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Saint Columbkille Partnership School
SPIRIT
President’s Message Dear Alumni and Friends: St. Columbkille School is a vibrant and nurturing place. Over the past few years, St. Columbkille has evolved into a community of learners and leaders doing something new every day and creating an awe-inspiring legacy of which all Alumni can be proud. I encourage you, if you have the opportunity, to visit the school. Alongside the old lunch box ‘cubbies’ you will find rolling computer labs and the latest curriculum. It has become an unparalleled balance of yesterday and today. The pre-school at St. Columbkille has expanded throughout the entire lower level (Garden Level) of the school. A virtual ‘garden’ of young children beginning to bloom. Each year becomes more exciting at St. Columbkille!
Spring 2010 A Tradition of Excellence
Coming back to St. Columbkille with my own children was a surreal experience. Bringing my four-yearold son to his first day of kindergarten in 1997, I found myself walking down the halls I had walked down so many times during my years at “St. Cols.” Together we passed walls lined with the coat hooks to the classroom. Opening the same towering, heavy door, the black phone receiver hanging on the wall, the difference being the room is now filled with toys and children’s books. My 12-year-old son is currently a 7th grade student and we’ve experienced the school go through many changes over the years. Some changes have been exciting and some have been difficult. All things considered, my children have had wonderful experiences at St. Columbkille. They are fortunate, as we are, to have an elementary school that will be there for them and their children for many years to come. The past few years have been difficult years for many of us and our families – the financial crisis, job losses and health scares have taken a toll on peoples’ spirits. However, I am so proud to say the St. Columbkille Alumni community has been outstanding in giving back and supporting St. Columbkille. Unlike other schools in the Allston/Brighton community that sadly had to close their doors, St. Columbkille is fortunate to have an active and supportive Alumni Association. Through donations and participation in school functions, such as the annual Christmas Bazaar and calendar raffles, St. Columbkille continues to thrive. The St. Columbkille Partnership School website (www.stcolumbkilleschool.net) is a work in progress. Hopefully soon it will be an interactive site which will incorporate all divisions of the School, including the Alumni, to aid Alumni in planning events, post stories, memories and much more. Many alumni have been reunited with classmates and old friends on Facebook. Several reunions and events have been planned as a result. It is exciting to see how active the Alumni are and how proud and dedicated they are to St. Columbkille. I invite each of you to participate in our Alumni Association. If you cannot be an active member of the Association, there are other ways to give back. Donations to our appeals and telethons as well as joining us for upcoming Alumni events are just a few. On behalf of the entire Alumni Association, thank you for your ongoing support. Sincerely,
Andrea Frawley Whalen ’83 Grammar School, ’87 High School
ST. COLUMBKILLE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 25 Arlington Street Brighton, MA 02135 www.saintcols.com 617-254-0522 info@stcolumbkilleschool.net
In Memoriam This list includes alumni reported to the Alumni Association since the last published newsletter (Spring 2006). 1936 1936 1938 1939 1939 1940 1941 1943 1943 1943 1944 1946 1950 1951 1951 1951 1951 1952 1952 1952 1952 1952 1953 1953 1953 1954 1954 1954 1955 1956 1957 1957 1957 1958 1958 1958 1959 1959 1959 1959 1959 1960 1960 1960 1960 1960 1961 1961 1961 1961 1961 1962 1962 1963 1964 1964 1965 1966 1968 1970 1971 1972 1972 1972 1972 1972 1973 1974 1975 1975 1975 1979 1981 1988 1989
Frederick Cusick Dorothy McMahon Barber Monica Burke Sr Mary Andrew (Ann) Galvin Daniel McDonald Helen McAlinden Sheridan Charles McDermott Nora Burns Howley Mary Lenihan Theresa O’Toole Vigneault Paul Buckley James Twomey Mary Cusick Strouter James Golden Mary Keaveny Garganta Owen Meegan Barbara Welsh Cawley George (Franny) Cook Richard Darwin Rev. Daniel P. Hegarty Sheila Tierney McHugh Robert Wright Eleanor Connolly Jeanne Prendergast Polamino Donald Sullivan Elizabeth Kozlowski Cedrone Helen Ellis Sullivan Ann (Nancy) Williams Francis Burke...11 / 23 / 07 Ann Mulholland Harrington Charles Doyle John Dwyer William Holleran Thomas Burke James Keaney John Timmins James Balboni David Casey James O’Malley Roger Padden Dorothy Quinlan Kirby Joseph Baldwin Mary Baxter Smith Joan Curtin Maguire Paul Flaherty Janice Oversen Bemis Virginia Connors Raynor Clara ( Snookie ) Kelliher James O’Leary Barbara Polselli Madruga Edward Supple Geraldine Bonner Deragon Maureen Kane Leighton Alfred Padden Stephen Malames Barbara Shaw Nunez Karen Lundberg Trischitta Thomas Raeke James McGranachan Robert Flaherty Paul Sullivan Mark Conway Claire Donahue James Gannon Richard McCauley Lucille Salvucci Holbrook Martha Newell Tamulynas Stephen Tocci Daniel Enright Richard Panzica Barbara Toland Galvin Stephen Dawe Alfred Pagliocca Richard O’Brien Paul McWhinnie
If someone should have been included here, please let the Alumni Association know.
