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

Dear Marist Families:

It's our practice here at Marist to send out the last newsletter of the year in May, covering both May and June. So be sure to read carefully to ensure a successful ending to the 2017-2018 school year. I hope that you've found these newsletters helpful. If you have thoughts on how they can be improved, be sure to send me an email.

The Archdiocese of Newark School's Office is encouraging all the schools to join "Voter Voice". This is the platform where taxpayers like us, who support private Catholic education, can make our voices heard by the state and federal legislatures. Our tax dollars come back to us at Marist through nursing, transportation, textbooks, security, and technology assistance. We want to keep that funding at its current level and even increase it if we can. Go to: http://njcatholic.org/faith-in-action?vvsrc=/campaigns/58391/respond
and vote often.

Marist prides itself in supporting student initiatives. This past year, three new clubs were created:
  • The Junior Chamber of Commerce, for students interested in business, is sponsored by the Bayonne Chamber of Commerce. By end of year, we hope that student members will have had the opportunity to do a day-long internship at a local business.
  • Interact, an arm of the local Rotary, which is a service organization whose motto is "service above self", finally has a chapter at Marist, thanks to the initiative of Victoria Skalski '18.
  • And the latest is a resurrection of the school's former newspaper THE SHIELD, now available in digital format. Thank you to parent Melida Rodas for helping us get this started. Take a look at https://www.theshieldmarist.org
New classes, new clubs, new programs . . . this is what makes Marist a leader in 21st century education. But it is you and your sons and daughters that give this school life, that makes it the "home away from home" that it is.   Thanks for all you do, day in and day out, to support this great school.

Let's end the year with a bang:
  1. Be part of the May "Friends and Family Super 50/50 Contest." A $250 gift card will be awarded to the individual who sells the most raffle tickets by May 30, the day before the carnival. ($250 minimum). The student contest raised over $26,000!!! That means that the winners of the June 3 drawing will be splitting at least $13,000!! That should make the raffles easy to sell. Ask your pastor, your local grocery, or shopping center if you can set up a stand! See Ms. Botti for additional booklets.
  2. Support the carnival!!! Presale wristbands ($30 each) go on sale on May 1. See Ms. DePoalo to purchase. They are good for unlimited rides on opening night, Thursday, May 31. We are hoping that many of you will be able to volunteer to work the carnival. Sign up at the next MPA meeting on May 8. Large posters are available in the main office if you know a place where you can post one!
  3. Oh . . . and don't forget to send in your re-registration materials by May 15, before the registration fee goes up!
If you know of anyone with little ones, ages 5-13 who are looking for a summer camp, direct them to the Marist A+ Camp: https://www.marist.org/about/marist-summer-camp.  

As they say, time flies. In no time, we'll be gearing up for exams, then summer reading, then orientation for the next school year!!!   Let me take this moment to wish the Class of 2018 all the best. They and their parents were so very instrumental in the SAVE Marist Campaign last year. We will always owe them a deep debt of gratitude. Go with God! Don't be a stranger. Visit us often!

 
Sincerely,

 
  
Ms. Alice J. Miesnik
Head of School
Academic News

Academic Awards Banquet:   Students who have excelled throughout the year will be invited to the Academic Awards Banquet, which is scheduled for Thursday, May 3, beginning promptly at 6:30. Tickets will be given out during homeroom .   This is a dress up event!

Progress Reports for all underclassmen will be e-mailed on Thursday, May 3. If you need to make changes to your e-mail on file, please call Mrs. De Poalo at 201-437-4545 ext. 201. If your child is doing poorly, please encourage them to stay motivated and to finish the year strong.

AP Exams: Will begin on Monday, May 7 with AP Psychology. On Tuesday, May 8 a number of Marist students are slated to take exams in AP Spanish at 8am and AP Physics at 12pm. On May 10 AP US Government and Politics will be at 8am. At 8 am on Tuesday, May 15 19 students will be taking AP Calculus AB. May 17, at 8am AP World will be taken and at 12pm AP Statistics. Finally, on Friday, May 18 we will have AP European History at 12pm.   We wish these students good luck and look forward to their names being added to our AP Hall of Fame outside our LMC when they score a 4 or a 5!

