Rosarian Academy E- News
Issue: 3April 1-30, 2013

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807 North Flagler Drive

West Palm Beach, FL

561.832.5131
www.rosarian.org 

April marked a month of accolades, service and culture. Development surpassed its Annual Fund goal. Students participated in local and state competitions. Older students stepped into the role of teacher and role-model for the younger ones. The school held its first school-wide community service event, bringing together students and families across all grade levels. The annual school musical drew in two packed houses and showed Rosarian's commitment to the arts. The eighth grade had a successful and educational visit to our nation's capitol. In all we do, we continue to embrace our mission of educating the whole person for life in the true values of our Christian faith.

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IN THIS ISSUE
Alumni Spotlight
Annual Fund Contributions Exceed Goal
Meet Sister Attracta Kelly
Children's House Field Day Action Packed
Second Grader Presents to Kindergaren on Mount Rushmore
Eighth Grade Buddies Up with Kindergarten
Students Teach Students Ways To Improve Our Earth
Sixth Grader Competes in National Geographic Bee
Fourth Grader Imagines Homeless
Witches and More Fly at "Wizard of Oz" Performance
Middle School Recognizes Star Students and Athletes
Eighth Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.
School-Wide Service Gleans 241 Boxes of Corn
$1,484.39 Raised for Catholic Relief Services
April Student of the Month
Faculty and Staff Spoiled with "Springtime in Paris"
Small Boy, Huge Act of Courage
Art Masterpieces on Display
The Hampstead Stage Company Presents Shakespeare
Register Now for Summer Camp
Did You Know? The Rosarian School Song
Alumni Spotlight

Recent Alum Starts His Own Film Business

The demands of being a freshman in high school and athlete do not stop William Fritz from stretching himself beyond the expectations of a normal teenager. Will has already started his own production company, Fritz Films. Since graduating from Rosarian last May 2012, Will now attends Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts. Outside of school work and basketball practice, Will uses his talents and skills to make music videos for record companies, film parties and events, and produce commercials and videos for corporations. Will's film business was recently featured in Dreyfoos' monthly magazine, The Muse. Click here to read the article. 

 

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Rosarian Alumni Continue To Excel Through High School: Top of Newman's Class of 2013

 

Out of Cardinal Newman High School's class of 2013, six Rosarian graduates (class of 2009) ranked in the top fifteen and seven RA grads successfully completed Newman's International Baccalaureate program. Newman's Class of 2013 has 127 students and a total of 17 students in its IB program--a comprehensive and demanding curriculum.

 

Rosarian grads' rankings in the top fifteen:

Jodi Bronstien #3

Katie Acosta #6

Harrison Bidwell #8

Stephanie Acosta #10

Daria Mages #14

Claire Davis #15

Rosarian members of Newman's IB program:

Katie Acosta

Stephanie Acosta

Elisabeth Anderson

Harrison Bidwell  

Jodi Bronstien 

Claire Davis

Daria Mages

 

 
Annual Fund Contributions Exceed Goal
We Are Inspired by Your Generosity
    

Thanks to the generous gifts of current parents, alumni, alumni parents, grandparents, and RA friends, we are happy to report that we exceeded the Annual Fund goal by $29,000! Way to go Rosarian Community! We are INSPIRED by your kindness as your gifts will ensure another wonderful school year. The Annual Fund helps with every aspect of daily life at Rosarian, and each gift is important and appreciated. Thank you for your continued support.

Meet Sister Attracta Kelly
Prioress of the Adrian Dominican Sisters

Earlier this month, Rosarian was blessed to have the prioress of the Adrian Dominican Sisters, Attracta Kelly, OP, visit the school and address the entire student body and parents after our April 16th Mass. 
Faith Magazine published an article on Sister Attracta and her commitment to living a life of preaching and following Jesus' teachings on love. Since becoming prioress in 2010, Sr. Attracta and her leadership team, "committed itself to continuing [their] mission of seeking truth, speaking truth and identifying and responding to the needs of those who have no one to speak for them."

In the article, Sister states that Jesus teaches us to "love everyone. Go out especially to the strangers who have no one else to love them - the poor, rejected, the outcasts. He went to them in love. And when we follow his teaching, we find him there - the Christ in the stranger's guise.
"

Click here to read the article on Sr. Attracta Kelly and click on the video above to watch her speak on what she has done to shield children, protect women and help immigrants.
Children's House Field Day Action Packed
Parachute Games, Bike Races, Obstacle Courses, Musical Chairs and More
 

Our three- to five-year-olds geared up in green, red, pink and yellow team colors for The Children's House Field Day on April 19th. They started the day with colorful parachute games and then the four teams moved from station to station: heating up the track with NASCAR bicycle and scooter races, running through an obstacle course, bouncing ball races on the blacktop, playing musical chairs and limbo. Parents also came dressed in their child's team color and participated in the fun. 

