The Sentinel ~ Students Soar on ACRE Assessments

Posted on by Janis DeVore

January 29, 2014

Message from the Principal

On this occasion of Catholic Schools Week, we pause to celebrate our heritage and reflect on our mission.  May we always remember that it is not our strong academics and sense of structure and order that set us apart, though these are tell-tale signs of a Catholic school.  Rather, it is the fact that, in our community, students encounter Christ through prayer, the Sacraments and one another.  This experience, lived and shared, day after day, month after month, year after year, is life-changing and life-giving. 

One way that we can objectively measure our students’ understanding of the Catholic faith is through the ACRE Test, an annual assessment that we administer to all 5th and 8th grade students.  Comprised of both cognitive as well as affective domains, the assessment sheds light not only on our students’ knowledge of doctrine but also their personal experience of the faith.   

The following is a summary of scores from the 2013 assessment, comparing the performance of our students with the diocesan average.    We can be immensely proud of the great work of the faculty & staff who partner with you in handing on the gift of our faith.  Indeed, through this process, both hearts and minds are transformed! 

Happy Catholic Schools Week!

 

 

ASCS

(5th)

Diocese

Average

ASCS

(8th )

Diocese

Average

Domain 1

God

89.6

88

95.1

91

Domain 2

Church

93.9

85

87.7

86

Domain 3

Liturgy & Sacraments

92.3

83

81.5

83

Domain 4

Revelation, Scripture, Faith

94.9

88

93.3

89

Domain 5

Life in Christ

79.5

71

88.7

89

Domain 6

Church History

86.4

72

88.8

79

Domain 7

Prayer/Religious Practices

86.4

74

87.7

83

Domain 8

Faith Literacy

89.6

85

84.4

81

Pillar 1

Creed

92.6

87

89.7

85

Pillar 2

Liturgy & Sacraments

91.6

81

84.3

83

Pillar 3

Morality

83.5

76

85.8

88

Pillar 4

Prayer

86.4

78

93

88

TOTAL

 

89.2

81

88.2

85

PTO to Sponsor Cyber Safety Presentation

On Monday, February 24th beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Mr. Andrew McGahan, Clinical Director of the Jewish Social Services Agency, will speak on the topic of Cyber Safety Awareness. 

As this presentation will address such an important matter, at least one parent from each family is asked to attend.  The presentation will take place in the Parish Activity Center from 7:00-9:00 p.m. with time for questions at the end of the evening.  Invite friends, neighbors and colleagues to what promises to be an insightful and empowering presentation for parents!

Science Fair Rescheduled

Due to the recent inclement weather and related closures, the middle school Science Fair has been postponed from February 6th to February 19th.

Lost and Found – Last Call!

There is an overflow of clothes with no name on the tags that have been left at school.   If your child is missing a jacket,sweatshirt, hat and/or lunch box, please come and lookthrough the lost and found.  We will keep items in the officethrough February 7th, before donating them to the homeless.

High School News

Paul VI Catholic High School

Paul VI Catholic High School would like to extend an invitation to CYO Basketball Team members to join them at their girls’ basketball game next Friday, January 31st beginning at 4:00PM.  All players wearing a CYO Basketball jersey will be admitted for free.  Please see the attached flyer for details. 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

Registration Schedule for 2014-2015

  •   Re-Registration for Current Families February 5-21, 2014
  •   Registration for New Students             February 10-28, 2014

                              (Including siblings for Pre-K & K)

Open House for 2014-2015 School Year – February 13th

All Saints Catholic School will host an Open House for prospective parents on Thursday, February 13th beginning at 9:00 a.m.  All parishioners and members of the community interested in learning more about the parish school are cordially invited to attend.  Following a presentation and introduction at 9:00 a.m., tours of the facility will be provided. For more information, please contact Mrs. Joyce D’Eugenio, administrative assistant, at (703) 393-1490.

Tuition Assistance Applications for 2014-2015

Applications for Tuition Assistance for the 2014-2015 academic year are now available at the front office.  Again this year the Diocese of Arlington has partnered with FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment Company.  FACTS has also established an on-line application process that can be initiated through the company website (http://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3Q327)

The due dates for applications and supporting documentation are as follows:

Elementary School       March 17, 2014

Criminal Background Checks for Volunteers & VIRTUS Requirements

The diocese also requires volunteers who have completed the full VIRTUS training to attend an annual update entitled Keeping the Promise Alive.  This 30 minutes video training is a prerequisite for volunteering in the school.  The following is a list of upcoming sessions.  (Please note:  For planning purposes, volunteers are asked to confirm their intent to attend a session on the voicemail of Mrs. Janet Smith.  703.393.2158)

We have scheduled the following opportunities for completing the half-hour VIRTUS update:

Tuesday, February 11th (Art Room/7:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, March 11th (Art Room/7:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, April 18th (Art Room/7:00 p.m.)

Tuesday, May 13th (Art Room/7:00 p.m.)

Upcoming Events

Friday, January 31st               

–          School Mass & Virtues Ceremony (8:30 a.m.)

–          Middle School Demerit Free Breakfast

–          Report Cards distributed to students

–          Noon Dismissal: Faculty & Staff Luncheon for Catholic Schools Week

Saturday, February 1st           

–          PTO sponsored Family Bingo (Knights’ Hall/5:00 p.m.)

Monday, February 3rd            

–          Feast of St. Blaise – Blessing of Throats

Tuesday, February 4th            

–          Picture Day: Teams, Clubs & Candids

–          PTO Executive Board Meeting (7:00 p.m.)

Wednesday, February 5th        

–          Golf Tournament Committee Meeting (2:00 p.m.)

Friday, February 7th               

–          School Mass (8:30 a.m.)

–          Race for Education Kick-off Assembly (2:30 p.m.)

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