January 19, 2016

        

        Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,

        Many veteran families have heard me preach about the "4 C's"  for education that students need to be successful today : Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration and Creativity. These "4 C's" are essential skills for student success in the classroom and beyond.   Twenty-five years ago,  if you were good at memorizing facts of rote material you could succeed in school and beyond.  In today's world you still need rote facts (time tables, spelling words, etc). However, the world has changed and more skills are  needed by students to ensure their success. All educators  need to make these "4 C's"  a part of their teaching process. 

       Last week, grades 6 through 8 attended a technology demonstration by the Uncommon Individual Foundation arranged by Christina Elisio, our technology teacher, and our  6th, 7th, and 8th grade teachers. They were introduced to a 3-D printer and the presentation was very good, showing the students why and how a 3-D printer is being used to benefit many industries, including the medical field. Did you know when the first 3-D printer was invented ? Can you believe 1986? 

       Over the next few weeks the students will be working in teams (think 4 C's here) designing a 3-D  religious cross. The winning design team in each of six homerooms will be chosen and those crosses will be manufactured by.... you guessed it,  3-D printers.  I am excited about the possibilities of using this 3-D printer  as a STEM tool. The 4 C's of Critical Thinking, Communication , Collaboration and Creativity were being used by students in the parish center as the groups started to discuss what they would design.
       The UIF is a unique group of people. Think of them as a group of veteran mentors working with younger, inventive, protege types trying to create new ideas, businesses, and  products.  We are hoping in the future to have some students join an after school club that will involve working with the UIF, quite possibly at their "Think Tank"  offices about 10 minutes down the road in Devon. The Uncommon Individual Foundation was created by SKS parishioner Dr. Richard Caruso,  whose goal in creating the foundation was to provide mentoring to young adults who are interested in invention and entrepreneurship. As it states on their website homepage: "The Uncommon Individual Foundation seeks to unlock the potential of every individual through the applied art, science and power of mentoring." I am excited about a possible partnership with UIF to provide a learning forum for our students. If you want to know more about UIF go to www.uif.org. The video on the website explains their mission more clearly.
        Yesterday, we had over a hundred students from kindergarten to seniors in high school at school for SKS's  Martin Luther King Day of Service. I was touched to see many former alumni come back to their roots and work with our younger students. They were joined by parents and teachers who all helped to perform corporal works of mercy.  Sandwiches  and "Care"  bags were made for those who need help. Our leaders, Steph Twohig and Jackie Sevag, (aided by sons Andrew and Nicholas) did a great job of organizing the morning.  We are grateful to all who brought items in. There is no greater lesson we can teach our youth today than our call to to help those in need.  



Take care and stay warm,

Bud

                                 Uncommon Individual Foundation with 6th, 7th and 8th Grade 

                                                                              3-D Printers 

                                     

                                       

Joe Narke, a 22 yr old entrepreneur from UIF,  explains the inner workings of the 3-D printer to our 6th grade.  

In the foreground,  business owner   Mr John Springrose, a former parishioner whose children attended SKS, explains how a 3-D printer is used in his furniture business to make prototypes , thus saving his company huge expense costs.   

Teddy Wolfington  as fellow students  look in amazement, tests out the small chair prototype that was made by a 3-D printer. 

Dimitri from UIF shows our 7th grade  how the 3-D works to transform an electronic file into an actual  3-D object.                                                            

This is the size of the 3-D printer model that UIF brought to school for us to see in action. 

                                   SKS's  Martin Luther King Day of Service 

January 7, 2016


Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,

          Welcome to the first blog of the New Year. Joy, health, and peace to you and your families. I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your generosity and goodness to the faculty/staff and me over the holidays. Not every school is as fortunate as ours to have such caring families .
          We are back into a routine. It's tough coming back from Christmas break, but the kids are smiling and happy to see everyone, including their teachers and even their principal!
          Wednesday morning we had an in-service for teachers as a teacher/coach from the DCIU
(Delaware County Intermediate Unit) worked with our teachers in improving their technology skills with Google Apps for Education.  So what did Mr. T. do with 452 students while the teachers were in the media center?  Thanks to some courageous moms and dads who helped me, we had an  SSR (silent sustained reading) time with the students. Each student in each grade is paired with their older "Buddies" ( KG-6 , 1-8, 2-4, 3-7) and 5th grade has me as their one and only "Buddy."  So throughout the entire school  for a 90 minute block of time students were either reading quietly on their own,  the older Buddy was reading aloud to the younger Buddy, or had the younger one read aloud to them. They read quietly for enjoyment and the older students took great care of the younger ones.  I am exceptionally proud of how our students carried themselves during this entire time.  It made me proud to be their principal.  Pictured below are a few of our students with their Buddies. 
            Finally, one of the keys to being successful as a student is to have a neat, legible, and organized  homework pad. There is a direct correlation  to students who succeed and those who have an organized way of knowing what they have to do.  It's an example of working smarter as well as harder.  To that end , one of Mr. T's New Year's resolutions is to drive that point home. I have communicated to students this week that I would be checking homework copybooks at random. I started it today and checked about a dozen or so, and it raised more than a few eyebrows in the process.  Whatever it takes to get them  moving forward, right? I 'll be back at it tomorrow and the days to come.   

