February 12, 2020
Mr. Dave Mueller
Principal's Corner


We celebrate McNicholas Mardi Gras this Sunday - a distinctive tradition that connects us with the New Orleans and French roots of our founding congregation, the Sisters of St. Joseph. Enjoy this fling before Lent!

Part of the fun of Mardi Gras is experiencing customs from a different culture. For even more of that fun, consider hosting a student from our partner Catholic schools in Barcelona for three weeks near the beginning of next school year. Faculty members accompany the students and are available to assist host families with any concerns. Host families are not expected to provide any special entertainment for the students. In fact, the goal is to treat them as much as possible like members of the family so that they get a taste of typical American life. The students are selected from among many high-quality applicants interested in learning about life in Cincinnati and sharpening their English. The students speak English well enough for at least basic communication. The students will attend a full schedule of courses at McNicholas. The schools in Barcelona reciprocate by inviting McNicholas students for homestays during Easter break 2021. One host parent had this to say about the experience: "I can't say enough about what a fabulous experience it was for all of us in the family (myself included). My daughter and her Barcelona sister clicked from day one and I think will remain very good friends. It was a win/win all the way around. I would highly recommend it to anyone." Please contact me at dmueller@mcnhs.org if you would like to know more about this opportunity.

Almost a rocket...thanks for your help!
Your son or daughter might ask to raid your pantry for cans to contribute to our Can-Struction project. Students are collecting cans to donate to Hope Emergency to distribute to needy families. Hallways are competing to bring in enough cans to "canstruct" the most impressive "sculpture" made of cans. Thanks in advance for your generosity.

News and reminders

2019-2020 Calendar

Coming up...

Thurs., Feb. 13--
Thursday 3-bell block day--2:10 p.m. dismissal

Fri., Feb. 14--
MTF Schedule

Mon., Feb. 17--
President's Day-No School

Tues., Feb. 18--
MTF Schedule

Weds., Feb. 19--
Wednesday 4-bell block day

Thurs., Feb. 20--
Thursday 3-bell block day--2:10 p.m. dismissal

Fri., Feb. 21--
MTF Schedule

Planning ahead--Tuesday, March 10 will be a testing day. Freshmen will take the IOWA, sophomores the PSAT - 10, and juniors the ACT (official - scores are reportable to colleges). More information to follow.

2020-21 Registration for Current Families
Registration for current students is open. Packets with scholarship and financial aid award notification were mailed Monday, February 10. Completed enrollment contracts and a registration fee of $850 must be received by Friday, March 6, 2020. The re-enrollment contract is available by  clicking here and scrolling to  Current Family Registration - Class of 2021, 2022, and 2023.

FACTS Tuition Management will manage our tuition collection again next year. FACTS processes payments directly from your financial institution account, credit cards, and bank transfers. You may choose one of these flexible payment options:
  • Pay in Full Plan - due May 15, 2020
  • 2-pay Plan - payments due May and Nov
  • 4-pay Plan - payments due May/Sept/Dec/Mar
  • 10-pay Plan - payments due each month July through April
NEW! Changes to your payment plan option after the 2020-21 enrollment has been submitted can only be accepted after April 1, 2020. Applicable fees will apply. For questions or help setting up your FACTS account, please contact the FACTS 24-hour customer service at 1-866-441-4637. For questions regarding registration, please contact the Finance Office at McNicholas High School at 513-231-3500.

Scholarships for current students
Applications for scholarships for current McNicholas students are due February 28, 2020. Please click here for information on scholarships available and application requirements.

News from the McNicholas Counseling Department
Summer Gym registration now open
Summer gym will be offered summer 2020 to current McNicholas High School students who want to earn their PE I or PE II credit. Summer gym registration opened February 5.   Registration and fee can be turned into the counseling office. Registrations will only be accepted if fee is attached.  Please see attached registration information.  Contact your student's counselor or Mr. Tim Monahan with any questions.

UC Medical Sciences Summer Institute 2020
High school juniors entering their senior year are eligible for the UC Medical Sciences Summer Institute. The two-week program will run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday between July 13 - 24, 2020. The tuition cost is $1,000.  
 
Interested students should email a copy of their resume along with a  1 -3 paragraph personal statement on:  1) why they feel this program will benefit them and 2) any background/prior related experience that would help make them a great fit for the program to Shawn Adkins adkinssw@ucmail.uc.edu.    The resume should include your current high school GPA and expected graduation year.    The application deadline is Thursday, February 20, 2020.  
 
