From the Principal: Ms. Rosemary Distaso-Libbon, Principal

Parent NewsletterDecember 2012

Bishop Montgomery High School5430 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, California 90503(310) 540 - 2021 www.bmhs-la.org

Dear Parents,

December, though short because of Christmas break, is a very busy month here at Bishop Montgomery filled with, of course, commitment to our continued responsibilities as faculty and students, as well as joyous celebration. Balancing our responsibilities with the expectations of the holidays is certainly no easy task and one that we all find to be a struggle. Since December is so short, we emphasize to the students that they must remain focused academically, particularly since semester exams are scheduled before Christmas break. Our Christmas Mass is on Tuesday, December 11th, at 8:00 a.m. Semester exams are on December 17th, 18th, and 19th. Christmas break begins, Thursday, December 20th and classes resume on Wednesday, January 9th at 8:45 a.m.

Saturday, December 1st, we welcome eighth grade students and their families to our open house from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. I hope that you will encourage students who wish to attend Bishop Montgomery in the fall of 2013 to come and learn about our school. I would like to say a special thank you to Casey Dunn, our Director of Admissions, and to Dione Dierks for all of their work during the admissions process. I have to also say thank you in a special way to Andy Marafino, Amy Traxler, and Dione Dierks for all of the work they have done to plan and prepare for open house.

I hope that you are planning to attend the Mothers’ Club Christmas Luncheon on Saturday, December 8th. Lori Rodriguez, President, and the members of the mothers’ club deserve thanks for all of their hard work. Not only do they make this amazing event possible, but they offer constant support to many, many school programs. Their hard work, dedication, and love for Bishop Montgomery are an inspiration. Whatever they do, they do so well, and with such generosity.

Many thanks and congratulations to the parents who attended the Undergraduate Awards Ceremony. I want to congratulate the many students we honored at this event for their academic achievements, including Lauren Hugo, Class of 2013, who was our featured speaker. Our Students of the Semester for the spring of 2011-2012 are:

Class of 2015: Alexander Rodriguez, Yidan YuanClass of 2014: Eric Robinson, Katelyn TairaClass of 2013: Joey Castaneda, Dani Lee

Principal cont.

December is one of my favorite months in the school year and it is particularly special at Bishop Montgomery. The holiday season here is marked by the students’ many acts of generosity to contribute to families in need. Our students are powerful witnesses to prayer and service evidenced by their many acts of love and kindness through their service to others. They make a difference not only in our community but to many, many communities outside of ours. What is most lovely about our students, though, is that they do not see their giving as an act that is out of the ordinary. They help and they move on to help again with no expectation of praise or reward. Their generosity is simply part of daily life here at Bishop Montgomery. I am so very proud of them. You have taught them well. Thank you.

Advent is such a beautiful season in the Church when we prepare for the coming of Jesus, our Savior. May we, like Mary, be ready to say, “Be it done unto me according to Thy Word?” May we, like Mary, open our hearts to God’s grace and so be His instruments for good. May we, like Mary, hear God’s call to holiness and respond to His grace even if it is not clear where the call will lead us. This meditation is one that I have always found particularly meaningful. I hope you will too.

Once they saw a star that pointed to a promised land, to a land of peace, peacemakers set out to follow that star.

It is both a joyful and an arduous journey. Sometimes the star shines brightly, the promise seems certain, and the pilgrims can sing, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring God’s peace.” Often the star disappears, clouded over, hidden from view, and the pilgrims grope blindly, grow discouraged, get weary, give thought to settling down, to forgetting the promise of peace.

One thing is certain: All pilgrims need nourishment to sustain the journey. An occasional oasis for the spirit is essential, a time to feast on the refreshing waters, the rich food of the spirit, in order to get strength to continue the pilgrimage through darkness, star-shine or not.

--Mary Lou Kownacki, OSB, of the Catholic Peace Movement, Pax Christi USA

Merry Christmas!

Rosemary LibbonPrincipal

Guidance & Curriculum Ms. Yvette Vigón-Morffi - Vice Principal - ext. 231

Mrs. Casey Dunn - Guidance/Studies Coordinator - ext. 226

CarpoolPlease email jhong@bmhs-la.org if you would like to include or take off a carpool request in the newsletter.

1. Carpool for Westchester/Ladera area: Contact: Rey Husband imsop@sbcglobal.net 310-251-2221 cell

With the Thanksgiving holiday fast approaching, our seniors are nearing their application deadlines for the two state university systems. Both the University of California and California State University systems require that freshman applicants for the fall 2013 term submit no later than November 30. The preferred method of submission continues to be the electronic application.

