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Suburban Life • shawlocal.com/my-suburban-life • January 18-19, 2024 SUBURBAN LIFE

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What is Catholic Schools Week? Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2024 is January 28 – February 3. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2024 is “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” Schools typically observe the annual celebration week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.

Source: www.ncea.org/csw

Catholic schools are popular options for education

METRO CREATIVE Education is a personal decision for every family. Families have many education options to choose from, and that includes private institutions.

When considering private education, families may consider Catholic schools. The family and parenting resource Verywell Family indicates that Catholic schools have the highest enrollments and the greatest number of schools in operation of all private schools in America.

The first Catholic parochial school opened in Philadelphia in 1783 and was called St. Mary’s School. Interest in Catholic education soon started to grow, especially during the mid19th century, when the United States welcomed an influx of Catholic immigrants. By 1920, there were around 1,500 Catholic schools in the United States, reaching peak enrollment and total number of schools in the 1960s.

Catholic schools still present a viable education option for students in the 21st century. Each year during National Catholic Schools Week, which is the last week of January, the country celebrates Catholic education. It’s also a time when many Catholic institutions host open houses and sponsor recruitment campaigns for the upcoming school year. CSW is now entering its 48th year, and 2022 events will include special masses, assemblies and other activities for students, families and pa-

rishioners, according to the National Catholic Educational Association.

With CSW on the horizon, consider these points of interest about Catholic education.

• The NCEA says academic excellence is a hallmark of Catholic education, but it is directed in a way to foster the growth of the whole person — mind, body and spirit.

• Service is fundamental to Catholic education and is a core teaching of the Catholic faith. Students enrolled in a Catholic school can expect to participate in service projects.

• Many people are drawn to Catholic schools because of the smaller, more intimate campuses and class sizes. NCEA indicates the average student/teacher ratio in Catholic schools is 13:1.

Catholic schools require a significant financial commitment. Niche, the school comparison and rating company, and the NCEA indicate the average cost of Catholic elementary schools in the U.S. is $4,400 per year, while Catholic high schools cost around $9,840 annually. However, many families feel the cost is well worth it because of the education students receive at Catholic schools.

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METRO CREATIVE Students begin a new school year hoping to do their best in the classroom. When those hopes are overcome by academic struggles, students may need a little help to get back on track.

Students and their parents must keep in mind that no school year is derailed by a poor performance in the year’s opening months. There’s plenty of time for students to rebound, and the following are some ways for students to get back on strong academic footing.

• Make it a collective effort. Rebounding from a difficult start to the school year may require a collective effort on the part of students, their parents and educators. Concerned parents can reach out to teachers to learn where students are struggling and seek recommendations about what to do to help them rebound. Once those areas are identified, students, parents and educations can work together to devise a plan to help kids improve.

• Ask to move seats. A 2020 study published in the journal PLOS One found that sitting further from the instructor negatively impacted students’

grades. Authors of the study, which examined the responses of more than 1,360 students, concluded that, while the evidence is mixed, students who choose to sit nearer to the front of the classroom will do better than those who sit in the back. Students who are struggling can ask to move seats if

they’ve been sitting in the back of the class.

• Go over class notes each day.

Lectures require significant note-taking, and many students scribble notes as fast as possible so they can keep up.

Scribbled notes may be hard to decipher days after a lecture, but they’re

more likely to be understood immediately after class or when students arrive home at night. Going over notes at the end of the day or after each class, and even transcribing them from notebooks into typed documents, can help students grasp material more effectively. Typed notes also can make study sessions the night before a test more effective.

• Reserve daily quiet study time.

Rebounding from a difficult start to the school year will likely require a daily commitment to performing better in the classroom. Daily study time in a quiet setting, whether that’s at home or at the library, can provide the time students need to focus on their studies without distractions getting in the way.

Turn smartphone and device notifications off during study time. Students can even keep a study log to track what they’re studying and the amount of time they study each day. This log can be useful if students need to determine which areas require more time down the road.

A school year is long, so students who struggle at the start of the year still have plenty of time to get back on track and achieve their academic goals.

SS. Cyril & Methodius A 2019 National Blue Ribbon School SS. Cyril and Methodius School provides an excellent Catholic education from preschool through eighth grade in a compassionate environment that strives to develop each student spiritually, academically, physically, and emotionally.

