Going beyond the Standard Buddy System at Saint Elizabeth Seton School
Saint Lucy School 2018 Clubs and Junior High Electives
Saint Martin of Tours School – Together , We Roar !
18
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
February 6 , 2018 | The Valley Catholic
Going beyond the Standard Buddy System at Saint Elizabeth Seton School
|
Many schools see the benefit to having a “ Buddy System ” – older student ’ s teaming up with younger students to help as needed not only to assist with projects throughout the year , but also to act as role models and set a good example for all . Valuable skills are learned ; responsibility , accountability and leadership as well as developing skills to listen closely to others and maybe to find much needed patience at times . Perhaps the most significant benefit is the sense of wellbeing gained when helping one another !
At Saint Elizabeth Seton School we have several ongoing Buddy Projects : the eighth graders regularly pair with first grade for art and math projects ; they sit together during school Masses and assemblies , and continue to work on service projects throughout the year . Early morning reading in Ms . Estes ’
|
class invites older students to volunteer and listen to our younger students read aloud . Our Junior High students read to Pre-K students after school twice a week too . We see great relationships forging as Buddies acknowledge each other when passing in the hallways .
Recently we stumbled across another effective way to go beyond the standard Buddy System .
Many of our Seton School families work long hours , may have multiple jobs and some families travel quite a distance to attend an affordable Catholic school . Homework for parents to oversee and manage after the school and work day can be quite a challenge . Quite honestly , both students and parents are tired by the end of the day .
Recently , a Seton parent approached our Vice Principal , Mrs . Maguire , for more homework help for her student .
|
Students at Saint Elizabeth Seton School , participate in the after school Homework Club .
We do have an after-school Homework Club once a week and some wonderful after school tutors and volunteers … but there is always a need for more . Mrs . Maguire thought to arrange for Diana – an eighth grade student who stays for the Extended Care Program – to work with this particular student . Diana and second grader , Jayla , meet after school
|
|
to simply facilitate and complete homework . A quiet area is provided and the results have been better than expected . Diana is growing in confidence , responsibility and leadership – she ’ s displaying quite a talent for working with others . Her kind and willing heart are being put to good use . Jayla gets the opportunity to have help as needed ; works one-on-one with a peer , feels great about completing her work before going home , and really enjoys her time with Diana .
We think this is the beginning of something new for Seton School . We have many students that stay after school – if we can take what we have learned from this pilot run and apply it to others , then we have a win-win situation for everyone . And we ’ re pretty sure that the hallways will come to life in a positive sense with even more team camaraderie being built .
|
Student learning at Saint Lucy School is enriched through a rich extra-curricular program , consisting of School Athletic teams , the Book Club , Boy and Girl Scouts , Chess Club , Drama Club , Homework Club , Lego Robotics Club , Lego Robotics Teams , Monday Math Club , Student Council , eighth grade Friendship Quilts , and Yearbook . We have a highly educated , bright , warm faculty who collaborate with parents
Saint Lucy School 2018 Clubs and Junior High Electives
and alumni to moderate each of our school clubs or teams and make them available for the students . Junior High students also choose an elective class each trimester . Whether they choose Art Sculpting , Broadcast News , Chess and Strategy Games , The Great Cooking Club , Community Service , Physical Education , or Rocket Propulsion , they are broadening their school experience by trying something new .
When students reach fifth grade , they are excited to be eligible to play on the Saint Lucy School Lightning athletic teams . The primary goal of the Athletic program is to enhance the complete education of the studentathlete , to promote good sportsmanship and a spirit of fair play , and to reinforce the value of healthy exercise . All students in the fifth through eighth grades are eligible to participate in the following sports : Fall : Flag Football , Volleyball ; Winter : Basketball ; Spring : Track and Field , Volleyball , Softball . Saint Lucy School athletes compete with several other schools in the Diocese of San Jose Catholic Athletic League - West Division . Saint Lucy School hosts several tournaments in January and February , and also participates in tournaments of our sister schools .
Saint Martin of Tours School – Together , We Roar !
The doors open . The drum sounds . The chant begins , “ We are … SM ! We are … SM !”
Twice a year , the students , faculty , and parents of Saint Martin of Tours School gather to celebrate the tradition of community and school spirit with the Bengal Classic pep rallies and the Bengal Classic tournaments . The pep rallies and tournaments take place in October and January and serve as the highlights of the seventh and eighth grade girls ’ volleyball and boys ’ basketball seasons . During the rallies , the community gathers together as one voice to show their true Bengal spirit . From the youngest Bengal cubs to the eighth graders participating in the traditional student vs . staff game , these rallies are a high point in every student ’ s year .
Each rally acts as the kick off for a weekend long sports tournament , including schools from throughout the diocese , which is capped off on Sunday
Saint Martin students show their spirit at the Bengal Classic .
with an athlete ’ s breakfast followed by Mass with the parish community honoring the athletes .
While the Bengal Classics are just one of the many traditions at Saint Martin of Tours , it is during these particular weekends that the community roars the loudest .