For both the UC and CSU applications, the college preparatory classes offered at Bishop Montgomery are organized by category type and simply need to be selected from a dropdown menu.

Students should not underestimate the importance of a clean, accurate, and mistake-free application, regardless of the college or university they are applying to. We strongly encourage our students to bring their questions to our attention, open their applications online so we may review them, and have us read their essays before choosing a final draft. When students apply to a given school, they should not add any additional work for the review committee or make the review process more time consuming. If you could also encourage your child to make counselor appointments and drop in to see us before or after school, you will help us better carry out our responsibilities.

The Cal Grant program is designed to help California high school graduates who demonstrate financial need (through the FAFSA) obtain grant (money that does not have to be repaid) funds for college The program is not limited to four-year colleges and universities or public colleges and universities. Electronic submission for Cal Grant GPA verifications is the preferred method. We will submit all of the GPA verifications electronically this year for all of our students. If you do not have a social security number on file with our Registrar, Mrs. Martinez, we will be unable to submit the Cal Grant GPA verification. Please make sure that we have a social security number on file.

The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required for students who wish to receive financial aid from a given college or university. The online applications may be accessed at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/. Similar to the college application process, the electronic application is the preferred method of submission. Before starting the FAFSA, both you and your child will

Guidance cont.

need to apply for a Personal Identification Number that will be used as the parent and student electronic signatures. PIN’s may be obtained from the website http://www.pin.ed.gov/. The average processing time for receiving your PIN is 10 working days. We will host a financial aid workshop in January for all parents who are interested.

As we near Christmas vacation, we are also quickly approaching the end of the first semester. Final exams will be administered during the week of December 17, 2012.

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Also, please accept our best wishes for your Thanksgiving holiday.

Sincerely,Casey DunnGuidance/Studies Coordinator

DisciplineMs. Betty Behen, Dean of Women, ext. 234

Mr. Lee Flores - Dean of Men - ext. 232

Attendance: Be sure to call in absences or “late-to-schools” directly to the Attendance Office at (310) 540-2021, ext. 233, or (310) 540-3070 in the mornings. We have 24-hour voice mail for your convenience. Also, a phone call does not necessarily “excuse” an absence or tardy. It merely lets us know that the parent/guardian was aware of the absence or tardy. The nature of the absence or tardy (“excused” or “unexcused”) will be determined by the Deans and Attendance Office. Refer to your Parent-Student Handbook for what constitutes an “excused” absence or tardy. Phone calls must be made the morning of the absence or the absence will be noted as “unexcused”.

Picking-up and Dropping-off Off-Campus:All parents should pick-up and drop-off their students on-campus. To avoid the last minute rush, we encourage you to arrive before 7:30AM. The traffic flow on Torrance Blvd. is heavier after this time and may affect how quickly you are able to exit the campus. If you decide to pick-up or drop-off your students anywhere else, please refrain from picking up or dropping off your students at our neighboring businesses or residential driveways as this creates an inconvenience for our neighbors. Please respect the property of our neighbors by refraining from moving trashcans, taking property, littering, or parking or pulling into our neighbors’ driveways. Also, please make sure to drop-off your students in areas that are safe and legal. We have received many reports that there have been BMHS parents or carpools driving recklessly on Palos Verdes Boulevard and students are being dropped-off by their parents/carpool drivers illegally by the red curb zones, in front of fire hydrants or in the middle of the street. In the interest of the safety of all pedestrians and drivers and as a courtesy to our neighbors, students should be dropped-off on campus. Students whose parents fail to comply with the pick-up and drop-off procedures will be dealt with on campus. The Torrance Police Department has also been contacted and they have informed us that they will be citing drivers along Torrance Boulevard, Henrietta and Palos Verdes Boulevard. It is essential to give our neighbors the same respect and courtesy that we expect from each other on campus.

Uniform: pg. 30-32 Parent-Student HandbookWe are doing all that we can to insure that ill-fitting clothes (pants too baggy or too long, shorts too short, etc.) will not be sold to students. Students will be held accountable for any ill-fitting uniform items. Be advised that parents, as primary educators and caretakers for their children, take the final responsibility. The deans are not accepting “but-that’s-the-way-the-uniform-company-sold-it-to-us” type of excuse as a way of justifying ill-fitting clothing. As a reminder, black belts (not canvas) should be worn at all times; solid white or black socks are required and should extend at least 2 inches above the shoe; shirts must be tucked in at all times; hair style/color should comply with the BMHS policy. Students will be held in the deans’ office as an unexcused absence should uniform infractions not be correctable. Please see the dress-code for Senior Prom 2013. (on separate page)

Discipline cont.