Final Exam Schedules:

Seniors

May 21:         1st - Mathematics                          2nd - Religion
May 22:         1st - History/Criminal Justice         2nd - English
May 23:        1st - Science/ Psychology              2nd - Spanish/ Economics
May 24:         Conflicts

Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors

June 11:   1st - History                     2nd - Spanish/ Language Arts
June 12:   1st - Mathematics           2nd - Religion
June 13:   1st - Science                   2nd - English
June 14:   Conflicts

Please note: No student can take a final exam if tuition, fees or detentions are owed.

Graduation: Will take place at 11am on June 3, by invitation only. All Seniors should meet in the café for Graduation practice on Wednesday, May 30 at 1pm. Seniors return to school on Friday, June 8 for the Senior Breakfast to pick up their diplomas, report cards, and yearbooks. At that time, they also officially join the illustrious alumni of Marist High School.

Final Report Cards  for underclassmen will be mailed home on Monday, June 18. If you do not receive your son's/daughter's report card by June 20, please contact Mrs. De Poalo at 201-437-4545 ext. 201.

Summer School Registration: Will take place on Thursday, June 21 from 1:00-3:00p for any Marist student.
Campus Ministry News 

The Resurrection of Jesus was observed joyfully on April 25th. We were joined by our dear friend, Fr. James Worth, who inspired students with his great stories and perspective! Thank you to all the families who showed up to join in prayer with us!
 
Ascension Thursday which is a holy day, is celebrated on May 10th this year. There is no school for students. Catholic students are reminded that they are obliged to attend Mass on Ascension Thursday. Faculty will meet for a full day of Professional Development and to look back on the many successes of
the year!
 
Marist Youth Retreat , a leadership workshop for underclassmen from Marist schools in the United States, Canada, Mexico and other Latin American countries, will take place at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY during Memorial Day weekend. Ten of our students have been nominated to attend.
They will learn skills to become Marist Leaders in their respective year levels.
 
Encounter Retreat: Many of our Upperclassmen have made an Encounter Retreat this year. We had over 200 students attend one of many different retreats this year and that number will continue to grow next year! Congratulations to Mr. Power and Ms. Eisenmenger for another successful retreat season!
 
Baccalaureate Mass: Our Graduation Mass will be held at St. Henry's Church in Bayonne on Wednesday May 30th at 7pm. This is a special time for Seniors and their parents as they make the transition into college. This Mass will serve to honor the many accomplishments of our Senior Class and also serve as a reminder of the work yet to be done! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to Mr. Power at ext. 220. Also reach out to Mr. Power if your son/daughter is interested in going to Esopus after the Mass for an overnight reflection.
Counseling News

May & June SAT's:     May 3rd is the deadline to register for the June 2nd SAT's.  We encourage the Junior class to take the June 2nd test to get a start on the college process.  The best way to prepare is to practice, practice, practice.  Use the free resources at  www.collegeboard.org   or reach out to your counselor for other tools.  If your son or daughter is taking the May 6th SAT, be sure they have their administrative ticket, School ID, several #2 pencils (traditional, not mechanical), and a calculator with them before they leave the house!
 
Guidance Tips for the Summer:    Summer is the perfect time to make strides in the college preparation process-no matter what year your son or daughter has completed.  Colleges are looking for consistency in extra-curricular and volunteer activities, so why not start now?  Encourage your young adult to join a sports league, work at a camp, or volunteer at the local library, church or recreation center.  And don't forget that summer reading!  Junior parents, summer is also a great time to visit those colleges that are farther from home.  
 
Summer Programs:    Deadlines are coming up to register for Summer Programs. All counselors are working with students interested in applying to programs.  Some programs are competitive to get into and some have costs attached.  Let us know if you have one in mind for your student and need our assistance, or if you need help finding the right one for your student.
 
College Acceptance Statistics:
 
*    Total Number of Seniors:   82
 
*    Number of students who have been accepted by one or more colleges/universities to date:   68
 
*    Total amount of scholarship/awards, grants, financial aid offered so far:  $4,842,014
 
This year's seniors have already been accepted to such schools as Bryn Mawr, Rutgers, Virginia State, Hampton, Cheyney, Grambling State, Penn State, Catholic University, Rowan, St. Peter's, and many others. Many in this class have also been accepted into honors and accelerated programs. The accelerated programs have them starting their Master's degree in their third year of college, while others set them on the fast track to having "MD" follow their name. We are very proud of their work thus far.
 
