Read Across America is an annual reading motivation and awareness program that calls for every child in every community to celebrate reading on March 2, the birthday of beloved children's author Dr. Seuss. Here at St. Philip, we will celebrate with a week of "Seusstastic" activities.  Check back for SPS Green Grinches, Cats in Hats, silly slipper wearing students and much more fun!

Today, each second grade class was treated to a visit from Mrs. Kimberly Gamble, mother of second grader, Jake.  She is a certified guidance counselor and works in the Mt. Lebanon school district.  During her visit today, Mrs. Gamble led a lesson about happiness and treating others kindly. 

Beginning the discussion, students suggested what might be in a person’s heart such as Jesus, kindness, and love.  When we act unkindly towards another person, we hurt his/her heart.  Mrs. Gamble asked the children to name ways that we might act unkindly towards other children. Each time, she wrinkled up a picture of a heart.  Upon opening the heart, the wrinkled paper symbolizes that we can try to make up for unkind words and actions, but we can never really erase that from someone’s heart. 

Using the popular, best-selling picture book, Have You Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness Today, children see how easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love on a daily basis.  Children learn the meaning of the terms, bucket filling and bucket dipping and discover that when they fill someone’s bucket with kind actions or words, they fill their own.  Children are challenged with the question, “Why not decide to be a bucket filler today and every day?”

St. Philip Theater group took its Spring Musical Celebrate on the road for its annual visit to Marian Manor. The students performed for the residents and then shared refreshments and conversation.
The audience thoroughly enjoyed the performance and loved singing along with many of the familiar songs. The play was directed and produced by St. Philip Art teacher Janet Bartlett, Music teacher Dan Miller, and Middle School teacher Lauren Astwood.

Celebrate!

This year marks the 20th year of the middle school musicals produced by Mrs. Bartlett.  This year's show, Celebrate!, is a collection of favorite numbers from the past 20 years -- performed by current middler schoolers the evenings of May 10, 12 and

13 at 7 P.M. Students in Grades 6-8 will star in this comedic collage of some of the most memorable scenes from Middle School Musicals past. Wizard of Oz, Fiddler on the Roof, Tied to the Tracks, and many more will all be part of this year's show.  
Special thanks to teachers Miss Astwood, Mrs. Bartlett, and Mr.
Miller for their tireless work to prepare the show and to school parent Mrs. Mell for her help with directing. More info coming home soon!
Especially if you performed in a play -- come and see the show!

Our students in grades K-8 were treated to a lively look into the early life of our country’s founder George Washington with the CLO Gallery of Heroes performance Young Washington. The cast presented the challenges and adventure of dealing with the wilderness, French soldiers, and sometimes unfriendly Indians which Washington faced. The program highlighted his courage, resourcefulness , and leadership in helping our country first claim America for Britain and eventually achieve independence from British control. The students were amazed to learn the important part Western Pennsylvania played in Washington’s life. As a surveyor, he came to know the region well which became the site many of exploits, particularly his battles with the French over possession of Ft. Duquesne. The program was presented by the PTG.