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january 2011 on the thoughtless nature of the teenage male my dear parents and guardians when i assign an essay to my english class i ask the boys to bring me an audio tape so that i can record for them a verbal commentary on their essay i have discovered over the years that this is a very good way of reinforcing writing skills of course i can only do this because i teach one class correcting papers and recording tapes takes an incredible amount of time unfortunately every time an essay is due i have any number of boys who forget to bring a tape they of course don t realize that their thoughtlessness costs me even more time i have to record the tape as soon as i have corrected the paper or i lose my train of thought if they haven t brought me a tape i record my commentary on a master tape and then dub it onto the tape they finally give me after thanksgiving i was beyond frustration with the time i had wasted because of the thoughtlessness of some of the boys in my class i decided they needed to be roundly chided for this i explained to them that while they think that forgetting a tape is absolutely nothing it inconveniences me and takes time that i don t have just so they can write an even better paper my class is a wonderful group of young men very bright and very caring but very thoughtless as i was chiding them they looked at me with that so what look as if they were saying to themselves it was only a tape why is he becoming so excited over my forgetting a tape if you haven t discovered it yet you will soon that teenage boys rarely think about the impact of their words and actions on the people in their lives thoughtlessness and teenage boys are two peas in a pod rarely do they see things from anyone else s perspective certainly not from their parents perspective on pta night in the fall i looked at the three tables full of lost and found items some of them very expensive jackets and shoes and i thought once again of teenage thoughtlessness and carelessness occasionally a parent will call to tell me that his or her son s jacket or shoes have been stolen i always tell the parents that we will look into it but even as i say that i know 10-1 the boy has simply misplaced the item or left it in the cafeteria or in the locker room or on a bench in the courtyard or at track practice he has completely forgotten where he left it he doesn t want to tell mom that he has lost this incredibly expensive jacket so it becomes stolen property if you looked at the tables of lost and found during pta you know what i am talking about boys are just oblivious they leave books behind they leave coats behind they leave assignments behind ask mrs drenner our lovely receptionist to tell you how many parents everyday bring in things like assignments or lunch bags or absentee notes that their sons have forgotten even as i write this i have no solution which i can offer you i learned long ago that it is just the nature of the beast and that i have to adjust occasionally i will rant and rave at them about their thoughtlessness but i know as soon as the rant is over they have forgotten what i said if they were even listening to begin with now there are some boys at mount saint joseph who are very thoughtful and very considerate and if your son happens to be one of them you should be thanking god for an unusual grace just don t become too upset when he is thoughtless and oblivious it s just part of the adolescent journey maddening as it can be for us adults the brother who has been editing my newsletters for years brother thomas ryan one of the xaverian brothers master grammarians tells me that this letter might be a bit too negative i don t think it s negative at all i suspect most parents will share my frustration i wish you all a happy and blessed new year may the good lord bless your family and the mount during this coming year with his abundant grace and may he bless all parents with patience for those times when junior is being oblivious sincerely brother james m kelly c.f.x president

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dear parents students and friends of the mount each year on the saturday before christmas our alumni hockey game takes place and the timing could not be better as it takes place when colleges are usually out for break we are blessed with incredible parent volunteers in this particular sport and with the able assistance of mrs mary jo doherty and our alumni office a fun afternoon is planned which includes a hockey game whose length seems to be determined increasingly on the basis of whether the older guys have any shot at winning then we all head upstairs to enjoy one another s company and have some food and drink it s one of the most relaxing events of the year and one of the most enjoyable this year i was lucky enough to listen to a story from an alumni hockey mom and it was one of my early christmas gifts the mother tells me a story about a practice that her son and two of his friends have been engaged in since they graduated from saint joe and i honestly remain in awe that they pull this off with their moms these three guys pick three times of the year when they take their moms to dinner and just spend an evening talking enjoying one another s company and abiding by the vegas rule that what gets said at that table stays at that table so it s a fun evening with a substantive side to it i listened attentively because this mom was as animated and full of genuine emotion as she could be almost saying to me can you believe they do that knowing the three guys i can i have seen others do this on a smaller scale in previous years and it really is a special memory when a young man can know this is a good thing to do and a good family tradition to start i m not a good one to seek advice from on new year s resolutions but resolving to do this even once a year is a no brainer