From the Principal

Dear Parents,

Prayers
Please keep in your prayers these students and faculty members who are going through the difficulty of losing a family member: Mrs. Nikeessia Ranson and her son, seventh grader Trey Ranson, whose great-grandmother, Bernice Denkins, passed away; freshman Matt Galvan whose grandfather, Charlie Galvan, passed away; and Mr. Richard Mullin, whose aunt, Theresa Kardia, passed away.

The following members of our community are facing the illness of a loved one. Please keep them in your prayers; school Nurse Mrs. Janice Ross, whose mother, Dorothy Davidson, battles a difficult health condition; Senior Stefan, Junior Martin and Celeste, Class of 2002, and staff member, Isabel Arista whose son, Javier Arista, Class of 2000, continues fighting a brain tumor, and is undergoing physical therapy.

Congratulations Due!
Congratulations to the Porter family on the arrival of Amanda Grace Porter who was born on January 23, 2007. At 5 pounds and 10 ounces, Amanda is five weeks’ premature and in the neonatal intensive care unit. Please keep Amanda and her family in your prayers.

Congratulations to faculty member, Christine Voigt, who welcomed Anthony Charles to the world on January 23, 2007. Anthony is 6 pounds and 4 ounces and is at home with his family.

No School on February 7, March 2 and March 5
Per Diocesan directive, there will be no school on Wednesday, February 7, 2007, in order for families to attend the school choice rally in Austin. A rationale for school choice with parent meeting times and organization for the day has been sent to parents. As our school calendar is set a year previously, we are unable to change class rotations, meaning that February 6 and February 8 will both be red days.

Our own Marcela Garcini spoke to the people gathered in support of school choice at the steps of the capitol in Austin on Februaury 7.

The GeoTech Conference and Lecture Series will take place during the last week of February and the first week of March. There will be no school on Friday, March 2, 2007, for the teacher inservice held by Louis Mangione, and the conference is all day on Saturday. There will be no school on March 5, 2007.

Inclement Weather Make-up Day
Thursday, April 5, will be a regular day of school due to the school’s being closed on January 17 because of the weather. On April 5, Blocks E through H will meet. Provided we have no more inclement weather days, we will be off on Good Friday, April 6, and Easter Monday, April 9. April 10, when we return, will also be a Blue Day, and Blocks E through H will meet.

After School
It is very important that students are safe and supervised after school. Students are instructed to wait for their rides outside, under supervision, until 3:30 p.m. At 3:30 p.m., all students need to be in tutoring, with coaches or in the Library where they can start on their homework. There is no fee for students being in the Library until 4:30 p.m., in order for parents to have some leeway in case they are held up in traffic. However, students are not to wait outside, on the street, or behind the buildings without immediate supervision. Students who are repeatedly being told that they need to report to a teacher, coach or to the Library will be fined. Please do not put your students in the very awkward position of telling them to wait outside on the street after 3:30 p.m. when it is directly against school safety policies.

First Semester Honor Roll
Congratulations to the following students who attained Honor Roll status for First Semester:

Bishop’s Honor Roll (98% and above)

Principal’s Honor Roll (95 - 97.49%)

Honor Roll (90 – 94.49%)

Tuition Assistance Thank You to the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur
The faculty and staff would like to thank the many sponsors who contributed to the Bishop Dunne tuition assistance program. The school has currently awarded over $700,000 in tuition assistance to 271 students. In order to distribute such a large amount of aid, the school pursues grants, solicits donations, and holds fundraising activities. It is through the generosity of many that the school is able to meet its tuition assistance goals.

Many families do not realize that every Bishop Dunne student receives financial aid. This is because the amount of tuition charged per student does not actually cover the cost of educating that student. Bishop Dunne works very hard to forge relationships with groups, as well as individuals, that believe as we do that every student is entitled to a Catholic education. It is through the generosity of many that Bishop Dunne is able to grant assistance to so many of its students.

Bishop Dunne Catholic School began as Our Lady of Good Counsel in 1901, a girls’ school housed in a gracious mansion on Marsalis Street. When the present campus on Rugged Drive was built in 1961, the girls of Our Lady of Good Counsel moved from Marsalis Street to a brand new campus. Our Lady of Good Counsel metamorphosed into Bishop Dunne High School as the institution became co-educational, under the guidance and leadership of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur and the Brothers of the Sacred Heart.

It is with sincere appreciation that the faculty and staff expresses its gratitude to the Sisters of Saint Mary of Namur who have helped to give the school life and who have supported Bishop Dunne for several years in so many ways, including contributions to the school’s tuition assistance program. The Sisters donate $15,000 annually to help those Bishop Dunne students with a financial need and who have proven to be hardworking students with acceptable behavior whose families actively support their church and school. Thank you, Sisters!

Education Freedom Rally
All families are asked to participate in the Education Freedom Rally in support of School Choice which is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2007 in Austin. Those attending should meet in front of Bishop Dunne by 7:30 a.m. Snacks and lunch will be provided for all. Upon arriving, students, parents, teachers, and the greater community are invited to visit with legislators to voice their support of school choice. The rally will take place about 12:30 p.m. on the south steps of the Capitol Building. This is a unique opportunity to show our legislators how strongly we feel about equal, quality education for all children in Texas. Arrival back to Bishop Dunne is estimated to be about 6:30 p.m.

Honduras Mission Trip
Congratulations to the twenty students attending the 3rd annual Honduran Youth Mission Trip which is organized by the Diocese of Dallas. This year, three high schools will be participating: Bishop Dunne Catholic School, Bishop Lynch High School, and Ursuline Academy. The students and chaperones will be leaving for Trujillo, Honduras on June 2, 2007, and returning on June 11, 2007. Student activities may include construction work on the local Catholic mission and school, painting, clearing the brush from the land, tutoring the children in the villages or orphanage, planting trees and building relationships. The key element of this mission trip is to build solidarity with our Honduran brothers and sisters as they begin the process of rebuilding their country from the devastation of recent hurricanes.

Each student is required to seek donations to help cover the cost of this mission trip. If you are interested in providing a donation towards this project, please contact Lydia Torrez at ltorrez@bdhs.org or call 214.339.6561 X297.