Cooler Weather: As the temperatures begin to cool, please remember that the Bishop Montgomery and Booster Club sweatshirts are the ONLY sweatshirts that are acceptable. Also, uniform jackets & sweaters are the ONLY jackets & sweaters that are allowed (absolutely no hoods). All sweatshirts and jackets MUST be the appropriate size for your child. A uniform shirt must STILL to be worn underneath.

Trips: Bishop Montgomery does not sponsor, condone, nor accept responsibility for ski trips or cruises. The trips that may be disguised as Bishop Montgomery “Senior Trips” are the Christmas ski trip to Utah and the summer cruise to Mexico. BMHS has nothing to do with organizing, sponsoring, or chaperoning these trips. Any student distributing flyers that advertise these trips will be reprimanded. Please refer to your Parent-Student Handbook for more information.

Detentions: Detentions are to be served by the date indicated on the violation or referral slip. The excuse of, “I never received a reminder slip” will not be accepted. It is the responsibility of the student to make alternate arrangements for transportation if a detention is to be served. Disregard for assigned detentions may result in probation. Detentions take precedence over sports practices and school activities (Parent-Student Handbook, pg. 13).

No Messages: The Attendance Office and the Front Office staff do not deliver messages during the day. It is both time consuming and disruptive to classes.

Emergency Information: Does your Emergency Card need to be updated? Has there been an employment change? Address change? Telephone number change? Change in custody? Please notify the Attendance Office at (310) 540-3070.

Off-Campus Parking: Students should not be parking on the side streets off of Henrietta Blvd.. Doing so creates a nuisance and an inconvenience to our neighbors. Students parking off-campus may park on Henrietta Blvd. if they choose to do so. Please remind your students to keep their valuables in the trunk area of their vehicles and to lock all door and windows.

Cell Phones on Campus: Please note that students are not allowed to have cell phones in their possession during school hours. All students must turn off their cell phones and place them in their lockers. Please be aware that students may not have their cell phones out in the classrooms or buildings during any time of the day whether it is in the morning or after school. Any student who fails to abide by the cell phone policy will have their cell phone confiscated and will be issued a referral. (Parent/Student handbook pgs. 16 & 20)

Loitering: We are asking parents to please discourage your children from loitering at Burger King or McDonald’s before school, after school, or after any school related activities. Burger King and McDonald’s are places of business and should not be used as study halls. If your child is planning on eating at these establishments , please remind them to act with respect and dignity. Additionally, please do not pick-up or drop-off your students at Burger King or McDonald’s.

Discipline cont.

Congratulations to the 2012 Fundraiser Drawing Winners…$5,000 Andrea Zegarra #39767$2,500 Wendy Lee #09012$1,500 Tina Johnson #28817$1,000 Sophia Gonzalez # 30211

Thanks to all our parents and students for your contribution to our 2012 school fundraiser!!

Gentlemen are required to wear tuxes or suits. Ties are required unless dress shirts with a mandarin collar are worn. Gentlemen may not wear earrings, sunglasses, hats, gloves nor may they carry canes.Ladies may wear two pairs of earrings but may not wear sunglasses. Fitted dresses may not be excessively tight. Dresses should be comfortable for dancing and sitting. The slit on the dress may not exceed two inches above the knee. The length of the dress MUST BE AT THE KNEE (MAY NOT BE ABOVE THE KNEE). Sleeveless and strapless dresses are permitted provided that the bodice appropriately covers the chest and back. Backless dresses are NOT PERMITTED AND may not fall below mid-back. Ladies are reminded that the display of excessive cleavage is inappropriate and unbecoming. Dresses may not show a bare midriff or contain cutouts, which expose the torso (FRONT OR BACK). Additionally, the dress material which covers the chest to KNEE area must be opaque not transparent (mesh or chiffon style material is not permitted in this area).Dress shoes are required for ladies and gentlemen. The hotel requires that shoes remain on at all times while on the premises. Students’ attire should be appropriate, modest and in good taste.Please do not assume any liberties with these guidelines when you or (in the case of gentlemen with guest passes) your date purchase dress attire. All non-BMHS guests are required to conform to these guidelines. Anyone not adhering to the above stated guidelines will not be permitted to enter the dance, and will be sent home. In these cases the bid money will not be refunded. Freshmen may not attend the Senior Prom dance.The school reserves the right to refuse admittance to any person not properly attired.

