Latest Updates
A Terra Nova “Bonus”
Posted: February 26, 2021
To assist teachers with their planning during the week of Terra Nova testing, our STREAM coach, Sara Dalton, is preparing engaging STREAM activities that can be used at every grade level. There will be a separate lesson for each grade. These lessons will be aligned to our archdiocesan curriculum and will exemplify the nature of interdisciplinary learning at each grade level. It is our hope that, by providing these lessons and activities, students will have the opportunity to engage in a “fun” learning activity while lessening the stress caused by test anxiety.
All of the lessons will be designed to use easily-obtained resources, and, for those not comfortable presenting a STREAM lesson, live presentations via Zoom will be available in the afternoons of testing days. For teachers, there will be a live “kick-off” of our STREAM initiative reminiscent of Dr. Seuss’s “Hooray for Diffendoofer Day” on March 4 at 3:30. P.M. (A book that is not only very appropriate for Dr. Seuss’s week, but also for doing engaging activities during the testing time!)
Lessons and links to the Zoom presentations will be uploaded to the elementary website (https://aopelementary.org) this week and next.
A STREAM SUCCESS!
If you would like to see a good example of how STREAM and interdisciplinary learning helped one of our schools win the regional Future Cities competition and move on to the National finals, please go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7h84FK7LhE&authuser=1 We are proud of this accomplishment by St. Hilary’s students and wish them well in the virtual national competition in Washington!
Terra Nova Schedule
Posted: February 26, 2021Important Dates for Terra Nova Testing – 2021
Please observe the following schedule so DRC may service all the Diocesan schools most efficiently.
- February 20, 2021 All test materials (test booklets, directions, test coordinators kits, pre-code labels) received by schools. All shortages have been reported.
- March 4, 2021` Last day to order additional or missing test materials from DRC (Short/Adds). Orders received after this date are not guaranteed to ship to your school before the testing window opens.
Note: Any late orders that causes DRC to pay for shipping other than ground will be charged to the customer.
- March 11-19, 2021 Primary Testing Window.
These are standardized tests and, as such, it is important, for test reliability, that students in the same norm group adhere to the same testing protocols. While current conditions call for some flexibility on administration timing for virtual students, the following schedule is to be followed by all in-person assessments in all schools. This schedule allows for the admission of one section of the test per day with the intention that students would not have the stress of taking more than one section per day unless doing make-up testing that cannot be scheduled otherwise. This also allows for the resumption of normal class activities at the end of the testing session and would avoid major interruptions in learning.
- March 11 InView testing (Please note: All students in Grades 3,4,5,6,7 take the InView
- March 12 Reading + Make-up testing for students absent on March 11/virtual students
- March 15 Language + Make-up testing for students absent on previous test days/virtual
- March 16 Math + Make-up testing for students absent on previous test days
- March 17 St. Patrick’s Day. No testing for in-person students, but testing for virtual students can be scheduled.
- March 18 Science + Make-up testing for students absent on previous test days/virtual
- March 19 Social Studies + Make-up testing for students absent on previous test days/virtual
- March 22-26 Make-up testing for absentees/virtual students
- March 26 Last day for make-up testing and testing of virtual students. . If a student has not completed the test by this date, invalidate any section not completed using the directions in the Test Coordinators’ Manual.
- March 29 Final day to ship cartons to the DRC Scoring Center. However, we encourage you to ship your cartons as quickly as possible after testing. (Call UPS at least 1 day prior to pick up) DRC has provided UPS Return Labels so that your materials can be tracked. Arranging return shipping to DRC is the customer’s responsibility. Directions for shipping are found in the testing coordinators’ manual. Materials need to be received at the scoring center by April 2 in order for results to be received by May 1.
- May 1, Online data will be accessible.
* Scoring does not begin until all answer documents have been received from ALL schools.
Teachers – Tell Us Why You Love to Teach!
Posted: February 19, 2021
Archdiocesan teachers are being invited to do a radio callout for PBS radio. Files must be submitted to Sister Edward (sr.equinn@archphila.org ) by Monday, February 22.
Following is the script for our radio call out. Please follow the script and keep the audio to around 20 seconds. Below is an example, but it does not have your intro. Please include:
I’m from ___________ School and this is [Name].
What motivates you to teach your students everyday? Make sure to rephrase the question as you answer it.
Audio-Only Tips from WHYY!
- Make sure to get the clearest, cleanest audio possible. They should be in a quiet room with little or no echo.
- Stand close to/looking right at a wall if needed, or even into a closet if this is only sound and not video. (Coats will help kill any bounce from your voice.)
- Hold the phone up in front of your mouth, about a foot away from your mouth, so your voice is as clear and crisp as possible in the recording. Not knowing anyone’s phones or available apps, I’d just ask that they use their phone’s native sound recording/memo app.