Upcoming Events
Several events are planned for the spring that you may want to include on your calendar. To reserve a space at any of these events, please contact Lydia Torrez at ltorrez@bdhs.org or 214.339.6561 X297 to register for this event.

Bishop Dunne Networking Luncheon – Mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. Don O’Bannon, Vice-President of Small and Emerging Business Department at DFW Airport will give the keynote address on the current state of affairs at DFW. Mr. O’Bannon is a graduate of Bishop Dunne from the class of 1975. The cost of the luncheon is $10.

Bishop Dunne Development Luncheon
Please make plans to attend the luncheon scheduled for Thursday, March 22, 2007, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Mrs. Dailey will present the vision for Bishop Dunne. Come and hear what future plans are in store for Bishop Dunne Catholic School. Please call Lydia Torrez to reserve a space.

Bishop Dunne Golf Tournament
Please make plans to participate in the 3rd Annual Bishop Dunne Golf Tournament, which is scheduled for Monday, April 2, 2007 and will take place at the Oak Cliff Country Club. Registration is at 11:30 a.m. with tee-off at 12:30 p.m. Lunch and dinner will be provided. The cost for a foursome is $460. Sponsorships are being sought at this time. If you can help with a donation or a gift to the Silent Auction, please contact the Development Office.

Reception honoring the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur and the graduates of Our Lady of Good Counsel Academy
On Wednesday, May 2, 2007, a reception honoring the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur and the graduates of Our Lady of Good Counsel will be held at Bishop Dunne from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Our Lady of Good Counsel was opened in 1901 by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur in a mansion located on Marsalis Avenue in Oak Cliff. The school included a coeducational grade school for children from kindergarten though 8th grade and a high school for girls. At the request of the Diocese, the Sisters agreed to close OLGC and St. Edward’s Academy in East Dallas and invited those students to be part of a new diocesan sponsored high school – Bishop Dunne. Today, the presence of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur is still with us through Sr. Patricia Ridgley SSMN, who serves on the School Advisory Council.

2007 GeoTech
Bishop Dunne is in the final stages of planning the Geospatial Technologies Workshops, GeoTech Conference and Lecture Series.

This year, the Lecture Series begins on Monday, February 26, 2007, with Sr. Helen Prejean, CSJ. She will be presenting to the students during the day and to the general public in the evening at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Community Life Center at 7:00 p.m. Individual tickets are $25 each. We wish to thank our partners, Holy Trinity Catholic Church and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, for their help with this event.

On Tuesday, February 27, 2007, Dr. Spencer Wells, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, will be presenting his research on his multiyear Genographic Project, which uses DNA samples to trace human migration out of Africa over 60,000 years ago. Bishop Dunne will be presenting Dr. Wells’ research in partnership with the Museum of Nature and Science, and the evening event will take place in the Museum’s IMAX theatre at 7:00 p.m. Individual tickets are $25 each.

Louis Mangione will present to the faculty of Bishop Dunne and other teachers in the metroplex on Friday, March 2, 2007. His presentation, “Indelible Instruction,” will help promote instructional excellence to all educators. The fee is $50 to attend this workshop.

The week ends with David Rumsey, who is an historian and geographer. Mr. Rumsey has been building an extensive map collection of North and South America since 1980. His collection of over 150,000 maps is one of the largest private map collections in the United States. Mr. Rumsey is making his collection public by providing access to these maps over the internet at no charge. Mr. Rumsey will share his expertise during his keynote address at the GeoTech Conference on Saturday, March 3, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. Friends of Bishop Dunne can also enjoy an evening session with Mr. Rumsey at Bishop Dunne Catholic School on Friday, March 2, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. in the school library. Refreshments will be provided. Individual tickets are $15 each.

The Geospatial Technologies Workshops are scheduled for March 1 through March 3, and the GeoTech Conference is scheduled for Saturday, March 3, 2007. These days will be filled with exciting speakers and presentations that will provide “cutting edge” material for faculty to enhance their curriculum.

For more information on the GeoTech Lecture Series, Geospatial Technologies Workshops or GeoTech Conference, please contact Lydia Torrez at ltorrez@bdhs.org or call 214.339.6561 ext. 297.

Middle School News

Spelling Bee
Congratulations to Elizabet Hernandez who won the Bishop Dunne Middle School Spelling Bee on January 19, 2007. Karl Migacz was the runner up. Both students went to the Diocesan Spelling Bee on January 24, where Elizabet competed against all the winners from middle schools around the Diocese. Elizabet earned 14th place out of 30 students. Congratulations to both students for their outstanding work!

Catholic Schools Week
The middle school celebrated Catholic Schools Week during the week of January 28, 2007. Students showed their appreciation of our donors, parents, teachers, and classmates. Chelsea Gardner, 7th grade, created a Catholic Schools Week poster that was selected to represent Bishop Dunne at the Diocese of Dallas. Please congratulate Chelsea and the runner up, Daniel DeLeon, who is also in the 7th grade.

Several of our middle school students were asked to be part of a commercial for mayoral candidate Tom Leppert. Please look for the students who spent a long day and many takes for a short commercial!

Congratulations to all our honor roll students. We had a large number of students on the honor roll, and please encourage them to keep up the good work.

As your students may have informed you, we now have homerooms for 7th and 8th grade classes. Students are to report to homeroom by 8:00 a.m. if they are on campus. If they arrive after 8:00 p.m., they are to report directly to homeroom and then get a pass to go to their lockers. Students should not be in the hall between 8:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. without a pass. Students will receive a tutoring pass if they elect to be in tutoring at this time.

We all thank the students who have worked hard this year to make every student feel included and comfortable at Bishop Dunne. It is heartwarming to see a middle school student make decisions based on helping and supporting others. We have been meeting with students on this issue, helping them see the importance of looking out for each other and supporting their classmates. Please help us reinforce this with conversation at home.

