Praised be Jesus Christ! Since I became principal at Delone Catholic High School, I have often been impressed by the involvement in, dedication to and support of our school demonstrated daily by our students, parents, alumni and community. It is truly a special place built by and for people committed to our faith and to preparing our young adults for life after high school.  

We have been "Graduating Doers of the Word Since 1940" through the generosity of Charles J. Delone and many others who believe in the importance of a Catholic education. Today, I am excited to share with you one of the most extraordinary investments in Delone Catholic ever made.  

Four alumni, who wish to remain anonymous, have raised $500,000 to invest in Delone Catholic and have pledged to provide a similar level of support over the next two years. This investment reflects their determination to ensure that Delone Catholic High School will thrive for generations to come.

Since February, we have been working with Partners in Mission, an organization focused exclusively on developing excellence in Catholic school advancement and leadership. We have also been actively working on updating our strategic plan that will guide us for the next seven years. Combining these efforts with the ongoing, extensive self-evaluation we have undertaken to maintain our Middle States accreditation and in conversations with these alumni, we have identified some important strategic needs: 

1) Facilities improvements. Specifically, we plan to upgrade our existing security system to ensure that students, faculty, staff and visitors are as safe as possible while at Delone Catholic each day. Additionally, we will revise and upgrade our safety and security protocols in collaboration with an experienced, certified specialist in this area. 

2) Financial assistance. Some of our families have already benefited directly from these funds as we met a significantly larger percentage of the financial need for our student body this year. For the coming year, we anticipate providing aid to more of our current and prospective families, thus making enrollment accessible to families desirous of a Catholic education but without the means to do so. 

3) Advancement and Enrollment Management. As a result of our discussions with Partners in Mission, we will increase staffing to better serve prospective families, current parents, alumni, community members and donors. In turn, this will enable us to build and maintain relationships and create opportunities for our extended family to make investments in financial assistance, academic programs, and facilities for our current and future students.  

We have a rare and important opportunity to use this investment as a springboard to secure an exciting future. We take very seriously our responsibility to make the most of this investment by using it in ways which will become self-sustaining and transformational.  

We are so grateful to these extraordinarily generous alumni who have seen the vision for growth and improvement at Delone Catholic and who are providing additional resources to expand upon it. As we approach our 80th anniversary next fall, we are so blessed to be able to implement and develop programs that will ensure that this school community is celebrating anniversaries for at least another 80 years! 

Thank you for choosing to be part of the Delone Catholic family. May God bless you always and in all ways! 

Sincerely, 

Richard V. La Rocca, S.T.L. 

Principal Richard

Due to local road closures, Gettysburg School District will be dismissing its students at 12:45 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4. Any student, who plans on riding the Gettysburg bus home, will receive an "Excused Absence" for half the day and be dismissed at 12:45 p.m. The district will not be providing afternoon transportation at the regular dismissal time of 2:45 p.m.. Delone Catholic will remain open for its normal school hours. If your child is planning on remaining in school for the full day, you will need to provide your own transportation for this day. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Hefner at (717) 637-5969.

Please consider a donation to the Toys for Tommy Toy Drive. Collection bins will be at our Homecoming Football game this Friday, Oct. 4. The Cross Country team is also accepting toy donations at their home cross country meets. For more information, please contact Margaret Grenchik '18. Thank you!

Delone Catholic will conduct standardized testing on Wednesday, Oct. 16. All juniors and sophomores will take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT). In addition to preparing students for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), the PSAT results are used as a first step to identify National Merit Scholars and commended students from among high school juniors across the United States. Registration information has been distributed to the students. The test fee will be $17, and is due by Wednesday, Oct. 4. Juniors and Sophomores were acquainted with the format of the test and techniques used in taking the test successfully during their English classes by the Guidance Department. The test will be administered during the morning session. Students can practice online through the Khan Academy. At the conclusion of testing, (approximately 12:30 p.m.) students will be dismissed for the day.

Freshmen will be engaged in the following sessions that morning: Freshmen Service Project, Health and Fitness, Career Inventory and the TASC program. They will be dismissed at approximately 12 p.m. Freshmen are permitted to wear their gym uniform on Oct. 16 for Testing Day. If students do not yet have a DCHS gym uniform, they may wear their eighth grade gym uniform or comfortable t-shirt and shorts/sweatpants in accordance school dress code guidelines. 

That day, any Junior, Sophomore or Freshman who plans on riding the Pa. public school or Maryland buses may not leave the school campus until those buses arrive here at school at their normal time. The cafeteria will be closed so students NEED TO BRING A LUNCH FROM HOME that day. These students must indicate that they will be taking the bus by signing a form that is available in the Guidance Center by Oct. 4. Students are not required to stay in school if they can arrange alternate transportation. If a student cannot arrange transportation they are to report to room 1 for a supervised study hall.

Seniors will attend their class retreat on Oct. 16. They will be dismissed upon their return at 2:30 p.m.

Please contact Mrs. Heberling with questions. 

This is a great opportunity for area grade school students to meet one another and become familiar with the Delone Catholic community. This event is open to any third, fourth or fifth grade student. Students do not have to attend a Catholic School to participate. We encourage your son/daughter to bring their friends. The picnic will be held on J.T Flaherty field on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, starting at 1 p.m. and ending at 4 p.m. To sign up for this event, click here for the parent letter and permission form. Forms are also available on the school website and in the Main Office. Students had a blast at our picnic last year and looking forward to having another great day this year!

On Oct. 28, 2019, Delone Catholic will be hosting a financial aid seminar hosted by Angela Buchanan-Bloch, Campus Director of Financial Aid at H.A.C.C. This seminar will be of special interest to senior parents, especially those sending a student to college for the first time. Discussion topics will include: completion of the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form needed to receive federal/state aid, filling out the CSS (College Scholarship Search) Profile, required by some colleges to qualify for scholarships at their school, and how to access other scholarship opportunities. These topics are relevant for students attending any college, not just H.A.C.C. The meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. Ms. Buchanan-Boch will be available for questions at the conclusion of her presentation. All senior parents are encouraged to attend.