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NATIVITY BVM HIGH SCHOOL, INC.
ONE LAWTONS HILL
POTTSVILLE, PA 17901
PHONE: (570) 622-8110
NOVEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER
NEWS FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Fall is a beautiful time of the year. Brilliant colors highlight the countryside and the
weather is cool and crisp. The month of November brings great excitement as we anticipate
Thanksgiving. We all look forward to this holiday as a special time to share food and fellowship
with our families. We need to take time out of our busy lives and spend quality time with our
loved ones. I hope that everyone has a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving.
It is difficult to believe that we have already started the 2 nd quarter. As usual, it has been
a busy but productive school year. Our numbers are still growing as we have increased our
enrollment by another two students with the possibility of up to three more in the near future.
The good news about Nativity is spreading. Our Catholic faith and high academic standards set
us apart from the rest. When you add the family atmosphere and all the athletic and social
opportunities for students, it is hard to believe that students would attend anywhere else.
As we enter the month of November, our minds turn to four significant celebrations; All
Saints Day, All Souls Day, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving. The Nativity family will gather
together and celebrate throughout November. We are thankful to all of our parents, families
and friends for their support of Catholic education at Nativity BVM High School. Please come
and join us for one of these events.
The Feast of All Saints and All Souls are celebrated on the weekend this year. Even though
we will not have liturgy at school for these feasts, please know that the Nativity community will
remember our deceased loved ones in prayer throughout the month of November.
We especially ask for God’s blessings upon the United States of America as we remember
our American Military. Please join us for a special service on November 12th at 10:30 AM to
HONOR OUR VETERANS. It is a day for us to thank God for those men and women who so
bravely defend our country in times of war and peace.
Our Thanksgiving Liturgy, celebrated on Wednesday, November 26th, allows us to praise
God and to place life in its proper perspective. It is a day for reflection about who we are and
what we have to be grateful for.
May we continue to pray for each other as we journey through the month of November.
Have a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving Day!
Mrs. Lynn Sabol
NEWS FROM THE STUDIES OFFICE
The first quarter closed on Friday, October 24th.
Report cards will be distributed on Friday,
October 31st. If there are any questions
regarding grades, please contact Mr. Strause in
the Studies Office. Any student with a failing
grade on their report card must return the
report card with a parent’s signature.
PARENT CONFERENCES
Parent Conferences will be held on MONDAY,
NOVEMBER 10th. These conferences are BY
APPOINTMENT ONLY! Please refer to the letter
which was mailed on October 31, 2014.
Appointments must be made by the students or
via teacher email. These appointments cannot
be made through the Main Office.
HONOR ROLL CRITERIA
Honors are tabulated on grades at the end of
the quarters and are based on quarter grades.
Honors will be awarded to students who meet
the following criteria:
DISTINGUISHED HONORS
A grade of 93 or above in all subjects
FIRST HONORS
An average of 89.5 or above in all
subjects, with grades of 85 or above in
all subjects
SECOND HONORS
An average of 84.5 or above in all
subjects, with grades of 80 or above in
all subjects
GPA
Student GPA’S are calculated every marking
period. GPA’s are printed on all report cards.
Class rank IS NOT PRINTED on report cards
because of Allentown Diocesan Policy. Please
refer to the course selection booklet for the
table of point values used in calculating a GPA.
All transfer students will have their previous
credits and GPA’s included in the first marking
period grades. If there are any questions,
please contact Mr. Strause.
NATIVITY SECURITY
During the month of October, Nativity
participated in the “GREAT SHAKEOUT”, an
earthquake drill. The students practice Drop,
Cover and Hold On, the proper technique to
use in the event of an actual earthquake. As
part of the drill, our students practiced an
evacuation of the school building and moved to
the helicopter pad on the front field.
Everything went as planned and all procedures
ran smoothly.
The school also went into a lockdown situation
due to the incident at the Pottsville Court
House. The students were confined to their
classrooms during this time. When deemed
safer, students were escorted to the rest room
and drinks were delivered to the classrooms.
In review of both incidents, the crisis committee
reviewed all procedures and protocols that
were followed. They felt all went well with one
exception. During a lockdown NO ONE SHOULD
BE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE BUILDING.
Parents should be aware of this procedure
which is mandated by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA).
IN THE FUTURE, in the event of a lockdown
parents WILL NOT be allowed to enter the
school building for any reason (ie: to take
students home). When it is deemed safe, a
parent/student reunification site will be setup
and parents will be informed where they may
pick up their children at that time. Students will
not be dismissed to drive home unless the
parent/guardian comes to the reunification site
to sign them out.
