November 2009 Edition of the Belcroft Newsletter

November 2009Volume Nineteen Number 3

La Salle College High School 8605 Cheltenham AvenueWyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038

www.lschs.org

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This month ushers in the beginning of our holiday season. We celebrate the bringing in of the harvest of our labors and the bounty of the earth. From pumpkins to turkey, our homes will be filled with wonderful aromas as we prepare for Thanksgiving. May you and your loved ones enjoy all the blessings of this season and the company of family and friends gathered around your table.

La Salle will join you in thanking the Lord for the blessings of this past year. Highest among our blessings will be your son(s). The Lord has blessed La Salle with wonderful young men we call our students. Their many gifts enrich our academics, athletics and countless clubs and programs. We have 1,068 reasons to be thankful.

As November begins, I draw your attention to our annual La Salle Auction. This year, we celebrate around a theme familiar to many and yet new for our Younger Parents – “The Golden Age of TV”. I have been treated to a preview of our decorations and am amazed by the creativity of our parents and decorating committee. This evening will again be a night not to be missed. Come join us on Saturday, November 7, 2009 for our 27th Annual La Salle Auction.

Also this month, we will end the first quarter of the academic year. You and your sons will be able to see the results of his hard work. I hope you will find much to celebrate, and if a bit disappointed, this is the time to set goals with measurements along the way. Midway through the month Parent/Teacher Conferences will be offered if you have any concerns.

Sunday, November 15, 2009 promises to be a great day with prospective students and families visiting campus for our Open House. I thank in advance our students who give of their time this day and our parents and Alums who will represent the school to interested 6th, 7thand 8th graders. Watch for our advertizing in local and citywide media.

Our students will host their second Mixer of the year on the Friday before Thanksgiving. I can assure you that many young ladies will be visiting La Salle to add a special sparkle to the night. La Salle sees this socialization is an integral part of the development of our young men. We will welcome the Grandparents of our Freshmen Class on November 25, 2009. This morning program has proven to be most successful in the past and is an opportunity for our students to show off their school to their grandparent(s).

Our school community will pause before the holiday to gather together to thank God for His blessings upon our efforts of the past year and to invite His continued blessings. This is also a time to reflect upon the meaning of all the good our students do in their service projects. It is important to make the connection between what we do and the reason for this effort. The Lord said, “What you do for the least, you do for Me”.

May all your days be filled with blessings for which you can be thankful.

Sincerely yours,

Brother Richard Kestler, FSC ’60 President

La Salle College High School8605 Cheltenham AvenueWyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038

215 233 2911 phone215 233 0284 [email protected]

www.lschs.org

Open HouseSunday, November 15, 200912:00 – 3:00 pm

Scholarship/ Entrance ExamSaturday, December 5, 2009 8:30 am

Seventh Grade Practice TestSaturday, March 6, 2010 8:30 am

Admissions DeadlinesFriday, December 4, 2009 (for all applications)

Monday, November 30, 2009 (for filing for Financial Aid)

Friday, December 4, 2009 (for submission of academic records and teacher recommendations)

3 The Belcroft November 2009


“Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans” is a line from John Lennon’s song “Beautiful Boy” that comes to my mind on an almost-weekly basis. While the essence of his song is that life happens regardless of plans that you make, I think that it also points to the fact that plans we make need to change as life happens (a reality to which anyone who has had the joy of raising a family can attest).

Six years ago, the Board adopted a Strategic Vision and supporting plan that set the blueprint for the tremendous school we have today. The Administration has done a superb job of bringing the vision to reality and effects are seen in the achievements and satisfaction of our students and the environment in which they learn and grow. Over these six years, “life happened” here and, consequently, our vision and our supporting plans need to be redefined and developed.

One of the primary objectives for the Board this year is to create the Strategic Vision for La Salle as it will be in 2015, and to develop the Strategic Plan for getting there. Our goal is to have both of these formalized so they can be approved by the Board at its October 2010 meeting and we began the process at our Long Range Planning Committee meeting in September (the grunt work of the Board of Trustees is done in its Committees and the focus of the quarterly meetings of the full Board is to exchange issues and ideas on broad topics).

The discussion topic for our October meeting was “Building a Strategic Vision for La Salle”, and in order to begin the exercise we collectively cleared our minds and launched a discussion with a blank piece of paper in our minds (or in today’s terminology - blank smart boards). As you might imagine, a free-ranging discussion among thirty-three Trustees and Administrators with diverse perspectives was interesting and enlightening. This discussion began with the conceptual issues of what La Salle should look like in 2015 and then delved into questions about what might be the paths to get there and the challenges inherent in each.

Through all the variables that will emerge during this visualization and planning process, the core foundation will remain the Mission of the school. While over the coming months we will come to realize the vision of what La Salle will be, we know today that the La Salle of 2015, and indeed the La Salle of 2050, will continue to be characterized by the teachings and tradition of St. John Baptist de La Salle.

Strategic Planning is in full swing and will tie in with the Strategic Vision throughout the process. The Long Range Planning Committee has identified six plan goals that will be the framework for the Strategic Plan. These are:

Goal No. 1 Student BodyTo determine the optimal composition of the student body in order to fulfill the School’s Mission

Goal No. 2 Faculty and StaffTo recruit and maintain the highest quality faculty and staff possible – with an emphasis toward increasing diversity.

Goal No. 3 School LifeTo promote, support, and maintain the highest quality academic and extra-curricular program, the safest school environment, and a culture conducive to learning and personal development.

Goal No. 4 Lasallian MissionTo promote, support, and maintain the Lasallian Mission of La Salle College High School.

Goal No. 5 Facilities and ResourcesTo identify the facility and plant needs for the implementation of this Strategic Plan.

Goal No. 6 Institutional AdvancementTo ascertain the manner in which the Office of Institutional Advancement will support the institution and the implementation of this Strategic Plan.

These goals touch on each of our La Salle experiences and on behalf of the full Board I welcome your thoughts and ideas. As you can see, the tasks ahead of us in the coming months are significant and challenging but with the full energy of the Board and Administration, and the timely involvement of representatives of all of our stakeholders we are confident that because of the plans that we take time to make now, life at La Salle will be even more fulfilling and enriching in the future.

