DON BOSCO PREP “Empowering Young Men for Life”

Please find in this issue:

Article Page Director’s Message 2 Principal’s Letter 3 Nurse’s Notes 4 SAT Prep Course 5 Guidance News 6-7 Spectrum Program 8-10

Article Page Bookstore 10-11 Fundraising 12 Fr. Al Sokol Golf Outing 13-14 Fashion Show 15 Finish Line Club 16-17 Yearbook Corner 18-19

Volume 99 Summer 2013

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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT

Summer 2013 Dear Parents and Students,

The summer days here at Don Bosco Prep afford us a good change of pace. There is time for evaluating the past academic year and for planning the upcoming one. There is the ability to improve the facilities, to do repairs and to work on new projects. And there is the chance to welcome young people for both the Summer Enrichment Academy and the varied athletic camps.

For the past two months we have been interviewing numerous candidates for our open teaching positions. To date, we have hired teachers of German, Mandarin Chinese, Art, Math, English and Theology, as well as a guidance counselor. They are individuals with rich backgrounds and will augment well our already strong and dedicated faculty.

Our Centennial Strategic Plan calls for accompaniment of teaching faculty, on-going professional development and collaborative curriculum development. To this end we have decided to not hire an Assistant Principal for Academics, but instead to create two new managerial positions: Dean of Humanities (English, Arts, World Languages and Social Studies) and Dean of Sciences (Math, Science and Technology). We have hired Kristine Byrne for the Dean of Humanities position and Fr. Louis Konopelski has been assigned by the Provincial for the Dean of Sciences position. Both are recognized as talented and experienced educators and will be a blessing in animating these tasks.

We have been planning assemblies – for students and parents – on several themes deemed important for a fuller education. To date we have April Rivkin booked for October 8 and 18, 2013 on the theme of Teen Dating Abuse and Immaculée Ilibagiza, a Rwandan genocide survivor, booked for February 13, 2014 on the theme of Spirituality and Hope. Also in process are assemblies on Alcohol and Drugs, Use of Social Media, and Leadership.

As in past summers, Fr. Manny is away working with 400+ young people at Camp Echo Bay in New Rochelle while Fr. Jim Mulloy was serving as the chaplain to Mary Help of Christians Camp run by the Salesian Sisters in North Haledon. Br. Jim Wiegand braved the heat of the day helping out with the basketball camps on campus. Br. Minh worked with the children of migrant workers in Belle Glade, Florida for four weeks. He is now spending some time with his family in Virginia before he departs for missionary training in Turin and Rome on August 19. We will miss him greatly.

There will be two new members in our Salesian Community this year. Fr. Dennis Hartigan is currently settling in and will be teaching Theology. Fr. Lou Konopelski, already mentioned above, arrives the first week of August.

All of this signifies change for our school community as we approach the opening of our 99th school year! But it is positive growth and development, to be sure, in the spirit of St. John Bosco. Enjoy the rest of the summer; may it be happy and holy. You are remembered in the prayers of the Salesian Community daily.

Cordially,

Father James Heuser, SDB Director/President

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FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Summer 2013 Dear Ironmen and Parents/Guardians, I hope this letter finds you well and that you have had the opportunity for rest, relaxation and quality family time during these summer months. As usual, the activity here at Don Bosco Prep continues throughout the summer with a variety of camps, summer enrichment programs and other activities going on-the campus that never sleeps! I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you some items of importance as we approach the beginning of another school year. Student Orientations We welcome students back to the 2013-2014 academic year with the following schedule:

Tuesday, Sept. 3rd

: Orientation for Grade 9 and all Transfer Students from 7:25-1:40pm

Wednesday, Sept. 4th

: Orientation for Grades 9 and 10 from 7:25-12:45pm

Thursday, Sept. 5th

: Orientation for Grades 11 and 12 from 7:25-12:45pm

Friday, Sept. 6th

: Mass of the Holy Spirit/First Day of Classes

Parent/Student Handbook Students will receive one copy of their Parent/Student handbooks in the fall, as part of their student agenda. A downloadable copy of the Parent/Student handbook is also available on the school webpage. I cannot stress enough the importance of reading through the handbook; this book contains all of the school’s policies and procedures and it is your legal agreement with the school in terms of these policies and procedures. There is an agreement form distributed separately which needs to be signed by both the student and a parent and returned to your homeroom teacher no later than Monday, September 9

