The Cavalier

A Parent/Student Newsletter keeping you in touch with Archbishop Spalding High School

Engaging Faith & Learning

Archbishop SpaldingHigh School

8080 New Cut Road~ Severn, MD 21144Phone: (410) 969-9105Fax: (410) 969-1026

ADMINISTRATION

President

Dr. Michael E. Murphy

Principal

Mrs. Kathleen K. Mahar

Assistant Principal, Academic Affairs

Mr. Lewis R. Van Wambeke

Assistant Principal, Student Affairs

Mr. William M. Weber

Assistant Principal, Student Affairs

Ms. Kaycie S. Lomax

CFO / Business Manager

Mr. John C. Coppola

Director of Athletics

Mr. Lee R. Dove

Director of Development

Mrs. Katy A. Caruso

Director of Alumni and Media Relations

Ms. Kristen A. Koehler

Director of Admissions

Mr. Thomas E. Miller

Editor, Assistant to the President

Mrs. Heide C. Cornet-Hostelley

April / May 2010

IN THIS ISSUE...

Greetings from the President 1Principal / SHS 2Academic Affairs 3Student Affairs / Cavalier Shop 4Love Golf Tournament / Fr. Tom Ryan 5Campus Ministry 6Athletic Physical Exams / SAT Prep Class 7Model UN Conference / Finance Ofce 8Cavalier Club / Parents’ Assoc. 9It’s Academic / Web Design Student 105 Tips for your child online 11Alumni Family Fun Day! 12

Greetings from the President’s Ofce

Continued on Page 4.

When you walk through the halls of Archbishop Spalding on any given day, you might nda variety of interesting items. You might nd a lunch that has lost its owner or a homework assignment that fell out of a backpack. You might occasionally nd one shoe and wonder whathappened to the other. Is there a student walking around school with only one shoe? If youhappen to venture a look at the lost and found cabinet, you might nd every item of clothing,cell phones, and the occasional diary without a name but with a story that makes you glad youare not a teenager in today’s world.As I walked through the hallways on a recent Monday morning, I found a small piece of paper on the oor. At rst glance, I thought that I should just throw it into the trash. For someunknown reason, I unfolded the paper and was confronted with a note from a student to his parents. I began to wonder what made the student write this particular note to his parents andhow it ended up on the oor. Did he simply drop it or did he change his mind and keep thesethoughts to himself. I am sure by now you are wondering what the student said. The words areso simple, but extremely powerful.Mom and Dad,Thank you for giving me life. Thank you for all the love that you have given to meand all the care. Thank you for all the help whenever I need it and thank you for thesupport that you always provide. I don’t know what I would do without you. I loveyou both.Love, MichaelThe note was a simple thank you to his parents for all that they had given to him. He probablythought that it would not make a difference if his parents ever saw it. He might have imaginedthat his parents might not be that interested in his thoughts.If the writer of this note had been my son, it would have made my day or possibly my year.In today’s world, our children nd it easier to text message than to have a conversation withsomeone. They prefer to say things without having to look the person in the eye. They nd iteasier to be anonymous.I have recently found myself texting my children rather than interrupting their day. I realize thatthey have lives of their own and I do not want to interject myself into their hectic schedules.When my children were younger, there were times that I wanted them to stop talking so much. Now, I cherish the times when I actually do talk with them.With the school year winding down and our seniors planning to move to the college of their choice, I felt it was important to remember that words do make a difference. The harsh wordsexchanged between an angry teenager and a parent frustrated by an insane day at work candistort the truth about how we feel. Words spoken in anger can last a long time. For some parents, the rift caused by that one moment of anger can drive a wedge between parent andchild.When I read a note by someone like Michael, I realize the power of a kind word. For Michael’s parents, they might never know how their son really feels. I wonder what their relationshipwould be like if they ever read his note.

