"Going green" took on new meaning as alumni, sponsors, friends, and volunteers joined the Advancement staff of Cardinal Mooney High School on Saturday, March 2nd, for an evening of fine dining and dancing at the Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch.  

Patrons circulated throughout the festively decorated Ballroom and entry prior to the Auction portion of the event bidding on donated gift items from many featured sponsors (see images, below). 

A highlight of the evening was bidding on the gift packages for two popular teachers of the school, Patrick Pollifrone of the Social Studies Department and Scott Scheuer, head of the Theology Department.

Here's how Principal Stephen Christie described the results to faculty and staff on Monday:

"For those who could not attend, you need to know that Patrick Pollifrone raised $3000 by offering to cook a dinner for 10 at the winning bidder’s home. Two groups went as high as $1500, so Patrick was willing to cook two meals. 

"Scott Scheuer raised a little over $3000 by his willingness to host a bowling party. Three groups bid the same amount, so Scott agreed to host three bowling parties. For those counting, due to the average amount raised, Patrick won out over Scott for the average amount raised for our school!"

Dr. Kathleen Schwartz, the Director of Education for the Diocese of Venice was on hand, as were
many alumni of the school, who purchased seating at shared tables to reminisce and celebrate St. Patrick's Day. A Photo Booth proved a popular gathering place as the guests paired off with their spouses and friends to have their picture taken. This included posing with props and costumes honoring the people and mirth of the "Emerald Isle."

Total funds raised through the Auction to help upgrade technology at the school exceeded $50,000 (net) The Auction Co-Chairs, Joni Gambardella and Cassie Vassallo, released the following statement:

"To All Cardinal Mooney Families and Friends,

Whether you donated a gift, volunteered your time and talent, attended the Dinner Auction, procured a gift from a local business or sponsored our Luck of the Irish event on March 2, 2013, we want to sincerely thank you.

We can only attribute our success to your contributions and stellar generosity. You've done a great job and we are so very appreciative!" 

And, this message is from the Advancement Team staff at Cardinal Mooney:

The many hours of planning and meetings by volunteers and support of our sponsors is tremendously appreciated. Combined with a great DJ, all were instrumental in making the event both fun and a success.To those organizations listed, here, as well as all of the dedicated people involved this year, we send you a classic Irish Blessing: 

May the road rise to meet you,

may the wind be ever at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

and the rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Russell Novak

The Kahl Family

We're Caring for Kids

Results are in! A total of 99 eligible donors responded by raising $10,760 for Cardinal Mooney (including matching gifts) during the two day Giving Challenge. 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School is taking part in the 36-Hour Giving Challenge Tuesday, March 5th through Wednesday, March 6th.  

Your gift will directly benefit Cardinal Mooney and its technology goals. Watch our video to see what you can do to contribute!

* Make a donation in advance and we will do the work for you! Fill out a pledge card  and return it to the Cardinal Mooney Office of Advancement located in the Media Center. Your pledge card will be processed at 7:00 a.m. on March 5th. 

* Make a donation online during the event time frame. Visit GivingPartnerChallenge.org between March 5 at 7:00 a.m. and March 6 at 7:00 p.m. to give!

* Come party with us on campus in the CMHS Media Center during the event! We can help you process your donation at that time. 

* Follow Cardinal Mooney on Facebook for frequent updates and challenge information.

https://www.facebook.com/CardinalMooney 

More than 125 parents of 8th grade students were on hand in the Music Hall on February 14 to hear the formal announcement by Mr. Robert Lees, Director of Admissions, that Cardinal Mooney plans to enter into a lease agreement with Apple Corp. to allow all freshmen the use of new iPads as a part of their classroom learning this fall.

Additional staff were on hand to explain how this intiaitve, which is being considered by a number of other Catholic high schools in Florida, will positively impact the future learning of Mooney students.The class of 2017 will the first in the more than 50 year history of Cardinal Mooney to be equipped with a personal computer which can be used for learning and then owned by the family at the conclusion of a three year lease.

Here are some key points raised as part of the technology presentation by Mr. Lees, Principal Stephen Christie, and the network consultant partnering with the school, Michael Hebert of ITS Group, Inc.:

"The digital world requires a new and different set of skills. Future high school graduates must be equipped with the 21^st century skills of problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, communication and technical literacy.   To compete in the global marketplace, people need to quickly organize, disseminate, synthesize and communicate information in the digital age.

Cardinal Mooney seeks to ensure that students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate in this emerging modern world. 

            -           to enhance the learning experience

            -           to improve technical literacy

            -           to integrate technology across the curriculum (textbooks, novels,calculators etc.)

This new and exciting 1:1 iPad initiative is the next logical step in our long range technology plan and seeks to keep our students at the forefront of 21^st century learning."

With the advent of this iPad initiative, attention will shift to teachers integrating this versatile computing tablet into their day-to-day instruction. Faculty and staff have been using iPad 2's for the past two years on an experimental basis.

The three-to-five year technology plan developed by the school includes the expansion of this program to other grade levels and will incorporate the use of wireless Apple TV in select locations throughout the campus. Upgrades in our CMHS network capacity and capability are also underway.

More information on the intiative is forthcoming, with particular emphasis on helping inform our parents and to answer specific questions when formal registration occurs in March. Be sure to stay tuned to this website and Edline!

The meeting concluded with a big thank you from Mr. Christie to all attendees who dedicated a portion of their Valentine's Day to the company of our Cardinal Mooney family.

Shown in photo at left: Freshman Matthew Garcia and Sophomore Amanda Swalby

This year on Saturday, January 26^th Cardinal Mooney held the 12^th Annual on campus All Children’s Hospital Walk. The proceeds raised were donated to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida & the Children’s Miracle Network. As of January 29, 2013 we have reached a donation to All Children’s Hospital Foundation of $2,250 which will make our grand total of just over $50,000 in 12 years. With that said the Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School Community will be elevated from our level of Guardian of the hospital to the level of Angel! This is a tremendous accomplishment from our community and the St. Vincent de Paul would like to thank all the faculty and staff who have supported and participated over the past 12 years with this great endeavor. Our amazing community plans to continue our events for many years to come. Please click here to see a slideshow of all the fun and spirit this walk brought to our school!