Celebrating Catholic Schools

      

  

Every January, Catholic schools across the nation celebrate the success of Catholic education. The theme for Catholic Schools Week this year is: "Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge, and Service."

Total enrollment in Catholic schools for 2014-2015 in the United States is 1,974,578. In fact, Catholic schools enroll nearly half of all students in private schools. Why do so many families entrust the education of their children to Catholic schools? The National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) identifies three factors:

Ø  Children are taught Faith – not just the basics of Christianity, but how to have a relationship with God

Ø  Academics, which in Catholic schools are held to very high standards, help each child reach his or her potential

Ø  Service, the giving of one’s time and effort to help others, is taught both as an expression of faith and good citizenship

Catholic schools also prepare their students to be future leaders, not only in our faith, but also in our country.  Here are a dozen reasons to promote our Catholic schools:

We offer an education that combines Catholic faith and teaching with academic excellence.

We partner with parents in the faith formation of their children.

We set high standards for student achievement and help them succeed.

We provide a balanced academic curriculum that integrates faith, culture, and life.

We use technology effectively to enhance education.

We instill in students the value of service to others.

We teach children respect of self and others.

We emphasize moral development and self-discipline.

We prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders.

We have a 99% high school graduation rate, and 85% of our graduates go on to college.

We cultivate a faculty and staff of people who are dedicated, caring, and effective.

We provide a safe and welcoming environment.

To celebrate Catholic Schools Week this year, St. Michael’s School has planned a variety of activities to recognize and thank students, parents, and staff for their contributions and commitment to Catholic education. We also recognize and thank St. Michael’s Parish for its continued support over the past 50 years. We are forging the way toward another 50 years of excellence!

Kathleen Mock

Principal

  

Learning with iPads

Enriched learning and discovery is taking place in first grade, as students are researching information for science projects, exploring maps for social studies, and practicing math problems on the iPads. The highlight of the students’ week is getting time on Friday with the iPads to practice their addition and subtraction facts! Each child has a goal for him/herself in how many facts to get correct in a limited time. Students document their score and time every Friday, and try to beat it the following week, thus improving their calculations and enhancing their love of math! The iPads are also incorporated in a small group setting as a tool for engagement while teaching and reviewing topics using the Nearpod app. Teachers create multimedia presentations with Nearpod that is interactive and allows teachers to instantly assess every student while monitoring their understanding. The future is looking BRIGHT for our first graders!

Danielle Bright

1st grade teacher

Catholic-Muslim Dialogue in Social Studies

“We fear things we do not understand, and we often fight what we fear.”- Monsignor Dennis Mikulanis

The California State Standards for Social Studies require all 7^th graders to study the origins, beliefs, and spread of Islam. Last Tuesday, as a part of this study, students from St. Michael’s 7^th Grade had the opportunity to meet two of San Diego’s most important religious leaders: Monsignor Dennis Mikulanis and Imam Taha Hassane.  Monsignor Mikulanis, the pastor of San Raphael parish, is also the head of interfaith relations for the Diocese of San Diego. Imam Hassane leads the county’s largest mosque: the Islamic Center of San Diego.  Both gentlemen belong to an organization known as the West Coast Catholic-Muslim Dialogue.  As such, they travel up and down the west coast discussing the importance of positive interfaith relationships between Catholics and Muslims. They were kind enough to take time out of their busy schedules to come speak to our 7^th graders and answer students’ questions.

A central theme of the day was the many similarities between Catholics and Muslims. Both faiths trace their roots back to Abraham, the first person to worship the one true God. Because of this, they share similar beliefs about love, peace, and justice. They also share similar practices, such as daily prayer and periodic fasting.  Students asked Imam Hassane questions about what it’s like to be a Muslim, including what it’s like to travel to Mecca or how hard it is to fast for a whole month during Ramadan. 

Besides asking questions about practicing Islam, students asked about Islamic extremism. Imam Hassane emphasized the fact that Islam is a religion of peace and that extremists such as the members of ISIS do not reflect an accurate version of Islam.  Adding to the Imam’s comments, Monsignor Mikulanis discussed why it’s so important to study and understand other faiths by stating, “We fear things we do not understand, and we often fight what we fear.”

As a culminating activity, students wrote thank you letters to both men. Their letters discussed the lessons learned, including an appreciation for building a more peaceful world through interfaith relationships. The recent attack by Islamic extremists on a magazine in Paris bears witness to the importance of building such relationships.

-Tyler Schumacher 

Self-Reflection During The Advent Season; Preparation For The New Year

“He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.”

It was with a focus on these words from the Nicene Creed that SMS 6th grade students began their Advent journey and Poetry Anthology Unit in ELA classes this December.    Throughout Advent, classroom discussions centered on the readings of the Gospel, which reminded us that this beautiful time, in addition to being the beginning of the liturgical year,  is a period for us all to prepare for His coming - to ask ourselves, “Am I ready?”

After spending time in prayerful reflection on their own personal faith-filled journey, students were asked to express their thoughts and feelings in poetic form.  As a result, each student created a personal anthology of poems documenting his/her journey through Advent.  

The outcome was extraordinary; they demonstrated unique perspectives as they collectively expressed feelings of anticipation, determination, hope, and joy.  The following is a selection of their fine work. It reminds us of the true meaning of Advent and gives us insights for our own personal, faith-filled journeys as we begin this New Year.

Pam Provenzano
ELA Curriculum Chair Grades 6-8