Dear St. Catharine Families,

With Easter vacation so late this year, it seems hard to believe that only about a month is left in this school year!  May is always busy, and this year, with our late vacation schedule, it will be even busier!  Please carefully review the enclosed calendar and any updates on the school website.

Congratulations to many of our students who have participated in a number of events that represent St. Catharine School.  Our MathCounts Team (Anna Burkhart, Kevin Krieger, Henry Sarko, Julia Mackessy) and our Battle of the Books Team (Anna Burkhart, Katie Ballinger, Talia Caridi, James Darnell, Rebekah Selid, Cassie Zamaripa ) did very well in their competitions.  In adition to our eleven (11) scholarship winners, Rebeka Selid was selected to receive the COACE (Central Ohio Association of Catholic Educators) Scholarship.  She will be acknowledged at a scholarship evening on Monday, May 6.

Every year our students in Grades 5 and 8 take the ACRE test that is developed by the National Catholic Education Association.  It is a normed test given to students across the country.  Our students performed exceptionally well on all five pillars (Creed, Liturgy and Sacraments, Morality, Prayer) of Catholic faith.  Certainly their progress represents work by all teachers leading to the tests in grades 5 and 8.  By the 8th grade, our class of students performed above the 90th percentile in all areas.  Religious instruction for 178 days a year and the integration of our religion in all academic areas certainly helps our students grow in a strong knowledge of their faith and the place of this faith in their lives.

Class field trips will present an opportunity for some of our classes to finish units of study during this last quarter.  Grade 4 will spend a day at the Ohio Statehouse with an opportunity to talk with legislators.  This activity culminates their study of government and Ohio history.  Grade 5 just finished field trips to the Santa Maria and the planetarium, focusing of their social studies and science curriculum.  Seventh grade will be spending time this week at COSI with a variety of activities that support their science Course of Study.  Grade 6 will be spending some time experiencing Greek foods on their field trip.  They have been focusing on Roman and Greece in their social studies.  Thanks to the Home and School Association for helping with bus transportation to these events, and Partners of Education for assisting our students with admission fees.

Mrs. Shelley Hoben (our first grade teacher) will be retiring at the end of this school year.  She certainly helped our students begin their first entry to school life as she worked with them in developing their early reading, math, and study skills.  She has been a strong teacher in our primary unit and we thank her for her ten years of teaching at St. Catharine School.  Miss Meghan Logan will be the new first grade teacher for next year.  She had completed a long-term sub position in the 4th grade and recently has worked in our preschool.  She has her Masters degree from OSU and is licensed in PreK – 3.  We welcome her to our staff.  Mrs. Ann Arens is expecting a baby in the fall.  We have hired a long-term sub for her position for at least the first quarter of next school year.

Please keep our Second Grade students and our Eighth Grade students in your thoughts and prayers and they finish their preparation for First Communion and Confirmation that will be held in May. 

Information regarding the Level II grants for Tuition Assistance will be sent home to all parents once Diocesan information is received.  Any parents with questions about this should give me a call. Our enrollment remains constant for next school year and we will be welcoming at least ten new students for next year. 

As always, feel free to call with any questions.  Thank you for your continued support and commitment to St. Catharine School.

Sincerely,

Janet L. Weisner
Principal