          Thank you for entrusting us with your children each day. We are blessed.


           Take care,


            Bud

                              Pictures from Yesterday's Buddies Reading 

  

December 22, 2015

Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,

             If you have not heard of The Little Blue Book  based on the writings of Bishop Ken Untener  during this past Advent season, I highly encourage you to file it away as a must for next year. Copies were made available in church.  It's five minutes of reflection that can carry you through a day,a  week, even the Advent season.  The faculty and I use them when we meet for morning prayers and I have to say it really helps us maintain our focus and mission as Catholic school teachers and as Catholics. It  helps ground you.

             Helen Keller once said,  "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." As we arrive at Christmas break this is an opportunity to thank all of you for your kindness and goodness to this school, our faculty and staff and to me personally. The support we receive continually is something I can actually "feel."  The best gifts we receive from others are often not the tangible ones.  It's our faith, our family, our friends, our health, and the chance to be together with the ones that mean the most to us.  In my Christmas blessings I will thank God for my relationships within our St. Katharine of Siena School Family: Colleagues, parents, and students. I feel privileged to serve this community.  May your coming Christmas days be merry and bright.....joyful, restful, and peaceful as well.

             With  love and gratitude,

              Bud

P.S.   Below is the latest communication from the PA Catholic Conference I received regarding the state budget. Gov. Wolf continues to be on Santa's not nice list.  

Dear Education Department Members,

I hope you are doing well.  The PCC just released the following budget impasse impact article with an action alert.  Please forward to all your education circles.  Here is the link to the website article: http://www.pacatholic.org/the-dire-consequences-of-inaction-on-education-tax-credits/ and here is the link to the action alert: https://www.votervoice.net/PACC/campaigns/43824/respond.

Sincerely,

Sean P. McAleer, MGA

Director of Education

PA Catholic Conference

PO Box 2835

Harrisburg, PA 17105

717.238.9613 Office

717.514.1882 Cell

717.238.1473 Fax

www.pacatholic.org

    Connor Kraus visits with SKS parishioner, Mrs. Margie Blake, after bringing her a Christmas wreath and  Christmas cards made from the the entire school for our parishioners who may be homebound. 

Mr. Gavin and his class brought gifts to a family at The Village. The 4th grade collected and raised funds to buy gifts for a family. 

Pictures from The Christmas Tableau 

                                                                 

     

December 15, 2015
 

 Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,
             
              The Advent Season continues and everyone is busy. I hope you and your families have found this time to be one of joy and peace. I see many parents coming in these days stressed about trying to make Christmas perfect for their families. The truth is our lives are often messy.  As parents we deal with many things: taking care of children and caring for  own parents as well, pressure at work, trying to ready the house for company, and finding the right gift for everyone. Christmas need not be perfect. Advent and Christmas should be joyful.  The meaning is in the presence, not the presents.  When you feel yourself overwhelmed with a full plate, first take a deep breath, smile, say a prayer, and remember to be be joyful and at peace knowing you are doing the best you can.

            Besides joy and peace, we need to be  merciful. Pope Francis started this Year of Mercy on December 8th. He symbolized it by opening the doors of the church in Rome. So too, we are to open our hearts to both give and receive mercy as needed. It takes humility to do this. Pope Francis serves as an excellent role model to follow. He said, "We have to put mercy before judgment, and in any event that takes place, God's judgment will always be in the light of His mercy."  We can all follow Francis' lead by being less judgmental to those around us.

