Monthly Newsletter = February 2009 =

Dear All

During this season of Lent, we want to be reminded about choosing moderation in all that we do and to realign our focus on the mission of Jesus Christ as our Savior.

We are very excited to welcome the team from WASC/WCEA during the initial visit for accreditation, scheduled for April 1, 2009. Parents and Advisory Board members are welcome to stop by and meet our distinguished guests.

School activities in the month of February contributed to a wide variety of learning outcomes in collaboration with the University of Guam, including field trips at the Micronesian Area Research Center (MARC), the Chemistry Department (titration workshop), the Biochemistry Department (biotechnology workshop) and the Department of Plant Pathology (plant tissue culture workshop). This represents a vital community outreach and involvement of the University in the education of our students by offering learning opportunities with a rich pool of human resources and technological progress.

During the months of March and April 2009, I will be meeting with Principals from different Catholic Middle Schools on Guam, to present St. Thomas Aquinas as a better alternative for freshmen.

Monthly Recap

Talent Night was a great success with a variety of musical and dance performances from our gifted students on February 13, 2009 in the Prayer Garden, who performed in front of several parents and guests.

Attorney Ignacio Aguigui met with all the student body on February 20, 2009 to discuss about career interests in Law and the prospects of practicing Law on Guam.

Faculty and students of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School joined with the local community at San Juan Bautista for the Eucharist and the unction of Ash on February 25, 2009.

All students of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School passed the hearing test administered by GPSS on February 26, 2009.

Students from St. Thomas Aquinas visited MARC on February 2009 to prepare for Guam History Fair.

Our science teacher, Mrs. Yahn, attended a workshop on Plant Tissue Culture at the University of Guam, department of Plant Pathology, in February 2009. Our objective is to initiate a plant tissue culture research program by next school year, and provide our students with modern tools for scientific experimentation.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors completed a Workshop in Biotechnology at the University of Guam on February 27, 2009. The workshop was conducted by Dr. Ghosh from the Biochemistry Department. Student extracted DNA material from a bacterium and learned the separation technique on gel called electrophoresis.

Student Life

Students from Tokyo Gakkan Niigata High School will visit our campus in an International Student Exchange Program, on March 13, 2009.

St. Thomas Aquinas Mock Trial Team is ranking first in the preliminary round of competitions against seven other high schools on Guam. This is a very significant achievement for St. Thomas Aquinas, giving the fact that this is the very first time that our school is engaged in such competition. Our congratulations go to all team members, their coaches, advisers, and parents.

St. Thomas Aquinas Youth Choir continues to shine at the Cathedral-Basilica on Sundays at 11:30 am. Please support our youth.

Summary of Upcoming Events

March 12, 2009
Open enrolment for Summer School 2009

March 12, 2009
National Latin Exam

March 13, 2009
International Student Exchange

March 19, 2009
St. Thomas Aquinas History Fair 1-3 pm

March 27, 2009
Parent-Teacher Conference 4-6 pm. There is school!

April 1, 2009
WASC/WCEA Initial Visit for accreditation.

April 18, 2009
St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship Golf Tournament, Country Club of the Pacific.

April 24-25, 2009
Hike, community service and spiritual retreat for juniors and seniors.