do it and see the light in your mom s eyes and understand the warmth in your own heart in ways perhaps you didn t think were possible i know that the relationship between high school boy and parents takes some major hits during these years but one day you will be struck with the news that they are no longer here and you will want memories of being a good son to flood you at that moment give it a shot as i write this guys are taking make-up exams the campus is deserted save for athletic practices and office and maintenance staff at work and i have just come from an mri second only to a colonoscopy on my list of really fun things to do i have yet to set foot inside of a store in a mall this week and i have time to catch up on letters of recommendation and the like i am struck at this time of year how the reflections that flood my memory are all good all grateful and all calling me to pay attention and to be a better person i encouraged the juniors at their ring ceremony this year to develop a sense of gratitude especially for the men and women responsible for their being here the ones who daily live lives of self-denial so that their children might thrive i am thankful for babies this year more than i can remember staring with little mary camille whose pretty face adorns my office door to all those new lives with which god has blessed us in this community i am reminded that these babies are proof that god is not done with us yet i am also reminded of those who suffer and what they teach me about god s grace in our lives after my last confession the priest encouraged me as part of my penance to pray for patience and understanding i can hear our students cheering him on and doing so has really made a difference in the way i approach certain situations and people god s grace is there for the asking and it is we who have to set it in motion i hope your christmas was blessed and that your 2011 will be too keep all of us in your prayers and be assured of a remembrance in ours together let us work on behalf of your sons so they may indeed become the men god intends them to be peace barry j fitzpatrick principal

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mr dave norton assistant principal director of studies inclement weather policy if school is going to be cancelled because of weather conditions this fact will be announced over the radio stations the best source is station wbal 1090 on the am dial mount saint joseph will not be mentioned by name whenever baltimore county secondary schools cancel school because of snow conditions mount saint joseph will automatically be closed if baltimore county opens one or two hours late because of weather mount saint joseph will do likewise however if baltimore county opens more than two hours late mount saint joseph will open only two hours late if baltimore county is closed or on vacation we will follow howard county the second marking period will end on wednesday january 26 2011 report cards will be e-mailed on thursday february 3 2011 if you have a concern about your son s performance in a particular class you should contact the teacher via e-mail or set up an appointment to meet face-to-face with the teacher and your son at a time that is mutually convenient please be sure to do this if your son s grades indicates that improvement is needed for those students not finding success efforts must be made to change their method of study please check their grades on a regular basis through edline for those students with poor grades there should be regular contact with teachers through e-mail the studies office with the guidance department will continue to monitor students progress students who fail a class for the year will be required to attend summer school unless the class is not offered in the msj summer school program advanced placement courses on thursday january 20 2011 a meeting will be held during homeroom for students interested in applying for any advanced placement class for next year a writing sample will be required for those new to the social studies ap program advanced placement spanish will require a meeting with mr corbin psat scores will also be used in making decisions regarding acceptance into the program students should ask their present classroom teachers if they qualify for any of the advanced placement classes applications and requirements will be distributed during this assembly applications are due in the studies office by friday february 4 2011 a list of accepted students will be posted outside the studies office on friday february 11 2011 course selection assemblies will follow this process a note from the nurse s office mrs pam bezirdjian school nurse thank you to everyone who donated blood at the blood drive on friday november 19 the red cross collected sixty-seven units of blood thank you to our volunteers especially dan peddicord matt and dave adams and angie moran mother of senior tim moran without the help of the life savers club and sadd club and the volunteers we could not have had such a successful event just a reminder that it is not too late to get the flu shot vaccination is the best protection against contracting the flu you need two vaccines to be fully protected the seasonal flu vaccine and the h1n1 vaccine the timing and severity of this year s flu season is uncertain usually seasonal flu does not peak until january or february but can be seen as late as may the h1n1 flu virus caused illness hospitalizations and deaths even during the summer months the sadd club students against destructive decisions would like to remind parents and teens that destructive decisions can have permanent consequences talk with your children early and often about tough topics alcohol marijuana and reckless driving are the three leading causes of injury and death among our youth when it comes to talking to your teens the most important voice they will hear is yours.