For more in depth information about the Medical Sciences Summer Institute, please go to this  video link  or click here for more information.

University of Dayton School of Engineering event
Juniors and seniors are invited to explore a career in engineering and the value of a University of Dayton education at this FREE event. Participate in hands-on laboratories with UD faculty and students while learning how we infuse creativity and innovation into engineering design. Meet faculty, current students and admission representatives. Parent programming is also provided.

Explore Engineering Event
Saturday, Feb 22, 2020
11 a.m. to noon: Optional campus tour
Noon: Registration begins
1 to 5 p.m.: Explore Engineering program
Space is limited, and registration is required.

The Women in Engineering Program and the Minority in Engineering Program will host a special morning event! Meet current female and multi-ethnic engineering students and hear how they are using their engineering skills to pursue their passions.

9 am: Optional Campus Tour
10 am-12:30 pm: Parent and Student Resource Fair and Lunch
Space is limited, and registration is required.
Parent programming is included in all Explore Engineering events. For more information, contact me at 937-229-5080 or udengineering@udayton.edu. 

University of Miami Summer Scholars Program
How many students get the chance to build an architectural portfolio, create a business plan, meet executives from collegiate and professional sport administrations, all while earning six college credits? At UM, students explore their academic passion and consider their future career opportunities when they attend the University of Miami's Summer Scholars program. High-achieving high school sophomores and juniors can gain an authentic college experience and earn six college credits in a variety of academic areas. For students looking to gain hands-on experience in a more condensed format, we also offer our incredible two-week, non-credit academy program for an intense experiential learning environment. Click here for more information. Deadline is March 1.

Campus Ministry

Friday Morning Mass
Fr. Dave Endres will be present this Fri., Feb. 14, to celebrate the Eucharist in our school's chapel at 7:00 a.m. All students, faculty, staff, and parents who are seeking to deepen their commitment to prayer are welcome and invited to be present. 
Mardi Gras 2020

The 68th annual Mardi Gras Ball will be this Sunday, Feb. 16, at Archbishop McNicholas High School. No other high school in the area has such a unique and meaningful tradition of celebrating and honoring its students. Faculty, staff, and students are busy putting the final touches on this unique celebration.

Ticket Information
--Tickets are $17 each, and no student may purchase more than two tickets. Tickets will be on sale through the end of this week.

--Any McNicholas student buying a ticket must have a dance information form filled out. If buying a ticket for a student who does not attend McNicholas, he or she must also have a form filled out by the guest's school. 

--Checks should be made payable to McNicholas High School.
  
Mardi Gras Night
-- Students planning to attend must check in at the Courtyard Lobby Doors.

--The doors open at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, February 16. Students should arrive no later than 5:30 p.m. to take care of coat checking and find a seat. The doors will close at 5:50 p.m. so that the pageant can begin on time. No one will be admitted to the gym after 5:45 p.m., and everyone must be seated by 5:50 p.m. The formal pageant begins at 6 p.m. and usually lasts about 90 minutes. Late arrivals will not be admitted. Tickets will be collected at the door. No one may leave the gym during the pageant.

--After the pageant concludes, students will move to the café so that gym can be set for the dance.

--Students will have to check in at the Courtyard Lobby Doors a second time prior to entering the dance.

--Park in the McNicholas lots, at Guardian Angels, or at the Presbyterian Church.  The parking spaces near the Convent will be reserved for visiting guests. 

--Many parents will be on hand to assist with the coat check, concessions, and chaperoning.

--The concession stand will have items for purchase at the dance.

--Students may not leave until 10:30 p.m., and the dance will conclude at 11:00.

Mardi Gras will celebrate our wonderful tradition as well as our appreciation of each and every student in our community.  The Mardi Gras Committee has been working on the evening for many months, and we look forward to a wonderful time! If you have any questions, please contact the school at 231-3500. Thank you!
On Campus

New episode of The McNick Minute available

In this episode, Carly sits down with Ian Burt and Willy Corbett to discuss the recent trip to Washington D.C. for the March for Life, Elise talks to Mrs. Sandmann about the new changes to the Kairos retreat, and Jacob speaks with Kareem Simpson , local 
author, innovator, community enthusiast, military veteran, and entrepreneur  to discuss African American voting rights history for this Black History Month. Click here to listen.