Also, Cell Phones should not be used during a
lockdown. If the situation would involve a
bomb threat, and a bomb was present, it could
possibly be triggered by a cell phone signal.
THANK YOU for your understanding with these
procedures that are being put in place. Any
concerns or questions can be emailed to Lee
Strause at [email protected].
GUIDANCE NEWS
Scholarship Information – A list of Scholarship
Information has been posted on the Nativity
Website under Guidance. Seniors received a
hard copy in their homeroom three weeks ago.
Be sure to search the Financial Aid Offices
website at your college of choice for their
specific scholarships. Private and public colleges
and universities do have a gambit of
scholarships available. It will be well worth your
time to check.
Seniors – Continue to persevere with College
Applications and Scholarships. Many colleges
have Open Houses in the month of November.
Be sure to visit each college you are interested
in attending. It is a big decision to make!
ASVAB Test Results – Chris Blickley from the
ASVAB Career Exploration Program Manager
will be at Nativity in November to head the
explanatory workshop. Many Nativity students
had outstanding scores.
PSAT Results – PSAT results will come in early
November. Students will receive the results
along with the actual test they took and an
explanatory workbook. Parents may contact
Ms. Stasulli with any questions.
College Lunch Visits – The following colleges
will be at lunch on the specified dates: Penn
State University – 11/6/14, Lehigh Carbon CC –
11/4/14. The Air Force will be at lunch on
11/12/14.
Juniors – Now is the time to explore your career
choice and start thinking about your college
major. All juniors will be completing a Career
Search in the month of November. The search
will connect juniors to college majors and
colleges that offer their major of interest.
Juniors, it is crucial that you start thinking about
your future. All juniors will meet with Ms.
Stasulli in early 2015.
SAT & ACT – SAT and ACT information and
advice is available in Guidance. Be sure to
upload your picture ID early.
Financial Aid Night – Looking ahead. Mark your
calendar. December 3, 2014 is Financial Aid
Night from 6 to 7. Penn State University will be
heading the workshop and Mary Beth Matz
from the Schuylkill Area Community Foundation
will be sharing all local scholarship information
for seniors.
Selective Service - Turning 18? Male? Be sure
to register for the Selective Service.
www.sss.gov. If you are going on to postsecondary education, be sure to register. If you
do not register, you will not be eligible for any
financial aid the government has to offer.
Please register before filing for financial aid.
FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE
CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of our
Alumni Tailgate 50/50 drawing which was held
at the homecoming game on October 10, 2014.
This year’s winner is Kim Long of Schuylkill
Haven. As a result of the generous support of
our alumni, Nativity profited approximately
$4,500.00 from this drawing.
ATHLETIC NEWS
As fall sports are coming to an end, we would
like to congratulate all of our teams on having a
good season. Congratulations to our boys’
soccer program for qualifying for league
playoffs and for having a phenomenal game
against Blue Mountain.
We also congratulate our girls’ volleyball
program on another great season and winning
their League Division.
Our winter sports program will begin
with boys and girls basketball with an official
start date for practice on Monday, November
17th. Any student who did not participate in a
fall sport and would like to participate in either
one of these winter programs will need to get a
PIAA sports physical completed by his/her
family physician prior to the official first day of
practice. A copy of the physical form is
available on the school website. Students must
also sign a code of conduct form which is also
on the website. If a student received a physical
to participate in a fall sport, they do not need to
get another physical for the winter.
CAFETERIA NEWS
As we begin the second quarter, just a few
reminders about our cafeteria program. Every
day the students are offered a full meal for $4.
This includes an entrée, side, vegetable or fruit
and a small drink. Ala carte items are available
and additional entrees can be purchased at
carrying costs. Students who buy the meal are
getting the best bargain. Students may also buy
the meal with an alternate entrée choice if
needed. The salad meal can also be purchased
for $4.
If your son or daughter is spending an excessive
amount of money at lunch, please ask them
what they are buying. Are they visiting the
school store to purchase candy? Are they
buying all ala carte menu items instead of the
meal? Hess Catering offers the students a
quality lunch and continues to work with us to
offer competitive prices. If you have any
questions or concerns, please call the school
office. We will return your call and try and
rectify the issue. Students should take any and
all concerns to their Student Government
representative who will forward them to Mr.
Kramer or Mrs. Sabol.
FUNDRAISING
POT OF GOLD WINNERS
DRAWING DATE: 10/15/2014
1st Matthew Leitzel
Seller: Matthew Leitzel
2nd Tom Boyer
Seller: Greg Kroh
rd
3 Mary Gipe
Seller: Matthew Leitzel
4th Ken Yusella
Seller: Steele
NATIVITY FYI
MMS PARENT PORTAL
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO SENIORS!
