English
“The love of learning,
the sequestered
nooks, and all the sweet
serenity of books.”
--Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Reading great literature is the cornerstone of a Marian education. It is the single-minded goal of the Marian English Department to provide a plethora of opportunities for Marian students to engage actively with classical and contemporary works of literature, including writings from American, British and world authors.
"The best book is a collaboration between author and reader."--Barbara Tuchman
Students and teachers develop a common vocabulary for discourse; experience writing and revising in our computer laboratories; strengthen their language, speech, listening, study and research skills; and engage in the formation of "a philosophical habit of mind" (John Henry Cardinal Newman).
"The book to read is not the one which thinks for you but the one which makes you think."--James McCash
Underlying all English course offerings is the Marian commitment to Christian Catholic social ethics. The department promotes awareness, understanding and appreciation of world cultures and the skills necessary for life-long learning in an increasingly complex and specialized future. Therefore, Marian English courses enhance student understanding of social, cultural and geographical differences and emphasize language as a powerful tool for thinking, learning and communicating. Marian students are continually preparing to communicate as informed, thinking, ethical individuals.
"Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides."--Rita Mae Brown
Marian’s school-wide writing program supports and enhances the English Department's college preparatory writing curriculum.
All students take four years of literature and composition. In addition, they may elect to take a four-year program in competitive speech or a two-year program in journalism.
The English Department has been commended five times by the National Council of Teachers of English for excellence in its instructional program. Both the elective speech and journalism programs have won state and national recognition and awards.
The English teachers teach in their areas of expertise and have more than 132 years of combined teaching experience. Eighty-six percent have earned master's degrees.
National English Honor Society
The members of the Marcella Chapter of the National English Honor Society elected its first slate of officers. The chapter is named in honor of the first principal of Marian High School, Sr. Marcella Sitzmann, OSM. The 2009-10 NEHS officers are seniors Kaitlyn Griffith, president; Shelby James, vice president; Melanie McCormick, secretary; Lisa Gehring, publicist; Cassidy Lemkau, archivist. The NEHS focuses on serving Omaha Catholic grade school libraries and local learning programs. This year the NEHS is working with St. Bernard's Catholic Grade School and will visit St. Bernard's on October 15 for a one-on-one reading event with the kindergartners and first graders.
What better activity is there on a chilly fall day than to curl up with a good book. On October 15, the kindergartners and first graders at St. Bernard Catholic Grade School did just that, with the help of a few Marian girls.
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Writing Contests
Deadline: March 26, 2010
Go to
2010 Poetry of Place Celebration for more information
2010 Student Poetry Contest
for online entry form for go
www.libraryofpoetry.com
Deadline: April 30, 2010
for college/university student and high school seniors
deadline: September 17, 2010
for more information visit:
www.aynrandnovels.com/contests