For daily announcements and homework, please view my SchoolNotes Page. However, if we continue to use the Google Classroom for the 2022 - 2023 school year, all important information will be posted there. I shall continue to save school paper by posting many of my handouts online at this site. Whenever a parent response form is required to be returned, the parents may simply print out that page. Since the documents will remain on this site as reference for the entire year, there is no need to print out the whole document unless the parent desires to do so.

The latest letter from Mr. McCarthy is at the bottom of these notices!

                                                                                               June 15, 2022

Dear Parents and Incoming Sixth Grade Students for September,

     I met briefly with the fifth grade today to give them a brief introduction to the middle school. I am attaching a link below to my Math 6 Google Classroom for 2022 - 2023. I am asking that the students sign into my Google Classroom using the same procedure they have used the last few years.

                                                                               Respectfully yours,

                                                                              Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy

Math 6 Google Classroom Link for 2022 - 2023

                                                                   August 10, 2022     

Dear Parents and Students,

     I hope that everyone is enjoying a relaxing summer vacation. While I am still contacting the students through last year's Google Classrooms, as well as through the Dreambox program that the students were asked by the Archdiocese to work on throughout the summer, I am going to provide the new Google Classroom links for my personal classrooms for the upcoming school year. Since this is our third year using this online site, the students should know exactly how to join these classrooms using their school accounts. The links are as follows:

                                    Morning Prayer for Grade 8 -             377jvjd
                                    Math 9     2022-2023                            frgnqzr
                                    Math 8     2022-2023                            fmw6mzq
                                    Math 7-8  2022-2023                            aev7vww    
                                    Math 7     2022-2023                            m2irjxd
                                    Math 6     2022-2023                            q7hgc7e
                                    ELA 8      2022-2023                            3wd5btb
                                    Religion 8   2022-2023                        3c5jc6t

     As you can see above, I provided the link for the upcoming sixth grade so that I would be able communicate with them; however, not every new sixth grade student took advantage of the link. I also asked the Archdiocese to give me access to the Dreambox Grade 5 class so I could monitor the summer progress of my new students. I have added a few new assignments to prepare the new middle school students for the year ahead. I shall continue to monitor the progress of all of my students throughout the few remaining weeks. I also remind the eighth grade students about the Lord of the Flies reading assignment. 

     Before closing, I wish to express my sincere appreciation for any "end of the year" gifts. I look forward to once again working with you throughout the year ahead.

                                                                                Respectfully yours,

                                                                                Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy


                                                                   September 1, 2022

Dear Parents and Students,

     As you have been informed by Mr. Naccari, the 2022 -2023 school year at Saint Gabriel is set to begin next Wednesday, September 7, 2022. I would like to take this opportunity to welcome both returning and new families to our Saint Gabriel family. For the first time since September 2019, I hope to be able to take the customary "first day of school" class pictures that I had taken in the past to display in the hallway outside the main office. As some students may recall, I like to take group shots to eventually use in the various videos that I create each year to celebrate our Saint Gabriel family and our upcoming graduating Class of 2023. Therefore, I am repeating Mr. Naccari's reminder to be punctual in arriving for the beginning of the first school day.

     In the document section below, I try to answer any questions the students and parents may have about my approach to the education process. I shall continue updating these documents over the next few days. Any document that includes 2022-2023 has already been completed. All of the others will be updated as soon as I have the necessary information. During the first few days of class from September 7-9, I shall review these important documents with the sixth through eighth grades, posting the relevant documents for each class in the Google Classroom. At this point I do hope that the students will sign into the new Google Classrooms using the information that has been on my Class Page since August 10, 2022.

     As of this writing, the Archdiocese was still updating the new Dreambox classrooms for the upcoming year. All returning students should know how to sign in to the Dreambox program; however, I shall be able to answer more questions about this program once the students have all registered in my new Google Classrooms. Until that process is complete, I shall continue to communicate through last year's classrooms for a few more days if any questions arise.

     As you have been informed by Mr. Naccari, we shall once again have "in person" Back to School Nights. At that time I shall briefly review the key points from my documents. I wish all families an enjoyable Labor Day Weekend, and I look forward to working together with you and your children in the year ahead.

                                                                             Respectfully yours,

                                                                             Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy               


                                                                 September 24, 2022

Dear Parents and Students,

     Well, we have almost completed the first month of the school year, and the students are still adapting to "post-pandemic business as normal." I am very pleased to announce that the first eighth grade fundraiser, Friday night's "Movie Night," was a big success. Working together, the eighth graders and their parents raised a little over $1,000 towards their Graduation Fund. This was the first of several "back to normal" activities that are scheduled in the coming weeks.