th. Any student who does

not return the signed agreement will be unable to attend school after that date. New World Language Offering Last fall, many of you participated in a survey to ascertain what language offerings might best suit the Don Bosco Prep student. As a result, we will be offering a program in Mandarin Chinese beginning in September. We welcome Mr. Ryan Faello, who will be our new Chinese instructor! While a number of freshman have already enrolled in the course, any upperclassmen who has completed his language requirement, or who wishes to change his language enrollment, may still enroll in the Mandarin I course. Please discuss this with the guidance office if you are interested. Meeting for Parents of Student-Athletes The life of the student-athlete can we a challenging one, at times. A greater balance between the commitment of schoolwork and athletic participation requires good planning. The same is true of the entire family. I would like to meet with the parents of any student who may plan on participating in athletics during the coming to discuss some strategies towards maximizing the benefits of athletic participation and fostering a positive culture for the student-athlete. This meeting will be mandatory and will be held on Tuesday evening, September 10

th in the auditorium. A second meeting will be held for students who participate in

spring sports later in the year. I look forward to seeing you there and working together with you! Again, I hope you have had an enjoyable summer and are rested and ready for another great school year at Don Bosco! Know that my prayers are with you through the remainder of the summer. In Don Bosco,

John Stanczak Mr. John Stanczak

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I hope that you are enjoying your summer vacation.

I offer a few thoughts to help you start to focus on the upcoming school year:

1) You will gradually need to transition yourself back to the school schedule. Reregulating

your sleep and eating patterns may need some attention before school starts.

2) If you have asthma or severe allergies, remember to have the paperwork I sent home

filled out by parent and physician and returned to me in September.

3) If you will need medication during school hours, Medication Authorization Forms need

to be filled out and returned with the prescribed medication, to the Health Office in

September.

4) Summer is a good time to catch up on outdated physicals. The forms for the physicals

are downloadable from the Don Bosco website under Health Services.

5) If you receive any new vaccinations, send documentation of this to the Health Office.

6) If you sustained any injuries during the summer that may make attending gym

impossible,

bring documentation from your doctor that states this, and see me on return to school to

make other safety accommodations as needed.

In the meantime, enjoy the rest of the summer. I look forward to hearing all about it in

September!!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Cena RN, School Nurse

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IMPORTANT GUIDANCE INFORMATION

PLEASE READ In preparation for the next school year, the Guidance Department will be sending grade specific

emails to all Don Bosco Parents. This will keep you updated on grade level information and

news. It is important that all parents update their email addresses. Please contact the Guidance

Department via email (guidance@donboscoprep.org) or phone (201-327-4080).

GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT

MEMO FOR SENIORS

******IMPORTANT DEADLINES******

The Guidance Center website has a listing of all SAT and ACT deadlines for this school

year. You are particularly reminded that:

August 23 – Registration deadline for September 21st ACT

September 6 – Late registration deadline for September 21st ACT

Registration deadline for October 5th SAT/SAT Subject Tests

PLEASE NOTE: The Guidance Center website has a listing of colleges and universities

visiting Don Bosco in the afternoon. While all students are free to visit with these repre-

sentatives, senior students are especially encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity!

TRANSCRIPT RELEASE FORMS

TRANSCRIPTS WILL NOT BE RELEASED TO ANY COACHES, COLLEGES, SUM-

MER PROGRAMS AND/OR SCHOLARSHIPS UNLESS THIS SIGNED FORM IS RE-

TURNED TO THE GUIDANCE OFFICE. If you have not handed in a “Transcript Re-

lease Form,” please do so.

Juniors and Seniors

October 2013 College Tour

The college tour will be October 17-18. The tour will be open to jun-

iors and seniors. The tour will be heading north — Fairfield Universi-

ty, University of Connecticut, Providence College, Boston University,

Boston College, and Northeastern University. More information will

follow.

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PLANNING AHEAD Case Study/College Roundtable for Selective College Admissions

Gives parents and students an “inside” look into the application process

Colleges attending include (but are not limited to): Boston College, George

Washington University, University of Chicago, University of Delaware, Union

College, Lafayette College, Stevens Institute of Technology, and Wagner College

Will most likely be in late September in the evening (6 - 9 p.m.)

