2023-2024 Back to School Information

Hello fellow Crusaders, 

It is great to finally be here! 

My family and I arrived in the Charlotte area a couple of weeks ago. It's been exciting for us to experience the area, meet new people, and settle into such a strong Catholic community. It is obvious that the school is filled with faithful people who are passionate about Catholic education and the opportunity it provides for young people.

School planning continues, and it looks to be an exciting year for CTK. My family and I are happy to be part of the weeks, months, and years to come.

Please look for a communication from me early next week regarding the beginning the year preparations.

Feel free to reach out to me if you have questions. I am here each day during the week.

I look forward to meeting you all. Please keep me in your prayers and be assured of mine for you.

In Christ, 

Mark Tolcher 

Principal

Student course lists were distributed in June to the primary parent email contact provided during registration AND to the student's ctk email address.

PLEASE NOTE: For new students, the email sent to your parent/guardian includes instructions for you to log in to your student email account:

In the top-right corner of the attached document is your student's new CTK email address.
It can be accessed by going to www.gmail.com
The temporary password for this account is WelcomeToCTK2023
They should already have an invitation to a Google Classroom for the CTK Summer Read.

PLEASE make sure you log in, as some information will be distributed this summer via Google Classroom. 

Every student should have courses totaling seven (7) credits on their course list. Your schedule should also contain a FLEX block. Flex block is a study hall - time for students to work on group projects, class assignments, get help from National Honor Society students, etc.  If you have any questions related to your course list or if you are scheduled for less than 7 credits, please reach out to Dr. Werder at LDWerder@ctkchs.org. 
 

Parents/guardians AND students, please download and read the Student Handbook for 2023-2024. Please take a look at the Discipline (p. 20) and Uniform (p. 26) sections for updates and changes.

Parents/guardians and students should print, sign, and turn in to us on the first day of school the Acknowledgement of Receipt of School Policies form (p. 38) and the Photo/Video Release form (p. 43). You can find the signature pages for printing separately HERE.

Students will have an opportunity to take a placement test for Spanish II following the new student & transfer orientation. The test will take approximately one hour. If you are interested in taking the test, please get in touch with Brian Keenan at BMKeenan@ctkchs.org. 

Book Lists / Supplies 

Download the 2023-2024 Book List here. 

Each individual teacher will provide the required school supply lists once classes start but will consist primarily of notebooks, looseleaf paper, folders, pens, and pencils. 

Please note some teachers will provide online PDF versions of the novels, and some students prefer reading online.

Helpful Tool for Parents - Amazon Wish List 
We've created an Amazon Wish List that includes the textbook titles from the 2023-2024 Book List in order to help you when ordering your textbooks. Please note the following:
• You are NOT required to purchase your textbooks from Amazon.
• Please refer to the notes on the official Book List when ordering. Some teachers have specified NEW vs USED, e-book may be acceptable, etc. 

• Please note some teachers will provide online PDF versions of the novels, and some students prefer reading online.

Textbook Exchange
CTK also hosts a textbook exchange where our families can buy and sell textbooks. You can submit items to SELL on the exchange using the form located on the website, or you can browse items to BUY and contact the seller directly using the information provided.

Students engage in summer reading and assignments based on their scheduled classes. Students should have received invitations to Google classrooms for all classes requiring summer work. Please be sure to check your student emails and contact Mr. Keenan at bkeenan@ctkchs.net if you have not received a link.

