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May 15, 2015
The Weekly
Nativity Newscast
UPCOMING DATE
May 18 AR Millionaire Readers
wear AR shirts May 20 PFO Trash Bag Pickup,
2:30 – 6, back of church May 21 Mass, 8:30 Kindergarten Roundup,
9:45-10:45 OR 2:00-3:00 Cantor Choir Luncheon May 22 Field Day, wear grade
level shirts May 25 – Memorial Day,
No School May 26 Rain date for Field Day May 27 8th Grade Class Trip Pre-K 3-day class picnic,
10-noon, Thompson Park May 28 Mass, 8:30 Last Day of School, K-7 Pre-K 2-day class picnic,
10-noon, Thompson Park May 31 Graduation, 3 p.m.
Nativity Catholic School 3310 S. Meadow Drive Indianapolis, IN 46239
Telephone: 317-357-1459 Fax: 317-357-9175
Email: [email protected]
Great Endings and New Beginnings
It is hard to believe how quickly the school year has passed and
come to an end. I would like to thank you for your faith, trust, and
commitment to the mission of Nativity Catholic School. It is your
belief in the Catholic education values that help us to sustain our
school. We respect the sacrifices each family makes to send their
child to Nativity and we will continue to put your child first in
everything we do! This was a very busy year and you, as partners in
education, played a great role in making it a success!
Although it is a hectic time of year, it is the time when I most realize
how blessed we all are to be part of the ministry of Nativity. Parents
and teachers commit their time and energy every day toward
creating a nurturing environment in which children can thrive!
We wish our eighth grade students all the best as they journey on to
new places. Eighth grade graduation is a time for celebration and
reflection on the impact faith-based education has made on each
student, and parents proudly see their child as a Nativity Graduate
rooted in CHRIST:
Connected to create a stronger community
Honoring Christ with personal integrity, dignity and respect for
themselves and those they encounter
Reaching for academic excellence and goals, influencing
others with their efforts and obtaining their objectives
Imitating Christ’s teachings
Serving others
Trusting Christ as they learn to be relied upon at home, school
and the community.
continued
Page 2
In closing, I take this opportunity to congratulate all students of Nativity! Their
hard work and dedication made our dream of earning an A rating and being
named as a Four Star School by the Indiana Department of Education a reality!
I wish you all a very happy, safe and enjoyable summer. Please be sure to take
time as a family to talk, play, and pray together. I look forward to seeing you all
in August.
To students and staff who are not returning to our school, you will continue to be
in our prayers as you make your journey on to new places.
In Christ’s peace,
Terri Bianchini
Principal
Highlights of the 2014-15 School Year
Nativity Catholic School was honored as an Indiana Four Star School. To be
awarded this honor, a school must be in the top 25th percentile of schools in
two ISTEP-based categories, must have earned an A in the accountability
system, and be accredited by the Indiana Department of Education. The
award was given to 281 of the 2,766 schools statewide.
A record number of students were enrolled: 406 students, which included
347 in K-8 and 59 in PK.
Students read OVER 131,000,000 words and took over 10,745 Accelerated
Reader Tests.
We focused on our Faith through school-wide Advent and Lenten activities
Nativity students completed over 238,591 math problems on IXL (web-based
math site).
Marian University entrusted the training of two student teachers and three
undergraduate education students to Nativity’s exemplary faculty.
Nativity was awarded a $5000 grant from The Westerman Foundation and a
$2500 Kroger Grant to help us join the Indianapolis Marion County Public
Library Shared System. Nativity students checked out 3177 books this year.
Ninety-seven percent of students passed the Math ISTEP. This is the highest
percentage of all South Deanery Schools.
Page 3
The Indiana Department of Education calculated our Growth Score as 5.6%
which was the highest Growth Score in the South Deanery.
National Anthem Day was celebrated.
Three Nativity Eighth Graders were awarded the Presidential Scholarship at
Roncalli for scoring in the top ten (out of 350) on the High School Placement
Exam.
Proudly celebrated Catholic Schools Week and prayed the Living Rosary
together.
Honored the Veterans from our community with a Veterans’ Day Program.
Nativity Grandparents’ Club was established and enjoyed by all.
Nativity was awarded a $27,750 James P. Scott Grant. With the school
matching this dollar amount, we are able to provide a laptop for each
eighth grader to use during the school day next year.
Celebrated Respect for Life Week by blessing expectant mothers.