Please note, these numbers are contingent upon students' submitting their acceptance and reward letters to the Guidance Department.  If your Senior has not yet turned in their information, please have them do so ASAP.  We would like to publically congratulate them on the morning announcements for this great accomplishment!

Other News
Registration: Cost of re-registration is $250 by May 15. After that, it's $300. Don't forget to return the form that Ms. DePoalo sent you with the check.
 
Early dismissal  will occur on Friday, May 4 at 1:00pm and Thursday, May 31 at 1:00PM.
 
The Senior Prom  will be held on Thursday, May 24.  The "toast off" will begin at 4:45pm in the Marist High School gym.  All are welcome to attend the "toast off".  Please be aware that students with outstanding tuition balances are not permitted to attend the prom.
 
No classes  for students on Friday, May 25 after prom and on Monday, May 28 for Memorial Day. Enjoy the long weekend.
 
Ice Cream Social:    Underclassmen receive their yearbooks at the annual ice cream social which takes place on Monday, June 8.  Seniors are also welcome back to take part in the yearbook signing in the gym.  The social begins at 1:45pm.  Dismissal will be at the regular time.
 
A+ Summer Camp:   The summer camp is designed for students entering K-9. There are two three-week sessions starting on July 9. You can sign up online or if you need more information visit: https://www.marist.org/about/marist-summer-camp/ or call Ms. Shannon O'Brien at ext. 225.
Athletic News
 
A Message from the Athletic Director:

With the Spring Season coming to an end, both our student/athletes and coaches are gearing up for both the county and state tournaments. To keep up with all of the Knight's end of season tournaments, please visit our website. There you will able to access all of the information you need to come out and support your teams.

As I said in my opening message when I first became the Athletic Director at Marist High School, my expectations are similar to your own personal family's expectations. Student-athletes are to act responsibly, study, go to class, practice hard and do their best to excel. Take pride in the opportunity to represent yourself, your family and Marist High School. I believe we as a family have accomplished these expectations and beyond.

The Marist Athletic Department holds the philosophy that the athlete's most important tasks are the pursuit of personal growth through academic work, team experiences, and the development of a sense of ethical responsibility.

Together we have taken an athletic program which includes dedicated coaches, active support from the student body, leadership from the school administration and most importantly a great sense of pride fostered by the entire Marist Community to create the best athletic programs possible.

On behalf of the Marist Athletic Department, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continuous support and enthusiasm for our student-athletes and look forward to another exciting year.
Marist Parents' Association News
 
Next Parents' Association Meeting  Will be on Tuesday, May 8 at 6:30pm in the cafeteria.  Remember, if your son/daughter receives Marist Aid, you should be an active member in the MPA. Sign up to volunteer at the carnival at the next meeting.

Advancement

Your Donations make a difference!
 
Milestone Reunion
Saturday, May12th starting at 6:00 pm
 
The classes of 1963, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, or 2013
are invited to celebrate their Milestone Reunions at Marist High School on May 12. This is a great opportunity for nine Marist classes to reconnect with classmates, their high school, and celebrate being a Royal Knight! 


Marist Family Carnival  
May 31st -June 3rd
Get ready for our Third Annual Carnival! Something for the whole family to do. Great rides, fun games and good food! Wristbands for Thursday night are $30 each and should be purchased at the school in advance.  For more information or to sign up to volunteer call: 201-437-4545. Sign up online today to become a vendor or sponsor!  

 

Donate
 
As you know Marist High School needs community support to keep tuition affordable! Our fiscal year ends June 30th so there is still time to support Marist this year!  Make a Donation Today!  When you're done making your donation online, start a givealanche and share on social media and encourage others to help Marist reach our goal!
 
Community Giving
 
Amazon Smile. Sign up to have Friends of Marist as your Charity. Amazon will donate 0.5 % to Marist High School.    Click here to sign up today! 



  • Do you know of other community givebacks? Let us know!!!
For information on how you can help to advance the school please contact
Ms. McQueary 201-437-4545 ext. 202 or email  tmcqueary@marist.org