Nativity has changed its provider for the
MMS program, so you will have a new site
to log on. The new site is:
Seniors who are applying to college must have
their financial obligations up to date in order for
transcripts to be released.
https://www.mms732.org/MMSGB67/parent
All usernames and passwords should not
have changed. Any problems please contact
Mr. Strause at [email protected]
FINANCIAL CONCERNS
As always, we need everyone to keep their
tuition and fundraising payments up to date.
Students who have outstanding balances will
not receive report cards, take exams or possibly
not be able to participate in activities. Please
make every effort to make payments in a timely
fashion. It is crucial to the cash flow of the
school. Thank you for understanding!
COMMUNICATION
Communication between parents, teachers,
administration and students is the key to the
smooth operation of a school. There are many
ways to communicate: phone, email and
appointments, to name a few. Please keep in
touch with your child’s teachers by using email
and checking grades on the MMS portal.
If you have a concern about academics please
contact the teacher first. If this does not
resolve the issue, please contact Mr. Strause,
the Studies Coordinator. Discipline matters
should be directed to Mr. Jarrod Kramer.
Please contact Mrs. Margaret Young with
financial questions and Mr. Fran Foster with
athletic issues. These people stay in constant
contact with the principal to oversee the
programs at Nativity.
Please know that the administration, faculty
and staff make every effort to provide quality,
Catholic education in a supportive, disciplined
and safe environment. Every child is important
and every child deserves a chance to succeed.
Thank you to all of the parents who have been
supportive as we all make Nativity the best
place for our children.
SIGNIFICANT SENIOR INFORMATION
Parents/Guardians of the CLASS OF 2015 (our
seniors) were sent information via US Postal
Mail on Wednesday, October 29th.
This
information spoke of a Pumpkin Roll Sale for
Thanksgiving which will be the first of two
major fundraisers for the senior class trip, the
prom and the senior class gift. We ask that you
do your best to help with this Pumpkin Roll Sale
as it benefits the senior activities and gift. If
you do not wish to participate, however, you
are asked to please give a $10 donation. ALL
seniors must participate in this fundraiser.
CAP & GOWN measurements will be taken on
December 22nd. There are no fees for the
Graduation Cap & Gown as long as your
Graduation Fee is paid. At this time, Mr. Jeff
Crouse, Herff Jones, will present a package to
each
student
regarding
graduation
announcements and memorabilia. Please read
all information and decide if want any
announcements, etc. Packets are asked to be
returned by January 20, 2015.
THANK YOU for your cooperation! If you have
any questions please contact Mrs. Yourey or
Mr. Vella at 570-622-8110.
ADDITIONAL information regarding our seniors
will follow in the coming newsletters.
CLASS RINGS AND RING DAY MASS
A meeting was held in October with the Juniors
regarding class rings and Ring Mass. Please
discuss this with your son/daughter and make
sure that your orders are placed in time for the
Mass during Catholic Schools week. If you have
any questions, please contact Mrs. Sandi
Schwenk at Nativity.
FROM THE ARTS
Students enrolled in English courses of Ms.
Melanie Hoffman and Mr. Kevin Keating,
accompanied by Mrs. Sandra Schwenk’s French
students and Mr. Reichert’s Spanish classes,
sponsored a children’s book drive in
conjunction with the Republican-Herald
Development and Schuylkill County Reading
Council. New or gently used books suitable up
to twelve years old were collected by students
and were then donated to needy children.
Participating students received a five point
extra credit assignment.
2014 graduate, Kyle Kaledas, will be featured in
the Republican Herald’s calendar page on
November 30, 2014. “In hope that Saint
Nicholas soon will be … there”, was a very
fitting title for this creative depiction of
December’s highlights and earned Kyle the
distinction of Artist of the Month.
WIAC
The Walk In Art Center located in Schuylkill
Haven held its fifth annual “Kick Up Your Heels”
fundraising event , Friday, September 19th in its
newly renovated event space. The theme this
year was Starry Night honoring Vincent Van
Gogh. Nativity’s Art teacher, Mrs. Sandra
Schwenk, painted her version of the famous art
work. Her three D canvas is on display at the
center.
Nativity was the only school in attendance at
the event and was a Norman Rockwell sponsor,
compliments of Nativity’s governance board.
Saturday, September 19, 2015 was the date
chosen for next year’s fundraiser.
ART GALLERY
Nativity Art students have accepted an
invitation from the Simon Kramer Institute in
New Philadelphia to participate in Schuylkill
County’s first Permanent Student Art Gallery.
