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Dear Nativity Catholic Parish and School,
New clothes. A new book. A newborn baby. New things offer limitless possibilities. New clothes offer a new look. A new book presents a new adventure. A new baby is a reminder of new hopes and dreams.
Each New Year brings forth similar new hopes and possibilities. This brand new year reminds us that it is possible to put our shortcomings and our failures behind us. We can and do have an opportunity to begin again – without judgement and without penalty.
A New Year reminds me a bit of how God treats us. He wants the best for us. And when we sin or fall short of loving Him as we should, he offers us the opportunity to begin anew. No questions asked.
I am fond of saying that God will judge us, not on how perfectly we got things. Rather, he will judge us on how often we sincerely and earnestly start over – that is, attempting to live as his children for the rest of our days.
This mid-year report offers a glimpse into what Nativity Catholic School has been about these past several months. It provides an opportunity to take stock in the good things happening in our school community – academically, spiritually, and through our outreach. But this time of year reminds us that what was not accomplished, what we have done that was less than admirable this past year can be put behind us. And once again we are given the chance to do even better in the future – in order to honor God and build up his Kingdom in our midst.
Yours in Christ, Fr. Tapp Pastor
MISSION STATEMENT
“Nativity Catholic School recognizes each student as a unique child of God and provides a learning environment that develops each student’s spiritual, intellectual, social, physical, and emotional gifts.”
Dear Nativity Catholic School Families,
There is a saying that goes: “GIVE a man a fish
and you feed him for a day; TEACH a man to
fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” This is
precisely why education is so important in our
lives and in the lives of your children. It is in
small steps that we will one day see the education
that took place reflected in your children in the
decisions that they make and the dreams they get
to accomplish.
We are blessed here at Nativity for such a high
quality Catholic education and for the quality of
the children that we have. It is my hope this
mid-year report will help you see the blessing
that our parish is and the dreams that we continue
to have for the future.
May God continue to journey with you in this
mystery called life.
Fr. Felipe Gonzalez
Parochial Vicar
Nativity Catholic School Mid-Year Report
Catholic Schools Week Edition 2016-2017
Sunday, January 29th MASS/OPEN HOUSE
10:30 a.m. ~ 1:00 p.m.
Catholic Schools Week Kick-off Mass at 10:30 a.m.
Open House following Mass from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Donuts/Coffee in the Social Hall
Tour Nativity Catholic School/Register for the
2017-2018 school year (New families)
Meet members of the Administration, Faculty, and Staff
Enjoy Science Experiments/Make & Takes
Stop by our Book Fair in our school’s Innovation Lab
(Great books, great prices!)
Catholic Schools Week Events
Mon., 1/30: Grandparents’ Day—8:00 a.m.
Tues., 1/31: Parent Appreciation Day and the
Great American Teach In
Wed., 2/1: Our Nation and Community Day /
Bilingual School Mass—8:15 a.m.
Recognition of Distinguished Alumni and Decade Club
Thurs., 2/2: Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day—
School-Wide Prayer Partner Retreat
Fri., 2/3: Student Appreciation Day—
Faculty/Staff vs 8th Grade Volleyball Game—10:45 a.m.
Penny Challenge for our favorite charities!
“The educational mission of the Church is an integrated ministry
embracing three interlocking dimensions:
the message revealed by God (didache) which the Church proclaims;
fellowship in the life of the Holy Spirit (koinonia);
service to the Christian community and the entire human community (diakonia).” (To Teach as Jesus Did, 1972, para. 14)
Dear Family and Friends of Nativity Catholic School,
Happy Catholic Schools Week! This quote from the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, so eloquently depicts what the mission of Catholic education is all about. As we enter National Catholic Schools Week, we look forward to the many great experiences ahead, as we commit ourselves to being a community of Faith, Knowledge, and Service. We enter this new year filled with zeal, reenergized and excited to fan into flames the gifts God has given us.
Over the summer months and the first half of the school year, Nativity has been blessed in many ways. There have been countless improvements and successes all around campus, both inside and outside the classroom. The school implemented a new, more rigorous math curriculum; fully renovated the PreKindergarten building and renamed it the Fr. Arthur J. Proulx Pre-K Center; designed and opened an Innovation Lab for all grade levels; brought enriching after school programs to campus, such as Robotics and Odyssey of the Mind; and had one of the most successful Novemberfests to date! These are just a few of the many highlights of the year so far!
The successes of Nativity Catholic School are certainly a team effort. It is thanks to the time, talent, and treasure of all stakeholders that make the fulfillment of our mission possible. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude for your trust and support in partnering with us to provide a quality Catholic education to the students entrusted to our care, and to help us further the mission of Catholic schools.
May God bless you always, and I sincerely thank you for being part of our Nativity family! Go Cougars!
Educationally yours,
Robert J. Yevich
Principal
It is with great pride that I write this column to update you all on the many programs, activities, and learning efforts that are taking place within our school. Teachers have implemented our new math curriculum with much success. We have ongoing exploration and continue to learn the ins and outs of Envision Math. The rigor and depth of understanding this curriculum provides will help our students have a better understanding of mathematics, transfer what they are learning to real world situations, and will prepare them for future courses and higher level math in years to come. Teachers will also be completing a book study that will support their unit plan writing. Teachers write unit plans to not only teach students basic skills, but they are designed so students are able to apply these skills and transfer them to real world situations. This book study will offer teachers more insight on how to provide students with a deeper understanding and transfer of knowledge when writing their unit plans.
We have successfully put into practice a Child First Team at Nativity Catholic School. This team provides direction and a team-based approach to help teachers meet the needs of all students. We will continue to develop and use this team to help teachers identify best teaching practices so all children will have the opportunity to reach their fullest potential at our school.
We started our year with three new programs: First Lego League Robotics, Odyssey of the Mind, and our Student Leadership Board. We currently have four Robotics teams, two primary, one intermediate, and one middle school team. Our middle school Robotics team has successfully competed in several competitions and recently won the Judges Choice Award, and will compete in a championship tournament in late January. We have two Odyssey of the Mind teams; both are working hard to be ready for the regional competition on February 18th. All of these programs provide our students with enrichment, critical thinking practices, and leadership opportunities beyond the classroom. We thank the teachers and parents who work hard to successfully oversee these activities.
As we look ahead, I am excited to begin the search for a new language arts curriculum. With the School Advisory Board’s Education Committee, as well as a committee of teachers, we will begin using student data to drive the adoption of a new language arts curriculum. In the next month, we will review different language arts programs with the goal of adopting a curriculum that will provide rigor to better challenge our students.
In conclusion, the many programs, activities, and learning efforts that are taking place at Nativity Catholic School show the importance and value of Catholic education. God is the center of all we do. It is through this idea that we will continue to work towards excellence and provide a learning environment where all children will grow to know God and live His Gospel.
Respectfully,
Abigail Rudderham Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
Finance Mid-Year Report
Nativity Catholic Church and School maintain a system of internal accounting controls to provide reasonable assurances that
our assets are safeguarded and transactions are executed in accordance with Diocesan policies. We thank our dedicated staff
who achieved these accolades and made these major transitions seamless. As of December 2016, our high level of internal
controls continues, as we further develop plans for our financial future in the most efficient and effective manner.
-Robert Martin, Esq.—Director Finance and Operations
CATHOLIC IDENTITY Celebrating weekly Mass
Prayer Partners
Living Stations of the Cross
Student choir for liturgies
Class stewardship projects
Catholic Schools Week
Living Rosary
Burying the Alleluia
Staff and student retreats
Vocations retreat
Ongoing Reconciliation and Adoration
CURRICULUM New Innovation Lab
New school-wide math curriculum: Pearson Envision
Small group/differentiated instruction
Ongoing professional development for teachers
Expanding curriculum for Learning Support
Part-time, dedicated Enrichment teacher
Technology/Interactive Classes/BrainPOP Pre-K and Kindergarten Starfall Curriculum
iPads (10 per classroom)—Grades K-5 New Group Tables/Guided Reading Lectionaries for all grades (Teaching the Mass)
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
Intercom and fire alarm systems were upgraded
Booster Club donation of school office updates
Painting of the school corridors
Resurfacing of the gym floor
Complete renovation of Pre-K building, including adding five new bathrooms, three new air condition-ing units, and new floors
Completion of new roofing for the school
Roof repairs on Pre-K building
Completion of an Innovation Lab
Completion of a new conference room
Completion of Sunshade over the Pre-K playground
New vertical blinds for all three Kindergarten class-rooms
New carpet tiles in two 8th grade classrooms
Floor tile in 5A & 3B Classrooms
New student water fountains
New Pre-K playground equipment
Replaced all lighting with LED lighting in hallways
School Office electrical service was updated
Renovation of office workroom into a new office
Repairs of turf and equipment on the main playground
Long jump runway installed on field North wing, all new ceiling tiles
A/C replacements and repairs
DEVELOPMENT & COMMUNITY OUREACH Tuition Assistance donations were
received to match funds received through Diocese Catholic Foundation
Students raised money each month to local charities: Charity “N.U.T” Days
Monthly gifts for the homebound Novemberfest
Donated over 750 Christmas toys for Do-ver Elementary students
Donated approx. 700 math textbooks to St. Peter Claver Catholic School
Annual Golf Tournament
Ongoing development of Alumni Association
ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETICS Participated in all HCYSL sports: 1st place in boys
track; 2nd place in soccer; 3rd place in girls volleyball and girls basketball
Altar Servers
Green Team
Mind Lab
Karate Club
Bricks-4-Kids
Band
Art Club
Musical productions
Student Stretching and Breathing Class
Odyssey of the Mind
Robotics
Chess Club
ACHIEVEMENTS Completed Annual Report for Continued Accreditation
by the Florida Catholic Conference
Endowment Scholarship by the Knights of Columbus
A Few 2016 Highlights
TECHNOLOGY As we continue to grow our 1:1 program and add new cross-curricular software each year, we will continue to ensure that the school has the infrastructure to support emerging technology. Below are a few of our latest updates:
Fully 1:1 with Microsoft Surface tablets in Middle School
Pre-K redesign with technology, such as new cabling, projectors, and interactive white boards.
Innovation Lab set-up with technology, such as iPad Minis and an Apple TV
Purchased gaming server parts for Tech Club to build, create, learn, and play.
Added 6 additional Meraki Wireless Access Points and a Meraki Switch on campus.
Meraki Security Camera for Playground
Upgraded Tech Lab with SSD as needed
Deep Freeze Software installed for 40 Tech Lab computers.
Provided laptop and projector for resource room.
Replaced 2 classrooms with new Epson Projectors.