Montgomery Catholic Seniors Engaged Using Technology in the Classroom

For the first time since Montgomery Catholic began its one-to-one innovative in 2013, the senior class has daily use of laptops.  Increased access to technology for each student has led to a better use of existing technology.  For example, in Mrs. LaFond's classes, students have been using turnitin.com for years to submit papers.  Now, they are able to participate in a class discussion board.  Students enjoy connecting to friends in other class periods, viewing multiple responses to questions, extending responses, and documenting class discussion.  Not only is their online discussion an opportunity to better understand class material, but they will also be better prepared for college since most college courses incorporate online discussion boards in course assessments. Montgomery Catholic Senior English teacher Mrs. Amanda Lafond said "Amazing things are going on in my classroom, the students are engaged and actively discussing class assignments with their peers. It is exciting to see them engaged and excited about class discussions in a new way." After the success in the English 12 courses, other teachers are looking to utilize this valuable and exciting feature. Montgomery Catholic is proud of the faculty's initiative and leadership in integrating technology is such useful ways, continuing the long tradition of preparing students for college.

Montgomery Catholic's Holy Spirit Campus Celebrates Grandparent's Day in a Big Way!

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School's Holy Spirit Campus welcomed Grandparents to campus on Thursday, September 17, 2015. The day began with Principal Mr. Matthew Monson saying prayer and pledge around the flag pole and introducing his special guest for the day, his own "Papa", Mr. Norman H. Rahn, Jr. to his students. Afterwards students celebrated Mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church with their Grandparents. Father Patrick Driscoll and Father Phillip McKenna were the celebrants. Montgomery Catholic's President, Anne Ceasar welcomed and thanked all of the families for supporting Catholic education and for the gift of their grandchildren. The Parent Teacher Council (PTC) hosted a reception, and  invited students and their guests to the gymnasium for a visit, donuts, coffee and juice.  Grandparents had an opportunity to have their picture made with their students by Total Image before they were invited back to the classrooms.  Having generations of families on campus is a longtime tradition at Montgomery Catholic, and will continue to be as Montgomery Catholic celebrates over 140 years of continuous education in Montgomery.

Founded in 1873, Montgomery Catholic Preparatory Schools Mission is:

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is an integral part of the Catholic Church's mission to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.  As an adult community, we share in the responsibility to prepare students for college and beyond while helping them grow to become persons of faith, virtue and wisdom.

Montgomery Catholic fifth grade student, Will Belsterling enjoyed visiting with
his Grandmother, Marge Belsterling at school on Grandparents day.

MONTGOMERY CATHOLIC’S TERMITE FOOTBALL TEAM LEARNING ALL ABOUT TEAMWORK.

The youngest Montgomery Catholic Knights are from 2^nd - 4^th grade. Warming up before a big game coach Kerry Franklin reminds them the importance of teamwork to get the win; Cooper Beesley, Michael Hill, Ryan Parker, Dalton Dermus, Kameron Dean, Roderick Bristow, Ayden Hodge, Kason Franklin, Geroge Allison, Barrett Beesley and Carter Anderson. 

Cheering the Knights on at all of the games for Montgomery Catholic's Termite football team, the Termite Cheerleaders for the 2015 season are (pictured from left to right): Savannah Decker,Sarah Ellis,Ella Castanza, Kathryn Reardon,Lily Abbott, Eliana Conceicao, Sophia Lopez, and Mally Barranco with their coach Mrs. Mary Kelley. Team members not pictured are Lily Coulombe, Morgan Donaldson, Virginia Driver, Taylor Ellis.

Montgomery Catholic Elects Middle School SGA Officers for 2015-2016

Middle School students at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School recently selected their officers for the 2015-2016 academic year. Chandler Ford was elected as SGA President, Ryan Barranco as SGA Vice President, Kinley Tadlock as Secretary, and Ines Gonzalez-Ansaldi was elected as the SGA Chaplain. Class representatives were also elected for seventh and eighth grade. Seventh grade SGA representatives are Gracie Barranco, McKenzie Norton, Camille Morgan and Patrick Hess. Eighth grade SGA representatives are Cedajia Jones, Tyler Hoffman, Alexis Weber, Skylar Sparks and Anna Sadie. Mrs. Amanda Fuller is the Middle School SGA Sponsor.

22 MCPS Seventh Grade Students Qualify for Duke Tips Program

Twenty-two Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School Middle School students qualify for the Duke Tips program. The largest program of its kind, participants in the Duke TIP 7th Grade Talent Search identify academic strengths, develop abilities and interests, and celebrate their achievements at a crucial time when they are forming their identities and looking ahead to the future. TIP assists families in determining how advanced their students’ academic abilities are and what level of educational challenge is appropriate.

As part of the talent search enrollment, Duke TIP registers eligible seventh graders to take either the ACT (no writing) or the SAT as an above-level test. This allows students to have greater insight into their abilities and it gives them the opportunity to preview a college entrance exam.

Montgomery Catholic's qualifying students are: Devan Deramus, Mitchell Dogan, Angela Gier, Patrick Hess,
Sam Leslie, Veronica Masters, Camille Morgan, Emily Riggles, Spencer Bach, Carlow DeJesus, Grayson Howell, Joseph Schmidt, Grant Smith, Eli Starrett, Aidan Cochran, Emma Garrison, Cecilia Hoffpauir, Adam McClellan, James Saliba, Mai Ellington, Aidan Losik and Rachel Rodriguez. Congratulations!

Each Class at Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede Campus Adopts a Seminarian

Montgomery Catholic's principal, Miss Laurie Gulley is excited to announce a new campus project. The students at the St. Bede Campus have adopted Seminarians from our Archdiocese, the Archdiocese of Mobile. Miss Gulley said, "we have been working with Fr. Pat Arensberg who is the Associate Director for Vocations in the Archdiocese. Fr. Pat contacted the Seminarians to see, first of all, if they would be interested in participating. Each classroom will receive a photo of their Seminarian. They will write to him (as a class) and let him know that they are praying for him." Communication plans include the adoptive class contacting their Seminarian on his birthday and at Christmas. In return, the Seminarians have agreed to answer at least two of the class’s letters and to pray for the students as well. Miss Gulley said, "I am excited about this program because it will make real to our students the idea that we must all pray for vocations. Also, every year we collect for the Burse Club which goes towards the education of our Seminarians. How much more will this mean to our students when they actually know and pray for the Seminarian they are helping!"

Pictured is Mrs. Tina Rutland's first grade class with the first message to their Seminarian Ryan  Dardard.  From left to right, first row: Blake Ankersen, Olivia Harbin, Maggie McNeely, Gabby Mitchell, Elisabeth Shaw; second row: Chayse Jordan, Frances Bach, Henry Dickson, Mary Hardwick, Caiden McMullen; back row: James Smith, Ambrose Barwick and Frances Ann Rogers. 

Montgomery Catholic's St. Bede students in grades K4-6 will participate in the Adopt a Seminarian program during the 2015-16 school year. Which means the school will be actively praying and supporting eight Seminarians this year, continuing the mission of the school and encouraging students to become persons of faith, virtue and wisdom.