 

Click here to view photos from field day.  

Second Grader Presents to Kindergarten on Mount Rushmore
Caleb Miller Returns to Kindergarten for the Second Year

 

As part of the Core Knowledge Curriculum, kindergarten studies Mount Rushmore and our rich American heritage. Current second grader, Caleb Miller, became very interested in the Mount Rushmore presidents two years ago when he was in Mrs. Lambrecht's kindergarten class. The Miller family took a trip to Mount Rushmore National Memorial that summer. For the second year in row, Caleb returned to kindergarten to speak with the children and share a slideshow of his visit to Mount Rushmore. 

 
Eighth Grade Buddies Up with Kindergarten
By: Paige Adams (8th Grade)

 

Reading BuddiesOne of the many opportunities offered to the eighth grade is reading with the kindergartners. One religion class of the week is spent reading with them. Toward the beginning of the school year, each eighth grade religion class went to a kindergarten classroom and met their reading buddies, whom the eighth grade would read to, and who also would read to the eighth graders. Everyone in eighth grade has developed such a special bond with their reading buddy, visiting them weekly. This is such a great experience for the older students, as they truly learn to communicate and understand those younger than they. 
Students Teach Students Ways To Improve Our Earth
Earth Day Celebration

  

Earth Day, April 22nd, was celebrated throughout the school with fifth through eighth graders presenting and teaching Montessori and Lower School students about their environmental concerns and ideas for improvement in our world. Projects were interactive, creative and did not produce waste. Ideas introduced included alternative forms of energy, such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, hydroelectric; informative statistics of current consumption of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas; ideas for intervention to increase municipal recycling programs.

 
Students worked in groups to establish a plan, research information, practice presenting and speaking, and then developed a creative or technological presentation to capture younger students' attention. The Science Department aimed to incorporate STEM standards (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) into every project. 

Click on the video above to watch WPTV Channel 5's coverage of Rosarian's Earth Day. 
 
Sixth Grader Competes in National Geographic Bee
Mac Murphy Finishes in the Top 25% of the State-Level Contestants

 

Mac MurphyAfter successfully winning the school National Geographic Bee, MacCrea (Mac) Murphy was one of only 100 students in the state of Florida to qualify via a written exam to represent Rosarian Academy and participate at the state level of the National Geographic Bee. The state Bee, sponsored by Google and Plum Creek, was held on Friday, April 5th, at Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida.  Although Mac correctly answered seven of the ten preliminary round questions, he did not advance to the final round that would have qualified him as the state winner. He did finish in the top 25% of the 100 state-level contestants and already has his sights on winning the school and state Bees next year!  We are so proud of Mac and congratulate him on this amazing accomplishment.
Fourth Grader Imagines Homelessness
Elizabeth Cloninger Wins 1st Place

 

Fourth grade student, Elizabeth Cloninger, won first place in The Lord's Place third through fifth grade drawing, poetry, essay contest. Along with winning the first place title, Elizabeth received a $200 cash prize ($100 of which she donated back to The Lord's Place) and read her essay at the Meyer Amphitheatre in front of approximately 350 people Friday night, April 24th at SleepOut--an event to end homelessness in Palm Beach County.

 

Given the prompt, When I'm away from home, this is how I feel..., Elizabeth starts off her essay, "When I'm away from home, I feel sad and look forward to the moment I can return to the place that I love most...my home...Imagine not having a home. Imagine not having stuff. Imagine not having any places to put pictures or things that mean so much to you."

 

The Lord's Place is a local non-profit agency dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness by providing innovative, compassionate and effective services to men, women and children in Palm Beach County. For the second year, they held a contest to educate elementary, middle school, and high school students about the most vulnerable and neglected individuals in Palm Beach County, as well as to help these students develop a sense of compassion and personal responsibility towards serving others.

 

In her winning essay, Elizabeth states, "I went home today and looked at my iPad and all the things I love surrounding me, and I thought about what it would be like to be homeless...It's scary thinking kids my age are without homes and food...Everyone deserves food, love and a soft place to lay their head."

 

Click here to read Elizabeth's essay in its entirety.

Witches and More Fly at "Wizard of Oz" Performance
The School Musical Reaches New Heights

 

Rosarian Academy-Off to See the Wizard

Lions and tigers and students, oh my! With young actors flying across the stage in elaborate costumes and beautifully-detailed professional backdrops setting the stage of Kansas and the Land of Oz, drama teacher, Bob Sherman, reached new heights in directing this year's school performance of The Wizard of Oz. Forty-four third through eighth grade students performed in front of two packed-houses on April 20th and 21st in our newly renovated 485-person professional theater. Rosarian's stellar performance made audience members believe witches and more can fly.  Click on the video to the right to watch a scene from Act I.

