Dear Parents,
In February we sent you a parent survey that provided some important
ideas and feedback. You gave Mount
Carmel high marks in many areas, including providing an overall excellent
experience and preparing your son for college. As we all experience the challenges of an economic downturn,
it is gratifying to know that you continue to recognize the value of a Catholic
education.
At the same time, your feedback identified several areas where we can
do better: providing more assistance to students in the transition from grammar
school to high school, providing opportunities for students to connect with one
another, and providing more tutoring and study time.
As a result, our administrative team has decided to extend the Mount
Carmel school day by 20 minutes for the 2009-10 school year. Whereas this year the school day began
at 8:20am and ended at 2:30pm, next year our school day will begin at
8:15am and conclude at 2:45pm.
This new schedule will allow us to create a 25 minute ÒDivisionÓ that
will precede lunch each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Students will be randomly grouped by
grade level, for study time, intramurals, academic and college advising,
transition programming for freshmen, test preparation, grief support groups,
along with other administrative tasks that need to be accomplished. On most
Wednesdays, we will have a late start to accommodate faculty professional development. There will be no division; we begin
classes at 9:15am and conclude at 2:30pm.
This new schedule will address your concerns and offer better
opportunities for all students to connect with Mount Carmel. We recognize that this new schedule
will require some minor adjustments regarding transportation, but we trust that
the advantages will outweigh any inconveniences.
As always, we are honored that you want to be in partnership with us as
we build character in each of our young men. For many, passing up other public and private high schools
to be a member of the Caravan already shows commitment and sacrifice. Our faculty and staff maintains that
same attitude of dedication to Mount Carmel and wants to continue to provide
the best overall program for all of our students. A copy of this schedule is included on the back of this
letter. Thank you for your trust
and, as always, your feedback is welcome at cmarkelz@mchs.org.
May Our Lady of Mount Carmel continue to protect all members of the
Caravan!
In Carmel,
Fr. Carl J. Markelz, O.Carm.
President / Principal