Holy Family School - Curriculum

Religion	Language	Science
Technology	Integrated Language Arts	Social Studies
Art	Library	Homework
Band	Mathematics	Evaluations
Music	Physical Education

Holy Family School is organized under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, in accordance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education. The curriculum guidelines formulated and distributed by he Office of Catholic Education of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia serve as the basis of all instruction in the school. These guidelines are the course of study and provide the time allotments for study and provide the time allotments for each subject area. The faculty has the responsibility to implement and supplement the guidelines according to the student's needs.

Classroom teaching is organized sequentially according to the diocesan guidelines. Each classroom teacher has the responsibility to select the styles of instruction that are most beneficial to the students within the various classes. In an effort to achieve academic excellence, the teacher seeks to present creative concepts in the best possible learning situation. Grouping patterns are varied throughout the grades and within various subject areas. These variations reflect the uniqueness of each teacher and the needs of the students at different stages of development.

Evaluation is an on-going process in which all members of the school community participate. Evaluation is a process of growth that involves the assessment of strengths and weaknesses. Holy Family School encourages its faculty, students, parents and staff to recognize the positive characteristics of each person and to value their individual contributions.

Informal evaluation is a daily occurrence among the entire school community. We strive to regard each individual as unique, and value their individual contributions

to Holy Family School. Each person in this community is responsible to strive to create an environment of Christian learning that is characterized by mutual love and respect.

Formal evaluation of each student's achievement is in terms of each pupil's feedback in establishing a continuum of learning. Quarterly report cards indicate to parents the performance of each child and the mastery of skills in individual subject areas. Standardized tests are administered annually, in certain grades, to note student achievement in relation to the school, Archdiocesan and national norms.

Our religious education program allows for the transmission of Catholic doctrine at a level appropriate to the age of the students. Our religion series offers a balanced approach to Catholic religious education. It is grounded in the traditional teachings and practices of the Catholic Church while respecting recent developments in the theological and social sciences. It remains faithful to the rich heritage of Catholic traditions while responding to the world in which the Church exists today.

Holy Family School provides computer literacy on a regular basis for students in all grades. The fundamental skills and concepts of computer literacy are taught and evaluated through short an long term projects. These investigations can lead to further students exploration and specialization.

Students use the software that correlates with their particular grade level and subject area. Presently, a network system of IBM compatible computers are used by the students.

The curriculum guidelines provide a sequentially ordered presentation of concepts, principles and materials in areas of artistic learning such as creativity appreciation and the relation of art to other areas of the curriculum.

Holy Family School together with the Instrumental Music Programs, Inc. provides to those interested students in grades four through eight an opportunity to learn a musical instrument. Lessons are given weekly by a certified instructor. The time of the instruction is rotated in order for the student not to miss the same subject every week. The students are grouped according to their level of ability and may eventually join the Honors Band consisting of students from different schools.

The students of Holy Family School are introduced to numerous practical experiences in a variety of medial and musical compositions. In addition, music appreciation is an essential part of the music class as well as the identification of instrumentation, elements and styles of music.

Students in grades 6-8 are given an opportunity for Spanish Exploration. They are introduced to Spanish grammar usage and to cadence of the Language.

The Language Arts program includes literature, reading, grammar, correct usage, written and oral composition, poetry, spelling, library skills and penmanship. Holy Family School has adopted the recommendations of the Archdiocese incorporating an integrated approach to the teaching of Language Arts. The teachers utilize whole class instruction and flexible grouping patterns to meet the needs and capabilities of the students within the class. Trade books are used throughout the course of the year to emphasize with the students that reading is not just a subject but a life long pleasure.

The school library is an integral part of the school curriculum and serves as a central resource for both students and teachers. Its purpose is to assist its users to discover, evaluate, and apply information. Here the student strengthens his/her knowledge and skills in reading and other curriculum areas and develops individualized tastes which enrich his/her future contribution to society.

