WEST | NORTHWEST » JANUARY 25, 2012
A COMMUNITY PRESS SPECIALTY PUBLICATION
INSIDE Welcome from Dr. Jim Rigg of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati........................ 3 Annunciation School.................................................................................................. 4 La Salle High School ................................................................................................... 5 Message from Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr .................................................... 7 St. Boniface School ..................................................................................................... 8 St. James School White Oak ..................................................................................... 9 St. Dominic School .................................................................................................... 10 Seton High School..................................................................................................... 11 John Paul II School.................................................................................................... 13 Our Lady Of Grace .................................................................................................... 14 St. Martin Of Tours School...................................................................................... 15 Our Lady Of Lourdes................................................................................................ 16 St. Michael School..................................................................................................... 18 St. Ursula Academy................................................................................................... 19 St. John The Baptist Colerain ................................................................................ 20 Mother Of Mercy School......................................................................................... 21 DePaul Cristo Rey ..................................................................................................... 22 St. Alyosius Gonzaga ............................................................................................... 23
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McAuley High School .............................................................................................. 25 St. Teresa Of Avila..................................................................................................... 26 Resurrection Of Our Lord School ......................................................................... 27 St. Gabriel Consolidated School ........................................................................... 28 St. Jude........................................................................................................................ 29 St. Aloysius On The Ohio ........................................................................................ 29 Mount Notre Dame ................................................................................................. 30
Because community matters.
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Contact Catholic Schools Week is an annual production of The Community Press Specialty Publications Department. Send questions or comments to: Jo Kovach Specialty Publications Editor Enquirer Media, 312 Elm Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202 Phone: 513-768-8367 To advertise call: Doug Hubbuch Territory Sales Manager, Enquirer Sales Manager Enquirer Media Phone: 513-687-4614
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WELCOME LETTER
Students with Dr. Jim Rigg, Archdiocese of Cincinnati Director of Educational Services and Superintendent of Catholic Schools. PROVIDED
DEAR FRIENDS OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS, or generations, the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese F of Cincinnati have made an invaluable impact upon children and families throughout southwestern Ohio.
Through offering a focus on faith development, top-notch academic programs, and nurturing family-centered communities, our schools have a proven track record of success for preparing children for the future. During Catholic Schools Week, we join with Catholic schools across the country in celebrating the tradition of excellence found within our Catholic schools. This year’s theme for Catholic Schools Week is “Faith. Academics. Service.” These concepts encompass three core values of our schools. Our schools are called to cultivate the spiritual lives of our students so that they can reflect the goodness and compassion of God. Similarly, our schools provide superior academic programs that prepare children for leadership in a changing world. Finally, filled with faith and academic knowledge, our students are called to go forth into their communities and positively serve those around them. In the pages that follow, you can read how faith, aca-
demics, and service are embodied by our Catholic schools. I encourage you to read these stories, and visit your local Catholic school to witness our mission firsthand. Many of our schools are hosting open houses in the coming weeks; if you have school-aged children, I hope you will consider a Catholic school education for your family. You will not be disappointed! Our schools are truly a blessing to Cincinnati. Happy Catholic Schools Week to all! Yours in Christ,
Dr. Jim Rigg Director of Educational Services Superintendent of Catholic Schools Archdiocese of Cincinnati THE COMMUNITY PRESS / THE COMMUNITY RECORDER /// JANUARY 25, 2012 3
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ANNUNCIATION 5- to 8-grade art class students joyfully peal, ‘that one’s my bell!’ In a single day, dozens of fifth- to eighth-graders at Annunciation School collaborated to create a work of art that will grace the front green of neighboring Clifton Cultural Arts Center through the end of May. On a Friday in midNovember, the school’s art classes designed and shaped the bells of clay
that tinkle on an oversized outdoor wind chime at CCAC, at the corner of Clifton and McAlpin avenues. Ruth E. Dickey, the center’s executive director, says 26,000 vehicles pass daily and many community residents enjoy the wind chimes up-close as they walk or jog. Annunciation art teacher, Kathy Chabot,
ST. JAMES OF THE VALLEY SCHOOL
A Rich Tradition of Growth in a Nurturing Community of Faith, Family, and Academic Excellence.
Accelerated Reader Program After School Care Program Algebra 1 in conjunction with Roger Bacon Annual October Party Annual Spelling Bee Band Camp Kern (5th Grade) Choir Computer and Science Labs Everybody Counts Field Day Field Trips Kindergarten Buddies Program Mill Creek Restoration Project PTA Sports Tutoring Available Young Rembrandts 8th Grade Retreat 8th Grade Victorian Christmas Avg. Class Size 20 Students Bus transportation available from Princeton, Cincinnati Public, and Winton Woods.
describes the project as “a community of students that contributed to a community-based and -enrichment effort.” She adds, “Many students touched each piece of the bells. Throughout the day, successive classes took up where the previous 45-minute class left off.” Annunciation is a partner elementary school in CCAC’s “Young Artists at Work” program. All K-8 students at Annunciation will be represented in the “Young Artists at Work” annual art show in February. The exhibit will include the students’ 2-D diorama displays, selfportraits and class montages in various media,
and other projects three months in the making. The exhibit opens 5-8 p.m. Feb. 2–28. For gallery hours, directions and parking information, visit http://www.cliftonculturalarts.org/ccac-directions.htm. The wind chime project was the brainchild of curator Kip Eagen’s for the center’s annual outdoor sculpture project. Clifton artist Steve Adkins built the chime’s chandelier. The bells were painted and fired at the Cincinnati Recreation Commission. The project was funded in part by ArtsWave, a nonprofit that supports and collaborates with arts organizations throughout the area.
Chabot said the most important aspect of the project was the opportunity for students to give back to the community. “The students endeared themselves to the project but aren’t sure if they will get their bells back or ever see or touch them again once the public display closes,” Chabot said “Overcoming the disappointment of relinquishing ownership for the good of others is part of the Catholic identity.” Annunciation School is at 3545 Clifton Ave. The school’s open house is 12:30-2:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29. For more information call 513-2211230. Or visit annunciationcincinnati.org.
Join us for our Open House Sunday, January 29th, 2012 12-2:00 PM
• Hear an overview of the school from the principal, Mr. Jim Haag • Tour the school • Meet teachers from each grade • See student projects • Learn about our curriculum • Learn about our enrichment programs
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More than school bells ring at Annunciation School in Clifton. The school's 5- to 8-grade art classes designed and shaped bells that adorn an outdoor wind chime at Clifton Cultural Arts Center. Like the students, no two bells are alike. The lawn sculpture is on display at CCAC through the end of May. PHOTO BY ANDREW WARD
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Christian Brothers legacy, LaSallian values thrive at LA SALLE HIGH SCHOOL Ask many of La Salle’s 10,000-plus alumni, and they will share fond memories of the La Salle Christian Brothers who taught them at the high school on North Bend Road in Green Township. “Our teachers instilled a strong work ethic in the classroom and encouraged us in our Catholic faith formation as well,” recalls Principal Tom Luebbe, a 1973 graduate. More than 50 years ago, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati asked the
La Salle students belong to the Lancer family of more than 10,000 graduates. “We’ve always been dedicated to spiritual programs, high academic standards and, quite frankly, high co-curricular standards,” said Executive Director Don Ruberg ’72. “All of these things are important at La Salle. We want to build on the success we’ve had.” PROVIDED
Christian Brothers of the St. Louis Province to establish and staff a new, all-male high school to serve the
needs of Catholic families in the northwestern suburbs of Cincinnati. The province chose
to honor John Baptist de La Salle, Roman Catholic saint, priest and founder of the Institute of the Brothers
of the Christian Schools. An educational reformer, he is considered the founder of the first Catholic schools and is the patron saint of teachers. “To touch the hearts of your students with the Christian spirit is the greatest miracle you can perform,” he once said. La Salle High School opened in September 1960 as an all-male college preparatory Catholic institution guided by Jesus Christ and rooted in La Salle’s See CHRISTIAN, Page 6
Congratulations
Chris Winiarski! (pictured far right)
LA SALLE CAMPUS MINISTRY DIRECTOR CHRIS WINIARSKI HONORED AS A LASALLIAN EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR The 1996 La Salle graduate and White Oak resident received the award Nov. 19 at the Christian Brothers’ national Lasallian Huether Conference in Washington, D.C. In the U.S. and Toronto Region, Christian Brothers and its lay colleagues serve 70,000 students through a network of more than 100 elementary and secondary schools and colleges and universities in the U.S. and is part of a global Lasallian family that educates nearly one million students in more than 80 countries.
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GO LANCERS!
