Greetings to all of you!
I am certain you and your children enjoyed the long weekend especially since the ITBS tests were last week!
Speaking of last week, the Middle School students did not set their weekly goals, as the focus was on the ITBS assessment tests. On Tuesday in Homeroom, they indicated to their teachers that they were eager to resume goal setting (weekly faith-education-service goals). What a beautiful expression of the habits of mind we've established with these youngsters! They are developing important skills that will serve them well in high school, college, and in future careers. Our Middle School embodies the true sense of educating the whole-child in a Christ-centered Catholic School. While many of you are well aware of what the program offers adolescent youngsters, many of you may not be. This week, I would like to provide a brief glimpse of the Middle School program and invite you to spend a few minutes in any of the Middle School classrooms to see firsthand how the following tenets are woven throughout the program.
Faith:
Middle School confirmation and leadership retreat in the fall;
Regular confession, adoration and rosaries;
Mountain Madness archdiocesan retreat in February for 1200+ middle schoolers across the state;
Fall and spring trip for all middle schoolers focusing on faith and service;
Students read documents from the Magisterium and Pastoral Letters in literature classes;
Students learn the dignity of the human person and sexuality through John Paul II's teaching on Theology of the Body;
Science concepts are taught through the lens of theology and support the design of the creator.
Academics:
Speech meet - every student required to compete;
Academic Decathlon - battle other schools in the diocese in a knowledge bowl;
BSCS Middle School Science Fair - all students complete a science fair project;
Denver Metro Regional Science Fair - winners from the school science fair advance to the regional science fair;
State Science Fair - if students place in the regional science fair, they advance to the state science fair at Colorado State University;
Archdiocesan Spelling Bee - students compete against other students in the Archdiocese of Denver in a spelling bee;
Rigorous science program utilizing a 3D Rover that allows science to come to life. Students are able to travel inside a cell, dissect animals, and anatomical models on the screen. Students can design their own motors and explore how an engine works.
Hands on experiences in the sciences including dissections of the following:
1) Cow eye ball
2) Sheep heart
3) Sheep lung
4) Earthworm
5) Starfish
6) Squid
7) Frog
Critical and analytical writing in Language Arts classes and thematic literature studies;
Differentiated mathematics instruction paced for each learner (in preparation for high school Algebra and Honors mathematics);
Integration of research and current events in the Social Studies curriculum;
Spanish - core class with rigorous academic expectations;
Cross curricular projects and collaboration;
8th Grade exit presentations and interviews - presentation on what they have learned in the areas of faith, academics and service;
Writer's Portfolio in the spring - portfolios showcase writer's abilities in all subjects;
High level content taught across all subjects;
Students go on to accelerated classes and honors programs in high school;
Student created yearbook;
Regular field trips that enhance learning;
Junior Achievement program teaches students the basics of entrepreneurship and personal finance, class is capped off with a field trip to the Junior Achievement Finance Park;
Integrated technology in all subjects;
Cloud based computing including email spreadsheet presentations and word processing;
All students participate in arts classes.
Service:
Students must complete service hours to advance to the next grade;
Students actively participate in cleaning up the campus and learn responsibility though caring for the school;
Students set weekly service goals and are mindful of others;
Students participate in school sponsored service projects;
Lenten and Advent service projects each year;
Sponsor a family in need for Advent;
Opportunities to serve others and classmates on a spring service trip.
All in all, our Middle School students are a community of eager learners poised to make a difference for today, tomorrow, and their future.
Blessings to you and yours,
Carla
"The formulation of a problem is often more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill. ... To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advances." - Albert Einstein
