Parents who would like to volunteer at Mount Alvernia Academy for the 2008-2009 school year will need to complete a CORI form (criminal background check). This is required for each school year .
MOUNT ALVERNIA ACADEMY
20 Manet Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
May 1, 2008
Dear Parents:
Please take note of the important information regarding the remainder of the school year.
During this month of May which is specially dedicated to Our Lady, we remember Mary as being blessed among women because of her role in the Incarnation. Since Mary is the model for all women, we remember with gratitude our own mothers and grandmothers and we honor them with the gift of our prayers for their devotion to their families. Our living and deceased mothers will be remembered in our special intentions during the recitation of our morning prayers this month. I wish all of our mothers and grandmothers a happy Mother’s Day.
In religion classes, the students will say a decade of the rosary daily. This devotion to our Blessed Mother will be a reminder to everyone that we are called upon to respect life and the dignity of all women. If your schedule permits, please join us for the recitation of the rosary on May 9 at 8:30 a.m. in Hayes Memorial Hall. This rosary will be for the intentions of all our mothers and grandmothers as a special gift for Mother’s Day.
Our second graders are diligently preparing for their First Holy Communion which will take place in their local parishes, and also for the celebration of the Liturgy that will take place here on Thursday, May 22, at 9:00 a.m. in Hayes Memorial Auditorium. Father John McCormick will be the celebrant. The May Procession will follow. Please join us. I would like to thank Mrs. Dieso and Mrs. Luciano for the outstanding job they do in preparation for this very special day.
The sixth graders are excited as they begin to plan for their graduation in June and look forward to attending new schools next fall. It is our hope and prayer for our graduates that their years ahead may be filled with happiness and alive with promise. Congratulations to our sixth grade students, their parents, to Mrs. Fahey and Mrs. Geary, our sixth grade teachers, and to all the teachers who have taught these students over the years.
I congratulate the fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students and our Science Teacher, Mrs. Maria Lyons, for the exciting learning experience we all witnessed at the Science Fair. Thank you, parents, for your support of this important part of our science curriculum.
Our Music Teacher, Mrs. Price, is preparing the fifth and sixth grade students for the upcoming presentation of “Annie.” Performances are scheduled as follows: Dress Rehearsal, Tuesday, May 13, at 1:00 p.m. and Concert, Wednesday, May 14, at 7:00 p.m. Mark your calendars. You really don’t want to miss this! On Friday, May 16, 2008, the sixth graders will be taking their performance of Annie to the residents of St. Patrick’s Manor in Framingham, MA. This field trip will serve as a wonderful outreach experience for our students. The program is scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. Please join us if you can.
Our Field Day for the entire school, including Nursery, will be on Friday, May 23, followed by dismissal at 11:30 a.m. We will be sending home more information to you shortly. EXTENDED DAY WILL NOT BE IN SESSION.
Thank You Night, in conjunction with our Art Fair, will be held on Thursday, May 29, at 5 p.m. (rain date Monday, June 2). This is a night when the faculty and staff join me in letting all of our Mount Alvernia families know that we appreciate you and all that you have done for the school during the past year. More information will be sent home later in the month.
On Wednesday, June 4, there will be a short Band Recital at 12:45 p.m. followed by the Awards Ceremony at 1:15 p.m.
If you are interested in our Summer School Program and have not already signed up, please contact the school for more information.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2008-2009 SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS PLEASE NOTE WELL:
Parents who would like to volunteer at Mount Alvernia Academy for the 2008-2009 school year will need to complete a CORI form (criminal background check). This is required for each school year .
If you are interested in volunteering in any capacity, you must fill out a CORI Form by coming into the office and providing a staff member with a picture ID (MA driver’s license).
In addition to the criminal background check, the Archdiocese of Boston recommends that all volunteers attend Virtus Training – Protecting God’s Children Program. This is a national program designed to heighten awareness of child abuse.
