ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN A COMMUNITY OF FAITH A word

Sacred Heart-Griffin
February, 2015
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN A COMMUNITY OF FAITH
A word from the principal…
Dear Parents, Students, and other Readers,
Since Family Dance is in February, I would like to briefly reflect on “traditions” at SHG. The Family Dance
is rooted in the Sacred Heart Academy tradition of the Father-Daughter Dance. It has been well
attended since its beginnings back in 1957. One of our 1980 graduates said it was a given that everyone
would attend! With the combining of SHA and GHS traditions in 1988, the dance invitation was
extended to Mothers and Sons as well. Over the years I have heard many comments about how much
fun it is and many reminiscences from parents who remember having gone as a high school student.
The 2015 Family Dance (shortened title for Father-Daughter and Mother-Son Dance) is on Saturday,
February 14, 8:00-11:00 p.m. Students purchase the $10 ticket (one ticket per family) during lunch hour
the week of the dance.
Besides the Family Dance, we have a tradition of celebrating Catholic Schools the last week in January.
Many of you have just participated in a variety of ways. The all-school Mass is a great tradition here at
SHG. Over the last 10 or more years, the whole student body and faculty gather in the gym. The Music
Department always provides great singing and music. Everyone is encouraged to participate as the
words to all the songs are projected on the screen. We have had a great variety of priests who have
celebrated the Mass with us. It is a unifying prayer experience. Throughout the week we pray for other
significant SHG family members: parents, students, alumni, benefactors, and friends. Every week and
every day has the Catholic school tradition of prayer, Catholic values, and Catholic teachings.
Another tradition we have every January is City Tournament. The goal that fades in and out of the
limelight of its history is a sense of unity in supporting education in all of the Springfield high schools.
This education is extended to extra-curricular activities such as athletics. The cheerleaders over many
years have performed the City Cheer which includes the physical formation of each of the school’s
letters (i.e., SHG) by all the cheerleading squads as they give a yell out to each school. This basketball
tradition also includes the girls’ teams which rotate to the different high schools. (An experiment had
the girls at the convention center preceding the boys’ games one year. There is also a City event for
Volleyball, Baseball, Wrestling, Golf, and Swimming & Diving.) The spirit award has its own history. In
more recent years the tournament has also had a food collection from the high schools to be distributed
in Springfield. This tradition was extended to include the grade schools in the whole city. SHG has its
own traditions within the tradition. The student body has participated in the Poms routine. The
routines particularly accented the great things students can do when they work together. SCHOOL
SPIRIT is every school’s tradition. What makes it memorable is when it truly exists and the energy
exuded comes from loyalty and pride. In turn, it magnifies and grows loyalty and pride. Each year has
its unique experience of school spirit. Every alum has the memory of how it was in their day. And in
that memory, each person knows what she/he contributed to make it so! SHG won the Spirit Award this
year. That says a lot about our SHG tradition.
Student leadership is also a valued tradition. The SHG Student Council is elected each year by the
student body. One of the responsibilities of the council is to promote school spirit. Each class also elects
5-7 “class leaders” who become representatives on the Student Council. Their task is to bring the voice
of their classmates to the meetings. The leadership is manifested in service, initiatives, and leading by
example. These elections happen in the spring.
An extremely important tradition that continues to be manifest at SHG is “ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN A
COMMUNITY OF FAITH.” The faculty and staff continue to build the curriculum in which they challenge
our students to be career and college ready. They engage the students in learning, problem solving,
higher order thinking, and creativity. Our faith inspires effort, caring, commitment, compassion, and a
sense of belonging in all of our students, teachers, staff, and larger family. SHG is the dynamic which
drives the relationship of academics and faith. SHG is successful because of the tradition of support
from parents, alums, and benefactors. For frequent updates of what’s going on at SHG, join the newer
traditions of following us on Facebook and our website. Thanks for being part of our tradition. God
bless you.
With appreciation for the SHG tradition,
Sr. Margaret Joanne Grueter, O.P.
SHG MISSION
Sacred Heart-Griffin is a Catholic, Dominican college
preparatory high school that welcomes a diverse student
population to pursue academic excellence within the
Dominican values of study, prayer, service and community.
Why Black History Month?
Elizabeth Williams
“The lion’s story will never be heard as long as the hunter is the one to tell it”.
West African Proverb
Black History month began as Negro History Week. In 1926, historian Dr. Carter G.
Woodson conceived an idea to expose and celebrate the history of black Americans here in
the United States. Woodson chose the second week in February for Negro History Week
because it coincided with the birth dates of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
Armed with a Ph.D. in History from Harvard, Woodson found little mention in his studies of
the contributions of black Americans to the greatness of this country. He believed that
making those contributions known and celebrated would uplift generations of black
Americans and would open the door to equality for black Americans.
