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It is our hope that on June 10, 2009, your daughter will be part of the 100th graduation class of Cathedral High School. Only students who have settled all of their financial obligations and have satisfied the graduation requirements will be allowed to participate in the ceremony. We are doing everything we can to make this a memorable experience for her. Very few schools have the privilege of graduating from the Cathedral of St. Patrick., probably the most famous Catholic Church in the nation.

To make this a treasured lifetime experience, the staffs of St. Patrick’s and Cathedral High School want to remind you of a few very important points. As in many public places, security has been tightened and these measures must be followed.

As a sign of respect for all, please hold your applause until all names of students in each homeroom are called. This allows everyone to hear the name of the graduate they have come to honor. I do not want to have to stop the ceremony.

Many graduations are held in theatres, gymnasiums or auditoriums. Since St. Patrick’s Cathedral is a sacred space of the utmost importance to New York Catholics, proper decorum and behavior is required. Loud outbursts or standing on seats/pews are unacceptable in this house of worship as it would be in any church of any faith.

I would feel terrible if any of our families had to suffer the embarrassment of being asked to leave by St. Patrick’s security personnel because they forgot the respect due any true House of Prayer, whether it is your faith or not. Please follow all the directives of the Cathedral’s security personnel.

I thank you for your cooperation. It is a wonderful moment for you and also for us. Your daughter is very special, and we want this graduation to be perfect for her.

The school year has entered its last full month of classes. The teachers and students are working hard to make sure all the work required by the State of New York is covered and that the final examinations will be met with success.

As the year ends, we are planning for the next school year. Most students have returned their course selection sheets to Ms. Eivers and she and the guidance counselors are reviewing them. Ms. Eivers will be in touch with any student who has a schedule problem. If your daughter has not returned her course selection sheet at this time to reregister, a fee of $80 must accompany the course selection sheet.

We are all aware that the nation’s economic condition is not as healthy as we would like. Unfortunately, just as your bills continue to go up ours also experience an increase. If we were to charge our students what it actually costs, the tuition and fees would have to add up to over $12,000. Obviously, we cannot do that and remain faithful to our mission. The tuition for next year will increase by $200 to $6,225. The school fee will be $400. The first tuition payment is due to Tuition Management Systems by August 10, 2009. The school fee is due to Cathedral High School by July 1, 2009. I have included a schedule of payments with this letter.

For the next school year, we will mail a copy of your daughter’s class schedule home before September 1, 2009. With the schedule you will receive information on how to purchase the textbooks and workbooks she will need for the coming year. No schedule will be mailed to a student who has not paid the school fee.

The student fee is charged each student each year. This fee includes all academic subject fees (except art), teacher handouts, testing and skills programs, guidance materials, student insurance, ID cards, computer and internet fees, student planners, locks, yearbook, newspaper, and free admission to all home sporting events, plays, and concerts.

The student fee is due by July 1, 2009. A check or money order made payable to Cathedral High School may be mailed or brought in person to Ms. Hormillosa at the school between 9:30 AM and 11:30 AM. Please be sure the student’s name and grade are written on the check or money order.

The actual cost to educate each student is about $12,000 per year. Since the combination of tuition and school fees fall short of this amount, we require each family to participate in our fund raising activities. These activities include a Walk-a-thon, Candy Sale, Christmas Bazaar, and Cheesecake Sale.

Each student is required to bring in a minimum of $25 from sponsors for the Walk-a-thon in November and $50 for the Candy Sale in March. Students and families are encouraged to attend the Christmas Bazaar in December and to purchase cheesecake in the Spring.

Senior year is filled with several events that provide your daughter with special memories. One of those events is the senior prom. A prom can be an evening that results in very happy, pleasant memories. Unfortunately, it can also be an event that produces unpleasant results. I write today to ask your help in making this year’s senior prom one that only results in the former.

