Courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Our trust in where God is taking us has led others to support our cause. I’m pleased to share with you the joyful news of a foundation that has promised a matching donation. They have given us a challenge to raise $10,000 and they will match it dollar-for-dollar. In the spirit of our 60th Anniversary, thank you for considering a donation of $60 or $600 or $6000. We can extend your gift to our classroom and to the future generation of Holy Family graduates.

Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Pray for Us!

Father Kevin ReganPastorHoly Family Parish - Church and School

Dear Alumni, Parents, Parishioners & Friends,

I am delighted for you to have our newsletter in your hands again. The process of sharing with you a few times a year the amazing things that are happening in our hallway each day is exciting for me and our staff. What is also amazing is being able to joyfully share with you the 60th anniversary of our School. The numbers add up - 60 years, 1,000’s of graduates, 100’s of families and teachers serving our students. There is no one in our community who could imagine a Hillcrest Heights without Holy Family School. We remain dedicated to our mission and open to discovering new avenues to ensure educational and faith formation for our children. The fidelity of God endures if we remain true to the mission that he has entrusted to us.

I write you on the cusp of the great Lenten Season. This season is a time of purification and growing in trust in God. We began our year with an enrollment of 143 students. In comparison to past generations, our school is more intimate.

However, with hand-picked veteran teachers working along side of newly minted ones, with families engaged in co-educating their children with our community, we believe and hope for a brighter tomorrow. Walking through the hallways, we see the challenges before us. Still, there are amazing opportunities and possibilities. Mrs. Taylor and her team work tirelessly to open the minds of our children. Her leadership had taught me so much since her selection by our community in the Spring of 2016. She is able to see the areas of growth needed in our staff and students. As the team leader and coach, she continues to believe in the possibilities that are before us.

Our theme for this year comes from the book of Joshua - “Be Strong and

From the Pastor

Congratulations to the Class of 2016!

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NEWSLETTER

KNIGHTSROUNDTABLE Vol. 2, Issue 1

Winter 2017

A newsletter for alumni, parents, parishioners, and �iends of Holy Family School of Hillcrest Heights, MD

Greetings Alumni, Parents, Parishioners and Friends,

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to our winter newsletter for Holy Family Catholic School. With a tradition of excellence in Catholic education since 1957, Holy Family offers students an opportunity to grow and thrive in a faith-based family atmosphere where all aspects of our students’ education are considered - intellectual, physical, emotional and spiritual. As the new principal, it is my honor to uphold the legacy of excellence that generations of our beloved parishioners, teachers, students and parents have built over the past sixty years. I am so proud to be chosen as the principal to lead our wonderful school.

The faculty, staff and administration at Holy Family School provide a safe and nurturing learning environment for all of our students. We are wholeheartedly committed to our mission statement - “Rooted in the love and faith of Jesus Christ, Holy Family Catholic School strives for academic excellence, racial dignity and respect for self, others and the world.” We are experiencing a great school year thus far. Our work has focused on providing students with a rigorous academic program rooted in developing strong communications skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking —

essential skills for any learner in the 21st century. We take pride in the creative talents and skills of our teachers which assists them in diversifying instructional strategies to meet the needs of our students.

Our Catholic identity is very important to us. We are a faith-filled community of good stewards dedicated to be of service not only to each other, but actively serve and enrich those in the broader community as well. It has been a pleasure to work with Father Kevin Reganto ensure the school mission is carried out on a daily basis. I am so appreciative of his support that he offers to the school and unwavering commitment to the academic and spiritual development of our students and staff.

The 2016-2017 school year has been very exciting and it has been amazing to witness the growth and success of our students since the start of the school year. Our students have truly exemplified our school theme – Be Strong and Courageous. We have had numerous events to build community and showcase our students’ talents, such as our Back to School Dance, Octoberfest, Catholic

From the Principal ’s DeskSchools Week celebration and the I Am My Brother’s Keeper Black History Program held in February. These parish and school events coupled with rigorous academic instruction and educational field trips have been the catalyst to this year’s success. We appreciate the support of our phenomenal Home and School Association, parents, parishioners and alumni who volunteer for the events and provide support for fund raising and other strategic initiatives.

I look ahead to the remaining months of this school year with great anticipation of what is to come and can truly say I am blessed to be the principal at Holy Family Catholic School. Please join us for our weekly Mass held on Thursdays at 9:00 am or a tour of our outstanding school. We would love to hear about the accomplishments of our esteemed alumni. Thank you all for your support, encouragement, and continued prayers. May God continue to bless you and your family always!

In Christ,

Mrs. Michelle Taylor

Kindergarten student Kory Dickens with his grandmother at the annual Grandparent’s Day Celebration.

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Partnership Announcement

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Catholic Schools WeekJanuary 29-February 4, 2017

Reflections on working at Holy Family School from our teachers

We are pleased to tentatively announce a future partnership with the University of Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE). Since 1993, ACE has worked to sustain and strengthen under-resourced Catholic schools through leadership formation, research and professional service to ensure that all children, especially those from low-income families, have the opportunity to experience the gift of an excellent Catholic education.

