John Thornburg
Headmaster
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Dear Families,
On behalf of the school, I want to wish our families a wonderful Thanksgiving break and holiday. Our students and staff have worked hard since we started in September and deserve a restful and energizing break. I hope we all take time to be thankful for what God has done the past few months.
When my children were younger, we used to develop a "thankful" list as a family. We would begin by placing a large sheet of paper on the living room wall. Then, the week before the holiday, we would all take time to write items of thanks. When we sat down for the Thanksgiving meal, we would read the list. It helped us focus our thoughts and prayers on being thankful.
If I were to create a similar list for the past several months, it would include the following:
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Our students - with their endless energy and enthusiasm have shown this past fall, evident in the classrooms, athletic contests and special events. We have a fantastic student body of individuals making a difference at our school and in the greater community.
- Our MC Parent Club - have demonstrated tremendous support through participation at the monthly meetings and support at our school-sponsored events. We have outstanding parents who are an integral part of our success.
- Our talented faculty and staff - who go above and beyond in their care and support of our students. Malden Catholic is a one-of-a-kind place because of their commitment to our mission.
- Our entire community - their commitment to our Culture of Health and Safety. Though it has not been easy or convenient, our community has embraced the school's expectations set by our COVID-19 Taskforce. (I would like to give special thanks to Mr. Jeff Smith and Nurse Elizabeth Paquette!)
I recently attended a virtual COVID-19 briefing coordinated through Independent School Management, where national medical experts review trends and their significance for independent schools. As we enter the holiday season and the "Winter Wave" of positive COVID-19 cases potentially develop, they made the following recommendations to families:
- Families should still plan to gather for Thanksgiving but should be careful to protect themselves and others.
- Please make sure everyone is healthy before attending family events and should consider purchasing and using rapid antigen tests before family events.
- Since vaccinated individuals can carry the virus and transmit it to unvaccinated individuals, it is crucial to do everything we can to make sure family events are COVID-free.
- They predict there will be a shortage of rapid antigen tests, so families should purchase them now - before the holidays.
- The next six weeks are critical for controlling the "Winter Wave." If we do all our part, we hope that February and March will produce the lowest COVID-19 numbers since the start of the pandemic.
- Families should realize that COVID-19 continues to be a threat, and "COVID-fatigue" should not cause us to let our guard down.
We will be testing all of our faculty, staff, and students when we return from Thanksgiving break, and we will do this again after Christmas Break. We will get through the winter months together, as we all continue to be vigilant.
I appreciate your support,
John K. Thornburg
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Monday, November 22
Day 1
No COVID-19 Testing
Thanksgiving Prayer Service - (Mass attire is not required)
Boys Volleyball Tournament - 3 PM
Canned Food Drive - Last Day
Tuesday, November 23
Day 2
Dress Down Day - Grade 12 and 10 are in black and Grade 11 and Grade 9 are in white
Pep Rally - 1:30 PM
Powderpuff Football Game - 2:30 PM
MC Santa Toy Drive - Begins
Wednesday, November 24
No School - Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, November 25
Thanksgiving
Varsity Football vs. Bishop Fenwick - 10 AM
Friday, November 26
No School - Thanksgiving Break
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Faculty Spotlight: Mr. Brian Dunn - Match Teacher |
Dear Malden Catholic Community,
This year, I joined the MC faculty as a Math teacher. I previously worked in the building last year as a teaching assistant, and before that worked on the compliance team at Parexel International located in Billerica.
At Parexel, I assisted Medical imaging technicians in various clinical trials to upload and analyze X-Rays and CT scans. I also worked on processing the surveys and overseeing the different personnel on clinical trial.
Prior to joining Malden Catholic, I assisted the Central Catholic basketball team in Lawrence. My passion for basketball led me to MC's basketball program and I I became part of the new coaching staff for the Varsity Basketball team. This year, I have thoroughly enjoyed expanding my role at Malden Catholic and I have been able to help the Athletics Department with many different sporting events this fall, including boys and girls soccer and football.
I am very excited to be part of the MC community! I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and I look forward to continuing to meet all of the Malden Catholic families over the course of the year.
Mr. Brian Dunn
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Students are Not Required to take a COVID-19 Test Monday
Due to the short holiday week, testing will not be required for students on Monday.
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No Cost COVID-19 Testing at MC
Testing is available on Mondays from 7 AM - 3 PM, Wednesdays from 9 AM - 5 PM, Thursdays from 11 AM to 7 PM and Saturdays from 8 AM - 4 PM. You can schedule an appointment through this link: https://cur.tv/malden.
