Posted: Friday, July 11th, 2008

The Passing of Brother Bill McCall

Dear Chaminade Family,

It is with great sadness that I relay the information to you that Brother Bill McCall has passed on to his heavenly home. Brother Bill was 81 years old and was spending his retirement years at the Marianist residence in Cupertino, California. Many alumni knew Brother Bill well through his involvement on campus in a variety of roles for over 50 years. Chaminade President Jim Adams had this to share about Brother Bill’s passing:

“Brother Bill McCall is a Founder of our school in the truest sense of that word. He served the Chaminade community in Southern California in all six decades of our history in a variety of roles that included the teaching of English, leadership of the High Sierra Club, moderator of the forensics program and President of the School. Most recently, Brother Bill served as an Associate in our Alumni Office. Brother Bill didn’t say much about himself, and I learned about him mostly by watching him work and by listening to the many alums who lovingly share his story. He was known as a tough, no-nonsense teacher, guide, and administrator. He possessed a very quick and dry sense of humor that he used like a surgical tool at times. Beneath the sometimes rugged exterior beat the heart of a man who loved to teach, loved his students, and loved being a Brother of Mary. He will always be one of my heroes”.

Brother Bill loved Chaminade and had a special place in his heart for families struggling to pay for a Chaminade education. To this end the Advancement Office is working on creating a Memorial Scholarship Endowment fund named in Brother Bill’s honor. More details will follow in the coming days.

At this time, in lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to the Chaminade Fund in honor of Brother Bill McCall. Gifts may be sent by mail to:

Chaminade College Preparatory
Advancement Office
10210 Oakdale Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311
(please make checks payable to Chaminade College Preparatory)

Or, to make a secure online gift, please click here.

God Bless,
Robert Webb
Director of Advancement

And so, because he died, sin has no power over him; and now he lives his life in fellowship with God.
Romans 6:10

Posted: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2008

Important Book Information

It is that time of year again to sell this year's books and acquire your books for next year!

New Books
The book list for 2008-2009 is now available on www.chaminade.org.
VarsityBooks.com site is now open for purchasing for the up-coming school year.

Used Books
Used books acquired from students by Varsity Books will receive a receipt and a check is mailed home 4-6 weeks later:

If you cannot attend the used book buyback, Varsitybooks.com currently will purchase used books from parents on-line.  Go to Varsitybooks.com for details (postage and mailing labels will be provided by VarsityBooks).

You may buy and sell books directly with other students at Chaminade's Hosted Used Book Exchange Site:
www.chaminade.org/_private/Business/UsedBookExchange/start.htm

****Mark the above link as a "Favorite" in your browser, as there is no access from our web site for security reasons.

Book Information Online
You can access any information regarding books on the Chaminade web site:

High School Books and Supplies
Middle School Books and Supplies

On this site you will find:

1.  2008-2009 book list
2.  Required Summer reading list (to be posted end of May)
3.  Summer School book list
4.  Important book dates
5.  Tips for ordering on VarsityBooks.com and used book site
6.  Link to the VarsityBooks web site

Posted: Monday, June 2nd, 2008

Chaminade’s Equestrian Team Finishes the IEL Season in Sixth Place

Equestrian riders have completed their fourth season in the Interscholastic Equestrian League. All individual and team points have been compiled and the year end stats and standings announced on the IEL website. This year IEL was comprised of 63 schools with 386 registered riders from southern California middle and high schools. All four shows were held at the Hansen Dam Equestrian Center in Lakeview Terrace. Chaminade had the second largest teams with 25 members. The novice division dressage riders did an outstanding job this past season compiling both individual and team points. The Chaminade Eagles placed sixth in Overall Team Standings which is an accomplishment deserving recognition and applause.

Four years ago, in the 2003-2004 season, Chaminade entered the IEL with six riders. Schools that had been competing for many years soon came to realize that Chaminade was an up and coming team, a team to watch. In the second year of IEL competition with over 25 riders, Chaminade placed third in Overall Team Standings and was awarded a perpetual trophy for first place in the Novice Division. The Eagles had arrived and were warmly welcomed by the IEL. Chaminade riders have proven that the team rides strong and aims high. Congrats to all team members, trainers, and parents for supporting this year round sport for the last four years. Team parents, trainers, returning riders and new riders eagerly look forward to next season, season number five.

