St. Viator Parish School

In September, our students completed the standardized Terra Nova Next testing. This test was recalibrated for the 24-25 school year, our students in grades 2-5 completed the test using test booklets and scantrons, while our Jr. High completed the test on their iPads. The Terra Nova Next scores indicate how well the child is doing in relation to students across the country. These tests include content students may not have been specifically taught, but they could be expected to be mastered according to their cognitive ability. Terra Nova test scores indicate the potential the student has for learning certain concepts. Terra Nova test results will be sent home in your child's yellow folder on Wednesday of next week (12/11).

The results from these tests represent a holistic understanding of a student’s strengths and opportunities for growth in each subject area.

It is important to note Percentiles are not percentages. A percentile score of 60 does not mean that the child got 6 right out of 10 – that would be a percentage. Percentiles are rank order scores, indicating that, in a national group of 100 children in the same grade, this child is doing better than 59 of them. By definition, the median (average middle score) percentile is 50. Average scores follow a bell-shaped curve, with most students falling between the 25th (low average) and 75th (high average) percentiles. If a student scored 58th percentile in math, and his anticipated score is 55, he is achieving according to his ability (perhaps a bit higher than the average of his ability group), and is doing better than 57 out of 100 of his peers across the country.

Through data interpretation and dialogue St. Viator administration and faculty have begun to disaggregate the 2024 Terra Nova results. The administration has identified the following four benefits of reviewing the testing results:

• teachers will use these results to improve instructional strategies
• teachers will use these results to develop and improve curriculum
• teachers depend on these results to monitor student growth over time
• parents can learn more about their student’s progress in reviewing the Individual Student Home Reports: Profiles by Content Area, Test Results by Objectives, and Lexile Ranges

Join us for our Annual 3rd Christmas Festival on Friday, December 13th from 5:00 to 7:30 PM in our school courtyard. This festive event is free for all St. Viator students and their families, and we would love for you to join us in celebrating the holiday season together!

Suggested attire: Feel free to wear your favorite Christmas-themed outfits, including pajamas, ugly sweaters, onesies, or anything comfy — let’s make this event cozy and fun!

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the festive activities we have planned for the evening:

• Hot cocoa with marshmallows
• Holiday book readings
• Ornament decorating
• Reindeer food making
• Cookie decorating
• Holiday favorites movie screening
• Christmas tree showcase

Come enjoy the spirit of the season with us — we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

Christmas Festival PTO Co-Chairs,

Christine Nolan & Gloria Segovia

We are excited to invite you to our Christmas Fine Arts Program, which will be held on Wednesday, December 18th, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the church and parish center. We are thrilled to bring this tradition back!

This evening will feature performances by our students which will include:

• Class Song performed by PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders
• Choir, Cantor, and Handbell performances
• The program will conclude with a Live Nativity

After the program, we invite you to visit the parish center, where you can enjoy:

• A beautiful artwork display showcasing your children’s creative work
• Visit Santa, take a photo, and share a holiday wish
• Cookies and refreshments to enjoy

Important Notes:

• This program is not mandatory for your child to attend. If your child WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING in the program, please let their teacher know as soon as possible. We need to account for all performers for seating arrangements in the church.
• If your child will be participating, they will be seated with their class and teacher, just as they are during school masses. Performers arrive at the church by 5:00 pm. More details to follow.
  

• Dress Code: We kindly ask that your child wear Christmas attire or appropriate church clothing for the event.

Christmas Program Co-Chairs,

Aileen Palacio & Maura Rodriguez

The Anxious Generation – How The Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Health by Jonathan Haidt

Parent Book Study Hosted by:

John Paul Manfredi

St. Viator Alum and Bishop Gorman High School Theology Teacher

Session 1:

Date: Wednesday, January 29th

Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM

Location: St. Viator School Cafeteria (Childcare available in the Gym)

Is your child part of the "Anxious Generation"?

Join us for an insightful discussion of The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, exploring how social media, cultural shifts, and other modern pressures are affecting our kids' mental health and well-being. This is an important opportunity for parents to better understand the challenges their children face and to learn strategies for fostering resilience and emotional growth.

Why Attend?

• Engage in discussion led by Mr. Manfredi.
• Childcare Provided: Enjoy the session while your child is safely entertained in the gym.
• Free Book: The first 20 parents to sign up will receive a free copy of the book!
• Affordable: After the first 20 sign-ups, additional books can be purchased for just $10 each.