Patty Maye Wheeler, Class of 1968, sent in a note since the last newsletter, letting us know that she has been Mrs. Santa in Cincinnati for many years and has delivered (in a single night!) 17,000 toys, all bought by her best friend and her husband, to the needy children in the inner James Kazanjian, Class of 1965, got city. She said, “I have THE best job as I put hats in touch with the Alumni Association and gloves (our gift) on children and get lots back in 2007 (not long after the last of hugs in return.” Earlier that year, she was in newsletter was published) to share his Washington, DC in June where her friend Gail news. Jim, who has changed his last was honored with the Jacqueline Kennedy name to ‘Montana’ and now lives in Onassis Award from the Jefferson Foundation Virginia, had come closer to his lifelong which is the Nobel Prize of volunteerism. dream of running the Boston Marathon, Patty had the chance to meet with Kathleen finishing his first marathon in Charlotte Kennedy Townsend, too. NC in December 2006 in 4 hours 54 minutes. His goal when he wrote to us was to qualify for the Boston Marathon From website postings: in 2008. Maybe he’ll post an update on Pat Baccari Campbell Brazil, Class of the Alumni Association message board! 1960, reported the birth of her first great grandchild. Kiera Elizabeth If you have any news you want to share, arrived in late January, weighing 8lbs please send it in, either to the school or 15oz and measuring 21 inches long. post it on our website. Congratulations to Pat and her entire family!
News of Alumni Around the World
News from the Home & School Association The students and staff at St. Columbkille recently completed a fun-filled Catholic Schools Week, which included Stop, Drop and Read, Pajama Day and Grandparent Appreciation Day, among other activities. The week concluded with morning Mass and an afternoon of pig races in a gym filled with cheering students. (Don’t worry the pigs were mechanical.) As the school year kicked off, Home and School planned the annual Halloween Party. The attendance was one of the largest ever with students participating in crafts and games. The excitement spread as a number of teachers dressed up to the theme of The Wizard Of Oz. Luckily, there was no Wicked Witch in our midst; however, the 8th grade did cause quite a stir with their super scary Haunted House. We’ve been thrilled to experience an increase in family participation this year. This was evident during our traditional Thanksgiving Lunch. Armies of moms, dads and grandparents served students and teachers a delicious turkey dinner as we, as a school, recognized our many blessings. This family involvement has spilled over into the development and running of after school clubs. To date we have introduced a Cooking Club and Theater Arts Club for the kindergarten grades. Our older students have participated in Soccer Club, Chess Club, Spanish Club and the basketball program to mention a few. Our very grown up Junior High students are active in Student Council, Community Service Program and will soon talk up a storm in Debate Club. This spring, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Audubon Society, all students will enjoy Nature Club. Our annual Christmas Bazaar, chaired by Mary Battles, went off without a hitch and reaped one of our most profitable years so far. Once again, the Cookie Room proved to be the most tempting spot in the school (There were calories in those cookies?!) and the Wreath Room sold out. This was quite a feat given the economy. A portion of the proceeds have been earmarked for a Fieldtrip Fund thus ensuring that all students regardless of economic hardship will be able to enjoy class trips. Home and School has now turned its attention to spring planning. The school Book Fair is right around the corner. We will offer a Literacy Night to coincide with the Book Fair. We have some fun activities planned to get the student revved up for reading. Also in the works is a Going-Green Art Show in which the students will create art using recyclable items and stations will be set up with recycling guidelines and environmentally friendly hints. We will end our very full and busy year with Field Day and a School-Wide Family BBQ on Friday evening, June 4th. We invite you to stop by for a hamburger and a tour of the school. To find out more about these and all Home &School happenings check out their website at: http://www. bc.edu/schools/lsoe/stc/home_and_school.html.
News from the School The K2 classes are hatching chicks from the Codman Community Farm in Sudbury this spring. It will take three weeks for the eggs to hatch in the incubator; after April vacation the students will take a field trip to return the eggs to the farm. They will be learning all about the lifecycle of a chicken and how to take care of baby chicks. The 1st graders were recently introduced to the quarter, which expanded their knowledge about counting money. They have also begun to study geometry, learning about polygons, 3-Dimensional shapes, and symmetry. In social studies, they are exploring folktales and biographies as a means to understand different cultures and communities. In reading, they are working on oral reading fluency, reading comprehension of fiction and non-fiction texts, identifying vowel sounds, and decoding words. And, they’ve been working very hard at improving their writing skills! They’ve begun working on using the writing process (prewriting, drafting, editing, publishing) and are writing about topics that they choose and that interest them.
This year, Saint Anthony’s Parish in Allston celebrated the 109th annual Minstrel Show. Seventeen Saint Columbkille students in Grades 2-8 performed in the show in late March.