90.9, WHYY-FM, Philadelphia
WNJN-FM, 89.7 Atlantic City
WNJZ, 90.3 Cape May Courthouse
WNJB-FM, 89.3 Bridgeton
WNJM, 89.9 Manahawkin
and WNJS-FM, 88.1 Berlin
Opportunities for Middle School Social Studies Classes
Posted: February 17, 2021
The National Constitution Center hosts free Scholar Exchanges—LIVE interactive online classes for students—every week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Scholar Exchanges are:
Our “Fun Friday” sessions feature a respected, expert speaker to engage with students on the weekly topic. This Friday, February 19, we welcome Ralph Young, professor of history at Temple University and the author of Dissent in America: Voices that Shaped a Nation. Professor Young will discuss this week’s topic: First Amendment, Assembly and Petition with students from around the country. Register students for this interactive session with Professor Ralph Young Friday, February 19, at 1 p.m. ET Feel free to forward this on to social studies teachers; they can view the full schedule of upcoming Scholar Exchanges through May 2021. With different levels, repeated sessions, and recordings, we aim to fit your school schedule no matter where learning takes place this year. We hope to see your classes at our next discussion! |
Celebrating Lent with Students
Posted: February 16, 2021
The following are good resources to use with your students during Lent:
STATIONS OF THE CROSS
- For younger students, coloring pages of the Stations of the Cross can be found at: https://www.thecatholickid.com/stations-of-the-cross-coloring-pages/
- For older students, include the Stations of the Cross as a part of daily prayer during lent. Short (less than 10 minutes) video versions that can be projected to your whiteboard can be found at:
LENTEN ACTIVITIES
The following web sites have good resources for observing Lent with children:
- Catholic Icing – –https://www.catholicicing.com/lenten-activities-for-children/
- What To Give Up For Lent: The Ultimate List Of Ideas
- Unplugging For Lent- 50 Ideas For Giving Up Screens And Technology
- Lenten Sacrifice Ideas and Activities for younger Students
- Lenten Activities That Last 40 Days (And Encourage Sacrifice!)
- Make a Crown of Thorns for Lent- Teach Kids About Sacrifice
- Holy Week In Handprints- A Craft For Every Day Of Holy Week
- Stations Of The Cross Crafts
- Lenten Prayer Pretzel
- Loyola Press: https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/lent/activities-and-resources/lenten-activities-for-children/
- Grades 1–2 Lenten Activities
- Links of Love
- Lenten Promise Posters
- Ideas to Share: Ash Wednesday
- How We Depend on God
- Coaching Children to Pray
- Grades 1–2 Lenten Activities
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- Grades 3–4 Lenten Activities
- Pray the Rosary
- Pray the Stations of the Cross
- Ideas to Share: Stations of the Cross
- Celebrate Reconciliation
- Coaching Children to Pray
- Grades 5–6 Lenten Activities
- Illustrating Jesus’ Journey
- Lenten To-Do List
- Ideas to Share: Ash Wednesday
- The Number 40
- Coaching Children to Pray
- Grades 7–8 Lenten Activities
- Take 10 Minutes
- Commitment Buddies
- Family Effort
- Coaching Young People to Pray
- Grades 3–4 Lenten Activities
- Lenten Activity Calendar for Families {Free Printable!}
https://fairfieldcounty.momcollective.com/lent-activity-calendar-for-families-free-printable/
- Lenten Countdown Worksheet https://catholicsprouts.com/lenten-countdown-worksheet/
Catholic Schools Week: SUNDAY – Celebrating Your Parish
Posted: January 31, 2021Catholic schools benefit all year long from the religious guidance, prayers and support parishes provide. Many parishes join in the National Catholic Schools Week celebration by devoting a Mass to Catholic education. Schools start the week by inviting parishioners and community members to parish-centered events and school virtual open houses that feature their outstanding academic programs, religious education and service opportunities.
TIP: Even if you are not a parish school, reach out to local parishes early in the year to see if you can be part of a Mass during CSW. This is a great way to reinforce the shared commitment of faith and academics forming the whole child. A sample letter is available in the Tools and Templates section of the NCEA.
- Ask parish priests (in-person Masses or live-stream) to announce Celebrate Catholic Schools Week – January 31 – February 6 – at each Mass.
- In the bulletin, online or printed, invite parishes to pray for Catholic schools, yours especially.
- Invite parishioners to visit, but only when it’s safe to do so.
- Tag your parish on social media with a Canva-inspired post and use #CSW21.
- Download Catholic Schools Snaps from NCEA and post them on your website and social media, in addition to including them in a bulletin or school e-newsletter. https://www.ncea.org/csw/Planning%20Tools/Catholic_School_Snaps/CSW/Planning_Tools/Catholic_School_Snaps.aspx?hkey=efddbbb5-ce5f-4ae8-8af3-f0a0a7cd58ce
- Share a parish’s Mass that is utilizing livestreaming or Facebook Live.
Civics Education Has Never Been More Important
Posted: January 29, 2021
Catholic Schools Week is Almost Here!
Posted: January 26, 2021
In light of the current situation, please review carefully the overview of possible acceptable activities for celebrating Catholic Schools Week. If your school has any planned activities to celebrate Catholic Schools Week that you would like to share with us (e.g. livestreamed Mass, Zoom activities, etc.}, please send the information to Catherine Jennings (cjennings@archphila.org) who will coordinate and share these with the OCE staff and the Communications Office so we can support you in whatever way we can. Also, if you have any pictures or other things that you would like to share for the website or social media, send these to Catherine and she will share them with Bonnie, as well.
Celebrate Catholic School Week Themes
Posted: January 3, 2021
Celebrate the following daily themes in your arch/diocese during Catholic Schools Week 2021 (adapted from NCEA for Archdiocesan schools)
Please tag NCEA and AOPS on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, plus use the hashtag #CSW21 and #equippingsaints, so we can share your information! Take advantage of all of the devices you and your colleagues have on hand to continue to get out the word on why Catholic schools are great places of academic excellence and faith-filled mission.