Headmaster Update
John Thornburg
Headmaster
thornburgj@maldencatholic.org
Dear Parents,

My prayer is that your family is well and that you've had the opportunity to spend time outside enjoying this beautiful season. It was great to see our students (Blue Cohort) return to the building this morning. Their faces were bright and cheerful and everyone appeared to be eager to learn, which is a wonderful way to start the week. I look forward to seeing our Gold Cohort tomorrow. 

I am very thankful we were able to return to the MC campus for another week of school. This is only possible when our entire community adheres to our established Culture of Health guidelines with proper social distancing and proactive hand-washing practices. I appreciate everyone's continued support in this way so that we can continue to provide a live classroom experience to educate our students.

The first quarter ends on Wednesday and this marks an opportunity to pause and provide a formal assessment of each student's academic progress. This is an important time in the partnership of our parents-students-teachers and allows all parties to come together to support student growth. Please review the first quarter grades with your son or daughter and have conversations with them regarding their progress, expectations and celebrate their hard work over the past two months. If there are specific questions or concerns regarding a particular class, please reach out directly to your student's teacher.  

Thank you for your support. 

John K. Thornburg

Also, be sure to follow me on MCHS Headmaster Twitter for the most recent school updates and important MC announcements.

At a Glance
Monday, October 26
Blue Cohort
Virtual College Visit: Seton Hall University | 2:20 PM
Virtual College Visit: Xavier University | 2:20 PM

Tuesday, October 27
Gold Cohort
Virtual College Visit: University of Toronto | 2:20 PM
Virtual College Visit: Trinity College Dublin | 2:20 PM

Wednesday, October 28
Blue Cohort
Quarter Ends
Halloween Dress Down - $5.00 proceeds to Make A Wish Foundation (money will be collected in homeroom)
Virtual College Visit: Clarkson University | 2:20 PM
Virtual College Visit: College of Mount Saint Vincent | 2:20 PM

Thursday, October 29
PSATS - Juniors ONLY | 8:00 AM
Academic Enrichment for Grades 9, 10, 12 | 8:00 AM
Advisory for Grades 9, 10 | 11:55 AM
Clubs - Moderators will send links | 12:45 PM
Town Hall for Faculty and Staff | 1:35 PM
Investment Club Meeting | 2:30 PM
Virtual College Visit: College of the Holy Cross | 2:20 PM
Virtual College Visit: Wheaton College - Massachusetts | 2:20 PM

Friday, October 30
Gold Cohort
Halloween Dress Down - $5.00 proceeds to Make A Wish Foundation (money will be collected in homeroom)
Praying of the Rosary: MC Cafeteria | 7:30 AM
Virtual College Visit: Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 2:20 PM
Virtual College Visit: University of San Diego | 2:20 PM
Reminders from Principal Redman
Dear Malden Catholic Families,

I am thrilled to be joining Malden Catholic as the new Administrative Assistant. For me, working at this prestigious school in the front office is a dream come true! As I begin my journey at Malden Catholic, I am very excited about the opportunity to engage with the school community. So far, I have enjoyed working with the outstanding Malden Catholic administration and faculty and have met many amazing students and families since the school year began.  

I was born and raised in Malden and feel strongly about giving back to the community. My husband and I just celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary and together have spent the past few years raising our children, Jack, Robert and Anna in Melrose. During this time, I worked for the Malden Public Schools, Housing Families Saturday School and as Cantor for my parish and other parishes in the Northshore, where I still continue to work and volunteer. Melrose Helps is another organization that I like to devote my free time to. I am also a proud "mom" to two adorable and two spoiled rescue dogs, Otis and Ellie Mae. 

In these uncertain times, it really warms my heart to witness the dedication and commitment of the teachers and staff. I am proud to be part of this team and look forward to meeting all of you!

Mrs. Andrea Tracey
Andrea Tracey
Administrative Assistant
traceya@maldencatholic.org
What's New?
Command Sergeant Major, Daniel T. Hendrex to visit Malden Catholic
Command Sergeant Major, Daniel T. Hendrex , Command Sergeant Major of the US Army, Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Eustis, Virginia will visit Malden Catholic on Wednesday, November 4. CSM Hendrex, a recipient of numerous awards, is an expert on the topic of leadership development, and will speak to MC students regarding the critical characteristics required for strong leadership, the importance of leadership skills, ethics, grit, adaptation and ways to maintain focus in our daily lives.

CSM Hendrex will also discuss his book, A Soldier’s Promise, The Heroic True Story of an American Soldier and an Iraqi Boy. This story chronicles the “sacrifice and courage by an Iraqi boy and the U.S. soldiers who protected him from certain death by bringing him to the United States….a tale of two countries and two very different kinds of people joining together against terror and tyranny, and of the young man who, against all odds, gave Dragon Company what they desperately needed - hope.” 
NASA Astronaut Meets with Female SFX Scholars
Malden Catholic Girls SFX Scholars had the opportunity to hear from NASA Astronaut, Jessica Meir, who is a tremendous leader and role model for young adults.

Students attended a Zoom meeting with Jessica, an American-born NASA astronaut who spent 204 days in space. She is also a marine biologist, physiologist and Assistant Professor at Harvard Medical School.
MC Halloween Tag Days - Wednesday (10.28) and Friday (10.30)
Happy Halloween! Malden Catholic will celebrate the holiday with a MC Halloween Tag Day on Wednesday, October 28 and Friday, October 30. Students are asked to pay $5 in homeroom and dress in costumes.

