Welcome

Welcome to the PFPS Family!

TRACY BAUDUCCIO

Tracy’s career has included working for MassMutual for almost 20 years, after which she made a complete career change to the field of psychology and eventually became a licensed school counselor. She is currently a doctoral candidate, pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology. She is PFPS’s Learning Lab teacher and works collaboratively with the guidance department to provide educational support to students. What she enjoys most about teaching at Pope is building relationships & learning from and with the students. Tracy believes in being able to empower students with skills, tools, and confidence so they can be their best selves! Tracy has found the environment at Pope to be very welcoming and the community of staff and students has made for a great experience.

Tracy is blessed with three beautiful daughters, three beautiful grandchildren, and a very patient husband. She enjoys cooking, teaching fitness, and road trips that take her closer to the seashore!

SHEILA SLAWIAK

Sheila Slawiak joined our team as a technology teacher offering classes in both media arts and computer science. As a 2010 graduate from Westfield University with her MEd in Instructional Technology & Science, she brings over 16 years of teaching experience to PFPS. Sheila also received a Master of Science degree from RPI in Communications. She has significant experience working in the field of product development, technical writing, and other facets of high-tech manufacturing. Sheila’s passion is focusing on how technology can enhance the way people work in business and helping students dream about and discover what the future holds for people eager to enter these fields. Her most recent accomplishment was being a semifinalist for the state Teacher of the Year where she was recognized for her teaching excellence and how she utilized educational technologies in her classroom.

Sheila loves working at Pope Francis because the teachers are innovative and open to new ideas and the students are eager to learn new technologies that enhance their knowledge. She is very happy to be able to contribute to a learning community she finds joyful and collegial.

Sheila and her husband, Tom have traveled throughout the world, and when they are home, play sports such as golf, tennis, skiing, and equestrian riding. Until recently, they owned thoroughbred horses who brought them much joy! Recently, they have welcomed a new addition to their home — an adorable Havanese mix puppy named Enzo.

BRANDON NOWAKOWSKI

Brandon Nowakowski’s enthusiasm for math was clearly shown from the start when he was tasked to implement PFPS’s new Pre AP Algebra 1 curriculum, in addition to teaching geometry and AP Statistics. Brandon had a double major in math and music as an undergrad at UMASS and received a master’s degree in music from the University of Hartford. Along with his expertise in math, Brandon is also a classically trained saxophonist who plays with various groups in the area, giving concerts and other performances. Brandon is enjoying teaching at Pope because of the enthusiasm of his students and the supportive atmosphere. His commitment to math instruction goes beyond the walls of PFPS as he is the owner of the Better Learning Center, LLC in West Hartford, CT which provides tutoring services to students wishing to further their math studies and to prepare for challenging classes, AP exams and other standardized tests. Brandon also enjoys training for and running marathons. Currently, he is preparing for the New England Green River Marathon coming up next August.

Lucas Wiatroski works on the Christmas Village

CARDINALS LEAD THE WAY

Demonstrating STEAM by Working Together

MRS. SLAWIAK’S COMPUTER SCIENCE CLASSES wowed her as they unveiled their unique physical computing projects during class presentations. Her dedicated students worked diligently and used their art talent combined with their techno prowess to integrate three different technologies, Makey-Makey invention kit, Evo Robot, and Scratch 3.0, to present their masterpiece.

Students created a scaled model of Pope Francis Preparatory School and then used their technology to tour their model and to present the school’s academic attributes. Their strategy of determining roles was based upon each students’ passion, interest, and unique skill, giving each a chance to lead!

Building the scale model was led by Mikayla Messier, who used her AP Art skills, combined with her math skills to build a cross section of all three floors. She also designed each interior by hand, making all the subject-specific furnishings for each classroom. She was supported by Drew Hamel, who displayed his leadership skills by organizing the team and coordinated key pieces of information that would allow them to work in unison. He made the interior appointments of the theatre, dining commons, and gym. Joe Morando built a working counterweight balance elevator with the assistance of a fellow engineering student and Mr. Salloum. Learning remotely were two students, Michael Langone and Brendan Rivest, who wrote the Scratch 3.0 code, demonstrating text-to-speech capabilities to present each classroom and common area of the model. Emma Corridan performed as the team’s integrator, who bridged the remote students’ programs to the model by problem-solving any technology-related situation in order to make the model work.