A Catholic High School in the Lasallian Tradition
www.lasallehs.net
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DePaul Cristo Rey ............................................................................................................ 22 Elder High School............................................................................................................... 7 John Paul II School ........................................................................................................... 13 La Salle High School .......................................................................................................... 5 McAuley High School ..................................................................................................... 25 Mother Of Mercy High School...................................................................................... 21 Mount Notre Dame......................................................................................................... 31 Our Lady Of Grace ........................................................................................................... 14 Our Lady Of Lourdes ....................................................................................................... 17 Our Lady Of Victory......................................................................................................... 12 Seton High School ............................................................................................................ 11 St. Aloysius Gonzaga ...................................................................................................... 23 St. Aloysius On The Ohio ............................................................................................... 29 St. Antoninus .................................................................................................................... 27 St. Bernard ........................................................................................................................... 6 St. Catharine Of Siena .................................................................................................... 24 St. Dominic School ........................................................................................................... 10 St. Gabriel Consolidated School................................................................................... 28 St. James Of The Valley..................................................................................................... 4 St. James School Of White Oak ...................................................................................... 9 St. John The Baptist Colerain........................................................................................ 20 St. John The Baptist Harrison.......................................................................................... 8 St. Jude School.................................................................................................................. 32 St. Martin Of Tours .......................................................................................................... 15 St. Michael School............................................................................................................ 18 St. Teresa Of Avila............................................................................................................ 26 St. Ursula Academy.......................................................................................................... 19
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teachings. Today, La Salle is a vibrant school and community, committed to serving students of all academic levels and to meeting the needs of a diverse student body. In partnership with parents, Luebbe explained, La Salle encourages each student to reach his maximum potential in mind, body and spirit. “We help our students grow through our
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five Lasallian values: leadership, scholarship, faith, service and community,” Luebbe said. “That’s the mission of La Salle, and that’s the commitment which we as a community make with each student and his parents.” That commitment shows in the implementation of a leadership development program through the De La Salle Signum Fidei Institute, now in its second year. “Signum fidei” is Latin for “sign of faith.” La Salle intends
to develop each student into a servant leader who is a sign of faith in his community while being equipped to lead ethically in a 21st-century environment. Current sophomores and freshmen, as well as future Lancers, will benefit, according to Steve Dalton, director of the Signum Fidei Institute. “These young men are taking full advantage of our LaSallian mission and learning skills that will help them live their lives as successful servant leaders,” he said.
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A MESSAGE FROM ARCHBISHOP DENNIS M. SCHNURR We are quickly approaching Catholic Schools Week. In honor of Catholic Schools Week, this important time of year, Archbishop Dennis Schnurr has recorded a message to all Catholic school supporters. The Archbishop describes the importance of our Catholic schools, and calls upon all people to remain engaged in our vision for schools as it develops. The link for the video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ls5k9dxJ_tc. The text of Archbishop Schnurr’s comments is below: Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, During this week, we join with dioceses across the country in celebrating the history and success of our Catholic schools. In the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, we are blessed with some of the finest Catholic schools in the country. Our schools have a distinguished tradition of effectively and authentically teaching the faith to the next generation. Our schools are known for fostering high quality academics, robust enrichment programs, and family-centered communities where children are valued and validated.
As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, I am filled with gratitude for the hard work and dedication of our teachers, administrators, and staff members. Without their efforts, our schools could not be successful. Likewise, I am thankful for the many benefactors and volunteers who support our schools. Finally, I am deeply grateful for the parents and students within our schools; I thank you for your trust as we educate the next generation in the Catholic faith. For the past 18 months, we have been engaged in an effort to define a unified vision for the future of Catholic school
education in our Archdiocese. Through the guidance of Superintendent Jim Rigg and the Vision Steering Committee, enormous amounts of data have been collected on our Catholic schools. We have listened to the insights of stakeholders through Visioning Sessions and surveys, and have worked with universities and foundations to define new systems of support. The vision, which will be completed by the fall of 2012, will provide a new path for our Catholic schools into the future. This vision will allow our schools to join toSee ARCHBISHOP, Page 8
For more information about enrolling at ELDER HIGH SCHOOL, contact our admissions office.
Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr PROVIDED
513.9 21.374 4 ELDE R H S.OR G
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gether in a common ministry. It will allow us to move purposefully and prayerfully into the future, and ensure that our schools continue to provide the best possible religious and academic education to our young people. As we complete the visioning process, I call upon the people of the Archdiocese to join with us in supporting the future of our Catho-
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lic schools. I encourage you to monitor the Archdiocesan website for updates about the vision, and become directly involved in defining our plan for Catholic education. Our Catholic schools are an essential part of the ministry of our Church. May God continue to bless our schools in abundance, and provide us with a vibrant and hopeful future. Sincerely Yours in Christ, Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr
Does Your Child Deserve a Superior Education? Consider St. John the Baptist Catholic School Come Discover the Joy of Learning in a faith-filled Setting!
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Since 1872, St. John the Baptist has been providing superior Catholic education to the Harrison community.
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Alumni of St. John consist of over 40 valedictorians and salutatorians Preschool and Kindergarten programs provide a strong academic foundation On average, St. John has over 90% of students who achieve honor status at the high school level
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Our new foreign language instruction helps us communicate and compete in an increasingly global market St. John Students consistently rank well above both the national and Archdiocese of Cincinnati average in mathematics performance Over 20% of St. John faculty are alumni Student teacher ratio is 1:17 Over 90% of St. John graduates who go on to Catholic high school receive some form of academic, service and/or athletic scholarship St. John embraces technology into classrooms, using smart boards in all classrooms, online grading and progress reports and a vast parent online network
Members of the St. Boniface Social Action Club. PROVIDED
Students’ ceramic bowls raise $300 for food pantry Last year, a group of students in grades 6-8 at St. Boniface in Northside stayed after school once a month to participate in the school’s Social Action Club. The school had just received a kiln for the art room and decided to make ceramic bowls they could sell to raise money for the neigh-
All of the St. John student body voluntarily participates in community service activities
Come to our Open House on Jan. 29 from 1:00-3:00 Saint John the Baptist School 508 Park Ave. Harrison, Ohio Or, for more information: 513 367 6826 www.sjbharrison.org
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borhood St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. The students molded and glazed bowls at each meeting and during Lent held a soup supper for parents and community residents. Guests purchased a dinner and were able to choose a beautiful ceramic bowl to take home.
The event was a success, raising over $300. Social Action Club is now creating bowls for a second soup supper. Debbi Kampel is the school’s art teacher and one of the adult leaders of the Social Action Club. For more information, email Kampel at kampel_d@stbonnie.org.
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Discover SAINT JAMES SCHOOL Saint James is one of the premier private schools in our community. Having received four U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon of Excellence in Education Awards, Saint James is still the only elementary school in the nation to achieve this honor. Students ranging from kindergarten through eighth grade consistently score in the top ten percent of national standardized tests. Students who graduate from Saint James are well prepared to succeed in high school with a strong academic foundation. The eighth-grade class of 2011 was offered a combined total of $514,950 in scholarship funds. While students are primarily Catholic, the school welcomes people of all faiths. Additionally, the school accepts students entering any grade level of their education. For example, it is not uncommon for a student to enroll at the beginning of sixth grade and transition quickly, thanks to the school’s nurturing environment. All students participate in weekly art, music and physical education classes taught by talented, licensed teachers. Students attend weekly technology classes taught by certified staff and have access to more than 250 networked computers, laptops and smartboards schoolwide. Junior high students have the opportunity to take 2 years of Spanish, and students at every grade level attend daily religion classes and weekly Mass. The Saint James kindergarten program offers both half-day and full-day classes. The school’s experienced kindergarten teachers provide a strong foundation for a child’s academic future in a safe, caring environment. The kindergarten teachers give each child individualized attention to ensure success. Comparing Saint James kindergarten to other area options, it is one of the most comprehensive and
r Saint James e v o c Wh Dis ite Oa k Where Tradition Opens Doors to the Future Visit our
OPEN HOUSE January 29 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
RECOGNIZED FOUR TIMES as a NATIONALL BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE www.stjameswo.org 6111 Cheviot Road, Cincinnati 45247 | 741-5333 33
affordable programs available. Saint James School is becoming one of the area’s leaders in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) education. Last year, Saint James unveiled its new Science Lab designed to promote 21st-century learning skills. Containing both a wet and dry lab, this new facility enables students to improve their critical-thinking and decision-
making skills through hands-on exploration. By focusing on learning by inquiry, kindergarten through eighth-grade students are empowered to think like scientists. Additionally, Saint James was awarded a STEM Innovation Grant through the University of Cincinnati’s Fusion Center, which enabled the school to purchase equipment and provide school-
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wide professional development. Teachers are able to illustrate concepts on tablet PCs attached to projectors. Students also have the ability to utilize scientific probeware and laptop computers to collect and analyze real-time data. Saint James is moving forward in STEM education and creating a research community for its students. Of course we cannot forget that one of the most influential components of a solid education is still the classroom teacher. Saint James boasts a dynamic, caring, knowledgeable faculty, of which 50 percent hold advanced degrees. Saint James proudly employs two teachers who were honored as National Catholic Education Association Teachers of the Year, as well as a full team of experienced educational specialists. For working parents, Saint James is convenient and accessible. Many families take advantage of the school’s Before and After School Program. The Childcare Program is located on-site and staffed by the same personnel each morning and afternoon, giving students a safe, fun place to go. The Childcare staff provides snacks, homework support and fun activities for students in a warm, child-centered environment. Saint James is a missiondriven school, where both academic and personal excellence is fostered, committed to meeting the needs of all learners. The tradition of excellence carried on through generations of White Oak families remains steadfast. Saint James School’ strong academic program is rooted in a Catholic values-based education. To discover all Saint James has to offer, join the faculty and staff for their annual open house 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29. You’re invited to tour the school, meet the faculty and gain further details regarding registration. One lucky family visiting our school will win a brand new iPad 2! For more information about Saint James School or to schedule a personal tour, visit the website at www.stjameswo.org, call the school office at 513-741-5333, or email the school at infosjs@stjameswo.org.
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New is the word for ST. DOMINIC SCHOOL It’s anything but business as usual for an established Catholic elementary school on Cincinnati’s Westside. That’s because St. Dominic School, a fixture at the corner of Delhi Pike and Pedretti Avenue in Delhi, has added a host of new programs and equipment to enrich the educational experience. In honor of the National Catholic Education Association’s 2012 National Celebration of Catholic Schools Week (Jan. 29
through Feb. 5), let’s take a closer look.