Mrs. Milana McDermott - Dean of Student Life - ext. 273

Activities

Happy Holidays! With the flurry of the fall activities behind us, I am happy to report the success of the following events and programs, and mention some upcoming activities.

Junior RingsJostens distributed information on junior rings to all members of the junior class during October. They were on campus the last week of October to take ring orders, so rings can be delivered before the Junior Ring Blessing on January 29th. If you have any questions about junior rings, please contact Josten’s directly at 805-987-4147.

Spirit Squad and Band See’s Candy Sale – October 29th to November 16th

Thank you to those who helped support our Spirit Squad and Band See’s Candy fundraiser. Your candy will be delivered the week of December 3rd, just in time for the holidays!

Knight of HonorEach grading period, faculty are invited to nominate individuals who demonstrate the ideal of a Bishop Montgomery student. The Knight of Honor is recognized by both students and faculty alike as a person of character who exhibits a generous spirit. They are dedicated to their education, committed to and involved in student life and put faith into action and witnesses to the message of Jesus Christ.

We would like to congratulate the following students who were selected as Knights of Honor:Manaka Sato, Vincent Miramontes, Morgan West and Chris Brower

Talent Show – November 15th

The Fall Talent Show is always a sell-out event and a great way for students to share their talents with the Bishop community. We congratulate all those students who participate in this showcase of talent. If you or your student missed out on participating this time, mark your calendar for the next Spring Talent Show on February 28th in TMH.

Barnes and Noble Bookfair – December 5th

Bishop Montgomery has partnered with Barnes & Noble in Del Amo Mall to support an inner-city school during this Christmas season. We are holding a Book Fair on Wednesday, December 5th from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Please help support a local business, and raise money for a school in need. Please present the attached voucher with your purchase, so a percentage of your sale goes to this cause. We thank your for your participation and ask that you spread the word to friends and neighbors. Vouchers can be copied to share. Thank you for helping us to help others.

Activities cont.

National Honor SocietyBishop Montgomery is proud to announce its first chapter of the National Honor Society. “The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, and Character.” Information about Bishop’s Chapter - organization, qualifications, and requirements - can be found on the school website. Students should listen to announcements for more details.

We recognize these organizations, clubs, and individuals for the gifts and blessings that they share with BMHS. Through them, we are reminded that we have many interests and talents that come together to make up the very diverse and unique community of Bishop Montgomery.

Have a very blessed Christmas season!

AthleticsMs. Alexa Johnson - Athletic Administrator - ext. 269

Mr. Kareem Mutrie - Director of Athletics - ext. 255

Mr. Ed Hodgkiss - Director of Athletics - ext. 260

Winter sports have begun playing. Please check out the athletic calendar to find times and venues. Fall sports, as of this writing, are winding down. It was a very successful year for both are Men and Women.

Football is currently 6 – 2 on the season and already qualified for the playoffs.

Girls golf produced the league Champion. Anna Leoncio ‘16, won the 2012 Del Rey League Individual Golf title. She shot a 75 at El Dorado GC to capture the title.

Senior Danielle Shanahan ‘13, won the individual title in Cross Country.

Girls Volleyball came in second place in the Del Rey League and qualified for the playoffs.

Girls tennis took home another league Crown and qualified for the CIF playoffs.

Boys Cross Country finished third in the Del Rey league.

All fall sports would like to thank you for attending their competitions and cheering them on. Please continue your support and make it out to BMHS for a Soccer and Basketball game.

Go Knights!

DevelopmentMr. Andy Marafino - Marketing & PR Director - ext. 246

Mrs. Amy Traxler - Director of Development - ext. 249

Mrs. Dione Dierks - Assistant Director - ext. 249

PSI OpportunityThe Development Office will be assembling invitations in early January. We will meet here on campus in the faculty house during a weeknight. If you are interested in joining us for a simple way to earn PSI, please contact atraxler@bmhs-la.org.

Black & Gold Gala 2013Black & Gold Gala is coming your way on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at the Torrance South Bay Marriott. Mark your calendars now and see our flyer at the end of this newsletter for more details!

Maybe you’re wondering… how can I help guarantee the success of this event right now? The answer is easy--make a donation to the silent auction! We have already received some incredible donations for this always-exciting part of our Black & Gold Gala, and all of them have been made by some of our very generous and supportive Bishop Montgomery parents. You can join them!

