FROM THE PRINCIPAL: Ms. Rosemary Distaso-Libbon, Principal BISHOP MONTGOMERY HIGH SCHOOL JANUARY 2015 PARENT NEWSLETTER 5430 Torrance Boulevard Torrance, California 90503 (310) 540 - 2021 www.bmhs-la.org Dear Parents, Happy New Year! How exciting to begin a new year! It hardly seems possible that we’re beginning 2015 and are well on our way to the graduation of the Class of 2015. You may have noticed the lights on the trees outside of my office in the front of the school. They were lit on Christmas Eve, December 24 th and will remain lit until the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, January 12 th , which is the Church’s celebration of the Christmas season. Each of these lights represents a donor who contributed to the Queen of Angels Tuition Assistance Fund since last December 24, 2013 through December 24, 2014. The lights signify our community’s thanks and our prayers for each of the donors and their intentions. I ask that when you see these lights you say a prayer for these generous donors. This celebration of these many generous gifts to the students of Bishop Montgomery through the Queen of Angels Fund has become a Christmas tradition. “To believe in God is to know that there are wonderful surprises…..” There have been so many wonderful surprises. Your generosity and the generosity of our alumni and past parents is overwhelming. Thank You. The Dan Murphy Foundation has awarded our school a check for $25,000 for our technology project! They were very interested in our project and in supporting it. We will be using the funds to continue to upgrade our wireless infrastructure throughout the campus. As we begin the new year of 2015 and make our resolutions, make our plans, it is good to remember that God has a plan for each of us. I always have to remember that my plan is not always God’s plan and it is my constant challenge to be open to God’s plan for me through prayer. God’s love for us is unconditional and so we trust in His promise to care for us no matter our challenges. I share this prayer because it reminds me how important it is for me to trust “in the slow work of God” and not to be “impatient in everything.” No matter how much I want my plans and my resolutions to unfold quickly, it is not merely up to me. I must give Our Lord the benefit of knowing that He is leading me, guiding me, and accept the anxiety of knowing that I am incomplete—and am always striving for completion. Patient Trust Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something
Transcript
From the PrinciPal: Ms. Rosemary Distaso-Libbon, Principal
Happy New Year! How exciting to begin a new year! It hardly seems possible that we’re beginning 2015 and are well on our way to the graduation of the Class of 2015.
You may have noticed the lights on the trees outside of my office in the front of the school. They were lit on Christmas Eve, December 24th and will remain lit until the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, January 12th, which is the Church’s celebration of the Christmas season. Each of these lights represents a donor who contributed to the Queen of Angels Tuition Assistance Fund since last December 24, 2013 through December 24, 2014. The lights signify our community’s thanks and our prayers for each of the donors and their intentions. I ask that when you see these lights you say a prayer for these generous donors. This celebration of these many generous gifts to the students of Bishop Montgomery through the Queen of Angels Fund has become a Christmas tradition. “To believe in God is to know that there are wonderful surprises…..” There have been so many wonderful surprises. Your generosity and the generosity of our alumni and past parents is overwhelming. Thank You.
The Dan Murphy Foundation has awarded our school a check for $25,000 for our technology project! They were very interested in our project and in supporting it. We will be using the funds to continue to upgrade our wireless infrastructure throughout the campus.
As we begin the new year of 2015 and make our resolutions, make our plans, it is good to remember that God has a plan for each of us. I always have to remember that my plan is not always God’s plan and it is my constant challenge to be open to God’s plan for me through prayer. God’s love for us is unconditional and so we trust in His promise to care for us no matter our challenges. I share this prayer because it reminds me how important it is for me to trust “in the slow work of God” and not to be “impatient in everything.” No matter how much I want my plans and my resolutions to unfold quickly, it is not merely up to me. I must give Our Lord the benefit of knowing that He is leading me, guiding me, and accept the anxiety of knowing that I am incomplete—and am always striving for completion.
Patient Trust
Above all, trust in the slow work of God.We are quite naturally impatient in everything
to reach the end without delay.We should like to skip the intermediate stages.
We are impatient of being on the way to something
WHERE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN
From the PrinciPal:Ms. Rosemary Distaso-Libbon, Principal
unknown, something new.And yet, it is the law of all progress
that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—
and that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you;your ideas mature gradually—let them grow,
let them shape themselves, without due haste.Don’t try to force them,
as though you could be today what time(that is to say, grace and circumstances
acting on your own good will)will make of you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spiritgradually forming within you will be.
Give Our Lord the benefit of believingthat his hand is leading you,
And accept the anxiety of feeling yourselfin suspense and incomplete.
--Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J.
I wish you a Happy New Year and a wish for every good thing for you and for your family.
College News:The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required for students who wish to receive financial aid from a given college or university. The online applications may be accessed at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Similar to the college application process, the electronic application is the preferred method of submission. We will have a financial aid workshop on January 21st at 7pm in the retreat center. This will begin with a general presentation that covers the role of financial aid, cost of attendance, expected family contribution, financial aid resources, and financial aid application processes. The evening will conclude with a FAFSA presentation that walks parents and students through the FAFSA, line by line.
Work Permits:Is your student looking for work? Work permit applications are found in the Academics, Guidance section of the BMHS website. If you need a work permit you must first download and complete the form before making an appointment to see your counselor.
Important dates: As we begin the new year, please be aware of the following calendar dates:
Wednesday, January 7, 2015 Classes resume 8:45am startWednesday, January 21, 2015 Financial Aid presentation in Retreat Center (Seniors only)Monday, January 19, 2015 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
We hope that the holiday season will bring together your family and loved ones. Please accept our wishes for a happy and healthy new year.
Sincerely,
Casey DunnGuidance/Studies Coordinator
WHERE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN
disciPline: Ms. Betty Behen - Dean of Women - ext. 234 Mr. Lee Flores - Dean of Men - ext. 232
Attendance: Be sure to call in your student’s absence or tardy directly to the Attendance Office at 540-2021, ext. 233, or 540-3070 in the morning. We have 24-hour voice mail for your convenience. Also, a phone call does not necessarily excuse an absence or tardy. It merely lets us know that the parent/guardian was aware of the absence or tardy. The nature of the absence or tardy (excused or unexcused) will be determined by the Deans and Attendance Office. Failure to call the Attendance Office the day of your student’s absence will be unexcused. Refer to your Parent-Student Handbook (pages 12-13) for what constitutes an “excused” absence or tardy.
Detentions: Detentions are to be served on or before the date indicated on the violation or referral slip. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements for transportation if a detention is to be served. Disregard for assigned detentions may result in probation. Please note that detentions take precedence over sports practices and school activities (Parent-Student Handbook, page 14).
No Messages. The Attendance Office and the Front Office staff do not deliver messages during the day. It is time consuming and disruptive to classes.
Prom Time. Prom is just around the corner. As a reminder, “the school does not permit the renting of hotel rooms or other facilities for students’ use for activities before or after Bishop Montgomery dances... The school does not assume responsibility or liability for damages, loss of property, or injury caused when such rental agreements are incurred by students or their parents.” (Parent-Student Handbook, page. 21)
Prom Dress Attire. The dance is formal.
Dress Code for Prom
Please adhere to the following dress code for Prom, and do not assume any liberties with these guidelines when you, or an invited guest, purchase dress attire for the event. All BMHS and non-BMHS guests are required to conform to these guidelines. Anyone not adhering to the guidelines WILL NOT be permitted to enter the dance, and will be sent home. If you are asked to leave Prom, the bid money will not be refunded, and may result in disciplinary action from the Deans. BMHS reserves the right to refuse admittance to any person not properly attired.
Gentlemen-Required to wear tuxes or suits.Ties are required unless dress shirts with a mandarin collar are worn. Dress shoes are required.MAY NOT WEAR earrings, sunglasses, hats, gloves, nor may they carry canes.
Ladies-May wear two pairs of earrings in the lower lobe, buy may not wear sunglasses.Fitted dresses may not be excessively tight. Dresses should be comfortable for dancing and sitting. The slit on the dress may not exceed two inches above the knee. The length of the dress must be either tea length or floor length, with solid material throughout. Sleeveless and strapless dresses are permitted, provided that the bodice appropriately covers the chest and back. Backless dresses are NOT PERMITTED and MAY NOT fall below mid-back. Dresses MAY NOT show a bare midriff or contain cutouts, which expose the torso (front or back). Ladies are reminded that the display of excessive cleavage is inappropriate and unbecoming.
WHERE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN
Just a reminder that the hotel requires that shoes remain on at all times while on the premises. Students attire should be appropriate, modest, and in good taste. Freshmen are not allowed to attend Prom. No guests over the age of twenty will be admitted.The school reserves the right to refuse admittance to any person not properly attired.
*****STUDENT DROP-OFF & PICK-UP PROCEDURES*****
Drop-off Procedures Parents driving west on Torrance Blvd.