Technology is on the rise at St. Dominic
Tops on the list of what’s new at St. Dominic is technology. From new flat-screen televisions to two new computer labs offering 30 computers each, to new computers in more than 20 homerooms, students are never more than a classroom away from the world via the Internet. Students are also using
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word processing and presentation software, getting a jump on these highly prized skills in the business world. Add in new smartboards with projectors in every classroom and watch lesson plans really come alive with multi-media interest.
Preschool program instills values early
Perhaps the biggest “news” at St. Dominic is a preschool program. According to Principal Bill Cavanaugh: “Our preschool program has been a great addition, and our hope is that these students will continue to stay here and graduate as eighth-graders.” For a school such as St. Dominic, which has seen generations of Westside families go through its doors, this is an important factor in serving everyone’s needs for an education based on Catholic values, regardless of age.
‘Our preschool program has been a great addition, and our hope is that these students will continue to stay here and graduate as eighth-graders.’ BILL CAVANAUGH
Principal, St. Dominic School
Though new, the preschool has been a success: there are 52, 3- and 4-year-olds in the program this year, the first time children that young have been in school there. “We’re already looking forward to next year,” said Cavanaugh. “Our goal next year is 75 students and we want to continue to grow.” Another new feature of the pre-school pro-
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Teacher Mrs. Julie Kraemer with preschoolers. PROVIDED
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gram is a new playground. It was built courtesy of a generous parishioner who desires to remain anonymous. Since young students have a lot of energy, the new playground provides a great place for active toddlers to explore and have fun. Cavanaugh took a moment to recognize those most responsible for the preschool program’s success. “Our director Patty Hanlon has done a wonderful job getting the program started, getting us approved by the state and moving us forward in the direction we needed for success. Our teachers and the pre-school committee also deserve credit for all the hard work they’ve done.” St. Dominic may offer new computers and new programs but they still have the same commitment to educating the future.
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To serve the community is SETON’S mission A commitment to serving God and community is one of the core values that define a Seton woman. Each young woman completes a mandatory number of community-service hours before she graduates, but Seton’s teachers and staff know these hours are more than just another graduation requirement. The service experience Seton students have translates into a lifelong commitment to helping those in need.
Serving Seton
In spring 2011, a new club was begun at Seton – Seton Helping Saints. The club was started because students want-
ed to give directly to their peers. “Several students realized that while there are needs to be served outside the Seton community, the Seton community also has those in need of help,” said senior Jourdan Lyons. “There are so many opportunities and things for students to do while they spend 4 years at Seton and it is so sad to see something such as financial difficulty hold students back from these great experiences.” Seton Helping Saints is a truly revolutionary organization both because it is focused on helping Seton students directly and because it is completely student-
The Seton Helping Saints Club is a truly revolutionary organization both because it is focused on helping Seton students directly and because it is completely student-led.
led. Seton’s Director of Student Life Mary Agricola is a club mentor and she said the students are expected to take the lead. “The students are motivated to raise money for organizations,” said Agricola. “They kept bringing up local organizations and members of the Seton community who need money, so this club will allow students to both raise money and decide
where it goes.” Agricola also expects the club will change some of the philosophy behind why students fund-raise. “We hope students will want to give just to make the world a better place, rather than giving to get something,” she said. Seton is committed to providing a well-rounded high school experience that goes beyond an academic education. While no one can dis-
Experience the Strength of the Seton Sisterhood For more information, contact Recruitment Director Leslie Chasteen ’06 at chasteenl@setoncincinnati.org or (513) 471-2600 ext. 110.
pute the importance of proficiency in English, math, the sciences and social studies, Seton also hopes graduates leave with an understanding of why it is important to serve the community. Seton provides students with a multitude of opportunities to serve others, but it is especially inspirational to see students take the lead when they feel moved to do so. Senior Kari Lockwood sees the need within her school and hopes other students will join the new organization. “I hope this club will educate students and make them want to See SETON, Page 12
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3901 Glenway Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45205-9986 www.setoncincinnati.org
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istry Department, headed by Mrs. Jan Linz, and Community Service Coordinator, Sandy Howe, SC, always are looking for opportunities for Seton students to make a difference in the Queen City. These service projects include everything from building houses for Habitat for Humanity to monthly or weekly trips to meal centers and the Ronald McDonald House. Seton students also mentor young children at local elementary schools. With visits to Our
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join because they are making a difference,” she said. The club is already having an impact on the Seton community. On Oct. 7, students raised more than $17,600 in a school-wide walk!
Serving Cincinnati
As every Cincinnati resident knows, there is a great deal of need right in our own backyard. The Campus Min-
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808 Neeb Road Cincinnati, OH 45233 www.olv.org Kathy Kane, Principal
OPEN HOUSE Wednesday, February 1
6:00 p.m. Mini Art Show and National Junior Honor Society Service Fair in the Convocation Center 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. OLV Families: Celebrate your child’s Catholic education. New and Prospective Families: Enjoy a Meet-and-Greet with teachers and tour the school.
Call 347-2072
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Daily Bread, a meal center serving the Overthe-Rhine and West End neighborhoods; City Gospel, an organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty; and the Ronald McDonald House, Seton students see the kind of difference made by donating just a few hours of service. “Helping homeless people or people without jobs – it’s a humbling experience,” said Seton senior Lauren Ulmer.
Serving the World
The Seton service experience extends beyond Cincinnati’s city limits. The students are encouraged to participate in various mission trips that help shape a unique world view. In summer 2011, one group of students and teachers lent a hand around the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota. Another group stepped outside their comfort zone to build a chicken coop and complete other manual labor projects in Guatemala. Senior Emily McDonald invited her mother and sister along to the mission trip in Central America. “Bringing my family makes mission trips so much better,” she said. “I get to show them what I’m doing, and I feel like I can be a role model for them.”
The Seton Service Experience
Spending time serving in the community is important, but allowing students to reflect on their service is vital to the experience. To make sure every student has time to understand what her community service means, she is asked to write a reflection about her experience. After the paper is written, the Community Service Coordinator visits each
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religion class to help the students share their experience and insights with their peers. While each student is encouraged to reflect on her individual service hours, during her junior year, she participates in a class-wide service day of reflection. This day brings the students together with their peers and allows them to stretch the boundaries of their environment by permitting them to experience a world with which they are unfamiliar. Later, the young ladies are provided with a framework for discussion of the day to ensure they are getting
the most out of the experience. The Seton service experiences must grow and change with each student to allow her the optimum benefits. Every year, Seton students are given the opportunity to be empowered through their service hours. The Community Service Coordinator continues to work closely with students to help them find local service opportunities which stretch them beyond their comfort zones. In this way, the service experience is a memory each student carries with her well after her graduation.
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Educating tomorrow’s ENTREPRENEURS today The National Catholic Education Association’s 2012 National Celebration of Catholic Schools Week is Jan. 29 through Feb. 5. This year’s theme is “Faith, Academics, and Service,” but one school in Springfield Township is adding business to the mix and turning out tomorrow’s business tycoons. According to Leanora Roach, principal of John Paul II: “Education is the top priority at John Paul II Catholic School. Math is an essential skill and our students are learning how to apply what they learn to real-life situations. We offer a math club for our students who excel in math and the sixth- and seventh-graders are using their computation and problemsolving skills to learn about entrepreneurism.” The program, administered by Math Specialist Mary Jo Berry, has students form companies to design, manufacture, market and research the financial aspects of their
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‘Our teachers believe in engaging students in learning and we strive to meet the needs of all of our students. We offer opportunities for students who need extra assistance and those who excel to be challenged in meaningful learning experiences.’ LEANORA ROACH
Principal John Paul II School
new business ventures. Through fliers and commercials created by the students, they market their products to the school community to encourage them to patronize these businesses much like any other profit-making venture such as P&G or Microsoft. “The sixth-graders created Yoda’s Pencil Utilities, which sold pencil grips and erasers,” explained Berry. “Our seventh-graders’ business was Bobby’s Bows, with bows ranging from hair bows to support ribbons for causes.” The profits from these businesses were sent to
various charities, including Matthew 25 Ministries, Pink Ribbon Girls, Harrison Animal Rescue and the Animal Adoption Foundation. According to Roach, “Mary Jo Berry and the students worked hard to design these new businesses.” The budding Warren Buffetts from the seventh grade included Nora Honkomp, Ben Woeste, Robby Gerdes and Jeff Birdsong, and the seventh-grade Sam Waltons were Kira Staubach, Tony Luken, Emily Engel, Michael Vesprani, Ally Woeste, Claire Alverson and Ashley Ku-
chenbuch. Sixth-grader Nora Honkomp summed up her adventure in entrepreneurism this way: “We liked the responsibility of having our own business.” John Paul II Catholic School, located on Winton Road, is a regional kindergarten through eighth-grade school serving three parishes – St. Bartholomew, Our Lady of the Rosary and St. Clare. “Our teachers
believe in engaging students in learning and we strive to meet the needs of all of our students. We offer opportunities for students who need extra assistance and those who excel to be challenged in meaningful learning experiences,” said Principal Roach. And when those meaningful experiences include learning about how to start and run a business, Donald Trump had better watch out.
