2018-2019 St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School Year End Review

STA Year End Review #

PUTTING YOUR CHILD FIRST IN EVERYTHING WE DO! #

STA Year End Review

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Dear Parents ,

It is hard to believe how quickly the school year has passed and come to an end. I would like to thank you for your faith, trust, and commitment to the mission of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School. It is your belief in the Catholic education values that helps us to sustain our school. We respect the sacrifices each family makes to send their child to St. Thomas Aquinas School, and we will continue to put your child first in everything we do! This was a very busy year and you, as partners in education, played a great role in making it a success!

Although it is a hectic time of year, it is the time when I most realize how blessed we all are to be part of the ministry of STA. Parents and teachers commit their time and energy every day toward creating a nurturing environment in which children can thrive! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers who continue to support every aspect of our school. The STA Parents’ Association hosted two amazing events: Howl at the Moon Carnival and a Superhero Auction. Both directly impacted your child’s educational experience, and we are immensely grateful for your support of these events.

Furthermore, the School Advisory Council has worked tirelessly in planning for the future success of the school in the areas of finance, facilities, and technology.

In closing, I take this opportunity to congratulate all students of St. Thomas Aquinas School! I wish you all a very happy, safe, and enjoyable summer. Please be sure to take time as a family to talk, play, and pray together. I look forward to seeing you all in August.

Those families who are not returning to our school will continue to be in our prayers as you make your journey on to new places.

Patrick Magee, M.Ed. President, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School STA Year End Review 3

WELCOMES

&

FAREWELLS

TEACHER NOTES Farewells

We thank the following teachers who are retiring this summer. Our school has been very blessed to have them collectively teach generations of Wildcats for over almost four decades.

Linda Barone 6 years at STA PK4 Teacher

Lisa Campagna 29 years at STA 4th Grade Teacher

Therese McDaniel 38 years at STA PK4 Teacher

We also say goodbye to the following teachers and wish them luck in their new endeavors:

Alex Mata Upper School (3-5) Spanish and Religion Teacher is pursuing her Master’s degree in counseling.

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Mike McBryde Upper School Social Studies Teacher is going to be closer to home.

Andrea Pujol Upper School Math Teacher is going to teach math at Ursuline Academy.

Maria-Claudia Searle Upper School (6-8) Spanish Teacher will become the Principal of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School in Dallas.

Laura Jekot Upper School Art Aide is moving out of the country with her husband.

Thank you for your hard work over the years at St Thomas Aquinas School.

You will be missed.

STA Year End Review

Welcome We are happy to announce that the following faculty and staff are changing positions or campuses beginning next school year: Leslie Reeves will begin a new position at STA as the Assistant Principal of Academic Affairs and Curriculum. Mrs. Reeves will join the administration team this fall.

Holly Blaydes is moving from US Support Specialist to the Lower School as a PK Teacher.

Rachel Wright will continue as the Director of Admissions, Advancement and Communications.

Christy Holy is moving from teaching at the Lower School to the Upper School to teach 3rd grade.

Carrie Luckey will become the Administrative Assistant to the Upper School Principal.

Louise Bartosik will continue as the Registrar and Executive Assistant to the President.

Mary Beth Bland is moving from PK Aide to PK Teacher this fall.

Carolina Moreno is moving from teaching at the Lower School to the Upper School to teach Spanish.

Beginning in August we will welcome the following new faculty and staff to our STA family: Marisa Robles-Hunzinger 4th Grade Teacher

Rita Bussell 8th Grade Algebra

Melissa Guerrero Kindergarten Teacher

Shelley Kirby Communications Associate

Will Keffler Middle School Social Studies

Kristin Clary Special Events Coordinator

Clea Verven, MFA Art Teacher Aide

Candy Kappes Upper School Front Desk Receptionist

Leslie Maggio PK Teacher

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LOWER SCHOOL OUR LOWER SCHOOL TEACHERS ARE PHENOMENAL!

Congratulations

Elizabeth Lesher | Educator of the Year Congratulations to our 1st grade teacher, Elizabeth Lesher, for being named the 2019 Halo Initiative Distinguished Educator of the Year for the Diocese of Dallas.

Mrs. Lesher was chosen from teachers around the Diocese. We are honored to have her as a teacher and proud of the work she does at St. Thomas Aquinas School.

