We Are Ready!
Posted on August 25, 2009
The floors have been waxed, the school has been cleaned, the books have been delivered, the classrooms have been decorated – now, all we need are our students and we can’t wait to see them next week! Even though it is hard to say good-bye to summer, ISJ school is ready for a new year. All the teachers have their class lists and they have been praying for their students and their families all summer long. We are excited to see all of our old students and are looking forward to welcoming all of our new ones! We also want to welcome some new teachers. Mrs. Peggy Steffero will be teaching 6th grade, Ms. Caitlyn Carman will be teaching 2nd grade and Ms. Kathleen Murphy will be the long term sub for Mrs. Zalewski in 1st grade. Mrs. Zalewski had a beautiful baby girl a few weeks ago – Anna Grace. So, enjoy these last few days of summer and get ready to come back for a great 2009-2010 school year!
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A Great Summer Camp Trip
Posted on July 29, 2009
Oh my gosh! We just returned from a great trip to the Readington Bison Farm. Although the kids did not appreciate the smell of the farm, they were very impressed with how big and ugly the buffalo were. We learned how they are given shots once a year, how the eat, what they eat, and all the good things about buffalo meat. After we took a tour of the farm on footand saw the huge silos where the hay is kept to feed the buffalo. Then, we all hopped into a cart and went on a tour of the fields. The tires on the tractor that pulled us were bigger than all of our campers! During the tractor ride we saw a 2000 lbs. buffalo who was all alone in a field. We learned that although he weighed 2000 lbs., he can leap five feet in the air and can run faster than a horse – we kept our distance and decided not to mess with him! We had a great time at the farm and on our way home we stopped at Wawa for a nutritional snack of Swedish fish, Doritos, donuts, Slurpees, Sour Patch Kids and diet Cokes – the perfect ending to a great trip!
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Teachers Keep On Learning – Even in the Summer!
Posted on July 1, 2009
WOW – WHAT A GREAT TWO DAYS WE HAD! On Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25, 9 teachers spent 2 of their summer vacation days learning some really fun and cool technology tools here in our computer lab. Two visiting technology teachers were the presenters and they shared a wealth of information with us. We had a lot of fun using Photostory and Twitter. We also set up blogs and became familiar with Skype. We spent one whole afternoon learning the ins and outs of Smart boards and all the technology that goes with it. (4 of our 6 new Smart boards and projectors have arrived and the Men’s Club is making plans to hang them in the classrooms) By the end of Thursday afternoon our brains were on overload - and this was a good thing! Now we have the whole summer to think about and plan how we are going to use all this new technology in our classrooms next year.
I have set up a 7th Grade Religion blog so that my students will be able to answer homework questions through the blog. I will be able to check the answers and leave a comment. Other students in our class will be able to make comments and add thoughts to their classmates answers. I am hoping that this will be a very interactive tool and will also help to improve writing skills. This site will be password protected so only the children in 7th grade and their parents can access it.
I hope everyone is enjoying their summer – I am sure most of the Summer Reading assignments are almost completed!?
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Let the Summer Begin
Posted on June 19, 2009
The end of the school year has finally come and we have been doing a lot of celebrating around here lately! Our 8th grade graduation was wonderful. We sent 25 8th graders on to high school. We are going to miss them and we wish them the best. Many of the 8th graders said that they were going to miss their friends and their teachers. I received a note from one of them and it said: “I will always remember the wonderful years I spent at ISJ. I will truly miss all my teachers and also the positive advice and guidance ISJ has given to me during my 9 years.” God Bless, Class of 2009 – I know you will make us proud! Remember, if you need anything, give me a call and I will try to help you out!
We also had our closing ceremonies for Kindergarten and PreK. WOW! They really did learn alot this year. The songs and poems they preformed were terrific and we are looking forward to these wonderful students continuing in our school – keep up the great learning!
Check out the podcast to see pictures of the graduations and celebrations. Have a great summer – keep checking the blog, you never know when I will be posting again!
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Time Flies When You Are Having Fun
Posted on June 8, 2009
I cannot believe that it is June 1st already! Where has the year gone? These past couple of weeks have been so busy with end of the year activities. Last week our wonderful ISJ choir performed their spring concert. Check out the podcast and listen to the beautiful music they make. We have also celebrated our May Crowning, First Communion and the wonderful ISJ PTA picnic. We look forward to the Drama Club’s Briar Rose production, the instrumental recitals, graduations and the last day of school. We have also been making great plans for our Summer Camp Program. Trips to a horse farm, bowling, miniture golf, a buffalo farm, a baseball game and much more are on the way! Our students have had a wonderful year and our teachers are second to none. I will be writing more about the graduations and the end of the year activities. Do any of the “veteran” readers remember their 8th grade graduation?
