Dear SKS Families,
The pictures above are from the following:
SKS Alumni – Molly Searing, Isabel Oliver, Grace Quirk and Madelyn Schultz from Notre Dame Academy who have been selected to participate in their challenging STEM program.
First Communion
The SK5K
3rd Grade Immigration Day – where “immigrants” ,including a Mr. Francesco Tosti, experienced the process of being accepted or rejected coming to America from their homeland though Ellis Island.
Our May Procession
Track Team
Alumni Wedding! Who’s that teacher as mother of the bride????
Principal for a Day – Maeve Irish
SKS Students out and about
Positive School Behavior Program
Last week, I attended a meeting at the Delaware County Intermediate Unit for schools that either have or are going to implement a Positive Behavior Support (PSB) Programs in their school. I was asked to be make a presentation on behalf of the non-public schools. There were about sixty principals, counselors, and teachers there. It was a good meeting and I picked up the idea that we should include as many people as we can to promote our PSB program, including bus drivers. I made a mental note to do that next year.
There are some public school districts that employ a PSB program across the entire group of schools from KG to high school. Some schools are able to track specific data relative to the program as a measure of success. In one example, a school (not the whole district) had 225 less referrals in disciplinary behavior than the previous year. Demerits and trips to my office are down from two years ago. I brought to that meeting the The Three A’s of SKS chart and sample Golden Tickets and showed the current stack of Golden Tickets I had sent down to my office over the last two weeks. The pile was significant and I was proud that two years into this program tickets in almost every grade are still being written by teachers and staff in the efforts to “catch students being good.” These efforts help to hold students to the right expectations and keep them accountable in a positive way. Our culture of consistency is better and yet can be still improved upon.
Terra Nova Scores
We have received the Terra Nova scores from March, you should be receiving them in the mail in the next few days. A letter from me will accompany your child’s individual results. Please read the letter carefully as you look at your child’s scores, remembering that standardized testing is one part of your child’s academic profile. Also remember scores are given in national percentiles. For example, if your child scored in the 80th percentile in Reading, that means your child scored in the top 20 % nationally of those who took the test. For 4th grade students, a part of the Terra Nova scores ( the Cognitive Skills Index (CSI) score , the Math Composite and the Reading Composite will be just on of the determining factors for Honors Math placement. Honors Math candidates will not be determined by the teachers and me until after school is over. Families will be notified this summer by email if they have been selected for Honors Math. If you have any questions about your child’s scores please contact your teacher.
A Busy Month of May
In the past month we have had First Communions, the 8th Grade Parent Dinner, the SK5K, spring CYO Sports, and Student Council elections. Our Student Council for next year are: Gracie Bookbinder, Mike Martillotti, Charlie Mc Kernan, Dylan O’ Connor, Julia Pyfer, Kathleen Sisian, and Blake Stefan. I was proud of the 19 candidates who ran for the election. We are in the process of getting students ready for a final push to prepare for Final Exams, and graduation for KG and the 8th Grade Class of 2018 will be in the next two weeks.
My thanks to the Spiritual Advancement Team as they enhanced the grotto, it looked beautiful for the May Procession
Knight of Columbus Essay Contest Winners
The Knights of Columbus sponsored an essay contest and our 7th and 8th graders submitted entries. The title was entitled “Living The Works of Mercy in our World Today. The winners were:
7th Graders – Blake Stefan 1st place; Sydney Dalton 2nd place, and Gracie Bookbinder 3rd place.
8th Graders – Mary Finley 1st place, Gabriella Recchilungo 2nd place and Elissa Lowry 3rd place.
Nearing the Finish Line
The last month of school is fast and furious to the end. There’s no escaping it. The reality is that everyone – students, teachers and parents – look forward to the summer months ahead. Although we may be a bit fatigued, we have jobs to do to finish the year strong and on a positive note. We have had a very good school year even with the four March Noreaster’s and we have a reason to be proud of our school. Finish strong is our mantra.
Memorial Day – We Remember
On this Memorial Day weekend, as we get a chance to relax and recreate a bit, we should stop for a moment and prayerfully think about all those brave men and woman who sacrificed their lives for the freedom we have today. Teach your children what this holiday is about and enjoy the long weekend.
Take care,
Bud