Friday Focus Newsletter

Here is the latest from the hallways of Marian Central…

Our freshman class is starting to settle in and become accustomed to high school life, as they explore the different athletic teams, club and social opportunities that our school provides. Navigating the lunchroom, hallways, lockers and the 4-minute passing period doesn’t sound too hard but when you are a freshman it can be a lot to process. Thankfully we have hit a good rhythm, and things are starting to fall into place. Whether you are the wide-eyed Freshman, the Energetic Sophomore, the stressed-out Junior or the savvy college bound Senior it has been a calm start to the school year, which is a good thing from the Dean of Students perspective.

Homecoming is right around the corner, and you can feel the energy in the building growing each day. Homecoming is always a blast and brings everyone together, students, teachers, families, and the whole community. It’s a great time to show school spirit, have fun at games and events, and just enjoy being part of something bigger. Stay tuned for more information in the coming weeks.

Finally, I am proud to announce that 25 outstanding students have been selected to become members of the National Honor Society. These students have demonstrated exceptional scholarship, leadership, service, and character, embodying the core values of NHS. The formal induction ceremony will be held on September 20th. We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments and dedication of our new members as they officially join this prestigious organization.

I will conclude with this,

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

Until next time,

Benji Winkelman

Throughout last school year, teachers and administrators began discussions to identify a viable intervention to help our struggling students, from those who need additional help in organizing their time or doing schoolwork to students who simply have been absent for several days and are having a hard time getting caught up.

From these brainstorming sessions, our New Advisory Support Team was developed. This team consists of a member from the Academic Resource department, Guidance, Administration, and at least one classroom teacher. Our mission is to enhance student success by creating increased pathways for focused study and academic achievement.

The Process:

This team meets weekly to review grade reports, which are used to identify students who might benefit from additional support. The process is as follows:

1) Students are identified by using athletic eligibility guidelines (3 Ds; 2 Ds & 1 F; or 2+ Fs)

2) The team analyzes specific information about why the grades are what they are…

a. Missing work

b. Missing assessments (quizzes, tests, major projects or papers)

c. Incomplete work

d. Low tests (with opportunities to remediate)

3) The team then determines who will help which student(s) and in what way (during Advisory, study halls, etc.)

4) Then the team communicates with both the student and their advisor to let them know where they should report for additional help.

The team will continue to monitor student progress, celebrating successes, and determining additional avenues of support for students when initial support is not successful. This is a continuous process, ultimately focused on student improvement and achievement.

The Homecoming Dance is Saturday, September 27th at 7:00 pm at Marian Central. Tickets are $15 each and can be purchased during lunches the week of September 15-19.

Students wishing to bring a date that does not attend Marian must turn in a completed Guest Date Request Form when purchasing tickets.

We are looking for convertible vehicles to help drive our Homecoming Court in the parade on Thursday, September 25. Pick-up will be at Marian at 3:00 pm, with the parade starting at 3:30 pm around the Woodstock Square. If you are able to help, please contact Mrs. Bordeaux at kbordeaux@marian.com.

Coming Soon!

Marian Central’s National Honors Society is gearing up to kick off Homecoming week with a colorful splash! Our annual Color Run will be held on Sunday, September 21st from 2-5pm on the Marian Central track. It is open to all students, families, alumni, and faculty. Get ready to get a little messy as you run for a great cause. The $10 fee will cover an XL white t-shirt to wear and all of the proceeds will go to the Veteran’s Path to Hope. This year, in addition to our relays, we will have a 4v4 volleyball showdown, a colored shirt contest, and other games for prizes. To sign up, scan the QR code or use the link below! We will see you there!

Sign Up Here!

PreACT – Required for all Juniors

All juniors at Marian Central will take the PreACT on Friday, October 10, 2025, starting at 8:00am. This will be a shortened school day and once the test is finished at approximately 10:45am students will be released from school. The PreACT is a paper-and-pencil test that provides valuable practice for the ACT test that juniors will be taking in the spring of 2026 (see below). The PreACT includes multiple choice questions in English, Reading, Math, and Science. Results will provide a predicted ACT score, information regarding current critical academic areas to focus on for improvement, and career possibilities/suggestions that match student interests. Finally, juniors will receive their test booklets, their responses, and the correct responses for all questions on the test – valuable tools that juniors can then use to prepare for the spring 2026 ACT test. Click here to find out more about the PreACT.

If your student receives testing accommodations through a formal ISP at Marian Central, he/she will be granted those same accommodations on the PreACT in October. No additional application is necessary.

No registration is necessary for the PreACT.

PSAT/NMSQT – Optional for all Juniors

Marian Central will continue to offer our Juniors the opportunity to take the PSAT/NMSQT test, if desired. This year’s test will be on Friday, October 24 starting at 8:00am. The test has two sections: Reading and Writing and Math with a 10-minute break in between and will last until approximately 10:45am at which time the students will return to their regularly scheduled classes for the remainder of the school day.

The PSAT/NMSQT is a digital test that gives students practice for the SAT test, provides a predicted SAT score, and connects students to helpful college and career planning tools. In addition, it is the only opportunity for our most academically gifted students to potentially qualify for the National Merit Scholarship. Click here for more information regarding the PSAT/NMSQT.

To register your junior for the PSAT/NMSQT at Marian Central you must:

1. Fill out and submit the registration form

2. Pay a $20 test fee

Payments can either be made by cash or check made out to Marian Central Catholic High school and delivered to the Guidance Office, or by credit card online. There is a 4% surcharge for credit card payments. To pay online, please go to www.marian.com, then go Quick Links and Online Payment and choose Registration Fees for payment type. Then type “PSAT Test” after entering your Student’s Name (i.e. John Doe – PSAT Test)

The registration form and payment must be received no later than Friday, September 26, for juniors to be eligible to take the PSAT/NMSQT test.

