www.dematha.org
4313 Madison St. Hyattsville, Maryland 20781 Main: 240.764.2200 Fax: 240.764.2275
March 2017
Volume 9, Issue 8
March 1
Ash Wednesday
March 2
Grades Published March 27
Principal Notes
Grades are available through
Our students - your sons - make me
Veracross. Please contact Mr.
Reconciliation
Chris Keplinger ([email protected])
Senior Service Interviews
for any Veracross questions. Questions
concerning grades should be directed to
DPO Social
the teacher. See the website for contact
March 3
information. School policy is that no senior
may graduate with four failures. A senior
Senior Service Interviews
with four failures must repeat the year at
March 7
another school or take the GED.
Lenten Tag Day
March 8
Calendar Change: Monday, March
Science Expo Projects Due
27, the school and offices will be
closed. This is a change from the
March 9
printed calendar.
Science Expo Dinner
NHS Blood Drive
March 11
SAT Test
Continued…pg 4
Inside this issue:
DPO Parent Matters
2
Academics, Summer,
Science Expo, Prom
2
Music, Seniors, Play
SAT, Academic Awards
3
AP Exams
4
Service, Art & Photo,
Lenten Project, Golf
4
else they also occasionally make me crazy
but overall - really proud.) I have been
thinking about how well our students represent us. I was fortunate to sit in on a
recruiting visit to one of our young men
with an enormous scholarship at stake.
He was great - he deflected praise to his
family, teachers, classmates and articulated
what it meant to be “One DeMatha” with
passion and precision. Our seniors are
having lunch with Fr. James and Mr. Bright
and their reports of the conversations are
a delight - I am going to miss them. Our
juniors at the ring ceremony were happy,
The National Honor Society
thoughtful, and delighted to share the mo-
will sponsor a Blood Drive
ment with family and the school. Sopho-
on Wednesday, March 29,
mores are elbow deep in academic prepa-
from 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. in the old gym.
ration for the Science Expo and for the
The Blood Drive is open to students, facul-
equally important rite-of-passage, the
ty and parents. Students who are 16 years
Sophomore Conversation. Our Freshmen
old must have a signed parent permission
are super engaged. They are participating
form (available from Mrs. McKee, Counsel-
in co-curricular events at a great rate and
ing Center). Students 17 years old do NOT
anxiously talking about courses for next
need a permission form. Students earn one
year. I walk the campus with my dog, Milo
hour of community service. A photo ID is
required. If interested, see Mrs. McKee,
call 240-764-2225 or [email protected]
to register.
Parent Alert Emails: Communications on closings, weather, activity and sports updates will automatically be sent via e-mail to the primary email listed on the student’s Veracross account. United
proud in numberless ways. (Like everyone
Way #8392 CFC #89951 SAT CEEB#210660
a lot. The students are unfailingly , engaging, they are kind, they are supportive and
they are playful. How we treat those who
can do nothing for us, like Milo, says a
great deal about the faith-filled Gentlemen
and Scholars I am so proud of.
Daniel J. McMahon, Ph.D.
www.dematha.org
Page 2
V o lu me 9 , Is su e 8 , M a r ch 2 0 1 7
Academic Matters
DPO Parent Matters
Science Expo
Summer School

On Thursday, March
Graduation DVD order forms are
School regulations stipulate that any
available on the website and in the
failing grade must be made up in sum-
Main Office. Turn your order into
mer school. Students are also required
to attend summer school if they meet
one of the following criteria: A final
Senior Parents: Class of 2017

Plan to attend the DPO Parent
ed to students. The information will
Algebra 1, Part 1, regular Algebra 1 or
March 2, to network and meet
Algebra 2. A grade of D in Honors Al-
others in a relaxing setting with re-
gebra 1 or Honors Algebra 2 does not
freshments and music. Please join
result in required summer school. In-
us in the Kilby Lounge from 6:00-
the first two levels of a world lan-
take place. The Expo
project is required of sophomores.
Meeting & Social on Thursday,
honors math program. A grade of D in
Expo & Dinner will
the Main Office.
grade of F in any class. A grade of D in a
stead, the student will move out of the
9, the annual Science
Forms and information have been handalso be available on our website Academics/Department/Science. To
increase the degree of scientific skills,
the process of completing a science
project has been divided into several
8:00 p.m. for an evening of fun! For stages. Information and due dates for
further information, contact the
forms, research plans, the Abstract and
DPO at 240-764-2180.
backboards have been given to the stu-
guage. If a student achieves an extreme-  The 16th Annual Mother/Son
ly low final grade, he may be required to
Luncheon will be held on Sunday,
repeat the course the following year
April 9, from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
dents. Information on forms and re-
depending on individual academic de-
lettering for projects are available after-
in the Antler Room.
partment regulations. Please note that
Chemistry, Biology and Physics are not
offered in DeMatha’s Summer School.
class in summer school will result in a
on the school website. Backboards and
school in February, Monday-Thursday in
Junior/Senior
Bio-chemistry and Active Physics will be Prom
offered. Please take the summer school
The prom will be
dates into consideration when making
held on Friday, May 5, at the College
vacation plans: Monday, June 19Friday, July 21. Failure to make up a
quirements for students can be found
Rm106. Backboards-$5 Labels-$2 Lettering-$2.