Lockers will be transformed into colorful
creations designed by students. Watch for an
update on finished masterpieces.
SWIC
Schuylkill Women in Crisis sponsored an art
contest for high school students to raise
awareness of teen dating violence. The theme:
”Me Too: Break the Silence, Break the Cycle”
encouraged teens to join the movement by
speaking out and sharing thoughts about dating
violence. Vivian Lai, an International student,
who resides with Drs. Richard and Michelle
Adams in Frackville, won 1st place and received
$100 for her poster.
SERVICE HOURS
One hundred service hours in the school, the
church or the community are required prior to
graduation from Nativity.
Mrs. Sandra Schwenk, art teacher at Nativity,
will once again co-ordinate a program with the
Walk In Art Center located in Schuylkill Haven.
An open house held the first Saturday of the
month from 1:00-6:00 PM is open to the public,
free of charge and offers free art activities for
children. Nativity students serve as greeters
and assist with the free art lessons. See Mrs.
Schwenk to schedule hours for November 1st,
December 6th, January 3rd, February 5th, March
7th, April 4th, May 2nd and June 6th.
NATIVITY MUSIC NOTES
The Nativity Band had a busy and productive fall
season this year performing at six football
games, several parades, the Bloomsburg Fair
and an adjudication at Tamaqua. The band and
concert chorus are now rehearsing for the
annual Christmas concert which will be Sunday,
December 21, 2014 at 7:00 PM in the Nativity
gym. This concert will feature selections by the
combined partner school band, jazz band,
concert
band
and
concert
chorus.
Opportunities are still available for Nativity
band alumni to sponsor a new uniform top in
honor of any former Nativity band member.
Contact Mr. Dale Schimpf for details.
The Nativity music department appreciates the
support of the Nativity community for the arts
in our schools.
CLUB NEWS
INTERACT CLUB
MATH DEPARTMENT
Nativity’s Interact Club has held several
meetings over the last month. This club is
service oriented and is associated with the
Minersville Rotary. Recently, we participated in
Red Ribbon Week in the fight against drugs and
a school wide clean-up. The Interact Club will be
having a winter coat and sweater collection
during the first two weeks of November. If you
have a coat or sweater that is in good condition,
please send it into school. We are also
collecting diapers for a local charity. Please
consider sending in diapers for a needy child.
For Christmas, the club will be sending cards to
all of our partner school students.
Members of the Math Club will be attending the
Bloomsburg Math Competition on Thursday,
November 6th. The following students will be
on the team: Gino DiNicola, Sean Greco, Cullen
Hoppel, Rebecca Petlansky, Dominic Piccioni,
Kayla Prezelski, Ryleigh Walaconis, Mandy Wills,
Felicia Wranitz, Jeff Yordy, Daniel Young,
Derrick Hamilton, Kaitlynn Esemaya, Travis
Hunyara, Collin Larkin, Rebecca McCloskey,
Shannon Reiley, Skylar Stoudt, Jacob Evans and
Chloe Prezelski.
If anyone has a service project that they need
help with, please contact Mrs. Sabol or Mrs.
Holohan.
SKI CLUB NEWS
There is still time to join the Nativity Ski Club for
the 2014-2015 season.
Enjoy skiing five
weekend nights at Blue Mountain from 4:00 to
10:00 PM. You can’t beat the savings through
our Ski Club. All paperwork and payments must
be in by December 12, 2014. For additional
information please contact Kathi Sweeney at
717-668-5292 or [email protected].
The semi-annual Mathletics competition will be
held on Wednesday, November 19th, at 3:30
PM. All of our partner schools are invited. The
competition takes place in the cafeteria.
Eighth grade students are again participating in
Math Enrichment Classes at Nativity. Classes
are held every other Wednesday at 1:45 PM.
During the month of November, class will be
held on Wednesday, November 5th and
Wednesday, November 19th.
GREEN & GOLD NEWS
The Green & Gold Club is sponsoring a Designer
Purse and USS Boot Bingo on November 16th in
the Nativity High School gym. Doors open at
11:30 AM, bingo starts at 1:00 PM. We are
asking for cash donations to go toward
purchasing a purse or boots. If you donate,
your name will be placed with the item you
helped purchase. We need volunteers to bring
either a hot food item or a dessert for the day
of the bingo. Please contact Diane at 570-2940551.
Please join us for our next meeting which is
November 12th at 7:00PM in the Nativity faculty
lounge. We encourage and WELCOME new
members. Come out and have some fun and
make new friends!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!