Hi all - I just finished writing an article for Vox Populi, our parish newsletter, regarding our school and registration. I thought I'd share it with all of you:
As we look forward to the 2014-2015 school year, we have now started the registration and re-registration process for all grade levels. We continue to offer the 3K program during the mornings, twice weekly, as well as the 4K program which meets on the alternate three dates, also in the morning. Although each of those programs are only a half day in duration, we can accomplish more than many schools do in a full day, given that we keep each of those class sizes small for the benefit of each student. Additionally, our 5K-8 grade level programs have openings in each class, and run from 8-3 each day.
If you have not visited our school, you would be surprised to see all of the creative and innovate ways that students are able to learn. We're very blessed with technology that provides a SMARTBoard in every room with instructor iPad connectivity (we actually can reflect the teacher's iPad up to each SMARTBoard so that we can learn from apps as a whole class). Additionally, the students in grades 6-8 are fully engaged in a 1:1 iPad initiative, which truly individualizes the way that learning is happening. In a short synthesis, students are asked to create and explore in the learning process, instead of just simply memorize and regurgitate. What we've found over this year is that students who formerly struggled with memorization and simple knowledge now thrive in being asked to show and create, and students who were gifted in remembering answers for a test are now challenged to synthesize and apply that knowledge. It's a win-win situation for learning!
All of our students in 3K-5 also have access to two mobile Chromebook labs and an iPad lab. Students are each assigned a google-based web account, which provides them with countless apps for education, including a cloud-based document server that allows them to work from any place, any time. This is particularly useful when students are absent or on vacation.
Also, we believe in reflective grading; the grade at the end of the period should reflect what a student knows, not how hard they've worked (effort). This is a radical shift from traditional grading in that it is useful for parents and teachers to see how well students have commanded material. This helps for future courses and schooling, and minimizes any personal bias that a teacher may have in grading (or you might call it inconsistency). We try our hardest to re-teach concepts that are not understood, and to focus on each student's achievement for their potential, instead of just expecting simple tasks to be done. It truly revolutionizes fairness for all, but above that, it's just good teaching. Add to that the fact that we have a world-class faculty, and one can quickly see how awesome the education is at OLA.
Beyond that, OLA is a family community. We believe that we are an extension of the family, and we work with parents to ensure that there is consistency between home and school. We offer several organizations and activities that parents can be a part of, and we try very hard to communicate on a personal level. From my own experience, it's like being part of a big, awesome family; we're stronger because of it, and we celebrate our Catholic identity in part through the connections that we form.
Under Fr. Paul's leadership, we are strongly incorporating Catholic doctrine and teachings in accordance with the standards and benchmarks for Religion as set forth by the Diocese of Madison. Fr. Paul even teaches in the classroom; he is a regular presence in the school, and the students simply adore him. I am so grateful for his love and support of our school, and admire it greatly!
As you an tell, I love our school. I am blessed to be a part of it, and I would love to share that passion with you. Please call, email, or stop by to set up an appointment to see our school and receive a personal tour. I would love to get to know you, your child(ren), and your needs. I look forward to meeting you soon.
On another note, as s a fundraiser for our school, please save the date on Saturday, April 26, in the evening for a fun off-campus event at La Casa Grande, including a catered buffet dinner, cash bar (we're looking for donors to sponsor an hour or two of free tap beer and house wine...if you can sponsor, please contact me), live auction, and dueling pianos. If you've never seen a dueling piano show, you're in for a treat!
We'll soon be looking for sponsors for this event. If you can sponsor the event, which includes tickets to the festivities, please contact Mr. Flanagan at the school. In the weeks to come, we'll be including a bulletin insert with a request to sponsor the evening.
Additionally, we are looking for auction items for our live raffle. We will be placing the items in to "themed" baskets to auction off during the evening. If you have an idea of something you could donate, or know of somebody who could, please contact me, as well.
We have a lot going on for our school, obviously! Please continue to pray for us, our success, and our students in the time ahead.