Don’t Miss Out!

The first 20 parents to sign up will get their copy of the book for free! Reserve your spot today by emailing svsschool@stviator.org.

Dear SVS Families,

We need your support to make our upcoming silent auction a success! The Foundation is working hard to create an exciting event, and we invite you to help us build an amazing selection of items for the silent auction.

Please scan the QR code below or click this link https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/254GQ1S9OE67R to view the SVS Foundation's wishlist and see how you can contribute. Your donations will make a big difference and help us enhance our school community.

Thank you for your continued support!

SVS Foundation Team

NO LEFT TURN ON EASTERN:

Under NO circumstance should any car make a left onto Eastern from the school campus. Some of our families are making the decision to turn left 🤨. There is a NO LEFT TURN SIGN! Turning left is dangerous and causes a stoppage of traffic. In addition, please do not make a right onto Eastern and then make a u-turn in the school zone. This is illegal while children are present and school zone sign is lit.

STAFF PARKING LOT:

The staff lot on Eastern Ave is for handicap parking during drop off and pick up only. You may not park in a handicapped space without disabled persons plates or placards issued by a government agency. The visitor parking in the staff parking lot is not for drop-off and/or pick-up.

LOOP PARKING LOT:

The numbered staff parking in the loop is for staff members only. Kids are running unattended through the loop and down the walkway to the church parking lot. Students need to stay with their parents at all times. There are too many cars in the area and children can get hurt. Teachers are busy connecting students to cars and they have voiced concern over the children running unattended. Let's all work together to keep our students and families safe!

The most significant criteria to qualify for the Viator Parish rate is regular attendance at Sunday Mass using your envelopes.

In order to qualify for the Viator rate you MUST:

1. Attend a minimum of 26 masses (Saturday or Sunday)
2. Use the envelopes sent to you from the church
3. Forgot your envelope? Remember your parish number and use a blank envelope provided at mass.

DO NOT

1. Mail in your envelopes to St. Viator church. These will not be counted.
2. Drop off your envelope in the church on a school mass day.
3. Forgetting the envelope and telling the church or school you went.

Tuition review will happen in November and you should have 13 masses by this time. All rates will be reviewed and possibly adjusted after the assessment. If your rate is adjusted it will be reflected on the December statement. Please DO NOT call or email the school office or church office to ask if changes are being made until after the receipt of your statement.

Remember, parents are a model of faith for their children and when families join us on a regular basis they are showing their children the priority faith and church has in their lives.

Reminder: Students should wear their Campus Ministry Shirts/Free Dress Bottoms on Campus Ministry Days

6th Grade - January 7 at 1:30pm

7th Grade - January 14 at 1:30pm

8th Grade - January 28 at 1:30pm

6th Grade - February 4 (Field Trip to Assisted Living for Valentine’s Day) at 1:00pm

7th Grade - February 11 at 1:30pm

8th Grade - February 25 at 1:30pm

7A - March 11 at 8:30am (Project 150)

7B - March 25 at 8:30am (Project 150)

8A - April 1 at 8:30am (Project 150)

8B - April 8 at 8:30am (Project 150)

NET Retreat - April 29 (6th Grade), April 30 (7th Grade), May 1st (8th Grade)

Please consider becoming a volunteer and helping us with this invaluable experience for your children. CMG trained and fingerprinted adults welcome to sign up here:

Campus Ministry Volunteer Signups

We cannot do it without our volunteers. If you cannot volunteer during this time, consider making a donut donation. I appreciate you so much!

Thank you again for blessing our children with the gift of Campus ministry. I look forward to leading our children this year to help them realize their true potential through our Catholic teachings and traditions.

Jamie Reyburn

jreyburn@stviator.org

Sunday: December 8, 2024

• 2nd Week of Advent

Monday: December 9, 2024

• 8:15 AM Liturgy Grades PreK - 8 (Dress Uniform)
• Feast of Immaculate Conception

Tuesday: December 10, 2024

• 3A Community Outreach in Cafeteria

Wednesday: December 11, 2024

Thursday: December 12, 2024

• 8:15 AM Liturgy Grades PreK - 8 (Dress Uniform)
• Our Lady of Guadalupe

Friday: December 13, 2024

• Christmas Spirit Wear Day with Uniform Bottom
• 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM Winter Festival in Courtyard
• January Hot Lunch Card Due by 8:00 AM