           The  attendance at the KG- 4 Christmas Concert was tremendous. Thank you for coming. I think we had a record numbers of grandparents and we love seeing them there. My mom was able to attend the dress rehearsal that Wednesday afternoon. She loved seeing the children's  innocence, as our students sang like angels. What we do everyday in school is vital; however, everything we do begins and ends in church. It is who we are and what we are about. Tomorrow evening, the 5th - 8th  grade will show this spirit when they perform our annual Christmas Tableau. I have been to a few rehearsals, and as usual, see that the performance will be outstanding. The retelling of the true Christmas story will warm your hearts; all are invited.

          Last Thursday I was able to attend the talk by Jason Evert that we advertised for students and parents from 7th grade through high school on Teenage Purity.  Jason is an international speaker and last week he spoke at nearby St. Norbert's Church. Some of our parents and students were able to attend.  In a future blog, I will share  his "Top Ten Tips to Parent For  Purity." I give you  a website where you and your teenage child can download his talks. Jason has a gift to connect with  teenagers and parents alike. He left the church  last week to a standing ovation.

             I am working my way from 8th grade on down to meet with students about their first trimester report card and setting goals for the second trimester. I won't meet with every student, but I will with many who need guidance and support. Providing honest feedback to our students is the #1 way to improve student performance.  Do you know that many students do not realize that their effort can /will increase their performance in school.  We know it will, but research has shown that some students will not equate effort with performance results. Remember it is always about effort, attitude, and being respectful of people, places, and things.


           The teachers and I  remain grateful to you everyday for your support of our school community.


Take care,


Bud

The First Grade performed beautifully, as did all the grades,  at the annual 
KG - 4  Christmas Concert. 

From L to R: Michael and Sophia Schuller were assisted by Rochelle Clerkin and Jocelyn Salinas earlier in December . Parents were able to drop off their kids and get some early shopping done thanks to the SKS Community Service and Respect Life Club members who watched them.

Michael Duncan is very intent as he buys a gift at the Santa Secret Workshop. Many thanks to Arlene Brogan and all her elves who helped out.

The Knights of Columbus sponsored the "Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest.            Thanks to Joe Checchia, who had all our students enter the contest . First place in the three    age groups went to: Jamie McCracken, Phoebe Chambers, and Catherine Haley .  Runners
up were: Connor Kendall, Sophie Walkenhurst, Sophia De Giovanni, Franny Gallagher, Isabel Oliver, and Angela Salinero  

      Kayleigh Doyle had an amazing cross country season for our SKS CYO team and for              the Archdiocesan CYO team that traveled  to CCCYN National Championships. The team       finished 9th out of 23 teams, and she finished 38th out of 251 individuals, with a personal best time at 4 kilometers of 15:51.  Congrats Kayleigh!

A priceless mother/daughter moment as  Jen Driscoll helps her daughter, Lochlan, make some jewelry at Donuts with Santa. Thank you to Mary Ann Garzio  and Cindy McKernan  and the many volunteers who coordinated this annual event. 

Joe Garzio can barely contain his smile posing as an angel at the caricature Nativity scene at Donuts with Santa. 

         


                           

November 24, 2015

Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,

        At today's Thanksgiving Prayer service , the students were reminded that one way we can show our gratitude is to be helpful. Service should start at home with the family. Remind your children they have an obligation as a family member to be a part of the helping out process. You can use their help and it's teaching them important life lessons. 
        Everyone loves Thanksgiving. It's a terrific respite for all. We take time to be grateful. We take time to pray for our loved ones.  We remember with love those who have gone before us.  We pray for peace in our world and in our hearts.  We help the less fortunate. We enjoy the company of family and friends.  We eat a lot of turkey and dessert! We are blessed. 
        For those traveling near and far, please be safe.  May St. Christopher be with you on your journeys. 
        On behalf of the faculty and staff , I wish our school community a blessed, restful, and happy Thanksgiving. In my many gifts,  I value and cherish the relationships within this school community as a constant blessing.  Appreciative of your support for this school I remain......

         Always grateful,

         Bud  
   

                                                              Recent Happenings at SKS

Our 8th grade class went to see classmate, Claire Ondik, perform in the Pa. Academy of  Ballet Society's performance of The Nutcracker at the Upper Darby Theater of Performing Arts.  Claire is pictured on the left. She and the entire cast were so talented.  

Eighth grader Caroline Wolfington edits the work  of sixth graders, Julia Pyfer and Bridget Burke. These grades have worked together in ELA class to improve their editing/writing skills.  

At the reception  after the annual 8th grade Thanksgiving Mass for parents and students, Kayleigh Doyle and Emma Sponholtz  are with with moms. Maribeth and Charlene. 

The Class of 2016 after the 8th grade Mass of Thanksgiving .  