Sincerely yours,

Benjamin J. Ventresca, Jr. ‘70Chairman of the Board

Board of TrusteesBenjamin J. Ventresca, Jr. ’70Chairman


Office of the PrincipalJoseph L. MarchesePrincipal


A new tradition was recently started at La Salle this year when we convened a school-wide Honors Assembly for the very first time. We have always had an Honors Convocation in the evening that was primarily for the benefit of the honorees and their parents. By having a school-wide Honors Assembly, we were not only able to honor our students in front of their peers, but also recognize their achievements in extracurricular activities in addition to academics. Students were recognized for their excellence in academics, athletics, service, music, and clubs. All told, over 200 young men were honored and their achievements were a great example for our younger students.

A few weeks ago, on Freshman Branch-Out Day, La Salle sent over 400 people (freshmen, freshmen dads, and faculty) out to serve the poor. All told, La Salle gave over 1,600 hours of service to the greater Philadelphia area. Branch-Out Days were first created to expose our young men to the wealth of service opportunities that exist each and every day at La Salle in our Lasallian Service Program. On different days of the week, our students and teachers leave La Salle to serve the poor at La Salle Academy, Triest House, Providence Center, and Saint Vincent’s Soup Kitchen – just to mention a few. This is La Salle College High School at its very best – living the mission of Saint John Baptist de La Salle. As we approach the holiday season, let us all please remember to reach out to those less fortunate than ourselves.

La Salle continues to excel in Philadelphia Catholic League competition. Our Golf Team won its third consecutive championship when it beat St. Joe’s Prep by five strokes. Congratulations to Coach Marty Jackson and his squad. The Cross Country Team won its 7thconsecutive championship despite illnesses to several top runners. Congratulations to Coach Greg Bielecki and all of his runners. With the playoffs around the corner, La Salle is currently in 2ndplace in both football and soccer. Go Explorers!

I hope that you had a chance to see our fall theatre production,Plaza Suite. Congratulations to the cast and crew for a great performance. Special thanks to director Micky Dominick and all who assisted him.

The month of November is a very busy month for La Salle. Please take note of these important dates:

Friday,, November 6, 2009 School Holiday (No Classes)

Saturday, November 7, 2009 La Salle Auction

Friday, November 13, 2009 Report Cards Issued in Homeroom

Sunday, November 15, 2009 Open House

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 Parent/Teacher Conferences

Thursday, November 19, 2009 Father/Son Banquet

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 Freshman Grandparents’ Day

November 26-27, 2009 Thanksgiving Holidays

In this Thanksgiving season, let us be mindful of all of the blessings that God has bestowed on La Salle College High School. We have extraordinarily-talented students, a dedicated and caring faculty and staff, committed and involved parents, generous benefactors and alums, and a wonderful campus and facility. I wish you and your family a peaceful and restful Thanksgiving. Live Jesus in our Hearts – Forever!

Sincerely yours,

Joseph L. Marchese Principal


Office of Student AffairsJulia K. MaherAssistant Principal for Student Affairs

Freshman Student Council ElectionsThe Class of 2013 elected officers and senators to the Student Council in the middle of October.

The newly elected freshmen are:

President Preston Murray

Vice President Dad Poquie

Homeroom Senators Johnray Briones Matthew Morozzi Alexander Cuoci Scott Serpico Joseph D’Angelo Anthony Sticco Michael DeLuca Kyle Stofka Patrick Hoffman Andrew Stone Nicholas McDowell

Freshman Class Moderator Mr. Terrence Gillespie

Student Council DanceThe second dance of the year will be held on Friday, November 20, 2009. The dance is not a super mixer, so there will be less tickets available than the September Mixer. Remind your son to purchase early. Only male students from La Salle can attend our dances. A reminder to parents and students that:

It is illegal and immoral for any student to sell tickets for prices higher than the face value.

Any student apprehended in this act will be subject to disciplinary consequences.

Magazine Drive ResultsOnce again thanks to all of the La Salle Community for selling or purchasing magazines during the annual drive. As of October 9, 2009 the total returns were $97,800. Profits from the drive are used to fulfill the student pledge to the capital campaign.

The following students sold fifteen or more subscriptions and were eligible for the drawing to win an all expense paid trip to Disney World in April:

Seniors Juniors Sophomores FreshmenAlex Richardson Ryan Belcher Dan DiMascia Matt DalyJames Stevenson Mike Casciano Ryan Herbert Josh HaynesworthJohn Toner John Corcoran Greg Zegalia Joe Jester James DeCarlo Sean Naessens Tyler Dunphy Kyle Stofka Jakob Noon Chris Nunnari Chris Saponaro Sean Toner

These students were eligible to win an all-expense trip to Disney World this spring. The winner from the drawing was Jakob Noon 7C. They also each drew from the Ultimate cash box. John Toner and Sean Toner (no relation) each pulled $100 from the box.

The second drawing from the names of all students who sold their quota of five subscriptions gave another student the same trip. The winner was Connor McHugh 10A.

This year, one of the incentives was that a student who brought in three or more subscriptions had a chance to win $100 on the collection days. There were three winners: Kamran Mahmud 1C, Nick Benyovszky 9B and Andrew King 10B.

A special thanks to all of the teachers who encouraged the students to participate and to all those who assisted the Student Affairs Office during the drive, especially Mr. Chuck Cirelli and Mr. Tom Turner who always get the students “pumped” for the drive.

The biggest thank you to the members of the Mothers’ Club who volunteer their time to count the returns each day, to give coupons, and to get the order and the cash to match up. We could never do the drive without your help.

Campus StoreBarbara WisotzkeyGerry Clark

Great news for your Christmas shopping convenience, the Campus Store will be opened for extended hours in December.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009 3:00pm to 6:00pm

Thursday, December 3, 2009 3:00pm to 6:00pm

Sunday, December 6, 2009 Christmas Shopping Spectacular 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm



Thursday, December 17, 2009 3:00pm to 6:00pm


Due to the extended hours, the Campus Store will not be opened on the nights of the Christmas Concerts.