Middle School Recognizes Star Students and Athletes
Third-Quarter Awards Assembly

  

On April 12th, the Middle School hosted an awards assembly honoring students who qualified for third-quarter Honor Roll and the top athletes in girls' soccer, boys' JV and varsity basketball, and girls' cheerleading. 

 

The various honor roll awards, including First Honors, Second Honors and the Double One Award, are given at the conclusion of each quarter. Click here to see the list of sixth through eighth grade third-quarter Honor Roll students.

 

Basketball coaches awarded each player on the boys' varsity basketball team with a trophy proclaiming them "League Champions" of the Independent School League. Daniel Iscoe received the Team's Most Valuable Player.  In Girls soccer, Hillary Malone and Elisabeth McCray share the title of MVP, while Marjorie Burnside was awarded the MVP title for Cheerleading.  Click here to see a complete list of the sports awards.

 

Eighth Grade Trip to Washington, D.C.
Three Days Visiting Our Nation's Capitol

 

As an extension of the eighth grade classroom study of American democracy and the U.S. Constitution, forty-one students and four chaperones took a three-day tour of our nation's capitol April 23-25.  In preparation for this visit, students researched, created and presented digital documentaries on the D.C. monuments and memorials.  

 

Class work came alive moments after the enthusiastic group landed in Washington, D.C. and started their extensive guided tour including: Arlington National Cemetery, the Marine Corps War Memorial, Washington Monument, Vietnam Veterans Memorial,  Korean War Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial.

 

During the second day on tour, students explored the estate and gardens of George Washington's home at Mt. Vernon, including the Georgian mansion, museum and education center.  They learned the details of Lincoln's assassination during their visit to Ford's Theatre and Petersen House, viewed our nation's "living" documents at the National Archives, and enjoyed a play that evening at the Kennedy Center.

 

The third day began with a visit to Capitol Hill, highlighted by a personal meeting with Congressman Tom Rooney. They toured the U.S. Capitol and Visitor Center with special gallery passes compliments of Congressman Rooney.  A walk along Capitol Hill took them to the U.S. Supreme Court and Library of Congress.  Following a photo stop at the White House, students spent considerable time at the Smithsonian Museums, including the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of National History, and the National Museum of American History.  Meal stops in Georgetown, Union Station, and the Pentagon Mall added to the cultural experience.  

 

In addition to learning firsthand about our nation's history and capitol, these soon-to-be Rosarian Academy graduates bonded as a class for the last time and have memories that will last a lifetime.

 
Click here to view photos from the D.C. visit.
 
School-Wide Service Gleans 241 Boxes of Corn
The Rosarian Community Helped Feed The Hungry in Our Community

 

The National Junior Honor Society led a school-wide gleaning event to provide food for those less fortunate in Palm Beach County on Friday, April 26th. From the Toddler House through eighth grade, over 75 students, parents and staff members spent part of their school holiday picking corn that was later delivered to the Palm Beach County Food Bank and then distributed to local agencies and shelters that feed the hungry in our community. This hard-working group of gleaners filled 241 boxes, totaling 7,500 pounds of corn! 

 

Gleaning is so important because 52 million pounds of produce on farms are wasted every year. Through this meaningful community service project, the students and families experienced the power of our Rosarian community and making a positive difference in the lives of others through service. 

 

Click here to view the gleaning photos 
$1,484.39 Raised for Catholic Relief Services
Assisting the Poor and Suffering 

 

During the Lenten season and in preparation of celebrating Christ's resurrection, Rosarian students receive "Rice Bowls" to take home. The cardboard Rice Bowls from Catholic Relief Services (CRS) are used to collect money that ultimately puts rice into the bowls of hungry people. 

 

Following the example of Jesus to assist the poor and suffering, the Rosarian Community raised $1,484.39 for CRS. 

 

During the first half of this year, Thomas Awiapo, a recipient of Rice Bowl contributions, spoke to our Lower and Middle Schools to explain how the money collected helped him in his orphanage in Africa. Not only did the money give him food to eat, but it also motivated him to go to school and learn because it was at school where he was fed. He continued on to study at university and now works for CRS in his home country to help others reap the benefits of CRS. 

 

CRS Rice Bowl gives our students the opportunity to learn about our global community and the challenges of hunger and poverty around the world.