Middle School Recognition
We would like to congratulate the following students for their accomplishments in displaying positive characteristics in the December (Generosity) and January (Respect) Hall of Values. December honorees are Maria Curiel and Nick Rea in the 7th grade, and Chelsea Nkrumah and Sebastian Saldivar in the 8th grade. January honorees are Taylor Carrtel and Olivia Migacz in the 7th grade, and Hannah Neill and Christopher Martin in the 8th grade.

Help Still Needed
Given the high number of cold and flu sufferers during the winter months, the Wellness Committee is looking for 100 families willing to donate a large container of anti-bacterial gel for use in student classrooms. This will allow each classroom to have two bottles for use during the third quarter. If you are willing to do so, please bring or send the gel to Mrs. Sunday in the Front Office. Please email Ms. Joy Gardner at jgardner@bdhs.org to receive volunteer credit for doing so. We appreciate the families who have already responded.

Celebrate Black History Month
African American Author Showcase
The African American Author Showcase is on Saturday, February 24, 2007, from 2:00 p.m. until +++++++++++

Our very own sophomore, David Ratcliff, will be reciting his award-winning poem at the African American Read-In 2007 at the Majestic Theater this Saturday, February 3, which will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.  If you would like more information, please check the posters around the school.

Black History Month Program: Full Circle
Come join us as we celebrate African American Past, Present, and Future. This year’s Black History Month program is a play about a 14 year-old boy named Bryan, who finds pride and inspiration from the stories of his grandmother about the key events and movements throughout African American History. The play uses dramatic interpretation, poetry, dance, and singing to tell the past and present of the African American culture. The Black History Program is scheduled February 15, 2007, and will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium. For details, please contact Ms. Amber Jenkins at ajenkins@bdhs.org.

Black History Month Banquet
The Black History Month Banquet, originally scheduled for February 23, 2007, has been cancelled and will be rescheduled for a later date.

Junior AAA Black History Month Field Trip
Attention all students and parents of the Junior African American Awareness Club (middle school). The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in conjunction with the Dallas Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. will be hosting the stage play: The Spirit of Marcus Garvey and A Rose Among Thorns, a celebration of Marcus Garvey and Rosa Parks, on Saturday, February 24, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. on the Naomi Burton Stage at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters. Tickets will be sold in Room 21 for $10, and transportation for this event will be provided. The bus will depart Bishop Dunne Catholic School at 1:30 p.m. For more details, please contact Ms. Amber Jenkins at ajenkins@bdhs.org or visit the website http://www.tbaal.org/index1.html.

Lady Falcon Step Team
Our Bishop Dunne Lady Falcon Step Team will be competing in the 2007 Texas Step Show Competition against other metroplex high school step teams 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2007, at the Dallas Black Academy of Arts and Letters. The winners of first through third place from the metroplex competition will compete in the final competition that will take place in Waco, Texas, on March 31, 2007. The grand prize is $1,250. Please come out to support your Lady Falcon Step Team as they stomp their way to winning! For details, please contact Ms. Amber Jenkins at ajenkins@bdhs.org or visit www.texasstepshows.com.

Trip to Ghana
This summer, six students will be traveling to Ghana, Africa. The mission of this trip is to present the students of Bishop Dunne with an authentic perspective and understanding of the continent of Africa, specifically Ghana, and its geography, people and culture. It is the goal of this journey to combine relevant venues, knowledgeable instructors, small group instruction, and exciting hands- on activities that will allow each student to learn, experience, and grow in his or her understanding of Ghana, Africa, and its influences on African-American culture. We seek to introduce the students of Bishop Dunne to relevant, tangible and very memorable experiences on this journey. The tentative itinerary includes visiting slave dungeons in Cape Coast, meeting with royalty in the town of Tafo, and touring the W.E.B. Dubois museum. In addition, we anticipate participating in various celebrations in commemoration of Ghana’s fifty years of independence. We are asking for your help to send these students on a once in a lifetime experience by making a donation of any amount. With your donation and other fundraising initiatives, we would like to send these greatly deserving students to Ghana with very minimal expense to them. Checks can be made payable to Bishop Dunne Catholic School (please put Africa in the Memo).

Free Tuition at UTA and UTD
The University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Texas at Dallas have announced plans to guarantee free tuition for in-state undergraduate students with family incomes below $25,000. Students will still apply for grants and scholarships, and the universities will cover any remaining costs. The programs are available to students who apply for aid by the deadline set by each school. Students must also be eligible for the federal Pell Grant. At UT-Austin, instead of a free tuition program, the school offers tuition rates locked in at the first-year rate for students with family incomes below $40,000. Similarly, UTD has also announced an initiative that will lock all students into one annual tuition rate for four years. Please note that while UTA and UTD are part of the University of Texas system, admissions requirements, cost, and financial aid offerings will vary. Below is a chart displaying how the two schools contrast in regards to the free tuition program. For more information, you can visit UTA’s website at www.uta.edu, or UTD’s website at www.utd.edu.

University of Missouri-Columbia
The University of Missouri-Columbia would like to invite your student to attend the Mizzou Engineering Summer Camp Program. The objective of the program is to introduce outstanding high school students to the numerous engineering opportunities available at Mizzou. The program offers two 6-day sessions in July from which to choose. Students should be presently enrolled as a high school sophomore or junior and be in the upper 25% of their class. Applicants should have completed one or more laboratory science courses and at least two units of high school mathematics. Enrollment is limited to 40 students per session, so please apply early. The fee for the Mizzou Engineering Summer Camp is $300.00 and includes all expenses. For more information regarding the summer camp program, please contact Laura Forbes by phone at 573-884-3403 or by email at forbesl@missouri.edu. Registration forms are available in Ms. Perales’ office in the guidance department.

Carleton Liberal Arts Experience (CLAE)
Carleton College is honored to host a summer program designed for the best and brightest college-bound students. The Carleton Liberal Arts Experience (CLAE) will select 50 high school students who are current sophomores and invite them to Carleton, all expenses paid, for a one-week summer program. The CLAE program introduces the strengths of a liberal arts education through an array of courses in science, art, social sciences, and technology. CLAE also includes a return trip to campus, also at no cost, during the student’s junior or senior year. On this trip, scholars will be able to visit with current Carleton students, sit in on classes, and get a feel for campus life while school is in session. Carleton is looking for 10th grade students who are in the top 25 percent of their class, taking a challenging college-prep curriculum, and have been involved in their community. Please see Ms. Perales in the guidance department before March 1, 2007, to be nominated.