Presently, we are fully stocked with a variety of items and sizes, even the difficult to shop for individuals on your list. Don’t wait until the last minute to do your Christmas Shopping, our stock is limited. If we can be of any assistance, please do not hesitate to call us during normal hours from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm. Our extension is 4859.


Office of Academic AffairsThomas R. BarnaAssistant Principal for Academic Affairs

Inaugural Awards AssemblyLa Salle recently celebrated student achievement during an inaugural school-wide Awards Assembly held on September 30th. It was during this gathering that students from various areas of the academic and extracurricular programs were acknowledged for their outstanding performance from the 2008-09 school year. Academically, acknowledgments were given to students earning outstanding CUM GPAs and high recognition through the NMSC. Extracurricular areas honored included service, fine arts and athletics. Additional recognition was given to specific areas of extracurricular academics. This included highlighting key contributors in La Salle’s championship Forensics, Academic Decathlon, and Mathlete teams. Students who earned various levels of Microsoft Certifications were also recognized. Mr. Joe Marchese offered introductory remarks while Brother Ricahrd Kestler, FSC concluded with words of congratulations and gratitude.

Academic AnnouncementsThe first marking period ends on Thursday, October 5, 2009. Teachers will be reporting grades on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, the second day of the second marking period. Report cards will be issued in homeroom on Friday, November 13, 2009. Please note: La Salle does not require the students to return a signed report card. It is the responsibility of each student to see that the report card goes home. If you have not seen your son’s report card by Monday, November 16, 2009, you should be suspicious.

Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for early evening on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm. If you would like to meet with your son’s teacher(s), please send word to the instructor through your son or contact him or her for an appointment. The teacher will give you an appointment time. Conferences are by appointment so that waiting is minimized. Individual conferences are planned to last ten minutes. This sign-up protocol has been explained to your son and includes the expectation of his direct involvement. Conference nights are primarily for students with D’s and F’s, but anyone may make an appointment or have a conference with a teacher via telephone which may prove to be more convenient. Parent conferences can be most helpful in dealing with any academic difficulties your son(s) may be experiencing. Bringing your son to the conference is a great idea.

Information to ConsiderWith the first marking period ending, it is an opportune time to remind your son(s) that not handing in the required work and missing deadlines is unacceptable. A La Salle student is expected to do all assignments, both written and unwritten, and seek help from his teacher when he encounters difficulty. Preparation for class is viewed as important as class itself. Remember, having the proper attitude and behavior toward academics makes a big difference. The ideal is that as a student progresses through high school, he begins to take more ownership of his education and learn to better deal with problems he may encounter. Generally speaking, students who attend to these issues do well in their studies and enjoy school.

With so much of the focus on grades at this time of year, it is important to explain a few policies and review some academically related items.

Progress Reports: As a result of using online grade reporting through MyBackpack, written progress reports are no longer needed and consequently will not be mailed home. Students and parents are now able to review current grading information on their convenience at any time. Please consider monitoring your son’s progress on a regular basis. It should be noted that occasionally a student who is doing adequate work will fail to turn in a major assignment or report near the end of the quarter assuming they cannot fail. This is not the case. Remember, parents always have the option of contacting the teacher to see how their son is doing (report on progress) no matter how their student is doing. Certainly the best form of a progress report is to engage your son on a regular basis by asking probing questions about the learning taking place.


Academic Affairs (continued)

Contacting TeachersOur faculty members know they are responsible for returning phone calls and e-mails; preferably, within 48 hours of receiving them. La Salle provides each teacher with a voice mailbox and an e-mail address for getting messages. If your son is experiencing a problem, your first call should always be to the teacher. If it is a serious concern, consider contacting his grade-level guidance counselor as well. Additional subject area advice or middle level concerns can be adequately handled by the department chairperson in each curricular area.

Dos and Don’ts of Contacting a Teacher and Interpreting GradesWhen you contact a teacher, please keep the following points in mind:

a) Don’t assume that everything your adolescent son tells you is objectively accurate. They have a tendency, as we all do, to leave out details that do not support their arguments or to exaggerate those that do. When a student does not do well, in most cases the problem is usually either his level of effort (performance) or his level of ability (aptitude).

b) Don’t call the department chair or administration until AFTER you have spoken with the teacher and/or counselor.

c) Do remember that teaching and learning involve an exchange. For learning to take place, both the teacher and the student have to actively engage in the process. Successful students are generous, open, and trusting to working with all types of teachers in all types of subject areas. Successful students nurture academic relationships with their peers and teachers. Furthermore, successful stduents recognize that attendance and participation is compulsory.

d) Don’t expect high grades for average effort. Do not expect average grades for poor effort. Students who do all their work in a timely fashion and who seek help when it is needed and offered will generally achieve at the highest level to which they are capable.

e) Don’t make comments like “I expect A’s” or “I expect B’s.” Your expectations along with the expectations of the teacher has to be matched by the efforts AND talents of the student. What you and the teacher have a right to demand and expect is your son’s best effort.

f) Don’t be too quick to assume that a course is too difficult for your son. Students get frustrated easily because they are young and inexperienced. An avoidance response is often initiated for any uncomfortable situation. Discuss the matter with the teacher and together you can usually make a better decision as to how the student can handle the class and subject. These instances often provide a young man with an opportunity to grow and develop especially in a nurturing environment like ours.

g) Do encourage your son to advocate on his own behalf. This is part of the maturation process your son must undergo, and we want to assist you in teaching him how to handle that growth process. Sadly, there is a trend in American schools for parents to over-advocate for their children. It is not appropriate for parents to intervene for the student except as a last resort. And it is never appropriate for a student or his parents to badger a teacher for grades. The student must learn to be his own best advocate in school and in life.

h) Do remember that the only grade that goes on the permanent record/transcript is the final grade. Every other grade you see on a Grade Report is a report on the student’s progress so far. In essence, quarterly grade reports are nothing more than formalized progress reports. The final grade of a course is the one that counts when contributing to a student’s official transcript.

