October 16, 2019
Mr. Dave Mueller
Principal's Corner

We recognized our ten National Merit awardees during halftime of the football game on Friday. This week, students are completing quarter tests. Throughout this Thursday night a group of students and faculty members will experience a Shantytown, developing their empathy with people experiencing homelessness and learning about causes of homelessness. Many fall teams are in district tournaments. On Monday (a holiday for students), faculty and staff members will share a faith formation experience in the morning, and then faculty will engage in professional development during the afternoon. Many excellent growth experiences are taking place at McNicholas! Please encourage prospective families to visit Open House October 27, 1-4 pm so they can learn about the opportunities here!

News and reminders

2019-2020 Calendar

Coming up...
Thurs., Oct. 17--Regular schedule
Fri., Oct. 18--Regular schedule
Mon., Oct. 21--NO SCHOOL because of a faculty/staff professional development day
Tues., Oct. 22--Regular schedule
Weds., Oct. 23--Regular schedule
Thurs., Oct. 24-- Thursday morning assembly--Dismissal at 2:15 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 25--Fall Testing and Freshmen day of renewal
Freshmen - Day of Renewal 2:40 p.m. dismissal
Sophomores - Pre-ACT 11:30 a.m. dismissal
Juniors - ACT practice Noon dismissal
Seniors - Seniors are either helping with freshman day of renewal, or using the day for a college visit.
Note:  The library will close at 3:30 p.m


Senior photo sessions available on campus
Prestige Senior studio will be coming to McNicholas on Monday, October 21. If you have not scheduled your yearbook photo session yet, please call Prestige to set up an appointment time between 8 a.m.-12 pm. Your session fee will be only $30 due at the time of photography. Drapes will be provided for women. Jackets and ties are necessary for men. Call the studio at 513-346-3800 option #2 to schedule your appointment. Click here for more information.
 
Please note: Photos must be taken by Lifetouch/Prestige in order to be included in the McNicholas yearbook.

Photo retakes rescheduled
 Photo retakes have been rescheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 23. Orders from Lifetouch have been slower in returning than expected. Please click here for a letter to parents from Lifetouch.

From the Counseling Department...

Knights of Columbus scholarships
The Knights of Columbus are now accepting applications for their scholarship program for current students. The application deadline is Nov. 27, but they can be turned into the Counseling Department by 8 a.m. on Tues., Nov. 26 for delivery.  Click here for more information and the application.

Senate Page Program accepting applications
The Senate Page Program provides a unique opportunity for high school students (especially juniors) who have a desire to learn and contribute to our nation's legislative process. There are a total of 30 pages per session and each is appointed by a senator.  Senator Portman is honored to be able to participate in this highly-competitive program by appointing one student per session. Pages attend academically-rigorous classes in the morning at the U.S. Senate Page School, a program fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
 
To apply through Senator Portman's office, you must be an Ohio resident, a junior in high school who will be 16 or 17 years of age, but not yet 18 years old on or before the date of appointment, and have a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Ohio applicants need to complete the  online application . November 15, 2019 for the Spring 2020 session, which starts on January 27, 2020 and ends on June 5, 2020.
 
Additionally, if you have any questions, feel free to contact Dave Straka in our Washington, D.C. office for more information at (202) 224-3353, or check out our website at  www.portman.senate.gov .
Campus Ministry

Respect Life Month  
October is a month set aside by the U.S. bishops as a special time in which we emphasize our Church's commitment to the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. It will once again be marked as a time for prayer and action, and this year's theme for the USCCB's  Respect Life Campaign  is "Christ Our Hope in Every Season of Life."  

This week, let us especially consider how we as individuals and as a community might work to nurture the virtue of Christine hope in order to ensure that the God-given dignity of every human person is respected and protected.
Morning Prayer before School in the Chapel
On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays when school is in session, there is a group that gathers to pray the Holy Rosary in the chapel before school. All are welcome and rosaries will be provided. Fr. Dave Endres will preside at the Friday morning Mass on October 18. Because October 25 is a day of testing and the Freshman Day of Renewal, there will be no Friday morning on that day.