The BLUE RIBBON FLAG is recognized as a trademark of excellence with NATIONALLY normed TEST SCORES in the top 15%… only 50 private schools throughout the country are eligible for nominations to the U.S. Dept. of Education.

Our school asserts on advanced academic curriculum enhanced by computer and science labs, one-to-one Chrome books from 5-8, Chrome carts available to grades K-4, along with new iPads, Smart boards in all classrooms and yearly upgrades to curriculum through new materials.

Our teachers are State Certified and certified as Religious Educators; many have advanced degrees and keep up with professional development.

Comprehensive after-school, extra-curricular activities are offered to increase positive student growth.

On-site morning and after school care is available to help ease the worry of working parents.

Financial Aid is also available. Please inquire at school.

Please call today to schedule a PRIVATE TOUR with our Principal ~

Or, if you have any questions, please call 630-257-6488 www.school.stcyril.org | 607 Sobieski St, Lemont, IL 60439

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SUBURBAN LIFE shawlocal.com/my-suburban-life • Suburban Life • January 18-19, 2024

What students can do to rebound in the second half of the school year

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Suburban Life • shawlocal.com/my-suburban-life • January 18-19, 2024 SUBURBAN LIFE

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AWhat quality education available at students canisdo to block St.distractions Petronille Catholic School out in the classroom Families looking for a quality education that will incorporate their community and Catholic values will find what they need in St.Petronille Catholic School. Our commitment to spiritual growth, academic excellence, and service to others has contributed to our success as an area school and has contributed to student satisfaction.

Our faculty with an average of 14 years teaching experience in our building work to prepare each student for excellence beyond elementary school “Seeing my daughter’s smooth transition to high school was amazing,” says current St.Petronille parent Myra Kayser of her recent graduates experience,”I attribute that to excellent instruction in English and Math and am so grateful to her junior high teachers and how well they prepared her.” Kayser goes on to say “I can’t wait to see how my youngest will use the same opportunities.”

Being well prepared and well rounded is made a priority with an emphasis on a rigorous and accessible curriculum for each child in our core

subjects of reading, language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and religion. We also offer additional quality instruction in Spanish, music, physical education, and art. With the addition of our STEM lab for the 202324 school year, students have had a greater opportunity to see their ideas and insight developed.

“I can see how even from first and second grade that my girls were given the opportunities to present their ideas and instruction on how to do it well.

From book reports to science projects, I know that in addition to getting academic skills, they have a greater social skill set that has been a confidence boost,” beams Kayser, “this will be invaluable as they seek success outside of school.”

Prospective families looking for a positive educational and communal experience are invited to attend our open house at 425 Prospect Ave Glen Ellyn, IL 60137 on Sunday January 28th after the 11:30 a.m. mass

METRO CREATIVE An ability to focus in the classroom can go a long way toward helping students achieve their academic goals.

But distractions lurk in every corner, making it easier than ever to succumb to a lack of focus.

Maintaining focus in the classroom can be difficult in the digital age, but students can try various strategies to block out distractions once class begins.

• Disconnect your devices. A 2020 report from the nonprofit association Educause found that the majority of students report connecting two or more devices to campus Wi-Fi each day. Devices often serve as useful tools that augment classroom lessons, but they also can distract students.

Students can turn off notifications on their phones and tablets before class begins so that familiar ping does not sound during lectures and lessons.

In addition, unless devices are necessary during a class, students can store them in places where they won’t be tempted to check for messages or other alerts when they should be learning. Storing devices in a separate pocket in a backpack or even in a locker outside the classroom can remove the temptation to log on during class.

• Prepare for class in advance.

Organizing before class can help stu-

dents stay focused when a teacher is lecturing, explaining classroom material or engaging students in a discussion. Students who can’t readily access their notes, books or assignments may be forced to spend valuable class time looking for such materials, thus distracting them from the lesson.

• Bring questions to class. Students who jot down questions about a subject prior to class are more likely to be engaged once class begins. Students can ask their questions during the lesson and listen intently to hear if their teacher or professor is answering their questions during their lecture. Either way, bringing questions to class and going over them before class begins can help students narrow their focus to the subject at hand, reducing the likelihood that they’ll succumb to distractions.