REMEMBER, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO VOLUNTEER AT MOUNT ALVERNIA ACADEMY IN ANY CAPACITY WITHOUT A CORI.
To bring you up to date on our security policies, the following measures have been implemented with the assistance and advice of the Newton Police Department to protect your children at the Academy:
- Locks have been installed on all classroom doors in the main school as well as Rainbow Nursery School.
- A security system with monitors is in place at the front door of the main building as well as at the Extended Day door.
- All visitors and parents must sign in, state the purpose of their visit, and sign out. At this time, they are issued a badge.
- A CORI Form (criminal background check) must be completed on an annual basis in order for anyone to volunteer in any capacity at the Academy.
- As stated in our school handbook, our policy is to go to Gasson Hall on the Boston College campus if for any reason we have to vacate school property.
- Our lockdown policy is in place. We will continue to have practice drills.
- Fire drills are held frequently during the year in conjunction with the Newton Fire Department.
- The Mount Alvernia Academy Crisis Plan has just been updated. Every teacher has a copy in the wall holder just inside each classroom door.
- Bullying is constantly addressed at faculty meetings and with the children. Bullying in any form will not be tolerated at Mount Alvernia Academy.
- Outdoor lighting has been installed.
- The Personal Safety Curriculum in place for nursery through grade six focuses on teaching children basic skills designed to help them keep safe from dangerous or abusive situations.
- Safety is everyone’s responsibility and that is the reason why I constantly ask you to drive slowly through the campus and to refrain from using cell phones when driving on school property.
Parents, many of the safety items mentioned above (door locks, security monitors, outdoor lighting, and purchase of the safety curriculum) would not be in place without your generosity at our fundraisers. As always, I am most grateful for all that you do to assist us in keeping the students safe while we here at the Academy strive to offer an education that is strong in spiritual formation and academics.
The auction was a huge success. I thank you for your presence. Your spirit and enthusiasm was so evident. Your generosity is a strong vote of confidence for all that we do. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jodi Kerr, Michele Smigliani and all the parent volunteers who made this evening possible.
This summer, as soon as we receive permits from the City of Newton, the remaining 13 parking spaces will be paved and striped; and the parking lot lighting will be installed to fulfill the City of Newton’s ordinance requiring the lighting. Thank you for your donations to the Special Appeal at the auction which will enable us to complete this project.
We are planning to have two Automatic External Defibrillators (AED) in place for the 2008-2009 school year. One will be put in Hayes Memorial Auditorium and the other will be in the main school building. We are able to purchase these and receive the required training through a Massachusetts Essential School Health Services grant obtained by Mrs. Kiritsy.
We are also in discussion with the Board of Directors to purchase two Smart Boards to enhance our curriculum and student learning. Mrs. Sheehy has done a wonderful job for the Academy researching this technology.
I am most pleased that under the direction of our Board of Directors we will be able to offer financial Aid. As stated in the original letter, the amount will be small at first until we can grow the fund.
“May the Lord bless and protect you; may the Lord’s face radiate with joy because of you; may He be gracious to you; may He show you His favor; may He give you His peace.” (Numbers 6:23-26)
Laus Deo,
Joan Sullivan
Joan Sullivan
Principal
In Memoriam
We extend our sympathy and ask for your prayers for:
Stanley A. Denty, Jr., Father of Patricia Ging, Grade One Teacher’s Aide
Joseph Silva, Grandfather of Nicoletta Kalavantis, Grade 1A
Sister Augusta Kelly, mfic
Peter A. Kerr, Father-In-Law of Jodi Kerr, Development Officer
REMINDERS
Monday, May 12, 2008, Grandparents’ Day at MAA – 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. – Hayes Memorial Auditorium.
The Home & School Association has extended an invitation to everyone to recognize Mrs. Penny Fahey on her retirement at the conclusion of this school year. Please save the date: Sunday June 1, 2008,
Hayes Memorial Auditorium, 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.
