January 2015 - Incarnate Word High School

Volume 4, Issue 6
February 3, 2014
IWHS Celebrates Catholic Schools Week
I
WHS began Catholic Schools Week with
Mass celebrated by Fr. Bob Hogan on
Monday, Feb. 26. During the week parents
were invited to visit their daughter’s
classrooms in order to experience first-hand
the great investment they have made in their
daughter’s education. On Tuesday, students
and parents attended the Honor Roll
Assembly, recognizing students who made the
Honor Roll for the fall semester. Following the
assembly, parents were invited to stay for
coffee and sweets. Student Appreciation Day
was also held on Tuesday, and PTO treated the
students to cupcakes and ring pops during
lunch mods.
Finally, for Faculty Appreciation Day, the
IWHS staff was treated to lunch provided by
the PTO. We are blessed to have such
supportive parents and appreciate your
involvement in your daughters’ education and
school.
Top Ten Percent on the PSAT
T
hrough the PSAT, juniors enter the National Merit Scholarship Program as well as other scholar recognition
programs. The following juniors scored in the top 10 percent nationwide on the 2014 PSAT test: Alejandra
Aranda, Kathleen Creedon, Allison De La O, Allison Gavlick, Anne Marie Hamon, Joan Kennedy, Dahlia Lopez, Noelle
Lowry, Elisa Moralez-Spinelli, Emma Niemiec, Emerson Thomas, Jenna Villarreal and Brittany Wagner.
The following students achieved the top 10th percentile nationwide for their superior performance. In the freshmen
class are Laura Arnold, Katy Collier, Immaculate Fombo, Haewon Han and Megan Thomas, and in the sophomore
class: Josephine Garza and Jhennis Megan Lacsamana. Congratulations Ladies!
1
Principal’s Perspective
Dear Shamrock Community,
As we conclude our observance of National Catholic Schools
Week, we want to extend congratulations to the faculty, staff and
students on their efforts and accomplishments first semester and
express our deep appreciation to the community for your
commitment to Incarnate Word and Catholic education.
MISSION STATEMENT
In a faith-based
preparatory environment,
Incarnate Word High
School prepares confident
young women dedicated to
academic excellence,
Christian service and
social justice.
CORE VALUES
Academic Excellence
Integrity
Service
Community of Faith
Compassion
Stewardship
ACCREDITATION
Incarnate Word High
School is fully accredited
with the Southern
Association of Colleges
and Schools (SACS) and
Texas Catholic
Conference Education
Department (TCCED).
UIW Connection
Incarnate Word High
School is a part of the
Brainpower Connection,
and is affiliated with
University of the
Incarnate Word.
This year, the week’s theme continued as “Catholic Schools:
Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service.” The 3 year
theme succinctly expresses our focus on priorities that have made
us unique among educational institutions for 134 years.
We are blessed that our school is strong, enrollment continues to rise and young women
from across the city are seeking the benefits of our unique program. Through the
communities support, we have been able to add exciting new offerings to our curriculum
the past two years including robotics, broadcast journalism and lyrics/song writing. We
are pleased to announce the addition of JROTC effective this fall. The JROTC program
will be available to students in the Brainpower high schools through an agreement with
the recognized Alamo Heights High School JROTC. Enrollment is open to all grade levels.
Interested students should contact their counselor or the principal’s office for more
information.
During Catholic Schools Week, at our first semester honor roll assembly, we recognized
58% of our student body for earning honor or high honor roll. Students who scored in the
top 10% on the PSAT and our nationally recognized students were also honored.
Throughout the week we welcomed parents who visited classes and enjoyed lunch with
their daughter. On Wednesday, we also said goodbye to our 9 visitors from our sister
school in Korea, the Salesio Girls High School. A remarkable group of young women, they
enjoyed getting to know our students, attending the Semi-Formal and were very
appreciative of the hospitality shown by our families these past two weeks.
Our week concluded with the Senior Retreat and support of Hope for the Future’s Khaki
and Plaid Gala. We are pleased to announce that IWHS earned an additional $10,000 in
scholarship support for our students by being the high school with the highest support in
attendance at the event. Thank you to our NHS officers and sponsors, Campus Ministry,
faculty and staff, parents, PTO board and our alumnae for making Catholic Schools Week
and all it stands for a success.
