Panther Press
Immaculate Conception Cathedral School
Thursday, 10/4/18
The Principal's Corner by Christi Jarreau
I have come across the statistic many times recently that 1 in 5 current students will go on to acquire jobs that do not yet even exist and require a new range of skills and capabilities.
We know that, for reasons like this, educational standards today measure not only how much our students know, but also their ability to learn and process new information. To best ensure future success for the students of the Cathedral School, our roles are continually evolving.
For teachers: Quality instruction is not about finding the best means for all students to memorize information, rather it is about providing intentional lessons or experiences for students to learn and to demonstrate their ability to accurately acquire, analyze, and apply knowledge. Our teachers have done an amazing job of balancing “I do, we do, you do” instruction for basic skills and opportunities for critical thinking, creative application, and “outside of the box” problem solving.
For students: Academics and character are entwined more than ever before as student are required to apply, explain, think critically, etc. Putting skills and knowledge into action requires ours students to give and receive feedback, personally reflect, and often to revise their work, all of which require character traits such as perseverance, self regulation, grit, confidence, and open-mindedness. Classrooms are no longer places where students listen or pretend to listen silently. Social emotional skills and character education have long been taught in schools but are now just as crucial in the classroom as they are on the playground and in the hallways.
For parents: Of course parents remain the first and primary educators of their children, especially in regards to spirituality and character. As schools continue to partner with parents in the educational journey of their child, social emotional health and a “teachable” spirit starts at home. Resilient, motivated, independent, and self disciplined students are often the most successful in the classroom. While parent support may have once looked like calling out study guides and creating quizlets, we must now be diligent in our efforts to build perseverance, a healthy balance of confidence and humility, and a sense of purpose and intrinsic motivation within our children to best help them be successful students.
With standards and standardized assessments focusing on application of knowledge rather than acquired knowledge, ICCS continues to embrace the challenge of preparing students to be successful and employable in our rapidly advancing world. We measure our success not only by maintaining a standard of excellence in classroom instruction and student performance, along with continual and consistent growth in standardized test data, but also in the many ways our students display physical, academic, and social-emotional growth. These displays are as formal and quantified as becoming an AR superstar and as personal and heartwarming as having a sixth grade student welcome parents to this morning’s Pet Blessing with a smile and a handmade brochure about St. Francis of Assisi. We are blessed to be part of such a wonderful school community! ‘Rejoice and Be Glad!’ Matthew 5:12
The Curriculum Corner by Blair Tadlock
100% Gold Standard PBL Trained
At ICCS we are committed to continuing the education of our faculty through meaningful professional development opportunities designed to impact our learners. We are committed to Gold Standard Project Based Learning teaching practices where students are answering challenging, relevant and authentic questions through sustained inquiry. Our newest faculty members were trained by the Buck Institute for Education’s national faculty member, Dori Berg, over the course of 3 days with 21 hours of immersed learning in PBL teaching methods. The faculty members developed incredible, high-quality PBL experiences for their learners, and I am excited to see them roll out over the coming weeks. Here are some of the driving questions our students will be exploring:
Lower Elementary:
- How can we, as bakers, use our five senses to bake cookies?
Upper Elementary:
- How can we be physically active in our community outside of PE class?
- How can we, as environmentalists, inform the public about coastal erosion and include them in the solution?
Middle School:
- How can I redecorate my bedroom with a small budget?
- How can we, as a welcoming committee, create resources for Spanish speaking kids who are new to the Lake Charles area?
- How can we design a proposal for a backpacking trip around the world based on climate and weather for ICCS alumni?
I would like to thank Mrs. Miller, Senora Barrios, Ms. DeRouen, Ms. Ebersole, Ms. LaBove, Mrs. Forsyth and Mrs. Bourgeois for their outstanding work this past weekend and dedication to our school and our students. I would also like to thank all of our outstanding faculty members for participating in the Friday afternoon portion of the training! We are certainly beyond blessed to have the cream of the teaching crop!
PBL Training
Mercy Matters by Rose Viau
During the month of October we will reflect on the beatitude – “Blessed are the meek; for they shall possess the land.” Pope Francis reminds us that, “If we regard the faults and limitations of others with tenderness and meekness…we can actually help them. Reacting with meekness and humility: that is holiness.”
ICCS Animal Blessing
Additional pictures can be found on our Facebook page! www.facebook.com/iccschool
October Birthday Mass Tomorrow!
Students are reminded that boys wear pants and girls wear skirts/jumpers to Mass. The 4th grade retreat will take place immediately following Mass.