The society in which we live tends to accentuate behavior that, as a Catholic high school, we cannot allow. During the time your daughter has attended Cathedral, her teachers have tried to emphasize that what is popular is not always the right way of behaving. The way people dress and the manner in which they behave reflects on a person’s family and, in our case, a student’s school. While the media showcase celebrities in gowns that are very revealing, a senior at a prom sponsored by a Catholic high school should not believe she can imitate that type of dress. As celebrities make headlines in the newspapers for behaving badly in public, a student at Cathedral High School must understand that she is representing a Catholic high school with a long tradition of respect for good behavior. The media and modern dance clubs glamorize a manner of dancing that is sexually suggestive in nature; that type of dancing is inappropriate and unacceptable at a Cathedral High School prom.

I ask your help in speaking with your daughter and her escort before they attend the senior prom. It would be very embarrassing to your daughter, her escort, and the teachers chaperoning the senior prom if your daughter was asked to leave the prom because of her dress, behavior, or manner of dancing.

You have made many sacrifices to provide a solid education for our daughter. I would not want your daughter or her escort to put her graduation in jeopardy by behaving inappropriately.

The end of February and the month of March have been very busy times for the Cathedral High School Community.

The first day we returned from our winter recess we heard that Archbishop Timothy Dolan was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to lead the New York Archdiocese. Since the Cathedral Gym was used by Cardinal Egan to introduce the new Archbishop to the New York City press corps, several of our teachers and students had the opportunity to meet our new spiritual leader. Archbishop Dolan told the students he was thrilled to hear that there was a high school in the same building as his office and he hoped to come to visit them when he settled into his new position.

A team of five educators spent the last week of February observing and interviewing faculty, students, staff and administrators to determine if Cathedral High School should be reaccredited by the Middle States Association of Secondary School. I am happy to report that the visit went very well and the visiting team has recommended to the Commission that we have our accreditation extended for the next seven years.

As the Middle States team left, we welcomed to our school family the students who will comprise the Class of 2014. Incoming freshmen had the opportunity to get measured for their uniform and take a language placement test as their parents/guardians took care of the needed paper work to enroll a new student. Cathedral students who acted as hostesses for this occasion reminisced of how they felt the day they came for registration and assured our newest family members that they had made the right choice.

Ms. Eivers, Assistant Principal for Academics, provided current students with information about their courses for the 2009-2010 school year. Your daughters, with the help of their teachers and guidance counselor, have reviewed the graduation requirements set by New York State and Cathedral High School and have selected their courses for the coming year. I ask that the re-registration fee be paid to ensure your daughter’s place for September.

As life-long learners, members of the faculty have been busy this month attending professional development workshops. Workshops on reading, using technology in science classes, chemistry, math, and social studies have provided the teachers the opportunity to learn about new techniques to help students succeed in school.

March has also been a month of spiritual renewal for our students. Each grade level has participated in a day of reflection. This is a time students get to step away from the usual routines of school and reflect on their relationship with God. The day has included some serious talks, some time for relaxation, and quiet time to think. It is fitting that the students have time during the season of Lent to reflect and prepare for the great feast of Easter. Fr. Poveromo and Ms. Garcia with the assistance of some members of the junior and senior classes organized the Reflection Days for the freshmen, sophomores and juniors.

Members of the Cathedral High School Band have represented our school at various parades. The most famous of the parades, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue, proved to all that the hard work and hours of practice produced excellent results. WNBC, Channel 4, filmed the band as they practiced for the parade and aired a nice piece about the band on St. Patrick’s Day. I am grateful to the students and their band director, Mr. William Losier, for representing our school so well.

Students in the Medical Gateways program were featured on WABC, Channel 7. Ms. D’Orazi director of the program, Ms. Greenfield, an instructor in the program, and several students were interviewed by education reporter Art McFarland.

The second school fundraiser for the year—World Finest Chocolate sale, begins on April 1. Each student is expected to sell at least one box of chocolate.