In 1978 Negro History Week was renamed and extended to Black History Month with a
Proclamation from President Jimmy Carter stating that “calling attention to the
contributions of black people to our overall progress and development, the month of
February thus serves to build goodwill and understanding between all people. It gives each
of us a keener appreciation of an important part of the priceless legacy which Americans of
every creed, color and national origin are fortunate to share.”
Increased awareness of the history of African Americans in this country is only the
beginning of a great conversation. There is so much more to discuss than athletes and
entertainers, though they too have made a significant contribution to the story. Talk about
Phillis Wheatley, Lewis Latimer, Marjorie Lee Browne, David Blackwell, Etta Falconer, Mae
Jemison, Daisy Bates, Rita Dove, Benjamin Banneker, and Lonnie Johnson, to name a
few. The recognition and celebration of Black History Month offers a moment to pause and
seek out the names and deeds of those individuals whose stories and contributions were
purposefully left out of our American history. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on
the successes and challenging endeavors of those men and women with whom we are
familiar.
Black History Month brings us together as Americans, aware, curious and inspired to create
a conversation that acknowledges survival and thriving in spite of so many attempts to
deny full citizenship rights and privileges to one group of people even though those rights
and privileges are said to be the foundation of this country. Most significantly, it is an
opportunity to acknowledge that Black History is American History.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE IN A COMMUNITY OF FAITH
Around the school….
Prevention OPERATION SNOWBALL – Thank you to all the parents who volunteered at and/or donated
to the SHG Operation Snowball event in January! We had close to 100 local high school
students participating, and it would not have been possible with your time and support.
~
Family Dance –
The Sacred Heart-Griffin Annual Family Dance will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2015
from 8:00-11:00 p.m. at the East Campus. This event is by far the favorite of all the social
activities at SHG. Fathers accompany their daughters and mothers accompany their sons for an
evening of visiting, dancing, and fun. Tickets will be for sale at SHG the week before the dance,
during all lunch shifts. Tickets are $10 per family. See flyer for pictures at the end of newsletter!
~
Blood Drive Give what’s in your heart. Bring Photo I.D. with date of birth for everyone and consent forms
for sixteen year olds. Please join us to donate blood at Sacred Heart-Griffin on Tuesday,
February 10 in support of the Central Illinois blood supply. We welcome students and staff to
donate from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Central Illinois Community Blood Center is the blood
provider to area patients of fourteen counties at twelve central Illinois hospitals. They are the
only provider of blood to Memorial Medical Center and St. John’s Hospital. Please join us for
this life-saving event. Students are to sign up in their Theology classroom.
~
Mostaccioli Dinner –
Sacred Heart-Griffin’s 56th Annual Mostaccioli Dinner and Raffle will be held on Sunday,
March 1, 2015 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The student kick-off was Wednesday, January
21. On the kick-off day, each SHG student received six adult dinner tickets ($60) and four raffle
books ($40) totaling $100. The current financial policy states that “Each student is required to
sell the assigned quota for Mostaccioli Dinner/ Raffle. Any portion of the quota not met will be
charged to the student’s tuition account.” (2013-2014 Student Handbook, Tuition and Fees,
Page 4). Parents, please ask your student(s) for the packet so that it is not left in their locker or
book bag. Information is included in the packet regarding collection days and student incentives.
~
Sacred Heart-Griffin’s Cure for Cabin Fever Join us at SHG's 2nd Annual Trivia Night, "A Night on the Red Carpet" to be held on Friday,
February 20. Doors will open at 6:00 pm. and Trivia will begin at 7:00 pm. Get your reservation
in now! The tables are filling up quickly! See the flyer at the end of this newsletter!
2015-2016 Tuition/Financial Grants –
The 2015-2016 Tuition Packet and Tuition Grant information is now available on the SHG
website's Admissions page. The deadline for registration and financial assistance is Monday,
March 16. If you have any questions regarding tuition and grants, please contact Mrs. Becky
Jones at 787-1595 ext. 156.
~
Father Thomas Pisors Scholarship –
The Father Thomas Pisors Scholarship for the 2015-2016 school year will be awarded to two
current Juniors who are in good standing at Sacred Heart-Griffin High School and who are
registered for the 2015-2016 school year. Each recipient will receive a $500 scholarship toward
next year’s tuition. The SHG Science Department will select the recipients. Applications are now
available in the Main Office or on the SHG website on the Admissions page.
Completed applications must be returned to Sr. Katherine O’Connor, OP, President, Sacred
Heart-Griffin, 1200 West Washington Street, Springfield, IL, 62702 by March 16, 2015.
~
Sacred Heart-Griffin Internship Program –
Attention: Sophomores and Juniors Are you interested in reducing tuition costs for next
year? Are you interested in professional work experience? Are you interested in earning
0.5 business elective credit? Then the Sacred Heart-Griffin Internship Program may be for
you.