Forty-eight second graders celebrated their First Reconciliation and First Holy
Communion.
The annual Tech Trek raised over $6000 and purchased an IPad and case for
each grade level. An IPad Air was purchased for every classroom.
Over twenty students competed in the CYO Music Contest in February. Most
of these competitors earned first place superior ratings. The Middle School
Choir received a first place honor and was selected as the “Best In Class”
performance.
Students proved that they were “Anchored In Christ” by serving others with
11 service projects – each one organized by a grade level.
Nativity students participated in the Scripps Spelling Bee, National
Geographic’s Geography Bee, Roncalli’s Quest for Excellence and the CYO
Science Fair.
A Titan Archery Team participated in the National Archery in the Schools
Program for the first time ever and qualified for the State Championship!
Inaugural year with our science lab was enjoyed by middle school students
and their science buddies.
The Student Council represented Nativity students in outreach visits to
Rosegate Nursing Home and Wheeler Mission Men’s Shelter.
Students shared their God given talents while performing in the Christmas
and Spring Programs, the Talent Show and the Middle School Musical ( Once
upon a Mattress).
Nativity teachers provided over 220 hours of no cost tutoring to small groups
of students.
Graduated 26 eighth graders with 88% continuing on to a Catholic High
School.
Page 4
The Titan Café was awarded a grant for a new modern milk cooler from the
Indiana Dairy Association and received a generous donation of a freezer
from a Nativity Parishioner.
Rolled out an updated Nativity Catholic School website.
Nativity CYO sports teams finished their seasons with several trophies and a
reputation of being stellar athletes exhibiting great sportsmanship.
New Beginnings
New Faculty and Staff
We wish the very best to Mrs. Brenda Pillsbury, second grade teacher, in her
retirement! Seventeen of Mrs. Pillsbury’s twenty-six years in Catholic
Education have been at Nativity. In these years, she has made a positive
impact on many, many students. Many students state that their deeply
rooted love of reading was cultivated by Mrs. Pillsbury. She will be missed!
o Mrs. Jenne Youtsey will be our new teacher in second grade. She has
nine years of teaching experience with several of those years in
second grade. She has a solid foundation in multisensory reading and
reading intervention strategies for the second grade classroom. Mrs.
Youtsey also is a volunteer catechist in her parish, Christ the King, as a
second grade religious education teacher.
Ms. Jill Knueven, third grade teacher, has the opportunity to enter into the
business world. Although she will miss the children and co-teachers very
much, she is excited to begin a new career.
o Ms. Emily Shipton has accepted the position of third grade teacher.
Ms. Shipton has been teaching third grade at St. John Neumann
Catholic School in Maryville, IL this past year. If you would like to
check out her websites to learn more about her, visit:
missshipton.weebly.com or missshipton3rdgrade.weebly.com. The
password for both is grade3.
Mrs. Christie McGaha, our technology teacher, will not be returning next
year. She has chosen to take next year to stay home with her young
daughter.
o We are excited to welcome Mrs. Joanne Kehoe as Nativity’s
Technology Teacher. Mrs. Kehoe is a St. Joan of Arc parishioner and
school volunteer. Before choosing to stay at home with her young
children, Mrs. Kehoe served as St. Richard’s School Director of
Information Technology.
Page 5
For scheduling reasons, Mr. Hagerty will be working fewer hours in the Titan
Library next year.
o We would like to welcome Mrs. Bonnie Kurz to our staff. Mrs. Kurz has
children in our school and has been volunteering in the library and
serving as Mr. Hagerty’s “right hand woman” this year.
We will be dividing the Middle School Language Arts program into two
separate classes next year. Mr. Boyle will be teaching Literature and
Vocabulary.
o Ms. Amy Burke will be teaching Writing and Grammar to our 6th, 7th
and 8th grade students. Ms. Burke has taught middle school language
arts at Sacred Heart School, Highbridge, in Bronx, NY, Ursuline
Academy in New Orleans, St. John Berchmans Catholic School in
Chicago, IL and St. Jude Catholic School here in Indianapolis. After
several years of teaching experience out of state, she is looking
forward to returning to Indianapolis.
Other New Beginnings to Note
Middle School students (grades 6, 7 & 8) will be able to wear cargo pants in
the school uniform colors.
The eighth grade homeroom classrooms will be located in the middle school
science lab and the current religion room. Mrs. Devine and Ms. Wagner will
be 8th grade homeroom teachers. Ms. Wagner’s classroom will be in the
current religion classroom.
