After a summer of planning and preparation, it has been wonderful to have our hallways buzzing with children again. There has been an incredible spirit amongst our faculty and students and I am so excited for the year ahead. Let me give a quick update of recent progress and plans for the school year:
· Facility Improvements
o Harwood Floors - This summer we refinished four classroom hardwood floors and tiled one floor. The rooms are bright and clean and we look forward to finishing the rest of our floors next summer.
o Electric Project – We are in the midst of an electric project sponsored by the Archdiocese. The wiring in our school is being completely replaced and updated and our fire alarm system will be replaced. Our electricians have been flexible about working around the needs of our students and causing very minimal disruptions.
o Bathrooms – We began much needed improvements to our bathrooms by replacing three sinks in the first floor bathrooms. We have more plans for our bathrooms and water fountains. Stay tuned for the Friends of the Grape Paddle Raise! Improvements to our bathrooms will be the special fundraising initiative for the school.
o New Library – Our library has moved to the third floor and since the shelves were recently installed, Mrs. Wiederkehr and volunteers have been busy setting it up. We expect it to be ready within the next two weeks. Though smaller than our old library, we will be able to fit the majority of our collection and classes will still visit to check out books. Additionally, I have arranged a partnership with Sulzer so that we have reserved time for our classes to visit the public library as well.
o Masonry – In mid-October, we expect to begin replacing the cornices on our school façade. The work will commence after Friends of the Grape.
· New Programs and Initiatives
o Inclusive Initiatives – In an effort to support all students’ academic, emotional, and spiritual needs, we have instituted a new model for inclusion. Our teachers will be providing targeted interventions to remediate and challenge students and will have the support of three staff members, Mrs. Garcia, Ms. Baglien, and Mrs. Klich who have experience and training in special education, as a learning specialist, and as a reading specialist, respectively. We also welcome Julie Raino, counselor, to our staff, who will be with us every Tuesday and has rich experience not only in social work but also in gifted education.
o Writing Workshop – This August our teachers were trained in Lucy Calkins’ method of teaching writing, called Writing Workshop. Adopting this curriculum in kindergarten through eighth grade allows us a comprehensive approach to teaching writing with teachers using common language around writing and setting similar high expectations.
o Technology Improvements – Don’t miss the newly installed projectors in each classroom allowing for easier integration of technology. All teachers in K-8 will be utilizing mobi boards this year (mobile interactive white boards) and our K-5th graders will be experiencing learning through iPads.
· Professional Accomplishments on our Staff
o I am proud to congratulate Mrs. Sheila Klich, Assistant Principal, on completing her Masters in Administration through the University of Notre Dame this summer. Sheila completed a research project on the positive effects of small group reading interventions and received the Distinguished Research Award for her work. She is currently submitting her project for publication, while putting her findings into action by directing reading interventions with our students.
o I am also excited to share that Mr. Jan Wiezorek, 4th grade teacher, has recently become a published author. Awesome Art Projects That Spark Super Writing (New York: Scholastic, 2011) features lessons designed by Mr. Wiezorek and examples of work from our students and alumni.
o Ms. Margie Rosmonowski also completed her Master of Education through Loyola University of Chicago this summer. Ms. Rosmonowski completed the LU-CHOICE program, a service program in which she committed to living in community with other Catholic school educators and teaching in an inner-city school for a small stipend. We thank Ms. Rosmonowski for her continued commitment to St. Matthias and congratulate her on assuming the role of Athletic Director this school year.
So much news and so much more to come! I hope that you will stay tuned to the blog for more updates through the year.
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