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The DCHS choir traveled to Italy over spring break where they had the opportunity to tour the Sistine Chapel, Tapestry Gallery, Raphael Rooms, Vatican Museums and sites from Ancient Rome. The choir also sang at all four major basilicas in Rome and finished the week in Assisi, singing at St. Maria degli Angeli and touring the Basilica at St. Francis. Our choir last traveled to Rome in April 2005 where they became the first American choir to sing for the newly installed Pope Benedict XVI.
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DCHS students spent spring break in Goiania, Brazil, serving the children of Terra Livre, a nonprofit organization which provides education and development opportunities to vulnerable communities. The majority of their time was spent educating and playing with the 95 children at the Terra Livre Center but they also enjoyed staying with host families and the opportunity to experience the culture.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
France and Spain Trip
We are excited to announce a travel opportunity for students in grades 9-11 and their families to France and Spain with EF Tours in June 2024. We will visit the Eiffel Tower, tour the royal palace and gardens of Versailles, spend a day on the beach in Barcelona, enjoy paella in Madrid and much more! Additional traveler spots have been added - click here to see the itinerary and how to enroll! Please email Mrs. Sarah Selinger with any questions!
Lenten Almsgiving
The DCHS People to People International Student Chapter, in support of the Lenten Pillar of almsgiving, is offering an opportunity for our community to provide meals for students in Liberia. In honor of our Mother Mary, we are sponsoring a school of 320 students. The cost to feed one student for an entire school year is $25.20. Our goal is to feed every student for one year ($8,064). Students may donate in their theology classes or you can donate online.
Seeking Volunteers
The Bash on Buffalo is coming up on April 15 and volunteers are needed to help make the event a success! Please sign up here.
Post Prom Fundraisers
Save the date and participate in the fundraising events listed below. A portion of sales will be donated back to post prom when you mention DCHS!
Saturday, March 25 - Visit Fierce Nutrition in Windsor Heights from 8:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Monday, April 3 - Dine at Culver’s on 22nd Street in WDM from 5:00 - 9:00 pm.
Post Prom
The Post Prom Committee is seeking support to offset expenses for this well-attended event. Post prom will be held at Smash Park from 11:30 pm - 2:30 am on April 22. The cost to attend is dependent on funds raised. Please click here or text POSTPROM to 53-555 to donate. In-kind donations for prizes can be dropped off at the Business Office. Ideas include gift cards to favorite stores, restaurants, and gas stations, AirPods, TV, dorm refrigerator, microwave, gaming consoles, and anything else your student might like to win! Please email Shawna Gisi or Julie Groeteke with questions.
Retirement
Mrs. Trish Sackett will be retiring from DCHS after 29 years of dedicated service. She has served as a Spanish teacher since 1994 and has also served as a yearbook moderator, volleyball coach, class moderator and ticket manager. Please fill out this form to share special memories and wish her well in retirement!
Tuition Assistance
The tuition assistance application process is open through Friday, April 18. Qualifying is based on income and demonstrated need. Please click here for more information. Application instructions are available in English and Spanish.
Bishop’s Celebration of Catholic Schools
Save the date! In honor of Bishop Joensen’s passion for education, we invite you to join us for the Bishop’s Celebration of Catholic Schools on August 26, 2023, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School. Have a special teacher, administrator or school volunteer you want to recognize? Consider nominating them to be honored at the celebration. Please submit nominations here.
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ON CAMPUS
Blood Drive
DCHS is partnering with LifeServe Blood Center to host a blood drive on campus March 31. Eligible students are invited to participate as a donor and/or volunteer and have received an email with signup instructions. Donors must be 16 years or older, in general good health and weigh at least 120 lbs. Anyone 16 and younger must have a completed permission form.
Dowling Catholic Post
Did you know DCHS has a school newspaper? The Dowling Catholic Post has been active since 2016 with a staff of student writers who are busy reporting the news in our community. Click here to read the latest edition!
Swim Lessons
The signup for summer swim lessons with Riptide opens March 1. Click here to learn more!
Job Openings
Please click here to learn about employment opportunities at DCHS.
Service Opportunities
Please click here for a list of service opportunities for students.
Adoration
Parents are invited to attend adoration in the chapel offered weekly on Monday (8 am-2:45 pm) and Tuesday- Friday (11 am – 1 pm). We also offer a rosary at 12:00 pm every Friday at the outdoor chapel by the football field and inside when there is inclement weather.
Dowling Club
Be a part of the tradition! The Dowling Club boosters have been supporting our student athletes since 1941! Boosters receive sports passes to all home games (excluding tournament play), a one-time 15% discount in the Campus Store or online, and invitations to appreciation events. Become a member or donate online. Thank you for your support!