Interested students may pick up an internship application in the Main Office, the Finance Office,
or on line (Admission>SHG Internship Program). Please see Mrs. Garvey in the Finance Office
for more information. Completed applications are due by March 16, 2015.
~
The Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey and Fr. Robert Erickson Scholarship
The Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey and Fr. Robert Erickson Scholarship for the 2015-2016 school
year will be awarded to an incoming senior who has demonstrated leadership, vision, and
courage during her/his three years at SHG. The recipient of this scholarship will receive $1000 to
be applied towards the 2015-2016 tuition. Applications are now available in the Main Office or
on the SHG website on the Admissions page. Completed applications must be returned to Sr.
Katherine O’Connor, OP, President, Sacred Heart-Griffin, 1200 West Washington Street,
Springfield, IL, 62702 by March 16, 2015.
~
SHG Alumni Scholarship and SHG Hall of Fame For information about the SHG Alumni Scholarship for Incoming Freshmen please go to our
website at www.shg.org and click on the Admissions Tab. To download an application, please
click on the link below. Applications are due by March 20, 2015
http://www.shg.org/sites/default/files/HallofFame/AlumniScholarshipForm2015.pdf
For information about the SHG Hall of Fame, please go to our website at www.shg.org and
click on the Alumni Tab. If you have someone that you would like to nominate, click on the link
below to download a nomination form. All forms are due by March 20, 2015.
http://www.shg.org/sites/default/files/HallofFame/HallofFameNomForm2015.pdf
If you have any questions regarding either of these, please contact Michele Reavy
at [email protected].
~
Planning Ahead – Prom Dresses –
The Sacred Heart-Griffin Junior/Senior Prom is Saturday, May 9, 2015. We know that girls
begin shopping early for that special Prom dress. The following guidelines MUST be followed
when selecting a dress. Dresses should reflect a concern for Christian values in being both
modest and tasteful. The dress style should cover rather than reveal the bust line. Low cut, tight,
and/or revealing bust lines are neither modest nor acceptable. Bare mid-riffs ARE NOT
ALLOWED! Different body shapes and sizes have differing styles to address modesty and good
taste. NOTE - This year, ladies are again allowed to wear flip-flops with their formal dresses.
Consider saving on shoes that are only worn for the first ten minutes of the event and then taken
off. Please dress according to guidelines so that we can all enjoy the evening. Those dressed
inappropriately will be asked to leave. This also applies to dates from other schools. PARENTS,
please do your part; if you have questions, call us!
~
SHG On-Line Auction is back Again!
The on-line auction has been such a success over the last two years that we are going to hold it
again this year beginning on Wed., March 18 and closing at 3 p.m. on Fri., March 27. You
can bid on some great items: Prime graduation seats, prime parking spots, dinners, spa packages,
art, food, jewelry, various tickets and many other great items, all from the comfort of your own
home!
You will be hearing more about this in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, we are inviting
everyone to get creative and think about something you might be able to contribute to
the auction! We would like this auction to have something for everyone. If you have an item(s)
to contribute, please call or e-mail Jennifer Bettis at 787-9732 or [email protected]. The proceeds
of the on-line auction will go towards the operating budget.Thank you!
~
SHG Monthly Calendar –
See the monthly calendar at the end of this newsletter for some of the important events
happening in February at SHG.
~
SHG GUIDANCE OFFICE UPDATES
SHG INCOMING FRESHMEN MEETINGS
Eighth graders and parents should attend one of two meetings being held regarding
freshmen placement exam results, course placement and registration procedures. There
will be two meetings and parents/students may choose either one. Meetings will begin at
6:00 p.m. in the SHG Auditorium on Tuesday, February 3 or Wednesday, February 11. If
you have questions, please contact Theresa Duffin at 787-1595 ext. 125 or email
[email protected].
2015-2016 COURSE REGISTRATION
Registration for next year’s classes will begin in February beginning with the students in
the current junior class. Each student will meet with his/her guidance counselor to select
classes for the upcoming academic year. A copy of selected courses will be mailed to the
parents for approval before the schedule is finalized.
ACT/SAT PREPARATION CLASSES
Many students take a preparation class prior to taking the ACT and SAT exams. There
are several different prep classes offered throughout the Springfield area including one
offered at SHG. Information on all prep classes can be found on the SHG website. Click
on
Academics<College
Counseling<
ACT/SAT
Test
Dates
or
at:
http://www.shg.org/?q=content/actsat-information. Please check the starting dates for the
Springfield area prep classes. All juniors will have the opportunity to register for the SHG
prep which will begin on February
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS
The seniors have applied to colleges, received admission decisions in many cases, and are
narrowing their choices down. In addition, they are looking for ways to pay for college.
On the SHG website, we have listed the scholarships that we have received information on
in our office. There are many university scholarships that are not listed here but can be
found at the university’s website.
