Archbishop Wood High School
Parents’ Newsletter
Volume XVI, Number 3
Spring 2016
From the PRESIDENT, Mr. Gary V. Zimmaro:
Dear Viking Parents and Guardians:
As we approach the end of another school year, I would like to take this opportunity to
say “thank you” for all of the support that you give to Archbishop Wood High School. I am
most proud of the accomplishments of our students; their talents in the classroom, on the
stage, and on the fields of athletic competition are truly gifts from God, but I am most proud
of the “Viking Family Spirit” that we have. The support for one another on a daily basis is
truly overwhelming and I believe that this is what we are all about.
To the Class of 2016, congratulations; I hope that your four years at Archbishop Wood
have been happy ones. You have certainly made us proud of you on many occasions. You will
be missed, but please know that you will not be forgotten. You will remain in my prayers as
you go forth on your new journey, and you will always be a part of the Viking Spirit, so
please stay in touch with us. To the senior parents, thank you for your dedication to
Archbishop Wood and Catholic Education. Your support over the past four years has been
greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing all of you at graduation.
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I hope that all of you have a very safe and relaxing summer. I look forward to the start
of another school year as we continue to work together to advance the mission and good
news of Archbishop Wood and Catholic Education. May God bless you and your families.
Sincerely,
Gary V. Zimmaro
President
Congratulations to the following Class of 2020 Academic
Scholarship winners, most of whom are pictured above:
Justin Baker, Full Neumann Scholarship - St. Jude
Anna Casey, Full Neumann Scholarship - Queen of Angels
Timothy Schluth, Full Neumann Scholarship - St. Katharine Drexel
Katherine Kelly, Full Academic Scholarship - Nativity of Our Lord
Zachary Hughes, Half Academic Scholarship - St. Andrew
Daniel Waltrich, Partial Academic Scholarship - Queen of Angels
Michelle Sicard, Partial Academic Scholarship - Queen of Angels
Daniel Tate, Partial Academic Scholarship - St. Andrew
Amanda Messina, Partial Academic Scholarship - St. Joseph-St. Robert
Austin Meakim, Partial Academic Scholarship - Log College Middle School
Brian Woodring, Partial Academic Scholarship - Our Lady of Good Counsel
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Bridget Coyle, Partial Academic Scholarship - Queen of Angels
Aditya Kesavan, Partial Academic Scholarship - Mary, Mother of the Redeemer
Benjamin Lilly, Partial Academic Scholarship - Queen of Angels
Alexander Meyer, Partial Academic Scholarship - St. Andrew
Anthony Bombas, Partial Academic Scholarship - St. Cecilia
Alyssa Jones, Partial Academic Scholarship - Mary, Mother of the Redeemer
Madison Cartlidge, Partial Academic Scholarship - Queen of Angels
Alexis Haupert, Partial Academic Scholarship - Our Lady of Good Counsel
Colin Hope, Partial Academic Scholarship - Our Lady of Mercy
Jacob Haupert, Partial Academic Scholarship - Our Lady of Good Counsel
Stephanie Kraft, Partial Academic Scholarship - Our Lady of Good Counsel
Kathleen Campbell, Partial Academic Scholarship - Our Lady of Good Counsel
Levi Mayer, Partial Academic Scholarship - Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Nicole Chesla, Partial Academic Scholarship - St. Joseph-St. Robert
From the PRINCIPAL, Mrs. Mary Harkins:
Dear Parents and Guardians,
When New Year’s Eve approaches, people tend to reflect on the past year. As June
approaches, educators reflect on the past school year. What a year this has been! Starting
with the visit of Pope Francis and ending with the commencement exercises of the Class of
2016 and final assemblies for the underclasses, this has been a memorable year.
This spring has been filled with activities: our spring musical, Into the Woods; award
winning robotics competitions; another state championship for our Girls’ Basketball Team
and the accompanying celebrations including the parade and day off; junior and senior
proms; mini-thon raising over $56,000.00; Mr. Viking competition with Matt Schwartz
crowned the winner; Viking Night filled with talent and spirit; and the final Kairos of this
school year, to name just a few events. And while all this is happening, students are
preparing for their Advanced Placement exams and final course assessments. While we
celebrate and enjoy all these activities, it is important for all our students to stay focused on
their academics.
While we celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2016 as graduation
approaches, we ask our parents to keep the seniors on task. There is no such thing as Senior
Slide at Wood. We expect our seniors to work diligently until the last assessment is finished.
The fourth quarter will fly by. All graduates must submit a final report card to the college of
their choice. It would not speak well to a student’s commitment to success if the last grades
were the worst grades.
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Many honors have come to our seniors, such as scholarships, community and
national awards, National Merit Recognition, and athletic commendations. We appreciate
the honor they have brought to Wood and look forward to celebrating with them at the
Senior Awards Night on June 1, their Baccalaureate Mass on June 3, and Graduation on June
6.
Spring is also the time during which the faculty and administration prepare for
the upcoming year. Course selection has concluded. It is our hope that all of our students
have challenged themselves with courses that will prepare them for college and help them
discern their career path. Over the years we have added many electives in order to
introduce students to different career options. A wonderful example of this is the work of
Mr. Kevin McLemore and the Architecture class. Challenged by Monsignor Bolger to build a
bus shelter on the corner of Street and York Roads, these students have designed a beautiful
shelter and have taken their proposal to various levels of Warminster Township, SEPTA, and
the management of the shopping center. Not only have these students learned something
about design but they have also learned a great deal about team work, problem solving, and
local government. Their efforts have been reported in The Intelligencer. The students in this
class report that this experience has helped them decide their college major.
