Recently, St. Joan of Arc was named a finalist for the 2008 Intel Schools of Distinction Award. Of over 500 applicants St. Joan of Arc is one of three middle schools in the country named as a finalist for the mathematics category. "The school winning this award must have a comprehensive program incorporating innovative and effective use of technology, engaging parents and the community in students' education, fostering professional development and teamwork, and delivering consistent achievement of high academic standards."
What this really means is that all of you, the staff, the students, parents, parishioners, alumni, neighboring businesses and friends of St. Joan of Arc have all had a part in this distinction. Thank you for your incredible support. Together we are making a difference!
As a finalist St. Joan of Arc School will receive a $2500 grant from the Intel Foundation that will be used to further technological advancements and improve digital literacy, critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Monday, April 28, 2008
SJA Named Intel Schools of Distinction Finalist!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Living Stations
Sports Connections Moves on to Baseball
With March Madness behind us, the Sports Connections curriculum is turning to baseball. With a trip to the Indian's Game scheduled for April 30th, the students are learning how to keep a box score and interpret statistics for all the players. They realize now that just because you get on base, this does not necessarily constitute a hit. This week we are figuring batting averages.
Sports Connections' Pacer Game
Recently the middle school students attended the Pacers vs. Sonics game as part of their Sports Connections program. Prior to attending the game they learned about the statistics that are kept during the game. They now know how to figure a player's shooting percentage and how difficult it is to keep track of a player's stats during a game. It moves so fast!!!
They had a great time as can be seen in some of the photos in our slide show. Thanks to Mr. Morris for donating the tickets to the game. Our seats were terrific. Also, thanks to the mentors and chaperones who accompanied us and to the Actuarial Foundation for sponsoring our program.
A fun evening was enjoyed by all.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Where in the World is Mrs. Groves?
From February 27th, 2008
Hola!
Today we went to my school Escuela Carlos Roberto Reina. It is a small two room school with 76 students and two teachers. There is no running water or electricity. They do have a blackboard in each room and a white board, but often run out of dry erase markers. The children were expecting us, so when we arrived, they lined the road for us cheering as we came in. they presented each teacher with a rose, saying they did not have much, but they wanted to express their love and appreciation for all of us. They loved our lessons and participated so well. I taught Double Digit while Chris made masks with the younger students. We taught 5th and 6th graders. The middle students met outdoors for another lesson, as there are not more classrooms. There is one other small room, about ¨3 feet by 4 feet where we met to discuss lessons with the teachers afterwards. The students are fairly advanced by Honduran standards in that they could follow directions well and compute two digits mentally. Yesterdays kids could not. They loved competing against one another.
I left all the letters that SJA students wrote, and will stop back this week to pick up the letters the Honduran students wrote in reply.
We hope to continue communication between St. Joan of Arc and this particular school after our return. We will need to communicate between, Nina, our local liason, because mail is non existant in the remote areas.
We have been to 4 school so far. One Nuevo Paraiso is the Park Tudor of Honduras...far from it actually... but has a computer lab with 7 computers, and a small library. The other schools have nothing. Dirt floors, no lights except the bright sunshine that comes in from outside.
The people here are wonderful. So grateful, so kind. We are getting to know those in the Nuevo Paraiso community. The main roads are fine, but the roads back to the schools are sometimes almost impassable.
I have many pictures and tales to share when I return. Hope all is going well at home. I miss you all.
Please pray for the children of Honduras, and the many people who stay here and help them.
From February 29th, 2008
Hola!
Today we went to Buena Vista School. It is named for it´s location with a beautiful view high on a mountain top. It is a small three room school (large by Honduran standards), with about 100 students. They are all very well behaved...at least while we were here. The classrooms are small with about 30 to 40 kids crammed inside. They have no electricity and must be shaded from the sun, so the classrooms are very dark. The students greeted us by gathering outside for the national anthem and pledge. They then did a skit and performed with the recorders HETO had given them last year. They were very accomplished playing several rather difficult pieces including ¨¨When the Caissons go rolling Along.¨ At lunch time, just before the kids are dismissed, around noon, the kids get their bowls our and are served rice, beans and flour tortillas, which they eat with their hands. It is heartbraking to see the poverty here, yet the children all seem so happy. They entertain themselves with an old tire, or a ball of any kind, and play together constantly...no i pods, x boxes, etc. to plug themselves into. Many walk for miles to get to school. It is hard to figure out where they come from because you see very few houses. I think they live deep in the woods because their are foot paths leading off the roads all over the place. Many more people travel on foot, mule, horseback or bikes rather than by car or truck, at least out here in the rural areas.
We all taught at this school and then met with the teachers for about an hour afterwards to share lesson plans and exchange ideas and give them all the supplies we brought. It was interesting in that their concerns are so much like ours...the kid that cannot afford a uniform, attention problems, how to teach in a multi level classroom, etc. The kids are all the same too, you can just tell when they are lined up, the one that has a twinkle in his eye, another who can´t stand still...one picking his nose...I guess that is universal
This particular school is really into music and art, as there other subjects they feel are pretty solid. So this year we brought them a guitar. They said they now have a new goal, to learn to play it and teach it to their students. They will play it for us next year when we return. They are also interested in any other instruments they can acquire. We predict a small orchestra in a few years!
I am so glad we have a presence here. We hear wonderful stories about their progress, although it is hard for me to realize when I see how little they have.
I am out of time, and we are off to another destination. See you soon.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Lighting the Way to Mathematics in Everyday Life