One of the most visible and powerful results of a Catholic education comes through the
instilling of the responsibility and desire to serve others. At IWHS, service is at the heart
of our mission. From the first day, our students hear of the heritage of our school and our
mission based on that of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. A continuous thread
that binds the classroom with activities throughout a student’s tenure at IWHS is the
importance of reaching out to others, especially women and children. As we prepare for
Lent, we ask our school community to come together once again in support of those in
need. This year, we ask for your support in Project Share. Project Share supports schooling
for girls in Tanzania at Hekima School led by Principal, Sr. Esther, who visited our school
a few years ago. Your daughters will be bringing home more information about Project
Share during the next two weeks.
We are always excited to show off what our students are learning. Parents are invited to
visit their daughter’s classes throughout the year. Thank you for entrusting your
daughters to us. It is our pleasure to work in partnership with you to assist them in
attaining their goals and achieving their dreams.
Please mark your calendars for Casino Night on April 10th.
Praised be the Incarnate Word,
BJ Nelsen
2
Upcoming Events
What’s Happening in February?
PRE-REGISTRATION
Incoming 9th Graders
4 - 6 p.m.
Feb. 17 A—G
Feb. 19 H—Q
Feb. 20 R—Z
Academic advising
and info on summer
programs
Meet faculty,
coaches, and students
Feb 4
Math Hanging, 3:30 p.m.
Feb 5
Casino Night Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Feb 6-7 Winter Theatre Showcase, 7 p.m.
Feb 9
PTO Meeting, 6 p.m.
Feb 10-12 Candy Gram Sales
Feb 12 Progress Reports Available
Online
Feb 16 President's Day - NO SCHOOL
Feb 17, 19, 20 Pre-registration for
Incoming 9th Grade, 4-6 p.m.
Feb 18 Ash Wednesday, Mass 8:15 a.m.
Feb 22 Mother-Daughter Luncheon
Feb 25 Blood Drive
CANDY GRAMS!! $1.00
Valentine’s Day comes
early for Shamrocks
this year. Surprise
your special Shamrock
with a Candy Gram
delivered on Friday,
Feb. 13, during her
advisory. What a great
way to sweeten her day and help the
Freshmen class as well! Family and
friends are welcome to buy candy grams
for their favorite Shamrocks and,
students, don’t forget to send a candy
gram to your favorite teachers.
Complete this CANDY GRAM FORM
and turn it in to 109, S103, or the front
desk. Candy grams will also be sold in
snack and lunch mods Feb. 10 -12.
Forms Due: Feb.12 by 3:20 p.m.
Save the Date!
Friday, April 10 for
Casino Night
Word Day
is March 6
This is a parent volunteer
favorite and you
get a free t-shirt too!
Contact Roberta Palmer at
[email protected]
to volunteer to help
on this fun day.
Photography contributors:
Frank Maniscalco
Need a good laugh? Then you’re in
luck!! Friday and Saturday, February 6
and 7, the IWHS Theatre Company will
present their annual Winter Comedy
Showcase at 7 p.m. in the McGowen
Gymnasium. Join us for 6 crazy sketches
featuring emcee Natalia Legaretta,
homicidal bats with bats, questionable
answering services, a Christmas poem by
Mr. Vega, musical numbers, 100%
accurate weather reports, and Mr. Weil
playing a recorder. Please join us for an
evening that is sure to have you laughing
all the way. Tickets are $5 and may be
purchased at the door. For more
information, contact director of Theatre,
Lara Benavides – [email protected]
Mother-Daughter banquet is a long
standing tradition at IWHS.
Please join us for
“Shamrocks on the
Red Carpet”
Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015
at the
Omni Hotel Colonnade
Mass at 10:00 a.m.
Entertainment and lunch to follow
Please check your email for the invitation that
was mailed on Wed., Jan. 22. Registration
before Feb. 6 is $32.00 per person. Special
guests are welcome. For more information
contact Melissa Zamora at
[email protected].