The installation of the new expanded playground and new equipment with funds from the St. Thomas Aquinas Parents’ Association has been a huge hit with our students.

Enhanced security measures included additional internal and external security cameras, installation of a screen along the Mockingbird fence line of the playground, and landscaping improvements to enhance visibility between Luby’s and the Lower School campus.

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STA Year End Review

Technology upgrades at the Lower School included the addition of sets of iPads into all K-2 classrooms where educational software has been used to enhance and differentiate instruction.

A move toward brain-compatible foreign language instruction has produced big results! We shifted from Spanish instruction 30 minutes once per week, to full-immersion Spanish classes for 15 minutes, 3 times per week.

What our students are able to comprehend and contribute is amazing!

We have record numbers of students working with our two Reading Specialists at the Lower School. This is a good thing! Early identification of and intervention for learning differences can change the trajectory of a child’s life forever. We have become more efficient at identifying students in need of assessment and making those referrals early.

This year is the first time our first and second graders have had an opportunity to participate in the Private School Interscholastic Association’s academic competition. There was a lot of interest and volunteer support. Our students did well, with one student moving on to compete in the state-wide PSIA competition this spring.

I hope everyone has a great summer and I can’t wait to see our little angels in August!

96% at year-end benchmark goal 93% above year-end benchmark goal

11% 1 year above year-end benchmark goal 1ST GRADE

Private School Interscholastic Association

96% at year-end benchmark goal

Lower School students competed in four categories at PSIA this year with tremendous success! Overall, 79 students in 1st – 8th grade competed at the district meet in an astonishing 102 events! Twenty-four students placed at the district level with eight moving on to compete at the state level. Six students (including a Lower School 2nd grader) placed at the state PSIA competition.

Students placed in the state competition

KINDERGARTEN

50% 6 months above year-end benchmark

PSIA

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READING REPORT

87% above year-end benchmark goal 51% 6 months above year-end benchmark goal 2ND GRADE 96% at year-end benchmark goal

79 1st

Participants and a record number of parent volunteers participated

Time to compete for first and second graders

73% at 3rd grade reading level 48% at or above 4th grade reading level 23% at or above 5th grade reading level

Way to go Lower School readers!

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UPPER SCHOOL 2 018 - 2 019 S C H O O L S U C C E S S Learn Serve Lead Succeed was the theme for the 2018-2019 year at the Upper School. Students were encouraged to focus on academic learning; serve others at school and within our community; lead academically, athletically, artistically, and spiritually; and celebrate their successes. Here is a snapshot of just some of the accomplishments of our students and faculty this year.

STEM at STA

Our STEM program and initiative continues to grow. The Upper School students engaged in opportunities for hands-on experiences with 3D printing, Ozobots, Maker Space, Robotics, Science Lab, and our annual STEM Fair.

STA Readers Are Leaders

STA partnered with the University of Dallas this year and held a bi-monthly book club for students in 8th grade. Book club members read the Pulitzer Prize winning novel All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr and attended a public lecture given by the author.

The Upper School library is honored and proud to serve our school of readers and to support lifelong reading habits. This year we circulated 30,041 books to students and staff. The library continues to inspire readers of all ages in a variety of ways, including visits from Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly and New York Times Bestselling author Stuart Gibbs. The Scholastic Book Fair, Texas Bluebonnet, and Texas Lone Star state reading lists provide opportunities for our readers to grow in their love of reading.

TECHNOLOGY

We began the transition from iPads to laptops for our Middle School students by assigning new Dell laptops to all 6th grade students. We also added Chrome Books to the library for all grades to use and class sets of iPads in 3rd – 5th grade.

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STA Year End Review

Eighth grade students had the opportunity to launch our first Broadcast Journalism class. These students worked diligently to put together videos and morning announcements that were broadcast to the entire Upper School.

FINE ARTS

The STA fine arts program continues to shine. The ACA WildTones performed at the Arboretum, NorthPark, and The Richardson Theatre Center. We also launched the 5th grade CatTones. Over fifty 5th-8th grade students served as cast and crew for our spring performance of Disney’s High School Musical, Jr. STA art students took home winning ribbons for the Catholic Schools Week Art Contest. This spring, Art Enrichment Week hosted artist Olivia Cole as a guest art teacher for our students.

