Colonial Village

Mrs. Scalo's seventh grade students at St. Catherine of Siena School presented a living Colonial Village to parents and students on November 18 in Siena Hall. Students were first required to write research papers about a specific colonial trade. They then demonstrated their trade in a mock Colonial Village, while dressed in period clothing. Shown Above, Katherine S. (left) and Elizabeth S. (right) demonstrate the trades of Shoemaker and Baker to students in St. Catherine of Siena School.

Easter baskets for St. Vincents

Students in Mrs. Scalo's seventh grade class made bunny baskets filled with a stuffed animal and a heartfelt card and prayer for the residents of St. Vincent's nursing home. A group of students also hand delivered the baskets to residents for Easter.

Do you like green eggs and ham?

Students in St. Catherine's 7th grade recently celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday with Mrs. Tissot's kindergarten class by dressing up as the Cat in the Hat and Thing One and Thing Two. They surprised the kindergarten students with a visit and read some of their favorite Dr. Seuss books to the class.

Big Brothers/Big Sisters...

Students in grades 7 and 8 enjoyed spending time with their little brother and sisters in grades 1 and kindergarten during this year's Halloween Parade and in-class celebrations.

Back To School

St. Catherine of Siena School seventh grade students, from left to right, Sean R., Jack C., Michael T., Joseph S., Alex Z., and Frank C.  have supplies in hand as they begin their first day back to school on Wednesday, September 8.

Chess Champions

St. Catherine of Siena School recently hosted its first annual Round Robin Chess Tournament for students in grades 3 through 8. The winners, from left to right were Lucy S., first place novice division, Alex U., first place advanced division, and  Owen T., second place advanced division. The school also sponsors afterschool chess clinics for St. Catherine students in grades 3 and 4.

Student earns 2nd black belt

SCS 7th grade student Alexander U. passed the 2nd Dan Black Belt Testing on October 17, 2009 at Talium Headquarters located at Fairfield, NJ. Alex started taking lessons in Taekwondo at age 6 and earned his 1st Dan Black Belt in December 2006. He intends to continue his training and work towards attaining his 3rd Dan Black Belt by 2012. His martial art training helps Alex to further enhance his self esteem, built confidence, and strengthen his physical coordination and mental discipline

SCS Basketball at the Izod Center

Saint Catherine of Siena students had a special opportunity to play a basketball scrimmage in the NJ Izod Center on November 17. Seventh and eighth grade players felt the up close thrill of playing on the NBA court and then were able to get NBA player autographs and enjoy the NJ Nets game that followed.

Willy Wonka Jr.

St. Catherine of Siena students performed their spring musical production, Willy Wonka Jr. on May 12 for parents and the student body in Siena Hall. Students in grades kindergarten through eight showed off their talents acting, dancing and singing throughout the show. Shown left, Patrick C. as Willy Wonka.

2nd TRIMESTER HONOR ROLL

FIRST HONORS

Grade 8
Tyler C., Caitlin C., Patrick C., Vincent C., Maggie C., Carly D., Nicholas D., Mary F., Patrick F., Alyssa F., Melissa G., Kristian J., Kevin L., Brian M., Tyler O., Kristen R., Gregory S., Matthew S., Bridget V.

Grade 7
Jeremy A., Michael B., Allison C., Daniel C., Thomas C., Louis D., Steven F., Kevin F., Kelly H., Antony K., Robert M., Anthony P., Anthony P., Julia R., Samantha S., Kimberly T.

Grade 6
Ken B., Matthew C., Mia A., Michael D., Jennifer J., James K., Thomas L., Kelly M., Vincent M., Nina R., Alfred P., Christian S., Austin T., Alex U.

Grade 5
Giovanna B., Jack C., Monica D., Katherine F., Kerry F., Elizabeth H., Kristen O., Anthony P., Gabrielle R., Sean R., Dominique S., Delia S., Lucy S., Erin T., Lauren T.

Grade 4
Megan C., Chelsea C., Justin D., Zachary G., Tara M., Philip S., Katherine S., Owen T.


SECOND HONORS

Grade 8
Morgan B., Alexander C., Kenny C., Kerrianne M., James R.

Grade 7
Jack A., Alexa A., Haley B., Mairead C., Clifford J., Tara P., Patrick R., Maria S., Angela S.