Take Charge
TAKING CHARGE Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to providing access to leadership and information management skills development programs.  The Take Charge Program is a one week immersive enrichment session designed to provide exceptional development opportunities for its participants.  The skills taught during the Take Charge Program are the same as those learned by senior military and civilian leaders and will give any program participant a significant advantage in college and any career field. The Take Charge program is based in Norfolk Virginia.  Students will spend a week in the military and historic center of the United States and will study at the campus of Old Dominion University, with access to a multitude of academic and military leaders and facilities. Please visit www.tcharge.org for detailed information and enrollment applications.

Pre-Collegiate Program in Early American History
The National Institute of American History and Democracy, a joint project of the College of William and Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, is pleased to offer its Pre-Collegiate Summer Program in Early American History for high school juniors and seniors. This summer, two three-week sessions are offered. Students will earn four hours of college credit. A particular background in American history is not required. Students can download additional forms from the website at www.wm.edu/niahd.

Cardiopulmonary Research Science and Technology Institute (CRSTI)
The CRSTI 2007 Summer Intern Program, designed to introduce college and upper-level high school students to the medical environment, will begin accepting applications on February 1, 2007. The eight-week internship program allows students to work with nationally recognized leaders in cardiac research. Interns will work with pioneers in the advancement of cardiothoracic surgery, observe diagnostic testing, and conduct research that will have an impact in cardiovascular medicine. Applicants must be a high school senior, possess a minimum grade point average of 3.2, an interest in medicine and research, and be willing to commit to the Internship schedule. Please see Ms. Perales in the Guidance Department before February 23, 2007, for an application.

Syracuse University
The Summer College for High School Students program is a uniquely designed program for rising juniors and seniors offering credit-bearing and non-credit bearing academic programs. Syracuse University offers 11 six-week programs that allow students to earn up to six college credits. The programs include: Acting and Musical Theatre, Architecture, Engineering and Computer Science, Fashion and Textile Design, Forensic Science, Interior and Environmental Design, Law, Liberal Arts/Arts and Sciences, Management, Public Communication, and Technical Theatre. Non-credit programs are Art Studio and Music. Students can go to the website www.summercollege.syr.edu for more information and to download an application.

Summer Institute for the Gifted (SIG)
The National Society for the Gifted and Talented (NSGT) is a not-for-profit foundation created to honor and encourage gifted and talented children and youth. It is committed to acknowledging and supporting the needs of gifted and talented children and youth by providing recognition of their significant academic and artistic accomplishments. NSGT offers access to educational resources and advanced learning opportunities directly related to their interest and talent areas. The Society was founded by financial support from the Summer Institute for the Gifted and the Educational Testing Service. The NSGT invites parents to sponsor their children who are currently in kindergarten through twelfth grade for membership. Eligibility may be confirmed in one of the following ways: identification as gifted or successful participation in local, school, regional, state, or national gifted program, or scores at the 95th percentile or above in at least one of the major content areas or ability sections of a nationally-normed standardized test (i.e. Renaissance Learning STAR Reading and Math tests, ERB’s CTP 4 and ISEE, IOWA, CAT, CTBS, MAT, SRA), or students who have scored in the gifted range on the PSAT, SAT, ACT, or SSATB, or two letters of recommendation – one letter from an educator familiar with the student’s academic and performance record and one letter from a parent describing the child’s talents and abilities. Please visit www.nsgt.org for more information. Also, please visit www.giftedstudy.com for information on programs being offered by the Summer Institute for the Gifted. In 2007, residential sessions for students in grades 4 through 11 will be held at Amherst College, Bryan Mawr College, Drew University, Emory University, Princeton University, UC Berkely, UCLA, University of Michigan, and Vassar College.

Spring-Summer Job Opportunities
The City of Garland is currently seeking students who might be interested in summer employment as pool managers, cashiers, concession workers, ticket takers, lifeguards, swim lesson instructors and aides. All applicants should complete an online application at www.garlandparks.com.

SMU College Experience
Southern Methodist University’s College Experience program is a five-week program during the summer that offers students the opportunity to earn six hours of college credit while living on campus. The program is open to students who have completed the tenth and eleventh grades. A complete set of application materials and instructions may be obtained at www.smu.edu/ce.

Bridge Program in Math and Science
The Bridge Program is a three-week residential experience for current juniors at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Tuition, room and board are free. The classes include an introductory college-level calculus and an introduction to chaos and fractals through physics. This is a non-credit program. Interested students can obtain an application from the website www.sewanee.edu/bridgeprogram. The deadline is March 15, 2007.

U.S. Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy Summer Seminar offers the opportunity for high school students to visit the Naval Academy for one week during the summer. Students will experience all aspects of the Naval Academy including the academic program, physical training, and midshipman life. More than 1,800 students from around the world attend this fast-paced program each year. Interested high school juniors should apply online at www.usna.edu between February 1, 2007, and March 31, 2007.

College Acceptances
The faculty and staff of Bishop Dunne would like to extend congratulations to the following Seniors on their college acceptances: Flynne Bailey - Marquette University; Baylor University; Hampton University; Kansas State University, University of Missouri-Columbia; Howard University: Jean-Paul Barjon - University of Tulsa; Morehouse College; Hampton University: Brady Dewan- Texas Christian University; University of Texas-Austin; Baylor University: Taryn Flowers - Stephen F. Austin State University; Midwestern State University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Prairie View A&M University: Juan Guerrero - Xavier University-Ohio: Monica Gully - Marquette University; Baylor University; Benedictine University; University of Texas at Austin; Austin College: Micaela Hamilton - Hendrix College: Sophie Lawson - Louisiana State University; Texas Christian University; Auburn University: Alyson Malczon - Peace College; Colorado Mountain College; Art Institute of Dallas: David Nieto - University of Texas-San Antonio: Luz Orozco - Northwood University: Eli Patton - Texas Tech University: David Villanueva- Hendrix College.