EXTENDED DAY

Our Upper School Extended Day Program provided students who stay after school with opportunities to do fun, entertaining, and creative activities as well as additional one-on-one homework help. The Extended Day program moved to St. Dominic building this year, providing more space including a “chill room” for reading, relaxing or playing games.

CLASS OF 2019

28 120K 12 $

Received the Presidential Volunteer Service Award

Offered in scholarships for graduates going to Catholic high schools

Received the President’s Award for Educational Achievement

OH, THE PLACES THEY WILL GO

34 Bishop Lynch 12 14

Jesuit

Ursuline

2 Booker T.

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72

Washington

Received the Sacramental Rite of Confirmation

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Received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence

Woodrow Wilson

8 Woodrow IB 5

Other Public High Schools STA Year End Review

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CATHOLIC IDENTITY Our students worked hard to serve their community each month.

Thank you to all our families for supporting the following organizations with monetary donations and in-kind donations. Your contributions make a huge difference.

• Reverse Rett Syndrome

• Lenten Rice Bowls for Christian Relief Services

• Fill the Pantry for St. Vincent de Paul

• School supply collections to support other Diocesan elementary schools

• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network • Caprock Canyons State Park Conservation Efforts and Bison Magee) • Spreading Good Cheer for Catholic Charities • Food Round Up for Catholic Charities

• Student Council Penny Wars for the Blair Adams Memorial Garden • Manna bags and blankets for Stewpot and the Arlington Life Shelter • Care bags for Texas Pediatric Oncology

• Notes and cards for Meals on Wheels • Letters to Santa for Make-A-Wish Foundation • Letters of support and thanks to Military Veterans • Veterans Day Celebration supporting and celebrating all veterans

We were excited to introduce Family Masses at the Upper School this year. Both campuses participated in special Masses and celebrations including:

Sacramental Preparation

• Catholic Schools Week • Praise and Worship • Living Stations of the Cross • Living Rosary

76

2nd graders received First Reconciliation and the Sacrament of First Holy Communion

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STA Year End Review

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8th graders received the Sacrament of Confirmation

• May Crowning • All Saints Day • Blessing of the Animals • Spiritual Retreats for 5th, 7th, and 8th grade students • Prayer partners pairing 3rd and 8th grade students • Christian Witness Awards at the Upper School • Angels in Action Awards at the Lower School

WILDCAT ATHLETICS CONGRATULATIONS DPL CHAMPS

BOOSTER CLUB CROSS COUNTRY JV Boys

BASKETBALL 7 Grade Boys D1

VOLLEYBALL JV 6th Grade

SOCCER Varsity 8th Grade Coed

VOLLEYBALL Varsity 8th Grade D1

BASEBALL 6th Grade Boys D1

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DPL Championships

th

98

%

Students in 5th– 8th grade participated in DPL sports

THANK YOU to all our supporters of the Home Field Advantage campaign. Our field house was completed in the spring to serve players and fans of Wildcat football, cheer, baseball and softball with concessions and restroom facilities.

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Sports Offered

Our STA Booster Club worked hard this year for the Wildcats! Membership helps raise money for upkeep and improvement of our athletic facilities, annual scholarships for 8th grade graduates, and hosting sports kick-offs and celebrations.

Membership is only $50 and anyone can be a member!

186

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Concession volunteer hours

Scholarships were given to STA studentathletes attending Catholic high school

159

Students participated in the 1st Annual 3v3 Hoops Challenge

STA Year End Review

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STAPA

St. Thomas Aquinas Parents’Association

18KSTAPA

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School would not be the community it is or the educational experience it is, if it were not for our parents. This St. Thomas Aquinas Parents’Association school year, STAPA members (that’s you!) volunteered over 18,000 hours Volunteer for the Howl at the Moon Carnival and our Superhero Soirée Auction, Hours in the classroom, supervising recess, planning teacher appreciation meals, hosting the book fair at both campuses, serving as home room parents, planning parties, coaching, volunteering in the Church and with VBS, and in hundreds more ways from August to June! None of this would have been possible without the love and dedication of our STAPA Board and parents.

