Principal's Letter - August 30, 2012

Dear St. Monica Academy Families,

Welcome back to all of our St. Monica families as we start a new and exciting school year.  There are many new families and new teachers that we would like to welcome this first week:  Mr. Gary Childers (8^th grade), Robin Goel (4^th grade), Callie Salerno (PreK4), and Marcus Hostetler (Music). 

In the classrooms, we now have five Smart/Active Boards.  Locations are spaced throughout the school in the junior high, 4^th grade, 1^st grade, preschool, and the computer lab.  The use of new technology in the classroom will open new learning opportunities for our students.  You may have also noticed that there are new permanent wooden benches installed around the school and parish.  This was an Eagle Scout project organized by Chris Lessner, a St. Monica graduate.  We thank him for his hard work to make this improvement to our campus.

PowerSchool will continue as our School Information System (SIS).  The system is a web-based application that is accessed through an Internet connection.  Once you are familiar with PowerSchool, you will be able to check your child’s grades and attendance with just the click of a mouse any time, day or night in grades 4-8.  More information will be coming home explaining login procedures to families that will be using it for the first time.  We will also continue using SchoolReach to assist in home and school communication through email (on Wednesdays) and periodic phone messages. 

Lastly, the St. Monica Academy faculty has formulated goals in these areas.  The goals are listed below and will assist us in keeping our school current with a focus on moving forward every year:

CATHOLIC IDENTITY:

-Strengthen student knowledge of and participation in the Catholic Mass (this year is the “Year of the Mass”).

-Increase parish and school interaction in the area of religious education.

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE:

-Utilize Response to Intervention (RTI) knowledge and techniques to meet student needs and optimize educational opportunities.

-Integrate new and existing technology within classroom instruction.

SCHOOL VITALITY:

-Promote school in the community by showcasing environmental curriculum.

-Increase and strengthen student participation in the SEEDS curriculum through enrichment activities and stewardship opportunities.

Reminders:

*Information on Free and Reduced Lunches for qualified families is available in the school office, and applications can be sent home upon request.

*Please remember to return yellow Emergency Information forms as soon as possible.

As you may know, the following teachers from last year will be moving on:  Laura Chmiel, Gena Lupo, Carrie Elko, and Katie Snyder.  I would like to thank them for their outstanding service to St. Monica Academy!  We will also miss Chris Haruska, who has had a tremendous impact at St. Monica Academy during the past 8 years.  Congratulations to him for accepting a new position with the Office of Catholic Schools at the downtown office. 

With a new school year beginning, there is a lot to look forward to at St. Monica Academy.  Welcome Back!

Sincerely,

Ray Coleman, Principal