FROM THE PRESIDENT

 

Mount Michael has a reputation for being a good school academically.  There is much evidence from SAT and ACT scores as well as scholarships offered to prove it.

 

But we would not be fair to our students, honest with our parents and true to our Mission Statement if we did not place equal importance on the spiritual development of our students.

 

Our Mission Statement proclaims that we integrate a life of spirituality, scholastics and Christian   formation. So what do we do to help your son   develop spiritually?  Besides daily prayer in the morning and evening, frequent school Masses and opportunities for the Sacrament of Reconciliation our students are required to take religion five days a week for all four years.

 

Another unheralded spiritual activity among our students is the MOB (Men of Benedict) Club that provides opportunities for Adoration of the Blessed   Sacrament and other types of private and shared prayer.  The Club is very active in promoting attendance at youth activities and conferences.

 

It is also inspiring to see our students give their efforts to gather food and clothing for the poor at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This is all part of their religious formation as well as the emphasis we place on respect, honesty and truthfulness to help turn out young men from Mount Michael who are prepared intellectually as well as spiritually to take their Christian place in our Church and in our world.

 

Abbot Raphael Walsh, O.S.B.

President    

 

 

 

 

A NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL

 

On March 1^st and 2^nd, our school will host an external team representing AdvancEd.  The purpose of the visit is to review the various aspects of our school especially in the curriculum, structural and personal areas.  During the past year, our faculty and staff have put in a lot of time doing a self review of our school.  It has been a very educational experience, one that has definitely had a positive influence on our faculty and staff.  I will give you an update on the results of the visit in our next newsletter.

 

We will begin our last quarter on March 8^th.  Time has gone by quickly this year, too quickly.  Please take time over spring break to review your son’s grades.  As I have stated many times before, you are the biggest influence in your son’s education.

 

To help your son with his study habits we are going to go back to the basics.  The deans will not be allowing any laptops during the evening study hall.  What we have found is that too many of the boys are using the laptop more as a music box, game toy, or social network.  We believe that the boys should have more than enough to do during the study hall without needing to use the computer.  They will be told that they should plan to use the laptop outside of the study hall time frame. 

 

Over the past few years, our maintenance staff has been working to improve the safety of our students.  Last week the students were given a slide card to access the building.  Each card identifies the owner so we will be able to tell who used the card to enter the building and at what time.  All visitors will need to enter the building through the main school entrance from now on.  Those visitors will need to hit the buzzer to get in.  The person working the desk, Mrs. Raabe, and myself are able to let visitors in from our desks.  Even though it will be tougher for you to get into building, it will be safer for your son.  If you plan on coming out to school I would suggest you call ahead so the person you want to visit will meet you at the door.

 

Thank you for all you do for the Mount.

 

                                                                 Tom Ridder

 

 

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

 

March   5        End of the 3^rd Quarter

March 8-12     Spring Break

March 20        Prom – DC Centre

March 24        Spring Music Concert - armory

 

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

 

The Spring Season will soon be starting up and it is a good time to talk about proper game etiquette.  Mount Michael has a reputation for having respectful young men and we are striving to maintain that reputation.  With this in mind, I would like to remind everyone that it is not acceptable to demean or yell at officials/umpires.  I understand that in the emotion of the game you may react to a call, however you should not continually yell at the officials throughout the game.

 

Please join Mount Michael’s faculty, staff, and coaches in being positive role models by being gracious in victory or defeat.

 

Thank you for your support and dedication,

 

Jason Mackeprang

Mount Michael A.D.

 

FROM ADMISSIONS

 

On March 20^th, the Mount Michael Admissions Office will be having an additional 6^th, 7^th and 8^th grade testing date.  If you know any 6^th or 7^th grade students who would like to take the exam for practice or any 8^th grade student who is still undecided on a high school, please encourage them to come out for the exam.  Details on the exam are posted on the Mount Michael website.

 

Mount Michael’s incoming freshmen class is starting to take shape nicely but we are still looking for more applicants.  We are shooting for a class of 60 freshmen for the Class of 2014 and your help in getting there would be greatly appreciated.  If you have any 8^th grade or transfer student referrals you can submit their names via email or by phone to Eric Crawford at 402-253-0946 or ecrawford@mountmichael.org. 

 

The admissions office will be starting a Big Brother/Little Brother Program for our incoming freshmen.  We would like to have the incoming freshmen be paired up with an upperclassman for their freshmen and sophomore years.  The current sophomore class will be invited to participate in this program to serve as the Big Brothers.  Please encourage your son to take part in this program.

 

Upcoming Admissions Events:

 

Class of 2014 Registration

Tuesday, March 2 @ 7:30 p.m.- Mount Michael Student Union

 

8^th GRADE MAKE-UP EXAM

6^th & 7^th GRADE PRACTICE EXAM

Saturday, March 20^th- 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.-Mount Michael Student Union

 

Class of 2014 Fun Night

Tuesday, March 16^{th -} 7:30 -9:30 p.m.- Mount Michael Student Union

 

**Please encourage students to attend any of these events and to come out any time during the school year and shadow.

 

FROM THE MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT

 

Each year there are some matters that need to be brought to your attention.