We wish them continued success!

12th Grade Parent Financial Aid Meeting - Thursday, February 8th at 7:00 p.m.
Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? Have questions about the FAFSA? Bring your 2006 W-2 and income tax forms to Bishop Dunne for a meeting on February 8, 2007, and a college financial aid representative will be available to answer your questions. Please plan to attend. If you have any questions please contact Jessica Perales at 214-339-6561 ext. 243

Exciting Opportunities for Teachers - Implement learning technologies into the classroom.
Roger and Anita Palmer regularly offer opportunities to expand educator’s use of technologies in rich and rewarding settings. Roger and Anita own GISetc Educational Technology Consultants, a corporation that provides adventure travel paired with technology training around the world. These field opportunities appeal to educators interested in developing technology skills to make them more effective back in their classrooms. This year they are offering three such experiences:

Monitoring tropical environments in Costa Rica! Learn to use scientific probe ware while monitoring tropical environments, GPS & GIS with GISetc and PASCO Scientific. June 23-30, 2007.

Costa Rican Educational Technology Institute with GISetc.
Learn to incorporate field research and map digital field data while building local infrastructure needs to bolster a local community’s efforts at conservation. June 30-July 8, 2007

Understanding the Peruvian Amazon with GISetc.
This trip provides a unique GIS mapping expedition for educators into the Peruvian Amazon. Participants will experience this wondrous region through the lens of digital cameras and the window of geospatial technologies to more fully understand the vast flora and fauna that abounds at every turn. July 29-August 7, 2007

Student Pride
Congratulations to Senior Paul Chartier who earned Eagle Scout status and a Black Belt in Karate.  Paul has been a Scout for twelve years and is now an assistant Scoutmaster. For his Eagle Scout project, Paul renovated an old convent building into living quarters for the nuns who teach at Immaculate Conception Catholic School. Paul planned, organized and supervised a team of experts and volunteers who gutted the existing structure and refurbished it.  Improvements included marble tiles, carpets, refurbished wood work, refinished walls, doors, rebuilt garage, and window treatments, refurbished electrical and plumbing, new light fixtures, doors and storm drainage improvements.  His team invested 3,245 hours of recorded labor, and the value of improvements was about $90,000 to $110,000.

Paul began karate when he was 5 years old, and now holds a Brown Belt and a First Degree Black Belt.

Web Mastery Classes
Students in Mr. Devine's Web Mastery class have designed Websites for several of the clubs and activities offered at Bishop Dunne. These Sites are indexed at http://www.largegroup.net/index.htm and all are invited to check out what's happening around campus!

Web Mastery is offered as a dual-credit course through Mountain View College, and introduces students to the exciting world of Web design and management.

Robotics Club
The Robotics Club is asking for ANY old computers to be donated for an upcoming fundraiser. The older, the better!! Computers do not need to be in working order. Please clean out your closets and donate any old computers. Equipment can be left at the front office and tagged for pickup by Mr. Devine.

The Robotics Club is looking forward to participating in the upcoming Diocesan Robotics Challenge to be held this spring.

Transportation / Bus Schedule Changes
It is time to start considering new bus routes for next school year. If you are interested in riding the bus next year and would like us to consider a new stop, please email Coach Guerrero at sguerrero@bdhs.org or call 214-339-6561 ext. 244. The current stops that Bishop Dunne offers are Duncanville (Holy Spirit), Grand Prairie (Immaculate Conception), North Dallas (St. Monica), East Dallas (St. Thomas) and Irving (St. Luke).

Health Alert
A reminder to parents of students with asthma, please send a back-up inhaler and the asthma plan of treatment from your child's physician to the clinic. This is required for your child's safety at school. Your child should continue to carry his or her rescue inhaler at all times. In the event of a severe asthma episode, and a rescue inhaler is forgotten at home and you cannot be reached, paramedics will be called to give treatment to your child. You will be responsible for any related charges.

If you indicated on the registration form that your child has asthma and he or she no longer receives any kind of treatment, including rescue inhaler, please send a note to the clinic indicating this.

Do You Need Volunteer Hours?
Bishop Dunne appreciates all the families who have made donations of items and have given their time to the school. We also applaud all the families who have surpassed their goal of 40 hours. Thank you for your generosity and dedication to the school.

If you need more volunteer hours, the following are much-needed items:

Clorox Wipes, personal sized Hand Sanitizer, Kleenex Boxes, Dividers with Alphabet Tabs (letter size), Bottled Water, Yellow Memo Pads 5 x 7, Small Binder Clips ¾, AA and AAA Batteries, Thick sized Highlighters, HP 20 Inkjet Print Cartridge Black, Post It Notes 1 ½ x 2 and 3 x 3, Letter Sized Hanging Folders, Glue Sticks, Sortkwik, White Correction Tape, Colored Paper 8 ½ x 11: 24# Bright Blue, 24# Bright Pink, and Salmon 20lb Weight.

The Day Care can use outside play equipment you are no longer using, Tricycles, Plastic Slides, etc. The After School Care Program can also use Peanut Butter Crackers, Pretzels, Granola Bars, and Animal Crackers.

A reminder that Honduras items are presently being collected and also count toward your hours. Items include school supplies, toiletries, and baby items. If you are involved in any organization, remember to submit your time.

Please mark your donations with your name, student name, and include the organization's name if you want the donation to go to a particular group. Send your donations to the front office. For your convenience, a Volunteer Log Book is available at the front desk. Again, thank you for your involvement in your children’s school.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Linda Barragan Volunteer Coordinator at 214.339.6561 Ext. 247 or E-mail: lbarragan@bdhs.org

From the Athletic Department

Middle School Basketball
All seven teams have posted many victories in the month of January. The girls’ Blue team has defeated All Saints 28-18 and Christ the King 26-15. The girls’ Red team defeated Prince of Peace Plano 28-24, St. Monica 31-21 and St. Rita 24-22. The boys’ 8th Red team defeated Prince of Peace Plano 57-48, St. Rita 40-8, St. Patrick 46-25, and St. Bernard 48-21. The boys’ 8th Blue team defeated All Saints 19-17.The boys’ 7th Red team defeated Mary Immaculate 25-20.
The boys’ 7th Blue team defeated Mary Immaculate 27-12

Go to www.dallasparochialleague.com for the latest basketball information, and please come out and support our middle school basketball players at a future home game.