Forms are also available online.
3
Student and Faculty Spotlight
Honors Assembly
S
tudents were recognized for their
academic achievement in the fall 201415 semester on January 27 in the McGowen
Gym. National Honor Society president
Marianne Thrailkill ’15 opened the
IWHS’s Poet Laureate
ceremony with a prayer. Mrs. Nelsen
welcomed the parents and praised them for
English teacher and poet,
their support and sacrifice in sending their
Jesse
We Cardona
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each honoree and presented her with an
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fiction. It has been running
with great success at
Symphony Space since 1985,
and it is attended in large
numbers by students,
teachers, writers, editors,
publishers and the general
public. All the programs
consist of straight readings
of each story or poem in the
program. From 3 to 5
performances will be
scheduled.
National Merit Commended Students.**
She also announced the 20 students who
scored in the top ten percent nationwide on
the 2014 Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude
Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying
Test (PSAT/NMSQT) given in October to
freshmen, sophomore, and junior students.
A reception for the parents and honor roll
students followed the ceremony.
Congratulations
Ladies!
*Students named to the
Honor Roll had an
average of 90 or above,
and students receiving
High Honors had an
average of 95 or above.)
**Students were listed
in the November issue
Congratulations,
Mr. Cardona!!
4
For sports schedules,
please visit us online:
http://www.incarnatewo
rdhs.org/athletics/index.
htm
Shamrock Athletics
Basketball
T
he Shamrock basketball program has
enjoyed success during the months of
December and January. We’ve had quality
victories against Cole, Mesquite Horn,
Denton Ryan, St. Michael, St. Stephens,
FEAST and Antonian. The ladies have
been working extremely hard to improve
every day, and it is really showing in their
play. We are presently in 1st place in
district and ranked in the top 10 teams
among all San Antonio basketball
programs (public and private). In addition
to this on-the-court success, twelve
members of the basketball team were
recognized for honor roll and high honor
roll academically. Our coaching staff
couldn’t be more proud of this group of
young ladies! Please come out to support
our ladies as we do our best to represent
Incarnate Word High School!
GO SHAMROCKS!!!!
Coach Troy Patterson
Soccer
B
oth Varsity and JV teams have been
performing very well this season. The
highlight being a victory over Antonian in
district for the first time in 11 years (2-0)
followed by a JV win and a mirrored score
of 2-0.
The Varsity team traveled to the National
Elite Prep Showcase in Fort Worth, where
top HS teams from Texas and California
attended along with a number of college
coaches.
On December 29th we held our Annual
Alumnae Soccer Match at Northwoods
Indoor Soccer Center, where 25 alums and
about 18 current soccer team players
ambitiously scrambled for the ball ending
in a tie score. The game was followed by
pizza, soft-drinks and comradery in the
upstairs foyer area. (Photo below: current
students are in the red pinnies.)
We are looking forward to our final district
game vs. Antonian on Feb. 4, where we can
clench district should we win. Join us if
you can.
Coach Owen Collie
5
Campus Ministry
Catholic Schools Week Liturgy
O
Lenten Project
Students will receive
information in advisory
describing this year’s
project. Each year IWHS
students reach out to the
community to provide
services and goods to
worthy endeavors.
n Monday, Jan. 26, Fr. Bob Hogan,
B.B.D. celebrated Mass to kick-off
Catholic Schools Week recognition at
IWHS. Before the Mass, Mrs. Nelsen
identified the theme for Catholic Schools
Week: Communities of Faith, Knowledge
and Service. She said these qualities
reflect our core values. She also
encouraged the students to reflect on the
time they have spent in Catholic schools
and to know that the faculty and staff of
IWHS feel blessed to work with all the
student body: “Our prayer for you is that
you make the most of the opportunities
provided by your education.” She reminded
students to thank their parents for the
sacrifices they have made to send them to
IWHS. Citing the motto of the school
“Faith in Her,” she emphasized the faith
this school has in our young women to
become leaders and create a brighter
future imparting peace, justice and
equality for all.
Join us for Rosary on the
1st Wednesday of the
month in the school
chapel led by Sr. Jane at
7:30 a.m. Next rosary is on
Feb. 4.
Members of the Peer Ministry led the Seniors at Mass in a new initiative suggested by
Sr. Jane. At each liturgy a different class will be assigned to sing a hymn or song of
inspiration. Seniors raised their voices to “Love Will Hold Us Together” by Matt Maher.
6
Around Campus
Calculating Students
S
AP US History students
practice a skit for class.
Filming and voice-over
were conducted by 2 other
team members.
Robotics
Saturday, January 3, the
IWHS Robotics Teams set
up a display at Rackspace
to demonstrate their robots.
The Shambots and
Shambots 2.0 were the only
FTC teams asked to
demonstrate their robots as
part of the Kick-Off
Ceremony for the FRC
Robot season. Both teams
were included in a video
news segment on WOAI
and KABB.
hamrock mathematicians had an
outstanding performance at the
Catholic Arts and Academics
Competition held at Central Catholic
High School on January 17. In the
9th/10th division, Brianni Mason took
4th place in Comprehensive Math, 3rd in
Calculator, and 1st in Number Sense.
Also in the 9th/10th Division, Jhennis
Lacsamanna took 6th place in
Comprehensive Math, 6th in Number
Sense, and 1st in Calculators. Seniors
Maddy Coles and Allison Holzman also
did well in their division. Allison took
3rd in Comprehensive Math and 2nd in
Calculator, while Maddy took 4th in
Comprehensive Math and 1st in
Calculator.
The Math Team at CAAC sharing their ribbons and
medals. From L to R, Jhennis Lacsamanna, Brianni
Mason, Maddy Coles, and Belia Camarena. Not
pictured, Allison Holzman
Salesio H. S. Students
I
ncarnate Word High School was
pleased to host our friends and
fellow students from Salesio Girl’s
High School in Gwanju, South
Korea, on January 20 - 28. The
Salesian guests shadowed many of
our Shamrocks over multiple days,
enjoying the classes and often
participating in the learning
process. They also visited an ice
skating rink and Zio Restaurant
hosted by Resident Life.
On January 22, the students
were treated with an over-night stay in the
homes of some of our Shamrock families.
The students enjoyed testing their palettes
with delicious foods, such as pizza, ice
cream, spaghetti, Sonic shakes and tater
tots, as well as a wide variety of our hometown favorite—Mexican food. In addition,
the girls enjoyed evenings spent visiting
with the host families and sharing family
traditions and customs, playing board
games, watching movies, shopping and
playing with pets. The girls returned to
IWHS the next morning, in good spirits
after a good night’s sleep, and a few even
had faces glowing from facials and hands
with newly manicured fingernails.
Then on January 24, the Salesio girls
made their mark in Shamrock social life by
attending the semi-formal dance. They
were very pleased with their time spent at
IWHS and in the homes of their gracious
host families. Our well wishes to the
Salesio H.S. students for a safe return
home.
7
Around Campus
Holocaust Museum Field Trip
College Panel
At the beginning of the
spring semester, the
Guidance Office invites
IWHS alumnae to share
their college experiences.
This year, three presenters
shared college information
and highlights of their
freshman first semester at
college. These ladies offered
a unique outlook to help
translate what they learned
at Incarnate Word High
School to each of their
respective institutions. We
were blessed to have the
following representatives:
Sydney Isenberg (Arizona
State University),
Rhiannon Brieseno (St.
John’s University New
York), and Arianna Walton
(Oklahoma State
University).
Save the Date!
Friday, April 10 for
Casino Night
O
n January 20, the World Geography
classes once again had the honor of
being the guests of the Holocaust Memorial
Museum of San Antonio. After visiting the
museum and participating in group
discussions about the origins of antiSemitism, activities concluded with a
presentation by Mrs. Rose Williams, a
Holocaust survivor. A woman of
incalculable courage, Mrs. Williams told
the story of how her family was almost
completely decimated by the forces of Nazi
Germany. Besides herself, only a sister and
a brother survived the horrors inflicted
upon her and European Jewry.
Mrs. Williams, 87, survived being in
multiple concentration camps, long periods
of hunger, harsh winters, and multiple
beatings. She also witnessed the shooting
of her grandmother, and even encountered
the infamous “Doctor of Death” Josef
Mengele on numerous occasions. Her
compelling descriptions helped the students
put a human touch on the people and
places that most people only read about in
books or see in movies. After telling her
story, Mrs. Williams fielded questions from
the IWHS students, as well as accepted
dozens of appreciative hugs. Principally,
Mrs. Williams had two messages for our
Shamrocks. First, “Don’t be a bystander” to
injustice of any kind. Second, “When you go
home today, tell your parents that you love
them.”
We extend our deepest appreciation to
the staff and volunteers of the Holocaust
Memorial Museum and to Mrs. Rose
Williams. IWHS also extends a big thank
you to Mrs. Robin Cantara, Mr. Andy
Wyatt, and Mrs. Sharon Carlton who were
this year’s chaperones.
St. Matthews Judging
O
n Wednesday, January 14,
eight students from Model
UN, and AP Government classes,
travelled to St. Matthews Middle
School to judge their History Fair.
Each girl was assigned a certain
category, and asked to pick the top
three entries according to rank.
The top two winners in each
category advance to the state
competition. According to Assistant
Principal Ann Ibar, “the girls
provide an invaluable service in
helping choose the winners.”
Incarnate Word students also work
with students from Antonian, Central
Catholic, and St. Anthony High School to
judge the contest. Those participating this
year were: Ann Marie Hammond,
Gabriella Rodriguez, Racquel Rodriguez,
Stephanie Aranda, Ixchel Lopez, Sabrina
Rivera, Cierra Arguijo, and Rachel
Muller.
Thank you ladies for a job well done.
8
Around Campus
Model UN
T
Library
Happenings!
Happy New Year
Shamrocks! In 2015, your
IWHS library wants to
inspire you to “DREAM
BIG”! Our main book
display for January holds
young adult novels based on
those beloved fairy tales
from childhood--where the
unsuspecting peasant just
might turn out to be the
biggest hero in the
kingdom! Come find a story
that inspires you to
greatness in your own life
and face that scary giant
(otherwise known as the
SAT) head-on!
The library kicked off the
spring session of the Spilled
Ink Writer’s Workshop on
January 26th. Students got
pointers on how to write
fairytales and fables, played
Fairytale Pictionary, and
got to share their own work
with their fellow Inkers.
The spring session of
Spilled Ink runs from
January 26th to March
16th. If you’re interested,
please come by the library
and talk to Ms. Lisenbee!
he IWHS Model UN class recently
participated in Model UN San
Antonio, or MUNSA as we like to call it.
The event took place on January 7, 8
and 9 at Trinity University. This
annual event is put on by ISA School of
the Americas. It is the largest student
run Model UN competition and
conference in the United States. It
attracts over 1100 delegates from three
countries. Schools from Mexico,
Guatemala, and the United States were
represented. Incarnate Word students
spend the Fall semester learning
parliamentary procedure, researching
different country’s positions on various
topics, writing position papers, and
conducting mock committee meetings.
This year’s participants were: Sabrina
Rivera, Maddie Ortiz, Analisa Arguello,
Julia Cantu, Monica Enriquez, Anne
Hammon, Ixchel Lopez, Gabby Rodriguez,
and Paola Sanchez. They represented the
country of Denmark on various
committees, and did an outstanding job.
While in committee, the delegates are
given a world problem, and attempted to
come up with a resolution, or resolutions to
solve that problem. Then a debate was
conducted under the parliamentary
procedure rules of Model United Nations. It
was a very rewarding experience, and a
chance to learn how countries get together
to solve world problems in the United
Nations.
Semi-Formal Dance
O
n January 24, Incarnate Word High
School held the annual Semi-Formal
Dance, organized by the Student Council.
Our Shamrock girls went from uniforms to
dresses, pony tails to curls, and penny
loafers to high heels. The UIW Skyroom
was glowing with Alice in Wonderland
decorations, paralleling the theme of “Semi
in Wonderland.” Cotton candy, delicious
cupcakes, and bright pink lemonade were
served to the guests, courtesy of StuCo and
their parents. The dance floor was brightly
lit and crowded with teenagers who came
to dance the night away with their friends
and dates. Even Linda Delagarza (TV
Personality/Decorator, WOAI Living Show)
came to help assist in decorating the
Skyroom where she was very impressed
with the Incarnate Word girl’s style and
maturity. The Semi-Formal was a great
success and it was surely a night to
remember!
“I feel blessed to have been able to help
organize such an amazing dance. The
Student Council would like to personally
thank everyone who attended the dance
along with the parents, faculty, and staff
who assisted in coordinating/chaperoning
the event.”
—Lexi Hazelett (StuCo VP)
9
Parents in the Know
Sister’s Corner
School Administrators
B.J. Nelsen
Principal
(210) 829-3107
[email protected]
LaShaundra Caesar
Vice-Principal of Student
Academics
(210) 829-3105
[email protected]
Dr. Langston Williams Jr.
Vice-Principal of Student Affairs
(210) 829-3106
[email protected]
April Fricke
Athletics Director
(210) 829-3122
[email protected]
Annette Zahirniak
Director of Enrollment
(210) 829-3123
[email protected]
Audra Cardona
Director of Campus Ministry
(210) 829-3121
[email protected]
Stephanie Denning
Director of Development
(210) 832-2143
[email protected]
Debbie Zielins
Registrar
(210) 829-3112
[email protected]
Cybele Bolado ‘86
Director of Alumnae Relations
(210) 829-3103
[email protected]
Liz Valerio
Residence Life Coordinator
(210) 841-7403
[email protected]
Like us on
Facebook
December was certainly a memorable
month for the Sisters of Charity of the
Incarnate Word! Fourteen of us from the
United States and Mexico had the privilege
of joining our Sisters working there in
celebrating the congregation's fifty years in
Peru. In 1964, at the request of the Peruvian
diplomat, six Incarnate Word Sisters arrived
in Chimbote, Peru. It was quite a challenge
as there was extreme poverty, the majority of
the people illiterate and without basic health
and sanitation.
We spent three days in Lima and the
highlight was the celebration of the final
religious vows of one of our Peruvian Sisters.
While in Lima, we visited a labyrinth which
was made from hundreds of rocks bearing
the names of those who were killed by
terrorists groups. The rest of our week was
in Chimbote where our missionary efforts
began those fifty years ago. But what a
difference Chimbote is today! The city
rebounded from the 1970 earthquake and is
thriving, through fishing and farming. In the
early days, the Sisters founded Centro Santa
Clara, a clinic which serves people of limited
resources. In a reverent ceremony, the statue
of Christ the Healer was enthroned in the
clinic's patio. It was inspirational to see how
the efforts of those first six sisters has made
such a great impact on the lives of the
people.
On January 25, A Nun’s Life Ministry
visited our congregation for a podcast for
their Motherhouse Road Trip Program. For
this live-streamed audio and video
presentation, Sr. Germaine and Sr. Adriana
were interviewed. They spoke on various
topics: their vocations, prayer, etc. and
answered questions from Nigeria and
London.
Technology can spread the
Good News, too.
To volunteer for this exciting
new event, please contact
Stephanie Denning at
[email protected]
Or join us for our first
committee meeting on
Thursday, Feb. 5, at 5:30 p.m.
in the cafeteria loft.
Proceeds from this event will
benefit scholarships.
Hope for the Future provides needbased tuition assistance for Catholic and
non-Catholic students who meet eligibility
requirements and enroll in one of the
Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of San
Antonio. Tuition assistance is prioritized
by financial need and based on available
funding. Click here for more information.
HOPE for the Future Application
Process for 2014-15
 Online tuition assistance applications
re-opened
December 1, 2014.
 There are NO paper applications
available, online only.
 There is a non-refundable application
fee of $30 per family.