All students are required to read the grade-level summer reading assignments which are as follows:

Freshman - I Will Always Write Back: How One Letter Changed Two Lives by Caitlin Alifirenka, Liz Welsh, and Martin Ganda

Sophomore - The Silver Sword by Ian Serraillier (also titled Escape from Warsaw)

Junior - Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam

Senior - All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten: Uncommon Thoughts on Common Things by Robert Fulghum

Course Specific Required Summer Reading/Work

Additionally, the following classes have required summer reading:

Honors Comp and Lit - (Freshmen) - The Pearl by John Steinbeck
Honors World Literature (Sophomores) - The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Honors USA Literature (Juniors) - In Our Time by Ernest Hemingway
Honors Shakespeare (Seniors) - A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare
AP Language - Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer

Spanish I - Review Present Tense Verb Conjugations
(https://www.spanishdict.com/guide/spanish-present-tense-forms is a useful resource)

AP Calculus - Summer Review Packet (pick up from Mrs. Milligan)

Honors Government - Summer Reading Packet (emailed from Mr. Haywood) Personal

Finance & Advanced Personal Finance - The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss
 

Freshman and New Student Orientation is scheduled for August 14th from 8:30 am - 12:00 NOON. The orientation will be a fun, informative, in-depth introduction to Life as a Crusader. Students will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, visit their lockers (drop off any supplies and books), and briefly walk through the schedule. Please wear a uniform and bring lunch. 

NEW STUDENTS & FAMILIES: WELCOME TO CTK! Please CLICK HERE for an informative email with frequently asked questions for new families. If you have any additional questions, please reach out to us anytime! 

If you have any questions about your course list/schedule for the 2023-2024 school year, please get in touch with your counselor:

Last name beginning with A-L - Dr. Louis Werder LDWerder@ctkchs.org 
Last name beginning with M-Z - Irasemo Medrano INMedrano@ctkchs.org

Seniors:  Please remember to work on your Common Applications (Common App) and college essays.  The target date for completion should be approximately 15 Aug, but no later than 15 Sept (first early action deadlines).  Unless there is a reason for waiting, all seniors should be applying for early action.  Counselors will be meeting with all senior classes on 30-31 August, and there will be a senior parent meeting on Wed, 13 Sept, at 6:30 pm.  More information for all classes will come in a counselor letter in August.

CRUSADER ATHLETES

Detailed information regarding athletics can be found on our Athletics page.

In order to participate in a team sport at CTK, student-athletes must complete the following steps:
• Register on TeamSnap.  

• Submit all four (4) required waiver/consent forms and a current physical to the Athletics Office

• 23-24EligtoParticipate-English.pdf
• Novant Consent & HIPAA.pdf
• Diocesan Waiver.pdf
• Concussion Form.pdf
• NCHSAA Physical Form.pdf

• Register on Dragonfly. The NCHSAA requires all athletes to register with Dragonfly for eligibility. Please DO NOT submit physicals and forms on Dragonfly; those should be sent directly to the Athletic Office for our files. NOTE: You MUST register on Dragonfly for EACH SPORT that you participate in, so when registering, please be sure to select ALL sports you think you might participate in during the ENTIRE SCHOOL YEAR. For example, if you think you might run track in the spring, please register for track now. Our school code is TL9PMP.

  School code: 

The deadline for completing all parts of this process is PRIOR to tryouts. 

TRYOUT INFORMATION

Football:  Camp 7/31-8/4 5-8pm
      Head Coach:  Brian Decker, bdecker30@gmail.com

Men's Soccer: Tryouts 7/31, 8/1, 8/2 4-5:30pm
      Head Coach:  Nick Cappadora, coachnickc@aol.com

Volleyball: Tryouts 7/31, 8/1 9-11am
      Head Coach: Jen Tuschong, jgtuschong@ctkchs.org
      JV Head Coach: Eric Heggestad, edhegg@gmail.com

Cross Country: First Practices 7/31-8/4 7-8:30am
      Head Coach: Karin Gould, karinandscott@gmail.com

Women's Tennis: First Practices week of 7/31
      Head Coach: David Hains, tvdavidh@gmail.com

Women's Golf:  First practices week of 7/31
      Head Coach: Jim Haughey, jhaughey@northstoneclub.com

Cheer:  Team already formed, First practices 8/1-8/3 1-3pm
      Head Coach:  Elizabeth Savisky, epsavisky@gmail.com

Women's Club Field Hockey: run through Charlotte Ambush
      Information:  https://charlotteambush.com/

FIELD HOCKEY - CLUB TEAM SEEKING PLAYERS



Field Hockey is a CLUB-sponsored sport offered at CTK through the Charlotte Ambush Field Hockey Club. More information and registration at www.charlotteambush.com/fall.