1. Parents driving west on Torrance Blvd., who are making a left turn, can come into the campus.
2. Parents may not make a left turn into the East Parking Lot.3. Parents must drive onto the campus and continue driving until they have arrived
to the designated drop-off point located in the East Parking Lot.4. Drop-offs are prohibited in front of the school. Parents must drop-off students
in the designated passenger drop-off points located in the East Parking lot adjacent to the school. Parents will enter the East Parking Lot through the northeast entrance by the marquee.
5. The Security staff will be available to control traffic
Parents driving east on Torrance Blvd.1. Parents driving east on Torrance Blvd. cannot enter the campus. All parents
driving east on Torrance Blvd. must proceed to enter the East Parking Lot in order to drop-off their students in the designated drop-off points. Students may not be dropped-off on Torrance Blvd.
Please note that U-turns are not permitted. The only legal place to make a U-turn is on Prospect.
Exiting the East Parking Lot1. All drivers exiting the East Parking Lot must make a right turn only. Cars may not
proceed onto the street until they have stopped at the stop sign.2. Please do not merge to make a left on Henrietta, as attempting to do so will cause a delay for the other parents who are attempting to exit.
Picking-up and Dropping-off Off-Campus:All parents should pick-up and drop-off their students on-campus. To avoid the last minute rush, we encourage you to arrive before 7:30AM. The traffic flow on Torrance Blvd. is heavier after this time and may affect how quickly you are able to exit the campus. If you decide to pick-up or drop-off your students anywhere else, please refrain from picking up or dropping off your students at our neighboring businesses or residential driveways as this creates an inconvenience for our neighbors. Please respect the property of our neighbors by refraining from moving trashcans, taking property, littering, or parking or pulling into our neighbors’ driveways. Also, please make sure to drop-off your students in areas that are safe and legal. We have received many reports that there have been BMHS parents or carpools driving recklessly on Palos Verdes Boulevard and students are being dropped-off by their parents/carpool drivers illegally by the red curb zones, in front of fire hydrants or in the middle of the street. In the interest of the safety of all pedestrians and drivers and as a courtesy to our neighbors, students should be dropped-off on campus. Students whose parents fail to comply with the pick-up and drop-off procedures will be dealt with on campus. The Torrance Police Department has also been contacted and they have informed us that they will be citing drivers along Torrance Boulevard, Henrietta and Palos Verdes Boulevard. It is essential to give our neighbors the same respect and courtesy that we expect from each other on campus.
Lastly, in the interest of our students’ safety, we also would like for you to remind your children to obey all traffic and pedestrian laws. Many students are crossing the street
WHERE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN
Carpools
• After school carpool needed to Belmont Lane in Redondo Beach. Please contact Christine Homsi at 310-347-7303
• Need a carpool before and after school from 1620 w. 255th street Harbor City, 90710. Please contact Maria Borrego at 310-404-3115
• Need a carpool from the RPV area. Please contact Vanessa Long at 310-623-0810
• Need a carpool from San Pedro off of Western and 19th St. particu-larly for pick-up/drop-off in the afternoon. Please contact Ana R. Ortiz at [email protected], cell 310-490-1050
*If you would like to add or delete a carpool request, please email [email protected]
when the signal light is yellow or red and are not using the appropriate crosswalks. We have received phone calls from parents, faculty, and residents concerned over our students’ safety. Please remind them to follow all traffic and pedestrian laws and to most of all pay attention to their surroundings.
WHERE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN
activities: Mrs. Milana McDermott - Dean of Student Life - ext. 273
Happy New Year from the Activities Department! I hope that you have had a blessed and joyful holiday season and wish you a very prosperous 2015.
Here are some important dates for this month:
SHORT FLAGSJanuary starts competition season for our talented Short Flag Team. They will be announcing their competition dates during morning announcements. We invite you to come support them as they represent Bishop Montgomery.
JUNIOR RINGSJosten’s will be outside of the Activities Office in January to collect ring balances and distribute rings. Please note the date and remind your student that they should not miss this opportunity to pay their balance and pick up their ring so they have them for the Mass and Junior Ring Blessing on January 27th.
Thursday, January 22nd - Jostens will collect payments and distributing rings before school and during lunch
NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY“The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.”
Current 10th, 11th, and 12th graders who meet the initial requirement of a minimum weighted, cumulative GPA of 3.75 may apply for membership in the National Honor Society. More information about Bishop Montgomery’s Chapter - organization, qualifications, and requirements - can be found under the “academics” tab on the school website http://www.bmhs-la.org.
Candidate forms are due in the Activities Office by January 13, 2015. Please see Mrs. McDermott or Mrs. Reano if you have any questions.
