August 1, 2017 (Feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori)

August 1, 2017 (Feast of St. Alphonsus Liguori)

Dear Freshman Parents and Guardians,

Praised be Jesus Christ! Freshman Orientation Day, August 21, is rapidly approaching and I want to welcome your child as he or she begins his or her Delone Catholic experience. I feel a particular bond with the Class of 2021 as this, too, is my “freshman year” as their principal. I am filled with excitement as that day approaches but I can’t help but think that they (and perhaps, you and me, too?) are also feeling some apprehension! Some students may have more contact with the DeloneCatholic community than others based on past family experiences, but there are others, much like myself, who are entering with very little knowledge about this incredible school and all that it has to offer. Let me assure you and them that Delone Catholic is a wonderfully welcoming community and that you are putting your children into the hands of a very caring and student-oriented staff!

Orientation begins at 8 a.m. on the 21 with introductions in the cafeteria. From there, we will move to the lobby for a class picture and group pictures of students whose parents, grandparents and/or great grand-parents are Delone Catholic graduates (so please share this information with them if they do not knowalready!). This will be followed by an extended homeroom for distribution of schedules and other information, to be completed by a walk-through of their actual class schedule. At that point, students will be provided with lunch in the cafeteria and the afternoon will be filled with various presentations on attendance and general school policies and procedures, the dress code and code of conduct, Chromebooks, E-chalk, and Portfolios (an important graduation requirement). The day will conclude with a fashion show and an opportunity to see many of the extracurricular activities that Delone Catholic provides.

Many of these discussions will be mirrored in the Freshman Parent Orientation that will be conducted on Wednesday evening, August 16, in the cafeteria from 7 until 8:30 p.m. I strongly encourage you to join us as we will be hearing a number of student, staff, and parent perspectives on life at Delone Catholic and focused on making the transition to high school. A panel format will be utilized during which you will have ample opportunity to make inquiries. Once the formal presentations have concluded, others will be on hand to respond to more specific concerns. This session is most valuable for parents who are new to the high school experience and are looking for more detailed information regarding extra-curricular involvement.Prior to the meeting, uniform ties that were ordered at registration will be available for payment and pick-up. The PTO will also have a table of used uniforms to purchase.

Please note that in order to help ease the transition of our incoming students, our “Big Brothers and Big Sisters” and “Squire Ambassadors” will be conducting tours of the building on August 10 and 11 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (part of the building may not be available due to the renovation, however). Choose a date and time that is convenient for you and your child. This tour is not mandatory but meant to ease the nervousness of the first day of school. Please have your child bring a schedule so that the walk-around can reflect your child’s class choices.

Remember that all freshmen will need to be in uniform on August 21 for the class picture. Additionally, your child will not need back packs or lunch that day and we ask that you arrange for pick-up on the South Street parking area at 2:45 p.m. This is the one and only time that you can use the parking lot as a pick-up area at the end of the school day! Note that no bus transportation will be available on the 21.

Our goal at Delone Catholic High School is for our graduates to become fervent disciples of Jesus Christ and active “Doers of the Word.” This is a journey that, for many, began many years ago but, as our paths come together, I extend my hand to you in good faith and fellowship that we will work united as one family, strong in prayer and commitment to one another and to the students with whom we have been blessed to serve.

I look forward to meeting each and every one of you on the evening of August 16!

May God bless you always and in all ways!

Sincerely,

Richard V. La Rocca

Principal