Grade 6
Michael B., Paige B., Graceann D., Elizabeth D., Deanna D., James G., Alexander L., Kevin O., Griffin O.

Grade 5
Makenna B., Porcha B., Frank C., Brigitte M., Gabrielle P., Michael T.

Grade 4
Phillip S., Ryan O., Patrick M.


HONORABLE MENTION
Danielle B., Gr. 8

St. Catherine students recognized for volunteer service

St. Catherine of Siena School seventh grade students, Haley and Michael B., have been honored for their exemplary volunteer service with a President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The award, which recognizes Americans of all ages who have volunteered significant amounts of their time to serve their communities and their country, was presented by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program on behalf of the President’s council on Service and Civic Participation.

Twins Haley and Michael B. earned their award by participating in Military support since 2005. The students have collected Christmas cards, candy, treats, socks, and underwear to mail to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, working with the Adopt A Platoon organization. Not only did they support troops overseas but they also gave similar support to individuals in the Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Last spring Haley and Michael also organized a yard sale with their friends and raised $800 for Operation Home Front Helping Military Families, New York/New Jersey Chapter. The students also raised $600 in a yard sale for the National Hydrocephalus Organization for research, to honor a close friend of the family.

Sponsored by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards honor young people across America for outstanding community service activities. More than 250,000 young people across America have been considered for these awards since the program began in 1995.

Forensic competition winners

Our forensics team coached by Ms. Irwin and Mr. Ganter had a great success this year with many of our students in the finals at every meet. Special congratulations go out to the students who competed in the tournament held on March 25, 2009. Awards were given to Alyssa F. of the 8th grade who was the Third Place Winner for the combined Year, Kimberly T. in 7th grade who was Tenth Place Winner for the combined year, and Patrick C. in the 8th grade who in the Humor Competition came in First Place with his Dane Cook presentation that commanded the room. Eighth grade students Bridget V. and Caitlin C., along with seventh grade students Julia R., Mairead C., and Maria S. also did St. Catherine’s proud in competitions by improving their scores each and every meet. We are confident all our forensic students will only get better as they continue.

St. Catherine students serve in Civil Air Patrol

St. Catherine of Siena School students (shown left to right) Patrick F., grade 8, and Michael B., grade 7, both have a love of aviation and the United States military. They are preparing for their future by rising to the challenge of cadet membership in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol.

Patrick joined the cadet program in April 2007. Since joining, Patrick has worked his way up to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He now leads his squadron’s color guard team. Patrick has been on 5 orientation flights, flying to places like High Point, New Jersey, and the Poconos. He attended basic encampment at McGuire Air Force base last summer and is hoping to attend a glider encampment this coming summer.

Michael became a cadet in February 2008 and has recently been promoted to the rank of Senior Airman. He has been on an orientation flight, flying to Princeton, New Jersey and is a member of the color guard team. He is planning to attend a week-long basic encampment at McGuire Air Force base this summer.

The Civil Air Patrol is the auxiliary of the United States Air Force. It has three missions: aerospace education, emergency services, and the cadet program. The cadet program is for young people between the ages of 12 and 21 who are interested in aviation. Cadets learn about space and aviation, participate in air shows and model rocketry, and go on orientation flights in both powered and glider aircraft.

St. Catherine Geographic Bee Winner

Seventh grade student Anthony P. has won the St. Catherine of Siena School National Geographic Bee, held on January 30. He will attend a state-level Geographic Bee to be held in the spring. Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge.

Class Service Day

St. Catherine of Siena School’s seventh grade class made rosary beads for the elderly as a class service project on January 27. Shown left, Sherri Freitas shows off the seventh grade’s beautiful bead work. All of St. Catherine's students worked on service projects in their classroom as part of the school’s Catholic Schools Week Celebration.

Colonial Village

Seventh grade students at St. Catherine of Siena School presented a living Colonial Village to parents and students on November 22 in Siena Hall. Students were first required to write research papers about a specific colonial trade. They then demonstrated their trade in a mock Colonial Village, while dressed in period clothing. Some of the trades represented were Tinsmith, Apothecary, Fur Trader and Clock Maker. Shown, Anthony P. demonstrate the trade of Carpenter to students in St. Catherine of Siena School.