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LESSONS IN LEADERSHIP: OLG prepares students for greatness Sixth-grade students at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School (OLG) aren’t waiting for high school to prepare for the future. They are building life skills now as participants in a program focused on developing leadership. Leaders in Training is the newest addition to OLG’s enrichment-course
lineup. Like LEGO® Robotics, Peer Tutoring and Digital Photography, Leaders in Training gives students opportunity to explore topics not traditionally addressed in the elementary classroom. This program aims to improve critical thinking, communication and teamwork, and gives students the chance to immedi-
Open Minds Open Hearts
ately apply those skills to service activities. For their first activity, Leaders in Training students led a schoolwide canned-food drive. They coordinated every aspect from collection to preparation for distribution. And they led the tally with an impressive 3,000 of the 6,000 total collected. Since the program’s November rollout, the students also developed “Big Buddies,” a mentoring event with OLG firstgraders. They sit with their first-grade buddies at weekly Mass and plan monthly activities. It’s a real chance to put teaching and listening skills into practice. It helps first-graders gain confidence and feel more comfortable at school too. Leaders in Training coordinators, Diane Vidourek, Scott Kramer and Steffenie Brueneman, are
Two eighth-grade "Future Scientists" conduct a density experiment at a physics lab. PROVIDED PHOTOS
excited about the results. They believe “success in the Leaders in Training program will result in strong, intelligent students that will advance their lives to greatness.” OLG faculty continue to seek new ways to help students expand their minds, grow their faith, and be inspired to service.
What’s next? A Student Government program they hope to roll out in 2013. Leaders in Training students will undoubtedly be ready for office. Our Lady of Grace Catholic School is located in Groesbeck on Galbraith Road. For more information about the school, visit www.olgcs.org.
Open House Experience OLG. Visit us on January 29 from 1-3:30 p.m. Can’t make it on the 29th? Call Anita at 931-3070 to set up a private tour.
2940 West Galbraith Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45239 visit us: www.olgcs.org call us: 513-931-3070 CE-0000493259
A sixth-grade Leader with his first-grade "buddy." Leaders in Training is the newest addition to the enrichment-course lineup at Our Lady of Grace. The program gives students opportunity to explore topics not traditionally addressed in the elementary classroom, and aims to improve critical thinking, communication and teamwork.
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Making history at ST. MARTIN In September 1912, Cincinnatian Robert Taft was in the White House, the specter of the first world war was far in the distance and the sinking of the “Titanic” was still on everyone’s mind. In Cincinnati, the parishioners of St. Martin of Tours Church in Cheviot were anxious to open their elementary school. They’d already been holding classes in the church for six weeks, with children sitting on the kneelers and using the pews for desks. Since that time, St. Martin has joined the rich tradition of Catholic education on Cincinnati’s Westside. “We are celebrating our 100th anniversary this year,” explained Carolyn Murphy, principal of the K-8 school. “We’ve got a whole year of activities planned to mark the occasion.” Among those activities was a Red Carpet Opening Day, a special day for the Feast of St. Martin and a memory book with graduates of St. Martin writing what the school has meant to them. They will also have graduates come in periodically to speak to the students and tour the school to see the changes that have been made since they attended as well as an open house for the community on Sunday, Jan. 29. “We’re also planning a special celebration on the 100th day of the 100th year,” said Murphy. It’s hard to ignore the rich history of the school. The original building is still on the property – a little red schoolhouse that stands in front of the newer, yellow brick building. It no longer houses classrooms, but is used for religious education and meetings. “It
Second-graders at Mass.
Students create a cross in a cooperative learning lesson.
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Fifth-grader and kindergartener Reading Buddies.
was last used for classrooms 8 years ago,” according to Murphy. No doubt it was a classroom in this building that alum Al Schottelkotte (of WCPO-TV news fame) and perhaps even Father Terry Hamilton, pastor of the parish, sat in while attending St. Martin.
In the tradition of Cincinnati’s Westside, many of St. Martin’s students are part of a long legacy stretching back to the beginning. “This year, we have a first-grader who is a fourth-generation St. Martin student,” said Murphy. Side by side with this history exists all the modern trappings of an elementary school. There is a computer lab, a multipurpose parish center that features a gym and stage, and smartboards in every classroom – as well as all the sports and activities you’d expect. As St. Martin celebrates its centennial, it’s just one part of the long history of Catholic education that is being made every day in Greater Cincinnati.
1912
2012
Celebrating 100 Years of Catholic Education
OPEN HOUSE
January 29, 2012 12:30-2:00 pm
REGISTRATION
New Students K-8th grade Febuary 21, 2012 6:00-7:30 pm 3729 Harding Avenue Cheviot, Ohio 45211 (513) 661-7609 www.saintmartin.org Now accepting EdChoice Scholarships
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Twinning Mass with Our Lady of Lourdes students and friends from the country of Jordan and The West Bank of Jerusalem. PROVIDED
EDUCATION for a Lifetime
For Catholic Schools Week and all year long, Our Lady of Lourdes is helping instill values of a Catholic education The National Catholic Education Association’s 2012 National Celebration of Catholic Schools Week is Jan. 29 through Feb. 5. The theme for 2012 is “Faith, Academics, and Service.” While it is a weeklong observation, one school on Cincinnati’s West Side observes these concepts every day. That school is Our Lady of Lourdes, a K-8 elementary school located in Western Hills. According to Principal Aimee Ellmaker: “Our school tries to embody these values on a daily basis, but during this week, we like to highlight faith, education and service
and bring attention to those individuals who display what it means in their actions.” Let us take a closer look at each part of the theme and some of the individuals who are enriching lives and expanding minds while keeping true to these ideals.
Faith
Nine- and 10-year-olds may not be old enough to appreciate the struggles of living in the Middle East, but Mrs. Jennifer Ruwe’s fourth-grade class is putting a face on the situation through a unique “twinning” program. “We are twinning with two
schools,” explained Ms. Ellmaker. “One is in Jordan, and the other school is on The West Bank of Jerusalem.” The program was initiated when two educators from their schools visited Our Lady of Lourdes in October 2011. “We share information with the students in the other classes through newsletters that we create and emails,” said Mrs. Ruwe. “We tell them what life is like in Cincinnati and the United States, and they tell us what life is like in their countries.” The experience is teaching the class a lot about other
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cultures. One of the surprising things they have learned is how different religions get along. “Some of the students in these classes are Catholic and some are Muslim, but they work together,” said Mrs. Ruwe. Their insights may be helping the class change our culture right here in Cincinnati. According to Mrs. Ruwe: “I am learning that Jordan is one of the more progressive countries in the region in terms of religious tolerance, and we are learning to be tolerant, also.” Future plans See VALUES, Page 24
Our Lady of Lourdes School Open House
â&#x20AC;˘
All are Welcome! Sunday January 29, 2012 Noon - 2 p.m. Registration for 2012 - 2013 begins!
Dedicated and highly qualified faculty New computers in state-of-the-art computer lab with full-time computer coordinator SMART Board technology in classrooms Before & After School programs Full day & Half day Kindergarten Consistent top scorers/scholarship recipients on high school entrance exams Extensive opportunities in enrichment and service programs Ohio EdChoice Scholarships for eligible students
www.lourdes.org technol ogy c o n s ul ti n g
5432 Any Street West, Townsville, State 54321
CE-0000492620
Tel 555.543.5432
Fax 555.543.5433
WWW.ADAT UM.COM
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ST. MICHAEL consistently graduates students that go on to be very successful at excellent Catholic high schools The term Professional Learning Community describes a collegial group of administrators and school staff who are united in their commitment to student learning. They share a vision, work and learn collab-
oratively, visit and review other classes, and participate in decision making. “It’s a working journey,” explained St. Michael School Principal Jody Farrell. “They have been implementing the
Arts Attack Program Band & Choir Camp Kern Computer Labs DARE Program Everybody Counts Extended Day Programs Full and Half Day Kindergarten Mad Science Program Math Enrichment Reading Enrichment Science Labs Scouts Spanish (grades 1-8) Special Needs Support Sports Student Council Yearbook Young Rembrandts Transportation to St. Michael School provided by Princeton, Lakota, Mason and Sycamore school districts.
Date: Thursday, February 2, 2012 Time: 6:15 p.m. for prospective families 7:00 p.m. for current families
Address: 11136 Oak Street
Sharonville, OH 45241
Questions: 513.554.3555
CE-0000493267
jfarrell@stmichaelsharonville.org
Professional Learning Community philosophy, as well as concentrating on their mathematics and writing curriculum, for the last 4 years.” The benefits to the staff and students include a reduced isolation of teachers, better informed and committed teachers, and academic gains for students. “Professional Learning Communities is about changing the emphasis from what the teachers do to what students are learning,” Farrell said. “It also increases collaboration and gets teachers working as a team.” The goal is to create an environment where everyone is on the same page so that a student’s education can be enhanced. Farrell said that this is a good fit for St. Michael School, and she and the staff look forward to where this journey will take them. Founded in 1927, St. Michael’s, a Blue Ribbon School, offers a superior Catholic education through the support of parishioners and staff. Educating students in K-8, St. Michael’s is proud to offer full-day and half-day kindergarten, as well as a low student-to-teacher ratio with a maximum class size of 28. St. Michael’s consistently graduates students that go on to be very successful at excellent Catholic high schools such as St. Xavier, Moeller, Ursuline, Mount Notre Dame and Bishop Fenwick. Thirty-two
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percent of last year’s eighth-grade class received academic recognition from some of the area’s best Catholic high schools. St. Michael strives to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which each child can fully develop his or her potential spiritually, academically and socially. Since St. Michael Catholic School is part of a faith community that gives witness to the gospel message of Jesus, teachers and staff make a conscious effort to integrate faith into the daily lives of their students. Weekly Mass and preparation for the Sacraments are a part of life at St. Michael. Art, music, PE, computers and Spanish are
an integral part of the curriculum at St. Michael, offering students even greater opportunities for growth and development. Most surrounding districts, including Lakota, Sycamore and Princeton, offer busing to St. Michael, which is conveniently located in the heart of Sharonville. In addition, our affordable Aftercare program allows flexibility for parents and caregivers. Registration is underway for the 2012-13 school year. For more information about St. Michael School, visit our website at www.stmichaelsharonville.org , call 513-554-3555, or visit us at our open house at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 2.