Mr. Boyle and Ms. Burke will be the seventh grade homeroom teachers. Mr.
English and Mr. Wood will be the sixth grade homeroom teachers.
Mrs. Haltom’s resource classroom will be located in the current conference
room off of Weilhammer Hall.
The third, fourth and fifth graders will be going out for recess before they eat
lunch next year. To read more about the benefits of “Play Before Lunch”
visit this website: http://www.nea.org/home/43158.htm
With the help of the James P. Scott Grant, all eighth graders will have a
laptop with carrying case to use in classes next year.
YEARBOOKS FOR SALE
Forget to order a yearbook? We have several extra yearbooks for sale in the
office. They are available for $15. each.
Page 6
IXL HONOR ROLL
Congratulations to the following first through seventh grade students who were
the top 10 performing students in their grade in IXL Math!
Grade 1 Gabriella Nolting, Ara Meyer, Alex Beard, Isabella Cadwell,
Brayden Treadwell, Becca Engel, Ally Richardson, Logan
Neyenhaus, Shane Gregg and Elijah Clifton
Grade 2 Maggie Smith, Madeline Daming, Delanie Oskay, Gianna Miller,
Morgan Albrecht, Maria Paynter, Joey Hicks, Michael Dexter,
Sydney Kirkhoff, and Grace Daming
Grade 3 Aubrey Silcox, Ethan Williams, Alice Smidebush, Lucy Schoettle,
Nathan Miller, Kiefer Lawry, Dre Stephenson, Dom Casper, Ella
Guilfoy, Conner Fitzgerald, and Danica Keller (tie)
Grade 4 Allison Vennall, McKenna Nolting, Rory Beikes, Blake Vennall, Ethan
Dexter, Luke Vennall, Anthony Paynter, Lauren Bobko, Grace Busby,
and Drew Beard
Grade 5 Carlie Young, Livia Ianni, Charles Schoettle, Ali Sanchez, Bryce
LaMarca, Dionte Stephenson, Aidan Curtis, Madeline Mader,
Angelina Fisher, Lucy Harrell, and Noah Resler (tie)
Grade 6 Will Beikes, Jacob Kappes, Daniel Seed, Christina Kurz, Eliza Rail,
Elijah Buening, Jazmyn Lawry, Veronica Phillips, Savannah Evans,
and Jacob Sitzman
Grade 7 Brian Bobko, Alex Payne, Sydney Silcox, Mason Bogie, Grace
Whitaker, Sarah Miller, Trace Solonka, Sophia Prusa, Erin Rooney,
and Sydney Geibel
PFO TRASH BAG PICKUP RESCHEDULED
Pickup has been rescheduled from today to Wednesday, May 20 from 2:30-6
because the bags have not yet arrived.
Page 7
ACCELERATED READER MILLIONAIRES
Nativity Students have read 131,000,000 words! Mr. Barr and Ms. Bianchini will be first in the dunk tank. Other teachers will have the opportunity to volunteer for our Dunk Tank Challenge. All Students who participated in AR this year will be entered into the Dunk Tank drawing. Also, for every 100,000 words read, each student will receive an extra ticket into the drawing. This Accelerated Reader celebration will be held on May 22nd at the end of Field Day from 2:15 -3:00. Congratulations Nativity students!!!
The week of May 18th – 21st and May 28th -- 1,000,000, 2,000,000, 3,000,000,
4,000,000 and 5,000,000 millionaire students will be rewarded with AR T-shirt Days! Students may wear their AR T-Shirt with uniform pants on their designated day.
1,000,000 Words Read – AR T-Shirt on Monday. 2,000,000 Words Read – AR T-Shirt on Monday and Tuesday. 3,000,000 Words Read – AR T-Shirt on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. 4,000,000 Words Read – AR T-Shirt on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 5,000,000 Words Read – AR T-Shirt on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Last
Day of School.