At the Equestrian Team Awards Ceremony special recognition was given to top riders and graduating seniors: Dressage Champion (1st place) – Novice Division – Kendra Young-Reed, Dressage – Novice Division – Third Place Tie – Megan Sullivan and Emily Saunders, Dressage – Freshman Division – Third Place - Jenna Callaway and Jumpers – Junior Varsity Division – Reserve Champion (2nd place) - Megan Beazley. Seniors, Katie LoPresti and Megan Sullivan received Founders’ plaques to recognize them as members of the first Chaminade IEL team and the first graduating seniors who have been involved in the program for four years.

If you are interested in riding for Chaminade next fall, contact the athletic department at the middle school or high school this summer for information. Also, visit www.theiel.org for league details. The first IEL show is scheduled for October so you, your mount and trainer have the summer months to prepare. The mandatory parents Fall Sports Meeting will be the first week of school next August, so please mark your calendars.

Congratulations to all equestrian team members on another tremendous season.

Posted: Thursday, May 22nd, 2008

Dear Chaminade family,

Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Renee Rosenberg, beloved High School Foreign Language Teacher for the past seven years, who died on May 21 2008.

Posted: Wednesday, April 9th, 2008

Chaminade High School Jazz and Concert Band Receives Awards

Over spring break the Chaminade High School Jazz and Concert Band Programs performed/competed at the Heritage Festival in Honolulu, Hawaii. This was a five day trip with two full days of performance, seven different performances in all. The trip was concluded with an awards ceremony where festival ratings (based on a national standard, not on comparison to another group) were given. The Concert Band received a Silver (Excellent) National Rating, Big Band II received a Bronze (Good) National Rating, Big Band I received a Gold (Superior) National Rating as well as an Adjudicators Award for a score above a 92/100, the Lab Combo received a Silver National Rating, Combined Combo received a Gold National Rating, Intermediate Combo received a Gold National Rating, and the Advanced Combo received a Gold National Rating as well as an Adjudicator’s Award for a score above a 92/100. Chaminade was also happy to receive a Sweepstakes Award for the highest average score of two or more performing groups. Three of the seniors; Chris Blessing, Danny Garcia, and Alphonse Hovsepian were recognized as Outstanding Soloists for the Festival.

Posted: Tuesday, March 4th, 2008

Middle School WASC Visiting Team

We, the WCEA/WASC Visiting Team, wish to commend the President, Principal, faculty, staff, parents, and students of Chaminade College Preparatory Middle School for creating a learning environment that continually strives to meet the needs of the students.  We encourage you as you continue to build on what you have done as you live the cycle of planning, implementation, and evaluation.

It is clear that the Chaminade School community fosters a Catholic environment where positive attitudes and respect for the individual permeate the entire day.  It is obvious that quality education is a priority.  The Visiting Team found the three days spent at the school to be professionally rich and personally rewarding.  We wish to thank the entire community for the warm and gracious hospitality extended during this accreditation visit.

We congratulate you on using the Process for School Improvement experience as an opportunity to identify directions that will guide the future of the school.  We are confident that you will continue to provide a Christ-centered and academically challenging experience for your students.  We, the Visiting Team, sincerely hope that our efforts on your behalf will be beneficial as you continue your journey in serving the families and students of Chaminade College Preparatory Middle School.  

Posted: Tuesday, March 4th, 2008

Chaminade Wins 2007-08 Mission League Sportsmanship Award 

Chaminade High School was recently voted by the Mission League Principals and Athletic Directors as the 2007-08 winner of the Mission League Sportsmanship Award. Chaminade earned the award for routinely demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship on and off the playing fields. The award recognizes the school community for having positive fans who demonstrate class and integrity at sporting events and student-athletes who put honor and character ahead of winning. This recognition comes the same year that senior cross country and track athlete Joy Samuels was honored by the CIF-SS as a “Champion for Character”. Congratulations and thank you to all the student-athletes, families and fans that played a part in achieving this honor and let’s continue our effort to always emphasize the importance of sportsmanship in athletics.

Posted: Saturday, February 16th, 2008

Congratulations to our Middle School Athletes for their Successes!