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ST. URSULA ACADEMY unleashes the potential of every student For more than100 years, St. Ursula has committed to helping young women unleash their potential through academic excellence, relationship and character building, and service rooted in Catholic values. With core values based on the teachings of Saint Angela Merici, SUA focuses on the whole person and the unique gifts of each individual. Each student is welcomed warmly into our community so she can enjoy an enriching and well-rounded high-school experience. Programs are in place to enhance the classroom work to help each student become a
woman of faith, integrity and courage committed to building a better world. The St. Ursula difference – it’s the reason students come from more than 90 grade schools across Greater Cincinnati to attend St. Ursula Academy. They know it’s where they will have the ultimate high school experience and when they graduate, they will be well-prepared for college and beyond. St. Ursula Academy is a nurturing, Catholic, educational community for girls in grades 9-12 and is considered a premier private girls’ high school in Greater Cincinnati. It’s known for helping its students
Welcoming family atmosphere
achieve success at all academic levels. The programs challenge students to become thinkers, leaders, nurturers and prophets.
Academics
SUA offers students a 21st-century college preparatory education which will prepare them for their future by incorporating creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration into the learning process. All courses at St. Ursula Academy are college preparatory. St. Ursula’s college-prep curriculum is challenging for students
and helps them build a solid education foundation in all critical areas. The faculty, staff and guidance team all offer support to the student to help her achieve success. Students report being well-prepared for college and beyond after completing the college-prep coursework at SUA. For students who desire an even more challenging curriculum, Honors-level courses are offered to eligible students. Honors courses are similar to their college-prep counterparts, but these classes move at a faster pace and delve deeper into the subject matter. Guidance counselors and
A tradition of rich student life and faith formation
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teachers assist each student in selecting the appropriate balance of college preparatory and honors coursework that is best suited to her.
Student Life
St. Ursula Academy believes balance is important. Students find they can pursue many interests at SUA beyond the classroom. There are more than 40 student clubs and organizations that include hobbies, fine arts, honor societies, community service and much more. There are also several teams in12 sports. There truly is something for everyone at SUA.
The Atmosphere is Welcoming
St. Ursula is a nurturing Catholic educational community where students thrive inside and outside of See ST. URSULA, Page 20
Critical thinkers well-prepared for college
93% of the Class of 2011 earned college scholarship offers in Academics, Leadership and Service, Fine Arts, or Athletics.
St. Ursula Academy Celebrates Catholic Schools Week! We are committed to educating young women of Faith, Integrity and Courage who are committed to building a better world.
We are St. Ursula. We are Unstoppable.
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For more information, contact Michelle Vonderhaar at: St. Ursula Academy Admissions Office 1339 E. McMillan St. (513) 961-3410 ext. 183 Cincinnati OH 45206 Become a fan on facebook: SUA Bulldogs www.saintursula.org Follow us on Twitter: SUABULLDOGS THE COMMUNITY PRESS / THE COMMUNITY RECORDER /// JANUARY 25, 2012 19
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Focusing on foreign language at ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST SCHOOL At St. John the Baptist School in Colerain Township, students are learning a second language long before high school. Students may choose either Spanish or Latin in grades 6-8. Although most students choose Spanish, Latin does draw some interest and smaller class sizes. With Latin, students learn the
roots of English words and also the roots of Western Civilization. Fr. Tim Kallaher, pastor at St. John’s Church, is the instructor for the Latin classes. Fr. Tim brings a strong knowledge to the classroom with an Master of Arts in Latin. St. John’s is also very fortunate to have Miss Anita Lukey as a full-time faculty member for its
4"$ -*1+ "13 5()"0%" 461**.
5375 Dry Ridge Road • Colerain Township • Grades Preschool - 8th
OPEN HOUSE
Thursday, February 2, 2012 Call the School Office at 385-7970 for more information.
Our Promise to You . . .
• A Christ Centered Education • Personal Attention from Faculty & Staff • Promoting Independence and Responsibility • Preparing Students for High School and Beyond
St. John the Baptist
†
Corpus Christi
†
CE-0000493414
www.stjohnbluejays.org
and the Pledge of Allegiance. “I try to make Spanish as creative and engaging as possible through the use of technology, projects, games, and activities,” said Ms. Lukey. With a program at the elementary level, students have the opportunity to test into a higher level language course when
entering high school. “Offering Latin and Spanish is just one of the many ways we strive to meet the needs of today’s students,” said the school’s principal, Ms. Catie Blum. St. John’s is hosting an open house 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2. To learn more, please call 513-385-7970 or visit www.stjohnbluejays.org.
St. Ursula
Krohn Conservatory, Eden Park, Playhouse in the Park, Cincinnati Art Museum and Mount Adams, all within walking distance. It’s easy to reach because it’s centrally located and many methods of transportation are available to our students.
inquiry and analysis. These skills give them self-confidence, high self-esteem and integrity. SUA graduates are aware of their own unique gifts and the responsibility they have to use these gifts to benefit themselves and others. Whatever a student’s hopes and dreams, St. Ursula Academy can help her achieve them. The guidance team begins to work personally with each student in her freshman year to help with the adjustment to high school and to make sure the classes fit the student. Student guidance continues every year to make sure each student is on track to meet her personal and education goals. In a student’s senior year, the guidance team offers many resources to assist with the college application and selection process, and the results are impressive. The slogan “We are St. Ursula. We are Unstoppable” applies to each student and her personal goals. SUA teaches every girl to have confidence, to believe in herself and to pursue her dreams and goals. Learn more today. Visit www.saintursula.org or call Michelle Vonderhaar at 513-961-3410 ext. 183.
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the classroom. Experienced and caring teachers, coaches and staff guide the students to build confidence, knowledge and friendships as part of their SUA experience. Ask an SUA student or parent or come see for yourself what makes St. Ursula so extraordinary. There are many opportunities to experience firsthand the SUA campus and state-of-the-art facilities, the talented teachers, the tradition and history, and the unforgettable feeling you get when you walk in the door. “When I walked through the school for the first time, it felt like home to me and I knew it was like no place I had ever been. I knew right away that this was the school for me,” said Julie, SUA junior.
Location, Location, Location
A Quality Catholic Education… A Great Place to Learn
Spanish classes. With Spanish, students learn vocabulary, grammar and culture of the 21 Spanishspeaking countries. Students participate in Spanish celebrations, like the Day of the Dead and Cinco de Mayo. They are able to speak, write, read and listen in Spanish. By eighth grade, students are wellversed in Catholic prayers
St. John Neumann
A Pastoral AreaSchool: School:Three Threeparishes...One parishes…Onecommitment commitment totoCatholic A Pastoral Area CatholicEducation Education
Located in one of the safest neighborhoods in Cincinnati, St. Ursula’s location offers many benefits. Located in the heart of the city’s cultural center, students benefit from the surrounding gems like the
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A Community for a Lifetime
Students develop friendships that last a lifetime. Class reunions and strong alumnae programs keep classmates and friends connected for life. It doesn’t take long for new and lasting friendships to form, whether incoming students know other girls on their first day or not. Our students become part of our family and feel nurtured by their caring teachers. Many students and graduates say they love the century-long traditions at St. Ursula Academy – from the freshman “beanie day” to the senior tea, and graduation in long white gowns and red roses. Upon graduation, students tell us they feel prepared for college. St. Ursula students are educated to be open-minded critical thinkers and lifelong learners who study all aspects of an issue and form opinions based upon
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Inspiring Individual Excellence at MOTHER OF MERCY As you read the many accounts of excellence within these pages, you find the common thread of Faith, Academics and Service woven throughout the tapestry of Cincinnati’s strong Catholic schools; and under this shared cloak of Christ, there’s great unity and oneness in our Missions. So what makes the schools different? The uniqueness of each is most often expressed through Vision and Culture. Mercy’s VISION is to be Greater Cincinnati’s preferred academic choice for individual
excellence that forms faith-filled women leaders for the 21st century, a Vision that Mercy has aggressively pursued with great success. Mercy is best structured to work from and with each girl’s individual strengths through gifted and differentiated instruction; an A/B collegiate-style block schedule; course levels for students as opposed to tracks; a Leading Scholars program with enhanced college counseling and extra test preparation; expansive Learning Services support; and countless ex-
tracurricular programs and clubs. Mercy’s extensive Tech-knowledgey program is one of its best examples of individuality in learning and cutting-edge distinction. With an emphasis on “tech-agility,” students are introduced to not just one device for 4 years, but an array of Macs, iPads, PCs, laptops, broadcasting equipment and mobile devices. And now, new students will even have their very own iPad with Mercy’s core set of educational apps to supplement classroom instruc-
tion and to use at home! One of the greatest opportunities the iPad provides students will be realized in Mercy’s technologically enhanced Individual Excellence Program which will enable a student, while still working with the Guidance Office, to track her own 4-year academic progress and personally help manage her college career path. Built into the Individual Excellence program will also be elements of leadership training and organizational/time management skills. No other school in
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Cincinnati, Catholic or public, provides such a unique, state-of-the-art learning environment that so specifically encourages Individual Excellence. The Mercy VISION inspires greatness within each and every girl. As a sponsored school of the Sisters of Mercy, Mother of Mercy’s CULTURE is one of true academic strength with high expectations – Christ-centered values, and respect for self and others. The atmosphere is warm, energetic and inviting, where a young woman’s character and confidence prospers. Both students and teachers alike are exceptional, never settling for status quo and, as a result, Mercy is always See VISION, Page 22
... where the power of the Holy Spirit INSPIRES the power within you.
