What is the game schedule for the weekend?

Thursday, August 26, 2010:

West Catholic vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s at West Catholic High school.

Freshman game at 4:30pm ~ JV game at 7:00pm

Friday, August 27, 2010:

Catholic Central JV vs. Traverse City St. Francis JV at the CAT at 12:00pm

Varsity Games at West Catholic High School.

Catholic Central vs. Traverse City St. Francis at 4:00pm

West Catholic vs. Orchard Lake St. Mary’s at 7:30pm

How much are tickets?

Freshman and JV games: regular season, admission pricing and passes will apply - $5.00. All tickets for Friday night games are $7.00. You can buy one ticket and that will be good for both games. No sports passes will be allowed for the Varsity games. Ticket gate will open at 3:00 pm on Friday.

Where can I purchase tickets?

Advance tickets can be purchased at CC and WC athletic offices until 4 pm on Thursday, August 26th.

Where is the best place to park?

Parking will be available in the West Catholic lots and Betz Industries, south parking lot (2121 Bristol Ave NW). There will be busing from the Betz lot starting at 2:30 pm. A $1.00 donation is suggested for all parking.

Can I tailgate before the game?

Tailgating is allowed on West Catholic property only – please only use Betz Industries for parking. We will have security policing all parking lots and any tailgaters in undesignated areas will be asked to leave. Alcohol is prohibited on school property.

Can I reserve seating or a tailgate area?

There will be no reserve seating or tailgating. Everything is first come, first serve. After the game, please take all of your belongings with you as other fans may need a seat for their game. We will be bringing in additional bleacher seating for these games.

Will I be able to purchase this year’s spirit shirt?

There will be no merchandise sold at this game other than the “event” t-shirt.

Can I bring food into the game?

There will be no outside food allowed into the stadium. The concession stand will be open and there will be a steak dinner available from 5:00 – 8:00 pm in the West Catholic Cafeteria The steak dinner consists of steak/chicken, homemade coleslaw, bread, dessert and drink. Tickets are $10/adult and $5/kids meal (cheese pizza, dessert and drink).

Supporting Catholic Central/West Catholic High Schools

The proceeds from this event will be split between both schools evenly. The 50/50 raffle will go to the sports boosters at both high schools as well.

Come join us for the 24^th Annual Cougar Open Golf Tournament. This year’s event will be hosted at the Egypt Valley Country Club on September 13^th.

Friends, Family and Supporters of Catholic Central are invited to enjoy a great outing for a wonderful cause. This event is a “5-person scramble.” Proceeds will go to continue the academic and athletic excellence at Catholic Central. Find more details and register at:

www.CougarOpen.com

As we move forward into a new school year with many changes in place, there are still questions in the community that remain. Many questions have been answered by previous communications, however, this is an effort to give clarity and ease to obtaining your answers. We have made efforts to improve our communication plan and you will be hearing from us more often in a timely manner.

In our town hall meeting, members of our community posed questions that we want to address again. As explained in Father Stasker’s letter on May 19^th, the reason for going to a one principal model for both high schools was due to a governance issue. Realigning our administrative structure strengthens our ability to be flexible in adapting to constantly changing conditions such as enrollment numbers and school funding. In addition, a statement was made at the open school board meeting that only 38% of our students are college ready. This statement needs clarification. This statement was made in the context of the ACT Board report sent to us (and all Michigan high schools). This report states that 38% of our students exceeded the minimum standards needed for college readiness in ALL four core curriculum areas: Math, Science, History and English. It is an ACT College Board measurement intended as a tool for high schools to improve the structure of their academic programs. The state average is around 30%, with the highest score in the state at 44%. The report reminds us (as well as all Michigan high schools) that we have work to do in improving our core curriculum. A big benefit to our Catholic high schools is that we go beyond the core curriculum by positively developing our students’ physical and socio-emotional abilities, in service to others, faith and many other areas.

The role of the Board of Education as an advisory board was clearly addressed by GRCSS Board Chairman, Mark Scott, at the May board meeting and in his letter to the community dated June 11^th, 2010.

