March 2016 McNews Online - Bishop McNamara High School

March 2016
Bishop McNamara’s Family Newsletter
Advanced Placement Exams—May 2-13
Registration & Payment due April 4th
Registration and payment for all Advanced Placements
Exams are due Monday, April 4th. Each exam costs $91.
Fee Reductions are available to families that qualify. Please
turn in the AP registration form (form is posted on
www.bmhs.org) and submit the entire amount to Dr.
Traylor in the Main Office. A pre-administration meeting for
all students taking an AP Exam will take place on Thursday,
April 28th at 7:45am in the library during the one-hour delayed opening. Questions? Please contact Dr. Traylor at
[email protected] or 301-735-8401 x118.
Third Quarter Report Cards
Available on Maccess
4pm April 11th
Please email [email protected] if you have
trouble accessing Maccess
Quarter 3 Progress Reports
Were posted to Maccess on February 29th
ON-LINE Re-Registration for
Classes of ’17, ’18 & ’19
available NOW
The 2016-2017 registration process takes place on-line. A
link was emailed on February 19th. It is also available on
our website, www.bmhs.org. Your log-in and password for
this link are the same as those for the parent portal. Email [email protected] for log in help.
In order to avoid the $100.00 late fee, registration must
be completed by Tuesday, March 10, 2016.
Questions? Please contact
Mrs. Ball at [email protected] or 301-735-8401 x125
or Mrs. Garber at [email protected] or x113.
Spring Blood Drive; March 15th
8 AM– 1 PM
Donors must be at least 16 years old (age 16 needs a parent’s
permission), weigh at least 110 pounds, and should not be
participating in any athletic contests on the day of donation.
Student sign up will take place the week before the drive
during all lunches. Sign up is on a first come, first serve basis. Families and friends of Bishop McNamara are also welcome to donate. Contact Mrs. Rohan at
[email protected] for more info.
Vol. 26 No. 8
CALENDAR CHANGE
Election Day
April 26th
There will be NO CLASSES on
Tuesday, April 26th to accommodate
the Presidential Primary Elections on campus.
Classes will resume on Wednesday, April 27th.
Easter Recess
March 24th -April 3rd
Classes Resume
Monday, April 4th
Next Parents’ Club Meeting
Tuesday, April 19th;
Dinner 6:30pm; Meeting 7:00pm
BMHS Cafeteria
Topic: 2016/2017 Parent’s Club Board Elections
Spring Dress Code
Begins Monday April 4th
The optional Spring Dress Code begins on Monday,
April 4th. See pages 42-45 of the BMHS student/parent
handbook for more information. The Parents’ Club
accepts used uniforms (including blazers) for their
uniform exchange.
Attention parents of rising seniors
(Class of 2017)
We are in the process of selecting our Class of
2017senior polo shirts, watch the the Bishop
McNamara web site for more details. Remember
senior parents, these polo shirts will be your
students uniform attire for their senior year.
FACTS Tuition Management
If you have any questions regarding your child’s tuition account or payment terms, please contact Mrs.
Gessner at Mar y.Gessner @bmhs.or g or 301-7358401 x158.
Daylight Savings Begins March 13th - Spring Ahead One Hour!!
Bishop McNamara High School • 6800 Marlboro Pike • Forestville, MD 20747 • 301-735-8401 • http://www.bmhs.org
CAMPUS MINISTRY NEWS
Holy Cross Mission:
Check out our Campus Ministry blog at bmhsministry.wordpress.com – students are posting spiritual reflections each
week for our community!
Our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bmhsministry) is updated often with the morning prayer that is read at
school for the day. Please check it out! We’re also on Twitter! @BMHS_Ministry
Holy Cross Service
Students who have fulfilled their service hour requirements: Senior s 31% , J unior s 24% , Sophomor es 16% ,
Freshmen 28%.
Service Hour Deadlines approaching (Students who do not complete their ser vice hour s by the deadline will
receive a time extension and will have to complete 5 additional hours):
Freshmen: Ser vice hour s must be completed and submitted by March 15th.
Sophomores: Ser vice hour s must be completed and submitted by March 22nd.
Other Deadlines to complete service hours: Seniors have less than 1 1/2 months to complete their ser vice hour s
(due April 12th); Juniors have just over 1 month to complete their ser vice hour s (due Apr il 5 th). Students who
do not complete their service hours by the deadline will receive a time extension and will have to complete 5 additional hours.