WELCOME BACK CTK families! We are excited about the 2023-2024 school year! We wanted to communicate some helpful information as we begin the school year together on August 16th! 

• If you know that your student is missing required vaccinations and/or received immunizations after you submitted your paperwork with MACS, PLEASE PROVIDE THE HEALTH ROOM WITH AN UPDATED COPY.  

• ALL REQUIRED NORTH CAROLINA IMMUNIZATIONS MUST BE COMPLETED BY SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2023. ANY STUDENT NOT IN COMPLIANCE WITHOUT A SIGNED RELIGIOUS EXEMPTION FORM WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ATTEND SCHOOL AFTER SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2023. 

• If you have any questions on required immunizations, please refer to the North Carolina Immunization website https://immunization.dph.ncdhhs.gov/schools/k-12.htm.  

• RISING 12th Graders MUST HAVE RECEIVED the 2nd Meningococcal Vaccine (MCV4). 

• ALL rising 9th graders and students NEW to MACS are required to provide proof of a physical examination completed no more than 12 months prior to school – must be dated after 8/01/2022 (printed out assessments are not acceptable – must have a physician’s signature). 

• Please communicate with us of any specific medical/health conditions your child may have – food/environmental allergies, ADHD, asthma, diabetes, seizures, or any other concerns you have while they are at school. 

• If your child needs medication to be administered at school, we must have a Medication Authorization Form on file – 2023/2024 School Year – must be signed by a physician and parent. This includes ALL OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATION. 

• All medication (prescriptions and specific over-the-counter medication your child may require) must be provided by parents in the original container with the prescription label attached. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL WITH MEDICATIONS. 

• Please keep us updated in the health room of any other healthcare needs or concerns that you may have during the school year. 

• ALL FORMS AND DOCUMENTS CAN BE FOUND ON THE WEBSITE AT https://www.ctkchs.org/student-forms.  

• Wednesday, August 16th, you are welcome to stop by the health room to drop off any care plans or medications, or for any questions you may have! 

•  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR RISING SENIORS

Students are required (per North Carolina Immunization Law) to have a booster dose (or second dose) of the meningitis vaccine, meningococcal conjugate vaccine or MCV4.  If the first dose of the vaccine was administered on or after the 16^th birthday, the booster dose is not required.  Please make sure your student receives the MCV4 booster dose (if needed) prior to the start of school in August and provide the health room with an updated immunization record.

MEDICATION AUTHORIZATION AND SELF-MEDICATING FORM

Please remember that Medication Authorization and Self-Medicating Student/Parent/Physician Agreement forms expire at the end of each school year and must be renewed in August for the upcoming school year.  You can refer to the MACS Policy for the Administration of Medication found on the school website for further detail.

1. A Medication Authorization form must be on file in order for your child to receive Prescription or Over-the-Counter medication at school or during a school-sponsored field trip. 
2. This form must be signed by both a parent and a healthcare provider.
3. The only medications that may be self-administered at school are asthma inhalers, epinephrine injectors, and insulin.  A Student/Parent/Physician Agreement must also be completed and accompany a Medication Authorization form. 
4. Completing these forms for the current school year will make planning for field trips much easier for you and the school staff.

PLEASE TAKE TIME OVER THE SUMMER TO GET THESE FORMS COMPLETED. 

In order to park on campus during the school day, students must complete a parking permit application and pay a fee. SENIORS ONLY can apply early for parking passes. Sophomores and Juniors can apply for their permits once school begins. 

NEW THIS YEAR: Seniors can RESERVE and PAINT their parking spots in the Upper Lot. If you are a SENIOR AND you would like to have a reserved/painted spot, the application is due August 1st. You can download the program description and application HERE. 

