Rosarian Academy E- News
Volume 3: Issue 1Opening of School

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807 North Flagler Drive

West Palm Beach, FL

561.832.5131
www.rosarian.org 
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. 

If you have news or updates you wish to include in the next newsletter, please click here. 
IN THIS ISSUE
Alumni Spotlight
New Faculty and Staff Spotlight
Two Weddings and a Baby
Miss Murphy Returns from 550-Mile Religious Pilgrimage
We Welcome 38 New Families for the 2015-16 School Year
Mr. Hansen Implements 20% Time in the Classroom
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Tradition Re-Instituted
Early Childhood Starts with Focus on Developing a Caring School Community
Lower School Explores the Wonders of Science
Middle School is 'Setting the World on Fire'
Conscious Discipline for the Family Workshop
RSVP: Rosarian Academy is Turning 90
Caribbean Nights - Paradise Found at Rosarian Academy

Dear Rosarian Community,

Rosarian Academy is beyond fortunate to have such exceptional faculty and staff.  Since our opening of school on August 24th, I have seen them create a rigorous learning environment for their students through a caring approach, individualized attention to each student's needs, and a willingness to push the students to their full potential.  

Since assuming the headship of Rosarian Academy, I can look back with fond memories to the amazing teachers I had who worked to teach, counsel, and push me when I needed it.  I believe that the uniqueness of any teacher stems from his/her ability to be truly present to someone else's needs. Being present in a world full of distraction can be a difficult task.  Truly listening and working to understand one another in order to foster learning is what separates a solid education from an extraordinary one.  

Recently, our teachers began training with the Conscious Discipline model for their interactions with students. Although there is much to be said about this well-regarded program, the most important thing I have taken away is how to address one's state of being before addressing behavior.  Therefore, a good teacher needs to understand things like the student's mood or level of anxiety before s/he can effectively teach the child. "Being present" with the student is critical within this model.  

Recently, I read Tolstoy's short story, "The Three Questions," which addresses this point. In the story, a king aspires to know when to begin, the right people to listen to and who to avoid, and, above all, what is the most important thing to do at a given time.  After seeking advice and guidance, he receives his answer from an old hermit who tells him that the only time that is ever important is the present--deal with the situations with which you are presented. This story captures the point well.  The student/teacher relationship is about being in it together--being present and learning to understand one another.  

Thank you to our teachers for living this model, setting the stage for a great year, and fostering an extraordinary education.

Blessings for a wonderful 2015-16,
 
Stephen Rubenacker
Head of School
 
Alumni Spotlight

Elisabeth Anderson, Class of 2009 
For the past seven years, Class of 2009 alumna Elisabeth Anderson has returned to her alma mater to help with Rosarian's Sensational Summer Fun camp. The camp is run by Amy Anderson, Elisabeth's mom and teacher at Rosarian Academy. Together, Elisabeth and Mrs. Anderson lead the summertime adventures for the three-to-five-year-olds.

We love when alumni return to the school to give back. Elisabeth, thank you for your dedication to Rosarian!





Maria Conchita Mendez Piedra, Class of 1970 
Class of 1970 alumna Maria Piedra is a native of Cuba and immigrated to the United States in 1961. She is currently the director of Latin American Sales and Trade Development for the Alabama State Port Authority. She has a passion for her homeland and is extremely involved in US-Cuba relations. She was instrumental in facilitating contacts and opening doors for the first cargo shipments to Cuba.  Maria co-authored a book, "Cuba: It Matters," which was recently published in July 2015. Congratulations, Maria!
New Faculty and Staff Spotlight
Rosarian Welcomes New Faculty and Staff to Our School Family


W. Myngoe Brashers, Music Teacher / Director of "Rosarian in the Afternoons"
Rosarian welcomes Myngoe Brashers to our faculty to administer the after-school programs, including enrichment and aftercare. Mr. Brashers is an accomplished musician and will also support Mr. Sherman and Mrs. Dedo in teaching music and theater. He received a Music degree from Florida International University and comes to Rosarian from Pope John Paul II and St. Mark Catholic School. 





Marcela Cioffi, First Grade Teaching Assistant
Marcela Cioffi comes to Rosarian from St. Luke Catholic School where she spent ten years. She attended St. Johns Prep in New York and then Lengua a Vivas in Argentina. Mrs. Cioffi is Ms. Segerdahl's first grade assistant and loves to work with children. Outside of work, she loves reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband, three sons, and friends.