Retake Pictures are set for Wednesday, October 10
Renaissance Home Connect
Students at ICCS use Renaissance Place at school for Math Facts in a Flash, Accelerated Math, Accelerated Reader 360 and STAR Assessments. Renaissance Place has a special feature called Renaissance Home Connect, which you can access outside of school from any computer with an Internet connection. Renaissance Home Connect allows you to see information about your student’s progress in Accelerated Reader, Accelerated Math and MathFacts in a Flash.
To log in to the Renaissance Home Connect website, go to https://hosted112.renlearn.com/210200/HomeConnect and have your student log in with their Renaissance username and password. If you'd like to receive emails showing your student's quiz or test results, click the Email Setup link in Renaissance Home Connect and follow the directions. To be sure these emails reach your inbox, add homeconnectautodelivery@renlearnrp.com to your address book.
ICCS Cheerleaders Participate in SLC Homecoming Festivities
Report Card Parent Meeting Day Friday, October 19
New this year! Parents will have the opportunity to meet with their child’s homeroom teacher and receive their 1st quarter report card. A sign up link specific to your child’s teacher has been emailed. Please check your email inbox. One or both parents are welcome to attend the meeting. Please select only one meeting time per student. Email mbmathew@iccschool.org with questions.
Skate Night Success!
The class with the highest percentage of attendance was Ms. Catherine Ebersole's 4th grade! They win a class party, congratulations!
The Book Nook
Our third graders began presenting their Paper Bag Book Reports to their classmates during library this week. Everyone chose a "Good Fit Book" to read and recommend to their friends as they make the transition from picture books in the Easy section to chapter books in the Fiction section.
Parents, looking for more books based on other student recommendations? Try Scholastic's Share What You're Reading website: http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/swyar/index.asp
Middle School Drama Enrichment
Auditions will be held November 12-15 beginning at 3:15 p.m. each day.
A screening of the musical will be held Sunday, October 14, at ICCS beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Music room.
ATTN: 3rd-5th Grade Parents!
SLCHS Homecoming Game
ICCS students received one free admission ticket to the SLCHS homecoming game held tomorrow night, Friday, Oct 5th. Our future Saints are encouraged to attend and support SLCHS! Go Saints!
Grandparents' Day Celebration November 15-16
ICCS FUNDRAISERS UNDERWAY!
The Greenery Committee needs your help!
ICCS Panther Run
1-Mile Color Run will start around 8:30 a.m.
Saturday, Oct 27, 2018, 07:30 AM
Immaculate Conception Cathedral School, Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
CLASSROOM NEWS
Feast Day of St. Therese
Monday we celebrated the feast day of St. Therese. Our Middle School students decorated the 3rd floor walls with beautiful flowers and quotes in celebration of this special feast day. The students wrote personal prayer intentions on the back of the flowers which will be laid on the altar during Mass on Friday.
5th Grade Guest Speaker
Mrs. Virginia-Kate Jessen's 5th Grade music class had the opportunity to meet and interview local music composer, Jason Liles this week as part of their music composer Project Based Learning unit.
We thank Mr. Liles for sharing his time, talent and knowledge with our students!
Substance Abuse Prevention Awareness Month Guest Speaker
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Fri, Oct 5: October Birthday Mass, 8:30 a.m. @ Cathedral
Fri, Oct 5: 4th grade retreat immediately following Mass
Fri, Oct 5: SLCHS Homecoming game v Iowa, 7 p.m. @ Cougar Stadium (All Catholic school students get free admission)
Mon, Oct 8: NO SCHOOL, Diocesan In-Service
Wed, Oct 10: Yearbook Picture Retakes
Wed, Oct 17: Bishop Provost visits ICCS
Wed, Oct 17: School Board Meeting, 5:30 p.m.
Fri, Oct 19: 1st Quarter Ends
Fri, Oct 19: NO SCHOOL, Parent Report Card Meeting Day
Thu, Oct 25: Greenery Sale Ends
Fri, Oct 26: Living Rosary, 8:30 a.m. in the gym
Sat, Oct 27: ICCS Panther Run
Wed, Oct 31: ICCS Respect Life Panther Walk at 1:30 p.m.
Thu, Nov 1: NO SCHOOL, All Saints Day Holiday
Fri, Nov 2: November Birthday Mass (7A), 8:30 a.m. at the Cathedral
Contact Information
Email: mbmathew@iccschool.org
Website: www.iccschool.org
Location: 1536 Ryan Street, Lake Charles, LA, USA
Phone: 337-433-3497
Facebook: www.facebook.com/iccschool