DPL Coaching Clinic
Thank you to the Dallas Parochial League for offering the “Play like a Champion: Coaching as a Ministry” coaching clinic, sponsored by the University of Notre Dame, to all our middle school coaches. All coaches are required to attend this clinic if they are planning on helping out in the Middle School Athletic Program. If you are interested in helping out the Middle School Athletic Department this school year or in the future, and would like to attend a future clinic please contact Coach Guerrero at sguerrero@bdhs.org or at 214-339-6561 ext. 244.

High School Wrestling
The girls’ wrestling program continues to show that they are one of the best teams in the area and state. At the Lone Star Tournament, one of the biggest tournaments in the state, Lauren Birks moved her state ranking to #2 in the state by pinning all her opponents and placing 1st. Adreana Barrera placed 3rd.

On January 20, 2007, the Bishop Dunne Wrestling program hosted the most successful tournament in Bishop Dunne history, when we hosted twenty-four local wrestling teams in the Marcus Somerstein Wrestling Tournament. The wrestling team took first place in the girls’ team division, defeating Frisco 102-84 with individual champions Lauren Birks and Adreana Barrera. Erin Evetts, Alex Dean and Angela Phillips earned a second place finish, and Rebecca Fernandez and Gladys Barrientos earned a third place finish.

During the month of January, the Dallas Morning News featured Lauren Birks and Gladys Barrientos as Wrestlers of the Week. Congratulations to both girls!

The program raised money for a seriously injured wrestler from Plano East and for the Marcus Somerstein Scholarship.  The wrestling program challenged the spectators, coaches and wrestlers at this tournament to raise money for the injured Plano East wrestler and they responded by giving $468.50, with Bishop Dunne matching this. Thanks to the crowd’s generosity, a check for $937.00 will be delivered to the wrestler and his family.  The tournament raised $1,000 for the Marcus Somerstein scholarship fund. If you would like to assist with raising funds for the scholarship fund you can help by purchasing an official Marcus Somerstein Tournament T-Shirt for only $10. The scholarship is given each year to a graduating senior who represents the work ethic, values and talents of Marcus, Class of 2000, who died in a tragic car accident.

Thank you to all the families involved in making this tournament a success: the Mathews family, the Barrera family, the Barrientos family, the Birks family, the Dean family, the Evetts family, the Fernandez family, the Harrington family, the Kreis family, the Lee family, the Phillips family, and the Price family.

Thank you to all who worked the concession stand and gate: Mr. and Mrs. Barrientos, Mrs. Birks, Mrs. Bolden, Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Dean, Mrs. Fernandez, and Mr. and Mrs. Phillips.
Thank you to our official Tournament Photographer, Mrs. Evetts.
Thank you to our Table workers: Coach Garcia, Coach Hayes, and Coach Morrison; Alumni Greg Dean and Jon Krimm; Dominic Garcia, Andrew Kreis, Eli Patton, Justin Price, Mrs. Carson, and the boys’ and girls’ wrestling teams.

Thank you to those who were in charge of running the tournament at the Main Table: Alumna Kate Schmidt, Mr. Harrington, Coach Stevens, and Coach Young.

Thank you to the Somerstein family for their continued support of Bishop Dunne wrestling, and, most of all, their support of Bishop Dunne.

The season is almost over, but the teams have very important state championship tournaments coming up. The boys will compete February 10 in Houston at the TAPPS state championships and on February 17 at St. Mark’s School of Texas at the Texas Prep State Championship. The girls will compete at Bishop Dunne on February 16 for the Texas Prep State Championship.
Please come out and support our wrestlers!

Middle and High School Tennis Team
The Bishop Dunne Tennis Team has begun its spring season practices.  The Tennis Team is open to all Middle School and High School students, and all skill levels are welcome to join.  Practices are held after school at Kiest Tennis Center. Please contact Coach Beth Dies
(bdies@bdhs.org) or Asst. Coach Nick Hurt (nhurt@bdhs.org) for more information.

Tennis Team Picture
The Tennis Team picture will be taken February 20, at the Kiest Park Tennis Center. Team members will receive information packets from their coach, Ms. Dies. Payments must be submitted when pictures are taken and checks should be made payable to LIFETOUCH.

Swimming
Bishop Dunne’s swim team will compete in the TAPPS State tournament in Austin on February 3 and 4, 2007. The team members are Monica Gully, Quinn Heimburger, Levi May, and Teresa Gully. Good Luck, Falcon Swim Team!

Golf
Golf practices for returning golfers have begun. All returning golfers should see Coach Perez for a schedule of spring practices and tournaments.

There will be three opportunities for new golfers to try out for the golf team. The dates of these tryouts are February 1, February 8, and February 15. High school boys and girls interested in trying out for the team must attend one of these practices. For specific details, or to ask questions, students should see Coach Perez in room 111.

The golf team would like to thank Twin Wells Golf Course and Oak Cliff Country Club for allowing us to practice at their facilities free of charge.

The golf team can always use donations of unwanted golf equipment. Please bring any golf equipment you do not want to the school and direct it towards Coach Perez in room 111.

Girls’ Basketball
The Lady Falcon basketball team is in the hunt for the 2007 playoffs. The team is led by Lauren Houston in scoring and Jasmine Jacobs in rebounding. The entire team has pulled together in the big wins against TCA and Ursuline. The Lady Falcons beat Ursuline in a double overtime game 48-45. Outstanding performances were given by Amanda Berkhalter, Blair Willis, and Lauren Houston. However, the team couldn't have won without the great production of Taryn Flowers, Sarah Price, Jasmine Webb, Jasmine Jacobs, and K'Arris Joseph. It has been a total team effort in the wins versus the tough district teams. The seniors will be honored February 9 before their last home game against Nolan Catholic School. Seniors are Taryn Flowers, Lauren Houston, K'Arris Joseph, Jasmine Jacobs, Sarah Price, Blair Willis, and manager Luz Orozco. Come out Friday night, February 9, and watch the Lady Falcons play their up-tempo, tenacious defensive game. Your support is appreciated!

