Saint Mary’s 90th Anniversary 2016-17

Annual Report

Location: Belen, New Mexico Archdiocese: Santa Fe Principal: Melodie Good Students: 182 Grades: PreK-8 Website: stmarysbelen.com

At Saint Mary’s, we are committed to the growth of our Catholic identity, academic potential, and community

involvement. I can do all things through Christ who

strengthens me.

Philosophy We at Saint Mary’s Catholic School actively strive to teach as Jesus taught. In the tradition of our patroness, the blessed Mother, we recognize parents as the primary educators of their children and want to assist them in their role in teaching and guiding their children to live their Catholic faith. We are committed to providing: a. activities that allow students to experience prayer and liturgy; b. quality educational opportunities for students of varied academic abilities; c. financial aid programs to assist those families unable to assume full financial responsibility for tuition; d. opportunities for students to serve others in order to fulfill the mandate of the Gospel and the demands of justice, and to recognize that society requires the cooperation and contribution of each of its members. We believe this will provide the foundation for our students to become faith filled and productive members of our community.

Student Learning Expectations SAINT MARY’s Schoolwide Learning Expectations –SLEs Grow in Catholic Faith • I will learn about my faith. • I will pray throughout my day. • I will make good choices. • I will share my faith with others. Achieve Academic Potential in Math and Reading • I will explain what I am learning. • I will take pride in presenting timely work • I will use technology responsibly. • I will solve problems.

Serve the Community • I will learn about social justice. • I will be a peacemaker. • I will serve others. • I will follow the Golden Rule.

Enrollment and Statistics

School Statistics

Families 130

Total Enrollment 182

Faculty and Staff 22

Faculty with Masters degrees or above 4

Elementary Student Teacher Ratio 12 to 1

Average Class size 19

% of Families receiving financial

Assistance 32%

Average Financial Award per child $500

Accreditation WCEA

Average daily lunches served 120

Number of student school days 180

Community Garden work day.

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2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17

Enrollment for Six Years

Students

Teachers and Staff

PreK Ms. Elizabeth Cordova Bachelor’s degree Kindergarten Ms. Kelly Lopez Bachelor’s degree 1st Grade Ms. Charlene Baca Bachelor’s degree 2nd Grade Ms. Melanie Chavez Master’s Degree 3rd Grade Ms. Heather Sanchez Master’s Degree/Ed. Specialist 4th Grade Ms. Melanie Chavez Master’s Degree 5th Grade Ms. Kristy Cordova Bachelors degree Middle School Math, Religion, Art Ms. Angela Padilla Bachelor’s degree MS Lang. Art and Literature Mr. Jared Schmock Bachelor’s degree MS Social Studies/Science/Religion Ms. Lisa Bockisch Master’s degree PE/Athletic Director Ms. Natalie Solis –Degree in Progress Educational Assistants: Rose Trent, Brenda Lujan, and Dominique Biancardi Spanish/Religion Ms. Arleen Sanchez Bachelor’s Music Ms. Molly Chavez Bachelor’s degree Administrative Assistant: Ms. Janet Montoya Business Office: Ms. Lucille Zamora Computer Tech: Ms. Sohaila Lucero Cafeteria: Susie Armijo and April Foster

Maintenance and Custodial: Felipe Sanchez

Standardized Testing

Saint Mary’s students take the Renaissance Learning STAR tests three times a year. The chart below reflects the grade equivalency average growth each class made in the 16-17 school year. Each class average is at or above grade level in both reading and math.

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2017 End of Year Reading and Math Growth Scores

Fall Reading

Spring Reading

Fall Math

Spring Math

Graduates 2017 The class of 2017 consisted of 14 graduates. They are attending the following high schools: 5 Saint Pius 1 Atrisco Heritage HS 1 DATA High School 1 Explore Academy 6 Belen High School

Highlights of 2016-2017

CATHOLIC IDENTITY Held student led morning Prayer and announcements daily Held Wednesday children’s Mass Held monthly school Mass on Sundays Provided altar servers for funeral Masses Celebrated May Crowning Celebrated Catholic Schools Week at Mass at OLB and Santa Fe Trained altar servers from 4th through 8th grades Formed a liturgical choir for Masses and celebrations Held two student retreats and one staff retreat Held 8th grade graduation retreat Prepared third graders for Reconciliation and First Communion Conducted Living Stations and regular stations of the cross during Lent Conducted Living Rosary “You are called” Retreat for 6th Graders on Vocations Celebrated Priesthood Sunday at October Mass Faith Challenge Team participated in competition Blessing of the Pets on the Feast Day of St. Francis Fifth Grade attended St. Pius Retreat in November Highly effective ranking in our WCEA Catholic Identity rating