Other issues for clarification:

·   As Fr. Stasker stated in his May 19^th letter to the community, there was $912,722 in total unpaid tuition ($512,564 at CC; $400,157 at WC). Though there were exceptions, for the most part, the unpaid tuition referenced was for the 2009-2010 only. To date, the unpaid balance is down to apr. $515,000.

·   The business office is working daily, on a case-by-case basis, with the families who have communicated their needs with them.

·   The financial audit during the summer of 2009 uncovered many issues that needed to be investigated. The investigation has been ongoing with guidance from the auditors. It should be noted that the auditors did not find any wrong doing. As part of the corrective actions this spring, GRCSS started using a new financial package that allows for a clearer real-time picture of our finances and can adapt to fast changing economic and enrollment numbers both positive and negative. 

·   This is a challenge; not a crisis. The schools are on course to eliminate the deficit (that has been compounding over the past years) and collect the 2009-2010 past due tuition. Generous donors are stepping forward to help with the tuition assistance need.

·   The GRCSS or the Diocese has not rejected an offer from donors to pay off debt.

·   This is both a financial issue and an HR issue as experienced by many schools across the country in the current economy. Due to declining enrollment, it was a financial decision to right-size the staff at our schools.

·   The Bishop Fund for Catholic Education provides tuition assistance and the parishes provide tuition assistance as well. It is the schools’ relationship with the diocese that guarantees their continuing operation through difficult financial times.

·   There has not been a change to the admissions process that was set up 2 years ago. The HSPT will continue to be used and if the student scores 20% or below, the application will be reviewed; If you are a partner school student scoring below 20%, you will be admitted, but on academic probation.

In closing, we want to communicate that making changes are difficult, however necessary, to position our schools for an ever-changing environment. We intend to continue our tradition established over the last 100 years by providing our children and their families with an opportunity to receive an outstanding Catholic education at the secondary level.

We appreciate your continued prayers. We look forward to this fall and kicking off another successful school year.

Save the Date! Please join us on Friday, August 27, 2010 at West Catholic Falcon Stadium for the inaugural Cross State Catholic Football Shootout. Come and cheer our teams on to victory!

Catholic Central will take on Traverse City St. Francis at 4:00 pm.

West Catholic battles Orchard Lake St. Mary’s at 7:30 pm.

There will be a steak dinner from 5:00 to 8:00.

More information to come in the next few weeks…

Dear Friends of Catholic Central High School,

Many families want to continue to choose catholic education for their kids, but they need our help. The life of a school is full of milestones, turning points and defining moments that shape the very character and essence of its mission. Our hopes and needs rest very much in the reality of the present.  As you can imagine, this year’s reality has been and remains a challenge. 

Your support of the school has been an integral part of our success. It is through the generosity of alumni, parents and friends that Catholic Central can continue to nurture the intellectual, creative and physical abilities of its students in order for them to meet the challenges that face them today and in the future. Our families need your support now. We have a large need, approximately $500,000, for tuition assistance this year that we currently cannot provide. Funds have been donated to substantially assist our families in the Catholic Education Opportunity Fund at Catholic Central. Seeded with $200,000 from generous donors, we are hoping to raise $500,000 in total for this fund. This fund will benefit students that have come to our school from our partner K-8 schools. In order to receive these funds, the student must be registered with the business office and have a PSAS form submitted.  

             “… I am grateful that my parents sacrifice so much for me to attend Catholic Central. I have benefited by receiving a top-notch education, meeting friends and teachers strong in their faith, and becoming stronger in my own faith and deeper in my relationship with God. In order for me to experience all of these gifts, I realize that my parents must give up so much…”

Would you consider a donation for emergency tuition assistance? Regardless of the amount, your gift can help significantly impact the students of Catholic Central. If you, or someone you know is in need of additional or any financial assistance, please have them register with the business office and fill out a PSAS form as soon as possible. You may request any registration form by email to: christineodriscoll@grcss.org Thank you for your continued support for our fine school! Your support, whether financial or through prayer, is greatly appreciated. 

Please send donations to:

Catholic Central High School

Catholic Education Opportunity Fund

Cathedral Square Center

360 Division Ave. S

Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4539

Sincerely,

Christine O’Driscoll

Advancement Director

Catholic Central High School

140 people (including 90 choir students) from Catholic Central High School will depart on their “Heart of Italy” tour on June 23. This is the high school choirs’ third tour to Italy and Vatican City.