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK/WINTER SPIRIT WEEKBishop Montgomery will celebrate Winter Spirit Week during Catholic Schools Week January 26th – 30th. This week will promote our Catholic identity, school spirit, recognize our winter athletic teams, and enjoy some fun activities. Everyone is looking forward to the 6th Annual Student vs. Faculty Volleyball Match on Friday, January 30th! Come out and support your favorite team! GO KNIGHTS!
WHERE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN
athletics: Mr. Eric Wood - Athletic Director - ext. 269 Mr. Ed Hodgkiss - Assistant Athletic Director - ext. 260 Mr. Arnold Ale - Assistant Athletic Director - ext. 262
Fall All-League Teams Announced
Football (South Catholic League Champions) Carter London ‘15 (Offensive MVP) 1st Team Quentin Collier ‘15 Dante DeGuzman ‘15 Austin Garbe ‘15Wyatt Gifford ‘15Chris Hughes ‘15 Dominic Johnson ‘16 Conlon McOsker ‘15
2nd Team Anthony Baeza ‘16 Malik Buie ‘15 Steven Perez ‘16 Patrick Smith ‘16
Girls’ Golf 1st TeamAnna Leoncio ‘16
2nd TeamShelby Richardson ‘16
Girls’ Tennis (Del Rey League Champions) Nnena Nadozie ‘15 (MVP / Singles Champion) Carla Mas Machancoses ‘15 (MVP / Doubles Champion)Lauren White ‘15 (MVP / Doubles Champion) 1st Team Kaya Fiamnego ‘15Kelly Hugo ‘15Samantha Nishimura ‘15
Girls’ Volleyball (Del Rey League Champions) Taylor Rudeen ‘15 (MVP) 1st Team Tessa Allen ‘15 Sydney Hall ‘17 Jessica Seto ‘16
2nd Team Tiffany Phillips ‘16 Madison Reynolds ‘17
WHERE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN
develoPment: Mr. Andy Marafino - Director of Development and Alumni - ext. 246 Mrs. Amy Traxler - Assistant to the Director of Development and Public Relations - ext. 249
Queen of Angels Tuition Assistance FundThe Queen of Angels Tuition Assistance Fund was created in 2012 in order to help current Bishop Montgomery students. Since the fund was created, over $500,000 has been donated by Bishop Montgomery parents, past parents, alumni and friends. Once again, we are asking you, our current BMHS parents, for your support of this important fund. At this point in our school year, you should have received a Queen of Angels Tuition Assistance letter from Ms. Libbon. We ask that you consider making a gift of $100. However, any gift that you are comfortable making is a blessing and will make an impact in the lives of our students.
We thank all of you who have given to this fund in the past and we look forward to your continued support.
As always, all gifts to Bishop Montgomery are tax-deductible as we are a 501 (c)(3) organization.
We thank you for your support of Bishop Montgomery and your commitment to Catholic education.
Shop at TargetAre you a Target shopper? Do you have their REDcard? Support BMHS by simply shopping at Target or Target.com and use your REDcard. Visit https://www-secure.target.com/redcard/tcoe/view-or-change and register your card and support BMHS. The Bishop Montgomery High School code is 2783. Through their Take Charge of Education program, Target will donate 1% of every purchase back to the school!
Official Bishop Montgomery ApparelAre you looking for some cool Bishop Montgomery fall weather gear for you or your kids? The official Bishop Montgomery online store has many great items and styles available for adults and kids. Visit www.bmhs-la.org and click on the link in the bottom right-hand corner of any page to purchase t-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, shorts and more! 20% or every purchase comes back to BMHS. It’s the perfect Christmas gift for you and our school!
WHERE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN
PerForming arts: Mr. Eric Hankey - Instrumental and Vocal Music Director
Bishop Montgomery High School “Knight” Music Department including Knight Band and Guard, Jazz Band, Drumline, Music Ministry, Music Production, and Video Production
January is the month for the music department to begin all of our Spring 2015 ensemble rehearsals. We have a great semester planned – watch for our upcoming events in future newsletters!
“Knight Music” Booster Club
The “Knight Music” Booster Club represents the Band, Jazz Band, Drumline, Music Production, Video Production, and Music Ministry. Their meetings are usually on the same Monday nights as Athletic Booster Club and Mother’s Club, at 6:00 pm in room 318 – additional meetings are scheduled as needed. Please join them to help keep the many projects they organize rolling.
We’re always practicing, planning, and organizing, including school concerts, local performances, compe-titions, parades, tours, and lots of other important things – come on in any day before or after school, 6:30 am - 3:30pm (although we’re often there earlier and later.) To get in touch with Mr. Hankey, please call the school, or email at [email protected].