Did you know that all of these donations, and yours too, can count for PSI credit? Just one auction donation and you can satisfy an entire year’s worth of 20 PSI hours (one hour is fulfilled for every $17.50 of retail value of the item(s) donated/$350 total retail value equals 20 hours PSI).* It’s really that easy. So, begin thinking of what you can donate and also ask your family, your friends, or any special contact you may have to donate on your behalf. When you donate, everyone wins!

* Due to auction constraints, the retail value of any physical items donated must be a minimum of $100. Gift certificates, movie, theatre and sports tickets may be of any value.

Need some ideas? The list below contains items/ideas that have either sold well in previous auctions or are new and we would love to have. If you know you are able to obtain any of these items, please let us know. We appreciate any help you can give. If you have any questions, please contact atraxler@bmhs-la.org.

Development cont.

Sports Items· Golf at a PGA course or country club

· Any autographed sports memorabilia

· Lunch/Dinner with a sports celebrity

· Golf club membership

· Dodgers spring training

· Tickets to any sporting event – home or away

Angels Ducks Boxing/UFC PGA/LPGA Dodgers College Bowl Kings X Games Sparks UCLA Galaxy

Tennis USC Chivas Vacation/Getaways

· Airline tickets for any destination/Frequent flyer miles • Houseboat rental

· Vacation home/condo/cabin • Motor home/RV for a week

· Timeshare • Hot air balloon ride

· Weekend at a golf/spa resort • Ride in a private plane

· Ocean cruise • Certificate to a hotel / spa

One-of-Kind Items· Jewelry

· Car Lease or Donation

· Walk-on part in a TV show or movie; Behind-the-Scenes tour; meet and greet with a celebrity

Black & Gold Gala - Hall of Fame

We look forward to inducting three new members into the Bishop Montgomery Hall of Fame at the Black & Gold Gala in March. Dr. & Mrs. Richard Meehan, past parents of Meg Meehan ’81, Mike Meehan ’82, Mollie Meehan-Baumer ’86, Kerry Meehan-McOsker ’88, Amy Meehan ’89 and James Meehan ’95 will be honored for their unwavering commitment to Catholic education and, specifically, to Bishop Montgomery. We also look forward to inducting Fr. Mike McCullough ’64, Bishop alumnus and current LAPD chaplain. Fr. Mike will be honored for his Christ-like example of perseverance in the face of adversity and for his dedication to sharing the Bishop Montgomery’s mission through his service to the greater Los Angeles community. We are proud to honor these three inductees, each of whom is an amazing example of the BMHS motto to “Seek Justice, Speak Truth, and Serve with Honor.”

Dear Santa, We have been very good Knights this year. As you know, we have our Black & Gold Gala on March 9, 2013 and need your help with our live and silent auctions. Our list is not too long, and anything you put under the tree or stuff in our stockings that we could put up for bid would certainly help raise money for our school and our students. Here are some of the things that we really, really want this year:

~ Vacation getaways/timeshares ~ Airline tickets for any destination ~ Frequent flyer miles

~ Sports Tickets & Memorabilia ~ Hosted Dinner, Wine, or Poker Parties ~ One-of-a-Kind Adventures Movie/TV Walk-On Roles or Memorabilia ~ Golf at a PGA course or country club ~ Certificate to a hotel / spa ~ Car Lease or Rental

Please feel free to check this list twice! Merry Christmas, Your friends in BMHS’ Development Office

For more information: Call BMHS’

Development Office 310.540.2021 x249

Bishop Montgomery High Scho o l pr e s ent s the

at The Torrance Marriott

SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2013

Open to all guests

21 and older.

Space is limited— Reserve your

table now!

Join parents, alumni, faculty & friends to toast Bishop Montgomery,

our amazing students, and our fantastic future!

It’s an evening you won’t want to miss...

Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m.

Hosted Hors D’Ouevres & Cocktails

Seated Dinner

Live & Silent Auctions

Hall of Fame Inductions

DJ & Dancing

WIN PARTY BUS TRANSPORTATION FOR BMHS’ BLACK & GOLD GALA

AT THE TORRANCE MARRIOTT ON MARCH 9, 2013!

Buy your Black & Gold Gala tickets by Saturday, Dec. 8 and be entered to win! Receive one opportunity drawing ticket for each Gala ticket purchased.

Buy a table for 10 and receive 5 additional drawing tickets! Drawing will be held at the Mothers’ Club Christmas Luncheon on Dec. 8.