Final Grades in One Semester CoursesAs we approach the Christmas holidays and the end of the first semester please keep in mind that some courses on your son’s roster may be one-semester, half-credit electives that end at the mid-year. For example, a freshman may be finishing Computer Applications or Health in semester one. Thus, the final grade for these courses is the semester grade and that grade goes on his final transcript. Seniors typically have several one-semester courses on their rosters such as Vietnam or Creative Writing. Seniors who fail a semester course have to make it up during the second semester in order to receive their diplomas in May. Seniors with two final full-credit failing credits may not receive a La Salle diploma. Underclassmen with two final full-credit failures may not return to La Salle. This has been and continues to be our academic policy to which there are NO EXCEPTIONS.

Grade ChangesUnfortunately, we occasionally experience the need to change a grade because our teachers are now reporting grades electronically. Alas, technology always comes with quirks. When a teacher changes a grade on a report card, he or she must also submit a written ‘change of grade’ form to the office of Academic Affairs. It is only then that it is changed in the administrative system. Grade changes are especially important at the end of the year. All grades become final by Friday, June 11, 2010.

8 The Belcroft November

KairosLast month, our first of six Kairos retreats set the tone for another year of this powerful experience. Special thanks to all those who made the retreat possible.

Forty-two Seniors will take part in Kairos 37-70 from Tuesday, November 10, 2009 through Friday, November 13, 2009. The students will join seven adult leaders along with seven student leaders who participated in a previous Kairos. The retreatants leave La Salle College High School at 4:00 pm on Tuesday and return at 7:00 pm on Friday. It is a great opportunity for these students to take time to examine their life and their relationship with God, self, and others.

Thanksgiving Food DriveThe entire school community will gather for the Thanksgiving Prayer Service on Tuesday, November 24, 2009. The Lasallian Service Corps will sponsor our annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. The drive, which takes place during homeroom, begins Tuesday, November 17, 2009 and ends Monday, November 23, 2009. Please remind your son to be generous in donating canned goods and non-perishable items. During the prayer servicewe will be presenting food baskets, which will be blessed by Father Janton. All the food will then be delivered by students and faculty to Saint Vincent’s Parish in Germantown. Each of us has many aspects of our lives for which we would be grateful. What better way to celebrate those blessings by giving of ourselves in deed and in prayer? May your family’s Thanksgiving holiday be filled with peace, abundance, and gratitude.

Ministry and Service on the WebDon’t forget to check out the Ministry and Service web page at www.lschs.org/ministry. The web site has detailed information about our retreat program, weekly, seasonal and summer service opportunities, and liturgies and prayer services. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Lew Clark ([email protected]) or Tom Devlin ([email protected]) in Campus Ministry.

Campus Ministry and ServiceLew ClarkDirector of Campus Ministry


Lasallian Service CorpsLew Clark and Thomas Devlin ’00LSC Coordinators

SundaySt. Francis InnSunday Before the First Monday of the Month10:00 amPrepare sandwiches to be delivered to a soup kitchenin inner city Philadelphia.Contact: Mr. Chuck Cirelli

MondayElder Share2:45 to 5:00 pmProvide companionship to residents of a local nursing home.Contact: Mr. Mike Ponisiack or Mrs. Dorothy Ponisiack

TuesdayLa Salle Academy Tutoring3:00 to 6:00 pmTutor inner city children at La Salle Academy, the originalsite of La Salle College High School.Contact: Mr. Dan Cipolla, Mr. Micky Dominick, or Mrs. Dorothy Marchese

Human Rights Forum2:20 pmMeet and discuss justice issues, the release of politicalprisoners, and reconciliation among people.Contact: Mrs. Betty Field

WednesdayProvidence Center3:00 to 6:00 pmTutor children in a center in Kensington run by the Sistersof the Holy Child.Contact: Mr. Dan Cipolla, Mr. Micky Dominick, Mrs. Dorothy Marchese, Ms. Pam DeRose, or Dr. Rose Ryan

Homeless OutreachServe a meal and provide friendship to the poor in Philadelphia.5:00 to 9:00 pmContact: Mr. Lew Clark or Mrs. Carol Haggerty

Thursday

Triest House4:30 to 5:30 pmAssist mentally-challenged adults with physical therapy.Contact: Mr. Al Puntel

Ongoing OpportunitiesRespect Life 2:20 pmPray the rosary and participate in activities related toPro Life causes.Contact: Mr. Al Puntel and Mr. Mark Collins

Saturday and SundaySaint Vincent’s Soup KitchenSaturday and Sunday Morning9:00 to 11:30 amLast Sunday of the Month12:30 to 2:30 pmPrepare and serve meals to the poor of Germantown.Contact: Men of La Salle – visit www.lschs.org

Summer OpportunitiesProject AppalachiaA week long immersion trip working with Habitat for Humanity rehabbing homes for families in Kentucky and West Virginia.Contact: Mr. Thomas Devlin or Mr. Lew Clark

Seasonal OpportunitiesMagazine Drive for St. Michael’s Indian SchoolThanksgiving Food Drive for St. Vincent’s Parish Summer ImmersionOpportunitiesProject AppalachiaContact Mr. Tom Devlin Building Bridges of SolidarityInternational Service in BoliviaContact: Senora Lastenia Breen Native American ExperienceContact: Mr. Micky Dominick Lasallian Youth AssemblyContact: Mr. Lew Clarke or Mr. Tom Devlin

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10 The Belcroft November

Just six weeks into school, La Salle’s Campus Ministry team is well under way and has already been very productive. La Salle has always celebrated a tradition in “Leaving to Serve” and the areas of faith and service continue to progress. In a slightly-modified system comes the formation of an “LSC Board”. Members of this group include seniors Mike Foley, Phil Letcavage, Mike Camusi, and Tim Plamondon, as well as juniors Sam Hyder and Declan Crouse. These members of the LSC Board assume responsibility in leading the many service projects throughout the year. Another positive modification this year is the designation of service representatives from each and every homeroom in the student body. These representatives are responsible for keeping their homeroom up to date with the service program as well as motivating them to participate in drives.