To give our students the best opportunities for college admissions and scholarships and to provide valuable data to improve instruction at Marian Central, we will be having our juniors take the ACT (paper-and-pencil format) during the school day on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The test will begin at 8:00am and end by approximately 10:30 am at which time juniors will return to their regularly scheduled classes for the remainder of the school day. The Enhanced ACT consists of 3 sections: English, Math. And Reading. The students will also be taking the Writing and Science portions of the exam.

Scores will be available from 2-8 weeks after testing and will be college reportable for students who wish to submit their scores to any of the colleges and/or universities that they plan to apply to senior year. Additional information about the ACT, including free test preparation options can be found here.

If your student receives testing accommodations through a formal ISP at Marian Central, Mr. Taylor will contact you and your students to apply for accommodations with ACT. Applications for accommodations will be submitted to ACT before we leave for winter break in December.

No registration is necessary for the April 2026 ACT at Marian Central during the school day.

If you have any questions about any of the standardized tests for the juniors, please contact Mrs. Kelly Hilton, Guidance Director at khilton@marian.com or 815-338-4220, ext. 121.

Our Fine Arts Boosters would like to share their latest newsletter. Please click below for news about what's happening in our Fine Arts area.

The Veterans of Foreign Wars are announcing their annual "Voice of Democracy" competition. All students are eligible to enter. Applicants will need to submit a 3-5 minute audio and written essay on this year's theme, "How are you showing patriotism and support for our country?". The deadline to enter is October 31st. Please click below for additional information.

All juniors and seniors may attend these visits. Students must receive permission from their teachers to attend each visit and must sign up for all visits in SCOIR.

Monday 9/15: Creighton University-1st Period, Bradley University-3rd Period, Iowa State University-4th Period

Tuesday 9/16: Loyola University Chicago-3rd Period, University of Central Florida (Virtual)-4th Period, Winona State University-10th Period

Friday 9/19: Santa Clara University (Virtual)-3rd Period

Key Club is sponsoring a food drive during football season to obtain non perishable food items for the Woodstock Food Pantry and monetary donations for the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Last year, the Marian Central community made a significant impact through donations, raising over $700 in support of the Northern Illinois Food Bank and two trunks full of groceries for the Woodstock Food Pantry. We are grateful for the generosity and dedication shown by everyone who contributed.

This year, we aim to build on these actions of service by encouraging participation. We are collecting non-perishable food items and monetary donations. We believe each gift will help in various ways. All efforts of each member contributes toward a collective impact. Through our continued dedication, we hope to make a great difference within our community and grow closer as a school through compassion and purpose.

Please bring your donations to any home football game and look for our table. Thank you so much for helping our community!!!

Mark your calendars! Grandparents play an important part in our students' lives! Marian Central Catholic High School would like to celebrate and honor grandparents for all they do and the role they play in the lives of their grandchildren. Enjoy a day dedicated to our grandparents on Thursday, October 2, 2025! Grandparents' Mass is at 10:30am, followed by light refreshments and a tour of the school.

Seniors and their parents are invited to attend our Financial Aid Night on Monday, October 6 at 7:15 PM in the Auditorium.

A representative from the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) will be present to share important information about the FAFSA, One Click Admission, and other financial aid resources available to your student.

This is a valuable opportunity to learn more about the financial aid process and get your questions answered as your student prepares for life after high school.

We hope to see you there! If you have any questions, please connect with Mr. Wochner (swochner@marian.com) in Guidance.

If you have never been to a Meat Raffle, you are in for a fun time! Join us for an afternoon of food, fun, and fundraising in support of the Marian Central Catholic Football Team on Saturday September 13th!

Free item for first 50 attendees! PLUS a shot at our Grill Master Giveaway - new this year!

Bring your friends, enjoy the game-day atmosphere, and help support our Hurricanes! Everyone is welcome—don’t miss out on the fun and prizes!

SAVE THE DATE: Senior portraits will be taken at Marian on Tuesday, September 30th for all seniors. Please see the attire guidelines below for these portraits. A specific schedule will be shared with the students later. In addition to being photographed in dress clothes, each senior will be photographed in a cap and gown on senior portrait day. You will then have the option to purchase this photo.

GROUP PHOTO: The Class of 2026 will be photographed as a class! All seniors that are present on senior picture day (Tuesday, September 30th) will take part in a posed group photo during Advisory. Since there will not be a retake of this photo, we are hoping all of our seniors can be present on picture day so that they are included in this special keepsake.

ATTIRE GUIDELINES: Seniors will remain in their dress clothes for the entire day.

Senior Ladies - Appropriate attire on this day includes dress pants and a modest blouse or sweater that covers the shoulders. Dresses/skirts are not allowed. No nose rings/studs, facial piercing, and no more than two earrings per ear will be permitted on girls. Hair must conform to Student Handbook guidelines.

Senior Gentlemen - Gentlemen must wear a white shirt and tie, a sport coat or suit coat that is blue, black or grey and dress pants. No nose rings/studs, facial hair, facial piercing, and no earrings will be permitted on boys. Hair must conform to Student Handbook guidelines.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. DiSilvio at ldisilvio@marian.com or 815-338-4220, x107

Friday, October 3 - No School

Wednesday, October 8 - Late Start; 9:45 am start

Friday, October 10 - Grades 9,10,11 testing day; early release. Seniors no school

Monday, October 13 - Columbus Day; No School; Office Closed

Tuesday, October 14 - Teacher Inservice; No School