     This Friday afternoon the eighth graders will continue the tradition of the "First Grade Welcoming Party." Since we have a 2 to 1 ratio in the student population, each of the eleven first graders will have two eighth grade buddies. The class is busy organizing an afternoon of fun and games for their first graders, as well as a little snack just before dismissal. There will be little more time to rest as the second eighth grade fundraiser, the "fall Car Wash," is now set to take place on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 9:00 AM to about 3:00 PM. Please come out and support our eighth graders by getting your cars washed. More details will be available during the weeks ahead.

     I am also pleased to announce that the eighth grade will once again be able to travel to the Don Bosco Retreat House for the first graduation retreat since October 2019. The class chose the songs for the Mass this week, and the retreat team has a variety of enjoyable activities in which the students will participate. As I did on Friday night, I shall be taking pictures at all of these events for the traditional graduation video. As soon as I get any details from the eighth grade parents, I will try to keep you up-to-date on this Class Page.

     In the area of academics, I am very proud that two of our eighth grade students, Isabelle De La Cruz and Owen Carrara, were the only two winners from the Archdiocese of New York in the Summer Dreambox National Contest, joining sixty-eight other students from across the country. I certainly appreciate the very fine effort these students gave to their summer work. The sixth graders received their first test back this Thursday because the MAP testing limited our class time this week. The first tests for the remaining math groups will be this Tuesday, September 27, 2022. These tests will cover all of the topics we have covered to date. The sixth grade will have their second opportunity to demonstrate their mastery of the presented topics on Friday, September 30, 2022.

     Before closing, I wish to remind the parents that I am available to give extra help on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The students must bring in the permission slips on Mondays and Wednesdays so I can make certain that I only have the fifteen students that Mr. Naccari is permitting at this time. I have been getting many email messages about these slips, and I keep on saying that they are the top document on the bottom of this page. To date, I have only had a few students take advantage of this opportunity. I look forward to answering more questions as the math topics become more challenging. Thank you for your continued support.

                                                                                              Respectfully yours,

                                                                                              Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy

P.S. I have also been recently informed that the yearbooks for the Saint Gabriel Class of 2021 are finally finished and will be distributed at a little party that is scheduled for October 21, 2022. The Class Parents will be providing more details in the days ahead.

                                                                October 17, 2022

Dear Parents and Students,

     The second major test of the first quarter will be returned this week once Mr. Naccari has had a chance to review them. As usual, the 'Math Check Quiz Average" and the "Math Homework Average" will be included on a cover sheet that includes a summary of the other grades for Grade 8. A new Dreambox policy will be introduced because the Archdiocese has informed all teachers how many lessons each student must complete to be on target for all of the required objectives for each respective. The comments that are made on the test go by the previously stated requirement of a minimum 5 lessons and 80 minutes per week. For some students who have not pushed themselves to date, there will be a major increase in the required number of lessons.

     The sixth grade will have their second major test this Friday. Two assessments have been returned already, but some students have not returned them signed. No grades are eligible to be dropped if the students are hiding the tests from their parents. A neatly completed notebook and all returned assignments should also be readily available to the parents. Progress reports will be sent home on Friday for any student who is in danger of failing. While I never worry about any one grade since I drop several grades at the time of report cards, some students should definitely be taking advantage of my "extra help" sessions. Please make certain that you are completely aware of your child's performance in all areas.

                                                                              Respectfully yours,

                                                                              Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy

                                           
                                                                                     October 26, 2022    

  Dear Parents and Students,

     First of all I wish to thank all the parents who worked side by side with their children this past Saturday to make the eighth grade "Fall Car Wash" a huge success. Mrs. Barrio informed me that we raised a total of $1,633. I also appreciate the various snacks, including pizza, that the parents generously supplied for the students throughout the day. Together with the successful "Movie Night" and a wonderful retreat day, our year is off to a great start.

     Unfortunately, a "passing" in my family will prevent me from attending this Friday's Halloween Party; however, I am leaving my camera so that pictures can be taken for the "Graduation Video." Throughout the year, it is very important that our graduating class has as many pictures as possible taken with their family members. When you see the final copy, you will not regret the time you have spent.

     As you know from Mr. Naccari's bulletins, the students will have a "dress down" day on Monday to celebrate Halloween. I usually show a special film on this day, and I shall attempt to work it into our very tight schedule. I also allow the students to bring in their own snacks to enjoy while they are watching the film. With the rest of the school, we shall celebrate Mass for the Feast of All Saints on Tuesday, and the eighth graders will conclude the week by taking the TACHS test.

