Dear BSS Families,

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and creating wonderful memories. Here at BSS, the hallways are filled with the sounds of summer campers and our summer staff is busy preparing the building for the 2013-2014 school year. I cannot believe that school will start in less than a month!

 

As for me, there was another graduation. My daughter completed her studies and now she is Dr. Olivia Gomez, Doctor of Dental Surgery. It was culmination of a journey that began with a seed that was planted while she was an 8th grader at BSS. (Olivia pictured with the Dean of Dentistry)

 

At that time, 7th and 8th grade students did community service at various businesses in Burlington. Students were assigned to nursing homes, Chamber of Commerce, church office, United Way and other trades. Every Thursday, for nine weeks, our students assisted them and learned the purpose of the organization. The students had to keep a journal and take pictures so they could do a presentation at the end of the semester. Olivia was assigned to Dr. Crisp's office.  Two of her duties were to help schedule appointments and soothe frightend children. It was such a wonderful experience that she decided to become a dentist, all thanks to school program!

 

This year, Blessed Sacrament is igniting the possibilities with the STREAM Program. Using the four "C's", critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity, teachers will be incorporating these themes in Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math.  As a faculty and staff, we are committed to creating responsible citizens who are socially and globally aware. This year, we will engage in self-reflection and examine current curriculum resources. 

 

This will include teachers attending professional development to understand the integration and the designing of some projects of STREAM.  Our ultimate goal is to be a STEM/STREAM certified school.  What an exciting and innovating program for Blessed Sacrament!

 

I can only imagine that if the BSS Community Service Program gave my daughter the inspiration to study dentistry, STREAM can give our students the seed to become a Sally Ride, a Frank Lloyd Wright, a Pope Francis or a Sophie Germain. The possibilities are endless and Blessed Sacrament is starting on a journey and in the words of Plato, "the beginning is the most important part of the work."

 

In Christ,

Principal Gomez

 

Journey to STREAM

 

 Blessed Sacrament School is evolving the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) concept to expand the problem-based, inquiry-driven STEM model into the areas of Religion and the Arts to produce a STREAM school. This foundation in problem solving skills will produce 21st century learners and prepare our students for advanced classes in high school and college, and form the basis for students who are intellectually flexible, agile, and adaptable to the constantly changing workplace and world.

 

Our commitment to implementing STREAM was established in the Spring of 2013 and was a response to our school's desire to ignite student excitement for learning.  Stay tuned to learn more about our vision to become a STEM certified school through our journey to STREAM.

 

2013-2014 Blessed Sacrament School Faculty

At the end of the 2012-2013 we said goodbye to several members of the faculty and staff and I'd like to recognize them for their commitment to Blessed Sacrament School.  Thank you for many years of service to Cheryl Huegel (Preschool Director), Tonya Byerly (Third Grade), Janet Vorp (Language Arts), Mrs. Sandy Russell (Music) and Cathy Handy (After School Director).  

 

I'm thrilled to announce our returning and new faculty for the 2013-2014 school year.  This is an esteemed group of educators who are all energized, excited and ready to welcome your students back to school!

 

Mrs. Gomez

 

 

Preschool Director/PreK 4 Lead Teacher: Mrs. Jill Glenn

PreK 3 Lead Teacher: Mrs. Lisa Greeson

Kindergarten: Mrs. June Avery

First Grade:  Mrs. Lisa Allred

Second Grade:  Ms. Charla Bilson

First & Second Grade Language Arts: Mrs. Sandy Andrews

Third Grade: Mrs. Aileen Bost

Fourth Grade: Ms. Kelley Carrigan

Middle School Language Arts: Ms. Audrey Bowen

Middle School Social Studies:  Mrs. Cheryl Clark

Middle School Math/Assistant Principal:  Ms. Tiffany Stalek

Middle School Science: Mrs. Victoria Sebastian

Master Catechist/Religion:  Mrs. Carol Kearney

Technology/Middle School Math:  Ms. Chelsea Wilson

Spanish:  Mrs. Gracie Schmidt

Music:  Ms. Lara Davis

PE/Art: Ms. Judith Maher

Director of Admissions: Mrs. Tara Hackman

Director of Advancement: Mrs. Dawn Daniel

Office Administrator: Mrs. Pat Libera

Maintenance: Mr. Burt Greeson

 

Meet our new faculty

  

Jill Glenn, Preschool Director & PreK4 Lead Teacher

My name is Jill Zang Glenn.  I am thrilled to join the Blessed Sacrament School Faculty as the newest addition to the Pre-K Team.  I have been part of the BSS family since January 2011 when we moved to Burlington NC. My  school age children, Mae and Thomas, enjoyed the last two years of support, education and fun at BSS.  

