st. gregory the great · pdf filest. gregory the great school continues to actively seek and...
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From the Principal’s Desk St. Gregory the Great School Families: My hope and prayer is that this correspondence finds your families well during the hot summer days. I wanted to make sure I reached out to all of you before school begins again! Many exciting things are happening at school. We are blessed to have a positive enrollment. It means that you share in the vision of an excellent quality Catholic Education for your child. As we begin our new year implementing the Common Core Standards; it will be our hope to have all students rise to the challenging and rigorous curriculum that has been prepared for them. Over the last three years we have been working hard to fulfill and honor the vision and philosophy that is deeply rooted in the tradition of St. Gregory the Great. A few months ago I shared with new families at a meeting our vision and educational purpose. I want to begin the year reminding you of the rich tradition we hold onto in keeping our school a safe, Christian and academically challenging environment infused with the Gospel values of our Catholic faith. I look forward to seeing many of you on REGISTRATION DAY (August 8th). Blessings, Ms. Clagon
August 2013 monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday
5 OFFICE CLOSED
6 OFFICE CLOSED
7 OFFICE CLOSED
8 REGISTRATION DAY 2-‐6 P.M. UNIFORM DAY IN THE HALL
9 OFFICE
CLOSED
12 Office Closed
13 Office Closed
14 Office Closed
15 First Day of School K-8th early dismissal (Daycare)
16 12:30 p.m. dismissal (Daycare)
19 K-8th Full day
20 TK MEET & GREET
21 22 23 12:30 p.m. dismissal (Daycare)
26 TK 1st day Of school
27 28 SCHOOL ID PICTURES
29 30 12:30 p.m. dismissal (Daycare)
ST. GREGORY THE GREAT SCHOOL
JULY 2013 NEWSLETTER
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The three purposes of education at St. Gregory the Great School
1. Learning for today. We believe and expect our students to learn each day. Every teacher’s daily objective is to make sure this happens. It is imperative when students leave class they must take something with them. They need to understand the purpose and the value of what they are learning.
2. Learning for tomorrow: We strive to build on what students already know and lead into the next lesson. Therefore, our education here at St. Gregory is futuristic: one lesson leading to another. From day to day, semester to semester, year to year, the link is to teach for tomorrow in order to prepare students to utilize a skill, solve a problem, pass a test, take the next course, enter college, or get a job. When students see progress and feel growth in their ability to engage and influence the world around them then we have effectively conveyed this educational purpose.
3. Enrich Life: We want to enrich life for the whole student. This is the purpose that keeps us aligned with the Latin Root of the word education, which means to nourish. If we think about the scope of the meaning of the word, “to nourish” there is hardly anything left unsaid. When we nourish students, we promote learning and growing on a wide front that will enrich their lives.
Catholic Identity Progress Report
St. Gregory the Great School continues to actively seek and involve students, staff and parents in a Catholic faith in a number of ways. We continue a long standing tradition of celebrating weekly Eucharist as entire community. We impress upon the students the importance of being active faith filled Catholics. Our efforts continue to strive toward strengthening the relationships between home, school, and church to support our goal of faith. It is our goal to provide an educational environment at St. Gregory the Great that is distinctly Catholic and Christ-centered. Our School wide Learning Expectations of Faith-filled Catholics, Citizenship, Academics, Communicators, and care of self demonstrate the school’s mission to educate the whole child, spiritually, intellectually and socially. The pastor ,leadership and staff of St. Gregory the Great show dedication to Catholic life through their interactions within the community, their active participation in the school and parish communities, and their continuing focus on deepening of their own faith.
As a faculty and staff we are investigating service-learning programs that will involve the entire school. We have been able to connect with a Catholic School in Uganda in collecting school materials for the children; however, we want to implement a program where the children can connect the Catholic teachings of Social Justice. At the beginning of the school year (2012), the faculty developed a survey for parents to illicit the responses in helping to improve Catholic Identity. The response was not as great as we expected, but we used the data that we gathered to gain an understanding of what frame of mind our parents were in with regards to the religion program, here at St. Gregory the Great.
Through the formal religion classes students are given the necessary tools to help in the formation of their personal faith. Periodic visits from the priest and recognizing parish staff, students are encouraged to participate in parish life. Personal prayer life is strongly encouraged through classroom instruction, practice of prayer expressions and memorized prayer. These valuable experiences deepen the students’ understanding of the life of being a faith-filled Catholic. Teachers also encourage the students to follow the example of Jesus, in light of the Gospel.
Our children are witnessing the value of their ministry through music. Under the direction of our music teacher our children’s choir has had a positive impact on the wider church community. The altar servers are trained regularly throughout the school year. This gives the students an opportunity to improve their skills and invite new students into the ministry. Our students are involved in the preparation of Mass through their daily Religion Classes. We come together as school families to model for our younger students the participation in the Liturgy. As a school we continue to make the Angelus part of our daily prayer experience. Morning Prayer is lead by the Student Council and leadership each morning. There are many opportunities for prayer throughout the day. In the school year we were able to give the gift of retreat to the 7th and 8th graders, to help them grow with each other as family members in Christ.
Our pastor continues to encourage our parents to bring their families to Mass every Sunday. Since the addition of “Little Church”, more of our younger families have become involved in the church. Our parents have assumed leadership as Sunday School Teachers during Liturgy of the Word at Sunday Masses. In analyzing our surveys, parents indicated a need to have more formation classes. There are plans to discuss with the pastor how we might incorporate this at General Parent Meetings. As we reinforce the role of the parent as primary educator, it is our endeavor to offer ways to increase their spiritual formation and deepen their relationship with Christ. As partners we stress the importance of modeling a life in Christ through service. The Mass attendance has increased because of this. We continue to celebrate Family Masses once a month each Sunday. Our school choir has been a welcomed addition to the parish.