Students Words Read Books Read
Hagerty, Jillian 5,264,432 76
Wlodarczyk, Cara 5,215,282 134
Prusa, Sarah 4,402,058 44
Moore, Paige 4,156,802 41
Minton, Ben 4,005,749 72
Daming, Madeline 3,859,263 442
Schoettle, Charles 3,237,034 114
Whisler, Chris 3,158,961 61
Vennall, Blake 2,987,321 94
Busby, Grace 2,507,041 115
Vennall, Luke 2,368,075 59
Prusa, Sophia 2,311,403 21
Dexter, Ethan 2,162,854 141
Bogie, Gracyn 2,161,702 69
5 Millionaire
4 Millionaire
3 Millionaire
2 Millionaire
Dexter, Michael 1,962,162 155
Beard, Andrew 1,864,805 64
Sergi, Caterina 1,851,857 101
Fisher, Angelina 1,743,165 53
Curtis, Aidan 1,733,291 48
Nolting, McKenna 1,724,083 113
Marcum, Jade 1,719,989 84
Daming, Grace 1,637,366 127
Bognar, Olivia 1,501,253 56
Maples, Jackson 1,488,548 92
Silcox, Aubrey 1,419,136 194
Bobko, Lauren 1,393,124 91
Fitzgerald, Mitchell 1,365,751 47
Newett, Ainsley 1,363,817 71
Wiley, Sarah 1,265,667 12
Silcox, Sydney 1,259,228 18
Kurz, Christina 1,230,561 31
Vennall, Allison 1,220,859 94
Sullivan, Kaitlyn 1,200,562 67
Meer, Evan 1,164,156 45
Geibel, Andy 1,133,207 60
Luebkeman, Mary 1,040,731 42
Shives, Vinnie 1,030,938 105
Phillips, Garrett 1,025,264 84
Jasheway, Sarah 1,005,149 241
1 Millionaire
Page 8
The Accelerated Reader Program is a vital part of our success here at Nativity. It
is our goal to not only teach our students to read but to make reading exciting
for them. Thank you for all your hard work and support!
Date Changes:
1. Wednesday, May 27th -- Students can wear AR t-shirts, Bracelets, and
Necklace.
2. 5 Millionaires may wear their AR T-Shirt the last day of school.
FIELD DAY NEWS
Next Friday, May 22nd, is Field Day! It is an out of uniform day for everyone;
however, students are requested to wear their grade level t-shirts or a shirt of
their grade’s assigned color. Please see attachment for more information.
Pre-School Yellow Kindergarten Lime Green
1st grade Navy Blue 2nd grade Green
3rd grade Light Blue 4th grade Maroon
5th grade Blue 6th grade Orange
7th grade Red 8th grade Field Day Leaders
DO YOU HAVE YOUR ACT(S) TOGETHER?
Are you one of the remaining 25 to turn in your stewardship “ACTS” form? If so,
there is one attached to this week’s newsletter. Please take a moment to
complete the form now and return it ASAP.
All families requesting the parishioner tuition rate are required to have the ACTS
form on file in the Parish office. Father Pat will call families who have not turned
in their form.
JARS FOR JOY!
The seventh grade studied Africa in Social Studies this year. Therefore, for our
service project in May, we will continue Nativity’s partnership with World Joy,
which has adopted 13 rural villages in Ghana. In the fund-raiser, which is called
Jars for Joy, we will place coin jars in each of the homerooms. Any spare
change put in the jars will be collected and sent to the villages in Ghana. The
money will buy school supplies for the schools that World Joy has built in the
villages. The previous two Nativity Jars for Joy campaigns helped finish a
kindergarten classroom in the village of Abomosu. Thank you for your support!
Page 9
DO YOU HAVE YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT?
If you have not already done so, please remember to register or update your
tuition account information online at
https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3CW34. After you complete this, please
print out the form, sign and return it to the office.
If you have any questions, please contact Susan McClard, Nativity’s business
manager at [email protected].
SECOND HELPINGS FIELD TRIP
The third grade has been talking about different communities all year in our
Social Studies curriculum. During the first month of school, we learned about
Second Helpings, which is mentioned in our Social Studies book. Second
Helpings is a nonprofit organization that works hard to eliminate food waste,
feed the hungry, and train those who are struggling financially to learn a trade
in order to be successful. During the month of March, the third grade collected
pasta and rice to donate to Second Helpings. On Monday, the third grade
traveled to Second Helpings for a field trip. They took a tour of the facility and
learned about how their donated pasta and rice would be used to feed those
who are hungry.
ART ROOM DONATION
The Nativity Art Department would like to thank Paul Mayer for his generous
donation of a screen printing drying rack and mat cutter. The additions to our
art room add to the value of education our children receive here at Nativity.
Our art department is quickly making its way to the top in what our children are
able to experience and the authenticity of that art experience. Thank you Mr.
