Pertinent Information about St. Theresa School                            3/10/05

 

 

Religious Aspect

1. Our school is centered in Christ.

2. Each day we begin with prayer as a community.  Prayer is continued throughout the

    day.

3. We provide Mass once a month for 1st – 8th grades, along with Holy Days of

    Obligation, Special Feast Days and Class Masses.

4. Students participate in paraliturgies as well (Thanksgiving, Advent, Lent, etc.)

5. Students are encouraged to participate in service projects (Thanksgiving Food Drive,

    collection of Mission money, etc.)

6. As children become more mature, their experiences widen to include Vocations’ Talks,

    Serra Club Essays, Research of Religious Orders, Reconciliation, Parish Service

    Projects, etc.

7. St. Theresa offers the students the opportunity to belong to God’s Warriors, a religious

    club whose goals are prayer and service.  They meet at 6:30 a.m. mass each Friday at

    St. Theresa Church.

8. All students and teachers participate in the Prayer Partner program and pray for one

    another in a special way.

9. Our goal is to “create a spirit of community that fosters the Catholic formation of all

    members.”

10. Family Relationships Program is taught in the 5-8 grades and deals with human

      sexuality in the light of Church teachings.

11. Students are taught AIDS education as approved by the NCEA (National Catholic

      Education Association).

 

Educational Program

Religion: Sadlier We Believe Series

  1. Rooted in Scripture
  2. Faithful to the Tradition of the Catholic Church
  3. Spirited by the General Directory for Catechesis
  4. Centered on the Person of Jesus Christ
  5. Invites relationship with the Trinity
  6. Supports faith that is lived in the domestic and universal Church
  7. Embraces the four pillars of the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
    1. Creed
    2. Liturgy and Sacraments
    3. Moral Life
    4. Prayer
  8. Website for sharing the faith at home and school = www.WeBelieveweb.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Math: Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Math

  1. Adheres to the National Standards for Teachers of Math (NCTM)
  2. Subject Matter Covered
    1. Whole Number Concepts and Operations
    2. Fraction Concepts and Operations
    3. Decimal Concepts and Operations
    4. Number Sense Estimation and Mental Math
    5. Mathematical Processes
    6. Geometry
    7. Patterns, Relationships and Algebraic Thinking
    8. Measurement, Time and Money
    9. Data, Statistics and Probability
    10. Ration, Proportion and Percent
    11. Technology
  1. Math manipulatives are utilized often to provide “hands on” learning.
  2. Technology is integrated as well to aid learning of concepts and provide practice.

 

Science: Scott Foresman Science (K-5)

  1. Comprehensive content based on National Science Education Standards
  2. Teacher – tested activities
  3. Reading and Math connections
  4. Use of the Scientific Method
  5. Areas Covered
    1. Life Science
    2. Physical Science
    3. Earth Science
    4. Human Body

 

     Glencoe/McGraw Hill (6-8)

1.   Comprehensive content based on National Science Education Standards

  1. Teacher – tested activities
  2. Reading and Math connections
  3. Use of the Scientific Method
  4. Teacher selected projects (e.g. science fair)
  5. Areas Covered
    1. Earth Science
    2. Life Science
    3. Physical Science (Chemistry and Physics)

 

Reading: Scott Foresman Reading (K – 5)

  1. Based on reading benchmarks (nationally and statewide)
  2. Areas of Concentration
    1. Reading

1. Foundations of Literacy

2. Phonics, Word Analysis, Spelling, Vocabulary and Fluency

      3. Comprehension

b.   Literature

      1. Genres and Literacy Craft

      2. Literary Response and Appreciation

 

Glencoe (6 – 8)

1.  Story (literary) Elements

2.  Genres of Literature

3.  Reading and Thinking

4.  Assigned “outside” readings

5.  Figures of speech

6.  Read and interpret selected novels

 

Vocabulary and Spelling: Sadlier-Oxford (6-8)

Pure Vocabulary Approach

     

English: Scott Foresman English (K – 2)