Engaging Faith & Learning

The Cavalier •

April / May 2010

Principal’s Desk ~ Mrs. Kathy Mahar

It is impossible to believe that the end of this academic year isnearing and that we are about to begin a summer hiatus fromclasses. Exhortations about summer reading will come in thesummer mailing, but I thought this last issue could provide a timelyopportunity to address the college search for those families whohave either begun or will begin this process. The summer monthsfor upper class students usually involve college road trips. I wouldlike to humbly offer some advice based on rsthand experienceeven though our Guidance Department offers this information aswell. While mostly for parents of the high school student whomay not have a clue about what kind of college, what geographiclocation, or what major, these points may also apply to our studentswho already know the answers to these questions.A great question to start a conversation with your child andto prompt their thinking about college choice is what kind of university are they interested in: urban, rural, suburban? Small,medium, large campus? These answers will help you plan moremeaningful road trips and visitations. Many students will have noidea about a college major, but most can answer these questionsabout location and size.Here’s the rst bit of advice: When embarking on your road trip,make them get out of the car! Driving onto a campus may evokean outburst of, “There is no way I’d go to school here”. Whilethis sentiment may ultimately prove valid, the student will haveno basis for a decision unless they walk around the campus, talk to people and get a sense of the programs and campus life. Anoutstanding educational program may go unvisited due to a knee- jerk reaction. Steel your nerves against the eye rolling and heavysighs and push/pull them from the car if necessary.My second piece of advice is easier said than done. This processis not about us! Where our child attends college does not deneus. Some people may like the notion of bragging rights to an IvyLeague school or may be disappointed in what ends up being a rstchoice school, but what we may have hoped for and envisionedthe last eighteen years may not happen. What matters is that our children attend the college that best matches their learning needs,style, and goal.Once you have reached the application process, it is crucial toencourage your child to be both realistic and ambitious. Researchthe SAT scores and grade point averages that the colleges on their ‘short’ list expect of prospective students. Every student shouldinclude reach schools on their list, but if all of the choices are reach,this sets up the student for utter frustration and disappointmentwhen decisions are announced.Families also must understand that these economic times are putting a strain on in-state public colleges and universities. Their admission numbers have skyrocketed due to the soaring cost of private colleges and universities and competition for admission isalmost brutal. Outstanding students who would be admitted indifferent economic times are being deferred, waitlisted or denied.Keep this in mind if your child applies only to in-state publicinstitutions. Include some small private schools. The initial sticker shock at tuition and room/board is frequently offset by offers of nancial assistance.When to begin? Students should be encouraged to take the SATtests junior year. This allows practice and retaking if necessarywithout coming up against any admission deadlines senior year.Ask the what/where question and begin researching collegewebsites to narrow choices and then visit. The traditional timelineof college decisions being announced in early spring of senior year is almost outdated. Almost 80% of this year’s senior class appliedearly action or decision (see colleges for their denitions). Thisyear many of our seniors heard from their schools in October and November; this early application trend is becoming thenorm nationwide. We have seen students benet from the earlydecisions.Last piece of advice – enjoy every bit of this experience. Helpingyour child plan for the next step in their lives is both exciting and bittersweet. There will be times when you suspect an alien hasinhabited their body, but this phenomenon is usually temporary.Prayer and nerves of steel will arm you well!Students Helping Students (SHS) – NEW! SHS is now offered

BEFORE

school on Tuesdays and Thursdays and during

ALL

lunch periods (by appointment only),

EVERY DAY

! NationalHonor Society students are available to provide tutoring invarious academic subjects. SHS is a great place to get help,review for upcoming tests, get organized or just work quietlyon your own!

•

OPTION 1: Morning Tutoring

o

Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays

o

Time: 7:00-7:40

o

Location: Room 114

•

OPTION 2: Lunch Tutoring

o

See Mrs. O’Kieffe in room 114 to request aLunch Tutor

o

Tutors will be assigned based on availabilityand subjectPlease contact Tara O’Kieffe, Resource Coordinator, at ext.279 for details about SHS or other tutoring options.

Students Helping Students

Engaging Faith & Learning

The Cavalier •

April / May 2010

Academic Affairs ~ Mr. Lewis R. Van Wambeke

The Home StretchSpring is the most important time of the year for students to focus, since this is when we prepare for nal and Advanced Placement exams. Ateacher recently shared some wisdom with me and I liked the message enough that I feel compelled to pass it on – “whoever persists, achieves.”My hope for our students is that they enjoy spring, especially after “Snowpocalypse” and “Snowmaggedon” this winter, but that they also persist in their studies and nish the year on a strong note.

Deciencies - The Academic Status Form

When a student receives two or more deciencies they must return an Academic Status Form (blue form) to my ofce. This form acts as a modeof communication between the student, teacher, parents, guidance counselor, and administration. Sometimes I am asked whether the form isonly for those students participating in sports, theatre, or other extra-curricular activities. The answer is NO – the form should be lled out byall students and is meant to facilitate a chain of conversations to improve their academic standing. If your son/daughter receives an AcademicStatus Form (blue form) then please reinforce that they should complete this before the due date, which is ten days after deciencies are mailed.

Senior Deciencies

Seniors receiving multiple (2 or more) deciencies will be academically ineligible for the remainder of the fourth quarter so they can focus onimproving their academic standing and graduating on time. Seniors with two or more deciencies will not be permitted to participate in anyschool-sponsored clubs or activities, athletic events, or eld trips.

Advanced Placement (AP) Exam Pre-Administration

On April 19, 20, 21, and 22 we will have the AP pre-administration session during homeroom. Underclassman will attend on April 19 and 20,Seniors on April 21 and 22.

All students taking an AP exam must attend the pre-administration session.

The AP exam schedule is set from The College Board and ETS. Spalding can make no changes to the schedule. The schedule is as follows:

WEEK 1

Morning

Afternoon

Monday May 3 Government & Politics: US French LanguageTuesday May 4 Spanish Language StatisticsComputer Science AWednesday May 5 Calculus ABCalculus BCThursday May 6 English LiteratureFriday May 7 United States History European HistoryStudio Art(Portfolios Due)

WEEK 2Morning

Afternoon

Monday May 10 Biology Physics BPhysics CTuesday May 11 Chemistry PsychologyEnvironmental ScienceWednesday May 12 English LanguageFriday May 14 Latin: Vergil

Summer Study Skills Program

This summer we are again offering the prepare-ED Study Skills program. Information is available online, along with a registration form. Thereare ve weeks over the summer beginning in June and ending in August. The later weeks typically ll up quickly so I suggest sending in theregistration form early if you are interested in one of these weeks.The study skills course will be offered during the following weeks (each week is an independent course):June 21-24 July 12-15 July 19-22 August 2-5 August 9-12Mrs. Cathy Klase, 2007 Teacher of the Year, will again teach the summer courses. She is encouraging, motivating, and committed to improvingstudent achievement. Please feel free to e-mail me with questions at vanwambekel@archbishopspalding.org