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improving, always growing. Alumnae remain connected and involved in their alma mater, often returning with their professional talents to help, for example, with Mercy’s formidable Mock Trial Team. Or to work with Mercy’s award-winning theatre director in designing or choreographing the next smash musical. The only way to real-
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ly know this beautiful school of Mercy and all that it has to offer is to walk through its doors and engage with its people. The spirit of Mercy will embrace and uplift you. Often when students choose to attend Mercy, it’s because upon visiting, they immediately felt they belonged. Nowhere else had they felt so connected and so welcomed. By its Vision and Culture, Mother of Mercy inspires Individual Excellence. Come visit Mercy – come Be Inspired!
at school
Discover the
New school, DPCR, offers a unique partnership The virtues of a Catholic education are celebrated during National Celebration of Catholic Schools Week. But what about students who cannot afford to attend Catholic school? That’s the mission of DePaul Cristo Rey High School, the newest Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, sponsored by the Sisters of Charity. DPCR makes it possible for economically challenged students in our community to get a Catholic secondary education. Through its unique Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP), DPCR students share in the cost of an affordable, collegeprep high school education that can prepare them for success in col-
The DePaul Cristo Rey curriculum is college-prep and technology-based. All DPCR students receive and use Tablet PC computers. PROVIDED PHOTOS
lege, careers and life. They do this through a unique partnership with area businesses. All
DPCR students take classes four days a week in the computer-based, college preparatory academic program and five days a month, each student works in an entrylevel clerical position at a Greater Cincinnati business. “The CWSP helps students learn job skills, gain valuable real-world job experience, meet mentors and make corporate contacts who can play a critical role in their eventual college and career decisions,” explained Lisa Claytor, CWSP director. Currently, there are 24 businesses and nonprofit organizations serving as CWSP work sites this academic year. The full list of employers is available at www.depaulcristorey.org.
DIFFERENCE The AFFORDABLE choice for a Catholic, college-prep education where students learn as much on the job as they do in our classrooms.
Enrolling Now for the 2012-2013 School Year
CE-0000493563
www.depaulcristorey.org 513-861-0600 1133 Clifton Hills Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45220 SPONSORED BY THE SISTERS OF CHARITY OF CINCINNATI MEMBER OF THE CRISTO REY NETWORK DePaul Cristo Rey High School is an equal opportunity institution.
All DePaul Cristo Rey students participate in the school’s Corporate Work Study Program. Students work five days a month at companies around Greater Cincinnati, gaining valuable real-world job experience and contributing to the cost of their education.
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ST. AL’S IN BRIDGETOWN: Proud to be a small school with Big Possibilities While super-size meals, big-screen televisions and SUVs may be common, when it comes to schools, more and more parents have discovered that bigger isn’t necessarily better. St. Aloysius Gonzaga School in Bridgetown is proud to call itself the “small school with big possibilities.” St. Al’s small size gives life to the warm, positive atmosphere that parents and students find comfortable and welcoming. “The best word I can use to describe our experience so far at St. Al’s is ‘Wow.’ Every single per-
son we have met has been extremely friendly and that has really helped make our first experience with school special,” explains Vicki Harrell, a parent. She adds, “The teachers are incredible! You can really tell they care about their students and it is not just a job to them.” Another parent, Monica Alexander, put it simply, “Sometimes bigger isn’t always better.” At St. Al’s, “small” describes our class sizes so that our students find “big possibilities.” We divide several of our classes in grades 4-8 so
Chapter 1 Review Compare. Write = or ≠ in each
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that our teachers can focus on every student’s success. Math and Reading scores are in the top 10 percent in the nation and continue to improve. Graduates who return to visit consistently share positive comments including, “I just wanted to thank my teachers for preparing me so well for high school. My freshman year, even though basketball and volleyball took up a lot of my time, I held a 3.9 GPA and was able to keep up with my academic load, thanks to the preparation I had at St. Al’s.” State-of-the-art tech-
nology and diverse extracurricular offerings add to the academic emphasis. All students have regular access to the computer lab, mobile laptop and netbook labs, the interactive whiteboards in every room, as well as the automated library. The students’ access to learning technologies underlies the BIG possibilities for exploration and growth. Academic competitions, field trips, guest speakers and programs also regularly enhance lessons taught in the classrooms. These include Science Olympiad
(St. Al’s teams have advanced to state-level competition for the last three years), spelling and geography bees, speech contests and the Young Authors Night. St. Al’s understands a child’s need for “fun” and “play” to be embedded in the learning environment. Again this winter, students are participating in an in-school enrichment program that allows them to explore new interests. Students chose their enrichment topic from among offerings that have included calligSee ST. AL’S, Page 24
Mary
A+ Serving kindergarten through 8th grade.
OPEN HOUSE
1:30 pm January 29, 10 am -
ht Kindergarten Info Nig 0 pm January 26 at 7:0
ailable! After-school care av St. Aloysius Gonzaga School 513.574.4035 www.SaintAls.org/school
4390 Bridgetown Road, Cincinnati, OH 45211 CE-0000493457
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include setting up Skype accounts so the classes can see each other (although technology in those countries can be unreliable) and eventually meeting in person, if possible.
Academics
It is the mission of any school to educate its students, and the key to education is teachers. However, what separates good teachers from great
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ones is how they engage their students in the learning process. For Mrs. Peg Cassaro, that motivation comes from an online current events competition pitting her seventh- and eighth-graders against others from around the country. “We started participating in the News Bowl Online Challenge this year,” said Mrs. Cassaro, who teaches social studies. “It is 50 questions worth a total of 1,000 points. All the students are broken up into teams of four and five with 30
ST. Catharine of Siena
seconds to answer each question. We usually take six of the top 10 spots among Ohio’s 50 to 60 teams and place in the top 10 percent of the nation with 300-400 teams competing.” Mrs. Cassaro said the challenge fits into one of the primary tenets of the Archdiocesan curriculum to foster a constant awareness of American current events. Students have a weekly assignment to read an article, summarize it, and write an opinion. These articles provide background knowledge for the competition. Thus far, they are the only school competing in the Cincinnati area.
Service
All schools do more with less, but for a Catholic school like Lourdes, volunteers are critical. One such volunteer is responsible for more than doubling the size of its music program. Don Pisegna is a reOur Annual Version of Siena’s Famous Horse Race - The Palio!
St. Al’s Continued from Page 23
Catharine of Siena A Saint for 550 Years! Est
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raphy, creating a mosaic mural, sign language and chess. The program has proven to be very popular with students. Beyond the school day, St. Al’s offers students extracurricular programs in athletics, drama, Scouts, as well as an EClub that promotes environmental education. There is also the optional After-school Child Care program which includes structured time between 2:30-6 p.m. to complete homework assignments and engage in creative activities led by two facilitators. While everyone at St. Al’s is proud of the students’ academic success-
24 JANUARY 25, 2012 /// THE COMMUNITY PRESS / THE COMMUNITY RECORDER
Social Studies teacher Mrs. Cassaro and Our Lady of Lourdes students during the News Bowl. PROVIDED
tired executive with a background in music. A graduate of the Dana School of Music, he’s played with both the Youngstown and Cincinnati Symphony Orchestras. He was inspired to start a music program at Lourdes through an unfortunate incident. “I had a friend named Jack who was retired and played the trumpet,” said Pisegna. “He encouraged me to play, and I really began to enjoy it. Well, he passed away and his wife
asked me to play at the funeral.” The service was at Lourdes. Afterward, the music director asked if he could play regularly. One thing led to another, and he started offering music lessons at the school. Today, he leads the school band. “I wanted to nurture the ‘music seeds’ in all these kids and watch them grow. The instrumental program has already made a difference in these kids’ lives.”
es and extracurricular participation, the school community’s greatest achievement is its expression of the Catholic faith and values that underlie the curriculum and all programs. St. Al’s School has strong support from the St. Al’s Parish community; the faculty and staff take seriously their role as the parents’ partner in promoting the parish mission: “to know Christ, to love Christ, to bring others to Christ.” In addition to daily religious instruction, sacramental preparation, and participation in weekly Mass, the students put their faith in action through numerous community service opportunities offered at all grade levels. Come see for yourself all of the big possibilities
our small school has to offer. Plan to attend the St. Al’s open house 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29. If you are seeking an outstanding kindergarten for your child, St. Al’s offers fullor half-day options. A Kindergarten Information Night will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26 . For new families, registration for the 2012-13 academic year begins at our Open House and continues through Catholic Schools Week until Friday, Feb. 3. You are welcome to visit our Web site at www.saintals.org/school or call the school at 513574-4035 for more information. Personal tours can be easily scheduled as well as the opportunity to meet with staff or faculty members.
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MCAULEY HIGH SCHOOL: The Brilliance of Balance McAuley High School is a comprehensive Catholic school for young women, sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas. McAuley has a 51-year
history of academic excellence and designated a National Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Department of Education. McAuley exemplifies
the importance of a strong Catholic education that ensures each student is given the opportunity to grow and develop in faith and spirituality, as well as
McAuley's 2011-12 vocal ensemble will compete at the World Choir Games in July. PROVIDED
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the tools needed to succeed to her fullest academic potential. McAuley values each student’s individual and unique gifts, talents and needs, and truly engages young women to have the “Brilliance of Balance” through academics, extra-curricular activities and athletics.