Thank you for responding to our two requests to complete a survey. The first one
was for our Middle States Self-Study. Mr. Mark Mullelly is our Internal Coordinator. Mr.
Mullelly is working with a Planning Team consisting of students, teachers, administrators,
parents and alums. Throughout the next school year, you will receive periodic reports on
their work, goals for the next seven years, and the results of our evaluative visit tentatively
scheduled for December.
Throughout this newsletter you will find information about assessments and the final
days of school. It is most important that students are present throughout the ending days.
The final assessment constitutes 10% of the final grade. Lack of attention to final
requirements can have a negative impact on grades, class rank, and honors. Also during the
final days, textbooks are collected. Textbooks are very expensive and while funds are
received from the state for these books, replacing lost or damaged books is a poor use of
valuable state funds. Please pray that there is a state budget this summer. This past year
we did not receive our textbooks until February due to the budget impasse.
To the parents of the Class of 2016, thank you for your support of Archbishop Wood
and your child’s journey through high school. We will miss your sons and daughters but I am
sure they know that we look forward to their visits and learning about life after Wood.
To our returning parents, please know that the administration and faculty of Wood
will continue to work to provide the best high school experience for your child. We are open
all summer preparing for the new school year. Please don’t ever hesitate to contact with
questions or concerns.
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May the conclusion of this school year be filled with happiness and blessings and the
summer months provide you and your family with time together to rest and relax.
Sincerely,
Mary Harkins
Principal
From the Business & Tuition Offices:
Tuition and fees for all Archdiocese High Schools are managed through Smart Tuition.
Payments for the 2016-2017 school year will be paid in 11 payments starting in June and
ending in April. In the past, the School Administrative Fee was paid in two payments. This
year the School Administrative Fee will be divided over the 11 monthly payments. We
hope that this will make it a little easier on our families.
Please notify the Tuition Office if you will have three or more students in Archdiocesan high
schools. A form will then be provided so that the Archdiocese can assign the family rate
discount. Also notify the Tuition Office if either parent is a full time employee in any of the
Archdiocesan high schools so that a staff-waiver form can be provided for your completion.
The Administrative Fee for 2016-2017 is $1200.00.
A full explanation of the fees structure was mailed to all families in February along with the
Archdiocesan Tuition Schedule. Fees are payable as follows:



June is the first payment for the tuition & fee
A $30.00 late fee will be applied to all late payments
$150.00 Grad Fee (SENIORS only) due April 1.
Now that tuition and the school administration fee is being billed over eleven months (June
thru April), it will be necessary that the June, July, and August payments be paid before any
student can receive a roster or participate on an athletic team or activity.
Please note the following points of information relating to Archdiocesan Policy:
 A $30.00 penalty will be assessed for each failed payment made to SMART.
 Report cards and final transcripts will be released only if all tuition and fees are paidin full.
 To attend proms and special events, tuition and fees must be paid to date or paid in
full.
Please keep the Business Office notified of any change of address or telephone number.
Should you have any questions or need information,
contact Carol Lester at 215-672-5050, x 224.
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2016 Mini-Thon
Congratulations to Ms. Bridget McLaughlin, the Mini-thon Executive Board, and
all those who participated in Archbishop Wood's Second Mini-thon on Friday,
March 18, 2016. Wood's Mini-thon raised over $56,000 for pediatric cancer
and all involved had a great time.
Executive Directors: Ben McCloskey ‘16
Assistant Executive Director: Alaina Ellis ‘16
Communications Chairs: Sean Harney ’17 and Ally Wolk ‘18
Hospitality Chair: Mary Junod ‘16
Morale Chairs: Jill DiPiazza ’16 and Meghan Hennessey ‘17
Operations Chair: Matt McGettigan ‘16
Entertainment Chair: Nick Sonsini ‘16
Finance Chairs: Jacquelyn Sherman ’16 and Emma Fowley ‘18
Art Chairs: Jocelyn Tongue ’16 and Alexis Gogola ‘18
Public Relations Chairs: Bobby Fanning ’16 and Erin Boruta ‘16
Technology Chairs: Harry Davis ’17 and Jacob Berry ‘18
Social Media Chairs: Emily LaMay ’16 and Sam Altopedi ‘17
Secretary: Gill Conricode ‘18
Donor Relations Chairs: Kirstin Wilson ’16 and Regan McGovern ‘16
Alumni Chairs: Kate Horan ’17 and Kylie Menarde ‘17
Captains: Bella Straface ’19, Aileen McMonagle ’19, Gill Fennessey ’19,
Jake Nubbemeyer ’18, Bridget News ’16, David Benson ’17, Matt Arcidiacono ’18,
Franny Hess ’16, and Kamryn Karensky ‘17
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From the ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR ACADEMIC
AFFAIRS, Mrs. Cloe O'Grady:
COURSE SELECTION
Course selection has taken place for the 2016-2017 school year. During this process, rising
juniors and seniors carefully chose their elective courses. Some students may change their
mind about this selection.
If the change requested is possible and authorized by the
appropriate department chairperson, the change will be made without penalty as long as the
request is made before the end of this school year. Requests for roster changes in August or
September, (only granted for significant academic reasons), will be subject to a $25.00 service
charge. The deadline for drop/add for electives is September 23, 2016. Without question, an
academically strong roster is the goal for all students. Therefore, all upperclassmen must be
scheduled for 6 courses.
AP EXAMS
Advanced Placement exams are scheduled from Monday, May 2, through Wednesday, May 11.
