Winter 2014
The Wolfhound Wire The Saint Patrick Catholic School Newsletter
Saint Patrick Catholic School Earns 2013 National Blue Ribbon
Recognized for its Exemplary High Academic Performance
Saint Patrick Catholic School has earned the coveted distinction of a 2013 National Blue Ribbon School by Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. “Excellence in education matters and we should honor the schools that are leading the way to prepare students for success in college and careers,” said Secretary Duncan. “National Blue Ribbon schools represent examples of educational excellence, and their work reflects the belief that every child in America deserves a world-class education.” The National Blue Ribbon Schools award honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools where students perform at very high levels or where significant improvements are being made in students’ levels of achievement. The program recognizes schools in one of two performance categories. The first is “Exemplary High Performing,” in which schools are recognized among
their state’s highest performing schools, as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. The second category is “Exemplary Improving,” in which schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds demonstrate the most progress in improving student achievement levels as measured by state assessments or nationally-normed tests. Saint Patrick Catholic School was recognized as an “Exemplary High Performing” school. “Saint Patrick Catholic School represents educational excellence and the belief that every child deserves a quality learning experience where competency is so possible that all students will refuse to settle for less,” said Principal Stephen Hammond (pictured above with Saint Patrick Director of Lower School and Director of Studies, Jan White, and Aba S. Kumi, Director of National Blue Ribbon Schools Program.) “We are extremely honored to be recognized by Secretary Duncan and the selection committee.”
Saint Patrick Hosts 9th Annual Prayer Service for Christian Unity Though the snow delayed it by two weeks, Saint Patrick Catholic School held its 9th annual Prayer for Christian Unity chapel service on Wednesday, Jan. 5. Priests and pastors representing multiple faiths and congregations gathered on the theater stage along with Saint Patrick students belonging to their parishes. Student representatives introduced each church leader, and then described in what ways they were able to serve others. Saint Patrick Catholic School holds its annual Prayer for Christian Unity chapel service in order to recognize those church leaders who help guide and form the faith of our students and their families. The celebration offers Wolfhounds the opportunity to put into action the phrase “all are welcome.� A sincere thanks goes out to all visiting church leaders, the students who introduced them, and to Saint Patrick Catholic School Minister of Spiritual Formation, Missy Clark, for making this annual event such a meaningful and special celebration.
Emma, Katie and Noelle Searing introduce Rev. Andie Rohrs, of St. Andrews Episcopal Church
Wolfhound Athletics Roundup
Saint Patrick Brings Home Six Championship Titles
Go Wolfhounds!
90% of Saint Patrick students, grades 3-8, participate in a sport with record numbers joining the Cross Country (57 students) and Chearleading (35 students) teams, while 75% of students Pre-K - 8 have participated in at least one sport this school year thusfar. Wolfhounds won ETIS championship titles in Middle School Boys Soccer, 7th grade and 8th grade Girls Volleyball, combined 7/8th grade Girls Basketball, and 7th grade boys Basketball. 7 teams made it to the final four of the TCBL (Tidewater Catholic Basketball League) championships, with the 8th grade girls team ultimately earning the championship title. Our students are clearly making the most of their Physical Life, showing faith in their coaches, faith in each other, and faith in God on and off the field or court. 2013 ETIS Champion 8th Grade Girls Volleyball talks strategy
Michael Hostetler cools off after a Cross Country race
7th Grade Boys 2014 ETIS
Boys Soccer players Ben Herndon and Andrew Gunter
Around the Green... Evenings Brings Irish Pub Experience to Norfolk
Led by Saint Patrick Catholic School parents Heather and Mike Powers, guests were treated to an informative and lively class dedicated to the finer points of Irish pub songs. The Saint Patrick Media Center was transformed into a pub-like atmosphere and even featured authentic potato soup, Irish whiskey cookies, Guinness, and hard cider! The origins and lyrics of many Irish pub standard tunes were discussed, and then demonstrated by Mr. Powers on guitar and Jeff McLaughlin on fiddle, both members of national favorite Celtic band The Fighting Jamesons. The audience was taught when and how to participate, whether by singing or clapping, or even playing the spoons!
