Newsletter - St John Villa Academy

Elementary School Highlights.....
Dear Villa Parents and Friends:
Another successful school year, our 86th, has come and gone. I thank God for His never
ending love and generosity. I also want to thank the parents and friends who supported St.
John Villa Academy by either volunteering their time, talents and/or monetary donations.
It was a year filled with hard work, collaboration and dedication which resulted in an outstanding
and fun year for all our students and staff.
Congratulations to our 25, 8th grade 2011 graduates. They received scholarships to Catholic
High Schools totaling $152,000. Of these graduates, 3 were accepted into a specialized
program at S.I. and Brooklyn Technical High Schools. We also applaud 8 of our
new graduates who took the Integrated Algebra, Earth Science and U.S. History & Govt.
Regents Exams in June. This is the 5th year that select 8th graders took a 9th grade state
exam in Algebra and every year 100% passed. This is the 1st year that Earth Science and U.S. History & Govt. were offered
to select 8th graders. Both courses are 11th grade level and we are pleased that 100% passed both courses. These
students will get the Math, Earth Science and U.S. History and Govt. regent high school credits. We are very proud of them!
The year was filled with fun learning and creativity. We had our annual Christmas Fair combined with Christmas tree lighting
ceremony. We had two concerts and five successful productions: The Pilgrims (K-5th), Alice in Wonderland (5th-8th), Wizard
of Oz (3rd & 8th), Frog and Toad (K-5th) and Broadway Review (6th & 7th). Who could forget the 3rd grade-All Saints
Parade, the 2nd grade-First Communion, Villa’s Wax Museum, Father/Daughter Dance, Cotillion, Band recital. Our track
team was invited to cheer at the NYC Marathon for the 3rd time and NYC Road Runner races took place on our campus for
the first time. We congratulate all our teams for their effort in track, swimming, baseball and especially our basketball team
who placed 2nd in the Elementary League. We thank our dedicated student council who planned our charitable activities
throughout the year. The school year closed with a school wide “Spirit Day.” Everyone had FUN!
One of the many goals we had this past year was technology improvement. We are delighted to announce that in June, we
acquired 4 more SMART Boards. All classrooms at Villa Pre-K - 8th including the Science Lab, Computer Lab and Library
are now equipped with a SMART Board. This summer we will move the existing computer lab to a bigger location on the
2nd floor and add more wireless access points to each floor and the auditorium. This will make internet access possible for
classes and meetings that take place in these areas. We have purchased a set of 20 iPads for our 4th grade class. This
pilot program will begin in September. Integrating technology in the classroom is extremely beneficial for many reasons
including: student ability to research information quickly, read books, create blogs, take notes, conduct group/individual
projects, differentiated instruction and to take quizzes/tests. If positive results are demonstrated, then the iPads will be
introduced to two more classes the following year and the year after that. All of our faculty members have participated in
a professional development workshop on technology innovation, specifically in the use of SMART Boards. This August,
I personally took a two day workshop in the use of iPads in education. Teachers will be trained in this area as well. I am
confident that this program will be a success with everyone’s collaboration.
2011/2012 will bring a few changes to our curriculum and staff. We will be adding an Advanced Social Studies Course in
grade eight. All 8th graders who achieve an average of 85 and above in this subject will be given the opportunity to take the
U.S. History & Government Regent Exam at year end. This will challenge all the students in grade eight, not just a select
few. Since we received a grant of $8,000 from IACE (Italian American Committee on Education), we will be offering a 2nd
language to our students in grades 6-8. IACE is a NY based, non-profit organization founded in 1975 for the purpose of
promoting the study of the Italian language/culture within the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. So,
our students in grade 6 through 8 will have a chance to either take Italian or Spanish as a language starting in September.
At the end of the academic year we said good bye to Mrs. Christine Storch. Mrs. Storch left us this year after 6 years of
dedicated service to SJVA. Due to Mrs. Storch vision and love for SJVA, we have the best children’s drama program on
the Island. It was hard to say good-bye, but, we are glad that she will be spending more time with her growing family. We
thank her and will truly miss her at Villa. Mrs. Gaeta and I will be the co-moderators of the Student Council. Mrs. Gaeta will
be teaching Public Speaking (5-8) and Ms. Siuzdak will direct our after-school drama program (K-5).
As we reflect on the past, we are reminded that we have only done what we are supposed to do. Our main purpose is to
guide and inspire students: to love learning, to give service, and thus to give glory and honor to God. Thank you parents
for entrusting your children to our care and know that we deem it a privilege to share with you the spiritual, physical and
academic growth of your child. Here we are, facing another school year. If we can be certain of anything in this changing
world, it is that we will be facing many challenges during this coming year as in the past. But, working with individuals who
are talented, professional and dedicated, will go a long way as we work together to successfully meet the challenges that
the new school year will bring. God bless us all as we welcome our new school year with promise and excitement!
Sr. Lucita Bacat, C.S.JB., Elementary School Principal
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