Grades Seven and Eight Receive Green Light for 2012-13

The pastoral leadership of the Heartland Parishes of Ellis County today formally approved the expansion of the curriculum and activities at TMP-Marian to include a seventh and eighth grade beginning with the 2012-2013 academic year.

Bill DeWitt, TMP-Marian principal, along with his staff, will be taking on the responsibility of the influx of students next year promising to make the TMP-Marian campus a lively hub of activity. Hays Catholic schools are prepared to provide an education for any students who want to be a part of the K-12 system. "We’ve been having so many discussions internally for so long. It’s an unbelievably exciting time. Our faculty and staff have been working and praying for this decision, and they are one hundred percent behind this expansion. Everyone is excited, and we’re going to make it happen," DeWitt said.

TMP-Marian Junior High Family Information Fun Night will be January 8, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. and will allow parents of prospective seventh and eighth graders to learn more about the curriculum, activities, schedules, and more. The prospective students are invited as well and will participate in activities with the TMP-Marian Ambassadors to familiarize themselves with the school as they prepare to join the student body in August.

The first opportunity for enrollment will be January 31, 2012. Details will be provided at http://tmp-m.org and http://hayscatholicmiddleschool.com. Parents are also encouraged to contact the admissions office at TMP-Marian at (785) 625-6577 to learn more about these scheduled activities.

Funding for the expansion is being provided largely by the St. Thomas More Society, a new fundraising effort led by the Advancement Office at TMP-Marian. The St. Thomas More Society is a grass-roots effort to involve everyone who has a stake in Catholic Education. Nearly 300 donors have made a commitment to the society to date with the overall goal of five years worth of funding for the new junior high about half complete. Jeff Brull, Advancement Director for Hays Catholic Schools,­ stressed the importance of participation in the St. Thomas More Society; “The number of folks getting involved in this project is an important part of the overall goal.” Brull added, “We’re honored and humbled by those whose support is going to make this possible, and we’re at a critical point in this effort. We need every parent with a child in Catholic schools to show their support by joining the St. Thomas More Society, and although we still have a long way to reach our goal, the number of people showing their support through the society is just as important.” Brull noted that donations at all levels are needed, and that participation would be key in securing larger gifts from businesses and individuals with significant resources.

"There’s no looking back. We’ve got the plan, the momentum, and we’ve got a great start on the funding. It’s an exciting time to be a part of Hays Catholic Schools,” Dewitt said.

A website has been established with frequently asked questions, a draft of the junior high handbook, a listing of the donors to the St. Thomas More Society, and much more. This information can be found at http://hayscatholicmiddleschool.com.

To add your name to the donor roll, contact Jeff Brull, Advancement Director, at (785) 625-6577 or by e-mail at brullj@tmp-m.org. Pledge cards are available at the Heartland Parishes, Holy Family Elementary, TMP-Marian, or at http://hayscatholicmiddleschool.com.