How do we bring the events of the Passion and Death of Jesus to an appropriate level of understanding for our young children? Children created a Lenten Path to walk the way with Jesus.  This included cactus for the Temptation in the Desert; a donkey as Jesus came in peace; the city of Jerusalem fashioned from blocks and a stone path lined with palms to the tomb.  This is in a prominent area in our classroom ​as we invite children to reflect and pray.

Our collaborative approach in teaching, creates a culture of learners as we all become vested in new topics. 

Grade 5 did a Citizenship activity in which they used the the Mayflower Compact as an example of good citizenship and addressed reasons for resolving conflicts. Grade 5 studied the Mayflowers Compact in which leaders created an agreement. They agreed to choose leaders, draw up "just and equal laws" and to make decisions "for the general good of the Colony". The 5th grade students created a "Classroom Compact" for an ideal classroom. Each group decided on a group of rules that they all could agree on. They then wrote a compact that they explained why the rules were necessary for a safe and nurturing classroom. We shared this with our 1st Grade friends who added ideas and discussed which rules they thought were the best. Like the Mayflower Compact, students knew that people need rules to be able to help themselves and help each other.

Joey Deleo, as we at SJS remember him, always had a gift.  His sweet smile captured our hearts long before he hit the stage.    Joe performed in school productions, talent shows and Holiday pageants as well.  He loves the spotlight and the spotlight loves him.  We always knew he was made for the stage.  We are following you and remain your biggest fans, Joe Deleo.

We are truly blessed to have Joe accompany the Church choir at Holy Day and Holiday Masses.   

Grade 5 scientists are hard at work.  We are trying to determine how old a tree is by counting the rings on a cross section of a tree. 
Did you know you can tell how old a tree is by counting the rings.  Tree trunks grow thicker every year by adding a new ring of growth.

Kindergarten teachers recognized our young learners curiosity in the Grade One Solar System projects.  Children recorded their thoughtful questions for Grade One students and presented their questions to the experts.  This collaborative approach creates a culture of learners as we all become vested in new topics and  use the rich resources available to us in our Pre-K to Grade 8 programs.  ​​

​Have you been contemplating the benefit of enrolling your 3 or 4 year old in an Early Childhood program?  We can help you see the impact when you attend one of our Open Houses at SJS on either Sunday, January 31 from 12PM-2PM or on Thursday, February 4 from 5PM-7PM. We believe you will be excited by what you see!

Our Early Childhood educators are constantly exploring new innovations and improving upon their curriculum. Recently,  Ms. Melinda O'Dea (Pre-K), Mrs. Linda Maguire (K) and Mrs. Linda LaPlume (K) participated in a professional development opportunity at Children's Friends called "Science Says: Build It!"  This program explored the scientific world of building and design.  They discovered what is possible when building and why it is important for our children's knowledge and development.  Our Program recognizes the cross-curriculum connections afforded by block play, as well as the other important cognitive connections needed for a child’s optimum brain development.

Did you know that at birth, the child’s brain is roughly 25% connected? By the first year, the connections reach 75% complete, and 90% within the third year. Early experiences, plant the seeds that will allow your child to reach his or her maximum potential.  We are busy in our Pre-kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms working memory, creativity/cognitive flexibility, attention/concentration and impulse control.

Grade 5 is studying food chains, food webs, and energy pyramids.  We are dissecting owl pellets so we can see part of the food web in action.    An owl feeds early in the evening and regurgitate a single pellet approximately 20 hours after eating.  We know that owls swallow their prey whole and we are excited about what we are going to find.  Owls have a weak stomach muscle so they form wet slimy pellets out of undigested fur, feathers  and bones.  In the process even the most fragile bones are usually preserved unbroken.  We hope to see the skeleton remains of moles, mice, birds, rats and shrews.