Winner need not be present to win.

Party bus includes transportation for up to 25 adults for 6 hours (5:00pm-11:00pm) on Saturday, March 9, 2013 - Pick up location to be determined by winner - Complimentary beverages and state of the art sound system included.

* FUN TO BE DETERMINED!

FTBD*

“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” - Mother Teresa

The same could very well be said about Bishop Montgomery, a community that through the support of so many people over the last 50 years has become a family-- individuals united by a mission of faith, service

and academic excellence. This year three deserving members of this family, our school community, will be inducted into the BMHS Hall of Fame at the Black & Gold Gala on March 9, 2013.

Dr. & Mrs. Richard Meehan, past parents of six alumni, will be honored for their unwavering commitment to Catholic education and, specifically, to Bishop Montgomery. We also look forward to inducting Fr. Mike McCullough ’64, Bishop alumnus and current LAPD chaplain. Fr. Mike will be honored for his Christ-like example of perseverance in the face of

adversity and for his dedication to sharing the Bishop Montgomery’s mission through his service to the greater Los Angeles community. We are proud to honor these three inductees, each of whom is an amazing example of the BMHS motto to

“Seek Justice, Speak Truth, and Serve with Honor.”

We would like to extend to current parents, past parents, alumni and students who have been touched by these special people, the opportunity to place a congratulatory/tribute ad in the Black & Gold Gala’s program.

Recognition of their achievements will certainly add to the significance of their induction into the BMHS Hall of Fame and provide memories that they will cherish long after the evening concludes.

Dr. & Mrs. Richard Meehan Father Mike McCullough Past Parents LAPD chaplain and reserve officer Meg ’81, Mike ’82, Molly ’86, Kerry ’88, Amy ’89 and James ‘95

Advertisement Size Rate

Please submit your completed ad (graphics, etc.) via email to atraxler@bmhs-la.org. For printing purposes, we request that all business logos be submitted electronically in pdf format.

Please return your ad/text, this signed contract, and your check

(payable to “BMHS”) to the BMHS Development or Main Office.

DEADLINE: February 13, 2013

If you would like to submit your completed ad or any portion (graphics, etc.) via e-mail, please send to atraxler@bmhs-la.org

Name _________________________________________ Phone Number _____________________________ Address ________________________________________ E-mail ____________________________________ Ad Information: Ad Size ______________________ Amount Enclosed $____________________

For more information, please contact Amy Traxler or Dione Dierks (310) 540-2021, ext. 249.

Full Page 8” x 10½” $300

Half Page 7¾” x 5 ¼” $225

Quarter Page 3½” x 4 ½” $150

Business Card 3¾” x 2½” $75

Outside Back Cover 8½” x 11” $475

Inside Front/Back Cover 8½” x 11” $400

Performing ArtsEric Hankey - Music Director

Music Department Spring Tour to Washington, D.C. In the tradition of fine performing groups everywhere, our music department ensembles have been approved to plan our first ever Spring Tour, to Washington, D.C. All returning and new members of Music Department groups are invited to travel with us to our nation’s capital from April 3-7, 2012, where we will be performing, touring, and meeting government officials and D.C.-area high school students. Please contact Mr. Hankey at ehankey@bmhs-la.org for more information and to receive an application.

Winter Ensembles Now is the time to plan and join Music Department ensembles for the Winter 2013 season! Everyone’s invited – dedication and love for music are the main requirements. If you’re interested, please talk to Mr. Hankey, or come to one of the information meetings during the week of October 23-26 – and yes, we can be flexible with sports schedules! Here’s what we’re offering:

Vocal Jazz – Thursdays 2:30-3:30, also during school-day Music Production classes Singing group with light movement, preparing for a cappella performance at Santa Cruz Jazz Festival in March.

Wind Ensemble – Fridays 1:30-2:30, Convent All instruments together, also called “concert band”, preparing for festival performance at another high school here in SoCal in March or April.

Jazz Band – Fridays 2:30-3:30, Convent 5 or 6 saxophones, 3 to 5 trombones, 3 to 5 trumpets, piano, guitar, bass and drums; preparing for performances in and out of school, including at Santa Cruz Jazz Festival in March. Multiple piano, guitar, bass & drums will take turns. Woodwinds & brass must also be in Wind Ensemble.