All money collected will go to the MC Make-A-Wish Club as we begin this year’s fundraising efforts to grant the wish of an ill child. Please see the Weekly Update for the dress code rules for MC Halloween Tag Day.
MC Parent Council Organizational Meeting
Headmaster Thornburg and Principal Redman will launch the Malden Catholic Parent Council (MCPC) with a virtual organizational meeting next Wednesday, November 4 at 4:00 PM to share thoughts and ideas with parents and discuss volunteer opportunities. This is Malden Catholic’s official parent group that provides opportunities for all interested MC parents to assist with admissions, events, charitable causes and all things MC! In previous years, the parents’ group held elections in the spring and a kick-off event at the beginning of the school year. Due to COVID-19, we are limited in our ability to host events and were unable to follow the past format. 

On Wednesday, November 4 at 4:00 PM Headmaster Thornburg and Principal Redman will cohost a virtual MC Parent Council (MCPC) organizational meeting to share thoughts and ideas with parents and discuss volunteer opportunities. 

Malden Catholic has always been blessed with parents who are willing to contribute and create meaningful MC experiences for students and families. Our desire this year is to bring as much “fun and engagement" as possible to the school community while navigating with the safety precautions required by the pandemic. 

Malden Catholic Parents Council
Wed, Nov 4, 2020 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM (EST)
You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (224) 501-3412
Access Code: 286-685-389
Service Hour Requirements
Unfortunately, due to so many COVID -19 restrictions, MC Service Hours are not mandatory for students this year. Senior Service requirements will also be put on hold at this time. The three-week service opportunities that occur in April will be reviewed after the first of the year.

However, since service is still such an integral part of the Malden Catholic community, the Campus Ministry Office will share as many virtual opportunities to serve our community as possible. Students should also try to take advantage of in-school Christian service hours as well. 
Baby Clothing Drive
Campus Ministry is sponsoring MC's annual Baby Clothing Drive to benefit the Friends of the Unborn in Quincy.

The following items have been requested: baby girl and boy outfits, pajamas and onesies for newborns and 0-3 months, baby boy and baby girl snowsuits for newborns and 0-3 months, baby monitors, crib sheets for boys and girls, baby bottle brushes, sleep mittens, burp cloths and regular-sized toothpaste.

All items must be brand new. Please bring baby clothing and other donations to MC's front foyer from Tuesday, October 27th to Monday, November 2nd. 
Student Council Campaigning and Voting
Due to the remote week, the Student Council campaign videos need to be submitted by Friday, October 30th and distributed to the students on Monday, November 2.

Malden Catholic will hold Student Council elections on Tuesday, November 3. At 12:55 PM, a Google form will be sent to all students so they can vote remotely or while in school. 
MC Football Combine for Breast Cancer Awareness
Malden Catholic's football program is hosting a middle school football "combine" to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness. The combine will feature college coaches speaking with young students regarding collegiate level fitness testing and drills. Preregistration is mandatory.

Who: Open to students in 7th - 8th grade, limited to the first 40 to register
When: Friday, October 30th @6pm at Brother Gilbert Stadium, Malden Catholic High School

PSAT on Thursday
On Thursday at 8:00 AM, Malden Catholic will be hosting mandatory PSATs for all Juniors.

This week, the fifth day has been moved to Thursday to allow for testing.
  • Please arrive at 7:45 AM
  • Bring a #2 pencil, a calculator with batteries and student ID/photo ID
  • Masks are required
  • Dress down day attire
Senior Portraits
Senior portraits will begin on Wednesday (10.28) and Friday (10/30) at Malden Catholic. The first two dates for senior photos appointments are filled, so if you have not yet scheduled your appointment, please click here.

Dress Code for Pictures: Gentlemen must wear shirts and ties (jackets optional), be clean shaven and hair must be well-groomed and trimmed.

Admissions Assistance Needed
Tuesday, October 27th at 6:30 PM, Sean Hurley is hosting a call for parents interested in assisting with the Malden Catholic admissions season. Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: ​+1 (224) 501-3412 ​Access Code: 836-287-061 
Malden Catholic Sports Store
Malden Catholic's Sports Store is officially open for online shopping. Now is the time to show some Lancer pride and purchase your new attire for the year!

Mission Moment
Brother Puccio
Last Friday, under beautifully bright, blue sky and unseasonable autumn warmth, 115 MC Lancers “walked the walk,” participating in our 2020 Malden Catholic ALS Walk in support of the Leonard Florence Center for Living. Following a kickoff webinar (Click Here!), our girls and boys, along with parents, faculty and staff, hit the streets for their individual 3-mile routes and raised over $5,870 to support programming and care at the nonprofit Center, located right in Chelsea and known as a national model for innovative healthcare for those with physical disabilities. 

In this our 7th year of participation in the Walk, we surpassed last year’s number of official walkers and more than tripled earlier annual donations! Great job, Lancers! Thank you!
We also want to thank, Campus Ministers Ms. Deirdre Foley and Dr. Stephen Baccari, who coordinated the event, and we share our appreciation with Coach Bill Raycraft and those other coaches who encouraged participation.

On behalf of my Xaverian community members Brother Joe Comber, an ALS resident at Leonard Florence, and his daily care-taker Brother Tim Hoey, former MC teacher (27 years), Social Studies Chair, and Mock Trial Team founder, I thank our MC family for the generous spirit and care that distinguishes us. We are most attuned to our Mission when we are in service of others, when we lead in modeling actions that are gestures of hope, proclaiming our belief that we are brothers and sisters – all God’s children, all created in God’s image – worthy of dignity and love.
Sports Events This Week
Our sports season is in progress. If you have not already reviewed the guidelines for fall sports, please take a moment and read Malden Catholic's Return to Fall Athletics Plan found on our website. Click here for the Return to Fall Athletics Plan.

If you need MC masks, they are now available though our uniform supplier, Collegiate House.
October 26:

October 27:
Mystic Valley Athletic Complex

October 28:

October 29:

October 30:

October 31: