Preparing the way ...

Our school was decked in purple today -- ostensibly as a tribute to our beloved Ravens, but also, not so coincidentally, as a tribute to the season of Advent.  Donations for the dress-down day will be given to the church to provide Christmas baskets to those in need.  In this photo, you can see the "night sky" behind the altar, which will be lit with stars representing each gift.  Our first and second graders celebrated their class mass today, with a special visit from "John the Baptist" (one of their classmates) who helped Fr. Burke bring the gospel reading to life.  This is a festive and joyful season as we light our Advent wreaths and watch the light growing and growing as Christmas approaches.

Nevermore?

Halloween fun often centers around the youngest students, who love to dress up as princesses and superheroes.  A spirit of playfulness need not end in middle school, however, as our 8th grade can attest.  Late in the day last Friday, the middle schoolers trooped off to a secluded, shady spot in the Herring Run woods.  Creaking branches and a light wind set a spooky mood as 8th grade performers recited passages from Edgar Allen Poe's famous poem "The Raven."  Staged on a large stone that jutted out of the hillside, the drama was a one-of-a-kind treat that these students will remember for years.  Many thanks to teacher Andy Bopp for making possible this imaginative Halloween drama.

SSR

A  hush settles on the second grade classroom during Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) time each day after lunch.  Today I joined the class and read my own book alongside the children who were reading their book choices.  It is a wonderful, peaceful thing to do on a rainy day.  "What we teach children to love and desire will always outweigh what we make them learn," according to author Jim Trelease.  The enjoyment and calm focus made it clear that so many of these young readers continue to love and desire to spend time immersed in stories.  In second grade, the range of choices is wide, from picture books to easy readers to more complex chapter books.  Best of all, the teacher models SSR herself.

Alphabetacaterpillars

There is so much learning that can extend out of our Monarch Garden studies.  I was impressed yesterday by this kindergarten project, which involved writing the letters of the alphabet, placing them in order, and gluing them together to fashion a "caterpillar."  The sequencing and fine motor (handwork) skills involved in writing the letters and pasting the links are perfect for kindergarteners to practice.  Especially delightful (though not shown in this picture) was one example where the student had decided to depict her caterpillar in a j-shape, which it assumes before it builds its chrysalis.  Stop by the first floor hallway to see more when you have a moment.

Honoring Our Patron Saint

"The heavens are telling the glory of God, and all creation is shouting for joy."  What a magnificent weekend we had at SFA, celebrating our patron saint with soccer in the sunshine, music and dance at church, and wonderful fellowship, including 26 alumni who returned for the annual soccer reunion game.  My favorite moment this weekend happened at the Pet Blessing in Herring Run Park.  With over 100 people (and nearly as many pets) gathered boisterously for the ceremony, Fr. Burke began by mentioning that Franco, the 13-year-old parish dog, had declined to attend this year -- and just at that moment, Franco came bounding down the hill on the end of his leash, having been persuaded by some of our young graduates to come out after all.  It's kind of hard to tell whether a dog is smiling, but I suspect that Franco had some sort of a joyous grin on his face at that moment.  Thank you to all who were able to join us this weekend!

The Lauraville Fair

Much fun was had by SFA families and neighbors at the Lauraville Fair this Saturday.  We released a butterfly, we gave away lots of books, we ate and shopped, and best of all, we danced and sang along with our own band, the Oxi-Morons, composed mainly of students in our 5th, 6th and 7th grades.  Enjoy this video of their performance!

What's a Webinar?

Technology infrastructure is usually invisible. Over the past decade SFA School has put into place such features as broadband internet, wireless access points, and computers in every classroom.  We are in the process of putting a ceiling projector in each room as well.  After our regular Wednesday faculty meeting, several teachers participated in a "webinar" -- a live broadcast and "chat" with teachers from around the world, to learn how to use Google Docs with student projects.  As a newbie to the webinar format, I was thrilled by this opportunity to connect with fellow educators, and I was very pleased that SFA's technology teacher, Laurel Falkner, was able to facilitate this webinar on-site.

Church and Community

The past two Sundays at SFA have reminded me of the strong ties that bind us as a school community and a faith community.  Several of our students, as well as the grandson of one of our teachers, celebrated the sacrament of baptism recently.  In addition, the parish welcomed a large number of new members -- many of them families with children in our school -- after mass on Catechetical Sunday. 

A minister once described to me the importance of a faith community by comparing it to the embers from a campfire.  If you scatter those embers, they eventually burn out ... but if you cluster those embers together, they "enkindle" a new fire through their proximity to each other.  If we live our faith only in solitude, it is more likely to "burn out" than faith that is lived in, and strengthened by, community.  We are very fortunate to have a vibrant church community here at St. Francis to support our school in its work.

Going Green

We were very pleased that SFA is one of 46 non-profit organizations that were recipients of the Energy Savers Grant announced today by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.  The grant will provide for an energy audit of our entire facility so that we can save costs and be good citizens of the environment.  Our newly-elected student government leaders accompanied me to the mayor's announcement, after which we were treated to a demonstration of the infrared technology that will be used in the assessment. 

Here come the butterflies!!

Did you know that SFA has Baltimore City's only monarch butterfly biodiversity garden?  Wednesday at our morning gathering on the whitetop we all watched as our first monarch of the season was released.  Thursday several classes spent time in the monarch garden to check on the progress of its numerous creatures.  In this photo, kindergarten students learn about milkweed bugs.  We are grateful to our supportive parents, to the Rotary Club for providing funding, and to the Monarch Sister Schools Program.  If you have a few extra minutes some day this month, ask your child to take you on a little tour of the garden. 

Beginning each day

A longstanding tradition at SFA is the morning gathering on the whitetop.  Students line up by class and the whole school says the Pledge of Allegiance together.  At the end, we add our own special touch, asking that "God bless America, and our world."  This small ritual sets a tone of optimism and hope as our community begins its day together.

Something new on the third floor

Have you ever wished that you could review every single thing your teacher wrote on the board?  In late August, SFA teachers learned how to use Mimio, a screen-capture tool for use with classroom whiteboards.  Shown here is a snip from an 8th grade math lesson, posted by Mr. Sands on his class web site. 

A surprise treat

Though the blazing heat made it seem as though summer would never end, I was delighted to be served a warm dish of apple crisp on Thursday morning.  This week the PK4s are learning the letter A.  Our hallway is covered with bright red apple collages.  The taste of crisp apples means fall can't be too far away!