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Principal’s Retreat
Posted on May 1, 2009
Today I had a wonderful opportunity to attend the Diocesan Principal’s Retreat at Maris Stella Retreat House in Harvey Cedars, NJ. The setting was beautiful – the chapel and conference room had magnificent views of the bay – and although it was a rainy and overcast day, being near the water always has such a calming effect on me. The theme of the retreat was “Gratitude is a Memory of the Heart.” Throughout the day we were reminded to be present to all the people and events that cause us to be aware of the presence of God in our lives. I immediately thought about my family – my mom, dad, sisters, nieces and nephews. Then I thought about my grandparents, aunts and uncles – living and deceased – and all of my cousins. At another time of reflection I thought about all my friends and some of the wonderful sisters I have lived with and have come to know throughout the years. I reflected upon all the places I have ministered: Levittown, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Somerdale, Virginia Beach, and finally Ewing, NJ. All the people I have met in these places, and the people I continue to meet here at ISJ, have shown me glimpses of God’s presence. Sometimes I have not been even been close to recognizing it in the moment, but at times like today, I can look back and be in awe of how God has worked, and how he continues to work in my life, through the people he places in my path. So, to ISJ, thank you for being the face of God to me now – thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow and learn from you. Have a great weekend!
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Kindergarten
Posted on April 27, 2009
Today I had the wonderful opportunity to see the faces of kindergarteners who were getting it – reading that is! They were reading a little story called “Our Van.” The whole class was sitting on the rug and they were talking about different types of transportation. Mrs. Medica then introduced their new book. They were so excited to be holding their very own book. Using the pictures as well as sounding out some of the words, the class was able to read the story. They were dying to be the one chosen to come up in front of the class to read the story aloud. I watched as a few of them worked on sounding out the words to themselves as they sat on the rug. Watching them decode and figure out the words is like watching a light bulb being turned on – they just get it and there is nothing better than seeing that recognition on their faces! It was the best part of my day and I thought I would share it with you.
Do you remember getting it with reading? I don’t remember a specific moment, but I remember feeling ”so big” when I was able to read signs and short stories. And now, reading is one of my favorite things to do in my spare time!
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Confirmation
Posted on April 23, 2009
California is a beautiful state and the people were so layed back and inviting. But, I am glad to be back on the East Coast! Even though I like to travel and visit other places, I am a real Jersey Girl at heart and like to be home.
All day long I have been reflecting upon the wonderful sacrament of Confirmation our 8th graders received last night. Out of all the sacraments, I like Confirmation the best. I like when I see the future of our church, young Catholic men and women choosing to continue to follow Christ. It gives me hope that these young people will go out into the world and bring the message of Jesus Christ to all those they meet. I pray that the Gifts of the Holy Spirit they received last night will guide them throughout their lives! Check out the podcast to see pictures and highlights from the evening.
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Anaheim, CA
Posted on April 17, 2009
I am here in Anaheim, CA and I am thoroughly enjoying the National Catholic Educators Association (NCEA) conference. I have attended sessions on bullying and cyber-bullying, Smart Boards, school law, differentiated instruction, free Google tools, marketing and school handbooks. There are over 8000 educators here from many different places. I have met people from the Bahamas, the Philippines and Australia as well as from many places in the United States.
On Tuesday night I took a trip with about 700 people and visited the Mission Basilica San Juan Capistrano. It was beautiful and we were able to see the ruins of the original church which were destroyed in an earthquake many years ago. To end the evening we went to the new cathedral and prayed compline and then headed back on the buses to Anaheim. Wednesday night we had passes to go to Disneyland. My favorite part was the parade down Main Street USA. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and all their friends were in the parade. It was fun to see them – almost made me go and buy a pair of Mickey ears!
I hope everyone had a great Easter vacation. Now we have to be ready to get back to work before summer vacation!
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Easter Vacation Begins
Posted on April 9, 2009
Does it get any better than this? It is 65 degrees outside, the sun is shining and all the flowers and trees are blooming as we prepare for the Easter Triduum! As our students left school yesterday, they were filled with the readings and rituals of these three holy days. During the student retreat day they prayed the Stations of the Cross, witnessed the ritual of the washing of hands, held high the crosses they had prepared, listened to the Passion and prayed for all their special intentions. When it comes to Catholic Identity and strong Christian teachings and values, no one does it better than Incarnation-St. James School!
During the Easter vacation I will be attending the NCEA (National Catholic Educators Association) convention in Anaheim, CA. Each year the convention is held in a different location and this year it happens to be in California – I wonder if I will run into Mickey? This convention is always a shot in the arm for me. It is so inspiring to see thousands of Catholic educators from all over the world (some as far away as Australia) participating at mass, attending educational sessions, presenting hundreds of workshops, and sharing ideas. I love to talk to people from all over the country because it is so enlightening to see how they do things in their schools. I also look forward to attending workshops on a variety of topics: technology, school law, school management, recruitment, marketing and even a session or two on new liturgical music that has been recently published.
I think I am going to take my laptop with me and post a blog or two from there – I will be able to tell you what sessions I have attended and what I am learning. Keep posted!
Blessings to you and your families during this Easter Season! You and your intentions are with me during these holy days.
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