Your daughter will receive her report card for the third marking period on April 6, 2009. When you look at the Report Card, please remember that if your daughter fails a course for the year, she must take the course in summer school this summer and pass. If she should fail three or more courses, she may be asked to leave Cathedral High School. If you have any questions about the report card, please contact your daughter’s teachers and/or guidance counselor.

There is a calendar change for April 8. The Federal government provides grants for professional development for teachers in various areas of instruction. With the help of two of the Associate Superintendents of School for the Archdiocese, Dr. Paul Lynch and Dr. Mary Jane Krebbs, the faculty of Cathedral High School will have a workshop on Writing Across the Curriculum on April 8. The students will not have school on that day.

May the joy of the Resurrection and the peace of Christ be with all members of the Cathedral family. Thank you for your continued support.

The January examination period has ended and the majority of our students did very well on their examinations. For those who did not, the Department chairpersons of each of our academic departments, along with their teachers, will be setting up a study plan for each student to help ensure success by the end of the year.

As you examine your daughter's report card, please feel free to contact her teachers if you need an explanation of her grades. Her guidance counselor is also a good resource for tutoring services that may be available. a parent/teacher conference is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2009 from3:30 PM until 6:30 PM.

Last month you all received a letter from Dr. Timothy McNiff, Superintendent of Schools for the Archdiocese of New York, explaining a change in the governance of Cathedral High School. We are in the process now of forming a Board of Trustees and looking forward to working them to ensure the continued tradition of an excellent education, rooted in Gospel values, which Cathedral has provided for over one hundred years. I will keep you informed as we move ahead with this exciting project.

When we return from the winter break, your daughters will receive information about courses for the next academic year. To allow the teachers the time to analyze past performance of students and design programs that will help students to succeed, your daughter will not have class on Friday, February 13, 2009. You will be asked to review your daughter's course selection and return the course selection form with a registration fee of $75.

Also, after the winter break, a team of educators selected by the Commission for Secondary Schools of Middle States will be visiting our school to review our plan for academic growth over the next seven years. The faculty, staff, parents and students have been working on this project for over a year, and we all look forward to the team's visit and their comments.

We have had two very successful open house events for incoming students. Mrs. Rivera and Mrs. Velez in our Development Office, along with many student ambassadors, provided our guests with information about our school. The response has been very positive.

A core group of parents met with the staff of the Development Office to brainstorm some new ideas to raise additional revenue for the school. Any additional money could be used to help offset the school's deficit and/or provide additional financial assistance to our students. I will keep you posted on their progress.

Each day I am energized by the spirit of our faculty and your daughters. In addition to working hard in their classes, the students and faculty share time outside the classroom. In athletics, our volleyball team finished a most successful season under the guidance of their coach Ms. Conway and our athletic director Mr. Pipchinski. The students in the Cathedral High School Band, under the direction of their moderator Mr. Losier, represented our school at over a dozen parades throughout the New York metropolitan area. Mrs. Garcia, our Campus Minister, has engaged many students in service opportunities and organized a successful Thanksgiving food drive. Students and faculty have raised money for and awareness of various causes by participating in walk-a-thons for breast cancer, autism, lupus, and muscular dystrophy. This month some students and faculty will be visiting hospitals and nursing homes and collecting toys for children to bring the “Christmas Spirit” to many who are alone.

As the New Year approaches we look back at our accomplishments and make plans for the future. As you can see, Cathedral High School can rejoice in the great work of our teachers and students. They have put the words of our mission statement into action. We look forward in the next two months to mid-term exams, a visit from a team of educators to help us achieve reaccreditation from the Middle States Commission for Secondary Schools, and applications for admission for the Class of 2013.

Among our concerns for the future is the fiscal health of our school and the school community. All of you have been impacted in some way by the economic problems of our nation. Cathedral High School is no exception. We depend on the payment of tuition and fees to meet our financial responsibilities to our employees and contractors. Our Development Office has been in contact with alumnae, friends and foundations to help us achieve a balanced budget. To be admitted to mid-term exams, all students have to be up-to-date in payment of tuition and fees. If you have a difficulty, please contact Ms. Hormillosa to set up a payment plan so we will be able to plan.