Recommended for seniors and their parents who are considering applying to

competitive schools

“Mock” applications will be forwarded at the beginning of the school year and all

those attending will need to review prior to the event

Financial Aid Springboard

Following the fall Senior Breakfast, we will briefly discuss topics such as college

costs, timelines, and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Additional Financial Aid Nights will be held in November (focusing on the CSS/

Financial Aid Profile) and again in January (focusing on the FAFSA)

The financial nights will also provide an opportunity to discuss scholarships

and other financial opportunities

After-school Workshops

Several workshops will be held after school in September and October for topics

such as college interviews, college essays, athletics, and resume writing

All interested students and parents are welcome to attend

College Tour for Juniors and Seniors

The college tour will be in mid-October...the tour is open to juniors and seniors

with priority given to seniors...tour will be heading north...more information to

follow

Day trips to colleges will be planned in the fall and spring

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Don Bosco Prep

Spectrum Program

The Spectrum program will again be offered for our students during the coming year. First introduced to Don

Bosco students in 2002, this peer support bereavement program has had a strong and successful history of

supporting Don Bosco students who have suffered loss in their young lives.

Rainbows for All God’s Children was created in 1983 to provide children, adolescents and adults with an

opportunity for healing the grief that comes with losing someone through death, divorce, separation or

abandonment. It is not counseling or therapy, but rather a peer support program.

Spectrum is the level within Rainbows specifically for adolescents. Spectrum groups help teens share feelings

and thoughts about their loss with others their own age. Conversations are kept confidential.

After experiencing the loss of a loved one, it’s not always easy to understand or express your feelings in words.

Family members are also suffering and may not be able to give young people the support they need.

Young people need the opportunity to express their feelings, both positive and negative. They may be too unsure

of themselves to take the risk. Like adults, they fear rejection or a lack of understanding. Spectrum provides a

place for teens to be with others their own age who share a similar experience. It is helpful to have a caring adult

and peers to guide a young person through his grief, to build a stronger sense of self-esteem and to accept what

has taken place in his family.

Spectrum groups consist of 5 -6 students and a trained adult facilitator, and gather once a week for twelve weeks

to address specific topics related to their loss and family changes. In the past, Spectrum groups met after school,

and some students who wanted to participate in Spectrum were often unable to do so because of transportation

issues and extracurricular commitments. To make this worthwhile program more accessible to students, we are

planning to meet during the school day. With our rotating scheduling, students will not miss the same class each

week, only once every seven weeks.

Can Spectrum benefit some of our students? Here are student comments about Spectrum from past years:

“Spectrum is a cure for my silent pain”

“I’m more at peace with myself”

“It helped me see who I am, where I am, and what I want to be as a person”

“Before I attended Spectrum talking about my problems was a situation I often avoided”

“I have a greater sense that there are people who care about me … they know what I’m going through”

“One thing I’m more at peace with is the hate… I feel that coming more often will help me lose it completely. Not the pain, but the hate”

“I’ve learned to let my feelings out in a positive way”

“Spectrum allowed me to realize I was in a different boat than most by no fault of my own and to work around and solve some problems”

“I’m not alone”

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SPECTRUM

2013 Registration Form

PLEASE PRINT Name:________________________________________________ Age __________ Grade level in September, 2013 __________

Please indicate each loss in your life and when it occurred. Check all that apply.

? Divorce in my family occurred when I was ____ years old

? Separation in my family occurred when I was ____ years old ? Abandonment by a parent (Mom / Dad) occurred when I was

____ years old ? Death of a parent (Mom / Dad) occurred when I was ____

years old ? Death of a sibling (Brother or sister, age ____) occurred when

I was ____ years old ? Death of a grandparent occurred when I was ____ years old ? Death of another relative: occurred when I was ____ years old ? Death of a friend occurred when I was ____ years old ? Other loss (please explain):

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Did you ever participate in the Rainbows program (elementary/middle school level)? Yes / No When? Did you ever participate in Spectrum (high school level)? Yes / No When?

Did you ever participate in a bereavement program or attend grief counseling? Yes / No When?

For more information about Spectrum please contact Mr. DeLucci.

Please return this registration to the Guidance Office

Back-To-School Bookstore Volunteers:

We are looking for student volunteers to assist during the August Back-To-School Event, for Friday

August 9 from 10:00 am thru 3:00 pm (set-up) and then Monday, August 12ththrough Thursday,

August 15th. On these four days we have half-day shifts or you can work the full day – 9:30am to 8pm.

We provide service hours to those students who help during this sale. Lunch and a lite afternoon snack

is provided, if you stay the full-day. Many of our volunteers work the entire event, and complete all

their required service hours. The volunteers who work this event typically return to help every year.

We would like to open this service to more of our students, but please note if you son is interested, have

him call and speak with me ASAP, as we might have to turn students away if we get tremendous

interest. We have a limited number of spots available.

