In the regular classroom students in primary grades have access to iPads for use in individual and small group activities to reinforce, enrich or support student skills. In Fourth Grade students begin transitioning to Microsoft tools and most importantly the use of Onedrive cloud services.
Students in grades Five through Eight utilize a 1:1 program and the Microsoft and Windows devices. These devices travel with the students in grades 6-8.
Additionally, students in Kindergarten through Eighth grades have a technology period as a special once a per week. Here, students learn about programs and applications which support their learning and skills.
Our physical education program meets twice per week and helps students develop physical skills, balance and confidence. The curriculum includes activities that encourage children to obtain and improve upon abilities, such as running, catching, throwing, and hand-eye coordination. These skills are applicable to sports such as volleyball, baseball, soccer, and basketball.
The St. Francis de Sales library is a beautiful space stocked with books for students of all ages. Homerooms have a scheduled library class which allows students to explore a variety of texts and resources. The school librarian helps students thrive by guiding them to age appropriate books and research information through the many tools and resources. During the school year, the library also hosts the popular Book Fair.
Art instruntion takes place twice per week for all students. In class, students discover and practice techniques to produce their own art work while learning how to appreciate (critique) and understand art’s historical and cultural influences. St. Francis also provides a variety of mediums which allows students to explore their creativity and talent. An after school art program is available as an extra-curricular. The artwork displayed on this page is that of our amazing art teacher, Mrs. Lisa Merida-Paytes at her latest gallery installation!
Music is offered as a specialized class twice per week. The younger students, grades one-three, focus on basic music concepts such as rhythms, solfeg and voice. In grades four-five the students grow in their musical knowledge. This is supplemented through the learning and consistent practice of the recorder. A continued incorporation of additional musical instruments provides the framework for a typical course progression in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.