Academics enhanced by Tablet PC Program
Opening up the world to young women, McAuley implements the most current technological advances within a rigorous academic curriculum. McAuley prides itself on being a leader in cuttingedge technology with the Tablet PC program, whereby all incoming freshmen purchase a personal computer through McAuley. Each computer is equipped with a learningmanagement system that allows students and teach-
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ers to dynamically collaborate and communicate.
Brilliance of Balance
McAuley students exemplify the “Brilliance of Balance,” by combining involvement in service projects, athletics and fine arts performances with academics. to achieve a unique and successful high school experience. Students have the opportunity to participate in a plethora of clubs, activities and sports, including McAuley’s nationally recognized Women In program, a groundbreaking way for our young women to receive exposure and mentorship in areas of medicine, engineering and law.
Green Team Is Unique One unique student organization is McAuley’s
See MCAULEY, Page 26
surround yourself with support Academic excellence. Unique “Women in Medicine/Engineering/Law” programs. Courses to meet every student’s need. Personal growth. Lifelong relationships. Surround yourself with a caring, Catholic community.
McAuley High School
THE BRILLIANCE OF BALANCE
6000 Oakwood Avenue / Cincinnati, OH 45224 513.681.1800 www.mcauleyhs.net
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ST. TERESA OF AVILA SCHOOL is a strong faith-filled community St. Teresa of Avila School is driven to push our students to achieve academic excellence rooted in a faith-filled environment. Small class sizes allow for direct instruction for each child. This, combined with the school’s enriching curriculum, has led many St. Teresa students to earn academic scholarships
for high school. The curriculum is aided by the teachers’ use of technology in every classroom. St. Teresa has been a parish for 100 years, but its classrooms are modern. All classrooms have smartboards and the teachers have access to a classroom set of laptops. The staff uses the technology to push the
students into developing critical-thinking skills as well as mastering content. St. Teresa shares with the family the responsibility of developing faith-filled students. This is accomplished with unparalleled parental involvement that creates a strong community. In this community your child will have many opportunities to enrich their learning. Weekly Math Enrich-
ment and daily Language Arts Enrichment are offered to those students who qualify. In addition, St. Teresa offers many extra-curricular activities that will develop in your child the talent to serve others, as well as grow academically. The Green Club, Science Olympics, the Bible Bowl, School Newspaper and History Fair are just some of the opportunities that will allow your child the op-
McAuley
resenting more than 65 grade schools, attend McAuley to pursue an academic curriculum balanced with activities such as Vocal Ensemble, which is one of McAuley’s shining stars in the performing arts. Each year, young women compete for the 15 spots in Vocal Ensemble, which has traveled to New York, St. Louis, Chicago, New York, Nashville, Orlando and Toronto to perform and compete. Vocal Ensemble has won numerous Gold Awards at the national competitions and, in 2009, McAuley was named the National Grand Champions of the Music Festivals Competition in Nashville, Tenn. This award qualified them as the best show choir in the entire U. S., and because of their national ranking, the group was invited to compete in the prestigious World Choir Games in July.
Continued from Page 25
Open House Sunday
January 29, 2012 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. Now registering students in grades K-8 EdChoice School After school care available Small class sizes Smartboards in all classrooms Reading and Math Enrichment St. Teresa of Avila School 1194 Rulison Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45238
(513)471-4530
CE-0000493452
www.stteresa.net
Green Team, which promotes sustainability and organizes schoolwide environmental initiatives. Items recycled daily at McAuley include aluminum cans; pop tabs; plastic and glass bottles; plastic bottle caps of all kinds (which are donated to Ronald McDonald House); paper; cardboard; paper and plastic lunch bags; and “technotrash” such as batteries, old CDs and cellphones. Items collected for reuse include clothing, books and shoes, which are donated to charitable organizations. This year, McAuley’s Green Team opened a studentrun, Reusable Free Store,where students can get lightly used school supplies. The recycling and reusing by all the students has reduced total trash, and because all students use the Tablet PC, the use of paper has also greatly decreased.
Vocal Ensemble Shining Stars
Current students, rep-
26 JANUARY 25, 2012 /// THE COMMUNITY PRESS / THE COMMUNITY RECORDER
“Women In” Program One of McAuley High School’s three innovative Women In programs is Women in Medicine, a 4-year academic program and partnership with Mercy Hospital in Mount Airy.
portunity to grow and help others. St. Teresa is able to meet the needs of most families. Structured after-school care is offered Monday through Friday from 2:30-6 p.m. Also, St. Teresa offers to all families $30,000 in scholarships and $50,000 in financial aid. Upon graduation, St. Teresa students have available the Vogel Scholarship, a program that distributes approximately $100,000 annually to graduates who attend designated high schools and colleges. The Vogel Scholarship is evidence that St. Teresa School is a strong, faith-filled community. Students explore careers in health care through monthly seminars and volunteering at the hospital, supplemented by taking Honors or Advanced Placement science and math courses. Seminars are tailored each year and include hands-on projects such as mammograms and heart disease prevention; procedural observations including surgery and endoscopy; and discussions with medical personnel on women’s health, plastic surgery, family medicine, general surgery, diabetes, infection control, among others.
Encircling Students
McAuley students are given the opportunities to truly define themselves. They are consistently challenged, but also encouraged to develop their unique gifts. McAuley faculty and staff are committed to each individual student’s success. A supportive, family-like atmosphere equips young women with confidence and empowerment. As a result, McAuley graduates are mature and compassionate women impacting their communities.
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RESURRECTION is a beacon of hope in Price Hill Resurrection School in Price Hill is a beacon of hope in a changing neighborhood. The schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capacity is 180 and currently enrolls 172 children, 96 percent of whom live in poverty. The students recently collected 1,300 items for the neighborhood Food Pantry. The students know the parish pastor Fr. Bob well because he comes into each classroom weekly and teaches the students.
Fr. Bob Keller distributes food daily to the people who come to his door. He does this personally, as he has no secretary. The small parish also tries to assist by bringing food every Sunday when they come to Mass. The mission of the school and the parish is to reach out to the poor. The parishioners, the faculty and the school families take that mission to heart!
Father Bob teaching in the sacristy. PROVIDED PHOTOS Students recently collected 1,300 items for the food pantry in Price Hill.
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Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012
Prospective K & Gr. 1 Students 9:30-11:00 a.m. Current St. A Students after 11:30 Mass
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ST. GABRIEL CONSOLIDATED SCHOOL: A nationally recognized 2010 Blue Ribbon School In 1867, St. Gabriel Church located in Glendale, Ohio, and the Sisters of Charity honed a partnership and created a school on Sharon Avenue next to the church. While the physical structure of the school may have changed over time and the
grade levels served may have changed, the reality is that St. Gabriel Consolidated School has served the greater community well, both in faith formation and academic quality. The school has proudly established its mission as a Quality Learning Place
18 West Sharon Avenue • Glendale, OH 45246 www.stgabeschool.org Joe Epplen, Principal 513-771-5220 St. Gabriel Consolidated School is a Catholic Christian elementary school serving a diverse education community. We are dedicated to nurturing the WHOLE child by providing a quality learning experience. Together with the parishes of St. Gabriel, St. John (West Chester), St. Matthias and St. Maximilian Kolbe, we assist parents in the Christian formation of our students.
OPEN HOUSE: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
2010 Nationally Recognized Blue Ribbon School
• Fully Accredited • All Day Kindergarten thru 8th Grade • Algebra 8 • Spanish K-8 • Advanced Technology • Daily Hot Lunch Program • After School Latchkey CE-0000493515
and has proven the strength of the school’s legacy. St. Gabriel serves approximately 430 students in a kindergarten- through eighth-grade structure. Limiting our class sizes to 25 students allows us to educate as many as 50 students in each grade level. Our kindergarten is an all-day program, which enables the development of social skills, reading and math readiness, and a strong sense of foundational faith formation. Our students in all grades thrive on the opportunity to use interactive technology, guided by a knowledgeable, sincere and experienced staff. Ninety-three percent of our graduating eighthgraders attend Catholic high schools and, over the past several years, have been offered scholarships which have exceeded the $150,000 mark on an annual basis. Beginning in kindergarten and extending through eighth grade, our students benefit from weekly classes in Spanish, Art, Music, Physical Education and Computers in addition to the core subjects of Religion, English, Reading, Social Studies, Science and Math. Our curriculum is Archdiocesan-approved and grounded in the core standards established by the Ohio Department of Education. In 2010, St. Gabriel Consolidated School was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, one of 50 private schools selected for this honor
28 JANUARY 25, 2012 /// THE COMMUNITY PRESS / THE COMMUNITY RECORDER
In 2010, St. Gabriel Consolidated School was recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, one of 50 private schools selected for this honor from schools across the nation.
Jaelyn Reid, Cameryn Jones and Tess Wagner showing the result of eating blue ice cream in celebration of our Blue Ribbon Award. PROVIDED PHOTOS
Ben Remke shows he's proud to be a student of a nationally recognized 2010 Blue Ribbon School.
from schools across the nation. St. Gabriel Consolidated School remains prideful of its heritage and continues to draw strengths from collaborative teachers who continue to provide outstanding learning opportunities for our students and from willing parents who are steadfast in providing the
necessary resources and personal time to enhance the success of our school. To sample the benefit of attendance at St. Gabe’s, please join us for our open house on Wednesday, Feb. 1 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Or feel free to call the school at 513-771-5220 to arrange a personal tour of the school during school hours.
