Related Arts
Related arts
K-4 Music
Focus
Providing a fun and safe space to learn music.
Special Activities
Christmas concert this year for all K-4 students. 4th graders will learn recorders this fall to perform at the Christmas concert!
5-8 Music
Focus
Students will focus on music performance, history and literacy.
Special Activities
During Christmas time, 5th grade will perform our traditional Christmas Musical. I am also excited to introduce a combined 6th, 7th, and 8th grade Christmas concert new this year! In the spring time students will present a concert that showcases what each class has been working on this year. Outside of school students will have the opportunity to join our 5th/6th grade choir or our 7th/8th grade choir, which will perform twice a year.
Band/Instrumental Music
Focus
The band program begins in fifth grade. No prior instrument experience is required. Students select their instrument of choice at the beginning of the year, start lessons and group band rehearsals very shortly after that. The students then progress to the middle school band, which includes students from all three grades working together in one band. All band students participate in group band plus weekly individual lessons.
Both the 5th grade and middle school bands perform a Winter concert in December and a Spring concert in May at SFA. There is also an All-Diocesan Concert Band Festival in January. Middle school band students perform with The Diocesan Middle School Band members and the Dowling Catholic marching band at a Dowling Catholic School football pregame in the Fall. All band students have the option of performing at solo and ensemble contest in the Spring.
Spanish
Religion
We pray prayers in Spanish at the beginning of every class. We also spend time learning about religious celebrations in a variety of Spanish speaking countries.
Academics
Spanish classes in grades K-8 at St. Francis cover roughly the same material as a high school Spanish 1 class. Students learn to read, write, speak, and comprehend the Spanish language at a basic level.
Focus
Our focus in Spanish is to get a solid base of vocabulary and grammar, learn about different cultures while at the same time having fun and enjoying the opportunity of getting to learn Spanish.
Special Activities
Students participate in a variety of activities during class that relate to the Spanish language and the cultures of the people who speak it.
Media Center
Focus
The Media Center is a place that will support learners to become lifelong readers. Students will listen to, respond to, connect to, choose and recommend books based on interests and informational needs.
Special Activities
Lunchtime book club opportunities will be available. Students can create book recommendations using a variety of media options.
Visual Arts
Special Activities
Students are exposed to a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, clay, and digital art. Students are encouraged to explore the artistic process incorporating the principles of design, drawing inspiration from art history as well as their own personal interests.
STEM
Focus
In the STEM Lab, students in Kindergarten through 8th grade are provided with hands-on educational opportunities to engage them in activities and topics that involve critical thinking, problem solving & creativity. St. Francis of Assisi School is blessed to have a fully functioning STEM Lab at the heart of our building. We encourage students to have a maker mindset where they tinker, build, experiment, collaborate, and problem solves with a purpose.
Special Activities
The STEM Lab is an awesome place to come try new things! Every grade level will have the opportunity to come to the STEM Lab on different rotations throughout the school year. Each grade works on different projects. Students will encounter age appropriate STEM activities that highlight science, engineering, technology, and math skills. The STEM challenges presented to students will extend their thinking and allow them to work together using the labs resources and materials.
Elementary School Guidance
Focus
We focus on developing social emotional skills including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision making.
Special Activities
We are planning to participate in Sandy Hook Promise’s “Start with Hello Week”. ” A national call-to-action week dedicated to making new social connections and creating a sense of belonging among youth.”
Middle School Guidance
Focus
Middle school students will develop their academic, career, and social/emotional skills through regular guidance classes. These skills will help students be successful in their interpersonal relationships, academic performance, and future readiness as they continue their development towards adulthood. Example topics include empathy, growth mindset, emotion regulation, perspective-taking, and critical thinking.
Special Activities
One of the exciting activities incorporated into the middle school guidance program is Dare to Dream Day. This day allows students to hear from speakers in various career fields. The event supports students in broadening their awareness of future opportunities and helps them to think about their own plans for the future.
Physical Education
Focus
We will be working on activity based skills such as muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance daily, along with team building activities.
Special Activities
Every year the middle school students have a volleyball tournament in November, and a basketball tournament in March that they look forward to participating in.