The first task under this new system was a monetary collection for St. Michael’s Indian School in Arizona. The money collected was used to purchase books and magazines for the Library at St. Michael’s, a school that was visited during the service trip to Arizona this summer. The collection was a success, with a total of over $2,000 collected amongst the student body over the course of one week. More importantly, the collection allowed for a lasting connection with our friends from St. Michael’s.

Amidst their work at LaSalle, the six members of the LSC Board have partaken in several trips/workshops with students from other schools in our area in order to explore the ways in which we as individuals can lead as ambassadors of faith and service. In early August, the board attended the five-day Lasallian Youth Assembly in Syracuse, NY, where they provided several days of service in inner-city Syracuse, as well as interacted with other Lasallian Schools in activities involving our faith. The service was much-needed and the board group benefited greatly from interaction with other LaSallian schools, learning about their forms of service. While in Syracuse, a central theme of “Unity in Faith” was adopted and used in the prayer service at the end of the trip.

Representing La Salle, Mike Foley, Mike Camusi, Declan Crouse, and Tim Plamondon were in attendance at a student leadership conference run by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia just a few weeks ago. The conference entailed numerous activities in which faith and service leaders from the schools in attendance shared the ideas, structure, plans, and traditions of their respective schools’ service program. Each school discussed old projects, new projects, and ways they were successful or unsuccessful in each of their drives. The group was able to carry over the theme of “Unity in Faith” developed in Syracuse and share it with leaders from other schools across the Archdiocese at the conference. Tim Plamondon was asked to deliver a speech in which he reflected on a peer’s perspective on spirituality, closeness with God, and service in the community. He also spoke upon our responsibility as leaders to carry ourselves as models in that positive light.

Both workshops proved significantly beneficial for the LSC Board, and we currently pursue the task of continuing to, with God’s guidance, lead in La Salle’s community in the areas of faith and service.

Men of Service by Tim Plamondon ‘10


College Counseling CenterMary Kay MullenDirector of College Counseling

Mrs. Mary Kay MullenDirector of College Counseling(215) [email protected]

Mr. Gerard M. BrettAssociate Director of College Counseling(215) [email protected]

Brother William DiPasquale, FSCAssociate Director of College Counseling(215) [email protected]

Mrs. Kathleen O’Connell,Administrative Assistant(215) [email protected]

Financial AidA Financial Aid Information Night for Parents of juniors and seniors will be held at La Salle College High School on November 12, 2009 at 7:15 pm in the auditorium. Bonnie Lee Behm, Director of Financial Assistance at Villanova University, will present.

A number of sites dealing with financial aid are listed on our webpage. Go to “Links and Resources” on www.lschs.org/college and look for the section on” paying for college”. Also check out the latest newspaper articles regarding the current state of financial aid posted on our webpage. Understanding financial aid, especially current changes by lenders, is an important part of the college application process.

In order to qualify for Federal or State funds, parents and students need to complete the FAFSA. Go towww.fafsa.govfor information and the form. Online application is preferred. The form may be filed beginning January 1, 2010. In order to have an early estimate of eligibility for federal student aid, check out www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov and www.pheaa.org.

In addition to the FAFSA, some colleges require their own financial aid form or the CSS Profile. Information and Profile forms are available at www.collegeboard.com or the CSS Profile link on our website under “Paying for College”. Forms may be filed now.

Additional websites are listed at our site. A few particularly helpful ones are www.finaid.com and www.pheaa.org for an excellent overview and specific information, and www.fastweb.com for scholarships. The link to scholarship information sent to our office is “La Salle College Counseling Center Scholarship List”. Last year’s senior class earned $25.75 million in documented scholarship aid. Don’t miss out! Encourage your sons to take advantage of the opportunities available on our webpage.

Meeting requirements and deadlines for financial aid is crucial and is the family’s responsibility.

SeniorsPlease note that it is your responsibility to forward any October, November, December SAT or ACT scores to the colleges to which you are applying. Also be sure to fill out the standardized test section of the college application where it asks for any tests you have taken OR plan to take in the future.

NCAAAny senior who is considering playing Division I or Division II intercollegiate sports must make application for eligibility clearance through the NCAA Clearinghouse at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net . Read the directions carefully and inform Mrs. Kathleen O’Connell in the College Counseling Center so transcripts can be sent to the Clearinghouse. NCAA information is explained on the last page of our school calendar and is on our webpage, www.lschs.org/college. Coaches and counselors are available to answer any questions.

Additions To Lists Of CollegesSeniors are reminded to inform the College Counseling Center by Tuesday, December 1, 2009 about any colleges they are adding to their original list. The counselors need time for processing these requests before the Christmas holidays. Copies of letters of acceptance or scholarship awards also need to be brought to the College Counseling Center.

Important Reminder To Juniors And SeniorsAs the second quarter begins, keep in mind that the GPA in college preparatory courses is the most important criteria in the college admission process.

JuniorsJuniors should make plans to take standardized tests in the second semester. The Junior Grade Level Counselors have introduced the juniors in Advisory Class to the SAT/ACT preparation module on Naviance. This is available at “About College” and “Test Preparation” on the Naviance site on our webpage: www.lschs.org/college or directly through the Parent Portal. On this site students have the ability to practice taking both the SAT and ACT and determine areas of strength and weakness.

Parents of juniors are invited to the Financial Aid Information Night mentioned above. Also, College Open Houses, Fairs, and Information Nights are listed on our webpage. These are an excellent introduction to the college search process.


Encourage your son to develop a strong work ethic.Jobs are becoming more difficult to find for today’s teens. More adults are beginning to take over jobs traditionally staffed by teens. And many employers are saying that teens aren’t as “employable” as they used to be. They’re finding that many teens act as if the work is beneath them, do the bare minimum, or are simply not responsible enough. However, studies show that jobs have many benefits for teens. Teens learn vital life skills, build a foundation for their future careers and improve their self-esteem.

So how can you give your son a leg up over the competition? Talk to your son about the importance of a strong work ethic. A “work ethic” is a set of values and beliefs that includes traits such as being reliable, working hard and having pride in your work. To encourage a strong work ethic in your son:

• Modelastrongworkethic.Ifyoushowyoursonhowto work, why work is important and that every job has value, he will be well prepared. Share some of your own work experiences to make the point that a job done well can have many benefits.