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This will be our final college visit for the year. We encourage all Grade 11 and Grade 12 students to sign up in advance in Naviance if they are interested in attending the college visit at 2:20 PM.
Curry College
Monday, November 22 - Room 106
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MC Santa Toy Drive - 11.23 |
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is an organization that works in partnership with families and communities north of Boston to keep children safe from abuse and neglect. MC has been supporting DCF for over 30 years and we look forward to continuing this holiday tradition. The 2021 Malden Catholic Santa Toy Drive will begin on November 23 and run through through Friday, December 17th.
Please drop off new, unwrapped toys at the MC Christmas tree in the foyer. The toys will be loaded on to DCF trucks following the Christmas Prayer Service in December.
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Powderpuff Dress Down Day - 11.23 |
The MC Student Council is sponsoring a Black and White Dress Down Day for the student body on Tuesday, November 23 in support of the Pep Rally and 2nd annual Powderpuff Football Game. Students in Grades 10 and 12 are encouraged to wear black clothing, while students in Grades 9 and 11 are encouraged wear white clothing. The Powderpuff game immediately follows the Pep Rally on the Brother Gilbert field and all are encouraged to attend!
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The 35th Alumni Fun Run will take place on the Brother Myles track on November 27 at 11 AM. All alumni, family and friends are invited to participate this 2-mile race and/or to come to cheer on the runners! Refreshments will follow.
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Campus Ministry will be hosting the first Pizza and Prayer of the school year on Thursday December 2nd at 5 PM in the cafeteria. During Pizza and Prayer, students are invited to expand their spirituality in a communal setting while listening to and discussing scriptures and reflecting upon their personal and shared experiences.
All MC students are invited to attend. Please email Dr. Baccari if you have any questions at [email protected].
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MC Parent Council Meeting and Bow-making - 12.6 |
On Monday, December 6 at 6 PM, the Monday Parent Club meeting will feature guests, Dr. Stephen Baccari and Nurse Elizabeth Paquette. Dr. Baccari will lead us in an Advent prayer and Mrs. Paquette will give us a bow-making lesson so attendees can make wreaths and packages shine this holiday.
The event will be held in the cafeteria and we ask that you bring your favorite wire edge ribbon to make holiday bows. Please bring 5 yards of ribbon for small bows and 10 -15 yards of ribbon (or a large roll of ribbon) for larger bows.
Official Parent Facebook Group
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On Monday, November 15, MC's Make-A-Wish Club presented $7,340 to Make-A-Wish Massachusetts and Rhode Island to provide a backyard wonderland for Jasper. Special guests, Mayor Christenson from Malden and Mayor Brodeur from Melrose, joined us for the ceremony along with Make-A-Wish Community Partnerships Manager, Hilary Muntz. If you were not able to attend the event, you can see it through this link.
MC's Make-A-Wish club will also host a Holiday Craft Event in collaboration with Create & Escape on December 7 at 6:30 PM at the Irish American Club in Malden. For only $35, you can choose from 6 different creative studio craft designs that can become perfect holiday gifts! Register by Wednesday, December 1 through this link. And, be sure to wear your festive attire for the event.
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The December MC Parent Book Club Meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 7 at 6:30 PM at the Keran's family home. The group will be reading The Twelve Dates of Christmas by Jenny Bayliss.
You may attend in person or dial in through the attached link: https://sanofi.zoom.com/j/9307039967. (Meeting ID: 930 703 9967.) Book Club members will also make wreaths for the holiday that evening and hold a Yankee Swap for those who attend ($30 limit). For more information or to R.S.V.P., please contact [email protected]
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Christmas Shorts Play - 12.9 & MC Christmas Concert - 12.16 |
This Christmas, the Performing Arts Department of Malden Catholic invites you to join and celebrate the season with us as the MC Drama students perform a delightful collection of Christmas skits entitled, Christmas Shorts, on December 9 at 7 PM in the cafeteria.
On December 16, the Malden Catholic Choir, Drama students, the MC A Cappella Singers and the Malden Catholic Dance Company invite you to attend the annual MC Christmas Concert. The Choir and Drama students will perform the Christmas Cantata “The Advent of Hope, The Birth of Peace," the MC A-Cappella Singers will perform traditional Christmas favorites such as "Carol of the Bells" and the MC Dance Company will showcase choreography to beloved Christmas classics. This is an event not to be missed.
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What's Happening Around MC? |
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The ALS/MS Walk for Living |
Malden Catholic High School held a three-mile Walk for Living on Wednesday, November 17. Over 300 students, parents, faculty, staff and friends gathered for a brief presentation and walk around the track twelve times to honor those who have suffered from ALS in the community. The attached video captures the experience and heart of MC community on this special day.