Please be aware that all students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses are required to take
the exam. This year the fee for each exam, set by the College Board, is $92.00. (Checks are to
be made payable to Archbishop Wood High School, and are collected the day of each test).
Following is this year’s test schedule:
Monday, May 2
AP Chemistry (AM)
AP Environmental Science (AM)
AP Psychology (PM)
Tuesday, May 3
AP Comp Science (AM)
AP Art History (AM)
AP Spanish (AM)
AP Physics (alg) (PM)
Wednesday, May 4
AP English Lit and Comp (AM)
Thursday, May 5
AP Calculus (AM)
Friday, May 6
AP US History (AM)
Monday, May 9
AP Biology (AM)
Tuesday, May 10
AP US Gov/Politics (AM)
AP Physics (calc) (PM)
Wednesday, May 11 AP English Lang and Comp (AM)
The AP Bulletin for AP Students and Parents has been distributed to all students enrolled in
Advanced Placement courses. Please refer to this bulletin for further information. Specific
testing times and procedures will be distributed and posted.
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SECOND SEMESTER ASSESSMENTS
It is hard to believe that we have moved so quickly through the 3rd Quarter, which closed on
April 15. The 4th Quarter began on Monday, April 18. Second Semester Assessments will be
administered during regularly scheduled class periods. Please note that assessments days are
full school days (2:15 dismissal).
Senior Assessments: May 20, 23, 24, 25 (Make-up day: May 31)
Underclass Assessments: June 7, 8, 9, 10
ACADEMIC FAILURES
ACADEMIC FAILURES MUST BE CLEARED THROUGH SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF SUMMER
SCHOOL. THIS REQUIREMENT MUST BE SATISFIED IN ORDER FOR DIPLOMAS TO BE ISSUED
TO SENIORS. THIS REQUIREMENT MUST BE SATISFIED IN ORDER FOR UNDERCLASSMEN TO
BE ELIGIBLE TO RETURN TO ARCHBISHOP WOOD.
CLOSING OUT THE SCHOOL YEAR: REPORT CARDS
As the school year closes, student records are also closed in preparation for the new school
year. This closing in the system must occur on June 27, 2016. Therefore, it is very important
that report card questions regarding Attendance, Discipline, or grades be raised no later than
Friday, June 24. Once the system closes on June 27, report cards/records cannot be adjusted.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
TEXTBOOKS
Please encourage your sons and daughters to responsibly care for their state-loan textbooks.
These books will be collected in June. If a new textbook is lost or damaged, the student is
responsible to pay 100% of the original price of the book. If a used textbook is lost or damaged,
the student is responsible to pay 50% of the original price. Careful and responsible handling
now will minimize problems at collection time.
CLOSING WEEKS OF SCHOOL**
MONDAY, JUNE 6
GRADUATION
NO SCHOOL
TUESDAY, JUNE 7 THROUGH FRIDAY, JUNE 10: UNDERLASS FINAL ASSESSMENTS:
DISMISSAL 2:15 PM
MONDAY, JUNE 13
TUESDAY, JUNE 14
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15
THURSDAY, JUNE 16
FULL DAY (GRADES 9-10-11)
JUNIORS ONLY
SOPHOMORES ONLY
FRESHMEN ONLY
DISMISSAL 2:15 PM
DISMISSAL 11:00 AM
DISMISSAL 11:00 AM
DISMISSAL 11:00 AM
**Please understand the importance of the closing days of school. Significant class business is
conducted. Grade reporting/adjustment is completed. Books are collected and lockers are
cleaned. In order to close out the year and conduct organizational business, student
attendance IS very important.
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TRANSPORTATION: CLOSING WEEKS OF SCHOOL
PLEASE NOTE: THE LAST DAY FOR ALL LATE ACTIVITIES BUSES IS FRIDAY, JUNE 10.
All district buses will transport students every morning. However, the only districts
transporting home at the 11:00 am dismissal time on June 14, June 15, and June 16 are:
Abington, Cheltenham, Yellowbird Transportation, Tropiano, and the Lower Bucks Van.
Hatboro-Horsham School District will provide transportation home only on Thursday, June 16.
Springfield School District will only provide transportation home on Wednesday, June 15 and
Thursday, June 16.
Super Summer Reading!
Summer’s coming! Finally, you’ll be free from the stresses and
pressure of classes and homework, projects and papers, tests and
quizzes and assessments; now
you can relax, lay back, and
actually enjoy some time reading
for fun, for pleasure, or to explore
something new.
Your English Teachers at
Archbishop Wood have come up
with some great suggestions for
awesome books you’ll enjoy
digging into during the less-hectic weeks of summer.
