Ms. Terry Kent has been appointed Rosarian Academy's new Director of Lower School commencing with the 2015-16 academic year. Ms. Kent will take the place of Mrs. Linda Linsin who is retiring at the end of this school year after serving Rosarian for the last fourteen years.

As a visionary leader, Ms. Kent comes to Rosarian as an experienced and innovative Division Leader and Director of Curriculum who is committed to the importance of compassionate parent-teacher relationships and the pursuit of understanding students and how they learn. Ms. Kent joins us from Riverside Presbyterian Day School in Jacksonville, FL. For over 30 years, Ms. Kent has served as an elementary school teacher, summer camp director, division head and curriculum director. As part of her educational philosophy, she believes, "the best curriculum for elementary school age children is one that builds a cohesive foundation full of possibilities and is achieved by teachers that teach thought provoking high-level content."

 Ms. Kent graduated from California State University with a degree in Liberal Studies. She later received her Master in Education in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix and then an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida. Gifted endorsed, Ms. Kent has researched and explored curricular enhancements related to gifted education which will enhance and strengthen each academic area of the school. She has presented at various workshops for the Florida Council of Independent Schools and currently teaches gifted endorsement courses to Jacksonville-area Independent School teachers. 

Outside of school, Ms. Kent practices health and fitness through running, biking, dancing and swimming. She is a Catholic mother who continues to dedicate her time to her two grown daughters through continual learning and discovery beyond their school years and into adulthood.

 Ms. Kent's love for education, passion for life-long learning, and pursuit of understanding students and how they learn make her a perfect fit for the next Director of Lower School. 

People have often asked me why Rosarian is such a great fit for my family and me. While the answer is multifaceted, to put it simply, we saw the school as the "whole package." After spending the majority of my professional career in a K-12 environment, I have found that there were certain fundamental aspects that are inherent within a pre-K through 8th grade program that are difference makers to the child's experience. Most importantly, a Catholic community such as Rosarian's seeks to nurture the soul as well as foster the intellect.  Rosarian's claim of serving as a "Foundation for Life" could not be more true.

Mr. Rubenacker will be contributing monthly to our e-newsletters until the end of this school year. In the meantime, you can read his blog and find out about some of his work at the Friends Academy by clicking here.

Rosarian eighth-graders Ryan Monroe and Gina Landrum, along with other outstanding students from across the nation, will take part in a unique leadership development experience, the National Young Leaders State Conference (NYLSC). The conference helps young scholars build leadership skills and strategies that are critical for success in the 21st century.

Four-day conference sessions will be held this spring 2015, gathering students in more than 30 cities and regions across the United States. Most students who attend the conference are nominated by teachers and guidance counselors based on their academic performance and leadership potential.

"The program shows students how to get at the heart of their innate talents and skills as leaders," said Marguerite Regan, Ph.D., the Dean of Academic Affairs for NYLSC. "Students gain new insight into the value of diversity, heighten their own self-awareness and form strong bonds with other young scholars who share their drive and determination."

Students who attend the conference are provided with an introspective and highly personalized experience. Each student's leadership skills and abilities are assessed and scholars are then challenged to develop the confidence and skills they need to achieve their full leadership potential.

Excitement filled the Garvy Gym on March 6 as the entire Lower School filled the bleachers and waited with anticipation as Athletic Director Jon Payne announced the winner of the 2015 Lower School Field Day. The Blue Team quickly stormed the court when they were declared victorious. Along with Coach Payne, Lindsey Beylo organized a fun-filled morning as students competed with their grade level. Kindergarten through fourth grades enjoyed soccer, tug of war, sack races, been bag toss, basketball, scooter relays, flag pull and lion tail tag. 

Later in the month, it was the Children's House turn to dress in a rainbow of colors and participate in a variety of field day activities on March 27th. From yoga to bean bag tosses, scooter races, stacking buckets and more, the three-to-five year old children had a blast! 

Middle School students celebrated Pi Day on March 12th. The Pre-Algebra math class hosted the kindergarten classes for "Pi" day, 3.14, which was technically on Saturday, March 14th.

The Pre-Algebra students created hands-on stations, including: discovering the parts of a circle, coloring some of the digits of pi and hanging them on a banner, decorating sugar cookies with the pi symbol, and discovering the circumference of their heads.The middle school students loved sharing their enthusiasm for math with RA's youngest mathematicians!

Rosarian Academy eighth grade student, Gina Landrum, was honored as Rosarian's March Kiwanis Club Student of the Month on March 3rd at the Chesterfield Hotel.

Gina was recognized by the Kiwanis Club of Palm Beach for her excellence, character and leadership potential. She was accompanied by her parents and former science teacher, Mrs. Laura Jane Linck, at the luncheon. 

Having attended Rosarian since Early Childhood, Gina expressed her gratitude to the school and teachers for helping to mold her into who she is today. She is passionate about math and science and was the recipient of the American Psychology Association Award for her research at the science fair and currently serves as the treasurer for Rosarian's Student Council. Gina hopes to attend Suncoast for its computer science program.

On March 4th, the first grade students had an in-school field trip where they learned about static and current electricity. They were engaged in hands-on science experiences exploring many different electricity concepts. They learned about atoms, electrons, repel, attract, conductors, insulators, circuits, electromagnetic, Ben Franklin, and Thomas Edison. They used Edison Boxes to create circuits to light bulbs and ring a bell. They used batteries to make magnets, and each student got to take home a static electricity kit to try at home. The first-graders loved this electricity in-school field trip!

Nori Madrigal, Mindy Gibbons,Sr. Donna Baker, Amy Anderson, Alison Mischke, Guillermo Perez-Vargas, and Steve Rubenacker (via skype) spent a long weekend at the beginning of March in Adrian, MI at a gathering of representatives of the Adrian Dominican sponsored institutions. The purpose of the gathering was to strengthen the ADS' solidarity in Mission and to assure that the Adrian Dominican charism and vision continue to be integrated and proclaimed by all partners and co-workers in their institutions.

The 2015 Annual Fund began March 1st  and is off to an amazing start! Thank you to everyone who has given a gift to this important fund. Your gift to the Annual Fund helps to ensure that Rosarian Academy can continue to give students the best possible education, at the best PK - 8th school in Florida.

For more information about the Annual Fund or to make a gift, visit www.rosarian.org/glow.

Rosarian Academy celebrates its 90th Anniversary this September! Save the date of September 12th for a celebration honoring Rosarian's rich history and including the induction of our new Head of School, Mr. Stephen Rubenacker. 

Come to the Taste of Rosarian on April 11th and you'll be treated to 10 different restaurants and catering companies' best bites and sips. Tickets are $100 per person and proceeds benefit every Rosarian Academy student.  Limited space is still available.  To purchase your tickets, please visit www.rosarian.org/taste.   

Vendors include: Amici Market, The Bee, The Hamptons Catering Company, Independent Seafood, Joshua Catering, Marcello's La Sirena, Nick & Johnnies, Patrick Leze--Palm Beach & Paneterie, Rooney's Beer Company, Sandy James Catering, Ken Keffer Catering, Wholesome Tummies Café.