The Holy Father's World Day of Migrants and Refugees Message 
A week and a half ago, Pope Francis shared his message for the 105th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, entitled "It Is Not Just about Immigrants." The text of his address can be found  here  and many additional companion resources can be found  here .
On Campus

McNicholas Science Department earns 30th consecutive STEM award


McNicholas High School's Science Department has received the Ohio Governor's Award for STEM Excellence for its 30th consecutive year and is the only Cincinnati Archdiocesan high school to receive the award this year! The award presented by the Ohio Academy of Science recognizes excellence in science department instruction as well as the opportunities that students have taken advantage of to extend their science education beyond the classroom.
"These schools and teachers know that only teaching STEM from a textbook is not an option," said Michael E. Woytek, the Academy's Executive Director. "Each of the awardees provides opportunities and experiences for hands-on learning and they clearly value inquiry-based, scientific research. Many of their students excel at District Science and State Science Day."
The Ohio Academy of Science began presenting the award 34 years ago in 1985, so McNicholas High School's 30 th  consecutive award is quite remarkable! 

Little Saints for trip fundraising

$ 5 per Saint ! Perfect for backpacks, keychains, lunchboxes, gifts and stocking stuffers! A little physical reminder of God with you! Fill out this order form and give to Ms. Davis (Room #202) with your payment (cash or check payable to McNicholas High School). ORDER DEADLINE: 10/18/19 Orders will arrive before November 1, All Saints Day. All proceeds benefit the trip to Paris, The Riviera & Rome J.Dill/T.Davis

Ski Club and discounted passes at Perfect North
 Family and friends of the McNicholas community are welcome to join the McNicholas Ski Club. The deadline for discounted pass purchase (30% savings) is Thursday, Oct. 31.  Pick up your passes from the Perfect North Ticket Window  on the first day you ski or after October 1.
How to purchase your club pass online:
  1. Go to http://www.perfectnorth.com 
  2. Scroll to the bottom to Club Login 
  3. Scroll to find McNicholas Ski Club
  4. Sign in on the club page. 
  5. Username: mcnick
  6. Password: downhill
  7. Use the 3 line menu in the upper left corner and select the pass you would like
  8. Follow the prompts to finish purchasing your season pass
If you have any questions about ski club or ski club spirit wear please reach out to Ms. Gaskins at mgaskins@mcnhs.org.

Coat Drive--Oct. 18 - Nov. 15
The McNicholas Service Club will hold its annual Coat Drive from October 18 through November 15. Gently used or new coats as well as other cold weather items will be collected in the theology hall.  Coats to benefit neighbors through St. Vincent de Paul. Women's L and XL sizes especially needed. 
Athletics

Rocket football hosts CJ Friday night
Varsity football is home this Friday, Oct. 18 vs Chaminade Julienne .  Pre-sale tickets will be available in the athletic office throughout the week and at all lunches on Friday.  

PINK OUT
Wear pink Friday night to the football game to support awareness and research for breast cancer. Athletic Boosters will donate Split the Pot to benefit cancer research.
 
Fall sports tournament updates
  • Men's Soccer defeated Clinton Massie 4-0 on Tuesday and move on to play Cincinnati Country Day on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 1 p.m. at CCD.
  • Women's soccer begins tournament play this Thursday, Oct. 17 at Batavia at 7:00 pm.
  • Women volleyball begins tournament play this Saturday, Oct. 19 vs Shroder at Princeton.  Game time is 3:30 pm.
  • Cross Country begins tournament competition this Saturday, Oct. 19 at Voice of America Park.   

Basketball tryouts
 Women's basketball tryouts will be held on Friday, Oct. 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the main gym and Saturday October 26 at 8:00 a.m. in the auxiliary gym.

Winter Sports Season
The Winter sports season is rapidly approaching.  McNicholas offers the following sports during the winter season--cheerleading, dance, swimming, bowling, basketball and wrestling with the following start dates designated by the OHSSA:   
 
Swimming-Oct. 25
Women's Basketball-Oct. 25
Bowling-Nov. 1
Men's Basketball-Nov. 1
Wrestling-Nov. 15
 
Each winter athlete must have a current physical on file in the athletic office, and all required forms must be complete prior to their teams first day of practice as listed above.  Participation fees are due by Monday, November 18.  
 
Mark your calendars for winter sports Meet the Coach on Wednesday, Nov. 6.  
PTSA

Get involved with PTSA!
Click here for a list of our events and meetings. All meetings are open, everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend!

In the Community

Theology of the Body presentation at local parish
Our Lord Christ the King parish will host Unpacking Theology of the Body, Thursday, Oct. 17 at Cross and Crown Atrium, 3223 Linwood Avenue. Refreshments begin at 6:45 p.m. and the presentation begins at 7 p.m.  Click here for more information.

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