April Student of the Month
Congratulations, Grant Quattlebaum

Congratulations to Kiwanis Club Student of the Month, Grant Quattlebaum! The eighth grade teachers choose a student, based on academics, character and service, to be honored each month at a luncheon at The Chesterfield Hotel sponsored by The Kiwanis Club of Palm Beach. In his speech at the luncheon, Grant said:

"I have been attending Rosarian Academy since I was 3 years old. These crucial developmental years at Rosarian Academy have shaped me into the person I am today...While attending Rosarian, I have excelled in a challenging honors curriculum and enjoyed participating in numerous sports...I take this opportunity to thank Ms. Moormann, my history teacher and homeroom moderator, for educating me as a complete person in the light of Gospel values. Before each class we reflect on the person we currently are and the potential we have going forward. She has truly had a positive impact on my life."

Click here to view Grant's complete speech.
Faculty and Staff Spoiled with "Springtime in Paris"
Faculty/Staff Appreciation Lunch

 

Springtime in Paris

The Rosarian Academy Family Association (RAFA) treated our faculty and staff with a brief escape to Paris on Friday, April 5th. Every year Rosarian parents are moved by their child's academic success and the foundation for life that the school provides. To express appreciation, RAFA hosted a lovely luncheon, allowing teachers and staff the time to relax during a long lunch with delicious food inspired by a Paris caf� and sandwiches provided by Pistache. 

Small Boy, Huge Act of Courage
Joseph Visconti Saves Another Child's Life

 

As Joseph Visconti's father sat on Juno Beach watching his eleven year old son surf near the shore, a beautiful day nearly turned tragic. On Sunday, April 28, a rip current, with no bias to age, grabbed about fourteen children and adults and within seconds dragged all of them hundreds of yards from shore and continued to push them farther out to sea. All of the bystanders on the beach, which had no lifeguards, quickly did what they could to help the people and pull them back to safety.

 

Fifth grader, Joseph Visconti, heard a boy, not within reach of any adult, yelling for help. Selflessly, Joseph sprang into action and paddled his surfboard farther out to the child who was twice his own body weight. He proceeded to load the boy onto his surfboard and then miraculously worked the tide, the drift and the white water and brought the struggling boy back to safety. When reflecting on how he knew what to do, Joseph said, "I knew from all of my lessons and instruction that when you get caught in a riptide, you have to stay calm and not fight the tide."

 

Mr. Visconti, a proud father, stated, "It all happened so fast and there were many other rescue missions underway, so I don't think anybody truly realized what Joseph did and how he saved this boy. That was a day that I saw my eleven year old boy become a man."

Art Masterpieces on Display
April 30 - May 7: Rosarian Academy Art Show

 

Come see your child's artwork! Masterpieces are currently on display in the Picotte Center. Art is a co-curricular class starting in the Montessori program. While The Children's House goes to Art class once a month, kindergarten through eighth grades attend Art weekly. The Art Show portrays how the students' thought processes and manipulative skills develop through the years. Every student's work from The Children's House to grade eight is represented.

The Hampstead Stage Company Presents Shakespeare
Experiencing the Words of Shakespeare Through His Eyes

 

Shakespeare Hampstead TheaterFourth through eighth grade students experienced the words of William Shakespeare on April 4th in the school's theater. As part of their Shakespeare for Kids series,the Hampstead Stage Company introduced and brought to life some of Shakespeare's most famous works and Elizabethan life with imagination, swordplay and love. The students met the accomplished Bard and his wife, Ann Hathaway, while he writes The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth, and Twelfth Night 
Register Now for Summer Camp
Weekly Sessions June 10-August 9

Our campus will be buzzing with happy campers throughout Summer 2013! Join us for a variety of summer enrichment and athletic programs running June 10th - August 9th (with the exception of the week of July 1st-5th). Camps are offered for children ages 3 - 14, and after-camp care is available. Programs include: Sensational Summer Fun; Archeology; Art; Technology Creations; Drafting/Architecture; Jump Start 5th Grade; Pre-Algebra and Algebra Boot Camps; Soccer Camp; Multisport Camp; All-Time Favorite Games.  Space is limited. For more information and to register, click here.

  Register for Summer Camp

Did You Know?
The Rosarian School Song

One of Rosarian Academy's greatest traditions is our school song. In 1927, just two years after our school was founded by the Adrian Dominican Sisters, Sr. Denise Mainville, OP wrote the Rosarian School Song. For over 85 years, Rosarian students have sung our school song with pride and continue to sing it at all masses and assemblies.  Watch some of the fourth grade students sing the song in the video to the right.

Rosarian Academy, founded in 1925, is a private, coeducational, Catholic school sponsored by the Adrian Dominican Sisters. Its mission is to educate the whole person for life in a global community in the light of Gospel values.