In Grade 2, students have been focusing on writing personal goals in our love and friendship literacy theme. The students have just finished a great math chapter where they learned all about fractions, and the vocabulary that goes along with it. One of the most exciting things about 2nd Grade is preparing for First Reconciliation and First Communion. Please keep this group of students in your prayers as they get ready for these two very important sacraments. The 3rd Grade ended their study of New England in a celebratory fashion by having their first New England Day in February. Students worked in groups to research interesting facts about their New England state. The groups then presented this information with a poster and displayed artifacts from their state. Students showed lots of enthusiasm and effort for this project. In religion, the students performed the play, “When Jesus Came.” This play brings alive the message of the Resurrection and helps students “act out” how the apostles might have felt when they saw Jesus for the first time after His death. The 4th Grade has been busy! In language arts this semester, they have been working on the theme of social awareness and students created a graffiti board. This artwork includes words and pictures that describe the students’ thoughts and feelings on discrimination, prejudice, and stereotypes. The 4th graders have also written poems about a mentor and read aloud both Moon Runner by Carolyn Marsden and Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo. In math, the 4th graders have finished a unit on fractions. They will never again be stuck with the smallest piece of the pie now that they have had all of this practice with equal shares! The middle school Language Arts students worked on essays for submission to the Brighton District Courthouse for the annual Law Day essay competition. Winners will be honored in a celebration held on Friday, May 7th, at the Courthouse. The 5th Grade students participated in Junior Achievement Job Shadow Day at the Intercontinental Real Estate Corporation in April. The students are paired with staff members, and work by their sides. The students’ favorite part of the day is the pizza lunch! Math students in Grade 7 completed their study of operations on positive and negative rational numbers and will soon begin a geometry unit, followed by an in-depth introduction to linear equations. Math students in Grade 8 completed a unit in which they learned to use linear and inverse functions to model and analyze real world situations. They are continuing their study of algebra as they explore exponential functions and their graphs. This past fall 6th graders from around the city of Boston participated in the annual Max Warburg Courage Curriculum. Saint Columbkille student Katelyn Whalen’s essay on “Courage in My Life” was selected for inclusion in this year’s edition of the MWCC book, to be published in early May.
Class Reunions The Class of 1960 will be having their 50th reunion in 2010. Please forward your email address to Elaine Celeste Ring at erover50@tiac.net. The Class of 1981 gathered for a night out on March 7, 2009. The festivities started at Imperial Pizza for a pre-gathering pizza. Many of those who attended have not stepped inside Imperial in over 25 years. “The Gathering” then continued across the street to The Green Briar. In total, 53 alumni, 2 teachers and 2 coaches were in Remember, any class planning attendance. Some alumni came from as far as Texas, New York, New Hampshire, Cape Cod their reunion can request assistance and Western, Ma. “The Gathering” was organized by Class President, Charlene Wilkerson, James from the Alumni Association. Just (Smitty) Smith and George Azar. Joe Fenton, who is now the General Manager of the Green call 617-254-0522 and we’ll help Briar took care of the food and beverages for his former classmates. The night was dedicated to you with mailing lists and in any way two Alumni from the Class of 1981 who are no longer with us, Brian Honan and Al Pagliocca. we can, or you can contact Elaine Tributes, toasts and stories were held in Brian and Al’s honor. Many of the Alumni who were attending have not seen or spoken to one another since Graduation Day in 1981. Many friendships Ring via the website for assistance. were rekindled, tales of the past were retold and a lots of, “so what have you been up to in the last 28 Elaine can also be reached at years” could be heard throughout the evening. The night came to a close with many Alumni already 508-528-3235 and discussing attending their 30th reunion. All Alumni in attendance went home with a “Best of 1981” erover50@tiac.net. Check out cd and the feeling of being a senior again even if it was just for a few hours. The bond that the Class the website’s message board for of 1981 share is still very much alive in 2009!
postings about potential reunions!
The Classes of 1987, 1989 and 1990 held a joint reunion in Fall, 2007. You can see pictures from the event on the alumni website.
Upcoming School Events
Alumni Association Information Alumni Association meetings are scheduled for the second Tuesday of every month, at 7:00 p.m. in the school library (1st floor, Arlington Street side). Hope to see you there! ALL ARE WELCOME!
Alumni and friends are welcome to attend.
2
JUNE
Field Day, Faneuil Field
4
JUNE
School-wide Family BBQ
Hope to see you all at the next Alumni event!
9
JUNE
8th Grade Graduation, 7pm, Upper Church
Check Out Our Website and the New Message Board! Thanks to our webmaster, John Cusick, Class of ‘61, there is a new message board on the alumni website. There’s a slight change in the procedure for using the message board, but it looks fantastic. Thanks also to co-moderators of the message board, Elaine Celeste Ring and Carol Nelson. We encourage you to check it out, post a message, see what’s going on with your fellow alumni. On the website, you can also purchase St. Columbkille t-shirts, sweatshirts and mugs in the on-line store. With the secure credit card payment option, you can even charge your donation to the annual appeal. Check it all out at
www.saintcols.com
ST. COLUMBKILLE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 25 Arlington Street Brighton, MA 02135
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED