This past week, our School of St. Mary students at the PGC have been busy learning how to code using the new Ozobot Robots. A set of twelve robots were purchased earlier this year by our Parents' Association for each campus. Christine Spevacek, the STEAM teacher at the UGC, is working to integrate this latest technology into the classrooms at both campuses. Ozobots can read two types of code: Color Specific Code, which uses sensors on the robot, and Blockly Code, which utilizes the web-based OzoBlockly website. Students have started learning about coding by using the Color Specific Coding strategy. Second graders have already begun to program coding with the robots, while First and Third graders will learn how to do this after Easter Break. Be sure to ask your child what they have learned about the robots!
Our School of St. Mary Seventh graders have been hard at work utilizing their engineering knowledge and designing bridges for STEAM class. Students, working in teams, were given 100 Popsicle sticks and one bottle of liquid Elmer's glue. They were instructed on how to plan and build a bridge that could hold, at minimum, a load of 10 pounds. Once designed and constructed, the bridges were tested to their point of failure and examined to see what failed in their design. One of the best teaching tools in STEAM is a failure because it lends itself to discuss how to improve the design critically. The strongest bridge was designed by Seventh graders, Isabelle Chong, and Caroline Petrillo. It held a whopping 206 pounds! Way to go girls!
Our inaugural Parent Fly Up Day was held this past Tuesday at the UGC. We were thrilled to host many of our Second- and Third-grade at the UGC as they learned more about Fourth grade and the UGC. Parents were taken through a typical day of a UGC fourth-grader, as well as being introduced to their teachers. Our parents were also introduced to many of the specials teachers at the UGC, and had the opportunity to ask questions and concerns they had about the school in general. Following introductions, and a question and answer session, the parents were introduced to our Seventh- and Eighth- grade Student Council (SC) members. The student introduced themselves, explained their roles were with SC and what the organization is all about. Our SC members then took parents on tours of the UGC, while answering any questions they might have. Thank you to Julia Donohoe, Kathleen Trkla and parent Kim Egan for all their hard work planning the event and ensuring the afternoon was a success!
Our Third- and Sixth-grade buddies have been spending more time together as of late, and been learning and growing in faith and friendship! Our Third graders came to the UGC last Friday to attend the Living Stations of the Cross with their Sixth grade buddies, and stayed for lunch and a tour of the UGC. The day concluded with a presentation to the two classes by Dana McCarthy, one of the program director at Feed My Starving Children in Libertyville. This organization depends on volunteers to hand-pack nutritious meals, to send to children around the world who are suffering from malnutrition.
Following up from the presentation they saw last Friday, our Third- and Sixth grade classes took a field trip today to the Feed My Starving Children site in Libertyville. While there, our students and staff worked side-by-side with other to help pack meals for less fortunate children. This was an exceptional service-learning opportunity for our students. What a most meaningful way to grow in our faith and spend Holy Thursday.
Our 2019-2020 School of St. Mary Calendar has been approved by the Archdiocese of Chicago. The calendar itself is subject to change. However, the following days are set and will not change:
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First day of School
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Labor Day Holiday
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Columbus Day Holiday
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Thanksgiving Break
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Christmas Vacation
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Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday
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Presidents' Day Holiday
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Spring Break
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Good Friday and Easter Monday
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Memorial Day Holiday
Please access the School of St. Mary 2019-2020 Calendar here.
As a reminder, school will resume from Easter Break on Thursday, April 26.
Easter reminds us about God's never ending love for us. Let us all together praise and worship God for his endless blessings. Have a blessed Easter.
Dave Wieters
Principal