The Walk raised over $13,000 for the residents of the Leonard Florence Center for Living, an incredibly special place that enables its residents, suffering from ALS and MS, many of whom are completely immobilized, to control lights, turn on the TV, call for the elevator, open doors and raise window shades, all with help of a computer and sensor that tracks head and eye movements for instruction. This technology enables them to move independently through the entire residence, vastly improving their quality of life. The Leonard Florence Center cares for more individuals living with ALS than any place else in the world.
The walk honored Timothy Paquette (MC’07), son of Rick & Elizabeth Paquette, who passed away from ALS on June 27, 2021; Chris Snow, a Melrose native diagnosed with ALS in 2019; and Brother Joe Comber, MC’s Social Studies Department Chairperson and beloved teacher who passed away from ALS on April 24, 2021 (a resident of the Leonard Florence Center for Living). Speakers included Elizabeth Paquette, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson and Walk for Living Director Maura Graham.
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International Students Thanksgiving |
This week, we hosted our annual International Student Thanksgiving. The event provided an opportunity for students from other countries to experience a true American holiday and to see how friends and families gather to give thanks for the blessings in their lives.
Thank you to Mrs. Mary-Anne Di Marco P'88, '91, GP '21, '23 for organizing such a lovely event and the faculty and staff for serving such a delicious meal for all!
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Congratulations to Dr. Tamagini and Attorney Reardon |
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that our Fine Arts Chair Lora Tamagini has been awarded her Doctorate of Education (Curriculum, Teaching and Leadership) from Northeastern University! Dr. Tamagini recently defended her insightful thesis, The Transformative Impact of Inclusive Pedagogical Practice in the Middle School Music Classroom. A tremendous accomplishment and a privilege to our students!
We are also pleased to congratulate Malden Catholic’s Director of Student Leadership Programs, Jeannine R. Reardon, Esq., who earned her University of Oxford Executive Leadership Programme certificate with honors this summer from the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford.
Last spring, Attorney Reardon joined business leaders from all over the world as they navigated a two-month long graded course, diving deep into the concepts of Executive Leadership in the modern world through weekly assignments, discussions, reflections and a live session a live session where Attorney Reardon was featured, offering her thoughts in a discussion on the concept of leadership with over 100 fellow graduates from all over the world.
Congratulations to both Dr. Tamagini and Attorney Reardon! We are blessed to have you both in our community.
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This week, Malden Catholic hosted the Fall Sports Awards. Over 200 student-athletes and their parents filled the gymnasium to receive awards for the following sports teams: soccer, field hockey, cross country, golf, cheer, swimming and volleyball. |
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Baseball National Letter of Intent |
This week, Ross Dyer '22 signed a National Letter of Intent to be a baseball pitcher for Bryant University. We are very proud of you, Ross! |
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Cross Country Massachusetts All-State Qualifier |
Best of luck to Neil Harrington '22 of the Boys Cross Country team who qualified for the Massachusetts All-State meet this weekend. Way to go, Neil!
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Football Game - Thanksgiving Day
The varsity football team travels Bishop Fenwick on Thursday for the annual Thanksgiving Day game at 10:00 AM
Winter Sports Tryouts
Girls Basketball
Monday Nov 29th - Dec 2nd
JV and Freshman tryouts 2:45 - 4:15 PM
Varsity tryouts (all returning varsity players, all Juniors, invited underclassmen) 4:15 - 5:45 PM
All teams will be selected following Wednesday tryouts
Boys Basketball
Freshman and last year’s JV players -11/29-12/1 at 5:45 - 7 PM
Last year’s Varsity players - 11/29, 11/30 7:15 - 9 PM
Winter Cheerleading
December 2nd and 3rd at 4:30 PM at 50 Crystal St.
Wrestling
2:30-4:30 PM at 50 Crystal St.
Boys Swimming
2:30-4:00 PM at Mystic Valley Pool
Girls Hockey
11/29 2:50-3:50 PM at Malden Forum
Boys Hockey
11/29 3:50-4:50 PM – Last year’s varsity and other assigned players
Tuesday 6:00-7:00 AM – Last year’s JV Gold and JV Blue Players
Tuesday 3:45-4:50 PM – Freshman and New Candidates
Tuesday 3:45-4:50 PM – Last year’s varsity and other assigned players
Girls Indoor Track
11/29 Meet in the cafeteria 2:30 PM
Boys Indoor Track
11/23 Information meeting
11/29 Meet on the track
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