Jazz Combo – Fridays 3:30-4:30, Convent Any number of any woodwind and brass instruments, with piano, guitar, bass, and drums; preparing for performances in and out of school, including at Santa Cruz Jazz Festival in March. Multiple piano, guitar, bass & drums will take turns. Woodwinds & brass must also be in Wind Ensemble.

And, as always, all of these can be taken for-credit or not-for-credit. Please email Mr. Hankey at ehankey@bmhs-la.org if you have any questions. Applications are now available, and are due by December 14th.

More Upcoming Events12/2 San Pedro Christmas Parade12/9 El Segundo Christmas Parade1/21 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade

“Knight Music” Booster Club The Band Booster Club has now been renamed the “Knight Music” Booster Club, in order to better reflect the wide variety of student ensembles it represents, which include Band, Jazz Band, Drumline, Vocal Jazz, and Music Production. Their meetings are usually on the last Monday of the month at 6:00 pm in the Conservatory (convent) – additional meetings are scheduled as needed. The next meeting is Monday, December 10, 2012 – please join them to help keep the many projects they organize rolling.

Things We NeedAs always, we are grateful for any musical equipment and cash donations – they are also always graciously accepted,

and are eligible for tax deductions. At this point, we are also outfitting more of the Conservatory’s (convent’s) rooms with recording equipment, and donations of amplifiers, headphones, and cables would be very useful. Thanks!

“Like” Our Facebook Page! Remember – now you can go to the official BMHS Music Department Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bishop-Montgomery-High-School-Music-Department/250295355054244 All of our pictures and videos from all of our groups, as well as up-to-the-minute information about events and activities – “Like” us!

We’re always practicing, planning, and organizing, including school concerts, local performances, competitions, parades, tours, and lots of other important things – come on up any day before or after school, 6:30-7:50am or 2:15-3:00pm (although we’re often there earlier and later.) To get in touch with Mr. Hankey, please call the school, or email at ehankey@bmhs-la.org.

What a Great Semester! Thank you to all of our supportive families and fans – enjoy a restful break & look forward to great things in the new year.

Performing Arts cont.

Campus MinistryDorothy Morski - Campus Minister - ext. 243

Fr. Ed Benioff - Chaplain - ext. 236

The season of Christmas is one of sharing the gift of God’s presence with all we meet. How special it is to be able to share from our blessings by participating in our annual “Adopt-a-Family!” If your family would like to “Adopt” their own family this Christmas, please contact Mrs. Morski in Campus Ministry ASAP. All gifts for the various families need to be turned in by Friday, December 14th. All Life Charities facilitated by Deacon Frank & Kathy Dieter will pick up all the gifts given on the 14th. They will then deliver the gifts to the families in need. Your generosity and sharing of the true meaning of Christmas giving is greatly appreciated. Our first Senior Kairos retreat was a very spiritual experience! In the words of Arielsela Holdbrook-Smith, “Kairos is about taking the time to grow as a person-away from all the distractions that might prevent you from doing so otherwise. To me, it was a way to take a break and focus on ourselves for once.” Another senior, Lora Spielman, added, “Kairos was a very unique experience for me. I got to know some of my senior classmates on a deeper level. The isolated setting in the hills of Hemet, provided the perfect atmosphere to reflect on my journey through my faith in Christ as well as strengthen it.” Fr. Ed, Mr. Fitzsimons, and Mrs. Morski would like to personally thank the student team who did an excellent job leading this retreat. They spent two months in reflective prayer and preparation so that they could provide a meaningful retreat for those at-tending. The student team deserves a lot of credit. They are: Lisa Bell, Chris Brower, Estevan Calderon, Mitchell Girgis, Skler Munoz, Becky Sepulveda and Morgan West. Our next Kairos retreat is February 6-8th. Thank you all for your prayerful support of the retreat program. May this Christmas season renew you and your families in the abiding love of our incarnate God.

CHRISTMAS POTLUCK! DECEMBER 10TH @ 7 PM

This last meeting of the year is full of celebrations! We will be reviewing the success of another Christmas luncheon and looking forward to the New Year. Our luncheon on Dec 8th, still has seats available (if you are reading this before then! ) Contact us if you’d like to go, and bring a friend! We will enjoy a potluck… bring a favorite dish, for 6-8 of your best Mothers’ Club friends, and if you would like to participate in our gift exchange, a $10 Christmas-themed

gift. Let’s take time to make some new friends as we celebrate the “reason for the season”…the birth of Our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ… In addition, the Undergrad Awards was well attended… Congratulations to all the honorees on your academic achievements. And thanks to the moms who worked hard putting it together…we’ll review the Luncheon in January. Happy New Year and we’ll see you JAN 28, 2013 for our next meeting …WHERE THE JUNIORS WILL PROVIDE “JUST DESSERTS!” PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS: PRESIDENT: LORI RODRIGUEZ 310-594-7780 bmhsmothersclub@bmhs-la.org GOD has BLESSED you in ALL the WORK of your hands.” Deuteronomy 2:7