Wolfhounds Gain New Perspective on the Holocaust
On Monday, February 10, New York stage and television actress, Elizabeth Rainer, gave a stirring multi-media performance, Through the Eyes of a Friend. In it, Rainer portrays the fictional “Sarah,” best friend to historical figure, Anne Frank. The poignant portrait of friendship and survival, brought to life through powerful photos and dialogue, allowed Saint Patrick middle school students to witness the pain, loss, and hope of young people during the Holocaust. By inviting speakers with a unique point of view and style of delivery, Saint Patrick students gain an important perspective on how others their own age can create an impact for for an entire generation.
Celtic Council Makes Donation in Honor of Catholic Schools Week
Saint Patrick Catholic School Celtic Council made and distributed 56 scarves to the NEST (Norfolk Emergency Shelter Team) program to benefit homeless members of our community. As part of the service effort in honor of Catholic Schools Week, Saint Patrick Celtic Council spearheaded the scarf-making program as a way to provide warmth for many who find themselves without shelter during the cold winter months. We are so proud of our students and their continued commitment to serving both our internal and external communities; it is through the service to others that we find our truest and most valuable gifts.
The Dance Theatre of Harlem Comes to Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick Wolfhounds were treated to a special presentation by The Dance Theatre of Harlem, a world-renowned ballet company of racially diverse artists. They performed classical ballet and educated our students K-8 about the fundamentals of this historic style of dance. Some Saint Patrick students even joined the dancers on stage! This performance was made possible with a generous gift from a Saint Patrick parent in recognition of the Virginia Arts Festival, where the Dance Theatre of Harlem’s touring company of dancers will perform on Saturday, May 17. We are thrilled that our students were able to see beauty and culture in action.
Saint Patrick’s Caroline Burton Spreads the JOY There is certainly no shortage of JOY in the life of Caroline Burton. She has listened to Principal Hammond talk about the JOY principle (Jesus, Others, then Yourself) in chapel here at Saint Patrick Catholic School, and while attending services at First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Caroline learned of the Joy Children’s Village Orphanage in Kenya. The orphanage provides unconditional love and quality support to HIV+/AIDS orphans and vulnerable Kenyan children in a true Christian family environment, a safe haven of medical care, education and housing, creating a true family for these abandoned children. The First Presbyterian congregation was asked to help support the orphanage through monetary donations in order to afford simple pieces of playground equipment. Caroline felt compelled to help and was sure her friends would want to join the effort, so she started the Complete Joy Kids Club. Through her initiation and sense of service, Caroline and the rest of her club were able to raise over $1,000 through bake sales and donations. The funds were used to purchase jump ropes and deflated balls, to be taken over to the orphanage by a group of First Presbyterian church missionaries. After hearing that the school in which the children were attempting to learn was unfit and
unsafe, Caroline began thinking of additional ways she could help. She knew her Wolfhound community would want to help too, and after some planning and conversation with Mr. Hammond, she announced the Joy Jar campaign. Caroline, along with the rest of the third grade Saint Patrick students, collected glass jars, decorated them, and placed them throughout the building to collect donations to send to the Joy Children’s Village. “The rest of the third grade was really excited. They thought it was a really fun service project and that really made me smile.” When asked if there was a specific financial goal in mind for the Joy Jars, Caroline said “There isn’t a specific goal, but I know it costs about $350 to educate a student for an entire year in that new school, so I’d like to get as many kids there as possible.” “I was feeling guilty and sorry that we had such a wonderful school and wonderful life, and I know that the money we raise will go to help some of the students go to another school; one that is sort of like their version of Saint Patrick. “ Said Caroline, “Now I don’t feel guilty, I feel excited to help!”
100% - Faculty and Staff participation in 2013 Annual Fund
By the Numbers
100% - Giving by Board of Directors and Leadership Board to Annual Fund 100% - Tax Deductibility of an Annual Fund Gift *For more information on how to make a gift to the Saint Patrick Annual Fund, contact Director of Advancement, Cathy Thaden at cthaden@stpcs.org