The faculty of Cardinal Mooney High School attended the Florida Educational Technology Conference on Wednesday, January 25th, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando. Principal Stephen Christie was so inspired by the abundance of educational resources available when attending last year’s Conference that he sought authorization from the Diocese to add a Teacher Professional Day and hire a charter bus to attend the Conference with them, this year.

The one day pass entitled each educator to participate in three Concurrent Workshop sessions and circulate through the Exhibit Hall where hundreds of technology vendors were available. This was especially helpful as teachers develop new ways of instruction using technology with their school-issued Apple iPads. The student body had the day off from school and, now, can look forward to new forms of computer instruction in the classroom! 

On January 23^rd, 14 Cardinal Mooney students participated in the March for Life in Washington, DC. They joined hundreds of thousands of pro-life advocates from across the nation determined to over-turn the Roe. V. Wade, a decision that legalized abortion in the United States 39 years ago. 

Students were inspired and up-lifted to join thousands of other like-minded teens uniting for the same cause. Students look forward to sharing their zeal and passion for the pro-life movement with their Respect Life Club and the whole Cardinal Mooney community.

See what an incredible, life-changing experience the March experience was for students and others who were involved by viewing the photos, below:
 
Washington March 1

Washington March 2

Finding time to accompany your middle school student anywhere on a Sunday afternoon is no small achievement these days as participation in afterschool and home-related activities grows. Fortunately, a solid representation of seventh and eighth grade parents (with their middle school children) visited the Cardinal Mooney Campus during the January  22nd Open House, between Noon and 2:00 p.m.

What our guests found were Guidance staff, administrators, the entire faculty, and NHS upperclassmen eager to provide information on what life is like in our family and faith-oriented educational environment. Among the highlights were demonstrations on the use of wireless  iPad technology in the Mathematics Department and live entertainment in the Music Hall from the school orchestra.

The Media Center was open for parents and future students to have refreshments and cookies as a projection screen displayed smiling faces of current freshman and transfer students taken on Grandparent's Day. Just inside the entrance, English Teacher Christa Naylor exhibited a 3-D rendering of the upcoming Media Center renovation and discussed how it will incorporate state-of-the-art library resources.

A steady stream of parents moved through Guidance and the newly remodeled admissions office. This event is intended to help parents to begin considering high school options for their child. The next 8th grade placement test will be held on Thursday, February 2nd.  

Mr. Stephen Christie, Principal, summed the day up best by closing with an announcement over the public address system thanking our visitors and encouraging them to return home to their next family commitment: seeing their  NFL Team compete in one of the Championship Playoffs!

You can share in the experience of this year's Open House by looking over the photos, below, or by calling the Admissions Office, anytime, to obtain an informational brochure on CMHS.

See our visiting families, students, and CMHS school representatives by clicking on each link, below:

Open House #1

Open House #2

Open House #3

Open House #4

Incoming students in the Freshman class and those who recently transferred to CMHS from another grade were the center of attention on Wednesday, January 18th, for Grandparent's Day. 

This is the sixth consecutive year in which the school has welcomed grandparents. The event is evolving into quite a tradition, with an estimate of more than 50 relatives present.

The program began with a formal presentation in the Music Hall designed to unite and welcome family members and to provide an overview of a typical student experience. This was followed by having National Honor Society members serve in the role of Campus Tour guides for the visiting guests. Stops included classes in progress, the Chapel,  and main facilities where each grandson or daughter spends at least a portion of their day.

The visitors converged, once again, in the Media Center where light refreshments, pastries, and cookies were offered. A highlight of the gathering took place when each Cardinal Mooney student with a visiting grandparent had a photo taken, together, as a memento of the occasion. These will be mailed to the Grandparent’s home.

According to Jennifer McDonald, Director of Advancement, a number of the visiting Grandparents have had their own children attend CMHS. In this way, Grandparents take away a true sense of how the Campus, teaching methods, and programs continue to change over time.

Thank you to all grandfathers and grandmothers (including step-grandparents) who took the time to join your Cardinal Mooney student on this special day!

Please see more photos by clicking on the links, below:

Grandparent's Day 2012 #1

Grandparent's Day 2012 #2