Dear Parents & Students,

Spring arrived early this year as we enjoyed the warmest March in recorded history, and the weeks following our return from Easter Break will move quickly. As we celebrate the Easter Season leading to Pentecost, may we rejoice in the redeeming love of God and prepare for the Spirit who enlivens our hearts and actions to live more fully in authentic relationships with God and others.

2012-2013 School Hours
Next year’s school hours will be extended to accommodate the 7-period day. School will begin at 8:05am and end at 2:40pm.

3^rd Trimester Grade Reports
Enclosed in this mailing is the Trimester 3 Grade Report. Please contact the classroom teachers with any specific questions about your son’s progress. 

Registration 2012-13
Registration materials were mailed in February. If you have not registered, please return the completed John McCarthy form and pay the $400.00 registration fee. Our extended deadline is May 1, 2012. 

Late registrations will incur a $50.00 late fee. Please communicate with us, especially if you need extra time, or if you do not plan to return to Mount Carmel. Also, those interested in applying for financial aid must pay the registration fee and pick up the appropriate forms from Mrs. Denise Carey in the Advancement Office.

Attendance Policy
Students with excessive unexcused absences face a range of academic consequences as outlined on page 15 of the Parent-Student Handbook. At minimum, a student’s grades will be lowered administratively. Excused absences are limited to a death in the family, serious illness, family emergency, or a college visit (seniors). Excused absences must be documented with a doctor or parent note. 

Fathers’ Club
The Fathers’ Club annual Fight Night is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, 2012. Admission tickets to Fight Night are available from Mrs. Sue Doheny in the Athletic Office. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.  The Fathers’ Club will have a final meeting and elections on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, at 7:00pm in the Student Center.

Mothers’ Club
Join the Mothers’ Club in the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk on Sunday, May 13, 2012.   Register for the event at: http://www.beverlybreastcancerwalk.org/register.html. Go to team Mount Carmel HS.

Mothers’ Day Mass
The Mother’s Day Mass and Recognition Ceremony will be Monday, May 14, 2012. The Recognition Ceremony, beginning at 8:30 am, will acknowledge students’ participation in extracurricular activities. Mass will begin around 9:30am. All mothers and grandmothers are welcome. Students will be dismissed following the Mass.

Honors Banquet
The Honors Banquet will be Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Georgios Banquets in Orland Park. Invitations have been mailed.

Summer School
Any student who failed a class this year must attend Summer School. Registration for Summer School will be Thursday, June 7^th from 9am – 3pm. The cost is $210 per class.

Underclassmen Final Exams
Thursday, May 31^st: Periods A, B, & C
Friday, June 1^st: Periods F, D, & E
(Please note: ONLY if the school reaches 115% of the Walkathon goal will exams will be moved to May 29 & 30.)

Senior Final Exams
Monday, May 21^st: Periods A, B, & C
Tuesday, May 22^nd: Periods F, D, & E
(Please note: if the school reaches 115% of the Walkathon goal, seniors will earn a free day on Friday, May 18, 2012).

Studying and Grades
Students are expected to study (complete homework, read, write papers, review notes) for 1½ to 2 hours each night. If your son’s grades are not what you expect, please be sure that he is developing the discipline of studying.  This should be established as a regular routine of his day and should include a quiet place that is free from phone, music, and computer (unless needed for work).

Service Hours
Service hours and reflection papers were due Monday, April 16^th. Check the MC website www.mchs.org/service for all details. Students who have not fulfilled this requirement will become ineligible immediately, will not be awarded ½ day Fridays in May (if the Walkathon goals are met), and may have to pay to attend a summer session in June to complete this requirement.

After School Policy for Students
Students who are NOT involved in after-school activities should make arrangements to leave the school campus. Students waiting for rides should wait in the Commons and are not allowed to leave campus and return or to roam the buildings. Parents will be notified if their son does not comply with these rules, and he will be required to leave campus immediately after school.

MC Facebook
Want to keep up with what is new at Mount Carmel? Join the Mount Carmel Facebook page and share it with your friends and alumni at www.facebook.com/MountCarmelHS

Walkathon
The Mount Carmel Walkathon on Friday, April 27, 2012, is our annual fundraiser supporting Mount Carmel athletics and extracurricular programs.  Eighty-five percent of our students are involved in a program that benefits from the funds raised in the Walkathon. All students are expected to participate by collecting $75 in pledges from neighbors, family members and friends.

Graduation
Sunday, May 27, 2012, at 3:00pm at the University of Chicago’s Rockefeller Chapel.

MBS Book Buy Back
Our online book company, MBS Direct, will host a book buy-back for seniors on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, following their exams, and for the underclassmen on Friday, June 1, 2012.  Watch for details and information on our website.

KFK Jr. Scholarship Fundraiser
The annual Kevin Kennelly Scholarship fundraiser at Sox Park will be held Monday, July 23, 2012 as the Sox take on the Minnesota Twins.  Tickets are only $40 each. Email l_kennelly@sbcglobal.net to purchase tickets.

2012-2013 Calendar Dates
Monday, Aug.13^th: Freshmen Orientation
Tuesday, Aug 14^th: Senior Orientation
Wed, Aug 15^th: Sophomore and Junior Orientation

Friday, Aug 17^th: Half Day for Freshmen

Monday, Aug 20^th: First Day of Classes

December 21^st – January 7^th: Christmas Break

March 28^th - April 8^th: Easter Break

May 31^st: Last Day of Classes

(More dates are listed on the Edline Calendar)

Final Thoughts
Our faith in the resurrection gives meaning to the sacrifice and struggle that are born out of love. As parents, you know the reality of this mystery because you continually give of yourself for your children. Thank you for the sacrifices that you make in order to send your son to Mount Carmel. While he may not say it often, your son will grow in appreciation of your gift as he sees the fruit of his spiritual, educational, and social foundation that will sustain him in life. May Our Lady of Mount Carmel bless and protect you and your family. 

In Carmel,