For the School’s Many thanks to all who purchased raffle tickets, donated used uniforms, Parents’Association 2019-2020 St. Thomas Aquinas and supported our carnival and auction. We are grateful to the many Operating Budget community sponsor, who helped make our events successful with their generous support.

200KSTAPA

STAPA

We are proud to announce that due to all of these tireless efforts, the Parents’ Association raised over $782,000 this year to support programs and initiatives for our school!

St. Thomas Aquinas Parents’Association

STAPA raised over

$782,000 Thank you for the generous gift of your time and your hearts.

We love our volunteers!

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STA Year End Review

$300K+

For annually budgeted STAPA line items such as:

• Training and enrichment programs for STA teachers • Costs associated with field day, PSIA, library, and fine arts programs • A portion of the cost for the STA ISEE prep class for our 8th grade students preparing for Catholic high school • 8 scholarships to graduating students attending Catholic high school • Receptions for kindergarten and 8th grade graduations, Tribute, and Middle School dances

$180K

Toward improvements for 2019-2020 including: • Classroom technology upgrades on both campuses including new PCs and Smartboards • Schoolwide technology upgrades including firewall upgrades and access points in the 3rd and 4th grade hallways • Security improvements including access key upgrades and radios for each Lower School teacher • The Upper School library renovation and Media Lab upgrades

The 2019-2020 STAPA Board, led by President Kristin Clary, is already gearing up for exciting events and volunteer opportunities for next school year. If you are interested in getting more involved in serving our school, please email us at stapa@staschool.org.

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Our STA family is blessed to have the support of so many local businesses and families that invest in our children and their education.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! 2018 Carnival

Thank you for howling at the moon.

UNDERWRITERS

SPONSORS The Wright Firm Lakewood Orthodontics Veritex Bank Blow Salon Chisholm Trail Financial Group, Brian Bessner Mathnasium The Teinert Family Chesser, Goss & Flora Families Gia Marshello - Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International The Morgan Meyer Family The Putman Family SettlePou Baylor Scott & White Family Medicine Lakewood 14

STA Year End Review

J.L. Luik Gifts & Accessories & The Anastopulos Family Gagnon & Thiagarajeh Families Wehner Multifamily 18th & Vine Allie Beth Allman & Associates A Berkshire Hathaway Affiliate Agnew Media Chicago Title of Texas The Corcoran Family Dallas Bandits Sports Ellis Orthodontics The Keck Group and Natalie and Chad Keck The Lopez Family Michael’s Realty The Mysti Stewart Group

Pat Williamson The Bettacchi Young Family Tony & Emma Davis The Little Family Margaret Pyffer & Renee Llanes Reading, Writing & Dyslexia Remediation Raising Cane’s The Richardson Family The Rivas Family The Sorg Family IN-KIND DONORS AirAd Promotions & The Buckholt Family Burger House Carnival Catering Chamberlain’s Self Defense Doggie Den Dallas Dr. Eric Daniel

Dr. Garry Gagnon Frontline ER Grub Burger Lakewood 225 Lakewood Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine The Lot Mary Ann Russell Matt’s Rancho Martinez My Family Pizza and the Ravkind Family Raising Cane’s Ruibal’s Plants of Texas Penne Pomodoro Tart Bakery Taxco Produce Techie Factory Times Ten Cellars White Rock Ale House

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! 2019 Auction

Thank you for saving the day.

UNDERWRITERS

Debbie & Sergio Andrade Meghan & Alex Christian Kristin & Josh Clary Melissa & Alain Dermarkar Kristen & Doug Devlin Jennifer & Michael Emerson Karrah & Garry Gagnon

Tracy & Terry Gemas Heather & Derek Hubbard Caroline & John Marrs Stacy & Sean Murphy Vivian & Joseph Nguyen Jennifer & Jared Pope Christen & Greg Richardson

Michele & Kenneth Sheets Courtney & Bryan St. Eve Julie & Jay Teinert Carolyn & William Vandiver Howard & Rhonda Westerman Patrick & Jaime White

STA Year End Review

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FATHERS OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS Fathers of St Thomas Aquinas (FOSTA) is the father’s organization associated with St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School providing organizational and fundraising support dedicated to enhancing the educational experience of the students and greater school community.

All proceeds from FOSTA events and efforts go directly to the school to help fund projects related to security and campus improvement.