Mrs. Marilou Reeder, mother of Sophia , Sasha and Annabel, is a published author. She came to read her book: The Daring Prince Dashing in the the library last week. 

The 4th grade, with Fr Michael, attended a Healing Mass at the Shrine of the Miraculous Medal.

Nic Angelichio, Grant Grube, and Gavin Maher played in the CYO  Soccer All Star game. 

The annual SKS Talent Show drew an immense crowd.  Thank you Steph Twohig and all those who helped and participated in a fun night. 

Three 7th graders won awards in the Knight of Columbus Essay contest on "How Pope Francis Visit to Philadelphia Impacted Your Life."  Pictured above with  presenter, Dr. William Lehner of the Knights of Columbus,  are: Maddie Schultz (3rd place) , Nathan Jones (2nd place) and Ava Stone (1st place.) 

The annual Kindergarten Feast was held today. The kids are adorable as Pilgrims and Indians, the old guy in the middle ...not so much.

"Pilgrim" Christopher Kraus with his mom, Steph , at the Kindergarten Feast.  

November 18, 2015


Dear St.  Katharine of Siena School Families,

            Two weeks ago I attended the annual Speak Up! for our 7th & 8th grade students and parents . I left there wondering and hoping that every attendee had the positive experience that I had. The next day, a 7th grade student came to my office unsolicited to tell me said, "It was the best night of my life. "   I stopped wondering and thought that if Speak Up! did that for just one student, the night was worth it.

            Martie Bernicker,  the executive director of Speak Up was the featured speaker before the break out sessions. In her talk, she echoed many points that Sr. Pat Mc Cormack made when she spoke here to parents and students in October. The whole model of Speak Up! is for the adolescent or parent to speak freely expressing their concerns and fears in a judge free environment.   Think Planet Fitness - a judgement free zone.  Here are a few remarks that Martie Bernicker made that are important for all of us to think about:

                It is hard most times for adolescents to be honest about their struggles. Why? Because:
                                1. They don't want to disappoint their parents.
                                2. It is perceived as a sign of weakness.
                                3. They don't know a solution, or even worse , they don't see a solution to their                                          problem.
                                4. They can feel trapped, isolated, and think they are the only one that has this                                           an "issue." They feel alone. 

                     Adolescents at this age experience a range of emotions such as " I am not this or that ...
                     For example:
                                  1. " I am not the best ______________." (fill in the blank).  Such as "I am not                                              the best student, best athlete , most popular , best looking etc.
                                  2. What they do is not ( or never) good enough for their parents/teachers.
                                  3.  They are always being compared to /or judged. They can feel invisible.
                                        "You are not as smart as your sister ...."
                                  4. All they want to do is "fit in".
                                  5. Some adolescents are great at hiding their true feelings from adults.
                               
                        What is the answer to these adolescent issues for parents and educators?  One night at Speak Up! is not the sure cure for every relationship, but it is always a good start. What I can strongly encourage you to do as parents is try your best to maintain an open dialogue with your child.  As they mature, invite more dialogue and less preaching. Remember as they say at Speak Up!, equal dialogue does not mean equal decision making. As your children get older, your Parent Alarm Clock will go continue to go off.  That "alarm clock"ringing is fear for your child's physical, mental and emotional safety. Try to replace that fear with common sense, reasonable expectations, allowing realistic opportunities for your child to fail, and reasonable boundaries in areas like technology and curfews.  Parenting is not an exact science.  The best parenting and teaching maintains a balance of all the aforementioned with a heavy dose of unconditional love. I hope this helps you navigate the ever challenging times we face as parents.

Take care,

Bud

Martie Bernicker at the SKS /SCJN Speak Up Night held two Mondays ago at St Colman -John Neumann school. Just shy of 150  students and parents attended the night.  

Avery Buckley's grandfather came to the 1st grade to talk about being a veteran and serving in the military on Veteran's Day. You can see he dressed for the occasion. 

Our SKS Band performed for the our SKS Senior Luncheon Club on Veteran's Day playing a few patriotic songs. 

The First Grade Saints Presentation in church for All Saints Day is  a time honored tradition at our school. 

Our Faculty Staff Dragon Boat Festival Team, The SKS Waverunners,  performed admirably

in the annual Philadelphia Dragon Boat Festival. Yes that is chef & cheerleader, Mike Gavin  blowing the horn emphatically in the back! If you are interested in forming a St. Katharine of Siena Families DBF Team, please contact me at school. It is a wonderful experience .