Saint Agnes School
Quality Catholic Education for Grades K to 8
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Special ProgramsQuiz Bowl for junior high students Student Council for sixth, seventh and eighth grades students Colonial Day for fifth grade students Christmas Shows for all students School Liturgies Basketball Team and Cheerleading Squad Cultural Arts Programs Lego Program for Kindergarten through sixth grade Art Enrichment programs through Mo-Co Arts Quiz BowlEvery year on the first Saturday of February, seventh (Lancer Division) and eighth (MC Division) grade teams of students go to Malden Catholic High School for that school's annual Quiz Bowl. These students compete against teams from other area private, public and parochial schools, answering fast-paced questions in six subject areas: math, science, English, history, geography and a potpourri category. In November the St. Agnes teams are chosen to compete. Then practice sessions are held during lunch break and after school. Practices are a lot of fun as everyone strives for a quick recall of material. St. Agnes School has represented itself very well in previous
competitions: Student CouncilThe St. Agnes Student Council is both a social and service organization open to all sixth, seventh and eighth grade students at St. Agnes School. The purpose of the Student Council is to provide a strong sense of community responsibility. During the year, various optional social activities are offered, such as snow tubing, skiing, dances and other activities that the members request. Our community activities have included the Walk for Hunger, sponsoring a Halloween party for the younger children, raking leaves for the elderly, collecting and delivering goods to the hungry at Thanksgiving. Colonial DayThis is a day for fifth graders to explore some of the traditions and foods of the colonists. They enjoy the festivities of Early American baking, songs, games, dances and crafts. They are visited by special guests from Colonial times, such as Ben Franklin and the Arlington Minutemen. Traditional clothing of the 1700's is worn by the fifth graders on that day, usually the first Monday in May. Music Enrichment through Mo-Co ArtsMo-Co Music is a music school run by Ms Lynch and conveniently located at 11-B Medford Street. Mo-Co offers private lessons in Voice, Piano, Guitar, Drums and group singing classes that perform or record a CD. For more information, contact Ms Lynch at 781-641-1811 or visit the website at www.mocomusic.biz. Art Enrichment through Mo-Co ArtsMo-Co Arts is an arts enrichment program run by Ms. Lynch and conveniently located at 11-B Medford Street. Mo-Co offers private lessons in Voice, Piano, Guitar and group singing classes that perform or record a CD. Mo-Co Music is for students aged 8 and up. Mo-Co Music also offers entertainment services including GLEE themed birthday parties and DJ services for all events. For more information, contact Ms. Lynch at 781-641-1811 or visit the website at www.mocomusic.biz. Christmas ShowsIn addition to our regular music curriculum, St. Agnes School has two Christmas presentations annually. The first show is for grades K to 4 where each class sings at least three songs chosen from sacred and secular texts. Grades 3 and 4 have the opportunity to audition for small group singing on more advanced pieces. The Christmas presentation for grades 5 to 8 features song selections for each grade based on sacred and secular texts. There is also an original music portion of the show, written by our music teacher, Ms. Lynch, featuring soloists in the roles of Mary, Joseph and the Angel Gabriel. This presentation also has many opportunities for students to audition for solos, small groups and an audition only Choir of Angels.
School LiturgiesMonthly liturgies are an opportunity for students and faculty to worship as a school community. Each grade is responsible for one liturgy throughout the years. Students proclaim the Word, prepare the prayers, present the offertory gifts, and serve as acolytes. Liturgies are an opportunity for each grade to present and share new music with the congregation featuring contemporary songs found in the Spirit Song anthology. Grades 3 to 8 have a select choir to accompany their liturgy and Grades 6 to 8 have solo opportunities as well as trained cantors who lead the congregation in song. Boys Basketball TeamSt. Agnes School, in conjunction with Fidelity House, sponsors a boys' basketball team called the Trojans. This team is a select team chosen from all interested sixth, seventh and eighth grade boys. They compete in games with other Catholic schools in the Boston Archdiocese Middlesex Elementary School League. The number one and two teams in the Middlesex League head to Catholic Memorial in February or March to compete for the Boston Archdiocesan Championship. If the Trojans win at that level, they then compete in a tournament to win the New England Championship. So far in the history of the Trojans, the 2000-2001 and the 2006-2007 teams have succeeded in winning the New England Championship!
Cheerleading SquadGirls in the eighth grade are welcome to join the cheerleading squad. The cheerleaders have supported the Trojans for many years. They attend every game and are very enthusiastic about each game. The Trojans are very grateful for their support. Cultural Arts ProgramsThroughout the year various cultural arts programs come to St. Agnes School. Some example of these programs include "Tribal Rhythms" and a visit from the famous author Jerry Pallota. Lego ProgramOne component of our technology program is engineering and the design process using LEGO bricks. The students begin learning the design process in kindergarten and move up to programming by grade three. In kindergarten to grade 2, the students design, build and test their creations. By grade three they are taught to use Robolab, programming software designed by MIT, to operate robotic devices with motors and sensors. During the summer of 2009 two Saint Agnes teachers attended a Tufts University program designed to teach science concepts to the third and fifth grades using LEGO bricks. During the 2009 - 2010 school year, Tufts professors and fellows will be assisting these teachers at St. Agnes. The focus for third grade is properties of matter and for the fifth - sound.
A rock driller made by third graders using the RCX.
Here is an example of a fishing rod designed to catch a whale, a perfect example of gearing down.
This is a vehicle powered by a balloon. This was one of the most difficult tasks for many of the children. Attaching the balloon was quite a challenge. What was most interesting was the incredible variety of ways in which the children attached the balloon to the vehicle.
Here is a do-nothing machine, utilizing gears and pulleys, made by second graders.
This is a do-nothing machine made by sixth graders. The do-nothing machines give the children practice in using gears. pulleys and bicycle chains with the motors.
This is an example of a vehicle using a motor and a bicycle chain.
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