Wednesday, March 8: Projects set
up.
Thursday, March 9: Judging and in-
Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Cen- terviews with dinner (optional) and
ter, University of Maryland, 3501 Uniguest lecture program. Viewing 6:30 versity Blvd East, Adelphi, MD, 20783,
Support the Annual Fund! The
9:30 p.m. Dinner 6:30 p.m. Program
from 7:00-12:00 a.m. Check-in begins at begins at 7:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30
Friday, March 10: Projects removed.
p.m. Late arrivals will only be accepted
Annual Fund provides for ongoing year-
due to a DeMatha athletic event and late
$400 fee being assessed in the fall for
administrative and scheduling purposes.
ly costs, including student programs and arrivals must have a permission slip, see
scholarship funds. Donations, as well as Mrs. Stawinski in the Business Office.
Science Expo Dinner
gifts of stocks, real estate and planned
No entry after 9:00 p.m. Students may
The Science Expo Dinner will be held
giving, allow us to continue educating all not leave until 11:30 p.m. Tickets will
of our young men in the DM tradition. be available in the Business Office in St.
on Thursday, March 9, at 6:30 p.m.
Designations to scholarship funds or
specific programs are welcome. Please
John DeMatha Hall Monday, March 13 Student tickets are $10. Parent tickets
are $15. Those wishing to hear only
thru Friday, April 21, for $70 per
see “Support DeMatha” on the website, person. Payment by cash or check. No
or contact Mr. Tom Ponton at 240-764- refunds. Formal attire is required.
2222 or [email protected].
Tickets are available in the Main Office.
the speaker will be admitted at approximately 7:30 p.m.
www.dematha.org
V o lu me 9 , Is su e 8 , M a r ch 2 0 1 7
Page 3
Music Matters
Senior
Senior Information
All are invited to attend!
Calendar
On Thursday, April 6, there will be a
March 30 & 31: PG Band Festival, Sym- Graduation gowns, announcements and
name cards will be purchased by the
phonic (6:05 p.m.) & Wind Ensemble
(7:50 p.m.), Northwestern High School.
April 1: PG Orchestra Festival, Sinfonia,
school as this is included as part of your
graduation fee.
mandatory senior parent meeting
beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Antler
Room. End of the year responsibilities and
calendars will be reviewed. Graduation
tickets and announcements will be distrib-
Northwestern High School, 2:50 p.m.
March 17 - Senior Service Papers due
uted. The school provides 25 announce-
April 4: Jazz Lab & Ensemble , concert
April 6 - Senior Parent meeting
ments, 12 tickets, caps and gowns which
Band Concert, Hyattsville Middle School, April 28 - Senior baby pictures due
are included in the senior graduation fee.
7:30 p.m. *change from printed calendar
May 1 - College decisions & financial awards
If you are interested in purchasing addi-
April 6-8: WAMTC Honor Band
May 1-12 - AP Exams
April 10 OR 11: Band and Strings par-
May 4 - Senior Exit Interview due
ent meeting for Music Trip, Antler Room, May 5 - Prom - optional
May 5 - No classes - seniors
7:30 p.m.
April 20-23: Music Festival
April 27: Concert Bands and Percussion Ensemble I Concert, Bladensburg
High School, 7:30 p.m.
May 2: Symphonic Band, Bladensburg
High School, 7:30 p.m.
College Board & SAT
Register for the SAT online at
www.collegeboard.org. The SAT Test
dates and registration deadlines for the
year are as follows: CEEB# 210660
Test Date & Registration Deadline
(Late registration is available)
March 11, 2017
May 6, 2017
Feb. 10, 2017
April 7, 2017
May 10-12 - Senior exams
May 9, 2017
looking for additional tickets, email
[email protected]. If you are unable
to attend the meeting, you must contact
Mr. Bright at 240-764-2227.
For a presentation at Baccalaureate,
May 12 - Graduation practice , gym, 10:45am please email a picture of your son from
May 12 - Faculty-Senior Dinner, 6:00pm
infancy or youth to [email protected]
May 17 - Grades updated for seniors
by April 28. Labeled hard copies will be
May 22-25 - College Prep Program
returned.
May 26 - June 1 - No classes - seniors
Academic
May 31- Graduation practice, Shrine,10:00am
Awards Night
May 31 - Baccalaureate Mass, 4:00 pm
On Wednesday, April 26, beginning at
June 2 - Graduation, Shrine, 9:00 am
June 30 - Parent Exit Interview due
Official diplomas can be picked up in the
Main Office beginning on Monday, June
12.
