February 2020
DONATION SUPPORTS SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING AT NDAA SCHOOLS
The Notre Dame Ace Academies have started implementing Social Emotional Learning thanks to a $1.2 million gift from a generous donor. Social Emotional Learning aims to help children learn to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve goals, feel and show empathy, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
The Director of Scholar Life at Holy Angels , a new position added this year to address student behavior, advocates for scholars by working with all aspects of the school community. Matt Gring provides scholars with skills for conflict resolution and stress and time management, working closely with the school social worker to carry out this approach. Both are equipped with sensory tools to use when scholars need a redirection or a timed calming moment.
Central Catholic has added a Behavior Specialist to implement Social Emotional Learning. Tami Clouse works with teachers to empower them to better aid students with behavior issues in the classroom. School-wide initiatives, which reward scholars for doing the right thing, have been well received. School administrators felt the return to school after Christmas break was better this year due to the new structures. Principal Ruth Hurrle is grateful for the funds that have allowed them to add the Behavior Specialist and sees a difference for both scholars and teachers.
The Social Emotional Learning funds are used at Holy Cross for a Behavior Coach, who provides whole group, small group and individual instruction. Lisa Moore works with teachers and students to build relationships, repair relationships after conflicts, and to give scholars a voice. School administrators implement individual behavior and restorative plans of students with behavior challenges with the support of the parents.
Gina Fleming, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, says “Our young people face many types of trauma in their lives such as loss of a loved one, separation or divorce of parents, hunger, and financial poverty. The implementation of social emotional learning supports in each of our Notre Dame ACE Academies allows us to provide necessary strategies and ‘tools for success’ to teachers and students in ways that lead to better coping mechanisms and problem-solving. Because of this generous gift, we are truly able to meet the holistic needs of learners more fully.”
Social Emotional Learning recognizes that scholars deal with various life challenges that affect academics and behavior. These initiatives help recognize the obstacles scholars encounter, and ensures they reach better decisions and make better choices. Schools have reported that office visits due to behavior are down significantly since the implementation of these programs. This means scholars are in class and more learning is taking place. The hope is that Social Emotional Learning will result in continued improvements in behavior and the academic success of our NDAA scholars.
Support School Choice!
Coinciding with the nationwide celebration of Catholic Schools Week, this is also National School Choice Week. If you support our families’ ability to choose a private education for their children, then please join us in expressing your support for school choice and thank our Indiana legislators by clicking the link below. It will only take a minute of your time to show your support for school choice which benefits our Notre Dame ACE Academies’ families. https://takeaction.i4qed.org/campaigns/130/thank-legislators-for-supporting-school-choice
NDAA SCHOOL NEWS
Holy Angels
The 1st Annual Role Model Day was held on January 28, as a kick-off to Catholic Schools Week. Members of our local community came to speak to the scholars and teachers about their roles in the community. This showcased to our scholars some of the varied and wonderful jobs that members of our community have and to discuss with them how they can follow these role models example to get to college and heaven.
Central Catholic
Central Catholic School is excited to continue a partnership with the University of Indianapolis and Right Fit. UIndy students will volunteer 100's of hours this semester as tutors, mentors, and coaches during and after school.
Right Fit coordinates local agencies to serve students in an after school program. Right Fit focuses on delivering a nutritious dinner, homework support, character development, and physical activities. These partnerships provide a tremendous opportunity for Central Catholic students.
Right Fit coordinates local agencies to serve students in an after school program. Right Fit focuses on delivering a nutritious dinner, homework support, character development, and physical activities. These partnerships provide a tremendous opportunity for Central Catholic students.
Picture:
Morgan Wade, Intern Director for RightFit, and a UIndy student, is "having a ball" with 2nd graders.
St. Anthony
Thanks to the Eli Lilly volunteers who recently assisted in our two preschool rooms! Volunteers helped with provocations and airplane projects. St. Anthony is blessed to have the partnership with St. Mary’s Child Center which provides the curriculum and employees for our preschool program. Currently, there are 40 three and four year olds in the preschool program.
St. Philip Neri
Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten students recently went to the Children's Museum. They dug for dinosaur bones, rode a train, and sailed ships down a waterway. Thank you PNC Bank for the early learning grant to help our students learn through play!
Holy Cross
Congratulations to our “World Changers” presenters and the recipient of the $100 to help fund her service project idea. Project Crochet Away will create hats, scarves, and mittens for those without shelter this winter. The panel awarded the funds to Crochet Away, but two other projects will revise their plans and apply again later this spring.