And while you’re absorbed in a fascinating reading adventure
this summer, guess what? You’ll also be strengthening your critical
reading skills and acquiring a richer vocabulary for reading and
writing at your next grade level! In fact, after a summer in which you
read some books for fun, you’ll be better prepared to tackle those
new subjects on your roster when you get back to school in
September. It’s truly a win-win situation: while reading for pleasure
this summer, you’ll have fun and get smarter! Check out the titles
below:
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New 9th Graders:
The Call of the Wild – Jack London
A Raisin in the Sun – Lorraine Hansberry
The Outsiders – S.E. Hinton
A Separate Peace – John Knowles
Holes - Louis Sachar
Briar Rose - Jane Yolen
Zel - Donna Napoli
Bull Run - Paul Fleishman
Impossible Knife of Memory – Laurie Halse
Anderson
Eleanor Park - Rainbow Rowell
Eragon - Chris Paolini
Hero - Mike Lupica
A Lesson Before Dying - Ernest Gaines
Brown Girl Dreaming - Jacqueline Woodson
Friday Night Lights - Buzz Bissinger
The Maze Runner - James Dashner
Esperanza Rising - Pam Munoz Ryan
Haunting of Hill House - Shirley Jackson
Invasion - Robin Cook
My Sister’s Keeper - Jodi Picoult
I Am Malala – Malala Yousafzai
The Adventures of Ulysses – Bernard Evslin
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer – Mark Twain
The Hobbit – J. R. R. Tolkien
The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway
Moving Up to 10th Grade:
Paper Towns - John Green
The Once and Future King – T.H. White
Number the Stars - Lois Lowy
The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
I am Malala - Malala Yousafzai
All but My Life - Barbara Rosenblatt
The Good Earth - Pearl Buck
Secret Life of Bees - Sue Monk Kidd
The Princess Bride – William Goldman
Treasure Island – Robert Louis Stevenson
The Martian Chronicles – Ray Bradbury
Animal Farm – George Orwell
Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom
Of Mice and Men – John Steinbeck
Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte
And Then There Were None – Agatha Christie
Oliver Twist – Charles Dickens
Hiroshima – John Hersey
The Story of My Life – Helen Keller
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde –
Robert Louis Stevenson
Much Ado about Nothing – William
Shakespeare
Lord of the Flies – William Golding
Moving Up to 11th Grade:
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time Mark Haddon
The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their
Epic Quest for Gold in the 1936 Berlin
Olympics - Daniel James Brown
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
– Sherman Alexie
The Jungle - Upton Sinclair
Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
I, Robot - Isaac Asimov
The Caine Mutiny - Herman Wouk
A Separate Peace - John Knowles
Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
Emma - Jane Austen
The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
Travels with Charlie - John Steinbeck
Inherit the Wind - Lawrence and Lee
Collected Poems - Robert Frost
Spoon River Anthology - Edgar Lee Masters
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
Night - Wiesel
Before We Were Free - Julia Alvarez
Falling Leaves - Adeline Yen Mah
The Orphan Train – Christina Baker Kline
1984 – George Orwell
The Awakening – Kate Chopin
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The Red Badge of Courage – Stephen Crane
Waterlilly – Ella Cra Deloria
Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglas, an
American Slave – Douglas
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl – Harriet
Jacobs
The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail – Jerome
Lawrence
The Prince and the Pauper – Mark Twain
My Antonia – Willa Cather
Darius & Twig – Walter Dean Myers
Salem’s Lot – Stephen King
A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini
The Ocean at the End of the Lane: A Novel –
Neil Gaiman
Cress – Marissa Meyer
Finally! You’re in 12th Grade:
Jurassic Park – Michael Crichton
Snow Flower and the Secret Fan – Lisa See
The Natural – Bernard Malamud
The Road – Cormac McCarthy
Brave New World – Aldous Huxley
The Chosen – Chaim Potok
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya
Angelou
Go Ask Alice – Anonymous
House on Mango Street – Sandra Cisneros
In Cold Blood – Truman Capote
American Childhood – Annie Dillard
Tears of a Tiger – Sharon Draper
As I Lay Dying – William Faulkner
The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
A Prayer for Owen Meany – John Irving
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest – Ken Kesey
The Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kidd
Life of Pi – Yan Martel
Angela’s Ashes – Frank McCourt
The Things They Carried – Tim O’Brien
The Bell Jar – Sylvia Plath
Slaughterhouse Five – Kurt Vonnegut
Black Boy – Richard Wright
A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream – William
Shakespeare
Things Fall Apart – Achebe
Candide – Voltaire
A Doll’s House – Henrik Ibsen
The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway
The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
Also, 11th and 12th graders—as you
look ahead to college,
check out this list of
the top 100 books to read before
college
for more great reading ideas:
http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/27664.Top_100_Books_to_Read_Before_Co
llege_
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From the DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS,
Samantha Mancuso Williams:
Dear Viking Alumni,
Spring has finally sprung! With that said, we put behind us a busy, yet eventful winter. On
December 22, Wood welcomed back their young alumni from the Classes of 2012, 2013, 2014
and 2015. It was great to have the former students back in the building to help us kick off the
Christmas break. Thank you to those students who came back to visit and wish us a Merry
Christmas!
As always, I continue to encourage alums to update their information on our school website to
ensure they receive information about upcoming alumni events and news. Please don’t hesitate
to send any news/updates directly to me, as I am always looking for exciting stories to include
in the Viking Magazine.
We recently celebrated our Archbishop Wood Alumni Weekend. Saturday, April 16, was our
Hall of Fame, and Sunday, April 17, was our Alumni Mass and Garden Blessing.
Archbishop Wood’s Hall of Fame is dedicated to those outstanding Wood graduates who,
through their accomplishments and involvement, have brought honor to themselves and the
Archbishop Wood community. The 2016 induction ceremony brought together over 100
alumni, parents, and friends. Celebrating the school’s long legacy of excellence, each inductee
was formally recognized for his or her distinguished accomplishments in six categories. The
evening included an induction ceremony in the auditorium and cocktails and dinner in the gym
which had been transformed into a lovely reception space.