Inspired by the Christmas season, Mrs. Slawiak’s computer science students created a scaled model of a Christmas Village and then integrated the same three technologies to present Christmas songs and poems. Lucas Garcia, learning remotely, was the project manager who created a project plan, tested and built prototypes, and worked collaboratively with other teammates to solve problems so all three technologies worked to show a unified project.

Building the scale model was led by Ethan Lichwan who coordinated the team’s geometry skills to figure out how to design the models so his three teammates could build a balanced model. Ethan was supported by Jason Reiser who took on the challenge of programming the MakeyMakey to light the trees. The engineering artists who worked remotely were Isabella Cardinale who designed and built all the homes, and James Le and Owen Kenyon, who designed and built the trees. Colin O'Brien wrote the program for the poems to be presented in Scratch 3.0. He also designed a unique digital background of carolers within Scratch. Lucas Wiatrowski wrote the music for the holiday songs using the OzoBlockly program for the Evo robot. He had to program each song using the highest level of programming!

Biology students in Mrs. Perez’s class created analogies for the different parts of a cell. Pictured is Siobhan Walsh and her project THE

OFFICE AS A CELL.

The AQUINAS SCHOLARSHIP was awarded to the top four eighth-grade students who scored the highest national percentile composite scores on the admissions placement exam this past December. The $1,000 merit scholarship is renewable each year provided the student remains on the PFPS High Honor Roll at each semester marking period and adheres to the school’s Academic Integrity Policy at all times. Congratulations to the following students for being the first students to receive the Aquinas Merit Scholarship: Hannah Fanelli, from St. Aloysius Catholic School, Lily Frost, from St. Bernard School, Victoria Parent, from St. Mary’s Academy, and Dillon Shea, from Wilbraham Middle School.

The SELF-PROPELLED CAR project teaches students how to convert potential energy to kinetic energy. Students used basic items to build their cars such as plastic bottles, empty paper towel rolls, mouse traps, CDs, and other household items.

COLORFUL PAPEL PICADO Students in Señora Walsh's class made papel picado. Papel picado is often used on altars (ofrendas) during Día de los Muertos. >

Engineering students in Mr. Salloum’s class put their EGG DROP PROJECT designs to the test. Some eggs survived the long drop from the third floor, but many did not!

3D HALLOWEEN

Students in Mr. Salloum's Principles of Design class created a Halloween figure of their choice on Tinkercad and then printed them on our 3D printers. Crime scene investigation for students in Mr. Zimowski’s FORENSICS class.

January 21-24, Dr. McGlathery and 19 student delegates from the MODEL UNITED NATIONS CLUB participated in the Yale Model United Nations Conference. Senior Olivia Schonagel won the Outstanding Delegate Award on her Human Rights Council committee. Junior Malcolm Mahoney won an Honorable Mention Award as one of the top five delegates on his United Nations Environmental Programme committee. Juniors Megan Smith and Elizabeth Hanlon each earned spots in the WESTERN DISTRICT MUSIC FESTIVAL CHORUS, and received All-State recommendations as well! They will represent Pope Francis Prep by participating in an online festival later this year. Following this, they will submit their recordings of songs learned to be compiled into a virtual choir performance. We are proud of their hard work and dedication to their music.

Elita Vale works on a landscape painting.

CARDINAL EXPRESSIONS

ADJACENT TO THE LEARNING COMMONS, in the northeast corner of our 3rd floor is where you find Mrs. Kinsey’s and Mr. Ilson’s classrooms. Their curriculum unleashes creativity in our students, provides them with a keen grasp of art history, and a lifelong appreciation for creative expression...this is where the visual arts come alive at Pope Francis Prep!

Mr. Ilson and Mrs. Kinsey, PFPS art teachers.