Boys’ Basketball
The Varsity boys' basketball team is in the middle of its district season and is doing well with an overall season record of 15-9. The Varsity boys are currently in a four-way tie for second place and are making a push for the playoffs in these last few weeks of the regular season. The boys have four games left in the district season: Tuesday, January 30, vs. Bishop Lynch at home; Friday, February 2, at TCA; Tuesday, February 6, at John Paul II; and Friday, February 9, vs. Nolan at home. All games are at 8:00 p.m. The JV boys have had a successful season as well, losing only one game thus far. The JV team hopes their successful play continues as they close out their season against the teams listed above. Junior Varsity games begin at 5:00 p.m. Come out and support your boys' basketball team as they push toward the playoffs.

From the Business Office

Registration for 2007-2008
Registration packets for continuing students who wish to be enrolled at Bishop Dunne for the 2007-2008 school year have been mailed. You may register if your accounts at Bishop Dunne and the Texas Catholic Community Union are current. Completed registration forms, and the registration fee for returning students must be turned in to the school or postmarked by March 1, 2007. Returning students in good academic and social standing who complete and return their registration paperwork and deposit by March 1, 2007 are guaranteed a space for 2007-2008. All returning student registrations received after March 1, 2007, will be accepted on a space available basis, and will be subject to a $200 late registration fee.

The registration deadline for new students is March 23, 2007.

Tuition and Fees for the 2007-2008 School Year
Tuition and fees for the 2007-2008 school year have been set as follows:

Tuition – Middle School, Grades 7 – 8 $6,000
Tuition – High School, Grades 9 -12 $8,400
Student Activity Fee $375
Facility Fee $250
Technology Fee $250
Middle School Total $6,875
High School Total $9,275

To Apply for Financial Aid
Priority consideration will be given to those families who submit their financial aid applications by January 31, 2007. Families who have completed all financial aid paperwork by the January 31, 2007, priority deadline will have a response before March 1, 2007. Those who apply after this deadline will be awarded aid on a funds-available basis. Notification of awards will take place 4 – 6 weeks after your file is completed at PSAS.

You can apply for financial aid online by going to mypsas.org and choosing the online application. The authorization code is 1562. You still have to print the certification and mail your attachments to PSAS. This method requires that you pay the fee using a credit card. You can also access this link on the school’s website at bdhs.org. If you would like to print out the application and mail it directly to PSAS, you can access the form on the school’s website also. Simply choose the drop down box for Admission, then Financial Aid. You can either print out the application, which is available in Spanish or English, or go to the Private School Aid link provided and complete the application online.

Student requirements for financial aid include but are not limited to maintaining an overall grade point average of 80% and a good discipline record. The tuition assistance committee evaluates each student at the end of each semester to determine whether financial aid will continue for the next semester or the next school year. Please remind your student how important it is to maintain the required grades and a good discipline record so that tuition assistance will not be withdrawn after the first semester. For returning students requesting financial aid, the committee will review the prior year’s grades and discipline record.

Payment Due
Invoices for class fees (remember, you didn’t have to buy a book for these classes) have been mailed. All accounts must be paid in full by 8 a.m. Thursday, February 15, 2007, in order for students to attend classes on Friday, February 16, 2007. Any students in class on Friday, February 16th, whose account has not been paid in full, will be pulled from class to call a parent to pick them up from school or to give permission to school staff for their student to drive off the campus.

Payment Methods
Bishop Dunne Catholic School accepts cash, cashier’s checks, money orders, MasterCard or VISA for any payments.

Name, please!
Some of our students have a different last name than their parent or guardian. We keep our accounts by student name. Please indicate on your checks for what and for whom you are making payments. Writing in the memo section of the check or money order will help us out tremendously. Thank you!

Separate Checks, Please
Please do not include fees for extracurricular activities, lunch fees, booster fees or fines in the same check as the invoiced payment. Payments may be made separately in the same envelope, but not in the same check. Thanks!

Returned Checks
Payment of a returned check that was presented to BDCS and the related fee are due immediately upon notification by BDCS. If payment of fees on any student account is delayed twice due to checks returned by the bank, the Business Office will require that cash, cashier’s check, money order, MasterCard, or Visa be used for any future payments on that account.

If payment made on behalf of a student by a 3rd party is returned by the bank, the responsible party will immediately become responsible for the tuition or fee intended to be paid by the 3rd party, but not the returned check fee.

Payment of a returned check which was presented to the TCCCU and related fee are due immediately upon notification by the TCCCU or BDCS. Payment of the amount of the check and any fees assessed must be paid in full to the TCCCU with cash, cashier’s check, or money order before the student(s) will be allowed to return to class. Two returned checks at the TCCCU will require that all future payments to the TCCCU and to BDCS be made with cash, cashier’s check, or money order to TCCCU or cash, cashier’s check, money order, MasterCard or Visa to BDCS.

Tuition Refunds
If a student withdraws from BDCS prior to the start of the fourth quarter, the responsible party may be entitled to a refund of tuition for any unused school quarter(s) in the academic calendar that the student was not or will not be enrolled. Any unpaid fees or fines will be deducted from the refund and an administrative fee will be assessed to all such refunds resulting from voluntary withdrawal from the school.

Volunteer Hours
Each family is expected to perform a total of at least 40 hours of community service for the School or to pay a $200 sustentation fee. Volunteer hours may be accumulated from April 1 of the prior school year through March 31 of the current school year. The Responsible Party will be billed pro-rata after April 1 if the volunteer hours have not been completed during this time period.

Dates to Remember

5th of each month- payments are due to the TCCCU.

7th of each month- the Business Office will attempt to notify the responsible party of non-payment.

14th of each month- payments for balances at BDCS are due.

15th of each month- students whose accounts have a balance at BDCS are not permitted to attend class or participate in any extracurricular activities, including sports.

