Our Lady of Calvary Academics

The curriculum at Our Lady of Calvary integrates religious truths and values with the enrichment of each student's education through varied offerings to develop the whole child. The basic goal of our curriculum is to improve the learning situation so that our students may grow, learn, and develop to their capacity spiritually, mentally, and socially. Programs in our school are based on guidelines set up by the Archdiocesan Office. Teachers follow these guidelines and correlate materials appropriate to the recommended courses of study.

Kindergarten and Pre-K:

Our whole-day and half-day Kindergarten and Pre-K programs serve the children in a warm, secure, caring environment. They become acquainted with the alphabet, numbers, Bible stories, prayers, use of manipulatives, listening and social skills. We encourage positive interaction with the children and their classmates. We focus on nurturing our children in an atmosphere conducive to bringing out the best in them at their level of maturation.

Pre-First Grade:

This is a half-step program between Kindergarten and First Grade for those children who are not ready for the experience of Grade one. The children in this grade are prepared for First Grade by having their readiness skills strengthened and reinforced. Social skills are focused on and developed to an age appropriate level.

Primary Grades:

Students in these grades are nurtured in a very caring and understanding manner. Their Reading skills are strengthened by the Integrated Language Arts Program. They are encouraged to participate in opportunities for verbal and written expression. Beginning Math skills are reinforced through daily drill and maintenance exercises. Their progress is closely monitored to pick up weaknesses or provide enrichment activities where needed. Remediation is also available through CORA services, tutoring, parent volunteers, etc. These students are also taught Religion, Social Studies, Computer, Physical Education, Art and Music. Students also attend Library, Science Lab and Reading Lab.

Intermediate Grades:

These students have their subject areas departmentalized. They will also do more work independently and put cooperative learning skills to use. They learn more study and organizational skills and are expected to strive to make the best of their developing talents. Integrated Language Arts is more advanced at this point and their writing skills become enhanced by projects and assignments that bring to light their abilities in this area. Math skills also advance to problem solving, fractions, decimals, percents, basic geometry, etc. Students who qualify are entered in the Honors Math Program. Math skills are enriched and remediated by using our System 80's or the Windows on Math Videodisc Program. Our students also advance in the study of Religion, Social Studies, Science, Computer, Physical Education, Art and Music. Students also attend Library, Science Lab and Reading Lab.

Junior High Grades:

Students in these grades are prepared for what awaits them in high school. Since the ground rules for behavior and study skills are already in place, the students are expected to take these two remaining years very seriously. Integrated Language Arts is advanced and the students have put together a portfolio of their best written work. These classes are also departmentalized and our students are developing their independent and critical thinking skills. Math skills require daily drill and maintenance as students progress to more complicated problem-solving, geometry, ratio, pre-algebra, etc. Our students continue to study Religion, Social Studies, Science, Computer, Physical Education, Art, and Music and attend Library, Science Lab and Reading Lab.

Grades K to 7 take the TerraNova standardized test each year. Results are very specific and these are given to the students for their families to cite strengths and remediate weaknesses. We also have a Junior Achievement Program which uses hands-on experiences to help our Eighth Grade students understand the economics of life in the "real world."

HOMEWORK

Homework, which includes both written and study assignments, reinforces learning concepts already presented in the classroom. Assuming the responsibility of completing homework is part of the maturing process of the growing child. Parents are to foster systematic study habits in their children (consistent time and place daily) and require neatness, accuracy, and completeness before approving their work by signing it daily.

Students are not permitted to do homework in school without the permission of the teacher. When absent, students are to have a "study-buddy" to assist with information that has been missed. When calling in an absent child, homework may be requested if you intend to pick it up or have it picked up: Before 3:30 -- At the Workroom; after 3:30 -- CARES program in the gym or school basement, until 6:00 PM.

Suggested time allotments for homework are: 30 minutes for Grades 1 and 2, 60 minutes for Grades 3 and 4, 90 minutes for Grades 5 and 6, and 120 minutes for Grades 7 and 8.

Students in Grades 3 to 8 use a regulation Homework Assignment Copy. It is imperative that all homework assignments be placed in it and that it be in the possession of each student in every class throughout the day. Parents are to check it daily for notations from teachers. Homework assignments will also be available on the Internet in case information recorded in the Homework Assignment Copy needs clarification.

Homework negligence is unacceptable. Homework that is incomplete, incorrect, or not done will also be noted in the Homework Assignment Copy. Points will be deducted from the report card mark of the subject areas neglected for each instance of negligence. Chronic offenders will be registered in the after school HOMEWORK CARES Program until rehabilitated.

From our OLC website (http://userweb.nni.com/olc), parents and students can log on to "Grade Connect," a program that enables them to check homework assignments and marks for students in Grades 4 to 8. This site is primarily for students who are absent and have not been able to get their assignments from a study-buddy or to check on something you feel may not have been copied down correctly in their Homework Assignment Copies (students are still required to copy their assignments every day in school). This should significantly decrease any "emergency" phone calls to friends for clarification of assignments. Pre-First through Third Grade will also be able to check their homework assignments from our website by clicking on the link for Primary Grades.