2016 Alumni Hall of Fame inductees:
Dr. Patrick Kenny ’71: Education/Arts/Entertainment
Salena Lynn Barone ’94: Athletics
Sister Mary DePaul ’77: Religion
Pennsylvania State Representative Thomas Murt ‘78: Business/Military
Herbert Hopkins ‘70: Service
Joseph Callaghan ‘82: The Viking Award
The weekend of festivities concluded with Mass, where we recognized our generous
benefactors and new alumni scholarship recipients. The Mass was well attended with over 200
members of the Viking family there. At the conclusion of Mass, new stone pavers and benches
were blessed and dedicated to current and alumni families as well as to loved ones who have
passed in the Archbishop Wood community. The morning ended with a breakfast in the South
Gym where everyone enjoyed good company and conversation.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students and volunteers who have helped in
the Alumni Office, especially Mrs. Christine Bogdan, Mrs. Deb McGrath, and Sister Clare
Halloran. Without you, our events and mailings would not have been a success.
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We are very grateful to all who choose to support our mission by making Archbishop Wood
High School a charitable priority. Your support in the form of a gift to The Annual Fund is a
vote of confidence in our efforts to provide the very best in Catholic education. Each and every
gift has a meaningful impact on every aspect of the school and all the students whose lives
are impacted by the Archbishop Wood Catholic experience.
From the DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS,
Patricia Roschetz
Happy spring! We have had over two hundred and twenty students shadow so far this
year. Thank you to all the host/hostesses for making these students feel welcomed. The
shadowing program for this year ended April 29.
However, if you know of any student or parent who would like to tour Archbishop
Wood, please direct them to me ([email protected] or extension 268).
Thank you to all our students who assisted in our Spring Open House. The evening was
a huge success!
From the DIRECTOR OF INSTITUTIONAL
ADVANCEMENT, Mr. Tim Dunn:
I hope everyone is looking forward to a nice and relaxing summer. I would like to take this time
to go over our scholarship schedule. All scholarship applications will be available in midNovember. Deadlines will be mid-February. Applications will be available in my office (Room
237) or on our website www.archwood.org under the Alumni tab. Winners will be notified and
will receive their certificates at our Alumni Mass & Garden Blessing on Sunday, April 30, 2017.
Applications will be available online or in the Advancement Office, Room 237 in November.
Please remember when making a donation to Archbishop Wood to check to see if your
employer has a matching gift plan.
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From the ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR STUDENT
SERVICES, Mr. Donald B. Mangin:
The rules and policies of Archbishop Wood High School are in place for all
students and not at the discretion of the parents/guardians, including the
consequences.
Thank you for your cooperation in these matters.
If you have any questions
concerning our school policies, please refer to our Student Handbook, which can be found on
line on our website www.archwood.org or contact me at [email protected].
UNIFORMS:
Student Handbook, pages 20-22
The optional summer uniform code has been in effect since Monday 3-30-16. Ladies are to
wear the regulation uniform skirt with the regulation banded-bottom white school polo shirt,
long or short sleeve and regulation school shoes. Skirts are to be no shorter than 1 inch above
the knee. Gentlemen are to wear the regulation uniform gray dress pants with the bandedbottom white school polo shirt, long or short sleeve, and regulation school shoes. Students are
permitted to wear only white t-shirts and they must be tucked in; colored t-shirts are not
acceptable and will result in demerits and detentions. ID cards are required and must be worn
by every student at all times. All other dress code policies are still in effect, including
consequences for not following the dress code.
If a student chooses to wear something over the regulation polo shirt, it must be our official
school uniform sweater. HOODIES AND SWEATSHIRTS ARE NOT PERMITTED.
***STUDENT ID/SECURITY CARD*** Student Handbook, pages 33 and 46
We would like to remind you that all students are required to wear the student ID card on a
lanyard around their neck. The lanyard is to be worn at all times while in school. This is part of
our uniform policy and a requirement for the safety and security of the school, staff and faculty
and especially its students. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in a dress code
violation, and the student will be liable for demerits and detention.
BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION PROGRAM/ COMMUNITY SERVICE
The Archbishop Wood Behavior Modification Program/Community Service will be held from
June 20, 2016, through June 30, 2016, from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Any student with a conduct
failure for the year (average of first and second semesters) will be required to attend this
Behavior Modification program. A student with a very low grade in conduct for either semester
(below 60), may also be required to attend. To compute the grade for the year, add the grade
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in January to the grade for June, divide by 2, and this will be the average for the year. Please
note, attendance at this program is mandatory to return to Archbishop Wood for the
2016/2017 school year.
Information will follow if your student is required to attend the Behavior Modification
Program
N.B. STUDENTS WITH EXCESSIVE ABSENCE (MORE THAN TWENTY-TWO DAYS) or LATENESS
MAY ALSO BE REQUIRED TO ATTEND THE BEHAVIOR MODIFIACTION PROGRAM.
LATENESS: Student Handbook, pages 34-35
Any student who is late to school for any reason will be issued 3 demerits and after being late 3
times a Saturday detention will be issued. Only a doctor’s note, legal proceeding, or critical
family emergency will be excused. A note or phone call from a parent or guardian does not
excuse a student’s lateness.
ABSENCE NOTES: Student Handbook, pages 40-41
We want to remind you once again that a completed absence form, found on the website, is
required any time a student is absent from school. It is important for the school attendance
records that a completed form is received after any absence. It is also required that a doctor’s
certificate be submitted for an absence in excess of three days, though it is advisable to submit
a doctor’s certificate, if received, for any absence.