Highlights of 2016-2017

ACADEMICS All 8th graders were at or above grade level in math All grade levels made significant increases in reading and math Installed state of the art science lab Nine students participated in Optimists Oratorical Contest Offered math and reading tutorials after school Offered pull-out reading tutoring during the school day Participated in district and county Spelling Bees Held School Geography Bee Purchased on-line library “Storia” to take the place of out dated library Teachers began to use “I can statements” for learning targets Implemented Reading Street end of unit assessment 1st—5th Received 6 year accreditation on our first WCEA visit Robotics club participated in Robowave in Albuquerque Kindergarten through second grade implemented standards based report cards Fifth Grade participated in Mission to Mars STEM activity at Abq. Convention Center

Introducing Lablearner St. Mary’s was fortunate enough to get a grant from the Catholic Foundation and raise the additional funds necessary to purchase a complete science lab, equipment furniture and curriculum. I was installed and teachers were trained in August of 2016. The original purchase price was $71,000 but we decided we need a lab that could accommodate 24 students since our classes were growing. For an additional $7000 we were able to purchase four lab tables instead of three and the extra equipment for the table. Our Middle School science teacher Mrs. Bockisch operates the lab and does lab experiments with all grade levels. Middle school is in the lab every day and the other grades do a lab day once a week.

Highlights of 2016-2017

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Student Council and 4th grade participated in maintaining community garden All students contributed to Thanksgiving food baskets for St. Vincent DePaul Primary grades conduct monthly food drive for St. Vincent DePaul Middle School placed flags for Right to Life group in October Students assisted in cleaning church and changed misselettes Middle School gave Christmas Party to Joy Junction residents Students participated in Veterans Day ceremony to honor community veterans Saint Mary’s hosted the County 4-H Contests in June Hosted a 5K community run in honor of CSW with over 100 participants Honored Community First Responders with Ceremony at the Heart of Belen Received Proclamation from the Mayor for Catholic Schools Week Hosted Chinese Acrobats for the school and parish Performed whole school Christmas Pageant for community 8th Graders performed spring play Tray favors for Meals on Wheels Staff made Blessing Bags for Joy Junction

Highlights of 2016-2017

FACILITY ENHANCEMENT

Replaced carpeting in remaining

Upgraded technology with wireless and fiber optic wiring

Painted halls and most classrooms

Upgraded security bells and outdoor intercom system

Added new landscaping to front with indigenous trees

Replaced cracked stucco on building front

Repaired several cracked wall areas

Added electrical outlets to many classrooms to accommodate technology

Catholic Foundation awarded a grant for Lablearner

Kicked off a Capitol Campaign to look at building new building or renovating the school

Highlights of 2016-2017 TECHNOLOGY Created air conditioned server room Replaced all computers in lab Provided classroom tablets and chromebook cart Added new computers to each classroom Utilized digital Shurley English for middle school Installed fiber network Updated all internal wiring Received E-rate reimbursements Supplied document cameras and projectors in all classrooms Furnished middle school language arts with a digital white board Digitized our major fund raiser Added consistent use of parent texts through SchoolReach Utilized computerized textbook publisher tests for reading Added Accelerated Math Employed a computer tech part time Purchased SMART table and SMART boards for four classrooms Purchased classroom response system for two classrooms

Catholic Schools Week 2017

Sunday, January 29th School Mass at 10 AM 5 K Walk/Run

2 PM

Monday, January 30th

Core Uniform Dress

Community Appreciation Honoring First

Responders at Heart of Belen 9AM

Tuesday, January 31st

Uniform skirt or pants with Crayon top

Parent Appreciation

Pastries for Parents for morning drop off

CSW Mass at Cathedral in Santa Fe

Wednesday, February 1st

Dress up for Mass Day

Pastor and Volunteer Appreciation

Family Mass 9AM

Volunteer Tea 10 AM

Faith Formation Center

Thursday, February 2nd Skirt or pants with crazy tie/hair

Teacher Appreciation

Staff luncheon

Friday February 3rd Jeans and sport shirt

Student Appreciation

Minute to Win it Games

Saturday, February 4th Athlete Pancake Breakfast Fat Sats 8 AM to

10 AM

The 90th Anniversary Celebration

•Isleta Grand Ballroom

•February 11, 2017

•Come join the fun!

•Dress in Roaring 20’s

•Silent & Live Auctions

•5:30 Cocktails (Cash bar)

•6:30 Dinner

•Live Band/Dancing •

Four hundred people attended the kick off to the capital campaign to raise funds for a new school. Over $120,000 came in from that event.

Programs and Services

After School Roadrunner 4-H Club for kinder –fifth grade: The Cooperative Extension service of Valencia county partners with Saint Mary’s to sponsor a 4-H Club for students. They meet weekly in the cafeteria to work on service projects, have guest speakers or take field trips to area venues. Each child can exhibit their projects in the Valencia County Community EXPO or demonstrate an expertise at the County contests held in June.

After School Robotics Club for third –eighth grades: A parent volunteer and high school Alum come in each Wednesday to help students research dynamics, kinematics and sensors. Subjects such as motion planning and obstacle avoidance, velocity and acceleration, serial chain mechanisms, pneumatic actuators, and drive circuits are covered. Students put knowledge into practice through lab settings where robots are created with teams and used in competitions. This is part of our STREAM initiative.

