Dear Friends and Parents,

Last week, each current MCA family should have received the 2008-09 Returning Family Registration Form via the U.S. Mail. Current students and their siblings receive priority until February 6th. I encourage you to return your form on time. Our enrollment continues to grow and we have a significant number of new applications to process. Prospective families will be offered available openings after February 6th.

Sincerely,

Shane Staszcuk,
Principal

Please click on the link below for a WEEKLY PREVIEW about this year's Cultural Fair. Print out the list of events so you can plan your week with your student.
http://www.mountcarmelacademy.org/forms/TOTT_sched.pdf

This year's theme for Catholic Schools Week is "Light the Way". At MCA, we have a very special week planned. Take a look:

Monday, January 28: Blast from the Past
Dress in appropriate attire from the 50's through the 90's.

Tuesday, January 29: Alderman Flores comes to visit our Middle Schoolers. All students should be in full uniform to look your best!

Wednesday, January 30: Sports Appreciation Day
Wear your favorite team shirt or jersey with jeans or uniform pants.

Thursday, January 31: Wear your Cultural Fair T-Shirts and Jeans.

Friday, February 1: Cultural Day (and Night)
Wear the Cultural Fair t-shirts with jeans or uniform pants or dress up in colors or costumes that represent your culture. The Cultural Fair is the same evening.

The annual Spring Auction is fast approaching on April 12, 2008 so save the date! Please look for the Black and White donation cards that were recently sent home. Other important information about the Gala can be viewed on our MCA website. Go to Quicklinks in this Homelink for access.

Show dates for the Musical Revue are Friday, May 2nd and Sat. May 3rd at 7:30 pm.

The Broadway Musical Revue is back! Auditions will be held in Casey Hall Auditorium on Monday, February 4th between 4:30-7:30 pm. Please see the Middle School Message Board for a permission slip or click on the link below for a form. (No one may audition without a signed permission slip!)
http://www.mountcarmelacademy.org/forms/auditions_ 2008.pdf 
 Please contact Nikki Lint nikkilint@gmail.comwith additional questions.

Reminder for basketball players:
6th & 7th Grade Girls: You will be able to audition on at 12:30pm. (Arrangements have been made. Please turn in any sheet music ASAP so we are prepared for you.)

8th Grade Girls & Boys: You will be released from auditions at 5:30pm. Please contact Nikki Lint for additional questions.

Special congratulations goes to Amy Hoke (5th grade) who won first place in the 16th Annual Cultural Fair, Tango on the Tundra T-Shirt Contest.

MCA is pleased to announce all the winners of the T-Shirt Contest for 2008's Cultural Fair.

Winning T-Shirt Design
Amy Hoke- 5th Grade

Winning Cover of Program
Diandra Gonzalez- 8th Grade
Zoe Morgan- 6th Grade

Winning Back Cover of Program
Matthew Gomez- 4th Grade

Honorable Mention
Leah Moir- 1st Grade
Sui Lin- 1st Grade
Stephanie Simon- 4th Grade
Joseph Hebert- 5th Grade
Alex Leonard- 5th Grade
Amanda Reed- 5th Grade
Jojo Brown- 6th Grade


Congratulations to all participants!

MCA's Cooking Class on Sunday, January 27th was a big hit! Our own "Sandra Casillas" owner of Que Rico cooked up a true Latin American Feast. What a great kickoff to Catholic Schools Week and Tango on the Tundra!

Regina Dominican High School

Important testing information
The make up entrance exam for incoming freshman is February 2, 2008 at 7:30am. Bring $25 cash or check made out to Regina Dominican. Please bring two #2 pencils and a calculator. If you have any questions please contact Pattie Fuentes at pfuentes@rdhs.org or 847-256-7660 ext.223.

5th Grade finished up their recycling unit by collecting everyday trash and finding interesting ways to "reuse" their findings. Come on up to second floor to see their useful inventions. Remember, it always pays to REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE!

Family Mass has been a long tradition of Mount Carmel Academy and Our Lady Of Mount Carmel, beginning over a decade ago when some MCA parents and parishioners recognized how good it is for us to come together for prayer and community. Once a month during the school year, each class takes a turn hosting the 9:30a.m. Sunday Mass at the church and reception following in the MCA cafeteria. Please help the families listed below by offering to donate breakfast treats or your time. See you at Mass.

FAMILY MASS SCHEDULE 2007-2008
2/3/08 Second Grade - Ed and Andrea Villasenor
3/2/08 Fifth Grade - Lisa Hebert
4/6/08 First Grade - Flo Albarracin and Kate Mulligan
MAY Eighth Grade - Jacque Simon