 

On June 6, 1997, ATC Associates Inc. performed a three year re-inspection of Mount Michael Benedictine School.  The inspection was conducted on all friable and non-friable known or assumed asbestos containing building material. Their favorable report asked us to continue our program. For those who are unfamiliar with our situation, ATC Environmental Incorporated inspected Mount Michael in 2000 and found asbestos in the following materials: thermal pipe connections; thermal water tank insulation; acoustical ceiling materials; floor tiles; and transit board. Following this inspection, they developed and asbestos management plan for the Mount. We are confident that following this plan, we are complying with all the EPA’s rules and regulations. Detailed descriptions of out school’s plan and operations (inspections, notifications, abatement work, repairs, training, etc.) are available for review at Mount Michael. If there are any questions, feel free to call Mr. Jim Lewis – 289-2541 ext. 1027.

 

Nebraska Safe Water Drinking Act mandates that water is tested regularly at Mount Michael. These tests are made and the records are available for your review. If you would like to see these records, please contact Mr. Jim Lewis – 289-2541 ext. 1027.

 

The health announcements are part of standard governmental regulations that we must comply with each year. Please do not be alarmed. Mount Michael is a safe and healthy school.

 

Re: Annual Notification-Asbestos Management Plan.

 

The Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA), passed in 1987, required all public and private schools to inventory and inspect all buildings for asbestos containing materials. This inspection was completed at Mount Michael in 1988, and has been updated every third year, the last inspection was completed July 28, 2006. Any areas of known or assumed friable or non-friable asbestos will continue to be inspected on regular bases (every six months) and procedures implemented to assure no health hazards are present.

 

Our management plan has been filed with the State Department of Health and is in the Maintenance Office. The plan is available for public inspection during normal office hours. Copies of the management plan will be provided to requesting parties for the cost of reproduction. For further information, please contact Mr. James Lewis the schools asbestos program manager at 289-2541.

 

Reinsertions will be conducted every third year so long as asbestos is known or assumed to be in the school. This re-inspection is due July of 2012.

 

James Lewis

Program Director

 

FROM THE STUDENT/PARENT ADVISOR

 

Lent - 2010

Our Lenten Season began with our Ash Wednesday Liturgy.   Morning Prayer with the Monastic Community each Monday remind students ways to make Lent a time of extra prayer time, fasting opportunities and times of giving of themselves to others by Community Service and/or almsgiving.  

The Sacrament of Reconciliation will be offered for our students the week of March 22^nd. These are excellent opportunities for all the students in small groups to receive absolution or a blessing.

 

Junior/Senior Prom and Post Prom

-The Junior-Senior Prom, March 20^th will be held at the DC Center on 118^th and Stonegate Circle.

-Prom will begin with dinner for all Mount Michael juniors and seniors and their dates.

-Pictures will be taken between the dinner and the dance.

-Mass will be at the DC Centre immediately after the dance.

-Post Prom will be held at Family Fun Center on 70^th and Dodge from 1:00 a.m. until 3:00 am.

 

Note: Senior-Parent Mass and Video date will be changed due to some seniors attending World Robotics Championship in Dallas.

 

Sr. Carolyn

 

FROM THE BUSINESS OFFICE

 

Payment Policy Reminder

 

All obligations need to be fulfilled by the following dates unless arrangements have been made with the Business Office:

 

Seniors

April 23 by noon

 

All Other Grades

May 7 by 4:00 PM

 

Mount Michael Benedictine School expects that all tuition, fees, fines, etc. will be paid by these dates.  Failure to comply with these dates could result in students not being allowed to take final exams and, in the cases of seniors, could result in not being able to participate in graduation practice or ceremony.  Please contact Fr. Louis in the Business Office if you have any questions.

 

FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

 

Dear Adventure Seekers,

 

Join us Saturday, April 10th, 2010, as we set out on an adventure to all the countries our Knights are traveling to and from! 

 

This year’s Night of Knights, Knights Around the World theme features 7 countries:  Bahamas, China,

South Korea, Spain, Sudan, Rwanda, Thailand and USA.

 

This year we are excited to have Guests of Honor Dr. Ronald W. and Mrs. Lois Roskens, Honorary Chairmen John and Susan Moylan and our Special Recognition Guest Dave Spenner.

 

Knights Around the World

Saturday April 10th, 2010

Auction Opens at 4:00pm

Mass at 5:00pm

Social Hour / Auction at 6:00pm

Dinner at 7:00pm

Live Auction at 8:00pm

 

Reservations are being accepted.  We encourage travelers of all ages, graduation years and from all corners of the world to join us Saturday, April 10, 2010.

 

To get your reservation in early or to reserve a Corporate Table (seats 10 travelers) or a Jr. Corporate Table (seats 8 travelers, please e-mail events@mountmichael.org or call Amanda Erwin at  402-253-0950.

 

Your adventure begins at Mount Michael!

 

With you in travel,

2010 Co-Chairs

Richard and Heidi Anzalone

Bill and Deb Thomas