After School Guitar Club: Students are able to learn guitar with new music teacher in an after school setting.

Athletics : Saint Mary's offers girls and boys basketball, track, cross country, flag football, and volley ball for students in 5th through 8th grade. Traditionally, our students are at the top of the brackets in the APIAL league.

Hot Lunch: Our hot program serves approximately 120 meals a day. We are recipients of the USDA food service program and love having our wonderful cafeteria ladies who cater to our students and staff with yummy nutritious meals.

Liturgical Choir: Our choir serves to praise God with their beautiful voices at our children's Masses and delight audiences at Saint Mary’s special occasions. They perform at our annual Veteran’s Day program, our holiday luncheons and the Health Care Center in Belen at Christmas.

Music/Art: Students rotate music and art for a semester of each. In music recorders are used in 4th and 5th to teach instruments. Art work is displayed throughout the year in prominent Belen locations.

Spanish: Spanish is offered to Kinder through 8th grade. The purpose of the program is to encourage our students to achieve high levels of proficiency in a second language and to enable them to compete in our global world. Studies show that second language learners perform better on tasks that call for divergent thinking, pattern recognition, and problem solving, and develop advanced levels of linguistic awareness. Studies further prove that their ability to reason and to perform higher level thinking is enhanced by understanding two languages simultaneously.

Roadrunner Athletics

Member of Albuquerque Parochial and Independent Athletic League (APIAL)

2015-2016 School Year Finals

Track and Field

JV girls and Boys 1st place overall

Varsity girls 3rd place overall

Boys Basketball

Varsity 1st Place Consolation bracket

C Team Runner up Consolation bracket

2016-2017 Cross Country

JV Girls 1st Place Overall

Varsity boys-4th place overall

Girls Basketball

JV runner up in top bracket

Parent Involvement

Saint Mary’s Parent Association (SMPA) Saint Mary’s Parents Association organizes activities for Catholic Schools Week, purchases awards for the awards programs, sponsors our Christmas shop and provides gifts cards, lunches and recognition for teachers.

Consultative Council Saint Mary’s is honored to have a variety of experts in their areas who are committing valuable time and talent to the mission of the school. This council has experts in technology, marketing, facilities, development, and finance. Each member serves a 3 year term then is replaced by someone in our community.

Fall Fest Committee Our Annual Fall Fest in October is in its 32nd year. The community actually looks forward to buying a hundred dollar ticket in hopes of winning $10,000. For the second year in a row, the fundraiser has made over $60,000 for the school. The planning begins the day after the current event takes place and utilizes many volunteers. The proceeds from the 2016 Fall Fest will help pay for the new Lablearner science program.

5 K Run/ Walk

Curriculum

Shurley English—This language arts program is strong in grammar and writing skills. It is highly successful because it utilizes the different learning styles of students, includes enough repetition for students to master grammar easily, and incorporates the part-to-whole philosophy. In writing, students are engaged in developing compositions that include multiple paragraphs. Saxon Math-Saint Mary’s is aligned K-8 with the Saxon program. The program is scaffolded and each skill that is mastered keeps appearing in weekly assessments so that students don’t forget important skills. Math skills are supplemented with Accelerated Math. Reading Street- K-5—This rigorous reading series goes through fifth grade and is supplemented at each level with leveled readers and novels and informational texts and Accelerated Reader Literature-Middle School—Students still participate in the Accelerated Reader program as a supplement to novels, informational texts and short stories and quarterly goals. Social Studies–Middle school began using the Catholic Textbook Project which incorporates Catholic contribution to world and US History. Science—PreK -8th Lablearner—which is aligned to the national science standards and features hands on STEM activities weekly, data records and classroom investigations. Spanish—Kinder through 8th graders are taught elementary Spanish. We have made a commitment to teach our students cursive writing, art, and music and make sure that they get the four core classes along with religion five days a week.

An excellence you can believe in…

Saint Mary’s strives to be the shining star of pre-K through 8th grade education in our area. Our school is not just a building and playground, it is a family celebrating faith everyday. The school itself has been a gathering place for families in Belen for 90 years. Everyone in our small community attended school here, has a relative here, or knows someone who attended Saint Mary’s. In the last few years, we have created a strong base with a retention rate this year of 98%. We have been creative with our marketing and utilized the New Mexico Railrunner to bring students from Los Lunas. Our enrollment has gone up 15% in the last year. The math and language arts curriculum has been aligned from Kinder to 8th grade to allow a seamless transition from one class to the next. With our new science lab, we are introducing students to university grade science equipment and skills that will place them in the top high school courses wherever they go after leaving St. Mary’s. We use the Catholic Textbook Project for our Social Studies program in middle school and look forward to adopting the program for kinder through 5th as well. Rounding out our strong academic program is art, music, PE and Spanish. With God as our shepherd, we are continuing on a pathway to excellence in a modern world. Our future goals include:

a St. Mary’s Band program

more STREAM programming

an updated facility

and a continuance of God’s blessings