes will be distributed at the end of each week in May. Again, details to follow. As you might remember, the actual drawing of the 50/50 prize takes place on the last day of the Carnival, which is June 3 this year. Last year, the first prize winner won over $13,000!!!
 
Despite this being the start of Lent, the early spring weather reminds me of just how much I love this time of year in the school cycle!  This is when all the hard work starts to pay off!  I am looking forward to our student performances in our talent show on Friday, March 2, their competing in Model U.N. on the 3rd, the hustle and bustle of preparation for our fantastic Arts Festival on March 23, and the staging of our Spring Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, on April 13 and 14.  And for our parents, don't forget our Card Party on March 10.  With softball and baseball practices starting, it's easy to see that Spring is definitely in the air!!  Enjoy!!
 
Sincerely,

 
  
Ms. Alice J. Miesnik
Head of School

Academic News

Model UN  will compete in the annual Model UN competition held at St. Peter's University on March 3rd.  Mr. Murphy and the students have been working hard to prepare them for this competition all year.  Good luck to all participants!

Progress Reports  will be emailed home on Thursday, March 1st. These grades are an assessment of how your son/daughter is doing at the mid-point of this third quarter.  If you do not receive your son's/daughter's progress report, please call Mrs. De Poalo (201 437-4545 Ext. 201).  Also, please contact a teacher if your son/daughter did not do as well as expected.  Now is the time to remediate any problem that may exist. The end of the 3rd Quarter is March 23rd.

National Honor Society Candidates:  During the month of March, Ms. Heymer and Mrs. Pagano, the NHS moderators, will be notifying Juniors and Sophomores of their eligibility to apply to the National Honor Society based on their current GPA . The application process is rigorous and requires each student to substantiate service, leadership, and character in addition to a stellar GPA. We wish all the candidates the best!

Reports Cards  will be mailed home on Wednesday, March 28th. Remember anyone who has an outstanding tuition balance will not receive a report card. Please make sure your address is up-to-date; if you have a change of address, please contact Mrs. DePoalo at ext. 201 or Kdepoalo@marist.org.

Scheduling will be discussed with the juniors and sophomores in the month of March. School Counselors will be talking to each student individually to map out a schedule for all students for the 2018-2019 academic year. 

Re-registration: Remember, STUDENTS ARE SCHEDULED IN THE ORDER OF REGISTRATION.  So register early if your child expects a seat in a specific course. Registration materials will be sent out later this month.
Campus Ministry News 

Ash Wednesday  was celebrated on February 14th. We gathered together in our beautiful chapel to kick off the Lenten season. The students were challenged not only to give something up for Lent but also to improve their lives by adding something that would benefit their local community. Ask your son or daughter about their Lenten Challenge! 
Marist Encounter: The last chance for seniors to sign up for Encounter will be March 22-25. This is a special opportunity for our students to meet other Marist students from all over the country!  Encourage your son/daughter to come by Campus Ministry and find out more about this great chance to learn more about yourself, your community, and our Marist family!!  Please call Ms. Eisenmenger at ext. 301 for more details.

Junior Leadership Ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, March 15th, beginning at 6:30 PM in our gym. This ceremony celebrates the juniors moving into leadership roles in the school. As seniors, they will be taking on much more responsibility, leading the underclassmen. Our rising seniors are taught to guide and assist the younger students, a responsibility that they take seriously. To this end then, every junior will receive a pin marking this new role. A parent or special person in the junior's life presents the pin, and any other memento, family gift, or school ring if they choose. We think it is important to join school and family in commemorating this special time in their lives. Your invitation has been given to your junior. Family and friends are welcome. A reception follows. Students should RSVP by March 9th to Campus Ministry. Any questions? Please contact Mr. Power at ext. 220.