Business Directory
Do you own or operate a local business? DCHS has a new initiative that provides the opportunity to be featured in our directory and promoted on our website, newsletters and social media. Please click here for more information.
Nonpublic Transportation Reimbursement
Families who live more than three miles, one-way from DCHS may be eligible for a nonpublic transportation reimbursement. Forms must be submitted each semester (by Dec. 1 & May 1) according to district requirements. Eligible families will receive one check following the end of the school year. Instructions are available here.
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COLLEGE & CAREER PLANNING
Celebrating Our Seniors
We will be celebrating our upcoming graduates during the Senior Celebration and Service Assembly on May 3! Seniors received an email inviting them to fill out the Future Plans Survey by April 26 for a slideshow showcasing future plans. Additionally, we would like to know of any scholarship offers (up to two per student will be displayed at the assembly - amount will not be shown). If plans change or at TBD, new responses can be submitted up until April 26.
Scholarship Opportunities for Seniors
Reminder that there are some great local scholarship opportunities available to apply for! Check Scholarship Opportunities under Resources in OnCampus. There are varying deadlines during the month of April.
DMU High School Summit
DMU will offer a virtual summit exclusively for high school students interested in health science! The High School Summit will take place on June 14 from 9:00 am - 2:00 pm and will be hosted by current DMU graduate students. This is a great opportunity for students to explore different career paths, participate in interactive sessions and talk with graduate students about the path to health professions school. Students can sign up here.
Internship Opportunity
Biking for Babies is looking for a dynamic candidate who is intrinsically motivated to
impact a cause and improve the lives of others. The Local Ride Intern is someone who can work independently on an array of projects related to nonprofit leadership working closely with the executive director, board members, volunteers, college students and potential supporters. Must be comfortable sharing the mission with current and new supporters via phone or in person. Please contact nikki.biese@bikingforbabies.com with questions and to request an application.
Sacred Heart Home & School Scholarship
The Sacred Heart Home & School Scholarship Committee annually awards a $1,000 scholarship to a Des Moines area graduating senior that graduated 8th grade from Sacred Heart School in West Des Moines. To be considered, the student must be a graduating senior attending college or trade school next year with a GPA of 3.00+. Contact Mrs. Koppes for application materials.
Podcast
Is your child a first generation college student? Click here to check out these podcasts to learn more about student experiences.
SAT and PSAT Digital Format
The SAT will be delivered digitally in the U.S. beginning in Spring 2024. The PSAT/NMSQT will be delivered digitally in Fall 2023. The digital SAT will be shorter—about two hours instead of three for the current SAT, with more time per question. The digital test will feature shorter reading passages with one question tied to each, and passages will reflect a wider range of topics. Calculators will be allowed on the entire Math section. Students and educators will get scores back in days, instead of weeks. And, to reflect the range of paths that students take after high school, digital SAT Suite score reports will also connect students to information and resources about local two-year college, workforce training programs, and career options.
Scholarship for Freshman & Sophomores
Attention freshman-sophomore students interested in the University of Iowa and a great summer job: The Evans Scholarship offers full college tuition and housing for high-achieving students who caddy with limited financial means. Students do not need prior golf experience to be considered. Please contact Mrs. Koppes for more information.
College Resource
The Christian Connector has provided free Christian and Catholic college information to more than a million students over 24 years of service. Students can complete a free request form and they will be automatically entered in a $2,000 scholarship drawing.
Getting a Feel for College
Please click here for a list of podcast picks recommended by Colleen Koppes.
Post-High School Workshops
Looking for a workshop to support your student's transition to college and beyond? Check out the following workshops from Your College Coach about preparing for their launch to college.
College Visit Reminders
Parents/guardians should complete the College Visit form at least two days prior to a visit. Juniors/seniors are allowed two excused visit days per year; sophomores/freshmen are allowed one. Upon return students should forward confirmation to attendance@dowlingcatholic.org. It is never too early to start exploring different options!
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EVENTS
April 15: Bash on Buffalo
Please join us for a special celebration marking the 50 year anniversary of our founding schools, St. Joseph Academy and Dowling High School, coming together on Buffalo Road! This groovy party includes silent and live auctions, dinner, dancing and an evening of festivities, plus one lucky winner could walk away with free tuition for a year. Purchase event and raffle tickets here!
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DOWLING CATHOLIC | 1400 BUFFALO RD. | WEST DES MOINES, IA | 50265 | DOWLINGCATHOLIC.ORG
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