THE SCEPTRE Volume 23, Number 3
Summer 2014
A Publication of Christ the King School, Nashville, TN • A Primary Education Ministry of Christ the King Parish
• Miss Auerweck’s Retirement Party • End of the Year Events • 2014 Distinguished Graduate
A MESSAGE FROM MRS. WOODMAN Dear Families and Friends, The school year always seems to end with a multitude of celebrations and this year is no exception at Christ the King. Our second and eighth grade students received the sacraments of Eucharist and Confirmation this past month. Not only were those events notable, but having the little ones join us for Holy Communion at school Mass while the oldest students served as Eucharistic ministers was special indeed. Many students were honored at the annual Academic Banquet and End of Year Awards for their accomplishments in classes, attendance, extracurricular activities, and sports. We also proudly presented the Distinguished Graduate Award to Mr. Joseph Maddux, class of 1939, and the Excellence in Teaching Award to another special graduate, Mrs. Rachel Mathew. I was thrilled to announce that all of the students collectively read close to 80,000,000 words in our Accelerated Reader Program, with the seventh grade winning our new Principal’s Cup for the class reading the most words! This trophy will stay with their class until next year’s awards when it will be passed to the new winners. Seven returning students received scholarships during the academic banquet, recognizing gifts and talents in math, art, music, overall academics, Christian values, service, and leadership. After passing the “Light of Leadership” to the seventh grade class in a ceremony on the last day of school, the class of 2014 graduated in style. Seven students were awarded high school scholarships at graduation and eighteen received Presidential Awards for Outstanding Educational Excellence or Achievement. Class officers Carolyn Darke and India McKenzie gave a touching farewell speech punctuated with a loving hug at the end. We wish the graduates well as they begin their high school careers at Father Ryan High School, St. Cecilia Academy, Hillsboro High School and Hume Fogg Academic Magnet. Christ the King honored retiring technology teacher, Miss Diane Auerweck, for her 37 devoted years of teaching, with an elegant reception on June 1. Staff, parishioners, current and former parents and students gathered in Marian Hall to wish Diane well and show her the love and gratitude we feel for her. Reuniting with former CKS staff such as Janet Hamlett, Maureen Hicks, Pat Green, Alice Valiquette, Alice Eadler, Joan Vienneau, Cathy Sharbel, and Mary Ann Wieck created a chance for fond memories to be shared. We will miss Diane, but she promises to volunteer after she retires. The summer brings time to reflect on our blessings and plan updates for the school. Our library will receive a technology facelift with mobile devices for student use, an Epson Interactive Projector and white board, a laptop for presentations, and a color printer. We want the library to facilitate the student’s research, production, and presentation assignments. The Student Council selected several pieces of new playground equipment to promote safety and engage elementary and middle school students in active group play. Look for a Tidal Wave free-standing play unit in the gravel area and two tetherball units on the perimeter of the field. Grades 6-8 will be getting new desks and chairs to facilitate room rearrangement for group vs. individual activities. All of the mentioned celebrations and updates are possible due to participation in the Annual Fund by our community, in addition to our school fundraisers, the Belmont Community Art Show and A Crown Affair. These activities support our operating budget, but also fund the “extras” that make school motivating and fun for learners. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone in our community who has contributed, whether large or small, to providing these blessings for our school. You are making a difference for our students! Sincerely, Mrs. Sherry Woodman Principal
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Letter from Mrs. Woodman.................2 CKS Happenings.................................3 Student/Alumni News.........................4 Celebrating Miss Auerweck...............5 Sacraments 2014.................................6 Spring Concert ....................................7 Dates to Remember .............................8
Planning a reunion? Let us know! Email Jeanette Neuhoff Vogt, Class of 1976, at jeanette.vogt@ctk.org with any news or events. We would love to hear what our alumni are doing! On the cover: Miss Diane Auerweck was honored at a reception on June 1st for her 37 years of dedication, and said a few words to those in attendance.
CKS HAPPENINGS Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Awards: Out of the nine School-Level Winners of the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting Contest, Christ the King School had five State-Level Winners whose entries are being sent to compete at the National level. Congratulations to all of our winners, and to the StateLevel winners: Faith Geshwiler (3rd grade), Ben Strobel (5th grade), Rebecca Darke (6th grade), Taylor Thurman (7th grade), and Pace Dyches (8th grade). pictured at left: Faith Geshwiler, Brooks Robertson (1st grade), Ava Francescon (Kindergarten), Ben Strobel, Rebecca Darke, Taylor Thurman, Susanna Donnelly (4th grade), and Pace Dyches. Not pictured: Micho Azar (2nd grade).
2014 Distinguished Graduate: The Distinguished Graduate from Christ the King School for 2014 is Mr. Joseph Maddux. We honored Mr. Maddux and hosted several of his family members at our Academic Banquet, where he spoke a few words about his days at Christ the King and since. Mr. Maddux graduated from Christ the King School in 1939.
8th Grade: The eighth grade traveled to South Bend, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois this year. They had a great visit with Dr. Christine Caron Gebhardt as well as a personal tour of Notre Dame University, and wonderful memories were made during their tour of Chicago. www.ctk.org/school
The Teacher Award of Excellence was awarded this year to PreK Teacher/Alumnae, Rachel McKenzie Mathew (‘91). The award is given based on votes of fellow teachers for excellence in teaching. Rachel has been back on the CKS campus for the past three years since the PreK came to join us. She has been instrumental in growing the program and making it quite popular. Rachel and her husband Rich have three children: Tristan (‘12), McKenzie, rising 8th, and Isabella, rising 1st.
STUDENT AND ALUMNI NEWS Spelling Bee Winners and Participants
At left: Rising 8th grader, Ally Frost, will represent us at the Metro Spelling Bee in the fall. Runner-up and rising 8th grader, Rachel Cullison, will attend with Ally as an alternate. Fifth grader, Henry Zenor, won the Division I Spelling Bee. Below: All of the spelling bee participants and winners posed for a picture.
Visiting Author Laura Lowman Murray: The third grade was treated to a visit from children’s book author, Laura Lowman Murray. Laura is an alumnae from the CKS Class of 1984, and author of The Gingerbread Man series of books. She is also a former student of Miss Auerweck, and was able to visit with her as well as former classmate, Marlo Ross. Above, clockwise: Laura with Miss Auerweck and Marlo; running a quiz bowl with third graders; posing with former classmates’ children; and showing her CKS cheerleading photo to the 3rd grade.
www.ctk.org/school
CELEBRATING MISS AUERWECK
37 Years of Dedication
Our beloved computer teacher, and former 5th grade teacher, Miss Diane Auerweck, retired after 37 years of service and dedication to Christ the King School. Former students and faculty members, as well as current students and faculty stopped in to wish her well.
www.ctk.org/school
SACRAMENTS 2014
www.ctk.org/school
SPRING CONCERT
www.ctk.org/school
DATES TO REMEMBER July 31 5:00p New Student Buddy Party August 4 5:00p New Kindergartener Picnic 6 9:00a-12:00p Registration Day/ Open House 7 5:00p New PreK Student Picnic 11 First Day of School - Full Day 18 First Full Day for Pre-K and K 27 6:00p H&S Open House Dinner
September 1 Labor Day 6 CKS Garage Sale/CTK Community Festival October 3-4 Belmont Community Celebration of Art Show & Sale Featured Artist Lisa McReynolds November 8 Women’s Council Dinner
The students and faculty had a surprise visit from the Notre Dame cheerleaders and band who were in town for the Women’s Final Four Basketball Championships.