         1.  Based on reading benchmarks (nationally and statewide)

         2.  Adheres to the Standards of the National Council of Teachers of English

         3.  Subject Matter Covered - Language and Communication

                  a. Grammar and Usage in Speaking and Writing

b. Writing Process, Strategies and Skills

c. Mechanics in Writing

d. Listening and Speaking

e. Viewing

 

                Houghton Mifflin English (3 – 8)

     1. Based on the National Council of Teachers of English

     2. Areas of Concentration

            a. Grammar

            b. Usage and Punctuation

            c. Writing

            d. Speaking

 

Social Studies: Heath Social Studies (1 – 5)

     Areas Covered

            1.  Geography

            2.  History

            3.  Citizenship and Government

            4.  Economics

            5.  Anthropology and Sociology

 

     6th Grade – Heath

            World Civilizations

    

     7th Grade – Prentice Hall

            American History

  

      8th Grade – Clairmont Press

            Louisiana History         

 

 

Other Areas of our Educational Program

1. Art (Pk-5th grade)

2. Music (Pk-5th grade) with Chorus in 5-8 grade

3. Foreign Language – Spanish (3-8 grade)

4. Algebra I on-line in the 8th grade

5. Chapter I reading and math resource computer based program

6. Computer (1-8 grade technology instruction)

    a. computers in every classroom with Internet capabilities

    b. 2 computer labs

        1. Orchard Lab with software for supplementary support of math, English and

            reading

  1. Computer Lab for teaching computer skills and application

7. Assertive Discipline Program for aiding students in learning self-discipline.  This is a

    positive approach to discipline and is a school-wide program.

8. Youth Legislature in the 8th grade = the 8th graders learn about the LA legislature and

    participate in 2 days of mock legislative experiences in the Old State Capital.

9. Plays, guest speakers and planned programs to enhance our curriculum or teach a

    specific topic.

10. Science and Social Studies Fairs on alternating years for 7th and 8th grades

11. 8th Grade Service Program – students work once a week for the individual teachers

12. Qualified 7th graders participate in the Duke University Talent Identification Program

      each year and take the American College Test.  Many of our students have received

      state recognition for their excellent scores.

13. Speech and Language Therapy Services are provided to our students through our fine

      working relationship with the Ascension Pupil Appraisal Program.

14. Students participate in a Safe Choices Program directed at teaching them about how

      to avoid child abuse situations and keep themselves safe.

 

Extra-Curricular Programs

1. Band – after school program for 5-8 graders

2. Choir – 5-8 graders

3. 4-H Club – 4 – 8 graders

4. Beta Club – 6-8 graders with fine academic records

5. God’s Warriors – 6-8 graders *Religion Organization

6. Student Council – 7-8 graders

7. Yearbook Staff – 7-8 graders

8.  Library Club – 6-8 graders

9. Cheerleaders – 6-8 graders

10. Athletics

     a. Boys

         1. Football (5-8 graders)

         2. Basketball (5-8 graders)

         3. Baseball (7-8 graders)

     b. Girls

         1. Basketball (5-8 graders)

         2. Volleyball (5-8 graders)

11. Diocesan Quiz Bowl (5-8 graders)

12. For the past three years, our counselor has taught an elective course on Transitions for

      girls going to high school.  It focuses on purity and chastity.

 

Other Information:

1. We are a Diocesan approved school.

2. We are a State approved school.

3. In the years of the LA Student of the Year Program, we have been privileged to have

    many of our students selected as the Diocesan LA Student of the Year and several to

    go on to the Regional and State LA Student of the Year competitions.

4. The Diocesan Catholic high schools have continued to express a desire to have our

    students continue their education in their institutions.  We’ve been told they are well-

    prepared.

5. Our 8th grade students who will attend public high school do well on the L.E.A.P.

    testing yearly.

6. Due to the Parish Partnership, we have smaller numbers in pre-k, kindergarten and first

    grade classes.  These are the formative and readiness levels and we felt strongly the

    numbers needed to be smaller.  Each class has a teacher and an instructional assistant.