All students must complete and submit the Service Agreement & Action Plan. No service hours will be recorded for
a student until this document is received by the Campus Ministry office (it was due October 2nd). The document is
available through the ‘Service Hour Forms’ page in the Holy Cross Service section of the BMHS website.
List of Pre-Approved Service Opportunities can be found on the BMHS website: click on “Faith & Service,”
navigate to “Approved Service Opportunities,” then click on list for the appropriate grade level.
The Service Map: In the hallway outside of the Campus Ministr y office, ther e is a map of the local ar ea with
pins marking the location of many of our service partners. Students should stop by and take a look at the map if
they are interested in finding an opportunity near home!
MARCH EVENTS
Daily Mass in the Chapel at 7:15am
Rosary in the Chapel on Wednesdays at 3:15pm
March 7: Lenten Holy Hour , 5:30 to 7:00 PM, all ar e welcome in Campus Ministr y for dinner and into the
Chapel for prayer, music, adoration, and quiet.
March 15: Fr eshmen Chr istian Ser vice Contr acts due
March 21: Holy Week Litur gy; Par ents, fr iends and alumni ar e always welcome to join us at 8:15 a.m.!
March 22: Sophomor e Chr istian Ser vice Contr acts due
April 5: J unior Chr istian Ser vice Contr acts due
April 6-8: Kair os 34
For information on Student Service Opportunities in March & April, contact Rosemary Pezzuto at [email protected] or check out www.campfireusa-patuxent.org.
Spring Break Camp Volunteers -- for At Risk and Low income Children Week after Easter. MUST attend 6 hours
of planning and orientation--application required.
Intergenerational Game Day with Seniors-- Numerous dates during Late March Early April--Some events will
take place during Spring Break.
Teen Driving Safety Project--Protecting Children, Educating Seniors... Ser vice lear ning pr oject on Community Safety --Help plan and implement projects for May Driving Safety Month.
Counselor in Training Program-- During March, April and May we will have opportunities for Teens to learn
skills that they can use as summer camp volunteers or staff at BMHS or other camp programs. Application Required
(fee for materials) This program is designed to teach teens how to work in Summer programs for youth and intergenerational programs for Elder adults.
Upcoming Summer Programs-- Service Learning Road Trip (Fee), Summer of Service Volunteer Programs
(Fee) Counselor in Training Intensive Program (Fee)
Parent Volunteer Opportunities as Chaper ones, Advisor s, and Mentor s
FINE ARTS NEWS
Music Trip News……. DISNEY 2016
The Final Trip Payment is due on Friday, March 18th, 2016
Mandatory student/parent/guardian meeting,
Monday, April 11th@ 7:00 pm in the Main Gym.
All students must be present, plus a parent or guardian.
Trip Departure - Wed., April 20th - at 2:00PM (approx.)
Trip Return - Sun., April 24th, 2016– late afternoon (approx.)
Prince George's County
Band & Orchestra Festival
Come and support our Mustangs as they take the stage
with the other public and private schools in PG County.
String Orchestra - Wed., March 9th - 7:20 pm
Symphonic Band - Sat., March 12th - 2:00 pm
Wind Ensemble - Saturday, March 12th - 2:45 pm
The dates and times are subject to change . . . check
www.bmhs.org for updates.
Performances will be at
Northwestern High School Auditorium,
7000 Adelphi Road
Hyattsville, Maryland 20782
WAMTC High School
Honors Orchestra Concert
Congrats to 21 BMHS musicians who earned a spot in
the 2016 WAMTC High School Honors Orchestra.
Come and support them!
Saturday, March 19th, 2016 - 6:30 pm
Bladensburg High School Auditorium
4200 57th Avenue, Bladensburg, MD 20710
Tickets will be sold at the door.
BMHS Dance Program Presents:
DANCE to LIFE
April 8th and 9th, 2016
Student Performers can pre-order tickets until Monday,
March 14th, 2016.
Student Tickets will be sold in the BMHS Cafeteria
during lunch on, Thursday, March 17th, 2016.
(Non-performing students may purchase one ticket for
themselves).
Tickets go on sale to the public at www.bmhs.org on
Friday, March 18, 2016.
All Tickets are $10.00
Visit bmhs.org for more info.
Performers - for the Mandatory Rehearsal Schedule,
Please consult the Dance Program.
Parents and Students are also invited to a
Dance Showcase on Thursday, April 7th.
SPRING PLAY
The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
Performance Dates March 18th, 19tth & 20th
Tickets are on sale now at www.bmhs.org
through Wednesday, March 16, 2016.
All tickets are $10.00.
THEATER WORKSHOP:
Saturday, April 16
BMHS Fine Arts Theatre, 10am - 6pm
Students in grade 5 - 8 will participate in workshops on
acting, singing, dancing, and theatre technology. Participants will perform in a Showcase audience of friends
and family, starting at 5pm. More information and the
Registration Form can be found at: https://
sites.google.com/a/bmhs.org/mrs-donahue-s-website/
African Music & Dance Production
Sankofa Night 2016
MO, the deliverer
Performance Dates – April 28, 29, 30, & May 1, 2016
Student Performers can pre-order tickets
until Monday, March 21, 2016.
Student Tickets will be sold in the BMHS Cafeteria
during lunch on, Thursday, April 7, 2016.
(Non-performing students may purchase one ticket for
themselves).
Tickets go on sale to the public at
www.bmhs.org on Friday, April 8th, 2016.
All tickets are $10.00.
Performers - for the Mandatory Rehearsal Schedule,
Please consult the African Music & Dance Program.
Spring Concerts
Jazz Concert – Jazz Ensemble & Jazz Lab
Performance Date – April 13th, 2016
Concert Band, Symphonic Band, &
Percussion Ensemble Concert
Performance Date – May 5th, 2016
Choir Concert
Performance Date – May 6th, 2016
String Orchestra & Wind Ensemble Concert
Performance Date – May 13th, 2016
All Ticket information
Student Ticket Cafeteria Sale
April 7th & May 3rd, 2016
Public Ticket Online Sale Begins
Friday, March 18th, 2016
Tickets are $6.00 presale and $8.00 at the door.
Visit www.bmhs.org for more information.
Parent Volunteer Service Opportunities
REMINDER: All Parent Service Hours
for the 2015-2016 school year MUST be
completed before May 8, 2016
Please contact L'oreal Edmondson '98, Director
of Advancement [email protected]
with questions
Honors Breakfast for Class of 2020 and
Accepted Students Day: Mar ch 5th
Parent volunteers are needed.
Contact Patricia Garber at 301-735-8401 x113 or
[email protected]
Class of 2020 Placement Testing: Apr il 30th.
Parent volunteers are needed.
Contact Patricia Garber at 301-735-8401 x113 or
[email protected].
Service Learning Workshop: par ent volunteer s
needed to mentor students in youth leadership in
wellness and emergency readiness.
Contact Rosemary Pezzuto at
[email protected].
Mustang Cup Golf Tournament: Volunteer s
needed May 6th. Please contact Melissa Huar at
[email protected]
Mother/Son Brunch: Apr il 16th. Par ent volunteers are needed. For more information contact
Merrie Nichols-Dixon at [email protected]
Father Son Breakfast: Mar ch 19th. (6) Parent
Volunteers are needed. For more information contact Ron Bearden at [email protected]
Labels for Education
The Parents’ Club is collecting labels from
Campbell pr oducts (soups and juices including
V8), Prego, Pepperidge Farm, Swanson Broth,
and Franco-American Gravies to ear n fr ee mer chandise for McNamara. For more information
click on www.labelsforeducation.com .
Please contact Sandi Hodges at 301-868-2402 with
questions. Collection box is located in the main
office.
Mustang Cup Golf
Tournament
Friday, May 6th
Renditions Golf Course
Bishop McNamara High School will host its
Annual Mustang Cup Golf Tournament
on Friday, May 6, 2016
at the prestigious Renditions Golf Course
In addition, the annual Sip & Swing event will be
held simultaneously for the non-golfer. This event
is filled with lessons from Renditions Golf Pro,
wine pairing lunch, seated massages and so much
more.
Registration fee for either event includes lunch,
giveaways, gift bags, awards dinner and
everlasting memories. The proceeds from both
signature events will be used to provide financial
assistance to deserving students.
Please consider
golfing, sip & swing, or a sponsorship.
Caritas Nominations
Outstanding Volunteer Service
Is there a parent that you’ve watched work
tirelessly on behalf of Bishop McNamara
High School, putting in an extraordinary
amount of volunteer time to help the
school?
If so, please submit a nomination (who and
why they should receive an award) by
Wednesday, April 4th
for the
Caritas Award for
Outstanding Volunteer Service
to L’oreal Edmondson at
[email protected]
or 301-735-8401 x134.
Nomination forms are available on-line.
Driver’s Education Class
March 7th-March 18th
3:15pm – 6:30pm; Fee $350
Register at http://www.gregsdrivingschool.net
For more information. please contact Mrs. Rohan at
[email protected]
Please contact [email protected] with any questions.
Annual Spring Phon-a-thon
March 7th-10th
Please consider making a pledge to support our academic and co-curricular programs if you get a call from one of our
wonderful volunteers!
Counselor Corner
2016-2017 Course Registration is in pr ogr ess.
Important dates:
March 11: Application deadline for courses that require them.
March 17-18: Signature Days for courses needing teacher approval.
March 21/22: Collection of completed course selection sheets.
April: Course verifications will be posted on MACCESS.
Junior Parent College Preparation Meeting ~ Tuesday, March 15, 6:30 p.m.
The Counseling Center’s senior class counselors, Ms. Treichel and Ms. Auchmoody, will meet with our junior parents to outline the steps they can take as they begin the college application process with their students.
The meeting will be held in the cafeteria.
Graduation Announcements that wer e or der ed dur ing the Balfour r epr esentative’s visit are here –
please remind your student to see Mrs. Mendiola in the Counseling Center to pick them up.
Attention Senior Parents
Spring Sports Practices
Started February 22nd
Tuesday, April 12that 6:30pm
Spring Sports: Men’s Tennis, Golf, Softball,
Baseball, Women’s and Men’s Lacrosse, and
Track & Field.
All students participating in a spring sport must have
a current Medical Evaluation of Student Form (dated
after June 1, 2015), the Concussion Form and an
Emergency Medical Authorization for Athletic
Participation Form on file. Questions? Call the
athletic office at 301-735-8401 x105.
MANDATORY MEETING
A MANDATORY MEETING for Senior Parents
will take place on Tuesday, April 12th at 6:30 PM in
the Fine Arts & Athletic Center Gymnasium. At this
meeting information will be distributed with detailed
instructions for all of the end-of-year senior activities. At least one par ent r epr esentative for each
member of the senior class must be present at this
meeting. If you have any questions please contact
the senior class moderator at [email protected]
**Please mark your calendars
for this very important meeting.**
April Calendar
Winter Sports Awards Ceremony
March 8th at 6:00 p.m.
Questions? Call Tony Johnson at 301-735-8401 x103
1-3
Easter Recess
School Resumes
Junior Kairos 34
Dance Showcase
Spring Dance Festival
Report Cards posted to portal
7PM Mandatory Music Trip Mtg
12
Senior Parent Meeting
13
7PM Jazz Concert
15
ICE Night
16
Mother/Son Brunch
18
8:15AM Liturgy
19
6:30PM Parent Club Mtg
20-24 Music Trip
18
4PM Senior Progress Reports on portal
23
Mustang Track Invitational
26
NO SCHOOL Election Day
27
College Signing Ceremony
28-30 Sankofa
28-30 Penn Relays
28
AP Pre-Administration Mtg
29
Progress Reports on portal
30
Class of 202 Placement Testing
4
6-8
7
8-9
11
Military Appreciation Game
The BMHS Varsity Baseball team will host a
Military appreciation game on
Saturday, April 16th
See Flyer on page 10
Questions? contact Anthony Johnson, Athletic Director at [email protected]
Summer Camp Registration
Is now open
Reserve your spot today!
Visit www.bmhs.org to register or contact Jeff
Southworth 301-735-8401 x102 for more details.
ICE NIGHT
Originally scheduled for March 4,
ICE Night has been moved to April 15.
Details to follow!
Mother and Daughter Brunch
March 12, 2016
10:00AM until 1:00PM
Woodmore Country Club
12320 Pleasant Prospect
Mitchellville MD 20721
301-249-6100
Tickets: $30.00 per person
For more information,
see pages 9 of McNews
Father and Son Breakfast
March 19th, 2016
9:00 AM until 12:00 noon at the
Colony South Hotel
7401 Surratts Rd
Clinton MD 20735.
The cost is $30.00 per person.
Tickets may be purchased online at the parent's club website or
at the BMHS school office.
If you need additional information please email Ron Bearden
at [email protected].
Bishop McNamara High School
Mother and Son Brunch
Mom, the Perfect Fan: Motivating Young Men
Saturday, April 16, 2016
Greenbelt Marriott
6400 Ivy Lane, Greenbelt Md
Tickets-$40 (deadline for purchasing tickets is April 8, 2016)
Tributes/Ads* are available for purchase
Please join us for a morning of engaging conversation with the Honorable Joseph
Wright, District 5, Prince George’s County Md, and amazing performances from Bishop
McNamara's own Hi Def Men's A Cappella Group and Jazz Combo. During the Brunch,
the winner of the Kevin Eugene O’Neil Memorial Scholarship Essay Contest will also be
announced.