IMPORTANT: Any student who has previously expressed an interest in volunteering their services at this

event, please call Mrs. Saglimbene to confirm days and times you will be working.

YOU MAY NOT JUST SHOW UP ON THESE DAYS. Please speak with or email Mrs. Saglimbene at 201-

327-8003 or email ssaglimbene@donboscoprep.com.

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The Don Bosco Prep Bookstore will host the 2013-2014

Back-To-School

Apparel and Book-Sale Days

August 12 thru August 15 from 10:00 – 2:00 and 3:30 – 8:00

You will be provided the opportunity to purchase required supplementary

books, DBP dress code apparel and accessories.

Schedule of Assigned Grade Levels

Freshman – Monday, August 12

Sophomore – Tuesday, August 13

Junior – Wednesday, August 14

Senior – Thursday, August 15

Remember, you are required to purchase from Flynn & O’Hara the dress code khaki

pants, shoes and shorts (if your son chooses to wear shorts in the early fall and spring

months. So as to secure your khaki pants and shoes for September, it is advised that

you make this purchase from Flynn & O’Hara by July 15th

. Inventory of pants

and shoes will not be available during the August Bookstore Back-To-School days.

All other dress code apparel is purchased at the Don Bosco Prep Bookstore.

All families will need to attend the bookstore prior to the 2013-2014 school year.

Please try to adhere to the schedule with regard to grade levels.

Books will only be exchanged if a student changes a course. No exchanges will be made

after October 1, 2013 and if the book is written in or damaged.

Please examine USED books before making your purchase. USED books may not be

exchanged under any circumstances.

If you can’t attend the sale days as scheduled, please contact the bookstore and speak

with Mrs. Saglimbene – 201-327-8003 ext. 143 or email

ssaglimbene@donboscoprep.com.

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DON BOSCO PREP FUND RAISING

Based on the recommendations of the Meitler Study and as part

of the implementation of our Centennial Strategic Plan, all Don Bosco Prep fundraising activities

for all constituent groups will be coordinated through the Advancement Office.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss a fundraiser, please contact

Craig Austin, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, in St. John’s Hall or call him at 201-327-8003 ext. 126.

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FASHION SHOW 2013 COMMITTEE MEETING DATES

All meetings will be held in the basement of St. John’s Hall and will begin at 7:30 p.m.

July 31 (pre-pack assembly)

August 21 (mailing)

September 11

September 19

September 25

October 2

October 9

October 16

October 24

October 30

November 6 (set up at Rockleigh)

Light refreshments are always served! Please join us and bring a

friend. All are welcome.

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Don Bosco Prep High School Finish Line Club

FINISH LINE CLUB MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION – (2013-2014 SEASONS) Parents Name __________________________________________________________ Street ___________________________________Town_______________________ Home Phone Number ___________________________________________________ Athlete Cell Number ____________________________________________________ PARENTS E-Mail Address________________________________________________ Son’s Name ________________________Graduation Year _______________ SPORT PARTICIPATION (Check appropriate sport(s): ____ Cross Country ______ Winter Track _____ Spring Track Membership Amount $ _________________ 2013-2014 Membership Fees:

$50 for family of One Season DBP XC/Track athlete $85 for family of Multiple Season DBP XC/Track athlete $85 for family of more than one DBP athlete regardless of # of seasons

(Please include all athletes information on form)

** PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS IS LEGIBLE AND CORRECT ** (MOST COMMUNICATION IS DONE VIA E-MAIL)

Please indicate what committee(s) you would be available to volunteer for:

___ Refreshments (Cross Country) ____ All Seasons Banquet ___ Cross Country end of season dinner ____ Refreshments (Spring Track) ___ Pasta Dinner (Winter Track) ____ Assistance at meets (Spring Track) ___ Other: _____________________________________________________________

Make checks payable to: Don Bosco Prep Finish Line Club Mail to: Josephine Carapezza

319 Franklin Tpke Mahwah, NJ 07430

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Don Bosco Prep

Cross Country

Picnic

For Athletes, Families and Coaches

Sponsored by the Finish Line Club

Sunday, September 8, 2013 at 1:30 PM

Don Bosco Prep lower parking lot

Family Fee- $30.00

Welcome to the 2013cross country season! Meet your son’s coaches and get

to know our athletes and families. Siblings welcome.

Please send in your money by Wednesday, September 4th .

Make checks payable to DBP Finish Line Club.

Mail check and form to:

Josephine Carapezza

319 Franklin Turnpike

Ramsey, NJ 07430

We hope to see all of the cross country team and families there!