Kathleen Emmett, Director of Institutional Advancement
The school welcomes back Kathleen Emmett to Rosarian as she formerly served as Rosarian's Director of Development and Admissions. She returns nearly 15 years later with a breadth of experience in fundraising, major gifts, and non-profit management from Palm Beach Day Academy, Hospice of Palm Beach County Foundation, The Lord's Place, and the Norton Museum of Art. Ms. Emmett received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Georgia. She serves as President of the Board of Directors at Quantum House and sits on the Boards of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and the Palm Beach Community Trust Fund. She is a Past President of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and is a member of Leadership Palm Beach County's Class of 2005. 


Macaria Falana, Lunch Supervisor and Aftercare
In July, Rosarian Academy welcomed Macaria Falana as a Toddler House assistant during the Toddler House Extended Year summer program. Prior to her hire, Macaria served as a Rosarian security guard. This school year, we are happy to have Macaria as a Lower School lunch supervisor and a Lower School aftercare staff member. 









Erin Goerke, Director of Finance
Erin joins Rosarian Academy from The Aquinas Institute in Rochester, New York--a private Catholic high school--where she served as the Director of Finance for 11 years. Mrs. Goerke also has extensive experience cleaning up, setting up, and directing accounting departments from over 17 years working for various New York companies, including: EKA Associates, Campus Global Net Inc., Labotek, Citizens Communication, and ACC Corp. Mrs. Goerke received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Empire State College in Rochester.





Cyndee Hackney, Middle School Resource Teacher
Cyndee Hackney, who previously taught at Rosarian from 2002-2014, has returned full-time to be the Middle School Resource Teacher. Before spending 12 years at RA teaching 5th and 6th grade literature and English, Mrs. Hackney taught in Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County, and Clark County (Nevada) and spent three years as a resource/learning specialist in a public elementary school. She received her B.A. from University of Florida and M.S. from Florida International University, and she completed post-graduate studies at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. In her free time, Mrs. Hackney reads, travels and spends time with her family.



Janet Keller, Interim Director of Communications and Marketing
Coming to Rosarian from Little Rock, Arkansas, where she was president of her own marketing/advertising/public relations agency for 21 years, Janet Keller joins Rosarian temporarily to assist with the school's marketing efforts while Mrs. Hansen is on maternity leave. She has a B.A. in Journalism/Marketing and an M.A. in Organizational Communications from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UALR). She has completed one-third of a doctorate in Higher Education.





Alexandra Melligon, Children's House Teaching Assistant
Alexandra graduated with a B.A. in Comparative Religious Studies from the College of Charleston and moved to Florida in February of this year. Before moving to West Palm Beach, she lived in New Jersey and taught yoga in Newark public schools. She worked as a substitute in the Toddler House before being hired full time as an assistant in the Children's House.

In her free time, Alexandra volunteers at Loggerhead Marine Center in Juno Beach. She enjoys going to the beach, gardening, practicing yoga and traveling.




Zephyr Secher, 7th and 8th Math Teacher
Before coming to Rosarian Academy, Zephyr Secher taught middle school math and science for six years at Sacred Heart in Lake Worth. He also has ten years of experience coaching basketball at both the middle and high school levels. Prior to teaching, most of Mr. Secher's past work experience was in business development, mergers & acquisitions, and risk analysis. He attended Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School and received his bachelor's degree in Economics from Earlham College. He also has an MBA with a concentration in Finance from the University of Washington in Seattle.

"My life changed for the better when I redirected my attention and began focusing on how I could give back.  I love being a mentor and a positive role model.  Knowing that I am making a difference in a student's life and that they can potentially use what I shared with them to influence and help others is what drives me," said Mr. Secher.

He loves to hike, ski, and spend time in nature listening to music with friends or reading.
Summer Brings Two Weddings and a Baby

Middle School Language Arts and Religion Teacher Sarah Hoffman married Josh Anderson on June 6, 2015, at San Pedro Catholic Church in Tavernier, Florida. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Josh Anderson! 

Middle School Religion Teacher Francesca Coniglio married William Finck on July 25, 2015, at St. Edward Church in Palm Beach. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. William Finck!

Middle School Language Arts Teacher Patrick Hansen and Director of Marketing Cara Hansen welcomed Mary Grace Elizabeth to their family on July 6, 2015. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Hansen and big brother Jack (1st grade) and big sister Cecilia (Children's House)!
 
 
Miss Murphy Returns from 550-Mile Religious Pilgrimage
Fourth-Grade Teacher Fulfills Dream of Walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela
Fourth-grade teacher Katherine Murphy spent her summer fulfilling a dream--walking 550 miles on a religious pilgrimage called the Camino de Santiago de Compostela (The Way of St. James). Traveling with her brother, Michael, and carrying everything they needed in their backpacks, they finished the journey in 38 days. This pilgrimage dates back to medieval times.

The sibling pair journeyed by foot from village to village, town to town, and city to city, averaging about 15 miles (25 km) per day. Their days were filled with the wonders of what they would see next and who they would meet as the goal of Santiago grew closer. 

"Walking the Camino without knowing exactly what was coming next, or where I would eat, or where I would sleep, I have been reminded to trust in God with the little things as well as the big things in my life," said Miss Murphy.  

Completing the Camino was on Miss Murphy's dream list, and she felt there had been several signs from God calling her to walk the Camino this summer. "One of these was in working in fourth grade and discovering I would be teaching a unit on Europe in the Middle Ages, including medieval religious pilgrimages," said Miss Murphy. She will be incorporating her experience on the Camino into the fourth grade Social Studies unit.

Reflecting on her pilgrimage, Miss Murphy shared the below lessons and insights from her Camino:

  • Follow the arrows.  The entire path is marked with yellow arrows to guide pilgrims on their way.  It seemed like just about every time I would be unsure if I was headed the right way or which way I should go, an arrow would appear.  This was a lesson to me to follow the arrows in my life.  There are people and events in my life pointing me in the right direction and helping to guide my way, if only I pay attention.
  • Walk your own Camino.  On the Camino, it's ok to walk your own pace and your own way.  You might be faster than some people and slower than some people.  Your experience will look different from others' experiences.  It's better to stop comparing myself to others on the Camino and in life.
  • Keep it simple.  Life on the Camino is simple.  Wake up, pack your belongings in your backpack, and start walking.  Everything you have and everything you need is in your backpack.  Taking this lesson back with me encourages me to keep things simple and focus on what's really important.  There are so few things that I actually need to be happy and fulfilled.
  • Everyone has a story.  One of the highlights of the Camino was meeting so many amazing people of all ages, from all over the world.  The shared experience of walking the Camino together helps people form bonds and get very honest and open with each other very quickly.  Hearing the stories of other pilgrims reminds me that when I look at someone, I never know what they may have gone through.  Returning home, this makes me want to take the time to learn more about the stories of my family, friends, students, and anyone that I may meet.
We Welcome 38 New Families for the 2015-16 School Year
48 New Students Join the Rosarian Community

We happily welcomed 38 new families, 48 new students, to the Rosarian Academy community for the 2015-2016 school year. Out of those 48 new students, 19 entered the Early Childhood program, 18 Lower School, and 11 Middle School. 

Led by the Rosarian Academy Family Association (RAFA), new parents joined returning parents at the Welcome Social and Dinner on Friday, August 28th. The evening started with a presentation in Schar Hall, including introductions of all new 38 families, then continued to a lively dinner at Café Sapori. The evening served as an opportunity for making new friends and building a stronger community.
 
Rosarian is grateful to our parents, students, alumni, and teachers who attract new families by speaking so highly of the value of a Rosarian education and the unparalleled foundation of academics, faith, athletics, arts, service and community.
Mr. Hansen Implements 20% Time in the Classroom 
Students Explore Interests Outside the Curriculum
 
Rosarian Academy Middle School Literature teacher, Patrick Hansen, recognizes his role to help his students become independent learners to aid in the exploration of their interests and find their passions--even if that passion is outside the realm of the literary text they are reading as part of the school's curriculum. In the second half of the 2014-15 school year, Mr. Hansen implemented 20% time in his classroom: allowing students 20% of class time, or one class period per week, to work on or explore a topic of their choice. The result? Students like current eighth-grader Hailey Albergo starting a school-wide service project to collect and send used books to underprivileged children in Africa. 

20% time is a movement in education to give students the opportunity to develop passion through the pursuit of a personal interest project. The concept was popularized at Google where management found that employees were more creative and innovative when given the autonomy to pursue a project outside of their job description. This resulted in the origination of products like Gmail, Google News and Google Teacher Academy.

By implementing 20% time in the classroom, students become autonomous learners as they develop their own idea for a project that allows them to explore an interest outside of what is taught in school.

At Rosarian, students had seven weeks to create their own self-directed project. Through Hailey's book drive, she not only collected over 1,000 books but also developed a relationship with a local non-profit, Kijana Educational Empowerment Initiative, that helped her ship the books to a primary school in a rural village in Bunyore, Kenya. The books arrived in Kenya at the end of August. In an August 24th email from Jim Cummings, the founder of Kijana, to Hailey, Mr. Cummings attached pictures and wrote, "Check out the happiness." 

Hailey's 20% time project quickly became Rosarian Academy's school mission in practice. Through her work, Hailey and her schoolmates can tangibly see that we are a global community and can each make a positive difference in the world. There is no doubt that this project has led Hailey to a new interest in helping the children of Africa. In a reply email to Mr. Cummings, Hailey wrote, "I would love to work with you again...I'm just so happy I helped!"

Examples of other student projects included: writing a screenplay, fish taxidermy, exploring robotics and aerodynamics, web design, video game development, architecture, learning a language such as Gaelic or Braille, and much more. 

This school year, Mr. Hansen plans to continue the 20% time project and continue to help students spark their own individual passions.
Big Brothers Big Sisters: Tradition Reinstituted
One School Family
 
We are one school family. On August 28th, Middle School students were paired with Lower School students to foster mentorship and community building. This is an old tradition that has been reinstituted this year. In the past, upper-class mentors were referred to as "Big Sisters;" today, we refer to them as "Big Brothers and Sisters." Throughout the year, Big Brothers and Big Sisters will join together with their younger brothers and sisters to build a stronger sense of family throughout our Rosarian culture.
Early Childhood Starts with Focus on Developing a Caring School Community
Teachers and Students Act as 'Safekeepers'

The Early Childhood Program is off to a great start. In the Montessori environment, the first month of school is a vital 'orientation' time for both new and returning students. The routines and ground rules are reviewed and practiced, and the development of our caring school community is established. A great deal of time is spent reviewing our School Family roles as 'safekeepers.' The students hear the teachers say, "It's my job to keep you safe, and it's your job to help keep it safe!" When students feel safe, their brains can perform higher functioning learning and problem-solving. When they feel they are part of the responsibility of keeping the environment safe for everyone, the children are cooperative and helpful to that end.   
Lower School Explores the Wonders of Science
K-4th Grades Visit the Science Lab Weekly

This year, weekly visits to the Lower School Science Lab have been added into the kindergarten through fourth-grade academic schedules. In the Science Lab, the Lower School teachers facilitate activities for the students to think like scientists and experiment with the concepts taught through the Core Knowledge Science Curriculum.  

The school laboratory classroom provides optimum space for young children to explore the wonders of science and engage in hands-on experiences with Life, Physical and Earth Science topics. Additionally, students will have opportunities to explore building and engineering. Each student has created a science notebook and will practice scientific writing and drawing throughout the school year. 

We look forward to this year's explorations into the wonders of science as experienced by the natural curiosities of children.
Middle School Follows Trimester Calendar 
New Calendar Allows for Increased Electives and Rotating Schedule

Beginning this year, Rosarian moved to a trimester calendar as used by many schools and colleges. Balancing students' core classes over three terms gives the Middle School students the opportunity to perform at a higher rate of success with less stress and is developmentally better suited to our students for mastery and testing of academic content. Other benefits of this schedule include the alignment of curriculum and the opportunity for students in Middle School to take a wider selection of elective classes, including: Art, Music/Chorus, Drama, PE, Robotics, Technology, Writing, Science Lab, Study Skills, Computer, and Library. Another positive change is rotating classes. To help facilitate peak performance, students now see teachers at different times each day. 

 
Conscious Discipline for the Family Workshop
Six-Week Series Begins September 22nd

Rosarian is offering its first  Creating a Conscious Discipline Family workshop series, beginning with a free introductory course on September 15th at 8:15 a.m. RSVP for the free introductory course and/or for the six-week series which begins on September 22nd by emailing Cindy Nehemias at cindy@rosarian.org. Please direct any questions you may have about Conscious Discipline or the workshop series to Cindy.  
RSVP: Rosarian Academy is Turning 90
90th Anniversary Celebration, September 12, 2015
 
Rosarian Academy celebrates its 90th Anniversary this year! 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. Click here to RSVP.

As we celebrate 90 years of our great school, click here to read to learn more about Rosarian's rich history.
Caribbean Nights - Paradise Found at Rosarian Academy
Save the Date: November 21, 2015 at The Breakers
 
Save the date of November 21st for a tropical evening filled with Caribbean flair as the 2015 Auction Chairs, Marian Macias and Adrianne Sanchez, host the 37th Annual Auction & Ball at The Breakers, Palm Beach. For more information on the upcoming Auction & Ball and all of the exciting events leading up to the big night, please click here. 
 
Please save the following dates leading up to the Auction:

The IMPROV night for Travel & Entertainment: October 22nd at 7:00 pm
Guys' Night Out: October 29th at 7:00 pm