Summer Camp 2012 is off to a great start! We had a busy first week last week. We were able to visit the park, cool off in the sprinkler, go
bowling, and were thankful that the rain stopped so that we could walk to get ice cream on Friday. This past Thursday, the Carnegie Science Center brought a field trip to us! We worked in stations experimenting with different items. We saw how our buildings would withstand an earthquake, built domes with pentagon and triangle bases to make them very strong, and designed our own boats using aluminum foil. After building the boats we experimented to see whose boat would hold the most weight in marbles before sinking. We were all very proud when almost second grader Michael broke the record with almost 90 marbles! We are all anxious to see what
the rest of the summer brings! We cannot wait to go to the pool next week!
First and second grade students got a behind the scenes tour of the Heinz Field during their Spring Field Trip. Sharing a bus and traveling together, the students were allowed access to the Great Hall, locker rooms, press boxes, luxury suites, bleacher seats, and field. Boys and girls alike shared the excitement of being high above the river and city and enjoyed views that you can't get from anywhere else. Tour guides patiently answered questions and taught children little known facts about the Steeler team and famous stadium. After the tour, children enjoyed a beautiful sun-filled lunch outside on the steps leading to the Gateway Clipper dock.
Students in the second grade were treated to a visit from Verna McGinley, better known to the children as the “Critter Lady”, of Creative Environmental Education. Tying in directly to the second grade science curriculum, Verna brings much experience and expertise about all things “creepy and crawly” and reaches the children right at the level of their understanding. For this visit, Mrs. McGinley brought some of her reptiles and amphibians to St. Philip School and dazzled the children with her knowledge about each. Nina and Norman, 43+ year old turtles, Slymantha, a large salamander, a Corn snake, a large toad, and a legless lizard were just a few of the treats for the children to pet or hold. Seems every animal has a special story of how it came to be cared for by Mrs. McGinley, with most being brought to or rescued by her. Money garnered from her visits helps Mrs. McGinley to fund the proper care and rehabilitation of the animals. She works closely with a trusted veterinarian who helps her to give the best chance to each animal. Some return to the wild, some to zoos or private owners. But, many stay with Mrs. McGinley and receive wonderful care while helping children and adults alike to learn more about God’s creation.
In addition to the 2641 points earned by our school this year in the Giant Eagle Apples for the Students program,
St Philip School was awarded an additional 2500 points as the winner of the Apples for the Students 25th anniversary competition.
With the additional points , we purchased 3 iPads and gym equipment. With our yearly earnings, we obtained a computer, musical instruments, gym equipment, and a digital camera. Many thanks to Donna Gamrod whose efforts have made all of this possible. Thanks, Mrs. Gamrod!!!
Our school year concluded with a beautiful Mass, GRACE program celebrating the Angelway virtue of Friendship, and Principal Awards
ceremony. Honored were the 14 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who maintained a straight "A" average the entire school year. Congratuations to :
5th Grade - Briana Patterson
Elias Ward
6th Grade - Margaret Begg
Olivia Clark
Andres Recalde
Erin Sheedy
Louis Worrall
7th Grade -
Eric Ashby
Julian Bonds
James Hurley
Joey Kretz
Maggie Leone
Ana Petrak
Luke Rattay
St. Philip 5th graders located a lost ship near the planet Saturn and rescued the 2-crew members in their Distance Learning adventure Moon, Mars, and Beyond. The students learned planet facts, mapping skills, and cargo logistics to prepare to fly the NASA sponsored Mission from the Challenger Learning Center. Connected by our teleconferencing equipment and laptop computers, the students received messages from the ship, tracked its course, supplied and launched a rescue ship, and retrieved the astronauts!
Thank you to Kathleen Frank and the Challenger Space Center at Wheeling Jesuit University for this opportunity!
St Philip Graduates Its 97th Class
The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Awards for Scholarship and Citizenship from Frank R. Kirk Post 145 were awarded respectively to 8th graders Kevin Costantino and Lauren Kanavy. Christian Leadership awards went to Jodie Mulcahey, Trevor Hipkiss, Molly Maloy, and Zachary Balobeck. Recipients of both awards were chosen by vote of the students and the St. Philip Faculty. Maura Sheedy, Lauren Kanavy, and Kevin Costantino were presented the Principal’s Award for a perfect 4.0 average all 4 quarters this year. A reception for the students and their parents followed the graduation. The graduates honored that night will attend Bishop Canevin, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Oakland Catholic, Central Catholic, Montour, Carlynton, and Capa with 87% choosing Catholic High School.
Congratulations and Best Wishes for success to all of our 8th graders! Special accolades to Maura Sheedy, Lauren Kanavy, and Kevin Costantino for receiving the Principal's Award for all A' their 8th grade year. Quite an accomplishment!