     The first "Junior High Social" since February 2020 will take place on Thursday night, November 10, 2022, from 7:00 to 9:30 PM in the Monsignor Carlin Parish Center. More details will be sent home with the permission slips next week. To cover the cost of the DJ and snacks, each student must return $8.00 with the signed permission slip. I am looking forward to the return of these pre-pandemic activities.

     With respect to academics, all three classes have had their second major tests returned recently. A complete summary of their performance on homework, "check quizzes," and online assignments was included at the bottom of these returned tests. As indicated in my letters above, I do not necessarily worry about any one grade, but a careful check of the student's returned assignments and notebooks can provide clear indication of the progress the student is making. Extra help sessions have been available two days a week. I must get the signed permission slip [the top document below] in order for the student to attend. As stated on the slips, there should be no calls or email messages with respect to this program. At this time I am permitted to have fifteen students at each session.

     I thank you for your support and look forward to your continued cooperation as the year progresses.

                                                                                       Respectfully yours,

                                                                                      Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy

 
                                                                  November 16, 2022

Dear Parents and Students,

     As you already know from Mr. Naccari's weekly bulletins and the school calendar, this Friday will be a half day of school for the students to allow the teachers to be available from 1:00 PM until 6:00 PM for the distribution of report cards at the parent-teacher "in person" conferences for the first time since November 2019 before the beginning of the pandemic.

     With three classes of students, the teachers try to follow a similar procedure. Upon arrival, the parents are asked to sign in on the list provided by each teacher. There will be two columns: one column for each teacher's homeroom class and one column for the students in the other two classes. Since each teacher has the report cards for the students in their homeroom class, those parents are addressed first when they are present. When there are no parents signed in from the teacher's homeroom class, the teachers will meet with the parents who have signed in the second column in the order the names appear. With almost seventy sets of parents, this is not the time for an extensive discussion. For more serious problems, a meeting at a later date is advised.

     With respect to math, I have written extensive comments on the report cards. I also remind the parents that a number of grades have been dropped before the final grade was recorded, no matter how high or low that grade may be. The sixth graders had extra grades dropped because of the "transitional period" I mentioned at our first meeting in September. For the remainder of their time at Saint Gabriel School, they will have the same "fair" number of grades dropped as the other students. I always suggest that the parents check the "neat and organized" quality of the nightly homework that has been consistently returned. Notebooks should also be neat and organized with the date [in pencil] and objective [in red pen or pencil] for each day's work. They should have the "step-by-step" notes that I have provided in the Google Classroom, as well as about forty-five minutes of completed work. If you can see this, you know that your child is taking me seriously.

     Once you have looked at the report card that your child's homeroom teacher has provided, you should decide if a conference is needed with either of the other two teachers. I will not be offended if you do not stop to see me if you really have no questions about your child's performance. My main concern is that every child work to the very best of his or her respective abilities.

     Before closing, I would also like to thank the parents who helped to chaperone last Thursday's first "junior high social," the first since February 2020. I regret that some students turned in the permission slips late; therefore, the chaperones had already been selected. If there is to be a second social in February, the permission slips will be required by a date well in advance of the February 10th date. In this way I will be able to give other parents the opportunity to share in the responsibility of chaperoning the event. I also wish to thank Ms. O'Beirne and her husband for purchasing the snacks and drinks and Mrs Ness, Mrs. Seminario, and Mr. Tiso for their presence as members of the faculty.

     I wish all of the Saint Gabriel families a very "Happy Thanksgiving"!

                                                                             Respectfully yours,

                                                                             Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy

P.S. Mr. Naccari informed me on Thursday that we will be giving the report cards to the students tomorrow morning. I have checked the "Conference Requested" box for those parents who need to see me. If the box is not checked, you are welcome to come, but I do wish to have time with the parents of the students who need more direction. Thank you for your understanding in this matter.

The above instructions have been modified once again this Friday morning. As in the past, the report cards will be given to the parents at the report card conference. Therefore, my original instructions will be followed.

                                                          
                                                               December 6, 2022

Dear Parents and Students,

     I hope everyone had an enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday. We are well into the second quarter of the school year by now. Today I returned the first major math tests o the second quarter to all students who were present. For the sixth and seventh grades, I included a cumulative summary of the major areas of the grade: Math Homework Average, Math "Check Quiz" Average, Dreambox Summary, and the MobyMax Summary. For the eighth grade I included a cover sheet that reported on religion and language arts in addition to the math summaries previously mentioned. These tests should be seen and signed on the day I return them. In this way there will never be any surprises at the time of report cards.