FOSTA Initiatives and Support • Created FOSTA Fridays to help with carpool on both campuses • Hosted launch event (College Football Watching Party) • Raised $650 to support “Spreading Good Cheer” • Expanded and enhanced Football Watching Tent at carnival • Staffed manpower needs for carnival and auction set-up and take-down • Supported the following dad-centric STA organizations: • Holy Name Society’s Oktoberfest and Baggo Tourney • CRHP Men’s Retreat • STA Men’s Basketball League • Staffed open house tours 16

STA Year End Review

FOSTA In-progress - Board financial review - Board assignments for next year - Committee recruitment for ’19-’20 events - Events we will commit to hosting and dates - Funding/Project Goals for ’19-’20 Thanks to FOSTA and David Holy from Holy Drilling, the basketball hoops were rehung at the Upper School and the old marque was refurbished for years of future service.

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Teams

86

Dads Competed

300+ Attended

FUNDED PROJECTS

INITIATIVES (2018 - 2019)

Fosta Fridays STA Year End Review

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SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL FACILITIES • Finished Concession Stand/Field House • Conducted Safety Audit for school/campus accessibility •

Renewed focus on maintenance needs for campus repairs and replacements, and a commitment to being better stewards of financial resources

• Resurrected the original school sign on Abrams

(8th grade Class of 2019 gift)

• New Upper School basketball goals for recess • Installed New Lower School playground • Moved and expanded Upper School Extended Day to St. Dominic Building • Added two additional classrooms and four club/organization meeting spaces in St. Dominic Building •

Refitted all Upper School classroom and office doors with internal locking hardware

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The School Advisory Council (SAC) worked diligently this school year by focusing on facilities, technology, and long-range planning. Working with Father Libone, President Patrick Magee, and the school’s administrative staff, our facilities committee inventoried the capital needs on both campuses ranging from annual maintenance repairs to large facility improvements.

Some of the items that will be addressed this summer include: • Upper School cafeteria floor replacement • St. Dominic Building repairs • Lower School landscape improvement plan • Continued safety upgrades on both campuses Long-term projects are still in the works and we look forward to sharing them with our STA community next year.

The SAC will welcome Jyothi Titus, Mitch Paradise, Dionne Rainey, and Trey Schroeder to the council next school year. We would also like to thank Mark Hoesterey, Chuck Kobdish, Sean Murphy, and Patty Sullivan for their years of service.

Thank you, Kyley Harvey, Chair

LOOKING AHEAD NEW NEXT YEAR

Campus Improvement Upper School library modernization and renovation

Academic • Upper School implementation of the Rosetta Stone World Language Education Program for 3rd – 5th grade Spanish students with an opportunity for exposure to different languages for 6th-8th grade students • Additional part-time instructional aide for 1st grade • Dell laptops for 6-8th grade students • Sets of iPads in all K–5th grade classrooms • The “LS Matters” blog on the STA web site will be active and used for regular communication about LS matters of interest and relevant topics in early childhood education • Religion curriculum restructure with a focus on Christianity and empathy skills, small group mentor meetings, and retreats focused on the importance of faith in action

Additional Security Enhancements • Additional cameras and radio communication • Improved gated areas for 4th and 6th grade exits • Access control with key card access on both campuses

Energy efficient upgrades at the Lower School Upper School cafeteria floor replaced New fencing around the Lower School playground Upgraded HVAC in the Rectory, St. Anne Hall, and gym Exterior landscape renovation and courtyard redesign for the Church Full cosmetic upgrades to nine restrooms in Church, gym, and meeting rooms

STA Year End Review

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Look for your Back to School Packet July 26th

BACK TO SCHOOL PACKET AND EVENTS The 2019-20 Back to School Packet will be in your inbox on Friday, July 26th, filled with new information and important dates for the upcoming school year. The detailed school calendar will also be added to the website for next year at this time. Don’t forget to subscribe to the school calendar from your desktop or mobile device.

STA will host a uniform sale and pre-order pick-up day on Saturday, July 27th, 10am-5pm at the Upper School. Risse Brothers Uniform will have a pop-up store featuring all STA uniform items for sizing and purchase. The STA Spirit Store will also have STA logo shirts, eeces, performance pullovers and Wildcat socks available for sale.

Uniform Pop-Up Shop July 27th

www.staschool.org