"Positively"

There are so many things that make our school a great place to be — as a staff person, a parent, and, especially, as a student. The number of positive events and activities is a source of pride, whether they happen at school or involve a St. Jerome student outside of school. The purpose of “Positively” is to share some of those happenings and to allow you to share our pride, and to celebrate the possibilities when we live with a “can-do” spirit.

POSITIVELY – January 2009

On January 9, the seventh grade Student Government members had the opportunity to spend the day at Boston College to attend the National Catholic Center for Student Aspirations Conference. Erin Crowley, Amelia McCaffery, Richard McAllister, Patrick Riley, and Clancy Wood rose early in order to leave SJS at 7 AM to be at BC by 8. We spent the morning in the Heights Room for an hour of getting-acquainted activities. Each student was put into a group with 7-8 students from other Catholic schools around the archdiocese. No two students from the same school were in the same group. Each group came up with a group name and a group dance. The groups then got to know one another through other team-building activities. Then it was up to the middle campus to classrooms in Campion Hall for workshops led by Boston College students. Students practiced listening to one another, debating issues, problem-solving, and discussing ways to bring God into their lives. Lunch in the cafeteria followed and then a return to the Heights Room. We had more team-building activities, including traveling the perimeter of the room by forming a human caterpillar with your group. The groups cheered when the teachers’ group had to do this one, too! Our time was 28 seconds – not bad compared to the best student time of 20 seconds! The final workshop in Campion was next, and this time the teachers had the opportunity to circulate to each classroom to see the students at work. At the end of the afternoon all of us returned to the Heights Room where the students from each school reunited and worked together to brainstorm ways to implement what they had learned at their own schools. Our student leaders came up with some great ideas, and they are working with Mrs. Kukstis to help put them into action. Look for them in their “Stand Up, Speak Out” t- shirts as they go about their work. A special thanks to Mrs. McAllister for helping to chaperone our group, and to Mr. McCaffery and Mr. Riley for driving to and from BC.

Reflections on Catholic Schools Week

Perhaps the greatest highlight of Catholic Schools Week was the one that didn’t get listed on the line-up of special events.

Maybe, because it’s something that’s a big part of what we do at St. Jerome School all the time, it didn’t seem necessary to mention it. But mention it we should:

 SERVICE

 As we reflect on why we celebrate Catholic Schools Week and why we thrive as a community, it seems like the time to shine a spotlight right on this wonderful building and all inside who give SERVICE as a way to share our mission of being Christ-like models.

So thank you to all whose SERVICE made our celebration one to remember…

Thank you to the folks who planned and participated in our opening liturgy, especially Father Blaney, the Student Government, the choir, the altar servers and the entire parish community.

Thank you to Ms. King, Mrs. Gallagher and all who helped make our school look so welcoming to new families.

Thank you to the grandparents, parents and students who made our Grandparents Picnic a warm and memorable one for all involved.

Thank you to the coaches and athletes whose time and talent gave us a truly spirited Pep Rally and to the parents who scooped up bowls of smiles and fun along with the ice cream.

Thank you to the parents who organized the Book Fair, to the families and staff members who found the teachers’ wish lists and granted those wishes with new books for our classrooms. Thank you to the kids for their interest and support of the fair and the trivia contests. Our library will have many new volumes because of your support.

Thank you to the kids who shared their talent with us at the annual Talent Show. God smiles when He sees you using the skills you have worked hard to polish.

Thank you to the teachers for the extra lessons on “Celebrating Service”, the beautiful student work on display, and for working with (and around) the calendar of events. Often special times like these teach our students lessons we could never fit in a text book.

Thank you to everyone who learned a new word and shared it with the school. Your vocabulary hats were visual evidence of your knowledge, understanding and creativity.

Thank you to Mrs. Kukstis and Mrs. Madden for keeping things organized and positive even with a snow day thrown into the middle of a very busy week.

It was quite a celebration, a combined success, a community achievement, and we say “thank you” to ALL who, through your SERVICE, make St. Jerome School feel POSITIVELY blessed.