Reflections on its opening“We’re not a burden on America, or a stain on America, or

an object of pity, or charity for America. We’re America. And that’s what this museum explains.” - President Barack ObamaWhat does this quote mean to you? Our students respond, after their November 2016 fieldtrip:

“Mr. Obama is basically saying through anything, we will always be America.” -Julian Morant

“We as people are worth something. We aren’t just props created for amusement. We as people are created to become something more than just flesh.” -Alaysia Person

“Black people just aren’t in America, but part of it. We (the black community) have been dealing with police brutality and racial discrimination. But after all we’ve been through, from slavery to now, we are still a part of America. And that feeling can never be taken away.” -Robert Gordon

“We as African Americans weren’t treated fairly. People looked down on us. People usually thought of as animals. We weren’t whatt people thought. We do belong in America.” -Jazmyn Farmer

“Having a wonderful group of students and colleagues to work with and share makes Holy Family a great place to be.” - Mrs. Wynn, First Grade Teacher

“I like being able to include God in the curriculum”. - Ms. Simon, Third Grade Teacher

“I love teaching at Holy Family because of the sense of community and the excitement of my students’ learning.” - Ms. Bockin, Second Grade Teacher

“Teaching at Holy Family has allowed me to grow and learn.” - Ms. Bishop

“I love Holy Family. I love working with the little students, seeing the personalities of the little students.” - Ms. Hamilton, Religion Teacher

“I love the babies at Holy Family; they are the future.” - Ms. Ayers, PreK Teacher

Briefly this fall, Holy Family School hosted an ACE teacher for a few weeks. This led to Father Kevin Regan’s application and acceptance to attend the School Pastor’s Institute, a three-day symposium taking place in June at Notre Dame, Ind. During the 2017-2018 school year, we are hoping to welcome a new teacher from ACE, to be placed in a classroom to be with our students. Please pray for the growing success of this partnership.

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Talya Johnson-Floyd ’96 knows the terminology of her trade. These days, disc jockeys at radio stations such as hers, 92Q, a hip hop and R&B station in Baltimore owned by Radio One, have to be more than just readers of “liner notes.” Rather than reading the name of the song and musical act performing it, she says, announcers need to be “personalities” who are active on multiple platforms, such as social media networks Twitter and Instagram, and to build followings through them. Listeners want “transparency,” she says, which means they yearn to know more about the lives of entertainment, fashion, music, and media stars, including disc jockeys.

By the time a radio station such as 92Q starts playing a song, she says, many young listeners are already familiar with the tune, and they can use smartphone apps such as Shazam to identify the musician and name of the song being played.

Disc jockeys are not the only ones who need to be creative. Music Director since 2012 at 92Q, Johnson tries to hone

In a changing industry, Alumna knows the tools of her trade

in on the 18 to 34 year old demographic that her station targets. For advertising purposes, the station targets “25 plus,” including some who are the parents of younger listeners. She conducts biweekly research, including focus groups, to find out what young people in the Baltimore are downloading electronically to their personal devices. Such activity represents a great threat to radio stations.

Talya needs to understand how to meet the needs of sponsors with her listeners. “Music is one part of my job but the other part is marketing and brand development,” she said. “I have to ensure that the 92Q brand and messaging speaks to our target demo and is consistent on-air, online (digital) and through our social media platforms. This also includes coming up with creative ways to merge our advertising clients promotional needs

Kindergarten through 8th grade. She remembers the “family atmosphere” at the school, where relatively small classes built a strong bond among students. “The friendships were very close,” she recalls. The structure and organization of a Catholic school were very helpful to her.

“They prepared you to be the best version of yourself,” she says, giving her a “good foundation.”

She remembers her eighth grade teacher, Mrs. Glenn, who was “very loving and no nonsense.” Ms. Wyatt, who still teaches at Holy Family School and is an alumna, was Talya’s CYO basketball coach. She also remembers Mrs. Simmons, her third grade teacher, as well as Mrs. Graves, her first grade teacher. Sister Roseann, meanwhile, was “very firm (and) very supportive.” In addition to playing basketball, Talya was a cheerleader at Holy Family.

She attended Bishop McNamara for high school, graduating in 2000, before matriculating from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 2005, where she majored in Communications. Drexel served as a good platform for Talya, since it uses a co-op model, and through this education, she secured an internship at WPGC 95.5 in Washington in the Promotions Department, where she secured part-time employment, leading to a Programming Assistant full-time job after she graduated from Drexel. She also interned at Fox 5 in Washington and at Nick at Night and TV Land, two cable TV properties. She returned to radio, becoming an Assistant Music Director before working for LivingSocial in Brand and Event Management.

Talya has a one-year old daughter with her husband Val Floyd, who she married in April 2014.

Talya Johnson ‘96 (right) with singer Jennifer Hudson

Alumni Profile

into the fabric of our brand to maximize ratings and revenue for the radio station. Ratings and Revenue is the name of the game.”

