ART CLASS
The arts are essential. They teach students innumerable lessons—practice makes perfect, small differences can have large effects, collaboration leads to creativity. The arts also teach children that there a several paths to take when approaching problems and that all problems can have more than one solution. The benefits of a strong art program include intensified student motivation to learn, better school attendance, increased graduation rates, improved multicultural understanding, and the development of higher-order thinking skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.
Here at Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi, Art is an exploratory series that teaches students to think imaginatively and problem solve. Students will improve fine motor skills as they manipulate, cut, bend, sculpt and balance, draw and paint using creative problem solving under the guidance of their Art teacher.
SPECIAL EVENTS
- STUDENT ART SHOW
- 8TH GRADE MUSICAL SET DESIGN
- CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY ARTIST
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education involves the learning of skills, the acquisition of knowledge and the development of attitudes through movement. Physical education is that part of the total process of education which utilizes games, sport, dance, and health fitness activities to help students achieve the goals of education. Well-defined programs of physical education provide a systemic progression of cognitive, affective, and psychomotor experiences as students pass through various developmental stages during their tenure in school.
At SSFC we believe physical activity is critical to the development and maintenance of good health. The goal of physical education is to develop physically educated individuals who have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. Every course and unit provided within our curriculum is linked to the National Standards for Physical Education.
SPECIAL EVENTS
- PROJECT FIT
- 8TH GRADE FIELD DAY LEADERSHIP
SSFC PHYSICAL EDUCATION UNIFORM POLICY
Classes will be held either outside or inside the gym during the school year depending on the weather and curriculum, please make sure your student plans accordingly. Students in grades K-4th will not be changing for PE class. They will just need to wear athletic shoes with their school uniform on the day their class has PE.
Students in grades 5-8th grade will be changing for PE class. They will be given time to change out of their school uniform and into their PE Uniform for PE class.
GRADES K-4TH
- Athletic shoes with socks-make sure if they have PE on a Mass day they bring shoes to change into
- The school uniform they have on that day
- For girls who are wearing a skirt or jumper, shorts or sweatpants need to be worn underneath for PE class
GRADES 5TH-8TH
- Athletic shoes with socks-make sure if they have PE on a Mass day they bring shoes to change into
- PE Uniform
MUSIC
Music classes help support students language, cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. Our music appreciation program teaches students about the "ingredients" of music such as melody, harmony, notation, texture, style, rhythm and form. Students in each grade will explore and build upon the fundamentals of music as well as sing, perform on classroom instruments, and listen to various examples of music from around the world, including musical theatre. Every year our 8th grade students also perform in a yearly spring musical.
BAND
The Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi School Ministry offers a dynamic band program designed to inspire creativity, discipline, and teamwork among students. Participation in the band allows students to explore their musical talents while developing important life skills such as perseverance, collaboration, and time management. Music education has been shown to enhance cognitive development, improve academic performance, and boost self-esteem. Through the band program, students experience the joy of creating music together, building lasting friendships, and sharing their talents during school and community events. This enriching opportunity not only nurtures their artistic abilities but also instills a lifelong appreciation for the arts.
Recruitment for band takes place in the spring semester of 4th grade. Students interested in joining will be registered during the parent meeting that takes place in late April or early May. A representative of Paige's Music is present at this meeting for those families needing to rent an instrument. There will be a monthly rental fee for those families who are renting an instrument from one of the local music stores. This is the only fee for band at Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi.
Beginning Band starts in 5th grade during the first semester of school. Students have the opportunity to learn a musical instrument by enrolling in Beginning Band as one of their weekly specials. Band classes meet one day per week during the school day and students have the opportunity to advance their skills as individuals, and perform many styles of music. Currently there are four band classes, one for each grade (5th through 8th grade). Classes typically meet on Wednesday.
30 minute Private Lessons are available afterschool for percussion students and supplement the weekly lessons with afterschool help for students who are struggling.
The Band also participates in the Saints Francis & Clare of Assisi Christmas Concert in December along with the Choir and Handchimes Clubs. Look for the specific date and time on the events calendar and in the Wolf Report.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
| Contact |
Jerry Weber |
|---|
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Grades 5th-8th study Spanish as their foreign language. We use fun, bite-sized lessons, in a rich environment to help meet each student at their own level. Lessons are tailored to our teaching objectives with customizable assignments and lessons, keeping students learning both in and out of the classroom.
In a globalized world, where mobility is facilitated, learning a language is a wonderful benefit. Not only does it help when traveling, it is also a great advantage for studying in general and for career prospects abroad. Acquiring a second language enables students to develop various mental abilities at all ages.
LIBRARY-San Damiano Media Center
Imagine a place where all students feel welcome and are encouraged to grow and learn. That space is our San Damiano Media Center. Students and teachers love and value our school library book collection. Our San Damiano Media Center is the hub of learning and a favorite spot for many students.
SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING (SEL)
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a way to help students develop skills that are essential to their well-being. The five core components are self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and decision making skills. These are skills that employers state students are lacking when entering the workforce. When students develop and learn about these components they become stronger academically, socially, and emotionally. These attributes help develop the whole student.
At SSFC students in grades 3rd-8th have specials class once a week where we focus on these key components. 3rd-5th focusses on word of the month that helps guide them through each component monthly. These include courage, respect, perseverance, gratitude, honesty, kindness, empathy, responsibility, cooperation, and creativity. While 6th-8th have sessions that build community and dive a little deeper into the components.