Junior Leadership Retreat  Juniors will also have the opportunity to attend a Leadership Retreat for juniors which will take place at the Marist Brothers Retreat House in Esopus, NY. They are in the process of voting if they want an overnight or day retreat.  Permission slips are available at Campus Ministry; cost is $55.00. The juniors will leave shortly after the Junior Leadership Ceremony and return to school Friday March 16, at 4pm. The students will reflect, pray, and discuss the direction of their lives, their new leadership roles, and their relationship with God in the beautiful setting of Esopus. Pictures of Esopus are available on our website as is further information about retreat policies. Permission slips must be returned by March 12th to Mr. Power in Campus Ministry. Any questions? Please feel free to contact Mr. Power at ext. 220.
Counseling News

Junior Parents Night On Wednesday, March 7th, the School Counselors will be hosting an information night for Junior parents to learn the preliminary steps for the college process, as well as meet with a panel of College Admission Representatives from a variety of schools around the Tri-State area. The event will start at 6:30pm, and last about an hour and a half.  Light refreshments will be served.  Please consider joining us to learn about this crucial part of preparing for college.
March SAT's:  Saturday March 10th is the date for this month's SAT's.  Many students will be taking them here at Marist. Parents, please make sure that your student brings his/her admission ticket and school ID.  Doors open at 7:15am.  Also, please make sure your student has had a good night's sleep and has water and a healthy snack for breaks.  Those students who are NOT taking the March SAT's should see their counselor about signing up for either the May or June sitting.  The best way to prepare is to practice, practice, practice.  Use the free resources at collegeboard.org or see the Counselors for other tools.     
ACT Test for Juniors:  The ACT will be given on March 20th here at Marist. The results are due to be made public by May. Should your son or daughter want to re-take the test, there are plenty of opportunities to take it again throughout the Spring and Fall. There are also plenty of free resources out there to help, and www.actstudent.org   is the best starting point. Ask your counselor for more information if you have any questions. Some students find they do better on the ACT then on the SAT. That's why Marist offers both. 
Career Council College Fair On Monday, March 5th, Marist will be hosting a Catholic High School College Fair through the Career Council. Over 60 colleges and universities have already RSVP'd that they'll be in attendance. This will be an excellent opportunity for our Juniors and Sophomores to make an impression on these representatives from each of the schools. 
College Visits Junior Parents!!!!  On February 26th, your son/daughter was given a list of local colleges who will be hosting their Spring Open Houses in the coming months. Copies will also be available at the Junior Parents Night.  Please consider taking advantage of these events to get your students acquainted with the schools they're interested in, and making their interest known.  Face-to-face connections with schools can make a BIG difference in getting into the school of your choice.  Also, consider taking advantage of upcoming days off to set up an individual visit or being a student-for-a-day at college.  Contact your student's counselor for more details.
Summer Porgrams Now is the time to investigate summer opportunities and have your son/daughter enroll in summer programs-be they academic, service-oriented, or college preparatory.  All counselors have access to a variety of opportunities and are happy to help students through the application process for these programs.  Some are competitive; some have costs attached.  Get started looking for a meaningful way for your son/daughter to spend their summer vacation.
College Acceptance Statistics: 
  • Total Number of Seniors:  82
  • Number of students who have applied to one or more colleges: 77
  • Number of students who have been accepted by one or more colleges/universities to date: 54
  • Total amount of scholarship/awards, grants, financial aid earned so far:  $4,507,768
 
Our Seniors continue to achieve prestigious positions in colleges and universities-be it into Honors programs, combined BA/MA programs, or Direct-Entry into PhD programs-and we couldn't be more proud to see that their hard work has made it all possible!!
 
Many colleges wait until March 15th to send out their acceptance and award letters.  However, we are confident that there are more acceptances and scholarships than are noted here, sitting at home. Our numbers are contingent upon Seniors submitting their acceptance letters to the Counseling Office.  
 
Parents, please encourage your son or daughter to submit their acceptance letters ASAP, so that our records can be kept as accurate as possible.
 
Also, if your son or daughter is having a difficult time deciding between schools, we recommend you take advantage of their Accepted Students Days, or set up an individual appointment to get a feel for the school on a normal day. They'll have the opportunity to meet with the people they'll be going through school with, and be better able to make a decision about how well the school will fit their personality and study style.

Other News

 
Safety Concerns:  The Bayonne Police have offered all Bayonne schools an added option of stopping in at the school twice a day going forward. We welcome their presence.

Easter Candy Sale:  If you're a fan of Lee Sims Chocolate, you'll love this sale. Totally optional. Order forms will be given out in the students' homerooms. Payments and orders should be given directly to Mrs. DePoalo by March 8th.

