02.01.2012 - FATHER MCGIVNEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL INVITES 8TH GRADERS AND PARENTS Maryville, IL - Father McGivney Catholic High School presents a “Catholic High School Gamechangers” event this Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 6:30 pm at the high school opening this fall in a dedicated wing of St. John Neumann Catholic School in Maryville, IL. “This event is a great opportunity for students and parents to meet some of our first faculty; visit with other area eighth graders; and hear from our principal, board members, and experienced parents about what sets McGivney apart from any other high school experience,” stated Diane Villhard, Recruiting Chair for Father McGivney Catholic High School. The evening will consist of short presentations from school faculty and board members as well as parents who have seen the benefits of Catholic education for their own children. “The statistics are convincing,” Principal Mike Palmer said, “Catholic schools are known for their outstanding graduation rate – 99.1% vs. 73.1% from public schools. And 84.7% of Catholic high school graduates go on to 4-year colleges – almost double that of the public school graduates (44%). But in our area, students and parents see other advantages as well. With small class sizes and cutting-edge technology, our students will get personal attention and a learning experience that will better prepare them for college and beyond, not to mention our emphasis on faith formation and service.” McGivney will be a laptop school where students will use electronic textbooks. Among the presentations on Thursday night will be an e-textbook demonstration by one of McGivney’s first math and science faculty. The laptops are included in McGivney’s tuition of $6,000 per year. Father McGivney Catholic High School will open this fall for freshmen. McGivney is almost halfway to its goal of 40 students for the first class. An anonymous donor has generously donated a $1,000 scholarship and an iPad 2 to the first 40 students to enroll. Financial aid and other scholarships are available. To schedule a personal tour or to learn more about this week’s Gamechangers event, visit www.mcgivneygriffins.com or call Principal Mike Palmer at 618-223-9708. Contact: Doug Villhard, Board President, 618-531-6167
Glen Carbon, IL - The board of directors of Father McGivney Catholic High School (FMCHS) has announced that, after an extensive search, Michael V. Palmer has been hired as principal of the new school. A veteran educator whose 32 year career in the Catholic school system includes teaching and coaching as well as administration, Palmer taught and was Dean of Students at Gibault Catholic High School in Waterloo from 1996 to 2003. He currently serves as principal of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School, in Collinsville. Palmer currently serves as principal of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic School (SSPP), in Collinsville. He will serve as principal for both schools during the 2011-2012 school year with a focus at McGivney on recruiting students, hiring teachers, and finalizing the curriculum. “It is fantastic to have someone who already knows the community, lives here and knows all the area Catholic grade school principals,” says Doug Villhard, president of the FMCHS board of directors. “When we announced this exciting project several years ago, Mike was the first person to call me. We talked for over an hour about how much the area needs this school and he volunteered to chair our curriculum committee.” Villhard points out that the coming year is pivotal for the new Catholic high school as the faculty is hired, students recruited and curriculum designed to meet the needs of contemporary Catholic youth. “Mike is very creative when it comes to modular scheduling and he will lead an exemplary high school for modern times, including laptops for every student and electronic text books. He has considerable experience working with high school students and we are lucky to have a professional of his caliber to guide us through the process.” Palmer earned a B.A. in history and political science from McKendree University, and an M.A. in historical studies from SIU-E. He holds certificates in administration and teaching from the State of Illinois. In his current position, he is responsible for administering the pre-K through 8th grade school of 230 students. “I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to serve the students and parents of FMCHS as the first principal,” says Palmer. “I look forward to the challenge of creating a Catholic secondary school that will provide the students of southern Madison County with the chance to continue their faith formation that was begun by our outstanding Catholic elementary schools. It is my goal to fulfill the dreams of the founders of FMCHS by creating a school that will become a leader in academics, athletics and activities in a truly Catholic environment.” Father McGivney Catholic High School will serve students in grades 9 – 12 in the southern Madison County area. The school will open in early September 2012 in a dedicated wing in St. John Neumann (SJN) Catholic grade school while the permanent facility is being built. Palmer is available to address parents’ questions about curriculum, scheduling and class sizes. An open house and tour of the FMCHS wing at St. John Neumann is scheduled for later this summer. Contact: Iris Salsman (314.495.3017 or iris@isalsmanpr.com)
Past News Releases: 06.09.2011 - Father McGivney Catholic High School Student Recruitment Underway
|
07.26.2011 - MIKE PALMER TO HEAD FATHER MCGIVNEY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: Veteran Educator Brings Stability and Excellence to New School| © 2011 Father McGivney Catholic High School. All rights reserved. |   |