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Serve God With Loving Hearts Joyfully Embrace Our Christian Faith
Nurture Individual and Academic Excellence |
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2011-12 School Year |
625 St. John Court,
Knoxville TN
37934
865-777-0077 |
On This Site
ParentsWeb Resource Resource Links
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Instructional
Program at SJNCS
The
instructional program at St. John Neumann Catholic School (SJNCS) is
centered around the primary objectives of religious education and
academic excellence. We are committed to the Vision Statement through
our curriculum: St. John Neumann Catholic School will foster true
discipleship of Christ by inspiring students to develop and utilize
their gifts to the highest potential, forming responsible participants
in an increasingly diverse world. SJNCS follows
the State of Tennessee Core Curriculum in addition to the Diocese of
Knoxville’s School Curriculum Plan. Students in grades K-8 take
Spanish, Art, Physical Education, Music, and Library Information every
week, in addition to Religion, Language Arts, Literature, Grammar,
Math, Science, and Social Studies. A complete technology lab is
available to every student. All students attend Mass two days each
week. The school year
is divided into four quarters. Parents can access current grade reports
on ParentsWeb, a web site specifically for sharing school information.
The parents receive a written report card at the end of each quarter.
Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for the fall of each school
year. Additionally, parents may request a conference at anytime. Reading/Language Arts
Grades K-5 use a
comprehensive reading program including: shared reading, guided
reading, independent reading, and whole group reading. Phonics and word
attack strategies are integrated into the program. Spelling activities
relate classroom reading and vocabulary. Middle School literature
addresses techniques and terminology regarding many genres. Areas of
study include reading strategies that focus on higher level thinking
skills. Writing and language classes encompass writing and grammar.
Writing is a cross curricular skill that is continually refined.
According to the Tennessee Writing Standard, employed at SJNCS,
students develop the structural and creative skills necessary to
produce written language that can be read, presented to, and
interpreted by various audiences. Each quarter writing samples from
every student are assessed using developmentally appropriate
rubrics/guidelines. Each student’s writing score is recorded and
followed through subsequent grades. The Tennessee Comprehensive
Assessment Program (TCAP) Writing Assessment is administered in fifth
and eighth grades. Mathematics
There are five
strands necessary for mathematical proficiency: numbers and operations,
measurement, geometry, data analysis and probability, and algebra.
There are math technology programs available for every grade level.
This technology offers re-teach lessons, daily lessons, practice
lessons, intervention and enrichment lessons. Middle School students
compete in the East Tennessee Math Bowl. Social Studies
Classes study
all facets of the world, past and present. At each grade level, the
social studies curriculum involves class, group and individual
projects. Technology is a vital component to our program. Grades K-8
use Scholastic magazine as tool for learning and understanding current
events. SJNCS Middle School students participate annually in the
National History Day Competition. Science
Students
actively participate in hands-on lessons using a variety of technology
and manipulatives. SJNCS has a science lab for grades 6-8. SJNCS 3-5
grade students participate in a regional science fair. Middle School
students participate in the Annual Southern Appalachian Science and
Engineering Fair. Religion
Students
receive Catholic education through Scriptures, the Catechism of the
Catholic Church, traditional prayers, and sacrament preparation.
Religion is taught every day at every grade level. All students in
grades 1-8 attend Mass twice a week while Kindergarten students attend
once per week. The SJNCS “Sharing Jesus Now” Award is
presented to students in grades 1-8 who have demonstrated their faith
by “Sharing Jesus Now” in their daily lives. Art
The basic
concepts of visual art are taught in a sequenced skill-based
format. Grades K-3 have an emphasis on fine motor skills, correct
use of tools, and following directions. Grades 4-8 are taught a skill,
given an opportunity to practice and are then encouraged to bring
personal expression and creativity to their assignments. The curriculum
includes: color, shading, texture, perspective, landscape, print
making, sewing and weaving, structure studies, figurative drawing, line
and pattern, collage, composition, painting, 3D sculpture, and art
history. Music
All students in grades K-8 attend music class weekly. The basic elements of music-rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form, and dynamic-are developed each year and performed in class assignments and school performances. Liturgical music is an integral part of the music program. Instruction is given in unison, two part-singing, choral, duets, trios and solo arrangements. Prior to the Christmas season, all K-5 students prepare a holiday school performance. Physical Education
Students
are encouraged to challenge themselves and each other at every grade
level. Each student is encouraged to develop an acceptable level of
health-related fitness and to demonstrate knowledge, skill, and
behaviors that promote physical fitness. Student in grades K-4
participate in physical education three times a week. Students in
grades 5-8 attend physical education class twice a week. Extra
curricular sports programs, as well as community sporting
opportunities, enhance the physical education program. Spanish
Spanish
is taught in grades K-8. Students are expected to have knowledge of
basic vocabulary and a beginning understanding of noun/adjective
agreement and conjugation of regular AR verbs in the present tense by
the completion of grade 5. Middle School students continue learning
vocabulary, irregular verbs and stem changing verbs. Students are
encouraged to learn to carry on simple conversations. Skits performed
in Spanish in grades 7 and 8 will help students combine grammar and
vocabulary in conversational form. Media/Library
Students
may use the library on an individual basis throughout the school week.
The library curriculum is integrated with classroom curriculum and
students of all grade levels receive instruction in information skills
and use of resource materials. Technology
All classroom
computers are networked and have Internet access.
SJNCS has a computer lab configured with 26 computers that have access to server- and Internet-based software. Every student has access to this lab for instruction in many content areas.
A second lab dedicated for upper grade use was upgraded during the summer of 2009 and is configured with 26 netbooks. They can be utilized for writing and Internet research. These netbooks are portable and can be utilized in other parts of the building as well. The Middle School math classroom has ten PCs used for individualized math instruction and tutorials. The K-5 classrooms have a minimum of three student computers.
The teachers and
students also have access to: a portable interactive SmartBoard;
digital cameras; portable digital projectors; and other interactive
tools. ParentsWeb is an
Internet-based communication tool and is the primary
communication tool for school and student information. Using a
secure login, each family and faculty member can access ParentsWeb to
acquire information including: classroom weekly letters; current
grades; cafeteria menus; the school calendar; information relating to
classroom work; and other detailed and privileged information not
accessible to the general public. There is an email component to
ParentsWeb which allows the faculty and staff to send information to
the school community in a timely fashion. SJNCS has been using an
online communications tool for a number of years and finds this form of
communication to be quite effective. Special Services
Program
The
goal of the Special Services Program is to assist parents and teachers
in identifying and meeting the individual needs of students attending
SJNCS. The special services teacher, in cooperation with grade level
teacher assistants, will work with students individually, and in small
or whole groups. This inclusive model has been adopted to give students
and teachers the support needed to enable each child to experience
success within the regular classroom. |
