Dear Parents & Students,

May is the month that we honor Mary as the Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Carmelites, we call ourselves the Brothers of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel: thus Mary is a sister disciple leading us to listening and responding to God’s call in our world today. May Mary’s example of saying “Yes” to God help guide all of our students, and especially our seniors as they prepare for graduation.

Walkathon Reward
Our students raised over 126% of our goal for the Walkathon. As a result,
each Friday in May will be a noon dismissal. Thank you for participating in this fundraiser for our Athletic Department.

Advanced Placement Exams
During the first two weeks of May, Advanced Placement Exams will take place. These are nationally scheduled days and important for our students for receiving college credit. Please keep our students in your prayers as they undergo these tests.

Mothers’ Day Mass
Our annual Mothers’ Day Mass will be on Monday, May 12, 2008, beginning at approximately 9:30am. The Mass will be preceded by an awards assembly where we announce the essay contest scholarship winners and honor some of the student organizations that do so much for our school community. All students must be present and must be in school at our regular starting time of 8:20am.

Mothers’ Club Bake Sale
The Mothers’ Club will be hosting an additional bake sale Wednesday, May 14, 2008. The proceeds will be donated to the Invisible Children’s Organization, which helps children in Uganda attend school. Please remember to send baked goods with your sons and additional money to support this worthy cause. Also, included in this mailing is a volunteer sheet for the 2008-2009 Mothers’ Club. Remember to join the mom’s on Mother’s Day as they participate in the Y-Me Race.

Fathers’ Club
The Fathers’ Club will have a final meeting of the school year on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at 7:00pm in the Student Center. Thanks to all who made the Fathers’ Club Fight Night Raffle a huge success. The fathers were able to sell 590 tickets!

Honors Banquet
Those who have been invited to the Honors Banquet received their invitation last month; if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Mrs. Carol Schnolis at ext. 238. For those who actually attend the banquet on Thursday, May 15, the next day, Friday, May 16, 2008, will be a day off from school. All other students must be in attendance for school on that Friday.

MBS Book Buy Back
Our new online book company, MBS Direct, will host a book buyback for Seniors on Tuesday, May 20, following their exams, and for the underclassmen on Wednesday, May 28. Check for details and information on our website.

Registration
The Registration Fee of $300.00 for the 2008-2009 school year was due March 15, 2008 (late fee of $50.00 is now due). Parents who need to take care of this very important matter must do so immediately. We are preparing for your sons’ next year classes at this time and need to know if your son will be at Mount Carmel for the next school year.

Past Due Tuition Payments
As we approach the end of the school year, I am sure you are very grateful for the education your son is receiving at Mount Carmel High School. Unfortunately, some parents have a balance remaining on their account. This balance must be paid for your son to participate in final exams for the third trimester. We sincerely hope that you will take care of this balance by contacting Mrs. Annie Gomez in the Finance Office immediately. The phone number is 773-324-1020, ext. 216. At this point, your balance must be paid by cash or a Cashier’s Check. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Senior Exams and Graduation
Senior exams are scheduled for Monday, May 19 and Tuesday, May 20. Seniors will take three exams each day and be released at 11:15am. Graduation practice is Friday, May 23 at 10:00am at the Rockefeller Chapel. Students should be in the area by 9:30am to find a parking spot on the campus of the University of Chicago. Graduation is Sunday, May 25, 2008, at 3:00pm. We thank the Class of 2008 for their hard work and dedication to Mount Carmel.

Underclassmen Exams
Juniors, sophomores and freshmen will take third trimester exams on Tuesday, May 27 and Wednesday, May 28. They will complete their exams by noon each day.

Transportation
The registration form, along with the deposit, for transportation is due Friday, June 6, 2008. If your son intends on using our bus service for the 2008-09 school year, please complete the form, which was included in the last mailing, as soon as possible. If you need another form, please see Mr. McShane, in the Security Office.

Parent Transportation Reminder
June 30 is the deadline for qualifying parents or guardians to sign-up for the Parent/Guardian State Pupil Transportation Reimbursement Program. The form is available in the Security Office. Also the form will be available the morning of the Mothers’ Day Mass.

2008-09 School Year
Some dates that may be of interest to new and returning students and parents include our Orientation Week, which will begin with freshmen and their parents on Monday, August 18, 2008. Sophomores, juniors and seniors will follow on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of that week. The first full day of school for all students will be Tuesday, August 26, 2008. Our June newsletter will include a more extensive list of important dates for the next school year. Please check Ed-Line. The 2008-2009 calendar is posted.

Final Comments
Please encourage your son to do his best this month as we complete this school year. Thanks for your attention to all these important issues, and for entrusting your sons to us. May Our Lady of Mount Carmel protect you.

In Carmel,

Fr. Carl J. Markelz, O. Carm.
Principal / President