What were we working on this week?

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Dear Parents and Guardians,

This has been a very busy week for Ms. Brunkhorst, myself and the teachers. Today marks the last day of the trimester and next week, on Thursday, we will have report card conferences.  I look forward to seeing all of you then. Some of you have made appointments to meet with me. I welcome spending some time with parents to discuss their concerns. 

This week some of the teachers attended a seminar on literacy in the classroom. We will be revamping the ELA program at the elementary level. The programs we are using are very old and we are currently investigating materials that follow the standards and will help students excel academically. We will be remaining with GOMath and incorporating FUSION science for the early grades. This science program compliments the Stream lab and all classes, K – 8, will be able to make use of it. 

I have concerns regarding the use of social media and internet by some of our students. This week we audited the Middle School Google accounts and were unhappy with the histories and the contents that students were storing there. We will be incorporating Technology policies throughout the building for students and teachers. These will be distributed on report card day for you to sign. It is my feeling that parents need to know what the dangers are for their children. There is also a link to the sheet on the bottom of this page. We want to be proactive in teaching proper usage to our children.  I have scheduled a speaker to present this to parents on Thursday, March 28th at 7:00 pm.  Any parent attending will receive dress down passes for their children and refreshments will be served. The form is attached to this post and will also be distributed on report card day by your child’s teacher. Please RSVP by sending the bottom in so that we know how many people will be attending.

Today we will be wearing Green for St. Patrick’s Day. This will be sponsored by Student Council as part of their fundraising activities. Sunday is St.Patrick’s Day and I wish you all a sunny day to wear your green. 

Regards,

Mrs. Conlan

Internet Safety Flyer and RSVP

Grade 8 Ring Ceremony

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The Eighth Grade ring ceremony was on February 28th. A mass was held at Sacred Heart Church with a blessing of the rings by Monsignor Tom. The Eighth Grade ring ceremony was on February 28th. Mrs. Barckow and Mr. Frawley presented the rings to the students. A small reception was held later in the Church Hall. The wonderful treats were prepared lovingly by the Seventh Grade parents. Please view the pictures below. 

Did you enjoy winter break?

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Dear Parents,

I hope you all enjoyed your time off.  Since we’ve been back Ms. Brunkhorst and I have been working very hard in our planning for next year.  We have been examining the curriculum, Catholic identity, technology and school rules for next year.  It is has been very exciting to begin this planning. The objective is to create a wonderful academic and spiritual academic model for your children. Our teachers are also actively engaged in this process.

The uniform company for next year will be Flynn and O’Hara. There will be some changes to the to the gym uniform. This would include changing the color of the shirt to gray and the inclusion of gym shorts. The uniform company had suggested changing the plaid on the girls uniforms. I would love to have some parent feedback on this. There would be a transitional year for those students who already have a jumper or for those who are in eighth grade and do not wish to purchase a skirt for one year.  I will have the plaid displayed in the school library, any feedback is welcome. 

You will be happy to know that the committees for the Art room rebuild, Marketing and Development will begin meeting next week. I am thrilled to begin this process and have these ready for next year’s students. Over the break repairs were done to the buildings. The most significant was the repair to the gym stage. All of the flooring was replaced. This will allow us to have performances in the gym.  

I wish you a good week. 

Mrs. Conlan

 

Parent Alert to Internet Scare

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February 28, 2019

Dear Parents,

I am sharing some information with you to help continue to keep our children safe. I encourage you to monitor your children’s social media as there is a dangerous social media phenomenon called the “Momo Challenge.” Please use this as an opportunity to remind your children not to accept any invitation to play from an unknown number and not to click on unidentified links. Click here to see an article and video about this matter.

The Momo Challenge can be found on Whats App (a free smartphone messaging application) and on Facebook. This is just one example of dangerous “games” on social media. This “challenge” involves a frightening avatar making contact with a child from an unknown number or name. The child is asked to perform various actions and tasks, and provide photos as proof. Some tasks have even led to suicide.

There is one confirmed death of a 12 year old girl in Argentina, and three deaths currently under investigation in connection with the challenge. Students as young as first-graders have allegedly acted on some directions from the challenge. One of the first clues for parents to be concerned with is the image of a Japanese statue of a woman with bulging eyes and scary features. Children are given the series of tasks to finally meet the “Momo.” Remind your children to change email and social media passwords frequently and block unknown numbers inviting them to play immediately. This image is also popping up on videos played on You Tube. Peppa Pig and other preschool You Tube videos have been targeted. If you wish to show your child these videos go into the direct PBS site.

Please notify Mrs. Stokes, Ms. Brunkhorst and me of any attempted contacts to your children. This form of cyber-bullying is spreading through social media and cell phone. While these digital venues are blocked on school-issued devices, individuals may still be able to access such sites through their personal devices and accounts.

