Dear Trojan Family:  
 
I hope this letter finds you enjoying the final days of summer.  I am excited about the promise of the upcoming school year. The majority of our teachers and support staff are returning, but we have a few new faces.  Please join me in welcoming the newest members of our Trojan team:

  • Maddisen Brenneke, Geometry 
  • Troy Cockrum, Public Speaking, Theater Arts, Journalism 
  • Michael Dlugosz, Cafeteria Manager 
  • Steven Patzke, Director of Campus Ministry  
  • Katie Sahm, Theology
  • Holly Stults, Theater Director 
                     
Please take a few moments to read this initial newsletter and watch my welcome back video.  For your convenience, here is a link to a closed captioning website.  

Tuesday, August 6, will be considered our first day with freshmen coming in the morning and sophomores through seniors coming in the afternoon. Freshman Orientation takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Please drop off students at Door 10. Sophomore through Senior Orientation takes place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. All Sophomores through Seniors may enter any door and should be seated in the gym by 1:00 p.m. sharp. Students are required to be in uniform for Orientation. View the attached updated Uniform Dress Code Policy.  

I wanted to make you aware of an exciting new program that we are introducing at Bishop Chatard for the 2019-2020 school year. Beginning in late August, students and teachers will have the opportunity to use the time between 11:05 and 11:35 a.m. for a variety of enrichment opportunities called Seminars. Seminars will expand our course offerings, club opportunities, enrichment activities, and academic assistance. We firmly believe these Seminars will enhance the academic culture and student academic experience at Bishop Chatard High School.  

What is a Seminar?
A Seminar is an opportunity for a group of  students to gather and engage in academic study, discussion and/or enrichment under the direct supervision of a staff member. 

Students will be given a choice to determine Seminar placement. Participation in a Seminar will change by quarter or semester.

What would this look like for the 2019-2020 school year?
Seminar sessions will offer students academic assistance, enrich current course content, provide additional course offerings or a club experience. Student seminar time is a 30-minute time frame in the middle of the school day. 

Seminar “A” days will be used for Mass or school speakers and will most likely be scheduled on Thursday. This group of students will also be your emergency evacuation class.

Seminar “B” days are generally on Monday and Tuesday.  

Seminar “C” days are generally on Wednesday and Friday. 

What is a Seminar “B” Day?
A Seminar “B” Day follows a traditional class structure. Students are either in a structured content-based study session, enrolled in an additional course, credit recovery or in remediation.

What is a Seminar “C” Day?
A  Seminar “C” Day is an opportunity for students and teachers to engage in a broad range of activities that do not normally fit into a traditional school schedule. This experience most likely involves “learning by doing.” The intent is to support student development of “soft skills” and qualities such as teamwork, independence, initiative, personal responsibility and life skills. These opportunities do not require an exam or homework. 

Seminar implementation has required us to shorten our lunch periods by two minutes, and extend the school day by one minute. Look for more information concerning Seminar implementation in future newsletters as well as at Parent Meetings.  

Exciting things are happening at Bishop Chatard.  Thank you for supporting our school and we look forward to a great year.  Please feel free to contact me at (317-251-1451, ext. 1900) or via email at [email protected]   if you have any questions.  
 
God bless you always,
Joe Hansen, Principal
Bishop Chatard High School