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mr paul triplett athletic director athletic department inclement weather policy mount saint joseph high school follows the baltimore county public schools weather policy if mount saint joseph is closed because of inclement weather home sporting events for the day will be postponed for away games call the sports information line 410-644-3300 ext 345 or check the web site athletics announcements for details winter sports the month of january has our winter sports teams in full swing the varsity basketball team with six returning seniors is currently 6 ­ 2 with wins over severn aacs mt carmel and winters mill the team went to the gonzaga classic tournament defeating good counsel and chantilly of virginia the varsity wrestling team opened its season at the caruso invitational held in newark nj finishing in 3rd place followed by a 4th place finish at the war on the shore tournament next up for the wrestling team is the 1 tournament in the nation the beast of the east and the powerade christmas tournament the varsity swim team began their season with tough losses to gilman and gonzaga but looking forward to their matches with loyola and calvert hall the varsity hockey team is currently 4-2-2 with strong wins against gonzaga st paul s loyola and gilman the indoor track team has finished 3rd place in their two meets so far this season and continues to improve the parents corner mrs mary wiedel director of parent relations congratulations to the following fall athletes soccer jalen robinson jordan manley nick buric brett smoot joey isaja water polo nate peters peter mchugh football angelo deshields samuel benjamin thomas demetriou jeff robinson mike dahl hunter eubanks volleyball sean slattery kevin johnson all miaa team all metro first team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team all miaa team msj athletic honor roll we have implemented recognition to our athletes who excel not only in their sport but also in the classroom next time you visit the gym please check out the msj athletic honor roll board we will update the board at the end of each quarter with our scholar athletes if you allow yourself to be formed by god through the common ordinary unspectacular flow of everyday life you will gradually experience liberation and a freedom never before imagined and here is another quote in harmony small things grow both of these quotes are from the fundamental principles of the brothers of st xavier we know these brothers as the xaverian brothers the founding order of the mount this is the time of year when we are encouraged to make new year resolutions i don t know about you but it causes me great anxiety to be bombarded with the sense that i need to make resolutions to fix something about myself or try to do something new and different with my life so this year i am taking a different approach on january 1st instead of making a list which i will lose within a few days of what i will do to change or improve i plan on being ready each day to respond to others around me that have a simple need it does take a conscious effort to do this we might think that we need to do things that are big in nature when in fact it is the simple things that are remembered by those around us i believe that is the essence of the brothers principles to stand ready to serve god and others in the simple flow of daily living i witnessed an example of this in our school community during the past month many students and parents answered the call to send in a small toy or pair of shoes for the adopt-a-child effort during the christmas season do you realize that a child that you do not know will have warm feet this winter because of that small gesture or will have the joy of playing with a new toy also over a dozen moms answered the call to wrap these gifts during the daytime when they were probably a little overwhelmed with their own family holiday preparations these things might seem small but the impact of these gestures has been felt by strangers who now feel loved and cared for members of our school community are constantly answering the call in what may seem small ways but remember in harmony small things grow so in the future try to look for small unspectacular ways to answer the needs of others around you we don t need lots of new year resolutions to accomplish this we only need to follow the holy spirit s urgings what an impact we will have happy new year

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january meeting thank you to the mothers who participated in the holiday service project and our annual holiday shopping event the vendors were fantastic and lots of holiday shopping was done thank you shyami murphy for a job well done also with the teamwork of our fantastic mount moms we completed rosaries prepared christmas cards to be sent to military troops and stuffed close to one hundred goodie bags for my brother s keeper thanks especially to lois dodd and her team of moms for orchestrating this beautiful event please mark your calendars for our next meeting to be held on tuesday january 4 2011,at 7:30 p.m in the cafeteria all moms are encouraged to attend use this time to welcome in the new year with new friends and laughter all the while taking part in a club that helps to ensure our school community s needs are met fashion show the annual mount saint joseph fashion show will take place on sunday april 3 2011 at the bwi marriott tickets will go on sale at the mothers club meeting on january 4th the ticket price is $45 the next committee meeting will be held on tuesday january 11 from 7:00 p.m 9:00 p.m in the cafeteria this will be a very important meeting as the planning portion of the show will kick into full gear if you have signed up to volunteer please plan to attend and if you have not signed up but would like to participate send an e-mail to tonya robinson tjsmom394@msn.com all are welcome donations for the silent auction and gift and gourmet baskets have begun to trickle in if you have any items please drop them off at the school marked mothers club fashion show or bring the items to our january meetings please know that re-gifting is totally acceptable and much appreciated my brother s keeper mbk community outreach thank you to everyone in the msj community who generously contributed to the christmas gift bags and donations to mbk specific needs this month are personal hygiene bags new or gently used inspirational books easy to read short five minute messages pocket or regular size for children or adults available at dollar discount/overstock stores please hold other books for upcoming mbk book drive there is always a need for travel size toiletries deodorants soaps shampoos razors shaving cream toothbrushes toothpaste small packets of tissues and white tube socks donations to mbk may also be dropped off at msj attention mary wiedel/mbk to benefit mbk we have for sale our custom designed st joseph medals based on the st joseph statue on campus these make great gifts and keepsakes we also have our wonderful msj mugs and our purple msj mom aprons thank you for helping others in need longaberger basket/vera bradley bag bingo colette newton sue curley and the entire basket bingo committee would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the people who helped make the event a huge success all proceeds go towards the senior post prom party that will provide a safe haven for the boys and their dates to enjoy the after-prom events at the columbia athletic club a special thank you is extended to those who sponsored baskets filled baskets sold tickets bought raffle tickets or attended the bingo thank you all so much for your generosity please remember in your prayers our deceased larry smith twin brother of staff member laverne wallace ruth kellermann mother of faculty member paul kellermann and grandmother of freshman adam kellermann paul campbell grandfather of sophomore colin reckord alberta allen aunt of faculty member cheryl hall charles evans former faculty member at mount de sales academy paul ruppert faculty member at seton keough rosemary stolte grandmother of senior louis damiano margaret deboy dooley mother of golf coach mike dooley `66 mary helen nippard friend of staff member mary ellen dolan edward scott meadows friend of junior brandyn buckland catherine yannuzzi grandmother of senior andrew lamont chuck jones father of peter jones `09 please remember in your prayers our sick brother james kelly c.f.x judith kraft tim kabara and joanne morgan faculty members vernon morgan husband of faculty member joanne morgan eileen bednar mother of sophomore jason bednar clare scholand fr james keegan ruth grondon sr joan keating mother elias and fr edward ward friends of the xaverian brothers marie flynn former faculty member theresa benzing meyer mimi dietrich mother of jonathan dietrich `93 and ryan dietrich `96 miriam parson grandmother of junior brady parson brother roger demon c.f.x john deboy `93 larry krug friend of staff member cindy drenner sue mcclure friend of staff member sarah peightel christopher burdette `87 edward judy `64 lou goode `83 rev john williamson denise pointer mother of sophomore nathaniel pointer leo ader uncle of faculty member jason ader `03 richard cernak `47 bud scott father of nick scott `06 fred napfel 55 jane kirby wife of john kirby `76 and mother of trey kirby `05 caroline bodley sister of junior michael bodley rose mary snyder grandmother of senior hunter uebel and freshman stephen snyder geraldine kretcher great-grandmother of junior dominic sullivan zach zorn nephew of jeffrey helmick `95 benjamin mundorf grandfather of senior barron mundorf tammy leary mother of sophomore kyle leary edward latchford `65 lois dolan former faculty member buzz hare friend of faculty member sharon morgan anthony miller `64 robert manning grandfather of junior michael morris donovan raymond friend of faculty member cheryl hall elaine day mother-in-law of faculty member jen day gary anderson father of david anderson `10 andrew sniezek grandfather of sophomore jeremy connor ken van horn and gary bennetts friends of faculty member ken pittman brent comer cousin of sophomore patrick o connell robert manning grandfather of junior michael morris.