     With respect to the eighth grade, I did a "spot check" of their religion textbooks on Monday. An outline of all assignments was given to the students on the very first day of school, and specific "due dates" were clearly stated. Since I do not check these assignments daily as I do the math work for the three classes, some students did not properly pace their independent work assignments, Obviously, it is still early, and there are more "spot checks" to take place as the year continues. I am hoping that this reminder will inspire them to take my independent work assignments more seriously as the year continues. There will be more of these long term independent assignments as the students continue in higher education. It is very important that they develop good time management skills as soon as possible,

     The students have also been told that some "after school" seats must be reserved for the eighth graders who wish to get some help with their research for the religion term papers on topics from the history of the Catholic Church. Therefore, it will be very important for the students to bring in the "extra help" slips on Monday and Wednesday as I have frequently reminded them. Too many are trying to get seats by bringing the notes in on the extra help day. I will not be able to continue making exceptions to this policy. In addition, attendance at extra help sessions does not excuse the students from completing the nightly homework assignments. Please check the homework average carefully. The homework grade is based on effort. Some assignments are not neatly organized, and these assignments are "lucky" if I give them a gift seventy.

     With respect to Dreambox and MobyMax, it is important that the students complete the required work every week. If they are "on track," they must complete a minimum of five lessons and eighty minutes each week. All other students must do extra work to get "on track" as quickly as possible. The students are also required to complete 60 minutes on their individualized MobyMax program. Once they have passed all of the standards, they are only required to work on MobyMax when specific "Standards Tests" are assigned. I am providing this information to help the parents keep "on top" of the situation.

     Before closing, I once again wish to thank you for your continued support. After almost fifty years, I can honestly say that very little can be accomplished without the encouragement of the parents.

                                                                                 Respectfully yours,

                                                                                 Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy
  
                                                       
                                                                   December 31, 2022

Dear Parents and Students,

     It is hard to believe that our Christmas recess is quickly coming to an end, but I always say that the vacation periods go so quickly, even when they are a couple of months. I want to begin by expressing my sincere appreciation for your very generous gifts during the last few days before Christmas. I was very moved by the variety of gifts, one of which was anonymous. It was a blue long-sleeved dress shirt in a bag with no label or card. As always, I will attempt to wear any gift suitable for school attire, and I will eat as much of the chocolate candy as possible by the beginning of Lent. I did, however, share some with my sister and the family. They also extend their best wishes.

     On Tuesday, I shall begin the new year with my customary "prayer reflections." However, I am anticipating a very busy month of January with MAP testing and the midterm exams. The first week, however, will include a couple of traditional events for the eighth grade. On Thursday afternoon, the eighth graders will have their special "Little Christmas" celebration with their first grade buddies. I am hoping that the class officers were able to organize this event with their classmates during this holiday recess. Once again the eighth grade will "dress up" in Christmas colors so I can take their pictures with their buddies in front of my Christmas tree. On Friday, January 6, 2023, the eighth grade graduation pictures will be taken. Forms were sent home before Christmas. The students will need a white dress shirt [boys] or blouse [girls] for the pictures. Since only head shots will be taken, the students can still wear their gym uniforms for the regularly scheduled gym period. The girls are also permitted to prepare themselves for these pictures as they have done in the past. I do not think any further explanation is needed here.

    I shall also be returning the second math test and eighth grade test package for the second quarter. For those students who were absent for the second test, a summary form will be given to provide an update on each student's performance. As always, these forms are cumulative averages without any grades being dropped. I never drop any grades until report card time. I do include suggestions on the summary forms. Mixed among the various MAP test, all students will have a "cumulative test" beginning the week of January 9th. This will be the final test of the second quarter, except for the midterm exam. Both of these grades may be doubled to replace a previous grade that was unsatisfactory. The "Cumulative Test Project," which should reflect two months of serious work, will be due shortly before the scheduled midterm exam. By now, the students should be accustomed to this major review project.

     All classes should always be ready for "spot checks" that may happen at any time. All notebooks and textbooks should be available any time I wish to check them. The eighth graders should also be reading Just Like Martin by Ossie Davis in January to prepare for their literature/writing midterm exam. The guidelines for all reading assignments were provided the very first day of school, and they are also included in the "Independent Reading" document at the bottom of this Class Page.  

     Once again, I wish you all a very blessed 2023, and I look forward to your continued support and cooperation in the months ahead.

                                                                                     Respectfully yours,

                                                                                     Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy 

Please click on the link below!        