I feel it is important to share information to help build awareness and keep our children safe.
Please contact me if you have any further concerns.

Mrs. Conlan

Mock Trial at SHCA

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Students in Mrs. Frawley’s Seventh Grade Social Studies class experienced Law and Justice first hand by staging a Mock Trial of the Boston Massacre. Students got to be lawyers, defendants and judges in a British courtroom. What a wonderful way to learn about the justice system at the time of the British colonialism right before the Revolutionary War.

What’s Happening at SHCA?

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Good Afternoon,

On Sunday I saw how many of our families will be celebrating a Communion and Confirmation this year.  How great that our students make this commitment to their faith. It is truly a growth in their Catholic beliefs that they will remember all of their lives. 

This past week was the 100th day of school for our Kindergarten. It was great to see the t-shirts they created with 100 items on them. Junior High students are currently participating in a Mock trial in Social Studies.

Next week is our Winter Break. It is a time to refresh and recharge to get ready for the rest of the school year. You will see what we have planned for the Lenten season on our calendar. This begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6th. Please check the school calendar for more information.

I wanted to mention some of the things that Ms. Brunkhorst and I noticed this week. On Monday many students came in late. We had about 30 students waiting by the stairs. They came in after 8:15. Please remember that 8:05 the best time for children to be in school because we do prayer and the pledge at 8:10. Kindergarten and first grade parents must drop off in the gym. Only Nursery and UPK are allowed at the 217th street entrance. Please know that all of these rules are in place for the security of your children and their teachers. I thank you for your understanding in this matter.

Enjoy your week and stay safe.

Mrs. Conlan

Sacred Heart Is Back to Work!

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LOGO

 

 

 

 

Dear Parents,

Now that Catholic Schools Week is over we will be going back to normal.  There will be no interruption of Specials or AIS services starting this week. Fire Drills are a priority and with the warmer weather we will be having some this week. 

I am also looking forward to going into the classrooms this week.  I want to see the great things happening in the classroom and the way your children are learning. Ms. Brunkhorst and I will be working together this month to evaluate and perhaps replace some of the books being used in the classroom. We will be checking for publishing dates, and how well they meet curriculum standards. We will also be evaluating the technology and arts programs, hoping to work with our teachers to improve them. All of this will be done with teacher input. 

Thank you again for all your support in making Sacred Heart Catholic Academy a great place for children to grow both spiritually and academically. Without parent support and sacrifice we cannot be the best we are.  Please remember that I am available to meet with you. If you have any concerns please call to make an appointment.Enjoy the wonderful weather. 

Best,

Mrs. Conlan

 

Bishop DiMarzio Visits Sacred Heart Catholic Academy

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Bishop

 

Bishop DiMarzio visited Sacred Heart on Thursday, January 31st. He was here to bless our new Stream Lab. Our teachers met him in the Library for breakfast and then he moved to the Stream Lab to bless it.  Student Council was there to greet him when he arrived and the officers escorted him to the Stream Lab after breakfast. Once there two of our first graders met him dressed in Lab Learner coats.  Afterwards, he went to then gym to play “STUMP THE BISHOP”. Several students had the opportunity to ask him questions. These included a question on his pick for the Superbowl. He presented to Mrs. Conlan and Monsignor Tom a plaque for Sacred Heart Catholic Academy that commemorated the day. On behalf of the school he was presented with a gourmet basket of goodies. We are so grateful to have had him visit us during Catholic Schools Week and blessing the STREAM Lab. .

Why is Catholic Schools Week Fun?

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LOGO 

This Catholic Schools Week at Sacred Heart Catholic Academy has been tremendous. Superhero Day, Buddy Day, BINGO and more, above all, the blessing of the STREAM Lab by Bishop DiMarzio, will be amazing.  Ms. Brunkhorst and Ms. Spordone have outdone themselves in planning these events for the students.

I was happy to meet so many families on OPEN HOUSE. I can see the dedication that generations of families have had to Sacred Heart Catholic Academy.   Yesterday I met with Parents , as well, for a meet and greet in the school cafeteria.  The questions I was asked show how involved and caring the parents here are about their children’s  education at Sacred Heart Catholic Academy. These questions were about curriculum, testing, technology and the need for Spanish at the elementary level. 

Thank you to those families who volunteered to be on a committee.  If you are interested, these committees were, Facilities, Development and Marketing. Please call the Main Office and let us know which you would prefer to be on. Everyone’s efforts are needed to move forward in making the school the best environment possible for our students and their teachers. 

I wish you all a great week,

Mrs. Conlan