Dress Down  will be held on Wednesday, March 7. Students who choose to dress down will contribute $2.00 which will support National Honor Society.

Student Council Talent Show/Multicultural Potluck Dinner:  On Friday, March 2, the Student Council will be hosting a talent show at 7:00 pm in the cafeteria. This will also be an event to celebrate cuisine from various cultures. Tickets are $5.00 at the door and all are encouraged to bring a food of your culture to share and celebrate.

Blood Drive: Sponsored by our American Red Cross, our second Blood Drive of the year, will be conducted on Friday, March 9, 8:30 am - 2:00pm. Open to the public!

Spring Sports Pictures  will be taken for the yearbook on March 13 at 2:45 pm in the 
gym. Please make sure your son/daughter id in school that day if they are involved in any school activities within school or if they are involved in a sport. 
National School Walkout:  In solidarity with the students of Parkland, FL and gun control awareness, Marist students will gather on the front lawn on Wednesday, March 14 at 10 am for 17 minutes, Join us if you can.

  No Classes  on March 16, the day following the Junior Leadership Ceremony.

St. Patrick's Day Parades:  We'd love to have representation from Marist at these events in both Bayonne on March 18 and in Jersey City on March 11. This is a great way to participate in a Marist work-day! If you receive aid, you should definitely think about signing up. See Ms. O' Brien for a permission slip. 

Spring Musical:  Our Spring Musical, The Drowsy Chaperone, is scheduled for Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14, at 7 pm. It is a "musical within a comedy" for all to enjoy. Tickets are only $ 7.00.  

Hosting an International Student:  We will be in need of more host families to house our international students next year. The stipend to each family will be $1200 a month. While this is certainly a commitment on the part of a family, it is enriching cultural experience as well. If you have an extra room in your house and extra room in your heart, it is an opportunity to consider. For more information, please reach out to Shannon O' Brien, our Admissions Officer at ext. 225.

Graduation Dates:  Mark your calendar, senior parents! The Baccalaureate Mass will be held on Wednesday, May 30 at 7 pm and commencement will be on Sunday, June 3 at 11 am.  

Athletic News
 
With the Spring Season approaching both our student/athletes and coaches are gearing up for competition. If any student is interested in playing a Spring Sport, they must obtain the New Sports Physical Packet from their coaches or the Athletic Director. This Student/Athlete Physical Packet must be completed and submitted before participating in any athletic competition.

Congratulations to all our Winter Season Sports Team 's athletes and coaches on their successful seasons. THANK YOU. Both the Boys' & Girls Basketball Teams will now move onto the NJSIAA State Tournament. Boys' playing Gill St. Bernard's School on February 27, 2018 at 7:00 P.M. and the Girls' playing Saddle River Day on March 1, 2018 at 4:00 P.M.




Good Luck to both teams!!
Marist Parents' Association News
 
 
Next Parents' Association Meeting  w ill be on Tuesday, March 13 at 6:30pm in the cafeteria.  Remember, if your son/daughter receives Marist Aid, you should be an active member in the MPA.  


Annual Card Party will ill be Sunday, March 10, 6:30 - 9:00pm, $40.   Full buffet.  BYOB.  Last day to buy your tickets from Mrs. DePoalo is March 5. 


If you missed the HIB Assembly : Mr. Romano is arranging to have the detectives who presented to the students attend the Tuesday, March 13 MPA meeting at 6:30 to present on Harassment, Intimidation, Bullying and Sexting: Behaviors, Preventions and Consequences. Many of you showed an interest in the topic. Mark you calendar.

Krispy Kreme Donut Sale: Coming in April! Stay tuned for more information.
Advancement

Your Donations make a difference!
 
To maintain an affordable tuition, and to continue to offer an innovative 21st Century learning experience Marist needs your help and participation! Please  click here  to contribute.  
 
 
You can join the Squire Circle with just a $10 donation today! Leave a legacy and join this circle of new donors.


Marist Carnival Save the Date!


May 31st to June 3rd

Mark your calendars and look out for more information. If you are interested in setting up a vendor table at this event, please contact tmcqueary@marist.org.

Do you shop Amazon? Click here to add Friends of Marist as your nonprofit organization now!