Growing up in what was formerly called Marlow Heights – now more commonly known as Temple Hills – Talya attended Holy Family School from

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Black History Month program

I Am My Brother’s Keeper, an ancestral African American journey from Kings and Queens of Africa to modern day America, was presented by Holy Family School in February during Black History Month. Students portrayed the message of hope and survival through song, dance, poetry, and recitation through historical eras (Slavery, Emancipation, Reconstruction, the Great Migration and the Harlem Renaissance) that changed not only Black America but also America. The fight for inclusivity/equality that African Americans fought was presented through the Tuskegee Airmen, the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Little Rock Nine, and Voters Rights Act, which allowed us to “Rise Up” as “Firsts” and embrace President Obama. “Yes We Can” because “We Matter”. “Glory!”Ms. Simon, a Holy Family School teacher, produced and directed I Am My Brother’s Keeper.

Ms. Jheroma Simon

Sixty years after our founding, we are educating another generation of Holy Family School students.

OctoberfestDanielle Lewis and Paulette Hall

On October 29th, 2016 the Holy Family Parish and Holy Family School Home and School Association collaborated to host Octoberfest. This event was a wonderful success. The parish’s committees were in charge of the Feast of Ten Tables in the Allen Drury Room. Food included chicken, fried fish, greens, dirty rice, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, gumbo, and jambalaya, variety of desserts, just to name a few. The Home and School Association was in charge of the festival games upstairs in the gym for the children.

Games included ring toss, bowling, karaoke, and putting together puzzles. As part of the celebration the children were allowed to dress in their costumes and escorted outside where they enjoyed Trunk o’ Treating, going from trunk to trunk gathering candy from both parishioners and parents of the Holy Family Community.

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Non-Public Schools Advocacy Day

On March 2, Holy Family School students joined nearly 1,400 pupils from other schools for Non-public Schools Advocacy Day at the Maryland House Office Building in Annapolis. The students were advocating to support the Broadening Options and Opportunities for Students Today (BOOST) scholarship program. The $5 million program was introduced and approved by the Maryland legislature with bipartisan in 2016, and Gov. Larry Hogan has added an additional $2 million in BOOST funding for the 2018 fiscal year, with plans to double the budget from the current level within three years. BOOST allows students who qualify for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program to receive a scholarship to attend a non-public school of their choice.Holy Family Students received $45,000 in need based BOOST Scholarship for 2016-2017, according to Fr. Kevin Regan, pastor of Holy Family. “Please advocate with your elected representatives so it can be increased,” he said.In addition to State Sen. C. Anthony Muse (District 26) and his chief of staff, Ms. Calhoun, Holy Family School students met with Del. Tony Knotts (District 26).

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan spoke at a rally at the March 2 Non-Public Schools Advocacy Day in Annapolis.

William Ryan, secretary for education for the Archdiocese of Washington, spoke at the Non-Public Schools Advocacy Day rally.

State Sen. C. Anthony Muse with Holy Family School students

Holy Family School students and staff at the state seal with Del. Tony Knotts and Ms. Calhoun, chief of staff of State Sen. C. Anthony Muse.

60th Anniversary Celebration Sunday November 19, 2017

Mass and Banquet, Holy Family School

Save the Date

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The creativity of our students knows no limits. Last school year, a group of them asked Ms. Katelyn Bockin, our Second Grade Teacher, to direct the Drama Club with a production of The Wiz.

We hope to repeat the success of with this year’s production of The Lion King. Auditions have taken place and rehearsals begin soon. Show dates are set for Saturday, June 3 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, June 4 at 2:00 PM. Please contact the School Office in April for ticket information: 301-894-2323.

Drama Club – from The Wiz to The Lion King

“Keep on Down”

The Wiz, our annual production, on June 16, 2016.

Holy Family School 8th Grade Graduates (2015-16)

Names High School AttendingAkim Bedell Don Bosco Cristo Rev High SchoolBilal Angel Archbishop Carroll High SchoolAllen Bonner DeMatha Catholic High SchoolNevin Campbell-Adams Suitland High SchoolCorey Dyches Potomac High SchoolPatrick Ekeu St. Anselm’s Abbey SchoolHezekiah Faison DeMatha Catholic High SchoolTakeima Hawkins Bishop McNamara High SchoolZoi Kyle Friendly High SchoolJanaye Monroe Elizabeth Seaton High SchoolKaiya Neal Bishop McNamara High SchoolElijah Ragland William Penn Charter High School (Philadelphia)D’Shay Rawlings Potomac High SchoolTania Shuler Friendly High SchoolSage Ware Bishop McNamara High School

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Holy Family SchoolOffice of Development/Alumni Relations2200 Callaway St.Hillcrest Heights, MD 20748

Holy Family School (PreK-8th Grade)2200 Callaway Street, Hillcrest Heights, MD 20748

Rev. Kevin Regan, Pastorpastor@holyfamilyparishmd.org

Mrs. Michelle Taylor, Principalmtaylor@holyfamilymd.org

301-894-2323www.holyfamilymd.org

Are you an alumnus, alumni parent, or friend of Holy Family School who would like to receive the Knights Roundtable newsletter and stay in touch with the school?

Please fill out an alumni contact form on our website or call the school.

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Holy Family School Knights Roundtable Newsletter • Volume 2, Number 1 • Winter 2017

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