     
Expression of Appreciation and Wishes for the New Year

                                    
                                                                January 8, 2023

Dear Parents and Students,

     Once again I am reminding you about the altered schedule due to the MAP Testing. In addition, a couple of teachers will be going down to the 10:00 AM funeral Mass for Thomas A. Farley, the husband of longtime secretary Maureen Farley and father of Veronica, Class of 1991 and Lynne, Class of 1995. I have posted my tentative schedule in the Google Classroom, but some parents may not check that site for my comments about class work and homework. Therefore, I am going to "cut and paste" my Google Classroom announcement
below: 

'This is a tentative schedule of coming events due to the MAP schedule:
Monday, January 9, 2023 - MAP Testing for ELA continues in the morning, beginning at 8:00 AM so Mr. McCarthy can                                            attend the funeral of former school secretary Mrs. Farley's husband.. Regular afternoon schedule.
Tuesday, January 10, 2023 - Math 6 - Cumulative Test - Eighth Graders are responsible for Touring Tuesday in the
                                               morning.
                                               Social Studies Test at 8:00 AM before Touring Tuesday begins!         
                                               Religion Test on Chapter 4 in the afternoon.
Wednesday, January 11, 2023 - Math 7, 8, and 9 Cumulative Tests.
Thursday, January 12, 2023 - MAP Testing for Math continues in the morning!
Friday, January 13, 2023 - Regular half-day Schedule

Midterm Exams will begin after Martin Luther King Day - Remaining MAP Test and the exam schedule still to be determined!

The "Cumulative Test Projects" will be collected on Friday, January 20, 2023. To get credit, they must be sent in if a student "happens" to be absent on the day an almost three month project is due!

                                                  Respectfully yours,

                                                          Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy


                                                              January 16, 2023

Dear Parents and Students,

     I hope that everyone enjoyed the holiday weekend in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. The next few weeks will be rather busy as we finish the "Winter MAP Testing" and look ahead to the midterm exams. Tomorrow I shall be collecting the "signed tests" that were returned on January 4, 2023. By now, all corrections should be completed in the respective notebooks to provide guidance for the upcoming exams. I shall also be returning the "Cumulative Tests" that were taken this week. I have already gone over these tests in class, stressing the common mistakes that need to be avoided on the midterm exams. As usual, I include a "cumulative update" of the homework, quiz, Dreambox, and MobyMax online assignments at the bottom of the test or the eighth grade cover sheet.

     All students know that the "Cumulative Test Projects" are due this Friday, even if the students "happen" to be absent on that day. As explained in the guidelines that have been on this Class Page since mid-August, I do not believe in allowing extra time for assignments that students have had almost three months to complete. The eighth grade is also aware that the January reading assignment, Just Like Martin, should be completed by this Friday, also. Finally, there may need to be one change in the previously posted midterm exam schedule. If there is a scheduled "music field trip," the date of the science exam will be changed.

     In addition to the academic schedule, I shall be handing out the permission slips for the Winter Junior High Social on Friday, February 10, 2023, from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM. I am hoping for a better response to this special event than we had for the November social to make certain that all of the expenses can be easily covered. Obviously, we shall need chaperones for the dance. We try to spread out this responsibility so that more parents can be involved. Once the permission slips come in, the six chaperones, two from each class, will be notified. In this way we hope to avoid the confusion that happened in November. To assist me in the organization of this event, I am requesting that the permission slips be returned no later than Monday, January 23, 2023.

     As always, I truly appreciate your cooperation and understanding in these matters.

                                                                            Respectfully yours,

                                                                            Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy
;
                                                          
                                                                      January 17, 2023

Dear Parents and Students,

     As indicated in my letter above, the "Cumulative Tests" were returned today to the students; however, I held back for any students who failed to return the signed tests from January 4, 2023. On that day, I also gave a "summary sheet" for any student who was absent on the day the last test was given. I am hoping that the missing tests, or eighth grade test packages, will be returned tomorrow. If you have not seen them yet, there is no time like the present.

     One of the students inquired today about term paper "Research Days. Prior to the pandemic, I used to make myself available for "research" or "makeup" on some Saturdays or days off. I posted the permission slip for this Saturday's "Research Day" in the Religion Google Classroom. I am asking that they be turned in by Thursday so I have adequate time to prepare. I thank you once again in advance for your cooperation in these matters.                                              

                                                                                        Respectfully yours,

                                                                                        Mr. Glenn A. McCarthy

  

                                                                                                                             


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To view to Mr. McCarthy's School Notes page click here!

This link will lead to my homework page, study flashcards, and my Photo Gallery.