EARLY DISMISSAL: Student Handbook, page 28-29
If you require your son or daughter to be excused early from school, a note is required, found
on the web site, from the parent/guardian with the student’s name, homeroom section,
student #, time of dismissal and purpose of the dismissal (doctor appointment, etc.). The note is
required prior to the start of homeroom on the day of early dismissal. A phone call may not
necessarily be answered in a timely fashion for the dismissal. This information is necessary for
attendance and also so we can have your son or daughter ready for you when you come into
the Student Services Office room 100 to sign them out.
PARKING PROBLEMS Student Handbook, pages 36-37
In the spring of each year, we encounter the problem of students driving to school who do not
have a parking space on campus. When we receive reports from neighboring merchants and
businesses about students parking in their lots, we advise them to implement whatever policy
they have for illegally parked cars. This could be ticketing or towing. Privately owned parking
lots (Warminster Plaza Shopping Center, Perkins, Giant, Rite Aid and Hatboro Bank, 755 York
Road Office Center, etc.) as well as the parking lots here at Wood are out of bounds (unless you
are registered); Archbishop Wood bears no responsibility for student cars illegally parked in
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these lots. Students who choose to park in these lots do so at their own risk and we suggest
they take the bus to eliminate any danger. Our greatest concern however is the safety of the
students using these private lots and having to cross a major highway or road. Archbishop
Wood High school does not sanction the use of other parking lots or crossing any road by its
students.
If a student is parked illegally on school grounds, their car will be towed!
Please do not hesitate to email or call me with any questions or concerns.
Don Mangin, APSS
215-672-5050x256
[email protected]
From OUR CAMPUS MINISTER,
Father Paul O'Donnell:
Dear Parents and Guardians:
But let us say a little more about our Lord. A wonderful resurrection account is the Road
to Emmaus. It is a story where two disciples walk for 7 miles with Jesus but they do not
recognize him; however, they know in their hearts that he is very special. At the end of the day
they urge Jesus to stay with them, and at table Jesus says the blessing and breaks bread and
their eyes are opened. A school year can be compared to this. For a school year is a long
journey with many joys and sorrows and all of them are very important. But it is in the 4th
quarter when Easter is celebrated, and the sun shines brighter and longer, and the flowers and
cherry trees blossom, that we realize that the year is all of a sudden coming to an end and that
Jesus has been with us all along. Jesus was there. He was with us on our worst days and with
us on our best days, and he will be with us to help us finish well. In a few weeks we will be
celebrating the baccalaureate mass and in that breaking of the bread may we truly realize that
Jesus has always been with us and will always be with us. Indeed, our Lord Jesus is truly risen!
May all of us be strengthened in our faith to believe and trust in him.
He is risen!
Happy Easter!
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Since Christmas we have been truly blessed by God. I thank God for two successful
Kairos retreats and three class retreats. Our CSC and Pro-Life groups are up and running well.
Our Pro-Life group has been participating in prayer vigils outside of Planned Parenthood on
Fridays. This has proved to be a very enriching experience for our students. Also, I wish to
thank Msgr. Bolger for his presence in saying mass and hearing confessions. His love of Jesus
and the church is a powerful witness to our faith and a great gift for students.
Lastly, I wish to offer my sincere thanks to all the parents and guardians who make the
necessary sacrifices to send their children to Archbishop Wood High School. It is truly a
privilege for me to accompany these young people on their journey through high school. I also
offer special prayers for all of our seniors and their parents and guardians. It is a very special
time but it can be a very difficult time because of the many life changes. However, may we
never forget that the love and care of God never changes. May we never stop turning to him
with our every need. Please know that all of you and your children are in my daily prayers.
Also know that I am available to help in any need you may have. Please feel free to contact me.
May the risen Lord strengthen you and fill you with his blessings!
Fr. Paul O’Donnell
School Minister
From the GUIDANCE DIRECTOR,
Mrs. Mary Desmond
Congratulations to our seniors who have already been accepted to college and awarded
scholarships. All but a few students have applied to a college or trade school. If a student
doesn’t know what he or she wants to do after graduation, encourage him/her to speak with
their counselor. Please remind your son or daughter to apply for scholarships. Although it is
past the deadline for many scholarships, there may still be some listed on Naviance that are still
active. If your child has already been applying for scholarships, congratulate him/her, as not
many students go the extra mile.
We would ask that seniors bring in all the Financial Aid Packages they received regardless of
whether or not they plan to attend that college. The deadline to submit this information is
April 29th. We must have written notice from the college of the scholarship or grant in order to
list it in the Graduation Booklet. Remember this is for all colleges, not just the one the student
will be attending. Check the list in the Guidance Office or Counseling Center to make sure we
have your scholarships!
On April 29th we will go into to all the Senior Theology classes and request that the seniors fill
out a form stating where they would like their final transcripts sent, including NCAA. These will
not be mailed until after the report cards go out and the transcripts are complete – near the
end of June. Do not worry if a college sends a letter prior to this asking for the final transcripts
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as they know we have to wait until the end of the school year. Please check with your child to
make sure he/she did fill out this form.
To All Students – Are you looking for something to do this summer? Check out the programs
listed on Wood’s website. Just put your curser over Student Services, then Guidance, and then
click Summer Programs/Opportunities. Or even easier, click here.
To All Parents – If you have not received an email via Naviance in the last 30 days, please let us
know so we may update your address. A great deal of important information is sent via
Naviance, for example, scholarships, financial aid information deadlines.
Juniors have had their meetings and we spoke with them about course selection, Naviance,
college and career information. Don’t worry, we gave your son or daughter information to bring
home for you and we are always happy to answer any questions you might have. Please
encourage your child to finish his/her resume on Naviance. They should have at least started it.
Also they need to decide what teacher(s) they will ask for recommendations.
