Friday Focus Newsletter

Hello! I want to thank the Marian Central Catholic family for welcoming me with open arms this summer. On May 1, I did not know where I would be, just that I had faith in God that He would guide me to the right place. Today, the first day of school, there is nowhere I would rather be than here.

This is my 30th opening school day as an educator, with the start of my career at the college level and now the past nine years in Catholic secondary education. While a lot has changed in that time, what has not is the commitment of our faith to provide a top-tier, Catholic education to students looking to enter the world prepared for whatever comes their way. I am committed to making this the best possible experience for every student, family and faculty/staff member on campus, and I am honored to have the opportunity to work with stakeholders determined to make Marian Central Catholic one of the very best Catholic schools in our state and beyond.

Something unique to working in a Catholic school is being asked ‘getting to know you’ questions as you come aboard that may not be posed to others. One I’ve heard a few times – ‘who is your favorite saint?’ – I’m always happy to answer. Coincidentally enough, his feast day is today, – St. Maximilian Kolbe, martyred by the Nazis at the Auschwitz concentration camp on this day in 1941. His sacrifice – giving up his life so another prisoner could someday return to his family – was an example of strength, courage and comfort in the knowledge that Heaven awaited him. The man he saved, a Polish Army POW named Franciszek Gajowniczek, spent the rest of his life in missionary work, spreading the word of Fr. Kolbe’s actions.

We are excited to have the 2026-27 school year underway, and I look forward to meeting many of you in the weeks and months to come.

St. Maximilian, pray for us.

Matt Schutte, Head of School

The Athletic Department along with the Boosters Club will be giving the Heart of Hurricane award out annually at our golf outing to a staff member, volunteer, coach or community member who exemplifies Christ like service, humility and unwavering dedication to our Hurricane Family. This award carries school pride and loyalty along with a deep connection to our Catholic faith.

The 2026 inaugural award was given to Kaitlin Bordeaux for her faithful service above and beyond the expectations of her daily job and duties. She has shown compassion, dedication and quiet leadership throughout the year while overcoming many obstacles. Kaitlin has shown unwavering faith and tireless dedication to Marian Central and has inspired us to "Do it Anyway".

The deadline to change any courses is Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Please have your student stop by the Guidance Office and speak with their school counselor (Freshman and Juniors: Mr. Glab, Sophomores and Seniors: Mrs. Hilton) if a change is desired.

All course changes require a $30 course change fee. Please note that no lunch period change requests can be granted. Thank you!

As we navigate the busy drop off and pick up, we want to ensure everyone’s safety.

Please remember to drive slowly and cautiously in the parking lot.

• Never Park in front of Door #1 to pick up your student, this space is utilized for bus pick up and drop off.

• Watch for Pedestrians: Be mindful of students and parents walking to and from their vehicles.

• Be Mindful of School and Pace Buses

• Always yield to buses and be cautious when they are picking up or dropping off students.

• It can get a little hectic from 2:40 to 2:50 when school is over, this is when we will have multiple Pace buses and school buses present.

• When Buses are present you must exit through the center turn lane.

• Never go around a school bus when they have their Stop sign arm extended!

Your cooperation helps keep our school community safe!

Thank you

Benji Winkelman

Seniors and their parents are invited, and strongly encouraged, to attend College Application Night on Thursday, August 20th, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Auditorium.

We are excited to welcome April Lynch, Associate Director of Admission from Syracuse University and the President-Elect for the Illinois Association for College Admission Counseling, who brings nearly 20 years of experience in college admissions. Ms. Lynch will share valuable insights on how to effectively navigate the college application process, including:

• Organizing your college search
• Making the most of campus visits
• Finding the right college fit
• Writing standout essays
• Understanding the Common Application
• And so more!

In addition, we’ll cover important Marian Central-specific information such as senior meetings, transcript requests, letters of recommendation, and other key details to help guide your college planning process.

If you have any questions, please reach out to Mr. Wochner in Guidance (swochner@marian.com). We look forward to seeing you there!

All parents are invited to attend our annual Back to School Night

Wednesday, August 26, 2026

7:00 - 9:00 pm

Starting in the Auditorium

Meet Teachers - Learn about expectations - Visit Classrooms
Click below for more details.

Football Concessions

Good morning, Juniors and Seniors

Please use the link above to sign up for a shift in the concession stand. All Juniors and Seniors are required to take one shift as all proceeds will go towards Homecoming and Prom.

Any junior or senior who works a full shift in concessions during a football game will receive a 50% discount on one prom ticket

Last year, a regular priced ticket was $120, and a discounted ticket was $60

Shifts are 60 minutes in length.

Working 1 shift in the concession stand is the only chance to earn this discount, unless you are on the football, dance, & cheerleading teams or the pep band.

Members of those teams who want to complete service for the discount should send an email to bwilliams@marian.com or bwinkelman@marian.com.

Let's go Canes!!

Freshmen parents - please make sure you’ve submitted your student’s original birth certificate and Certificate of Child Health Examination form to the office. We are required by the State of Illinois to have updated forms in the office (dated between 10/1/25 and 10/1/26) by October 1, 2026 for your student to remain in school after that date.

Senior parents - we need to have documentation of the second meningococcal vaccine for your student by October 1, 2026 for your student to remain in school after that date.

Please contact Kris Johnson (ext. 100) or email kjohnson@marian.com with any questions.

We’re so excited to welcome our students back to Marian! While planning your commute, please be mindful of the ongoing construction in Woodstock near the school, mainly on Route 47. Allowing an extra 10-15 minutes to the morning drive will help to avoid the added stress that this project might bring to our student drivers (and their parents).

Linked below is information on the construction project.

Route 47 Project Overview | Woodstock, IL

If you have any questions, please call the Marian office at 815-338-4220. Please stay safe as you maneuver through Woodstock in the upcoming months.

Marian Central Administration

Student grades can be viewed through your Plus Portal Account. Each parent and each student are assigned an account for access. Parents and students new to the school should have received a link to set up an account. The Portal is found by going to our website, clicking on "Quick Links" and then "View Grades" or clicking the link below.

At certain times during the school year, the portal is "closed" so that teachers are able to enter grades. If you are having difficulty setting up your student's account, please contact Mrs. DiSilvio at ldisilvio@marian.com

Click here to view grades through the Plus Portal

SAVE THE DATE: Senior portraits will be taken at Marian on Tuesday, October 6th during the school day.

All seniors will be photographed individually in both dress clothes and a cap and gown, and all members of the class will pose for a group photo together at the end of the day.

Attire guidelines and a detailed schedule will be shared later.