• Giveyoursonresponsibilities.Heshoulddohischoresbecause that’s what he was asked to d, not just to escape being yelled at for slacking.

Reprinted with permission from the November 2009 issue of Parents Still Make The Difference! ® (High School Edition). Copyright © 2009 The Parent Institute ®, a Division of NIS, Inc.

Make sure your son slows down to proofread more thoroughly.Your son spent last week researching and writing a big paper. He checked books out of the library and took careful notes. He didn’t even have to pull an all-nighter to finish – impressive, right? Not if he printed it and rushed out the door without a second look.

Computers have come a long way in helping teens with their spelling and grammar; however, spell check isn’t perfect. If your son types “ours” instead of “hours,” the computer won’t notice anything is wrong, but your son’s teacher will.

To avoid careless errors, encourage your son to:

• Slowdown.Byslowingdownwhenreadingoverapaper, your son is more likely to catch errors. Our eyes tend to fill in missing letters or words. He may also want to read aloud as sometimes the ear will catch what the eye skips over.

• Proofreadmorethanonce.Somepeopleevenreadapaper from back to front so spelling errors are more likely to jump out.

• Gettoknowthekindoferrorshemakes.Ifhealwaysforgets to number his pages, that should be something he double checks.

• Staypositiveevenifhefindsmistakes.Rememberthat magazines and newspapers have many editors to proofread their copy, and they still make mistakes!


Better organization leads to better grades for your son.By being organized, your son will always be prepared for class. To help your son stay organized for school, encourage him to:

• Useadailyplanner.Beforeleavingeachclass,yoursonshould write down exactly what he needs to have/do/study for tomorrow. By the end of last period, he’ll have a written record of the entire day.

• Keepsubjectsseparate.Heshouldn’tstuffsixbatchesofhandouts into one huge binder. Instead, he should use a different folder for each class. That way, his work will automatically be divided by subject.

• Useanassignmentcalendar.Yoursonshouldkeepacalendar in his room and track every upcoming test and project on it. If the assignment is weeks away, he can jot down reminders. Encourage your son to keep his calendar updated and to look at it every day.



Research shows most parents are aware of teen substance abuse! It is commonly assumed that most parents are in the dark on the topic of their teenager’s cigarette, alcohol or marijuana habits. But a recent study conducted by the University of Buffalo’s Research Institute on Addictions found that, in fact, most parents are aware of their teen’s drinking, cigarette smoking and marijuana use.

In the study, 82% of parents accurately reported teen cigarette smoking. 86% reported their teen’s alcohol use. And 86% of parents were able to verify their teen’s marijuana habits. Parents who were not aware of their teen’s substance abuse habits tended to have younger teens (about 14 or 15) or were dealing with their own addictions.

Research suggests that you can be more aware of your son’s substance abuse if you:

1. Reduce your own substance use. As much as your son claims to be an “adult,” he still looks to you as a role model.

2.Keep tabs on what your teens is doing – all of the time. It is especially important that you know what your son is doing after school, at night and on weekends.

3. Look for signs of substance abuse, even if your son is young.

4. Get help. Programs on how to cope with teen substance abuse can help you gain vital parenting skills and lessen the effects of stress on the whole family.

Reprinted with permission from the November 2008 issue of Parents Still Make the Difference!® (High School Edition). Copyright © 2009 The Parent Institute®, a Division of NIS, Inc.

Parents’ Stress Harms ChildrenPsychologist Dan Gottlieb wrote recently that research published last year found that when parents are stressed out and anxious their children report a poorer quality of life. (Philadelphia Inquirer, June 23, 2008)

Most students that I see at La Salle also complain of stress in many aspects of their lives. They often feel that their parents stress is somehow their fault. I find that many of our students experience stress caused by school, peer pressure, parental expectation or their own self-imposed pressure to perform. Almost all also say that parental stress is also affecting them negatively, sometimes contributing to depression, anxiety and drug and alcohol abuse.

So good, hard-working parents who think they are sacrificing their happiness for their children’s welfare may be doing harm rather than good. There is plenty of evidence that parents living with stress are less likely to be able to provide the support and nurturing that their children need to deal with the many negative issues that our children are experiencing in today’s world; rather, the parental stress can compound the problems.

Teenagers say that they want their parents to be happier and less stressed and less focused on them. On the other hand, parents say that they are stressed because they are working hard to give their children every opportunity for the future. However when Gottlieb asks parents if, 20 years in the future, they would like their children to be living the lives they have now, “an uncomfortable silence fills the room.”

So what is a parent to do?

1. Once you understand that you and your children are suffering for the same reason, make a commitment to open your mind and your heart to some new possibilities.

2. Spend some quiet time thinking about what your life means to you and whether you are living consistent with your deepest values.

3. Think about what brings you great joy, and the price you pay for self-sacrifice.

4. Next have this discussion with your spouse or partner. Then open it up to the kids. All the kids.

5. These discussions are about matters of the heart, so they will be very intimate – which, despite the discomfort, is what children most want from their parents.

6. And then make some decisions about how your lives might change.

Remember, spending time with things and people that bring you joy and happiness not only nurtures your body and your mind, it is also an act of love for your children.Reprinted with permission from the November 2008 issue of Parents Still Make the Difference!® (High School Edition). Copyright © 2009 The Parent Institute®, a Division of NIS, Inc.


Monthly Calendar of EventsNovember 1, 2009 Mother/Son Service Project CafeteriaNovember 7, 2009 La Salle Auction Auditorium and GymNovember 12, 2009 Mothers’ Club Meeting AuditoriumNovember 15, 2009 Open HouseDecember 1, 2009 Senior Mothers’ Tree Trimming Event AuditoriumDecember 3, 2009 Mothers’ Club Meeting AuditoriumDecember 3, 2009 Junior Ring Mass (Event Support)December 6, 2009 Christmas Shopping Spectacular Auditorium

Upcoming Volunteer OpportunitiesVolunteer help is welcome and appreciated at the following upcoming Mothers’ Club events.

Please e-mail the contact listed for each event with your availability.

