Principal’s Letter: August
August 15, 2008
Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Dear Parents/Guardians:
A number of independent studies have been conducted on why Catholic schools are consistently some of the most successful schools in the United States. Catholic school students have some of the highest standardized test scores and college matriculation rates in the nation. Emphasis on the core subjects, including composition, mathematics, the sciences and world languages, as well as community service components and opportunities for leadership through athletics and other extra-curricular activities, make Catholic school students prepared and engaged for higher studies and for greater leadership roles.
The center of the Catholic School advantage is the philosophy that permeates the total education program and the lives of the faculty and students. This philosophy challenges students to improve the world by sharing Gospel values and living Christ’s message of salvation. They grow to understand the roots of their faith and their responsibilities as Christians. As noted in MSJ’s Mission Statement, MSJ students, teachers and families are invited and encouraged not only to seek personal excellence, but to respond to the needs of the larger community and the world in order to create a just world. As a faith community, we emphasize those values which encourage students to accept others rather than exclude them, to understand the difference between right and wrong, and to commit themselves to serve God by serving others. This is, in large part, why the service requirement exists at MSJ.
Excellence is fostered through high standards, strong motivation, effective/positive discipline and an atmosphere of caring. A high quality of student performance is supported by the evidence.
- Catholic School students score significantly above the national averages on standardized testing.
- Research shows that because of a greater emphasis on homework and study, Catholic School students develop more effective writing skills.
- Catholic High School students attend post-secondary education at a rate in excess of 80% and are more likely to complete their program of studies. MSJ’s current average exceeds 90%, one of the highest college entrance rates in Vermont.
MSJ, while providing a stimulating and demanding education, gives students a high level of individualized attention and personal sharing. This commitment is reinforced by participation in programs for advanced students and also for those experiencing difficulties. MSJ offers Honors and Advanced Placement courses and will develop a college resource center, as well as institute an Educational Support Team (EST) for students experiencing academic difficulties. You will hear more about the college resource center and EST as the year progresses. Also, use the opportunity to contact teachers personally either after class, by email (Faculty email addresses are posted on the Academy’s web site.), or through a phone call.
The MSJ administration, faculty and staff look forward to providing you and your daughter/son with the best educational experience possible.
Sincerely in Christ,
Paolo E. Zancanaro, MA, Principal
IMPORTANT! Please note the following items:
Signature Forms: Complete the three forms provided with this letter. They include the Medical Form, Parent/Guardian-Student Handbook Form and the Field Trip Permission Form. All forms should be returned to the Front Office by August 27.
Great Escape Field Trip: The Office of Student Life, under the direction of Mrs. Fortier, is sponsoring a field trip to the Great Escape on August 28 from 8:00-4:00. It has been the practice at MSJ to open the school year with a student-led, community-wide activity. The cost for the trip is $20.00 which includes park entrance and transportation. Please complete the permission slip – whether attending or not — and return the form and payment to the front office by August 27, the first day of school.
New Faculty: The following faculty members are new to MSJ this year: Ms. Patricia Donahue Assistant Principal for Academics; Mrs. Lorin Gides, Guidance Counselor; Mr. Mark Harding, Music; and Ms. Erica Zimmer, Spanish. Please welcome them to MSJ.
Class Advisors: 9th: Mr. Audette and Ms. Gawet; 10th: Ms. Fuller; 11th: Mr. Hard, Mr. McCue and Ms. Zimmer; 12th: Mrs. Fortier and Mr. McDonough. Advisories meet when Homeroom is scheduled, as on August 27, and during the monthly Wednesday advisory meetings.
Parent/Guardian-Student Handbook: Please read the Handbook. It is posted on-line. Note the regulations for dress code, tardies/absences and discipline. Return the Handbook signature form. If you need a print copy of the Handbook, contact Mrs. Liscinsky in the Front Office.
Athletics: Encourage participation in a sport. As noted in a recent article in the Rutland Herald, the football training season has begun. Likewise with soccer and cross country.
Contacting Teachers: As noted above, contact teachers and staff members by email, phone or in person through an appointment. The email contact list is found at www.msjvt.org.
Books: The bookstore is on-line. Go to the MSJ web site and click on the bookstore link. Make sure that you use the student number on the course schedule. Books should be in-hand by August 27, the first day of school.
Parents’ Guardians’ Meeting: Make an effort to attend this meeting on August 21 at 6:00 in the Jennifer Bagley Theater at MSJ.
Schedules: Please check the MSJ web site for the regular daily schedule, the Wednesday schedule, early release schedule and two-hour delay schedule. Classes begin each day at 8:00 a.m. The regular schedule is periods 1, 2, 3, 4, Lunch, 5, 6, 7. There is a special schedule for August 27. Check the web site. Dismissal on August 27 is at noon. August 29 is the first full day of regular classes.
Laptop Use: Students may use their personal lap tops at school. A lap top use form must be completed prior to using any lap top. Students should register lap tops in the Registrar’s Office (in the chapel corridor across from the Admissions Office).
Library: A recent grant has made the possible the continued updating of the library. MSJ has numerous library research portals, inter-library loan with Vermont colleges and universities and a library use agreement with the College of St. Joseph. Also, the MSJ library collection is in the process of being automated.
Service Requirement: Ms. Zimmer is the coordinator for community service. Required community service hours are 9th and 10th: 40 hours; 11th and 12th: 20 hours. Community service forms are posted on-line. Ms. Zimmer will provide more information as the year begins.
In-service Days: There are early release faculty in-service days almost every month of the year. MSJ is up for the NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges) re-accreditation next Fall. The in-services are for curriculum development and the NEASC processes.
MSJ Web Site and Monthly Newsletter: All of the principal’s and guidance counselor’s newsletters will be posted on the MSJ web site. Use the web site as an MSJ information resource, including for sports, events, calendar and school closings.
Edline: This year you will be able to access your daughter’s/son’s grades through Edline. More information about this will be provided by Mrs. Gides.
Dress Code: All students should be in dress code by August 27. Any color polo or dress shirt may be worn with khaki or black pants or shorts (of the appropriate length). Girls may wear skirts. Dress shirts must be tucked in. Check the Handbook for details.