Luke 2 – The Birth of Jesus - “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. “- Merry Christmas – The Board

 

Wednesday, D

ecember 5th

Barnes &

Noble T

orrance 21400 H

awthorne B

lvd. T

orrance, CA

90503

supporting B

ISHO

P M

ON

TG

OM

ER

Y

HIG

H SC

HO

OL

.

 V

isit BN

.CO

M/bookfairs to support us

online from 12/5/12 to 12/10/12 by entering

Bookfair ID

10789998 at checkout.  

supporting Bishop M

ontgomery

High School

Wednesday, D

ecember 5th

B

arnes & N

oble Torrance

21400 Haw

thorne Blvd

B

ookfair ID 10789998

supporting Bishop M

ontgomery

High School

Wednesday, D

ecember 5th

B

arnes & N

oble Torrance

21400 Haw

thorne Blvd

B

ookfair ID10789998

Bishop Montgom

ery High School

 

Bishop Montgomery Garden GroupEarn your hours and enjoy outdoor activity with the gardening group on a Saturday morning. Great for freshmen parents to meet new parents or if you just love garden-ing. The gardening group is dedicated to maintaining the beautification of the school landscape. Bring your hat, gardening gloves, gardening tools (hoe, rake, your favor-ite pruners) and come join us on a Saturday morning.

PSI dates:Sat. Jan. 12thSat. Feb. 2ndSat. Mar. 2ndSat. Apr. 13thSat. May 4th

Start Time 8:30am

Lee Claudino/Trish Hoying

DRIVER’S EDUCATION - 2013Tuesdays – Wednesdays – Thursdays

(2:15 – 3:35)

START: March 5 (Tuesday)

END: May 9 (Thursday)

24 Total Days

NO CLASS: Wednesday, March 27 Thursday, March 28 Tuesday, April 2 Wednesday, April 3 Thursday, April 4 Tuesday, April 9

PRICE: $150.00

Textbook: $30.00 (Books must be ordered no later than Feb. 1)

REGISTRATION: Begins in the Bookstore – February 6, 2013

Sun M

on Tue

Wed

Thu Fri

Sat

12/1 Tuition Due

1 SA

T 8th G

rade Open H

ouse 9:00am

—12:00pm

2 El Segundo

Christm

as Parade 3

P. 5 #2 7:45 Fac M

tg. 8:45 Start

4 P. 4

5

P. 3 Jostens grad orders due B

arnes & N

oble book fair D

enim D

ay

6 P. 2

New

sletter due Feast of St. N

icholas

7 P. 1 #4

SAC

closed @ 3:30

E3 Mtg 1pm

8 A

CT

Mothers’ C

lub C

hristmas luncheon

11-2 pm

Feast of Imm

ac. Conception

9 San Pedro

Christm

as Parade 10

P. 6 G

ym closed 6 pm

6:00 B

and Bst (C

onv) 6:30 A

thl. Bst (Lib)

7:00 Mothers’ M

tg (Fac.)

11 P. 5 #9

8:00am C

hristmas

Mass

12 P. 4

Improv @

lunch A

ll teacher rec. for Jan. 1 deadline due to colleges

13 P. 3

11:50am D

ismissal—

Fac. Mtg.

14 P. 2 #4

Teacher vs. Student Im

prov Match

1:45 TMH

E3 M

tg 1pm

15

16 17 Per. 1 8:00am

—9:15am

Per. 2 9:35am

—10:50am

18 Per. 3 8:00am

—9:15am

Per. 4 9:35am

—10:50am

PSA

T results @ 10:50

gym

19 Per. 5 8:00am

—9:15am

Per. 6 9:35am

—10:50am

20 G

rading Period Ends K

night of Honor

21

Grades D

ue 11:59pm

22

23 24 C

hristmas Eve

25 C

hristmas D

ay 26

27 R

eport Cards M

ailed 28

29

30 31

CIF Elig.

New

Years Eve

Decem

ber 2012 A

cademic C

alendar

Christm

as Vacation

C

hristmas V

acation

Christm

as Vacation

Final Exams

Dram

a Production