Monthly Newsletter = October 2008 =

In an effort to reach out to our sister schools in the Catholic Community, we were pleased to have the visit of Dr. Delos Santos, Principal of Mt. Carmel School on our school campus on October 8, 2008. We are anticipating a fruitful partnership with Mt. Carmel School in Agat.

The Energy Alternatives Conference was held on October 9, 2008 in the Multi-Media Resource Center of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School. Students displayed their research findings on alternative energy sources including solar, wind, ocean currents, biodiesel, bioplasma trash facility and other non-conventional methods. Local businesses shared their products from hybrid cars to wind power, window tinting and passive solar water heaters and educational presentations on recycling were also given. More than 100 visitors attended the conference that was opened to the public.

The month of October brought our first donors in kind and in cash to support the vision of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School. Thank you to our generous donors.

The Flea Market helped to bring over $1500 in contribution to the Science Fair trip to Kyoto. Thank you for all who donated items for the Flea Market.

Student Life:

Students at St. Thomas joined the Mock Trial Organization and are preparing for competitions to start in the spring of 2009.

A youth choir composed of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School students and other youth and young adults from the community are singing at the Cathedral-Basilica every Sunday at 11:30 am. Please attend and show your support. The group is still looking for singers age 14 and above.

Student athletes from St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School are attending practices with Okkodo High School athletes for the upcoming second quarter IIAAG sport events.

STAY for Christ is a club devoted to the Catholic Way of Life and is being proactive in participating in such events as “Walk for Life”, rallying against casinos and attending a public hearing to protect the unborn child.

Our first international ambassadors attended the Ritsumeikan Super Science Fair in Kyoto, Japan, along with forty other High Schools around the globe, from October 26 to November 1, 2008. We are proud of them.

Faculty Professional Development
The principal and one faculty member attended a workshop on WASC Accreditation Procedures on October 20 and 21, 2008 at the Chancery.
The Director of Admissions attended a workshop on financial aid for High School Graduates on October 24 at the Hilton.

Two faculty members attended a workshop on “Impacting Instruction for Student Achievement” with the Department of Defense Educational Administration (DoDEA), on October 24, 2008.

The Department of Public Health and Social Services granted St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School an “A” rating for sanitary permit.

Parent Teacher Conference on October 10, 2008 was well-attended with over 90% attendance! Congratulations to parents for your involvement and thank you for your partnership with St. Thomas Aquinas in your child education.

ASEP started as planned on October 20, 2008. Enrollment continues.

The members of the school’s advisory board are:

Appointed Members:

 

Msgr. James L.G. Benavente,
President and CEO
Rector
Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica
palejb@aganacathedral.org

 

Fr. Jeff San Nicolas,
Vice President
Pastor
Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
jcsn66min@gmail.com

 

Mr. John Rivera,
Treasurer
Executive Director
Catholic Cemeteries
john@aganacathedral.org

 

Mrs. Jeni Shimizu,
Recording Secretary
Director of Stewardship & Development
Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica
jeni@aganacathedral.org

 

Dr. Jeff D.T. Barcinas, Member
Vice President, University & Community Engagement
University of Guam
jbarcinas@guam.net

 

Elected Parent Representatives for
School Year 2008-2009:

 

Mrs. Leone Rohr
Owner
Basilica Café
leone@ibosc.com

 

Mr. Tony Sholing
Marianas Safety Manager
NAVFACMAR
lingsho@gmail.com

 

Atty. Joyce Tang
Partner
Civille & Tang, PLLC
jtang@guamattorneys.com

 

Dr. Maika Vuki
Associate Professor, Chemistry Dept.
University of Guam
mvuki10@yahoo.com

 

Elected Faculty/Staff Representative for
School Year 2008-2009:

 

Mr. Andrew Mojkowski
Faculty, English and Social Studies
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School
amojkowski@staguam.com

We have received our classroom furniture and school uniforms. We are extremely proud to see our students adhere to a professional dress code with enthusiasm.

Upcoming Events:

Visit of Most Reverend Anthony S. Apuron, Archbishop of Agaña, is scheduled for November 10 at 9:00 am. All are invited to the Eucharistic Celebration followed by the official Ribbon Cutting and continental breakfast.

Our students will be treated to their first Motivational Seminar featuring guest speaker Dr. Ross Miller, Entomologist, University of Guam.on Thursday, Nov. 6 from 2:20 p.m. to 3:05 p.m.

All students, parents, faculty, administration, staff and advisory board members urged to attend a Strategic Planning Work Session on Friday, Nov. 7 from 8:00 a.m. to Noon. This is one of our first steps towards acquiring accreditation. Students will then be dismissed as teachers will use the remaining half of the day to complete grading for the 1st quarter.

Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. “Advisory Board Meeting” in Multimedia Resource Center.

UOG Regional Language Arts Conference on November 14 and 15, 2008

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School Science Fair on December 18, 2008

Parent-Teacher Conference on December 19, 2008 at 4:00 pm

Thank you to students, parents, faculty and sponsors for your vote of confidence and support.

Sincerely,

Hauhouot Diambra-Odi, Ph.D.
Principal