Celebrating Catholic Schools Week in Lynbrook, East Rockaway

Lynbrook’s Our Lady of Peace School and St. Raymond’s School in East Rockaway will join in the celebration of National Catholic Educational Association “Catholic Schools Week 2011” from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5. This year’s theme is “Catholic School: A+ for America.” Both schools will participate in a variety of events for the students, parents and community.

Learning at Our Lady of Peace

The week began with a Mass and an open house on Jan. 30, where visitors were invited to view all the latest learning, technology, and events going on at the school. Kindergarten teacher Concetta Veltri felt it was another chance for the community to see first-hand that the school is truly a family.

“The school in general is warm and nurturing,” she said. “It is a second home for the children and they feel that.” Several visitors were able to visit the school on Jan. 31 to see Veltri, along with other kindergarten, nursery and Pre-K teachers, in action teaching their students. Veltri said that many of the teachers use SMARTBoards, which are used in unison with student workbooks. “They really bring the lesson together,” she said. SMARTBoards also help teachers prepare for state assessments in math and English. “To keep up with of the state standards and Diocese curriculum, technology is very interactive and engaging for the students,” said principal Sis. Mary Dowden. The school is looking into video conferencing in the next few months. “It is brining technology into the classrooms and having children try it,” said fourth grade teacher Kristine Fitzgerald. “It will almost take the children around the world.”

On Feb. 1, seventh and eighth-grade students had a Mass Day — something that is a regular part of their weekly routine. The school’s confirmation” program allows students to work with the parish on religion, curriculum and service projects, according to Ann Szaloi, an eighth grade teacher. They also go on retreats and listen to different guest speakers who talk about religious topics at the beginning of the school year. Also, every class gets a chance to lead a Friday mass service where children read the Bible or sing in the school choir. A math bee is also set up for Feb. 1 for grades four through eight.