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ST. JUDE SCHOOL is driven by faith and inspired to learn Designation as a Catholic school is not taken lightly at St. Jude School in Bridgetown. “It’s not just a label that we attach to ourselves,” says first-year principal Lou Eichhold. “When we say that we are driven by faith, we mean it. We teach our students to read, write, and do math really well, but if they’re not good Catholics when they leave here, we haven’t
done our job,” remarks Eichhold. Each year, Fr. Eric Bowman, the pastor of St. Jude parish, selects a religious theme. This year’s is “Sing With Me How Great Is Our God,” based on the popular contemporary Christian song by Chris Tomlin. The PTO provides T-shirts for each student that convey this theme and they are worn on the first Friday of
every month. The song is also used liturgically in most of the Masses and incorporated into many of Fr. Bowman’s homilies. “Sing With Me How Great Is Our God” is not the only religious phrase heard consistently throughout the school. “A piece of scripture that I often like to use with the students is from Philippians,” says Eichhold. “ ‘I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me.’ Whether they are preparing to tackle a difficult concept, prepare for a test, or simply get through a tough day, I like to remind them that Christ is always at their side and is there to help them.” To strengthen the school as a faith community, students also meet in S.T.A.R.S. groups (Stu-
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dents Teams Acting with Respect Successfully) on a monthly basis. These groups are composed of one child from each grade level led by the eighthgrade student for the purpose of building a community of respect and service. Each of the S.T.A.R.S. meetings is based around a facet of respect. These meetings often involve the completion of a smallgroup service project. Last month, students each brought in a different item to create care packages for some of the residents at West Park nursing home. See ST. JUDE, Page 32
Building faith, values St. Aloysius and academics at O N T H E O H I O ST. ALOYSIUS ON THE OHIO A small school Sayler Park
St. Aloysius on the Ohio is a small school situated along the scenic Ohio River Valley in the historic Sayler Park area of Cincinnati. The school has a proven track record of academic excellence for the past 137 years. Strong family values and involvement is a key ingredient for the successes at the school. Small class sizes allow more individualized attention for students from an outstanding professional staff committed to the success of each individual child. The school offers competitive tuition rates, accepts Ed. Choice scholarship students, and offers a preschool program for 3- and 4-yearolds, with both halfand all-day options. In recent years, major renovations have been made to the school building, including central air-
Enrichment activities are offered through athletics, and the school boasts one of the best Accelerated Reader programs in the area.
conditioning, soundproof ceilings, new windows and student lockers. This year, the students are in the process of winning a national reading contest through “Family Magazine” worth $5,000, the result of the superior Accelerated Reader and Library program in place at the school. This past fall, St. Al’s was one of only 34 schools in the nation selected to win the NFL Play 60 contest, which resulted in a $10,000 check to help the promote health and wellness at the school. The students at St. Aloysius enjoy a safe, nurturing environment
that encourages mutual respect and selfdiscipline. Students receive a full complement of the “Arts,” taking Music/Physical Education twice and Art one time each week. Students with special needs receive accommodations through support services from a Speech Pathologist and an Intervention Specialist. Enrichment activities are offered through athletics, and the school boasts one of the best Accelerated Reader programs in the area. A solid faithbased Catholic education with Religion class daily and allschool Masses weekly are key ingredients that contribute to the outstanding reputation of the school. Please call 513-9417831 or 513-941-3445 to schedule a personal tour and receive an information packet.
Open House
where big results are achieved!
Wednesday
• Proven record of academic excellence
February 1
• Strong Catholic values
7:00 PM
• Family atmosphere • Small class size • Competitive tuition • Ed Choice School • Classroom Smart Boards • Pre K (3 & 4) year old program with half & all day options. • Top Ranked Accelerated Reader/Reading Program
6207 Portage St.
941-7831 www.saoto.org
Call today for a personal tour
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ENGINEERING Their Future
Mount Notre Dame engineers explore a project's earthquake simulator. PROVIDED PHOTOS
Mount Notre Dame science teacher and degreed engineer Michelle Shafer moves through her lab, checking-in on students working on a task simulating how engineers might tackle a challenge. Shafer’s class is determining how two separate parts work together in a larger design of a product. The students are using SolidWorks™, the same software professionals in the industry use to create models, drawings and animations of their designs. “SolidWorks is a program to which our stu-
Engineer students begin construction of a structure made from straw that withstands the force of an earthquake whose magnitude was not shared with the students until after the challenge. 30 JANUARY 25, 2012 /// THE COMMUNITY PRESS / THE COMMUNITY RECORDER
dents are not only getting exposed, but are also mastering,” said Mrs. Shafer. “MND’s future engineers will be more prepared as they enter college with experience in 3-D CAD software. This technology allows students to experience the process a real engineer follows in developing her design.” Working with industry-standard technology is not new for MND engineering students. From the beginning of the program 5 years ago, Mount Notre Dame has brought the outside world into MND’s science labs, giving its students realworld knowledge and application of engineering principles. Later, Shafer assigns students their next challenge: construct a twostory building made of straws that can withstand the force of an earthquake. She turns on an earthquake-simulating device and informs her students that their structure must remain intact for 10 seconds while on the contraption. “There’s a twist,” she smiles. “You don’t know the magnitude of the earthquake you’re going to get!” MND’s engineers love a challenge! “I really enjoy thinking critically,” senior Sam Fisher shares. “This year, I have learned perseverance. We have been given tasks that might seem impossible, but I have learned to work through them. Anything can be solved if you put in the effort and work through the challenges that arise.” Sam is one of many
students in Mount Notre Dame’s engineering program who plans to pursue a career in the field. She is confident that MND’s project-based course of study will give her an advantage over other high school graduates with similar ambitions. Unlike other classes where the teacher walks students through solutions, MND students are tasked with devising the solution on their own. “I will already be familiar with the requirements of an engineer and know how to work effectively in a team. I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect and love the feeling when I see my design work successfully,” she says. MND’s success in engineering is noteworthy. According to a National Science Foundation study, of all college freshmen, 29 percent of males and only 15 percent of females majored in engineering-related fields. MND’s statistics tell a much different story, with more than 30 percent of recent graduates majoring in these disciplines. Shafer’s students praise her determination to increase the number of women in traditionally male-dominated STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers. Mrs. Shafer exposes her students to all of the disciplines in engineering, illustrating the important impact the field has on our society. “These courses introduce young women to the good that engineers do,” Shafer shares. “It has been thought that women don’t choose engineering because it isn’t a nurturing profession. I hope to show them that by choosing this field, they have the opportunity to make the world a better place. What could be more nurturing than that?”
Mount Notre Dame
Imagine What YOU Can Be With MND!
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mndhs.org
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ST. JUDE SCHOOL is driven by faith Continued from Page 29
On the academic side, results from the Iowa Test of Basic Skills indicate that the students as a group perform at or above predicted levels on nearly every subtest. This reveals that students are achieving higher levels than what is expected for their abilities. Furthermore, the gradelevel percentile scores on these subtests are almost all in the 60s and 70s. This indicates a high-performing school. Eichhold explains some of the reasons for the academic success. “First of all, a strong base in literacy and numeracy is required for student success throughout their educational careers. The class sizes in our primary grades
are capped at just 20 students. This gives the teachers many opportunities to interact with their students at each child’s individual level.” Eichhold went on to explain that there is a high level of collegiality and specialization among the teachers. “Primary teachers are collaborating more and more every day and the fourth- through eighthgrade teachers are typically only responsible for two core content areas. This allows for a team-based approach when helping students learn, but also allows teachers to focus instruction in areas in which they have the most professional competence.” Every K-8 classroom is also equipped with an interactive smartboard, which greatly enhances
the quality of the instructional presentations. The school has about 470 students, which makes it big enough that special services can be provided, but small enough that kids and adults know each other. The special services include reading and math intervention, learning disabilities tutoring, math and general enrichment, speech pathology and school psychology. St. Jude also employs a full-time registered nurse, which is very uncommon for schools our size. Students attend physical education, computer, art and music classes at least once a week, taught by an experienced teacher. The music program is fairly typical until sixth grade, where it takes a
rather original turn. Sixthgrade students at St. Jude learn to play the guitar, seventh-grade students learn to play the keyboard, and eighth-grade students put their knowledge of these two instruments together along with drums to form rock bands. All this time, students continue to study musical concepts like pitch, harmony, chords. Besides what happens in the classroom, St. Jude School has a very impressive campus and facilities. A state-of-the-art science lab, only a few years old, allows the teachers to provide excellent experiences in this area. The school has a small auditorium and a cafeteria that serves hot catered meals daily. The Parish Center,
now 5 years old, contains a large library and computer lab, the music and art rooms, and arguably the best elementary school gym in the city. Access to this facility, along with a newly remodeled smaller gym and several athletic fields allow for a full complement of sports. “We have great academics and faith development, but I really think that our greatest asset as a school and parish is our strong sense of community,” parent Mary Berger adds. “I felt it the first day I stepped in the school. The support our PTO gives us is second to none, our parents are extremely supportive, and most importantly, our kids love coming to school here. In both times of joy and difficulty, our community members rally around each other and offer support that literally changes lives.”
5940 Bridgetown Rd. Cincinnati, OH 45248 513/598-2100 www.stjudebridgetown.org
Driven by Faith, Inspired to Learn Open House Sunday, January 29, 2012 | Noon to 2:00 p.m. Half day kindergarten with optional extended day program | Before and after school care available 20 students per homeroom in grades K-3 | Fully equipped science lab SmartBoards in all classrooms | Outstanding Iowa test scores
Now registering students in grade K-8
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