Students traveling to and from the library are to do so in an orderly manner and maintain silence while moving through the school building.

Books that are lost or damaged must be paid for by the students. Parents are asked to share the responsibility of caring for the borrowed books and be aware of the date on which these books are due. Late charges may be assessed.

Students are to be encouraged by their parents to read a variety of good literature and to take advantage of the nearby Phoenixville Library for pleasure reading as well as for research projects.

The format of the mathematics curriculum provides for instruction in six mathematical strands: sets, number and number systems, operations, measurement, algebra and geometry, and problem solving. Practice in mental problem solving and maintenance of computational skills are stressed daily.

Mathematics (+) is an accelerated program offered to students who show a high proficiency in mathematics as indicated on standardized testing, classroom performance and report card achievement and by their cognitive skills index.

Physical Education classes at Holy Family School are held weekly for every grade. The Archdiocesan prescribed guidelines are followed and the students are provided instruction in basic physical exercise. These include activities stressing motor development skills, coordination, physical fitness, group play and a basic introduction to the rules of popular sports and games.

The skills of observations, analysis and conclusion are stressed as the students become closer observers of the world around them. This area of learning is explicitly related to the Catholic character and religious purpose of the school because the children are introduced to the importance of the relationship between God and creation.

Scientific exploration and research are encouraged with a respect life philosophy. The faculty of Holy Family School provide the children with an appreciation of God as a creator of our universe and the wonders it contains.

The program is enriched through teacher creativity and extended to include critical thinking skills developed with the scope and sequence outlines provided in the science textbooks. Science lab activities and experiments are used to provide valuable hands on experiences and to gain valuable problem solving skills that are applicable in all areas of a student's education.

Throughout the grades an interdisciplinary approach is used with emphasis on history, geography, civics, economics and current events. Map skills and related activities are integral to the social studies curriculum.

Homework refers to an assignment made by a teacher that will positively reinforce a concept presented in class: a creative project requiring the individual's use of his/her genuine initiative, a study period for the memorization of facts or reading for additional enrichment. Homework includes both written and study assignments. Time each night should be allotted for study/review of notes and work presented in each subject area that day.

Please examine and sign your child's completed homework, test and assignment tablets in all grades. Incomplete assignments will be noted with a red circle in their assignment tablet. Assignments that are incomplete must be finished immediately and returned to the teacher for review and possible credit.

If a child repeatedly comes to school without completed homework, their grade in that particular subject will be affected and other disciplinary actions may be taken.

Your child must accept the responsibility to copy assignments, bring home the correct books and complete assignments in accordance with the teacher's directive. No child will be permitted into the school after hours to obtain their books or assignments.

Homework is a family's opportunity to share in your child's daily educational program. The following time limitations regarding homework are provided by the Office of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

If at any time your child is consistently taking an abnormally long amount of time to complete assignments, please notify the teacher in writing. Please consider whether the time spent is on the actual assignment or on other unrelated activities. Communication of this fact can help us better educate your child.

Semester examinations are developed by the Office of Catholic Education or at the local level by the classroom teacher. They are usually given in January to grades 2 through 8 and in June to grades 1 through 8.

The semester examinations are counted as an additional test mark for the second or fourth quarter.

The California Achievement Test (CAT) is administered to students in grade 8 in the fall and to grades 2, 4, and 6 in the spring. All Archdiocesan schools participate in this testing program as mandated by the Office of Catholic Education. Holy Family School students have consistently scored above average on the California Achievement Test.

Results of these tests are communicated to parents through a home report which provides detailed information on a child's strengths and weaknesses.

All kindergarten students are administered a kindergarten assessment during the month of May. Results of this test are communicated to the parents through a home report with detailed information about the child's areas of strength, weakness and additional ways to help your child at home.

Please feel free to contact your child's teacher with any questions regarding the test results.

The standardized testing program enables us to meet individual needs an is utilized as a means to reflect school-wide performance. The program also aids in the formulation of a school improvement plan.