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from the desk of mr brian murphy dean of students january meeting the next fathers club meeting will be held on monday january 10 2011 at 7:30 p.m in the cafeteria mr dan peddicord director of facilities will be our guest speaker we strongly encourage our members to attend this meeting for their input and support of upcoming projects we need the enthusiasm and commitment you made the first half of the year to be the same for the second half of the year hope to see you at the january meeting valentine dance get out your dancing shoes and join us on saturday february 12 8:00 p.m ­ midnight in the cafeteria this is a free event co-sponsored by the msj mothers club it is for all current and past msj parents bring an appetizer to share if you wish this is a night to cut loose and have fun 64th father-son communion breakfast mount saint joseph high school sunday march 6 2011 10:00 a.m in the auditorium mark your calendars now for what promises to be a sellout father/son communion breakfast a hearty breakfast and guest speaker will follow mass parents/guardians thank you for being proactive in helping us enforce the rules and regulations at the mount here are a few reminders 1 please call the attendance office 410-525-1333 before 10:00 a.m to report your son s absence 2 please send a note with your son when he returns to school he must present the note to the attendance office before returning to class 3 students are not permitted to wear any type of sweatshirt/thermal/denim material between 7:00 a.m and 2:45 p.m and they are not allowed to wear hats inside the buildings inappropriate clothing and hats will be held in the office of the director of students and will be returned to the student at a later time 4 we require students to be clean shaven hair may not exceed the eyebrows in front the earlobes on the side the collar in the back or one inch above the scalp line dyeing of the hair and lines/designs shaved into the head are not permissible 5 student cell phones must be off not on silent/vibrate and not visible during school hours cell phone use before school or after school is restricted to outside of the school buildings a student s phone confiscated by a teacher/staff member may be picked up in the director of students office by the student after having served jug thank you for your support campus ministry news mr clay bonham director of mount ministries we invite students and their families to honor the life and legacy of rev martin luther king jr at a prayer service on monday january 17 the prayer service will take place at 10:00 a.m in the auditorium and will be followed by a light breakfast in the cafeteria please contact us at 410-644-3300 or e-mail us at campusministry@admin.msjnet.edu if you are interested in attending this year s march for life will take place on monday january 24 we have twenty-five tickets available this year if you are interested please contact the campus ministry office in addition to the march we will also be hosting the archdiocesan truth booth which will be displayed in our cafeteria the week prior to the march and provides students an opportunity to see 4d images of fetal development in the womb father/son golf tourney the annual father son golf tournament sponsored by the mount saint joseph fathers club will be held on monday april 25 whether you are a high handicapper scratch golfer or have never played before this event is for all this outing has something for everyone and promotes the spirit of our st joe community look for more information on this exciting event in the coming weeks for more information please contact the event coordinator patrick nussear 410-247-1502 or pjayen@comcast.net thank you thank you to all who donated your time and energy to the just completed fruit drive the fathers club appreciates all who purchased fruit the profit will benefit programs and students at the mount please support the drive next year when we will continue to offer a full array of fruit.

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ryken program news mr chuck belzner director of guidance the junior parents college night the meeting will be held tuesday february 22 2011 at 7:00 p.m in the cafeteria this is an excellent opportunity to obtain information regarding the college admission process there will be a number of helpful resources available peer education will begin on monday february 14 the freshman seminar classes will be taught by peer educators each year approximately thirty juniors and seniors serve as peer educators in the o neil program a team of counselors and administrators select and train the peer educators they lead open honest discussions about health-related issues topics include decision-making and the risk and consequences of using tobacco alcohol and other drugs the mount saint joseph high school o neil peer education program is named after and funded by the christopher o neil memorial foundation this foundation was established to honor chris o neil a loyola high school student who lost his life in a drunk-driving related accident student assistance program beware of the belief that your child is just experimenting with alcohol and/or other drugs when a child drinks it is use maybe the first time it is experimenting but if he drinks a second time occasionally etc that is use he needs to know he is not experimenting he is using so he can take responsibility for his choice to use remember all drug abusers first started as experimenters ryken parents are required to attend the meeting on tuesday january 11 at 6:00 p.m in room 12 if you have any questions please contact ms mitchell 410-6443300 ext 383 or by e-mail cmitchell@admin.msjnet.edu it s bull oyster roast time again think in advance buy your bull oyster roast tickets today financial aid applications financial aid applications for the 20112012 school year are available in the business office if you would like to apply please have your son stop by for an application or apply on line after january 1 2011 at ww.psas.org applications are not mailed out only one application per family is required remember you must apply for financial aid each year all applications must be postmarked by friday february 4 2011 tickets will not be sold at the door join the mount s alumni association for the finest food in town try your luck at the games of chance and place your bids on silent auction items saturday february 26 2011 6:00 p.m ­ 11:00 p.m tickets are $50 per person for tickets go to www.msjnet.edu/bullroast or call james poisal `03 410-900-1209

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