God Bless-
Mike
As we look forward to the 2014-2015 school year, we have now started the registration and re-registration process for all grade levels. We continue to offer the 3K program during the mornings, twice weekly, as well as the 4K program which meets on the alternate three dates, also in the morning. Although each of those programs are only a half day in duration, we can accomplish more than many schools do in a full day, given that we keep each of those class sizes small for the benefit of each student. Additionally, our 5K-8 grade level programs have openings in each class, and run from 8-3 each day.
If you have not visited our school, you would be surprised to see all of the creative and innovate ways that students are able to learn. We're very blessed with technology that provides a SMARTBoard in every room with instructor iPad connectivity (we actually can reflect the teacher's iPad up to each SMARTBoard so that we can learn from apps as a whole class). Additionally, the students in grades 6-8 are fully engaged in a 1:1 iPad initiative, which truly individualizes the way that learning is happening. In a short synthesis, students are asked to create and explore in the learning process, instead of just simply memorize and regurgitate. What we've found over this year is that students who formerly struggled with memorization and simple knowledge now thrive in being asked to show and create, and students who were gifted in remembering answers for a test are now challenged to synthesize and apply that knowledge. It's a win-win situation for learning!
All of our students in 3K-5 also have access to two mobile Chromebook labs and an iPad lab. Students are each assigned a google-based web account, which provides them with countless apps for education, including a cloud-based document server that allows them to work from any place, any time. This is particularly useful when students are absent or on vacation.
Also, we believe in reflective grading; the grade at the end of the period should reflect what a student knows, not how hard they've worked (effort). This is a radical shift from traditional grading in that it is useful for parents and teachers to see how well students have commanded material. This helps for future courses and schooling, and minimizes any personal bias that a teacher may have in grading (or you might call it inconsistency). We try our hardest to re-teach concepts that are not understood, and to focus on each student's achievement for their potential, instead of just expecting simple tasks to be done. It truly revolutionizes fairness for all, but above that, it's just good teaching. Add to that the fact that we have a world-class faculty, and one can quickly see how awesome the education is at OLA.
Beyond that, OLA is a family community. We believe that we are an extension of the family, and we work with parents to ensure that there is consistency between home and school. We offer several organizations and activities that parents can be a part of, and we try very hard to communicate on a personal level. From my own experience, it's like being part of a big, awesome family; we're stronger because of it, and we celebrate our Catholic identity in part through the connections that we form.
Under Fr. Paul's leadership, we are strongly incorporating Catholic doctrine and teachings in accordance with the standards and benchmarks for Religion as set forth by the Diocese of Madison. Fr. Paul even teaches in the classroom; he is a regular presence in the school, and the students simply adore him. I am so grateful for his love and support of our school, and admire it greatly!
As you an tell, I love our school. I am blessed to be a part of it, and I would love to share that passion with you. Please call, email, or stop by to set up an appointment to see our school and receive a personal tour. I would love to get to know you, your child(ren), and your needs. I look forward to meeting you soon.
On another note, as s a fundraiser for our school, please save the date on Saturday, April 26, in the evening for a fun off-campus event at La Casa Grande, including a catered buffet dinner, cash bar (we're looking for donors to sponsor an hour or two of free tap beer and house wine...if you can sponsor, please contact me), live auction, and dueling pianos. If you've never seen a dueling piano show, you're in for a treat!
We'll soon be looking for sponsors for this event. If you can sponsor the event, which includes tickets to the festivities, please contact Mr. Flanagan at the school. In the weeks to come, we'll be including a bulletin insert with a request to sponsor the evening.
Additionally, we are looking for auction items for our live raffle. We will be placing the items in to "themed" baskets to auction off during the evening. If you have an idea of something you could donate, or know of somebody who could, please contact me, as well.
We have a lot going on for our school, obviously! Please continue to pray for us, our success, and our students in the time ahead.
God Bless-
Mike