MESSAGE FROM THE TUITION OFFICE
PAST DUE ACCOUNTSTuition accounts must be current by January 7, 2015 in order for your student to return to school 2nd semester. Please contact the Tuition office at 310.540.2021 ext. 225 if you have any questions. The Tuition office will be open from 9-2 during the Christmas Holidays.
YEARBOOKSJanuary is the last month to pre-purchase yearbooks.
PSI 2nd Semester PSI is added to the tuition statement January.
PLEASE RETURN THE TOP PORTION OF YOUR STATEMENT WITH YOUR PAYMENT.
WHERE GREAT THINGS HAPPEN
technology: John Hong - Technology Committee Chair - ext. 276 Brian Adams - Technology Curriculum Integration Specialist - ext. 272
Bishop Montgomery High School was awarded a $25,000 technology grant from the Dan Murphy Foundation. We received a letter and a check from the Dan Murphy Foundation’s President, Richard A. Grant, Jr. These funds will help us to finish upgrading our school’s infrastructure and increase our wireless speeds throughout the campus.Grant money from the Almanson Foundation is currently being used for infrastructure upgrades. New wireless access points have been installed in the second building and are being configured to work with the existing network. As the work continues, we will next replace the wireless access points in the first building. Bishop Montgomery has also joined a consortium of catholic schools in the greater Los Angeles area. The consortium of schools will increase the likelihood of our school receiving federal E-Rate funding to assist in the cost of network cabling upgrades.Outdated desktop computers have been replaced in Ms. Rey’s science classroom with new Chromeboxes. A Chromebox, is a small form-factor desktop computer that runs the Chrome operating system. These “thin clients” operate primarily through the internet using online services to accomplish word processing, research, creating presentations, and much more. These machines are some of the most secure devices available today. Faculty Technology Professional Development continues on campus, this month focusing on development and training pertaining to “curriculum mapping”. Our campus will soon be using an online curriculum mapping service to “map” the scope and sequence of BMHS courses. Once completed, faculty and administration will be able to examine the depth and breadth of any BMHS content area. Faculty and administration will be able to see course objectives, course goals, standards covered, assessments used, and more. In an effort to increase the reliability and communication, soon after the start of the second semester the process will begin to transfer teacher email accounts to hosting provided by Google. Teachers and students are continuing to embrace and utilize their Google Apps accounts. Students and teachers have increased the total amount of online storage used through Google to 168 GB; up 63% from the start of the semester. BMHS Google Apps users have created a total of 65,000 documents; a 58% increase from the start of the school year.
Thank you for your continued support for the technology program at Bishop Montgomery!
Pre-order your yearbook on your upcoming tuition payment. You can pre-order your yearbook until your January tuition payment for $125. After January, the price increases to $150 and you aren’t guaranteed a yearbook. Last year, we sold out of books. Don’t get left out on all of this year’s memories!
YEARBOOK PRE-ORDERS:
2014-2015
The French classes are taking a trip to Paris, France April 6th - 13th 2015. They will spend 8 days soaking up the food, language, culture and history. Some of the notable sites that they will see are: • The Eiffel Tower• Arc de Triomphe • The Louvre• Musée d'Orsay • Les Invalides • Versailles • Chartres Cathedral • Loire Valley châteaux
Paris Tour 2015
Please help us defer the cost of this unforgettable trip by sponsoring a portion of a student's trip (contact [email protected] for details) or by donating to the trip by clicking on the GIVE NOW button at bmhs-la.org. Contributions are tax deductible and any amount would be appreciated.
Merci!
CELEBRATE THE START OF 2015… JAN 26th @ 7 PM! Refreshments provided by the Freshman Moms!
“Joy to the World” ~ Christmas Luncheon & Craft Fair Highlights! See more on FACEBOOK at “BMHS MOTHERS CLUB”
We begin 2015 with our Student Appreciation Day on January 30th Let’s start the New Year together and make 2015 a BMHS year to remember… PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: President: JUDY TOLIN [email protected] “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
Just a sampling of the beautiful tables at our Luncheon on Dec. 6th, which was a great success! All made possible by our hundreds of volunteers, creative and generous table hostesses, fantastic offerings by our loyal vendors, and a great meal thanks to our onsite caterer Xenia for Rosas Café. There is not enough room here to thank each and every one of you personally, but you know who you are! Many of our BMHS parents, and alumni, went above and beyond the call, staying past their assigned shifts, to make this event a special time for all those attending. Thank you and God Bless you all!