• Sit in the front of class. Students who are having trouble focusing can try sitting in the front of class. Sitting in the front ensures students can hear their teachers or professors, and sitting so close might subconsciously compel students to perk up so they’re not caught wandering.

Devices and other distractions can easily compromise students’ focus in the classroom. But various strategies can help students focus so they can perform better academically.

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Whatto parents can learn do to a Tips help kids prevent language bullying foreign signs indicate bullying is taking place, METRO CREATIVE Bullying affects children from all and these include being introverted, walks of life. Whether the student is on commonly reporting illness, withdrawthe receiving end of bullying or is the ing from daily activities, or having trouaggressor, parents and other adults ble sleeping. will sometimes need to step in to pro- • Nurture a positive household clivide assistance. Although there is no mate: Parents and other family memmagic formula to preventing bullying, bers can work together at home to parents can do their part to put a stop create an organized and predictable to such behaviors. environment. Parents should model • Parent authoritatively: According the type of behavior they want their to developmental psychologist Diana children to express.

Divecha, contributor to Greater Good • Teach children coping skills: Pracmagazine, an authoritative style of tice scenarios at home where a child parenting offers high levels of warmth, learns how to ignore a bully or devellove and closeness, while at the same op assertive strategies for coping with time providing clear limits and high expectations. Children who are raised bullying. Share who children can go to with this type of parenting often fare for help, apart from you, such as teachthe best with better mental health ers or administrators, if they’re worried and stronger relationship skills. Chil- about being bullied. dren who are parented harshly may • Set technology boundaries: Buldrencan learn a foreign language have a METRO CREATIVE take place on social media, be more likely to become bullies or be lying Bilingualism relatively long window time to get by monitoring onlineof activity, parbullied themselves.benefits children in and ways. For example, a 2014 ents thatmay ballbe rolling could find able before to headkids off potential • myriad Be knowledgeable and observant: study published theadministrators Journal of Ex- bullying it more problems. challenging.

Parents also can Document online Parents, teachers in and perimental Child Psychology try some help soadditional it can be strategies addressedtowith should keep their eyes peeled for found bul- bullying that behaviors bilingual and children have Various a higher administrators kids learn a foreign lying reactions. or law language. enforcement. vocabulary range than monolingual • Bring lessons home from the kids. In addition, a 2010 review pub- classroom. Children learning a foreign lished in the Review of Educational language in school or via a private tuResearch found that bilingual students tor can be encouraged to bring those typically have stronger working mem- lessons home and continue to develop ories and attention spans than their those skills in a fun way. Play games in monolingual counterparts. a foreign language at home on family The benefits of bilingualism are game night. Young children just beginundeniable, but learning a foreign lan- ning foreign language lessons can be guage can be challenging. However, encouraged to count to 10 when playthat challenge could be less significant ing hide-and-seek at home. for youngsters. Though there are dif• Shop for groceries in a foreign ferent theories regarding why children language. When grocery shopping seem to learn languages more readiwith children in tow, parents can point ly than adults, Dr. Eleonore Smalle of to foods around the store and ask kids Tilburg University in the Netherlands to say each item in the foreign lanindicates that adults tend to translate guage they’re learning. Make a list befrom their first language when trying to fore going to the store and reward kids learn a new language. In an interview with the United Nations in Western who name all of the items on the list Europe, Dr. Smalle said that adults’ with a special treat at checkout.

• Read books in the language the attempts to adopt language rules they child is learning. This could be tricky already know results in a “less stable consolidation of the new language into if parents are not bilingual. However, memory.” Children, on the other hand, in that scenario, reading books to chilunconsciously implement the new lan- dren in a foreign language provides guage rules and even use newly ac- a great way to reverse roles and let quired words in everyday life. That, Dr. children teach their parents everything Smalle says, benefits long-term memo- they’ve learned from their teachers or tutors. Keep stories simple and even ry consolidation.

It’s important to note that re- seek recommendations from teachers searchers, including Dr. Smalle, feel or tutors.

The benefits of bilingualism are that children may find it easier to learn a foreign language up to adolescence, significant. Parents can try various at which time their conscious memory strategies to ensure foreign language begins to develop more strongly. So lessons learned in the classroom are parents who want to help their chil- reinforced at home.