All Mothers, Grandmothers, Godmothers or any individuals
who have served as a Mother figure are invited!
Contacts for the Mother and Son Brunch are:
Chair-Merrie Nichols-Dixon ([email protected])
Co-Chair-Vanessa Moore ([email protected])
Co-Chair-Helen Bearden ([email protected])
Ticket payment can be made online at the Bishop McNamara website. Please go to the
BMHS Parents Club Site and activate Mother and Son Brunch for payment instructions
and Brunch details. Checks are accepted and payable to Bishop McNamara High School.
Hand-delivered payments may be made at the Main office-Front Desk. Please label
checks Mother and Son Brunch.
Details of the Kevin Eugene O’Neil Scholarship Essay Contest
may be found of pages 7 and 8 of McNews
KEO Memorial Scholarship
In memory of Kevin Eugene O’Neil, Class of 2013
“Mom, the perfect fan: Motivating young men to greatness”
Discuss the influences your mother has in your journey toward the formation of your fundamental
truths, ideals, morals and actions. Eligible students must complete this cover letter and write a
500 word essay on this subject.
All BMHS male students, grades 9 through 12, are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted to
Passports to College, Inc. by March 23, 2016..They may be dropped off in the BMHS Office OR
Mail to: PTC @ PO Box 4804 Hampton Park, Capitol Heights, MD 20791
Applicant’s Name: __________________________________________Grade: _______________________
Home Address: ________________________________________________________________________
Home Phone: __________________________ E-mail Address: _________________________________
Submission Date: _______________________________
Affirmation of Originality
I am the parent/legal guardian of the applicant . To the best of my knowledge, I affirm and certify that
his essay submission is his original work.
______________________________________
Parent’s Signature
I hereby affirm and certify that the essay that I have submitted as an applicant to the KEO Memorial
Scholarship is my original work.
_______________________________________
Applicant’s Signature
The winner will be announced at the Mother-Son Brunch. Participants must attend the Brunch.
This scholarship is sponsored by the KEO Memorial Scholarship Fund and Passports to College, Inc.
The KEO Memorial Scholarship
Mother-Son Essay Contest
This scholarship is sponsored by the KEO Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Kevin Eugene O’Neil,
Class of 2003. Kevin attended Bishop McNamara High School from his sophomore to senior years. He was an
honor He was an honor student, National Merit Scholar, and recipient of the Morehouse College Presidential
Scholarship. Kevin was active in academic clubs, a member of the swim, soccer and football teams. He also
attended the very first Mother-Son Brunch, which was coordinated by his mother, Mrs. Robin O’Neil, in
2001. This scholarship honors the life and legacy of Kevin O’Neil.
All current BMHS male students are eligible to apply for the scholarship.
HOW TO ENTER
Eligible students must complete the assigned cover page and submit your two page doubled space essay on the
topic:
“Mom, the perfect fan: Motivating young men to greatness”
Discuss the influences your mother has in your journey toward the formation of your fundamental truths, ideals, morals and actions.
The essay must be no less than two pages (500 words min) and typewritten on 8 by 11 ½ inch paper with oneinch margins on all sides. The font may be 12 point Times Roman, Cambria or Calibri. Please include word
count. Entries must be submitted in a sealed envelope to the Mother-Son Brunch Committee on or before
March 23, 2016. Leave in the BMHS Main Office or mail to PTC @ PO Box 4804 Hampton Park,
Capitol Heights, MD 20791.
Submissions will be judged on your writing style, content, grammar and originality. Judges will look for clear,
concise writing that is articulate, logically organized and well-supported. Entries that are incomplete, incomprehensible or handwritten will be disqualified for consideration.
AWARD
The winning essay must demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the essay subject. In the event that
there is an insufficient number of qualified entries or if the judges determine in their sole discretion there are
no entries or too few entries that meet the quality standards established to award the scholarship, the sponsor
reserves the right not to award the scholarship.
The winner will be announced at the Mother-Son Brunch and awarded a $1,000 scholarship. The winner must
attend the Brunch. If the scholarship is awarded to a senior student it must be used toward tuition and/or expenses related to his college education. If awarded to a 9th, 10th or 11th grade student, the Scholarship must be
applied toward the student’s tuition for the 2016-17 school terms at BMHS. The Scholarship will be distributed on July 28th or upon enrollment at the applicable school.
All students who submit a completed application will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Participation.