We encourage all juniors to take the SAT or ACT twice this year and once in senior year. It’s not
too late to register. The deadline to register for the June 4 SAT is May 5, and the deadline for
the June 11 ACT is May 6. Just go to www.collegeboard.org to register for the SAT and
www.actstudent.org for the ACT. If you are considering very competitive colleges, double
check to see if they require or recommend the SAT Subject Test. Dr. Pace is offering SAT Prep
here at Wood this summer. Dr. Pace offers a “comprehensive review of mathematics, sentence
completions, critical reading, grammar, and essay writing, with strategies and real SAT® practice
tests. PLUS, the SAT® Retreat: techniques for dealing with the non-academic factors (such as
test-anxiety, distractions, and low confidence) that thwart personal best performance.” The
class is being offered July 11 – 15. More information will be available at the end of April at
www.drpaceseminars.com .
Get Follow @OfficialSAT on Twitter and join the
conversation in-depth information and sign up for
updates at deliveringopportunity.org
There are many ways to prepare: The SAT Question of the Day, prep classes, and free apps for
your phone, to name a few. We suggest spending about 20 minutes three times each week
doing some type of preparation. Remember, www.khanacademy.org is the ‘official prep for
the SAT’ and it is free! Students should have connected their College Board and Khan Academy
accounts for personalized prep. If you haven’t yet done this and have questions, see your
counselor. When it comes to prep for either test remember - mix it up – don’t get bored!
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Another big change for the Class of 2017 is financial aid. The FAFSA will be available in October
of 2016. We have already scheduled a Financial Aid Night for October 12.
For athletes…..don’t forget to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you think you may play a
Division I or II sport in college. Go to www.eligibilitycenter.org to register.
SOPHOMORES and FRESHMEN: Please keep reminding your children of the importance of
academics. What they do this year will effect what choices they will have senior year when
making decisions about colleges and careers. Encourage them to look over their notes each
night and to complete all of their homework. Encourage your child to attend tutoring if he/she
is struggling in a class and to see his counselor if he/she has any concerns or is not sure how to
handle a situation. Colleges also look at involvement; junior year students create a resume and
a big part of that is activities. These can be school-based or something in the community – CYO,
part time job, community service, etc.
This time of year can be very stressful for all students. It is important that they have healthy
ways to relieve that stress, like listening to music, exercise or being involved in an organized
activity. A good night’s sleep (without a cell phone to disrupt it) goes a long way to relieve
stress. Remember, your child’s counselor is available should you have any questions or
concerns.
From the ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL FOR STUDENT
AFFAIRS, Mrs. Mary McDonald:
As we approach the final months of the school year, I would like to take this opportunity
to thank all of you for your cooperation and enthusiasm during the school year. Now it is time
to look to the future…especially for our seniors, the Class of 2016. Congratulations and Best
Wishes as you prepare for life after Archbishop Wood.
Graduation and Baccalaureate 2016
Graduation and Baccalaureate practice will be held on June 1, 2016. Practice will begin
promptly at 7:30 AM. It is imperative that all seniors attend practice. Following the practices,
graduation materials will be distributed to the seniors; this will include the student’s Cap and
Gown and the admission tickets for both ceremonies. Only those students who have fulfilled all
academic and financial responsibilities will receive the Graduation materials.
The Baccalaureate Mass will be celebrated on June 3, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the school
auditorium. Each student will be given two (2) tickets for the Baccalaureate Mass. The
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Graduates will wear academic attire (NO CAPS) and sit as a class. The graduates must report to
their assigned classroom no later than 6:15 PM.
The Graduation Ceremony will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 11:00 AM at the Pavilion at
Villanova University. Students must report to Butler Annex no later than 10:00 AM. The
Graduation procession will begin promptly at 10:50 AM. Parents will be admitted into the
Pavilion at 10:00 AM. Each Graduate will receive seven (7) tickets to the Commencement
Ceremony.
Sincerely yours,
Mary McDonald
SPECIAL SPRING CALENDAR EVENTS
SENIOR GRADUATION FEE OF $150.00 WAS DUE ON April 1, 2016
UPCOMING EVENTS – Mark your calendars!
May 12 - Marian Liturgy – 8 am
May 26, 27, 30 – Memorial Day Weekend – No School
Senior Awards Convocation – June 1, 2016, at 7:00 PM - Auditorium
Graduation Practice – Wednesday, June 1, 2016, at 7:30 AM
Baccalaureate Mass – Friday, June 3, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium
Graduation – Monday, June 6, 2016, at 11:00 AM at Villanova University
(Monday, June 6 - NO SCHOOL FOR FRESHMEN-SOPHOMORES-JUNIORS)
June 14 - Only Juniors Report
June 15 – Only Sophomores Report
June 16 - Only Freshman Report
From the ATHLETIC DIRECTOR,
Mr. Joseph D. Sette:
Winter Sports Highlights
Congratulations to all of the winter sports teams for an outstanding season. The Girls’
Basketball team under the direction of Coach Mike McDonald led the Lady Vikings to the PCL,
District XII and PIAA 3A State Championships. Under the guidance of Coach Vic Stanley, the
Wrestling Team worked very hard during the PCL season, advancing in the PCL playoffs and
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winning the District XII Championship. Coach Joe Webb led the Boys’ and Girls’ Bowling teams
to achieve many outstanding individual performances. The Boys’ Basketball team under the
leadership of Coach John Mosco led the team to the PCL playoffs. The Boys’ and Girls’ Indoor
Track teams under the direction of Coach Mike Gahagan developed and improved the
performances of his athletes. Coach Charlie Stillwell, of the Girls’ and Boys’ swimming teams,
led the girls and boys to some top individual scores. Also the Girls Swim team won the PCL, the
District XII AA Championships and advanced to the PIAA State Tournament. With a young and
inexperienced team, the Ice Hockey team under the direction of Coach Sam Gallen competed
well through the year. The Cheerleading team under the direction of Coach Jackie Britton
performed well in the PCL and won the District XII Championship, qualifying for the PIAA State
Championship and competed at Nationals.