Dewey's Fundraiser for Student Council
Student Council will be sponsoring a dinner fundraiser on Wednesday, February 19, at Dewey's Anderson.  Please come out and support Student Council! Click here for flyer to present at the time of purchase.

Athletics

Dwyer, Horgan named Rocket Athletes of the Week sponsored by BSN

Junior Haven Dwyer almost achieved a double-double during a tough loss at Badin for the girls basketball team to close out the regular season. Junior Brady Horgan qualified for districts this weekend for the Rocket swim team.

Hall of Fame 2020 Inductions-Thurs., Feb. 20

Please join us as Lucy Frey '11, Matt Luehrman, '10,
and Greg Rudolph, '83, (Good Fellowship Award) are inducted into the McNicholas Athletics Hall of Fame. 

Our speaker for the evening is Ultra Endurance Athlete and Guinness World Record Holder Bryce Carlson.  

Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner by LaRosa's at 7 p.m. $30 in advance or $40 at the door. Click here for tickets.

Women's basketball post-season tournament begins
Women's basketball begins tournament play Thurs., Feb. 13 at 6:00 pm against Mt. Healthy at Walnut Hills.  Presale tickets are available in the athletic office for $6.00.

McNick at Night--Saturday, March 14

SOLD OUT!
At this time all tables are sold out. We do have a few seats for couples left.  If you are interested in a couples ticket or to go on a table waiting list, please  contact Shawn Young at syoung@mcnhs.org

Please consider donating to this fabulous event! Cash donations, gift cards, vacation stays, event tickets and sponsorships are a key component to our success each year!  If you know that you would like to donate, please complete the Auction Donation Form and return to the Development Office by February 28.  Please contact Annette McHugh at 513-619-5814 or  amchugh@mcnhs.org  if you have any questions. Thank you for your support!

Celebrate health and fashion in a Slainte T-shirt!
Here's to your good health and great sense of style! Get your Slainte T-shirt for $20 at the Hall of Fame celebration on Feb. 20. Cash or check accepted.


PTSA

Deadline extended!
Mother/Student Afternoon Out at the Fowling Warehouse! 
No, this is not a misprint...It's not bowling but fowling! Enjoy a couple hours of Fowling fun with your favorite McNick teenager at the Fowling Warehouse. Fowling is bowling with a football and is the latest craze around town! 

When: Sunday, February 23, from 2-4 p.m.
Where: Fowling Warehouse 2940 Highland Ave. Cincinnati 45212
Cost: $10 per person

Food is not sold on Sundays, but you can bring your own snacks or have food delivered. Beverages must be purchased at their bar and can't be brought in. Please drop off your payment to the school office in an envelope with your family name and phone number on the outside. Please print "PTSA Fowling Event" on envelope. Please RSVP no later than February 18. A ll players have to sign up prior to attending...no walk ins.  If you have any questions, please email Lauri Zahumensky at  mamazahu1@gmail.com 

After Prom Planning Meeting
The next After Prom planning meeting will be on Tues., Feb. 18 at 7:00 p.m. in the library at McNick. We are still in need of planning volunteers, particularly freshman, sophomore or junior parents who might be willing to learn the ropes to help with After Prom next year. After Prom is the biggest PTSA event and is a great way to meet new parents and to help provide a safe alternative for our students on their Prom night. Please join us if you're able! Questions? Please email Kirsten Hagenbarth.
 
After Prom Art Day
One way that we keep our After Prom costs down is by making most of our decorations. Students and parents of all artistic levels are invited to participate in the After Prom Art Day on Sat., Feb. 29 in Mr. Corbett's classroom. We'll be there from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. You can join us for all or part of the day... whatever works for you! Whether you can draw, paint or just cut things out, we'll have a project for you! Student volunteers will receive service hours. Questions? Please email Kirsten Hagenbarth.

BW3 After Prom Fundraiser
Does your family dine at BW3 on Beechmont Ave.? Do your students go there after school events? If yes, you can help raise money for After Prom!  Show this BW3 Teammate Card picture to your server when you get your bill and 10% of what you spent will be donated to After Prom. This fundraiser runs through the end of June so plan to use your Teammate card every time you dine at BW3!

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!

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