Have you heard about the benefits of sending your child to St. Theodore Catholic School? I think it is time for more people to check it out.

This week, we would like you to hear from the children. Every year during Catholic Schools Week, our students spend time thinking about the positive things in their lives. They are asked to reflect and prepare a list of reasons why they love their school. Their responses are posted at the back of church. Here are a few samples:

Kindergarten: “I like the green center. I like learning to read!” “Everyone in my classroom is my friend.”

First grade: “We get to go to church and the teachers are nice.” “It has my friends.”

Second grade: “It’s a Catholic school, and we read a lot.”

Third grade: “The teachers are nice.” “We learn something every day. We learn about our faith.”

Fourth grade: “Spanish, the teachers, the principal, gym, science”

Fifth grade: “I have a great teacher, friends, and I learn something new each day.”

Former students: “I think the Catholic school is good because regardless of your religious beliefs, it teaches students how to be a good person in today’s society.” — Zach Glazier 

Our teachers are the backbone of our school, and I am very thankful for their support and compassion in teaching our students. They are great teachers and great role models for our kids. Please visit our website at www.sttheo.org as there is a biography listing of their experience and background. All of our teachers have continued training and certification in their field. They continue to develop new curriculum with the help and guidance from Notre Dame and cultivate educational opportunities for the children.

Our test scores are one of the best indicators of the quality education that is provided. St. Theodore Catholic School participates in measures of academic progress through the Northwest Evaluation Association. Students in first through fifth grades are tested twice a year in the areas of reading and math. Kindergarten students are tested once a year. Third through fifth grades are also tested for language arts and science. These results are then shared with each family receiving a customized report for their child.

Teachers are also provided with a personalized summary for each grade, which assists in customizing their lesson plans for the current students. By testing twice a year, teachers and parents receive feedback to celebrate improvements and supplement in areas in need of improvement. Each school also receives an average score by grade, and the students’ performance is compared to a nationwide average.

Based upon our 2015 standardized testing results, our students met or exceeded the following standards norms in every category in every grade. In math, 81 percent of the students were at or above the national standards; reading 87 percent; language arts 91 percent; and science at 91 percent.

Are you interested? Enrollment is now open for the 2016-17 school year. Please give me a call at the office at 373-9657.

 

Sue Amundson

principal

St. Theodore Catholic School