Morning Carpool/Drop-Off 
Both entrances will be open for morning carpool. Enter either the front (Highway 73) or rear (Shiloh Church) entrance. The Shiloh Church road entrance is 0.7 miles north of Highway 73 on the right. No students will be admitted prior to 7:20 am. 

Afternoon Carpool/Pick-Up
All cars MUST enter the Shiloh Church Road entrance for pickup. The Shiloh Church entrance is 0.7 miles north of Highway 73 on the right. The front entrance will be CLOSED for afternoon carpool. In addition, all cars MUST EXIT the front of campus at Highway 73. 

The order of dismissal is as follows:
• Bus riders & Seniors
• All other grades with Last names A-L
• All other grades with Last names M-Z.

Cars picking up students with last names M-Z will line up separately near the athletic fields so that A-L cars can proceed through first. Please be patient with us these first few weeks. Our goal is to get all of our students off campus as safely and efficiently as possible. We anticipate M-Z dismissal will begin at approximately 2:55 pm. 

See the drawing below indicating the traffic flow for afternoon carpool. The green buildings are the school buildings. 

Lands’ End is our approved school uniform provider. Use the link below.

Land’s End: Land's End School ID 900145426 (ID 900145426)

CLICK TO JOIN THE PTO/ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

The PTO and Athletic Boosters are our two parent-volunteer organizations, and they work tirelessly to make CTK a better place! Your membership allows you to significantly impact your student's experience at CTK. Our PTO directly supports our students and faculty throughout the year with delicious lunches and treats, community-building events, decorations, and more. Our Athletic Boosters support our sports programs through volunteering and fundraising efforts throughout the year. Your financial support of these organizations is VITAL to their success. 

Membership opportunities are as follows:

$200 - PTO/Athletics membership (includes 4-person family pass for all sporting events 

$300 - Membership PLUS - PTO/Athletics membership (includes 4-person family pass for all sporting events), plus a $75 PromoThreads credit and an additional $25 donation to CTKAA)

$100 - Athletics ONLY membership (includes 2-person family pass for all sporting events) 
 

PROMOTHREADS - OUTERWEAR AND FANWEAR

Uniform-approved outerwear (1/4 zip jackets, jackets, and vests) can be purchased through Promothreads, Inc. The spirit store also sells CTK fanwear apparel that can be worn outside of school or on designated dress-down days.   The Spirit Store can be accessed here: Promothreads - Uniform Approved Store link. Students may also wear CTK specific-sport/team/club sweatshirts or outerwear with their regular uniform on Fridays, known as Crusader Fridays, throughout the year.

PLEASE NOTE: In order to volunteer, you must have completed Protecting God's Children training and a background check. For information on upcoming training sessions, please click HERE. Once you finish the training, you will be prompted to request a background check. If you have any questions, please contact Erin Andrews at EMAndrews@ctkchs.org.
 
Help protect all of God’s children
Everyone has a role to play in protecting children. North Carolina law requires all adults to immediately report suspected child abuse by anyone to law enforcement agencies. If you know or suspect that a minor (person under 18) has been abused, please call 9-1-1 or contact local law enforcement.
Also, if you have information about possible sexual abuse or misconduct by any clergy, employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Charlotte, report concerns securely and anonymously 24/7 over the phone or online: 1-888-630-5929 or www.RedFlagReporting.com/RCDOC.
 
Safe Environment training
Did you know that every Church worker must go through abuse prevention and education training? Find more information about the Diocese of Charlotte’s Safe Environment program, sign up for Protecting God’s Children training and more: https://charlottediocese.org/human-resources/safe-environment.
For more information or questions, please contact the diocese’s Human Resources Office at https://charlottediocese.org/human-resources or 704-370-6299.
 

MACS 2023-2024 Calendar

NCHSAA 2023-2024 Calendar