The role of Religion Coordinator has become more involved in the parish. The teacher/Religion Coordinator is the liaison between the parish ministries and the school. The communication has improved, since she is part of the liturgy committee meetings in the parish. This has improved not only communication but liturgy planning as well. This year we have four (4) teachers fully certified as catechist. All teachers have attended Congress Workshops, Regional Congress and Archdiocesan sponsored workshops as ongoing formation to meet requirements for certification.
Goals: • The Clergy, Staff and teachers explore ways to illicit meaningful responses from students during liturgical services • Formal Spiritual Formation Program for Parents • Establish a Christian Service Program for students
Elementary Grading Guidelines (3-‐8) Guidelines for Final Semester/Quarter Grades
Academic grades should reflect a student’s mastery of Archdiocesan Approved, State Common Core Standards or National Content Standards. Standards-‐based formative and summative assessments determine a student’s level of mastery. The levels of performance, below, taken from the California State Standards, are presented with a short descriptor and the corresponding grade (A-‐F): A -‐ Advanced: student demonstrates an in-‐depth understanding of standards and is able to broadly apply the knowledge and skills of standards.
B -‐ Proficient: student demonstrates a complete understanding of the standards and has some ability to apply the knowledge and skills of standards.
C -‐ Basic: student demonstrates a functional understanding of the knowledge and skills of the standards.
D -‐ Below Basic: student demonstrates a limited understanding of the knowledge and skills of the standards.
F -‐ Far Below Basic: student demonstrates a lack of understanding of the knowledge and skills of the standards.
Accomplishments:
• More defined role and communication of the Religion Coordinator
• Improved Family Mass with children’s Choir
• On-going Religion Catechist formation for teachers
• 7th and 8th Grade combination retreat
• Regular Altar serving Training
FAQ’S Q: What is the definition of ACTIVE CATHOLIC PARISHIONER in St. Gregory the Great Parish?
The definition of “ACTIVE CATHOLIC PARISHIONER” in St. Gregory the Great Parish related to the above policy includes: • Parent(s) is a Baptized Catholic: Child(ren) has been baptized Catholic and participates
in Faith Formation (attendance of CCD or religious education); • Parent(s) is registered in St. Gregory the Great Parish (for at least a full year prior to
applying to enter St. Gregory the Great School unless just moved from another area where family was registered/active in a different Catholic parish);
• Parent(s) is a participating, active parish member (events, liturgies, etc.) • Parent(s) provides regular (weekly) financial support to the parish through use of the
parish envelope. • An active parishioner is a registered member of the faith community whom stewardship
is a way of life, (i.e. one who shares his or her time, talents and treasures with the parish family. Evidence of desire for spiritual growth and practice of the faith is evidenced by the Pastoral Agreement.
Q: Is the school accredited? • St. Gregory the Great School has undergone evaluation by the Western Association of
Schools and Colleges (WASC) AND WCEA has been granted full accreditation through the year 2018.
Q: Is extended care available?
• Yes, there is before school care at 6:15 a.m. and afterschool care ending at 6:15 p.m. Q: Are there any after school activities?
• We offer drama club, study hall, sports ,cheerleading ,decathlon, student council Q: Can parents visit the classrooms?
• Parents wishing to observe their child in the classroom environment while school is in session need to first make arrangements with the teacher.
Q: What options does St. Gregory the Great School offer students for lunch?
• Students may either bring their lunch to school or take advantage of hot lunch program provided by El Camino(price $4.25 per day).
“Friend Raiser”(OPTIONAL)
We are Human Nature and we provide a Catholic Friend-Raising campaign called "little hands BIG DIFFERENCE". We are "products" of Catholic School education and we want to partner with you and support you by providing the opportunity to generate funds for St. Gregory the Great Catholic School. We also want to give you and your students, the means to help the poor in 3rd World countries have a sustainable way of life. By participating in this Friend-Raising campaign you are immediately helping your community, helping the environment, and helping our brothers and sisters around the world. Please continue reading for more information, but know we will be following up with a phone call in the upcoming weeks. If you are excited about what you read, don't hesitate to call us before then.
"The Glory of God is a human being who is fully alive."
- Saint Irenaeus
When you were a young student in elementary school, what made you feel "alive"? Maybe you remember the day of the pep-rally for the "chocolate bar fundraiser" and that moment when your name is called and you are given your boxes of chocolate to sell? Sweet excitement. And then of course, the end result, if one accomplished "the goal", the fun local Theme Park!
We all have memories of fundraising in elementary school. We as, "little hands BIG DIFFERENCE", want to do more than just create memories. We want to help change lives. Imagine the end result of what your school and your students can do with something different, life-changing, and good for ALL involved!
We want to help your students become fully alive as they help others to do the same. We have changed fundraising into Friend-Raising! We are called to "Love our Neighbor" (Luke 10:27, Mark 12:31). We know as Christians, this extends far beyond the boundaries of our neighborhood, city, and country. We look to St. Therese of Lisieux, the Little Flower, who had a desire to do great things, yet was bound to a small, humble convent. Though she never ventured very far, the Church has given her the honor of being Patroness of Missionaries. She shows us that YES, we can make a difference in the lives of our brothers and sisters whom we may never meet here on this earth. YES, this human desire to do good is attainable and possible. YES, we can radiate the Glory of God in our very own lives. YES, with our little hands, we can make a BIG difference!