  
As the Preschool Director and PreK 4 Year old teacher, I will rely on my experiences as the Director of The Growing Years Learning Center and Assistant Director of the Charlie Gaddy Children's Center in Raleigh NC to help build a strong educational but age appropriate program for our youngest students.  
In addition, I have extensive experience in program management with Wake County 4-H and as the original Director for the Martin Pitt Partnership for children.  I believe this experience will allow me to expand the experiences available and garner outside resources for our programs.

Finally, I am a graduate of Walter Williams Highschool and received both my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Masters degree in Child Development from East Carolina University.  I look forward to meeting each of my new students and their families and know that we will have an exciting year!

 

Victoria Sebastian, Middle School Science
I have been a member of Blessed Sacrament Parish since 1990.  My husband, Ray, and I have three children; all sons.  Our sons are BSS graduates.  My eldest Daniel graduated from Bishop McGuinness High School and is now a senior at UNC Chapel Hill. 

My middle son is also a graduate of Bishop McGuinness and is a freshman and NC State University. My youngest son attended Bishop McGuinness but will finish high school at the NC School of Science and Math.

 

I have worked most of my professional life as a software systems engineer on US Navy projects.  In 2005 I earned my teaching certification and began teaching.  I have taught middle school in the Alamance and Guilford County Schools.  In January of 2008 I accepted a job as a science teacher at Bishop McGuinness High School.  I look forward to teaching science to Blessed Sacrament middle school students beginning this fall.

 

I earned a BA is Psychology and a BS in Biology from Cabrini College in Radnor, Pa, a Master of Science in Computer Science from Villanova University, a Master of Computer Design/Hardware from Pennsylvania State University, and teaching certification from East Carolina University.

  

Audrey Bowen, Middle School Language Arts

 

Audrey Bowen joins us Alamance Community College where she worked as an Adjunct Professor teaching developmental reading classes in the English Department in addition to working in the Academic Skills Lab.  Ms. Bowen has a Bachelor's Degree from Elon University and a Master's in Reading, Secondary Education from NC A&T State University in Greensboro. 

 

Ms. Bowen brings a wealth of experience after many years of teaching and is excited to share her love of literature with all of her students.  She has experience with Writer's Workshop and Reader's Workshop and is excited to continue to incorporate these methods into her curriculum.  Ms. Bowen is a published poet and writer.  

  

Marcie Letvak, After School Director

My name is Marcie Letvak.  I will be the after school director for BSS this year.  However, I am very familiar with Blessed Sacrament;  I actually went here myself!  I have been happily married to my husband David for about a year now.  No kids yet, but we do have a lovable dog named Gabby and an awesome cat named Peanut.  I love working with kids and have a million ideas towards making the after school program here a blast.  I also enjoy an active lifestyle by going to the gym and playing golf and basketball.  I look forward to meeting everyone and sharing my enthusiasm with the students, parents, and fellow faculty!

 

I earned my Associate's Degree in Fine Arts from Alamance Community College in December 2011.

 

Lara Davis, B.M.E., Music
Lara is the founder and owner of Kidstunes (www.Kidstunes.org), providing developmentally appropriate music & movement education programs to early childhood centers and private school settings across North Carolina.  She holds a Bachelors Degree from the University of North Florida in Music Education, the Level 2 certification with the Early Childhood Music & Movement Association (ECMMA), and has worked with young children now for over 25 years!  Her background also includes teaching as a music specialist at the elementary & secondary level, a choir and musical theater director, working with special needs populations, and ongoing work as a private piano instructor and accompanist.  Beginning her company in 1995, she incorporated her experience and vast research into the very heart of the Kidstunes program, composing original age-appropriate music, continually exploring and updating the curriculum through work with the most relevant leaders in the field, and personally mentoring each Instructor licensed through her program.  Lara has presented workshops for local schools as well as numerous national and regional conferences with various organizations in the fields of Education and Music.  Her workshops have also been accredited by the North Carolina Division of Child Development for Continuing Education credit.  She has held numerous leadership positions with ECMMA including serving on the Executive Board in several capacities, most recently as the Representative for the Southeast Region during which time she organized a very successful weekend-long Regional Conference.  She also remains a member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children.  Last, but certainly not least, Lara has added her love of the visual arts to her professional endeavors - becoming the Lead Administrator for Point of View Art Gallery in Burlington, North Carolina!