The Vatican has invited the choirs to sing for the Papal Mass for the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul in the Basilica of Saint Peter. Pope Benedict XVI is the main celebrant for this Mass. Furthermore, the choirs will be singing a formal concert for the city of Rome in the beautiful church of St. Ignatius in Rome, an additional Sunday Liturgy at the Chair of St. Peter in the Basilica of St. Peter, and will be singing a formal concert and making a formal presentation/visit with our sister city, Perugia.

Other tour highlights include a visit to Assisi to visit the sites of St. Francis and St. Clare (including praying and singing at the Basilica of St. Francis), and a visit to the Renaissance city of Florence. The choirs will return on July 1.

The “Heart of Italy” tour will be led by Dennis Rybicki, Director of Music, and Fr. David Gross (CC-1993), Spiritual Director.

Please click on the following link Board Address re: Restructuring and Strategic Planning  to view an open letter from our Secondary Schools Board Chairman, Mr. Mark Scott, addressing the Board’s view of recent events occurring within the Catholic Secondary Schools, including strategic planning and organizational restructuring.  

On Wednesday, May 19, 2010, the 169 seniors of the Class of 2010 received diplomas in the graduation ceremonies held at Catholic Central High School.

The ceremonies began with a Baccalaureate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. The principal celebrant and homilist was Bishop Walter Hurley, with Pastor/President Fr. R. Louis Stasker and local pastors and assistant pastors as concelebrants.

The Commencement and conferral of diplomas took place in the Catholic Central Gymnasium. Both Pastor/President Fr. R. Louis Stasker and Principal Steve Passinault addressed the graduates. Valedictorian John Capodilupo and Salutatorian Andrew Mooney also gave speeches. Diplomas were then awarded by Bishop Hurley and the graduates’ pastors. Congratulations Graduates!

The senior class received a total of $6,064,496 in scholarship offers this year and will be attending 39 different colleges and universities.

Please click on the following link for the complete list of graduates and their scholarships and awards.