Spring Sports Update
At the time of this update, many of the spring coaches were hoping for continued good
weather so that their respective schedules will have few interruptions. The following head
coaches will be making preparations for their upcoming season: Coach Jared Mayes (Boys’
Lacrosse), Coach Dipi Bhaya (Girls’ Lacrosse), Coach Mike Gahagan (Boys’ and Girls’ Track),
Coach Jim DiGuiseppe Jr. (Baseball), Coach Kevin Rosini (Softball), Coach Bob Salembier (Boys’
Tennis) and First-Year Coach Harris Boyes (Boys Volleyball). The Archbishop Wood HS and
community wish them much success this coming spring.
Fall All-Catholic Selections
Archbishop Wood HS athletic department congratulates all of the following student-athletes for
their All-Catholic selection.
Football- First Team- Anthony Russo, Daniel Zanine, Kurt Stengel, Mark Webb, Matt Schwartz,
Gianni Cruel, Omar Peterkin, Raheem Blackshear, Sebastian Silva; Second Team- Matthew
Palmer, Michael Devlin, Michael Hoelsworth, Shawn Thompson, Anthony Diodato
Boys’ Soccer- First Team-Michael Smith, Nicholas Sonsini; Third Team- John Pfeiffer, Scott
Pierson
Volleyball- First Team- Ashley McAfee, Kristen Nealon, Maggie Gorman; Second Team-Alyssa
McDevitt, Hayley Glah; Honorable Mention- Bailey Greenberg
Girls’ Soccer- First Team- Sofia Filippo, Claire Bassetti; Second Team- Caitlyn Cliggett, Lauren
Ruth; Third Team- Leah Brzezicki, Erin Eckert
Field Hockey- First Team- Casey Carrigan, Brenna Lynch
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Boys’ Cross Country- First Team- Kyle Ortiz; Second Team- Andrew Flinn; Hon. Mention- Peter
Fleming, Michael O’Donnell
Girls’ Cross Country-First Team- Victoria Nangle, Erin Young, Natalie Cornely, Katie Bowren,
Jessica Nangle, Kristen Bologitz, Anne Fleming; Hon. Mention- MaryBeth Gerdelmann
Golf- First Team- Karly Brown
Girls’ Tennis- First Team- Sarah Lightner
Cheerleading- First Team- Ashley Osborne
Winter All-Catholic Selections
Archbishop Wood HS athletic department congratulates all of the following student-athletes for
their All-Catholic selection.
Girls’ Basketball- First Team- Bailey Greenberg; Third Team- Claire Bassetti; Hon. MentionKaitlyn Connolly, Kathryn May
Boys’ Basketball- Second Team- Thomas Funk, Tyree Pickron; Third Team- Colin Gillespie; Hon.
Mention- Matthew Cerruti
Wrestling- First Team- Austin Gillick, Harry Green, Alexander Shaffer; Second Team- Stephen
Veneziale; Third Team- Connor Bishop, Matthew Murray, Maxwell Shaffer, Zachary Shaffer,
Brett Yoos; Hon. Mention- Matthew Palage
Girls’ Bowling- First Team- Kayla Robinson
Boys’ Bowling- First Team- Christian Vanore, Jack Studley
Girls’ Swimming- First Team- Caitlin Bedesem, Katharine Buliga, Megan Cook, Taylor Goldstein,
Mary MacDonald, Kaeleigh Mahon, Aubrey McDonough, Molly Prior, Kayley Hence; Second
Team- Emma Foley, Taylor Green
Boys’ Swimming- Second Team- Timothy Quigley
Girls’ Indoor Track- First Team- Natalie Cornely, Jessica Nangle, Victoria Nangle, Erin Young;
Second Team- Jessica Nangle; Hon. Mention- Natalie Cornely, Victoria Nangle
Boys’ Indoor Track- Second Team- Jordan Johnson; Hon. Mention- Conor McGrath
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Summer Camps
Field of Dreams Baseball Camp- For information, call Coach Jim DiGuiseppe Jr. at 215-208-1854.
Viking Football Camp - For information, call Coach Steve Devlin at 267-767-0033
Girls Basketball Camp - For information, call Coach Mike McDonald at 267-258-2803
Field Hockey/Girls Lacrosse Camp - For information, call Coach Dipi Bhaya at 908-531-9076
Volleyball Camp - For information, call the Athletic Office at 215-672-5050 Ext. 259
Boys Basketball Camp - For information, call Coach John Mosco at 609-254-5439
Girls Soccer - For information, call Coach Bill Cappo at 215-219-7842
Boys Lacrosse - For information, call Coach Jared Mayes at 267-402-7588
Softball Camp - For information, call Coach Kevin Rosini at 267-884-5869
Cheerleading Camp - For information, call Jackie Britton at 267-247-6271
Archbishop Wood’s Web Site is an excellent source for
updated information. Be sure to check the site
frequently for changes in schedules or important
announcements.
www.archwood.org
The Parents’ Newsletter is edited
by Joseph L. Velten Jr.
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