On behalf of Ms. Eivers, Mrs. Lawlor, the faculty, and staff of Cathedral High School I extend to your family our best wishes for a blessed Christmas season and a happy and healthy New Year.

Dear Cathedral Parents/Guardians,

As we come to the mid point of our first marking period, I wanted to share with you information about some past activities at Cathedral and some upcoming events.

We welcomed 152 ninth grade students to the Cathedral family on September 3^rd. By now they have settled into the school routine and seem to be enjoying their high school experience. Many ninth grade parents came to school the evening of September 24^th to meet the school administrators and to receive some information concerning internet safety from our ADAPP counselor, Jennifer Martin. Freshmen attended a special assembly on September 26^th on “Making High School Count”. The students got some practical advice on how to budget their time, how to take notes, and how to organize their work.

The eleventh and twelfth grade students attended a special assembly on September 18^th. Students from Germany who were visiting New York to march in the Steuben Day Parade came to the school to share their music and culture with our students. Members of our school band were given the opportunity to eat lunch with our guests and to perform for them. Twelfth grade parents came to a meeting on the evening of October 2^nd organized by the members of our Guidance Department and learned about the college application process and financial aide for college.

We were pleased to receive word from the College Board that six of our students achieved the status of Advanced Placement Scholars and one student achieved Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction based on their outstanding performance on the Advanced Placement Examinations they took last May. We congratulate graduates Evana Amaya, Rosa Jiminian, Kyung Jin Jun, Sarita Ram, Maryellen Sofiste and Marisa Stone. Present senior Rochelle Catuira was recognized as an AP Scholar and was given Commended Student Status on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. We were notified that Theara Coleman, also a present senior, is a semifinalist in the 2009 National Achievement Scholarship competition. This was based on Tara’s success on the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. We are very proud of the success of these students and congratulate them, their families, and their teachers.

Some upcoming events that you will want to be aware of are:

Sunday, October 19^th we will be having an Open House for 8^th grade students who may be interested in attending Cathedral. If you have a friend or neighbor who has an 8th grade daughter, I hope you will recommend they come to our Open House.

Tuesday, October 21^st Progress Reports will be given to students in the 9^th and 10^th grades. If your daughter receives a Progress Report, please be sure to contact her teachers to see how she can eliminate the deficiency before the Report Cards are issued.

Thursday, October 30^th is our annual Walk-a-thon. All students are required to participate and to collect at least $25.00. This money is dedicated to improving the technology the students and teachers use at Cathedral. We are very fortunate that in the past the money raised has provided new desktop computers, projectors, and SmartBoards.

Tuesday, November 4^th is Election Day. Since the school will be used as a polling place for the neighborhood, the students will not have school on this day. This is a change in the original calendar. We urge all who are eligible to vote to exercise their right.

Tuesday, November 18^th Report cards will be distributed to the students. Please note that all tuition and fees must be up to date before any report card will be released. Parents should have an opportunity to speak with the teachers on Wednesday, November 19^th at a Parent/Teacher Conference from 3:30 PM until 7:00 PM.

Wednesday, November 26^th students will be attending a Thanksgiving Liturgy at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The school will be closed on Thursday, November 27^th and Friday, November 28^th for the Thanksgiving recess.

During the month of November, the Catholic Church remembers in a special way those who have died. Each school day, Father Poveromo, Chairperson of our Religion Department offers Mass in the school chapel at 7:30 AM. We will be asking the students to submit the name(s) of any family member or friend who has died so they can be remembered in a special way at the daily Masses for the month of November. The students are invited everyday to attend the Mass and we extend this invitation to you also.

All of us at Cathedral thank you for your support and for entrusting your daughters to us for their education. May God continue to bless you and your families.