Catholic Central Graduates 2010 Scholarships and Awards 

Albion College

Joseph Howard Barcheski

Aquinas College

Aleksander Jozef Serba

Charles Philip Routzahn

Erin Elizabeth Murphy

Fungai Mboko

Geoffrey V Albaugh

Jade Alexandra Chavez

Kelli Jo Burns

Leah Kathryn Nawrocki

Logan Andrew Bandlow

Matthew Ellis

Benedictine University

Matthew Dennis Drummond

California State University, Monterey Bay

Grant Hagene

Central Michigan University

Andrew Joseph Morley

Catherine Jane Nixon

Collin Noble Ricketts

Courtney Briana Bond

Daniel James Dool

Danielle Conklin

James Christian Berlin

Jonathan David Sremba

Megan E Rohen

Nicholas Ryan Olmetti

Reilly Anne Yondo

Tyler Brant Regan-Young

Zachary Michael Putkovich

College of Mount Saint Joseph

Maureen Mahoney Rabaut

Columbia College Chicago

Haley Elizabeth Callaway

DePaul University

Grace Vachon

Dominick James Ens

Ferris State University

Anne Elizabeth Murphy

Ashlee Marie Kersjes

Corey Nelson Donders

Joseph White

Loren Maria Irving

Grand Rapids Community College

Aaron William Burress

Adam James Vandekerkhoff

Adilenne Bedolla

Andrew John Libriani

Andrew Michael Belsito

Chase Michael Rabideau

Chelsea Ann Bailey

Clark Albert Mahlebashian

Dakota Lynn Streling

Elizabeth Ann Coderre

Elizabeth Anne Mauren

Emelia Anne Clark

Emily R Lowing

Erik John Patterson

Federico Jesus Valdez

Jason Andrew Zakrajsek

Jeremiah Vanhorne Sluggett

Karen Elaine Malone

Katherine Annette Vandenbrook

Kelly Elizabeth Ball

Kelly Erin Wheeler

Kevin Christopher Carmody

Kyle Scott Phillips

Lily Victoria Wardrop

Lindy Marie Nawrocki

Mariah Selena Salazar

Mark Ryan Iacopelli

Matthew Ellis

Michael Steven Jacobs

Patrick Oliver Saunders

Phillip Alexander Russell

Shelby Lynn Tompkins

Steven John Berninger

Timothy Patrick Kane

Tyler Lucas Caro

Yakem Weldegabr Kurban

Yohana Yohannes

Grand Valley State University

Alysa Gregory

Christopher D Smyka

Daniel Christian Winther

Daniel Joseph Quinn

Kelsey Marie Obiden

Lindsay Frances Mccarty

Luke Reilly Lowing

Michael Gerard Robach

Natalie Marie Abdou

Rachel Maria Najar

Rachel Marie Baldwin

Samantha Marie Cuncannan

Sharon Angelica Downer

Simonne Nadine Mitchelson

Harvard University

Andrew Robert Mooney

John Capodilupo

Hope College

Brittany Katherine Berry

MacKenzie Marie Brady

Indiana University Bloomington

Benjamin Ertl

Gabrielle Anne Thomas

Hannah Marie Gallagher

Kendall College of Art and Design

Karla Argueta

Lake Superior State University

Kevin James Danhof

Loyola University Chicago

Alex Thomas Poole

Benjamin Thomas Rosenbach

David W Ziemke

Madelyn Anne VanderVeen

Sarah Jordan Campeau

Madonna University

Jessica Corine Klapko

Austin Anthony John Webster

Christopher Nienhaus

Clare Flynn Sarnacki

III Moran

Massachusetts Maritime Academy

Andrew Joseph Peterson

Michigan State University

Allyson Marie Flak

Annalise Marie Pickrel

Anne Marie Degraw

Austin Joseph Mead

Benjamin Bowen

Chelsea Elisabeth Mervenne

Danielle Marie LaVille

Gerald Christopher Saumier

Kevin Barry DeWildt

Kristyna Nicole Nunzio

Lauren Ophelia Rockwell

Maria Murphy Bunchman

Michael Jigo

Robert Perry Reed

Michigan Technological University

Justin Michael Kelly

Quinn Michael Treece

Northern Michigan University

Betsy Rose Grant

Erik Michael Mcgraw

Jeremy Lipzinski

Matthew Ellis

Stratton Jennings Zervoudakis

Purdue University

Yoo Jung Heo

Saint Louis University

Iii Kopfensteiner

Saint Mary's College

Bryanna Leigh Hillary

Jennifer Marie Bandeen

Kaliegh Fields

Trine University

Aaryn L Guy

University at Albany, State University of New York

YouJeong Yun

University of Chicago

Nathan Holmes Lowe

University of Dayton

Brian Michael Gorski

Jonathan Louis Pangle

Julie Rachelle Scott

Kevin Joseph Berry

Mara Catherine Heitz

Victoria Wise

Zoe Elizabeth VanHeest

University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign

Jeong Chul Park

University of Miami

Andrew Michael Jakubowski

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Emily Elizabeth Mancewicz

Emily Ngoc Thao Tran

Jeffrey David Burgess

Julian Joseph Benzer

Kathryn Ann Luczek

Kevin Thomas Zoellner

Patrick Leo Firlik

Sarah Ann Koehn

Sunghun Lee

Thomas Francis Kennedy

University of Notre Dame

Kelly Harmon

University of Saint Francis

Elizabeth Anne Faber

University of Saint Francis

Kieran Christian Barth

Han Ju Lee

Valparaiso University

Sidney Ellen Yondo

Western Michigan University

Andrew August Chiari

Brittany Danielle Gervais

Caitlyn Andrews

David Loren Vincent Ginebaugh

John W Ehlich

Megan Marie Milito

Patrick Joseph Kneibel

Ronald Andrew Kaminski

Roosevelt Jalen Ferrell-Tillman

Sarah Sue Saints

We continue to accept Applications for Admission.  For more information, please contact our Advancement Director, Christine O'Driscoll at 616-233-5816 or christineodriscoll@grcss.org.

Come join our Cougar family!