16th of each month- students whose accounts are not current at TCCCU will not be permitted to attend class or participate in any extracurricular activities, including sports.

Texas Catholic Community Credit Union
If monthly payments are not received at the TCCCU by the due date of the 5th of the month, the Business Office will attempt to contact the Responsible Party. If payment has not been received by the TCCCU by 8 a.m. on the 16th, students will not be allowed to attend classes or participate in any extracurricular activities until the delinquent amount has been paid in full. If students are in class, they will be called from class to contact a parent. No promises to pay or extensions of credit will be accepted.

The TCCCU, which is located at 10103 Shoreview, near White Rock Lake, has a night drop box. Questions regarding TCCCU accounts should be directed to Roy Adams at 214.348.8670 at extension 106 or Karen Williams at extension 105.

Class Fees
These fees are due on February 15, 2007.

Some textbooks are of a prohibitive cost, are outdated as the subject involves the latest technology, or are not required. Individual class fees cover the cost of: photocopying, computer printer costs, library and research materials, upkeep and updating of equipment and labs, field trips, band equipment, maintenance, new instruments, music association fees, art supplies, athletic training programs and supplies, and books purchased by the school that are distributed to the students.

Fees charged are dependent upon your student’s course selections and may be incurred each semester. The fee is $65 per class where applicable.

The following classes will be assessed a $65 fee:
ACT/SAT Prep
Adult Christian Relationships
Art
Broadcast Journalism
Choral
GIS
Graphic Design
Intro to Film
Middle Eastern Religions
PE
Peace Studies
Science and Religion
Social Justice
Theatre Arts

Christian Service and PE will be charged a $50 fee.

If a student does not enter a full year class until the second semester, the student is still charged the entire amount of the fee.

Middle School Electives
All Middle School students have been enrolled in and billed for P.E., Art or Band. For the second semester students will be allowed to choose an alternative elective. The fee that parents were billed in the first semester for P.E., Art, or Band will be transferred to this new elective.

Bus Fees
Second Semester Bus fees were due January 8, 2007. Fees are as follows:

Tuition Refunds
If a student withdraws from BDCS prior to the start of the fourth quarter, the responsible party may be entitled to a refund of tuition for any unused school quarter(s) in the academic calendar that the student will not be reenrolled. Any unpaid fees or fines will be deducted from the refund and a $100 administrative fee will be assessed to all such refunds resulting from voluntary withdrawal from the school.

Changes for the Extended Day Program for 7th, 8th and 9th Grades
Note: Students are not charged for the Extended Day Program until 4:30 p.m.
The purpose of the Extended Day Program (EDP) is to provide a convenient, safe, and affordable Christian environment to complement the value system of Bishop Dunne.  School policies, procedures, and regulations are in effect at all times.  The EDP follows the same expectations and consequences as stated in the Bishop Dunne School and Family Handbook.
 
Hours of operation are from 3:30 p.m. until 6 p.m. Students in grades 7, 8, and 9 who are left unsupervised on the campus after 3:30 p.m. must attend the EDP.  Students are not allowed to roam the campus freely.  Parents should strongly convey to their student(s) that any unsupervised student who does not report to the EDP promptly will be subject to a detention.

Students who participate in extracurricular activities are to remain with their coach or moderator until their transportation arrives. However, students are to be picked up promptly after extracurricular activities.  Teachers will remain with students in tutoring for their assigned time. If parents are not on time to pick up their students after extracurricular activities or tutoring, the student will be sent to the EDP and parents will be charged for this service beginning at 4:30 p.m. There will be no free EDP beginning at 4:30 p.m. for students who come to EDP before the start of their extracurricular activities.

There are three payment options:

Students are not charged for after school care until 4:30 p.m., therefore the monthly rate has been reduced to $140 (approximately $4 per hour), payable in advance, offers a tremendous discount over the hourly rates.

Advance payment for students who do not use the EDP enough to warrant paying a monthly fee, but who attend the program regularly. Parents may purchase hours in advance. The minimum number of hours a student may purchase is 5 hours at $8 an hour for any portion of an hour used for a total of $40. However, parents may purchase as many hours as they wish at the $8 per hour rate. The sign-out sheets will reflect the number of hours paid and used.

The rate for drop-ins is $10 per hour for any portion of an hour used. 

Parents will be subject to the hourly rates until payment has been received for the monthly rate or the pre-paid rate. It is preferred that advance payments (options 1 and 2) be made to the Business Office. A receipt will be given for any cash payments. If students are not picked up by 6:00 p.m., a fee of $25.00 for every 10 minutes (or any portion thereof) will be assessed.

Please note: Students will not be released from the EDP program unless a parent is visible to the adult in charge. Students will not be released to meet their ride any place other than the south parking lot between the high school and middle school buildings.

Cafeteria Sees Red
Many students have negative balances on their cafeteria Dinerite account. If this applies to your student, please remedy this situation right away.

To allow you to manage your cafeteria account, ECI provides “low balance” notification upon request. To receive low balance notification, please contact ECI by telephone, mail or email. You are encouraged to use this service so that your student can continue to use the debit card without interruption. Cafeteria staff will let the students know when their balance is low or negative. Please remind your students to let you know when their account needs to be replenished. Students who have a negative balance will be allowed to eat a peanut butter and jelly or a grilled cheese sandwich which will be charged to their already negative account.

Additionally, if you would like details about your account, ECI will provide you with a “Participation-by-Patron” report upon request.

An account balance can be established and maintained online at CafePrepay.com, using MasterCard, Visa or Discover. Or, account payments can be made by completing the form available in the front office, or simply by using your check’s memo line to note student name, school, and student PIN if known. Additionally, cash can always be used to make purchases.

Cafeteria staff can be contacted at BDHSCafe@ed-cat.com or at 214.339.6561, 239. Payments can be dropped off at the front office or mailed to Bishop Dunne Catholic School, ECI Cafeteria Manager, 3900 Rugged Drive, Dallas, TX 75224.

If you have any questions or concerns about the cafeteria, please contact Debbie S. Champion at 214.339.6561, extension 235 or at dchampion@bdhs.org.