We encourage you to check our website at
http://www.shg.org/?q=content/college-scholarships.
A brief description of each
scholarship, applicable due date, and criteria for the scholarship is listed. We encourage
you to read these to see if the scholarship might fit your student. Applications can either be
downloaded or obtained in the Guidance Department. In addition, a national scholarship
search site can be found on Naviance and is hosted by Sallie Mae.
56th Annual Mostaccioli Dinner!
The 56th Annual Mostaccioli Dinner kicked off Wednesday, January
21. Each student should have received a packet of 6 dinner tickets and 4
raffle books to sell. Details are in their packets. Thank you in advance for
your help!
Please save the date: The Mostaccioli Dinner will be held on Sunday, March 1 at SHG's
West Campus from 11 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. The students, parents and alumni are the key to the
success of the event. With everyone's help, SHG is able to serve almost 9,000 dinners each
year! Volunteering is a lot of fun and a great way to get to know other parents, students,
faculty, staff and alumni!
Our volunteer coordinator, Mary Leach has a big job securing parents and students to fill all of
the shifts. See the shift options below and please consider what would work best for you and
your student(s). Please note: WE REALLY NEED A LOT OF ADULT HELP FOR ALL
SHIFTS.
~ Wednesday February 25 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 is pot and pan washing night at West
Campus in preparation for the dinner. We're usually done by 7 or 7:30 p.m.
~ Sunday, March 1 from 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (be there at 10 a.m.) DOUBLE SERVICE
HOURS GIVEN ON THIS SHIFT ONLY IF STUDENT IS SIGNED UP WITH AN
ADULT.
~ Sunday, March 1 from 2:30 - 7 p.m. (be there at 2 p.m.) DOUBLE SERVICE HOURS
GIVEN ON THIS SHIFT ONLY IF STUDENT IS SIGNED UP WITH AN ADULT.
~ Sunday, March 1 from 6:30 p.m. - ? CLEAN UP --- NEED MOSTLY ADULTS
Please consider a shift and e-mail Mary at [email protected] or call Mary's cell phone
at 899-2575.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Pizzelles: Donations of Pizzelle cookies needed Saturday, February 21 at West Campus, dropoff time to be announced. Students can earn service hours for each batch donated (5 dozen
cookies = 2 hours). Please RSVP to either Jeris Creasey at 525-0762 or Danielle Fulgenzi
Giacomini at 306-4408 or email to [email protected] for more details.
Country Cupboard - Homemade baked goods are being sought for Country Cupboard. See
below for more details. Call or e-mail Jennifer Turley at 725-1016 or [email protected] sign
up to volunteer at Country Cupboard or if you have questions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Thank you so very much for volunteering for this year's Mostaccioli Dinner. As many of you
know, this dinner is a long-standing tradition and is in its 56th year. It's the biggest sit-down
dinner in Springfield and is a very important fundraiser for SHG's operating budget. (Tuition
would be approximately $3,000 higher per student if it weren't for initiatives such as the
Mostaccioli Dinner, Mega-Raffle and Annual Fund).
Thanks again!
Jen Bettis
Director of Advancement
COUNTRY CUPBOARD
SHG MOSTACCIOLI DINNER
March 1, 2015
Needed: Your HOMEMADE pies, cookies, breads, etc.
Please package to sell: Clear wrap (no foil) or disposable container.
Label contents.
Students Can Earn Service Hours!!
Baking for a bake sale is considered service – so be sure to sign the sheet
when you drop off items!
Examples: 3 doz. Cookies = 1 hour of service (3 hr. limit); Pie = 2
hours;
Bread = 1 hour
TIMES TO DROP OFF ITEMS: Friday, February 27 before school
in the cafeteria; Saturday, February 28 during set up in the morning
at West Campus; and this year, students who drop off items at the
Mostaccioli Dinner after 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 1 (when we start
running out of items) get DOUBLE SERVICE HOURS!
BEST SELLERS - Rice Krispie treats, angel food cake, pies,
brownies, and cinnamon rolls.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!
Call or e-mail Jennifer Turley at 725-1016 or [email protected] to sign up to volunteer at Country
Cupboard or if you have questions.
February 2015
Black History Month
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday ue
Wednesday
Thursday u
Friday Fri
Saturday at
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
12
13
14
German
National
Honor Society
Induction
(7:10 am)
Valentines
Day
th
8 Grade
Meeting
(6:00)
8
9
10
Mostaccioli
Collection
11
Mostaccioli
Collection
th
8 Grade
Meeting
(6:00)
Science
Olympiad
Regionals
Family Dance
(8:00-11:00)
15
16
Presidents
Day –
No School
17
th
8 Grade
Meeting
(6:00)
18
19
20
21
26
27
28
Mostaccioli
Collection
Ash Wednesday
22
23
24
25
Mostaccioli
Collection