November 5, 6, 7 La Sale Auction Set-Up and Distribution of Items Auditorium, Gym, Hallways, and Exterior

Contact: Mary Ann Bush [email protected]

November 1, 2009 and December 6, 2009 Mother/Son Service Project Cafeteria

Contact: Chris Letcavage [email protected]

December 5-6, 2009Christmas Shopping Spectacular AuditoriumSet-Up and Event Assistance

Contact: Diana [email protected]

Christmas Shopping SpectacularSunday December 6, 200912:00 to 4:00 pmAuditorium

Look for your invitation in the mail to this fabulous one stop Christmas shopping bazaar! Over forty vendors will be at La Salle to sell their unique merchandise. So grab your mother, your daughter, your sister, or your friends and come “shop till you drop.” A limited number of vendor spaces are still available (no jewelry).

For information, please contact:

Diana Eidenshink (for Vendors)(215) 429-4967 [email protected]

Joanne Quinn (for Invitations)(215) 527-1846 [email protected]

Attention All Moms of SeniorsSenior Tree TrimmingTuesday, December 1, 20097:00 pmAuditorium

Light refreshments will be served and Christmas music will fill the air. Every Senior receives an ornament and the tree is decorated in a beautiful yet simple fashion. Invitations will be mailed soon.

Please RSVP to:

Cindi Kane [email protected]

Sally Foster Gift Wrap SaleThank you to everyone who supported the Gift Wrap sale in September! Do you still need some gift wrap for those holiday gifts? La Salle will continue to receive full credit for all orders placed online until June 30, 2010. Think of Sally Foster for graduation gifts!

Go to www.sallyfoster.com, click on support a fundraiser, reference our school’s Account No. 67725, and begin shopping! Your order will be shipped promptly to your home address. If your order is more than $70.00, shipping is free!

Any questions, contact:

Megan [email protected]

Mothers’ ClubSusan BilottaPresident


Mothers’ Club (continued)

Mothers’ Club New York TripWednesday, April 21, 20108:00 AM to 11:00 PM

The 2010 New York Trip will be taking us to see the fabulous Broadway production of “Billy Elliott”. You will need to arrive at the Montgomery Mall on April 21, 2010 by 8:15 am to enjoy coffee, tea and sweet treats before boarding the buses. Departure for New York will be promptly at 8:30 am. As you travel to the “Big Apple”, beverages and a delicious boxed lunch will be served for your enjoyment. Show time is 2:00 pm. Dining reservations will need to be made ahead of time and for your convenience suggestions for dining, shopping, and sightseeing will be posted on the Mothers’ Club Website sometime before the trip. Buses will depart New York at a time to be determined with an expected arrival at Montgomery Mall between 10:30 and 11:00 pm. Snacks and drinks will be provided for the ride home. Tickets are $190.00 each and quantities are limited and going fast! Please go to the Calendar of Events on www.lschs.orgto print off the flyer to order your tickets

Contact:

Mary Beth Szostak1260 Tressler Drive Fort Washington, PA 19034 [email protected]

SAVE THE DATE!Fashion ShowThursday, March 18, 2010Spring Mill Country ClubIvyland, PA

Alumnae Mothers’ CommitteeMany thanks to all who joined in the bargain-hunting at last month’s Lawn Sale at Dunleavy Center. We raised almost $2,400 and, in the process, found new owners for hundreds of items that might otherwise have been thrown away. Senora Breen will take the clothing that was left over at the end of the day to share with deserving people in Bolivia; leftover household items have gone to a local charity.

“Shared Treasures,” the Mothers’ Club Alumnae Committee thrift shop is now open on Thursdays from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Dunleavy Center. Be sure to check out our “Fabulous Finds and Fantastic Values” in men’s and women’s clothing and accessories and household décor. We are always in need of donations, too. Please bring them with you on Thursdays during shop hours or drop them in the green box on the side porch at Dunleavy on Wednesdays. All donations are tax-deductible.

All mothers of La Salle students, past and present, are invited to attend Mass prior to the Christmas Shopping Spectacular on December 6, 2009. Mass will begin in the Marian Chapel promptly at 10:30 am and will be followed by light refreshments and a tour of the recently-completed renovations. Please park in the lot closest to the Brothers’ Residence at the rear of the school and enter through the designated door.

escripHelp L aSalle earn thousands of dollars, It’s Easy! It’s Free! It’s Powerful! Log onto www.escrip.com and register to do your on-line shopping with hundreds of merchants at the new “on-line mall”. The La Salle code is 62525176. In addition to regular shopping, you can even make purchases for travel, airlines and online services. New to escrip—there is no need to leave a credit/debit card number with escrip. No need to worry if you are already supporting someone else with escrip, your contributions can be split among several institutions. Local eScrip merchants will contribute up to 8% of the purchases you make to La Salle

1. Go to www.escrip.com2. Click on “sign-up”3. Follow the instructions

Also at escrip, Register for Genuardis cash back program with your Genuardis shopping card number. When you shop at any Genuardis store, a percentage of your bill will automatically be credited to La Salle. It’s that easy!! Please Register Soon, so La Salle can be a Winner all year long!!! Questions? Contact Ann Marie Sanders at [email protected].

La Salle College High School a “CARING COMMUNITY”Recognizing that we are one La Salle family, the main goal of the Mothers’ Club “Caring Community” is to respond to any special needs, and to celebrate the special occasions, that our students and their families and our faculty members may have. We would like to recognize joyous occasions such as births and marriages, as well as to offer support, prayers (you can ask for your intention to be included by logging on to the “Prayer Chain” article in the Mothers’ Club area of the school’s website, www.lschs.org), meals, a simple note or phone call during the tough times of illness, death, or other hardships. Please contact Susan Dearolf, Caring Community Chair, at [email protected] 215-572-1239 to make us aware when help is needed.