Athlete’s name __________________________________________

Total # of people attending (including athlete)__________________

Total payment: $30 per family

Questions?

Sheila or Oscar Costello, Cross Country Chairs, 201-612-0281 Sheilacos@optonline.net

Josephine Carapezza, Finish Line Club Treasurer 201-529-5324 chuckr710@aol.com

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Yearbook Corner Underclassmen Picture Dates – September 4, 5 Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior ID/Yearbook pictures will be taken during the Orientation days in September (9/4: Freshmen and Sophomores 9/5: Juniors). Please look for the picture order form/flyer that Lifetouch will be sending to your home over the summer (usually towards the end of August.) Please read it carefully as it explains the different ways you can order/pay for pictures. Please make sure your son is properly attired – in dress code and hair cut according to the handbook guidelines. Your son will be turned away if his appearance is questionable. Underclassmen picture makeup day is scheduled for October 10.

Senior Portrait Pose Selection – deadline October 11, 2013 By now, you should have received a mailing from Prestige Portraits with your son’s portrait pictures that were taken in May. Instructions were provided regarding how to select (online) the Yearbook pose. Please do so by October 11. If you do not choose a pose by October 11, one will be chosen for you by Prestige. If you request a different pose after October 11, there will be a $25.00 “change pose” fee.

Senior Portrait makeup day is September 13, 2013. Please notify Prestige Portraits (1-800-426-9533) if you wish to have your son’s Senior picture retaken on September 13 at Bosco. There is a $15.00 retake fee. If your son misses this date, he will need to go to the Prestige studio, located in South Plainfield NJ, for his Senior picture sitting.

Do YOU have any school event pictures you would like to submit to the Yearbook staff? The September Bulletin will provide detailed instructions on how you can

share your pictures with us by using eShare, a utility that is available through our publisher, Herff Jones….so start gathering your pictures now!

Senior Quotes/Activites – deadline November 20, 2013 The September Bulletin will provide detailed instructions on how your son can submit his Senior Quote/list of school activities online. Please encourage him now to start thinking about this information.

“After Hours” Articles – deadline November 20, 2013 As you may be aware, there is a section in the Yearbook named “After Hours.” This section is dedicated to events and happenings by students and faculty “after school hours.” Did your son do something special over the summer? Will your son be doing something special this school year? Will he be earning an award soon (i.e. Eagle Scout)? Did he do some special volunteer work? If so, the Bosconian staff would like to hear from you. Please contact Ms. Fecht, Yearbook Adviser (sfecht@donboscoprep.org), or email an article (with pictures) to yearbook@donboscoprep.org by November 20, 2013.

IMPORTANT DATES Freshmen ID/yearbook pictures 9/4 Sophomore ID/yearbook pictures 9/4 Junior ID/yearbook pictures 9/5 Senior Portrait Makeups 9/13 Senior Portrait Pose Selection due 10/11 Senior Quotes/Activities due 11/20 After Hours submission due 11/20

SENIOR ADS DUE 11/15

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Senior Ads – deadline November 15, 2013

Only ½ page ads will be accepted. Dimensions are Length (5 ½”) X Width (8 ½”).

The ad section of the Yearbook will be in color, so please submit a color ad. Price for ad is $200. Your submitted ad must be camera ready. A camera ready ad is one where a) you cut-out and paste the pictures and text on a piece of paper and then submit the completed ad or b) you create the ad using a software package of your choice and you print it out and submit it. Your ad will be published just the way you submit it. The Yearbook staff will not alter anything. The Yearbook staff will not print out any ads, so please do not electronically send us the ad. Please do not submit loose photos and text – they will not be accepted and will be returned to you. Please make sure the student’s full name is on the ad. Ads must be submitted with a completed Senior Ad Form (below). A copy of this form will also be available online in September.

Don Bosco Yearbook Senior Ads: 2013-2014

Parent/Guardian Name ____________________________________________

Phone number ____________________________________________

E-mail address ____________________________________________

Student Name ____________________________________________

Make checks payable to Don Bosco Prep.

Each ½ page ad is $200.

All ads and full payments are due by November 15, 2013.

Please PROOFREAD your ads. Please check that all spelling/grammar is correct.

We cannot correct any errors.

Payment along with this form and the camera-ready ad must be giv-

en to Ms. Fecht (2nd floor St. Johns) directly by the senior student.

Valuable family photos can be reclaimed at the end of the school year, usually at the Senior Dinner.

Reminder: Please make sure your son’s full name appears somewhere in the ad !