Mayer!
Page 10
Athletics Update
CYO sports provide opportunities for young people to develop strong moral
character, self-esteem and leadership qualities through activities of a social,
educational, recreational and athletic nature. This school year was another
successful year for our CYO sports program at Nativity.
During this school year;
47 boys played on one of our three football teams.
73 boys played on one of our eight basketball teams.
42 girls played on one of our five basketball teams.
17 boys wrestled.
13 boys played baseball.
42 kids played on one of our three soccer teams.
25 boys played on one of our three volleyball teams.
69 girls played on one of our nine volleyball teams.
50 girls played kickball on one of our four teams in the fall.
36 girls played kickball on one of our three teams in the spring.
11 girls played softball.
31 kids ran track.
19 kids ran cross country.
Nativity sponsored 43 athletic teams!
Congratulations to all of the student athletes who participated this season, and
special congratulations to the following:
3/4 Football – 2014 City Runner Up
Cadet Football – 2014 City Runner Up
Cadet A Boys Basketball – 2015 City Runner Up
5/6 B Girls Volleyball – 2015 City Runner Up
Cadet A Girls Volleyball – 2015 City Runner Up
Two wrestlers were City Champions in their respective weight classes (Matt Guhl
and Ethan Huffman)
Eight athletes qualified for the City Track Championship, with Lillian Cadwell
winning City in three track events (long jump, 100, and 200.)
Page 11
ALUMNI NEWS
Wonderful news concerning two Nativity graduates from the Class of 2002 has
been sent to us by Cindy Hemmelgarn.
Erin (Hemmelgarn) Dammann and Carrie Anderson both graduated from
Indiana University School of Medicine and became doctors on May 9, 2015.
Erin Dammann plans to work in Preliminary Medicine at St. Vincent Hospital and
Anesthesiology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis.
Carrie Anderson will work in Family Medicine at Indiana University Health, Ball
Memorial Hospital in Muncie.
Congratulations Erin and Carrie!
CAMP INVENTION
Where Big Ideas Become the Next Big Thing
You are invited to come to Camp Invention June 8 through 12 from 9 to 3:30 at
Nativity School! Our own Mrs. Linda Minton is the director. Register at
campinvention.org by May 12th and save $15. Please see the attached flyer.
Interested in learning about Lacrosse?
Roncalli Lacrosse is holding their first summer camp! Come out and learn the
basics, try out some skills, and make new friends. The camp will be held at
Roncalli High School June 1-4, 2015. This is open to all boys, 3rd-9th grade. Time
is 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Cost is $50. Wear comfortable workout clothes, tennis shoes,
and bring lacrosse equipment if you have it. If you do not have equipment, we
can provide it for you for camp use.
Visit http://www.roncalli.org/athletics/summer-sports-camps to register. Any
questions, please contact Sean Cross, Rebel Lacrosse Varsity Coach at
Page 12
Roncalli Cross Country
The Roncalli High School girls’ and boys’ cross country teams are seeking incoming
freshman who may be interested in joining our teams in the Fall of 2015. This is a great
way to start the high school journey in a sport that promotes fitness, health, and
personal growth. No experience is necessary. For info on summer training and the
team, girls please contact coach Frank Litz at [email protected], or(317) 294-8767; boys
please contact coach Jeff Buckley at [email protected]. or 317-506-1821.
Please see the following attachments to today’s Newscast:
ACTS FACTS Camp Invention Field Day Marian University STEM Camp
Walk-A-Thon Sponsors
Gold Sponsors: Alpha Systems, Harold & Jeanette Schoettle FTO, Roncalli High School, Beck Service Center, Peterman Heating and Cooling, and Mascari Dry Cleaners
Silver Sponsors: Southport Discount Appliances, Total Restoration, Dexter Photography, Cathedral High School, and Gotta Have It Courier
Bronze Sponsors: Kridan Business Equipment/Hartman Janitorial Service, O’Riley Funeral Home, Daming Excavating, Cox, Beckman, Goss & Co., Thomas C. Wisler Jr. MD OB/GYN, Mader Design, Cub Scout Troop #462, Buck Creek Winery, Knights of Columbus Fr. Louis Gootee Council #13105, Boy Scout Troop# 462, Dr. Rooney DDS, Nativity Girl Scouts, Best In Sight Eyecare, Allied Appliances, and Nativity PFO.