FOUNDATIONS OF ART II

Contrast Project

Jack Roy and Robert Gourde work on a MURAL for Martin Luther King, Jr. >

Ben Zaranek working on his Independent

CERAMIC STUDY FOUNDATIONS OF ART I

student Saniyah Calhoun “ WABI SABI!

EMBRACING THE ART OF IMPERFECTION IS A MUST IN THE ART ROOM. TAKING RISKS WITH YOUR WORK AND THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX WILL ACTIVATE YOUR CREATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.”

MRS. KINSEY

Mikayla Messier

CERAMICS 1

coil pots Robert Gourde

Eric Tran Carolyn La Croix

AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY

COMMUNITY, VOLUNTEERING, AND

SERVICE are more important during a crisis than ever before. At Pope Francis Prep, social distancing does not mean social isolation. This year, thinking outside the box has been key to finding ways for our students to continue to be part of the impactful Cardinal community. We can all be proud of the creative ways our community continues to make a difference.

VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION

During the first few weeks of November, we witnessed our school community embrace, celebrate, and put into action our pillars of service, faith, and community. Our second annual Day of Service was spent flagging the gravesites of veterans at St. Michael’s Cemetery. With the sun shining on a beautiful morning, this service opportunity brought our entire community of students, teachers, and staff together to make a difference for others. Consistent with our mission to embody service to the community, our students respectfully placed thousands of American flags throughout the cemetery and cleaned gravesites in need of a little extra attention. This demonstration of love and care for one another, in particular those who served our country, was a rewarding experience for each of us.

On Wednesday, November 11, all students spent part of the morning in school writing notes on postcards to veterans and participating in prayer services. The postcards have been shared with veterans at the Holyoke Soldiers' Home, many of whom had been in isolation because of the pandemic. It is our hope that these notes show our veterans how much they are appreciated and that they bring a smile to their face.

SHERIFF COCCHI visited the students in Mrs. Perreault’s Community and Civic Engagement class to discuss the importance of the positive outreach programs that the Sheriff's Department is involved in. Thank you Sheriff Cocchi! >

A BIG thank you to everyone who donated food and money to our THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE! All the money collected was used to purchase turkeys to complete the Thanksgiving meals. In all, 22 Thanksgiving meals were delivered to Sr. Eileen Sullivan and the Outreach Program at St. Michael’s Cathedral.

Spring is in the air! The PFPS GARDENING CLUB is eager to get their hands dirty by starting seeds for the vegetable and flower garden here at school.

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS INSPIRED > MASKS! Commemorating the day of the dead, students in the Spanish Club decorated masks and listened to Spanish music.

Led by our Boys Hockey team, the Pope Francis Prep community came together to raise funds for AJ QUETTA. AJ is a hockey player for Bishop Feehan who suffered a serious injury while playing our team on Tuesday, January 26th. We thank everyone for their continued support and prayers for AJ, his family, and the Bishop Feehan community.

CZEŚĆ from Mrs. Perreault’s Holocaust and Human Rights class! The class created a video about our school community that they shared with a similar class from Krakow, Poland. The two classes had three virtual meetings and videos and photos about both schools were shared at their farewell virtual party.

CANDY CANE SLEDS. Our student government officers sprang into action to help a fellow Cardinal with health issues. $1,135 was raised and will be donated to this Cardinal family. Thank you to our student government and to all who donated and purchased. We are blessed to have such a strong and caring Cardinal community!

Dr. Harrington and seniors Marissa Laprade and Andrew Mason visited the MARTIN

LUTHER KING COMMUNITY

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH to present a check for $1,500 from our dress down fundraiser in January. We wish them the best of luck as they begin the process to rebuild and we pray that they will soon be able to come together for prayer in their church. Our SOS (Special Olympics Support) Club has hosted multiple Trivia Nights with the Special Olympics community and held a fundraiser at school where they helped raise awareness about inclusion and the importance of celebrating all differences and abilities. Thank you to all who donated to the FRESHMAN CLASS SPONSORED CLOTHING DRIVE. We sorted and organized many, many bags of clothing which will be delivered to the Springfield Rescue Mission, the Dress for Success organization, and The American Red Cross. >