10
Parent-Teacher Organization
PTO Set for Another Successful Year
Dear Shamrock Community,
2014 -2015 Board
Executive Officers
President
Linda Villarreal ’84
Vice-President
Mary Sullivan '85
Recording Secretary
Caroline Du
Treasurer
Ana Cobian Rodriguez
Faculty Representative
Blanca Marquez Sanchez
PTO Committee Chairs
Athletic Committee Rep.
Ken Palacios &
Anastasia McKenna
Campus Ministry/Outreach
Tisha Alanis
Campus Beautification
Bill Pfeiffer
Communications
Annette Salazar
Social Committee
Chris Mallett
Lorena Contreras ’90
Patricia Gonzalez
Father/Daughter Banquet
Oswaldo Camarena
Carlos Rodriguez
Mother/Daughter Luncheon
Melissa Zamora '84
Andrea Gonzalez '88
Spirit Shoppe
Melissa Barrett
Student Spirit Activities
Loretta Medina
Vickie Muller
Maria Resendiz
Teacher Appreciation
Susan Holzman
Yvonne Grothues ’86
Jean Hebert
Volunteer Coordinator
Delia Thomas
Word Day/BTS Picnic
Roberta Palmer
Carolyn Obregon
As I write to you today, Incarnate Word High School and all Catholic schools
nationwide are celebrating Catholic Schools Week. The theme, “Communities of
Faith, Knowledge and Service” is abundantly present throughout our community. I
hope you were able to participate in some of the events hosted on campus. I am
always touched to see our girls worship in Mass, amazed by the numbers receiving
academic honors at the Honors Assembly, and grateful to participate in Open House
and see our teachers in action.
I wish to say, “thank you” to the PTO Committees that celebrated Student
Appreciation Day with cupcakes for the girls, and Teacher Appreciation Day with
lunch for our Administration, Faculty and Staff. The Mother-Daughter Banquet
Committee is in the final planning stages for “Shamrocks on the Red Carpet.” Please
send in your registration, photos and testimonials by February 6. All the forms were
available in your email inbox on January 21 from Nancy Strilka. Questions can be
addressed to Melissa Zamora at [email protected]. Next on our busy event
calendar is Word Day on March 6. This is always a favorite parent volunteer
opportunity, and you can offer your help by contacting Roberta Palmer at
[email protected].
It’s hard to believe, PTO is already planning ahead for the 2015-16 school year.
New freshman families will be registering in mid-February. A new committee is being
formed now, and we need YOU! I am especially looking forward to the input of
current freshman parents. What is it that you wished you would have known about
IWHS: that would have been helpful during your first weeks? “Shamrock Network”
will work to welcome and help transition new families to our school. Please take time
to email me ([email protected]) or call me (219-7450) with your ideas or
commitment to join this new committee. It is the hope of the Admissions Office that
150 new freshmen will begin IWHS in the fall. Therefore, “Shamrock Network” needs
to begin brainstorming initiatives to make this new committee as successful as the
other PTO committees. We already do so much for the students and the staff, but we
wish to do more for the parents. Please answer this invitation to help.
Catholic Schools Week is a wonderful time to commit to serving the PTO. In The
Epistle of Paul to The Philippians regarding our
Christian dedication, Paul says, “It is important
that we continue on our course, no matter what
stage we have reached. My God in turn will
supply your needs fully, in a way worthy of his
magnificent riches in Christ Jesus”.
Praise be the Incarnate Word,
Linda
Linda Villarreal ‘84
IWHS PTO President
SHAMROCK SPIRIT SHOPPE
Open Tuesdays & Thursday’s during all
lunch mods (10:56 a.m. – 1:18 p.m.).
This is a great time to stock up on your
IWHS spirit apparel!
PTO moms serve up delicious cupcakes
for Student Appreciation Day.
After Christmas Sale
2014 Collector's Ornament
Regularly $12.00. Now $8.50
Contact Linda Villarreal
[email protected] or 219-7450
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Shamrock Happenings
THANK YOU, PTO, FOR THE CUPCAKES ON STUDENT APPRECIATION DAY!
Alumnae Board
Christmas Party
The Madrigals’ interpretation of The Last Supper
Selling Semi tickets
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