All Saints was pleased to welcome NBC4 Meteorologist and author Tom Kierein back to All Saints for a fun and informative weather assembly for students in kindergarten through third grade, Fifth grade teacher Mrs. Honkus arranged the visit in conjunction with the students’ study of weather in science.

During his interactive presentation, Mr. Kierein discussed the causes of various types of weather, how computer models of the atmosphere help predict the weather, and the importance of keeping safe in bad weather. He also showed students pages from a 3-D book that he published about weather.

We learned that Mr. Kierein’s favorite weather is snow, because it is the most challenging to accurately predict. To keep everyone informed about the weather, Mr. Kierein begins each day quite early to assess the latest weather patterns, and takes the equivalent of a seven question test each day focused on what the weather will be like for the week to come.

Enjoyed by students and faculty alike, this look at weather was both interesting and engaging. We wish to thank Mr. Tom Kierein for taking time out of his busy day to spend the morning with All Saints and to share his knowledge and insights with our students!

What an interesting and fact-filled morning for our fourth grade students who had the privilege of meeting Villanova University professor Dr. Steven Goldsmith and learning about his upcoming trip to Antarctica. Dr. Goldsmith will be traveling near the South Pole to an area called the McMurdo Dry Valleys. This row of snow-free valleys in Antarctica represent an extreme desert environment, making them the perfect backdrop to Dr. Goldsmith’s scientific work involving rocks, water and minerals.

Currently summer in Antarctica (with average temperatures approximately 26.8 degrees), melting snow and ice cause running streams of water to form in the region. Dr. Goldsmith and other scientists on the expedition will collect water samples and mud samples to test the chemistry of the stream and mud. He will also bring back dirt samples that Villanova students will test to determine the origin of the dirt that sweeps into that area of Antarctica. The McMurdo Dry Valleys are believed to be the closest environment on earth to Mars. Experiments related to this expedition will be used to help scientists working on experiments with the Mars Rover.

Thank you, Dr. Goldsmith for enlightening our students on your fascinating scientific research in Antarctica!

Mrs. Coyle and many members of our faculty and administration spent their Easter break a little differently this year. After traveling to Pittsburgh, they attended the National Catholic Educational Association’s (NCEA) national convention where Mrs. Coyle was presented with a 2014 Distinguished Teacher Award for her dedication and commitment to teaching excellence.

Mrs. Coyle was chosen from the more than 100,000 teachers who teach in the nation’s Catholic elementary schools and was recognized during a ceremony at the NCEA annual convention on April 22 in Pittsburgh, PA. The annual award honors teachers who have demonstrated a strong Catholic educational philosophy as well as exceptional ability and dedication.

“Each of these outstanding educators embodies the very best of Catholic education,” said Kathy Mears, executive director of the NCEA Department of Elementary Schools. “Their commitment to academic excellence and dedication to young people are the reasons parents choose Catholic schools.”

Congratulations, Mrs. Coyle and thank you for sharing  your gifts and talents with us at All Saints!

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