Dear St. John Vianney School Families and Friends,

The terms personalized, differentiated and individualized instruction are often included in discussion of best practice in education. At St. John Vianney School, we have focused on an initiative for differentiated instruction in grades K-8. The bulk of our early work has focused on reading and language arts. We are pleased to be applying many of the same philosophies and practices in other content areas.

What is differentiation? Notably, differentiation requires a lens that focuses on the learner and depends on the skills and collaboration of the instructional staff. Differentiation arises from the efforts of teachers responding to the needs of students as individuals or in groups. Teachers vary the approach employed in working with students to provide learning targeted to meet student need. Differentiation most commonly takes place with regard to content, process, and product. Content is what the student needs to learn. Process relates to the kinds of activities or learning experiences that are used in addressing content. Product refers to the assignment, project, or presentation the student produces to provide practice and evidence of learning. Additionally, differentiation may include the elements of assessment and environment.

Key elements of differentiation include:

• Knowledge and skill instruction targeted for groups of learners
• Use of a variety of instructional techniques
• Learning objectives for the whole group
• Use of technology and a variety of resources to support the needs of learners
• Instructional supports for students with similar instructional needs
• Use of data and assessments guide targeted instruction
• Feedback provided to individual students

Students may be grouped for instruction to provide increased challenge in areas of relative strength or instructional support in areas of relative weakness. Students may also be grouped by interest, preferred process, or by chosen product.

Our own action research and data provide evidence that differentiated instruction has been successfully employed for the direct benefit of the students of St. John Vianney School. 

Important Notice Regarding Accelerated Placement

On Monday, February 23, 2015, the St. John Vianney School Committee approved a new policy regarding Accelerated Placement.  The policy is in effect as of 2/23/15.  Please contact Chris Gordon or Courtney Albright if you have any questions regarding this policy. 

The St. John Vianney School Parent-Student Handbook remains subject to further review and revision by School Administration. Please see the St. John Vianney School website for the most up-to-date policy language. 

Padre Serra Tournament

Congratulations to both the girls and boys teams!  They both won their game and will continue in the tournament.   

The entire schedule and results can be found on the tournament's website.  Games are played at Mount Mary College in Wauwatosa.  Please come out to support both of our teams! 

Operation Rice Bowl
Each family has received an Operation Rice Bowl bank and calendar.  With this, students and families have an opportunity to pray for and directly assist the poor in the United States and overseas.  Please see the Operation Rice Bowl Letter for further details.  All contributions are due by April 1. 

Teacher Luncheon Wednesday, March 11th

Our next Teacher's Luncheon will be on Wednesday, March 11.  You can still sign up to donate! To sign up for donations, please follow these steps:

   1. Click this link to go to our invitation page on VolunteerSpot

   2. Enter your email address: (You will NOT need to register an account on VolunteerSpot) 

   3. Sign up! Choose your spots - VolunteerSpot will send you an automated confirmation and reminders. 

Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone.

If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact us, and we can sign you up manually.

We need and appreciate your contributions. Thank you in advance for your help.

Heather Ferber, Ann Marie Grubich, Ann Kottak

Teacher Luncheon Committee 

March Home & School Meeting

Plan to attend the evening March meeting of Home and School, Wednesday, March 11 at 6:30pm in P209.  Only two business meetings remain for the year so we will have many topics to cover!  New business will include nominations for 2015-16 executive officers, addition and deletion of committees, committee chair openings for next year and updating of H & S guidelines.  Officer elections will take place at the April general meeting.  Please read the meeting agenda for a complete listing.  We hope to see you there!

Nominations are Open.  Are you ready to serve?

We have several talented parents expressing interest in executive offices for 2015-16.  Offices that are available for next year are Chairperson(s)-1 year term, Secretary-1 year term and Treasurer-2 year term. The Chairperson(s) will serve the following year as the Advisor.  Amy DiPiazza will accept nominations beginning at the March meeting and ending on April 2 at 11:30am. The nomination list will be published in the April 14 Weekly. Voting will take place at the April 22 Home and School meeting. Consider offering your time and talents through these leadership positions.

On Thursday, March 19 from 4:00- 8:00pm, come to Chipotle on Bluemound in Brookfield and support SJV.  Simply show the flyer or pull it up in your smart phone and SJV will receive 50% of your purchases.  Order your Chipotle Scrip by Monday morning, and you'll get it just in time for the fundraiser! 

Hey SCRIP Users- Easter Break is just around the corner!

Are you headed out of town for Easter break?  Or is it a stay-cation this year?  Whatever you are doing, remember to plan ahead and purchase SCRIP for traveling or shopping trips.   Spring is a time to shop for First Communion attire, graduation dresses and suits, new soccer or baseball cleats, and Easter clothes.  If you are considering a home remodeling or landscaping project, don't forget to order your cards.  We hope to see your order again soon.  

Tiny Tot Time

Tiny Tot Time will meet on Tuesday, March 17 at 10:00am in the Church Hall. Moms, Dads, Grandparents, please bring your little ones for an hour of story time, activities, and snack.  This month we will celebrate St. Patrick.  Please feel free to drop in or let us know you are coming by calling Dawn Van Dorf at 796-3944 x1117. 

First Communion Preparation

Church Tour for both children and parents is Saturday, March 28th from 9:30-11:30am in the Church.  All First Communicants and their parents are invited, but if you missed Joy Day we ask that you attend this event.  Reminder, the second family sharing experience is due on Monday, March 16. 

SJV Track 

Spring is right around the corner, so everyone is encouraged to join us for another fun season with track!  All students in grades 5-8 are invited to join.  Whether you are fast or not so fast, we want you on the team!  There are opportunities for running, jumping, throwing and having fun with friends.  Mr. Ronn Blaha is the head coach, so you know students will learn a lot and have a great time.

The season will start on March 30.  Practices are Mondays and Thursdays, typically 5:30-7:00pm, typically at the BC track, although we are still drawing up the practice schedule. We will practice indoors at SJV when it rains. Track meets are typically on Saturdays.

The track registration form and other athletic forms are due on March 23. 

We also can always use more coaches!  With approximately100 participants, the more parents the better, even if you can only help out some of the time. We'll have a coach and parent meeting coming up soon.  So, watch for another announcement.  Contact Anthony Boldin by email or at 414-331-9431 if you have questions. 

De Sales Days Seminary Summer Camps

Check out our complete schedule of middle school, high school and young adult camps under the events tab at www.thinkpriest.org. Mass, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, confessions, discernment talks, sports, recreation, service, fellowship, and discussion for young men discerning God's call.

For more information, please go to www.thinkpriest.org or contact Carla Dal Santo in the Vocation Office by email for phone 414-747-6437

June 27            June 21-24        August 2-5