Marian Central Friday Focus

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WHAT DO STUDENTS NEED TO BE WELL?

On a given day a student can erupt in a middle of class, or more likely at Marian Central, a student can shut down and will go silent with no explanation. In these situations, a chain reaction takes place at school. Our deans and our counseling department quickly jump into action as they do their best to find out important information and do whatever they can to help the student or students involved. Many times, the student will admit to the problem stemming from home or a relational issue with their peers. Today, we must add social media issues to the mix, usually directed at a specific student. As you can imagine, it becomes almost impossible to find the culprits and is very upsetting for everyone involved. However, it should be noted that we do our best to intervene. Please be aware that at Marian, these are the exceptions and not the rule. Most our days are not like this. However, recently the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy stated, the challenges today’s youth face are “unprecedented” and inevitably make their way into schools.

Research will show that mental health impacts nearly every aspect of teaching and learning. Depression and anxiety, for example, have been linked to lower attendance, poor academic performance, and reduced concentration. Marian Central must play a crucial role in terms of preventative work. One key preventative factor that I feel strongly about is for Marian’s faculty, staff, and administrators to make the effort and build a connection with each student and become a trusted adult with whom they can confide in. When we make these intentional connections, we can become much better at recognizing when something seems off with a student. I do not expect our faculty to become therapists, but they can be the right person at the right time. I believe that all of us need to understand that mental health matters for any student’s learning and success. It is up to all of us to help students be well – and (yes, it is possible) to find joy in school. This only requires a little attentiveness, intentional structures, and compassion.

Mike Shukis
Superintendent

Course selections for the 24-25 school year are DUE TODAY, FEBRUARY 23. All of the information you and your student will need to navigate the online process and to make the best course selections is available on our website at: https://www.marian.com/academics/curriculum-guide/.

Parents, it is critical that you play an active role in this process by discussing and reviewing your student's course selections. It will be helpful to have your student fill out the grade-specific Course Selection Worksheet before they select their courses online.

Online Course Registration Timeline:

2/5-2/23

Online course registration in PlusPortals

3/6

Course Selection Verification Forms mailed - if a student wishes to adjust his/her course selections after this mailing, they should bring in that form with the change indicated and signed by his/her parent

3/22:

Course Recommendation Forms due - for students who were not initially recommended for a course OR for students who did not meet the prerequisites for a course

Last day to change courses

Deadline to pay Advanced Placement (AP) course fees

JUNIORS/SENIORS INTERESTED IN MCHENRY COUNTY COLLEGE PCCS COURSES FOR 2024-2025

If you are a junior or senior interested in enrolling in any of the MCC Partnership for College and Career Success (PCCS) courses (see Curriculum Guide p. 54-57) for the 2024-2025 school year, please see Mrs. Diamond in Guidance ASAP to be certain that you're registered for a study hall as one of your electives and to receive the link from MCC to register for the course(s). Early registration helps to ensure that there are spaces available in the course(s) and helps to ensure that all of the programs will run as scheduled. Unfortunately, MCC had to cancel the Culinary Arts program last year due to lack of student registrations.

Parents,

LAST CHANCE to purchase your tickets for Marian Central's Gala "Boots, Bow Ties & Bling"! We hope you will join us for Marian Central's premier fundraising event, where you will enjoy a western-themed night complete with dinner, drinks, live music, casino games and live & silent auctions. We appreciate your support as we raise money for our beloved school.

To purchase tickets/sponsor the event, visit marianauction.givesmart.com. The deadline for ticket sales is Monday, February 26 at noon.

Kaitlin Bordeaux

Director of Advancement

Every year, Marian Central Catholic High School serves as a test center for the ACT in April. This year, the test date will be Saturday, April 13th, 2024. Also know that while we serve as a test center, we are not able to reserve seats for our Marian Central Catholic students. If you are interested in signing up for the April 13th ACT (or the February 10th, June 8th or July 13th at other locations), please register on the ACT Registration website. For the April 13th test here, be sure to use our test center code: 174990.

We will be providing a free practice ACT here at Marian Central Catholic on Wednesday, March 6th after school from 3:00pm - 7:00pm in the library. Space is limited to the first 30 students who sign up. Students can sign up the Practice ACT through the Revolution Prep website. The Revolution Prep website will have links to additional free practice tests as well as some group test prep sessions, which come with a fee.

What can you do this year to make Lent truly special? How can you be fully alive and joyful for His resurrection at Easter? Why not join fellow parishioners for the St. Thomas Light of the World Retreat March 8-11? Prayerfully consider attending this parish-based retreat! Treat yourself and feed your soul. If you feel God is calling you to strengthen or deepen your relationship with Him, register for this retreat by clicking here. The retreat takes place in Lower Pierson. Meals and snacks are provided (18 and older)