Principal Update June 12, 2022
Go Tigers!
Kindergarten and 8th Grade Graduates!
To our fifteen 8th grade families that are moving on from St. Catherine, we are grateful for each of you and the years you've been a part of our community. You will be missed, and we hope we see you often!
Safety Update
In the past couple of weeks, a few parents have reached out asking about safety protocols in place at St. Catherine, so I thought I'd update to ensure everyone is aware.
Throughout the year, the staff facilitates fire, earthquake, and lockdown safety drills. Students review protocols with teachers in advance, and if necessary, debrief afterward. On campus, all exterior doors are locked throughout the day, and are only propped open when a staff member or adult volunteer is standing at the door monitoring who enters. I do exterior door sweeps, as well, making sure that the portable doors are locked during school hours. Every morning, our facilities manager sweeps campus, ensuring no one is on campus who shouldn't be. At drop-off and pickup, staff are stationed at various places around campus to monitor our "open" campus areas. During the school day, students are never left unattended by staff members.
Our office staff and myself participated in a school safety training facilitated by the Office for Catholic School prior to COVID. In the past couple weeks, we had all principal meetings with OCS to discuss measures currently in place in our schools. They are also working with us to update our emergency response plans over the summer.
Our school safety committee that was in place prior to COVID has committed to jumping back in to help with this work, and to consider all school safety measures. Also, as it's been about 5 years since our staff active shooter training, we are looking to schedule that early next school year.
As always, we consider safety the number one priority at school. As our safety practices are updated, I will be sharing them with the community.
7th Grade MDI Project Fundraiser
7th Grade MDI Bake Sale
K-8 students VERY excited for a bake sale opportunity!
7th graders hard at work!!
Staffing Update
At the end of May, Sophie Burke completed her student teaching in our 1st grade classroom with Ms. O'Donnell to wrap up her Masters program. Way to go, Sophie!! The students truly loved the gift of having her in the classroom! As Sophie moves on to the next step in her career, we will miss her in our preschool PM Pandas program, and all of the wonderful ways the Sophie has been a part of the St. C community. Please read Sophie's letter for the community.
A shout out is in order for Erin O'Donnell as she has completed her Masters program! We are so proud of Erin for this accomplishment, and even more so for doing so while full-time teaching. Be sure to congratulate her when you see her!
We are excited to announce that we've hired Kelley Frederick as our 2nd grade Instructional Assistant for the 2022-23 school year. Kelley comes to St. Catherine with her Masters in Teaching, and experiences in early childhood and elementary classrooms. Ms. Beighle and Mrs. Frederick will be an incredible duo!
We have also hired Ky Reid as our Extended Care Assistant for 22-23, and Alexis Papanastasiou in our preschool PM Pandas program. Ky and Alexis are looking forward joining our staff in the fall!
Team Building
Mission/Philosophy
St. Catherine of Siena Parish School is a welcoming, Christ-centered community, rooted in the Catholic faith and inspired by Gospel values. As an extension of the parish and with Jesus as our model, we are dedicated to lifelong growth in faith, love, and learning.
We recognize that the care and education of the child begins with the family and that parents are the primary educators of their children. In partnership with parents, we work to promote our students’ achievement and spiritual growth. Together we are committed to developing responsible, ethical leaders who think critically, act justly, communicate effectively, and serve willingly.