SAVE THE DATE!Mother/Son Communion BrunchSunday, February 21, 201010:00 amWilliamson Caterers,Horsham, PA


Varsity Sports SchedulesTony ReschAthletic Director

Golf Team Upsets The Prep to Win Third Consecutive Catholic League ChampionshipThe La Salle College High School Golf Team captured their third consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) Championship on Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at Blue Bell Country Club. La Salle defeated St. Joseph’s Prep by a score of 279 to 284. Archbishop Wood finished third with 504. The championship was La Salle’s twelfth in the last fourteen years. La Salle was lead by sophomore Adam Stefanowicz who finished second in the individual competition along with senior Jack Ulan who finished third. Senior Mark Schnupp and sophomore Frank Worthington both also finished in the top ten. All four golfers were named as All-Catholics.

Rowing Overcomes the Elements at Head of the Charles RegattaLa Salle Rowers overcame the cold and snow in Boston, MA on Sunday, November 18, 2009 at the Head of the Charles Regatta. Prior to the race, the crew celebrated Mass together at Holy Family Church in Concord, MA.

Cross Country Team Wins Seventh Consecutive Catholic League ChampionshipThe Cross Country Team captured its 7th consecutive Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) Championship on Saturday, October 14, 2009. On one of the muddiest days in the history of Belmont Plateau, the Explorers became the first program to win seven titles in a row since West Catholic High School won nine consecutive from 1948-1956.

The Freshman and Junior Varsity teams set the pace by overcoming illnesses and winning their respective championships. The Varsity team then took care of business in what was by that time an absolute quagmire. The team, which was running with two of their top five runners fighting the effects of the flu, put on an impressive display of pack running, placing their five scorers within 16 seconds of each. The team received excellent races from their top five runners: James Stevenson, Shawn Quinn, Tom Trainer, Nick Molloy, and Seamus Morgan who finished in 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th respectively. It was a great way to cap off another magical PCL Championship for the Explorers. The team dedicated their wins yesterday to one of the most legendary coaches in the history of Pennsylvania cross country, Mr. Patrick Devine, who will be retiring at the end of the year.

60th Annual Father/Son Banquet

Thursday, November 19, 2009Williamson RestaurantEaston Road (Rt. 611) and Blair Mill RoadHorsham, PA 19044

5:45 pm – Check-In and Reception6:30 pm – Dinner

$35.00 for Fathers$30.00 for Sons

Guest SpeakerFran DunphyHead Men’s Basketball CoachTemple University

Please list the names of all parties attending and the graduation year of the son(s) attending. All names must be listed on a single reservation form and payment for all persons must accompany the reservation if you want to sit together. Reservation forms received in whole or part without payment will not be accepted.

1. Name Circle One Father / Son Year










Reservation Contact Phone Number E-mail

Father(s) x $35.00 $

Son(s) x $30.00 $

Total Enclosed $

Please return with your check made payable to “Men of La Salle” no later than November 12, 2009.

Men of La Salle – Father/Son BanquetMr. Porter Bush7826 Spring AvenueElkins Park, PA 19027

Payment must be made prior to the event. Please mail your check and form or register online via a secure server at www.lschs.org/mol

For Internal Use

Reservation Number

Table Number

Plans are being made to ensure that this is a fine evening for you and your son(s), a time to share and grow together. The banquet will include an excellent dinner, door prizes for your sons, 50-50 raffles, and music by the Jazz Band.

The event has always been a quick sell-out, so please don’t hesitate. Seating is limited to approximately 600 in the main dining room, with the overflow in an adjacent room. Complete the reservation form and return it with your payment in the enclosed envelope by no later than November 12, 2009.

If you wish to be seated with a specific group, full payment for your entire group and all names must be included on one reservation form. Every attempt will be made to honor all requested seating arrangements on a first-come basis. Tickets will be at the door.

Payment must be made prior to the event. Please mail your check and form or register online via a secure server at www.lschs.org/mol

In you have any questions, please contact the Event Chairman:Porter [email protected]

La Salle College High School8605 Cheltenham AvenueWyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038

215 233 2911 phone215 233 1418 fax

www.lschs.org

The Official Newsletter of La Salle College High School

PresidentBrother Richard Kestler, FSC ’60

PrincipalJoseph L. Marchese

Vice President of Institutional AdvancementDaniel L. McGowan

Director of Communications and Public RelationsChristopher M. Carabello ’82

The BelcroftLa Salle College High School8605 Cheltenham AvenueWyndmoor , PA 19038

215 233 2911 phone215 233 1418 faxwww.lschs.org

La Salle College High School 8605 Cheltenham AvenueWyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038

www.lschs.org

Return Service RequestedFirst Class Mail

First Class MailThe Belcroft is published by La Salle College High School during the months of September through May.

The Belcroft welcomes articles and submissions from the entire La Salle Community. The deadline for submissions is the fifteenth day of themonth prior to the date of publication. All submissions received after the fifteenth of the month will not be included in the upcoming issue; rather, will be considered for inclusion in a future issue.

The Editor of the The Belcroft reserves the right to make all decisions regarding the content and layout of the newsletter.

November 2009Volume Nineteen Number 3

The Belcroft is named in honor of the mansion that first occupied the campus of La Salle College High School. Built in 1927, the home of Clarence M. Brown now serves as the residence of the Christian Brothers Community.

Calendar of Events November 2009 4 Early Dismissal 1:35 pm

5 End of First Marking Period

Men of La Salle Meeting 6:30 pm

6 School Holiday No Classes

7 SAT I and II

La Salle Auction 6:00 pm

9 Second Marking Period Begins

10 Alumni Board Meeting 7:30 pm

10-13 Kairos 37-70

12 Mothers’ Club Meeting 9:15 am

College Financial Aid Night 7:15 pm

13 Report Cards Issued

15 Open House 12:00 pm

17 Parent/Teacher Conferences 5:30 pm

19 Father/Son Banquet 6:00 pm

20 Student Council Mixer 7:30 pm

24 Prayer Service

25 Freshman Grandparents’ Day

26 Thanksgiving Day No Classes

27 Holiday No Classes

COMING SOON...The sesquicentennial history of

La Salle College High School

This hardcover, limited edition, is a one-time collector’s publication containing stories and reflections, and hundreds

of photographs of our 150 years. Contact us to reserve your copy.

(215) [email protected]

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November 2009 Edition of the Belcroft Newsletter

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