DeMatha Players
The DeMatha Players will present
DeMatha offers after-school SAT Prep A Soldier’s Story, Friday, April 28 at
8:00 p.m., Saturday, April 29, at 8:00
courses throughout the year for $50
p.m., and Sunday, April 30, at 2:00
for the verbal course, $50 for the math
p.m. at the Bowie Center for the Percourse or $90 for both. Classes are
forming Arts. Tickets $5, available
limited to 25 students and seniors will
online, in the Stag Store or at the door.
be given preference. Registration forms
For mature audiences only!
are located in the Counseling Center.
June 3, 2017
tional announcements at $1 each or are
7:30 p.m., we will celebrate the academic
achievements of our students. All students who have been on the Honor Roll,
Academic Dean’s List, or Principal’s List
for three consecutive quarters (1st quarter, 1st semester and 3rd quarter) will be
awarded lapel pins. In addition, special
awards will be given to seniors graduating
with honors (a cumulative 3.0 average)
and with highest honors (a cumulative 3.8
average). Also receiving recognition will
be students who have achieved excellence
in a variety of other academic pursuits.
Attendance is by invitation only.
If you receive an invitation, please RSVP in
a timely manner for planning purposes to
[email protected].
Page 4
Service Reminders
All service hours are expected to be turned
in no later than 2 months after completion.
Any service hours completed during the 1st
semester were due on Friday, January
13. Senior service hours were
due February 17. The required Senior
Reflection Paper is due on March
17. Service hours for freshmen, sophomores and juniors are due by Friday, May
19. Students must have completed and submitted the hours required for their class
year using the online system. Links and information have been emailed to students
and are on the DeMatha website, under
Christian Service Program. A reminder that
students who do not complete their re-
www.dematha.org
Art & Photography Show
complete those summer school hours before returning to DeMatha. Freshmen owe
5 hours, sophomores owe 10 hours and
juniors owe 20 by May 19. See pp 38-39 in
the student handbook or the Christian Service website for clarification. Questions concerning requirements and hours should be
directed to the Campus Ministry Office
at 240-764-2260.
Calendar 2017
Continued from pg 1
All are invited to attend
the 11th Annual Student, Staff, Alumni and
Parents Art & Photography Show and
Reception, Sunday, April 9, from 3:00
March 16
Reconciliation
DPO Muffin Madness Juniors Donate
- 5:00 p.m. Parents are invited to partic- March 17
ipate. Artists must submit their work paintings, drawings, photography, printmaking, sculpture, mixed media and digi-
End 3rd Quarter
Senior Service Papers Due
tal works framed and ready for hanging.
NHS Tag Day
Artwork must be delivered to the Art
Artwork Due to Mr. Holsey
Center no later than Friday, March
17. Please contact Mr. Holsey to set up
a drop off time, 240-764-2261 or [email protected].
March 20-27
Spring Break
March 27
Grades Published
quired hours will be assigned additional summer school hours and will be required to
V o lu me 9 , Is su e 8 , M a r ch 2 0 1 7
Ray Smith Golf
Tournament
Join alumni, parents and
friends at the 29th Annual Ray Smith
Golf Classic on Friday, April 28 at
Renditions Golf Club, Davidsonville,
raising funds to benefit the Fr. Michael
School & Offices Closed
March 28
Report Cards Distributed
March 29
NHS Blood Drive
March 30
Reconciliation
Malloy Scholarship Fund at DeMatha. Continental breakfast, greens fee
AP Exams
and cart, happy hour, dinner, prizes
Advanced Placement
Our Lenten Drive this year
and gift bag are included in your $225
(AP) Exams will take place Monday,
supports the Equal Justice Initiative, the or-
per person player ($900 per four-
May 1 through Friday, May 12. Stu-
ganization that Bryan Stephenson, author
some) registration. Sponsorships are
dents must be registered by submitting
Lenten Project
of Just Mercy, founded. The Equal Justice
also available. See the Alumni page on payment to be permitted to take his exInitiative is committed to ending mass incar- DeMatha’s website for information or am(s). Payment is due by Wednesday,
ceration and excessive punishment in the
March 15, and a Pre-Administration
to register online. Have fun and supUnited States, to challenging racial and eco- port our students too!
Session will be held during the school
nomic injustice, and to protecting basic huday on April 19. If your son is particiman rights for the most vulnerable people in
pating, please encourage him to be preSpring Break
American society. We will be having a tag
March 20 - March 27
pared and well rested. If you have any
day on Tuesday, March 7, to support this
questions concerning AP testing, please
Report Absence Directly contact Mr. Paolucci at 240-764-2211
organization and we will be collecting money
during lunch periods as well. Please support
or [email protected].
240-764-2230
our efforts supporting the most vulnerable.