Dear Marquette Family -
Welcome back to SCHOOL!!!
The 2010-2011 school year promises to be one of our best and brightest as we prepare to celebrate our 125 years of Catholic education in Northwest Indiana. Marquette Catholic is the first and only Catholic high school in LaPorte County and continues to offer our students and their families excellence in education. Our 100% college acceptance rate, safe school environment, college preparatory curriculum, IHSAA athletic programs, service to others and our community, and Catholic identity make us the school of choice in Northwest Indiana.
This year, we are exceeding enrollment expectations. Our student population has surpassed 195 students. As we continue to grow, so do our programs and staff. We have added several dual credit, honors, and college-readiness courses. Our professional teaching staff is also increasing to meet the needs of our student population. Over 70% of our teachers hold advanced degrees and 100% of our teachers are certified. We have added Mrs. Jean Donnelly to our Academic Affairs Office to support our college placement efforts. We have hired Kerrie Schludecker, our Athletic Director, who holds an MA in Sports Administration, to lead our Athletic Department. Karen Breen, former principal at Notre Dame, was hired to teach English and Theology. Ms. Mary Ann Jensen will be returning to the classroom to teach English. Donovan Garletts, who earned a Masters degree from Indiana, Bloomington, will teach and coach basketball. There is no question; the best and brightest in their fields are working at Marquette Catholic to support all of our students.
Our school's mission continues to focus on learning and developing one's personal relationship with Jesus through our Catholic faith. Decisions made at Marquette Catholic are based on what is best for each individual student. Our intimate class sizes, retreats, theology courses, and scaffolding system of academic and social support allow each student to exceed personal expectations. Our newly revised Service Learning Program and portfolio expectation provides opportunities for students to actively walk the talk of our faith, network with others, and lead in areas beyond the classroom.
Over the summer, we have completed several facility projects. Our Athletic Complex and Scholl Center have been given much attention. Our former library has been rehabilitated into a large learning and media center. All of our classrooms, hallways, and offices in the main building have been afforded a face lift. We have completed our newly designed Art Exhibition Center which will open in the fall of 2010. We have come a long way in 125 years.
This year, we will continue to advance the mission of our school. Increasing advancement opportunities to support over $80,000.00 in tuition assistance, growing our enrollment, strengthening our academic programs, and nurturing our Catholic identity will continue to be the focus of our school improvement efforts. Meeting the needs of each individual learner is our goal.
Change is a reality at Marquette Catholic High School. Everyone wants things to be better, but how many want things to be different? Meeting the needs of our student learners today requires us to think and act differently. I personally thank all of you who support our "change" efforts at Marquette Catholic and the extraordinary Catholic high school experience we extend to all of our students. Your financial gifts, personal time, and commitment to affording our students the best possible education is so greatly treasured and appreciated.
Please know in our efforts to "go green," the majority of school information will be sent electronically. Grades, weekly updated Edline information (not necessarily weekly grades), our DAILY newsletter, college and scholarship information, and athletic schedules are all available online. Each student has their own personal email account with the school and all students and their parents have access via password to their Edline account. Our course descriptions, student handbook, athletic code, graduation requirements, service portfolio information and so much more are available at our web site www.marquette-hs.org. It is extremely important to stay connected!!! Download our informational technology brochure for your review.
Please also know our staff has recently reviewed student expectations and guidelines. Our discussion focused on providing students with an optimal learning environment. All of our policies and procedures are available in our online and revised student handbook. We ask students to adhere to our dress code and refrain from wearing non-uniform clothing like hoodies, moccasins, slippers, and open toed shoes. Face piercings are not permitted and gentlemen must be clean shaven. We also ask that students leave their cell phones in their "LOCKED" lockers from 7:45-3:15. Cell phones have been interfering with our pursuit of academic excellence and it is paramount they remain off and in lockers. Cell phones are not permitted to be with the student during the school day. A phone for emergency student use is available upon request in the main office. If there is need for corrective action, the student's phone will be taken on the first offense and secured in the principal's office. Parents will be contacted via email or phone call. Parents will retrieve the student's cell phone on Friday after school only. The second offense will additionally include a service detention with the principal. Maintaining 95% student attendance is our goal. Students not in attendance for 95% of our academic time could place receiving credits in jeopardy. Remember, food and drinks are permitted in the Scholl Center Commons only.
If you ever have questions, compliments or concerns, do not hesitate to contact the school. We are here to serve you and provide a one of a kind exemplary college preparatory experience. I look forward to seeing everyone at our Block Party scheduled for August 27, 2010. The evening will serve as an opportunity to launch our 125th year of Catholic education celebration, promote the school's annual fund campaign, and allow everyone to tour our facilities and meet teachers and staff during our 5-6 p.m. open house. This is a Marquette Catholic Community event that is intended to bring us all together as a family.
I invite you to have an awesome and memorable year. Thank you for supporting Catholic education and Marquette Catholic High School.
With Faith in Our Future,
James G. White
Principal
