All In

You have heard Mrs. Lowrey talk a lot about STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) over the last year as we moved into our newly designed STEM labs and introduced a STEM curriculum to CKS students – providing our students the opportunity to communicate, collaborate and problem solve in new interactive, innovative ways.  Today, I’m happy to introduce Mrs. Lowrey as my guest blogger:

CKS STEM

Last week, I had the opportunity to go on a “field trip” and brought some teachers along for the ride.  Mrs. Cusmano, Mrs. Lefler, Mrs. Slavik and I were invited to attend the 1st Annual STEM in Innovation Luncheon hosted by the USF David C. Anchin Center.  (Many thanks to Dr. Stacy Hahn for the invite!)

We chatted with staff from the USF School of Engineering and two entrepreneurs who are in the final stages of developing educational STEM tools.  We also heard from the keynote speaker who expressed the importance of STEM education in our schools from a very early age.

The best part of the afternoon for me was the realization that CKS is ahead of the curve when it comes to STEM education and here’s why:

1. We provide professional development opportunities for our staff outside of school to keep their proficiency updated and relevant
2. Amazing learning activities are occurring in our classrooms – from EC4-4th grade STEM with Mrs. Slavik, to 5th-8th grade STEM with Mrs. Cusmano and EC 4-4th grade Computer classes with Mrs. Lefler
3. ALL of our students receive STEM education during the school day, in addition to many after school opportunities.  In fact, we are one of very few schools in Hillsborough County that has an embedded STEM class – and may be the only one that provides this to all of our students!

It gives me great pride to be a part of the awesome curriculum opportunities CKS provides our families.  If you haven’t already heard the exciting things happening in STEM lab from your child, I’ll be sharing more with you in the future!

Be sure to visit the STEM labs (located in the same building as Music and EC4) during classroom visitation this Thursday before the PTC meeting! 

Mrs. Lowrey

4th Quarter

Welcome back from Spring Break!  Here we are, three quarters down and one to go! I know most of us have contracted Madness this March and have basketball on the brain, but this morning I had football on my mind.

If you have attended a football game--at almost any level--you know that when the 4th quarter arrives players on the sideline hold up four fingers. Many colleges claim this tradition's origination as their university, but most agree--especially Alabama fans--that it began with Bear Bryant's Alabama teams in the 60's and 70's. Regardless of the origin, the gesture stands for teams claiming, "the fourth quarter is ours!" In sports this is important because no matter how you played in the previous three quarters, you can lose the game by playing poorly in the final quarter. The reverse is also true.

As we start the 4th quarter at CKS, I explained to our students how this can apply to them at school: it is important to have a strong finish to the school year.  The way they spend this fourth quarter will leave a lasting impression as they remember this entire school year. Three quarters of hard work, good grades and a great attitude can be over-shadowed by a lackluster final quarter of slacking off and no motivation.

Consider a goal set at the beginning of the year that hasn't been met; the fourth quarter is the time to reach it! There are many days of school left this year and the fourth quarter has just begun, through the intercession of St. John Bosco and Mary, Help of Christians, let's make it the best quarter yet, Lions!

Surprise Visitor

We had a special visitor at CKS recently:  Sister Karen Dunn visited campus Friday afternoon, was here for mass on Sunday and met with me on Monday. Below, you can see a picture of Sr. Karen and me visiting our Kindergarten students this morning. Sr. Karen served as the CKS principal from 2001 to 2005--the last Salesian sister to serve in that role for our school.  She now leads the Salesian Sisters in the Eastern Province as the Salesian Provincial in New Jersey.

For those of you who don't know the history, the Salesian Sisters (or more formally, Daughters of Mary Help of Christians) served at CKS for almost 30 years and gave us our deep devotion to Saint John Bosco.  Find more information here about Salesian Sisters and you'll know why we continue to dedicate ourselves to being a Salesian school!

I was filled with Joy this morning when I met with Sr. Karen, and she mentioned that, although the buildings had changed since her time at CKS, the presence of Don Bosco remains alive. She felt it near the statue in the courtyard outside the cafeteria, she felt it among the various art pieces inside the building, but she said she felt it most in the warm smiles and welcoming words from our students and parents as they greeted her.

It is important to me, as a former CKS student and current principal, that we preserve that Salesian spirit and treat each other with loving kindness, the hallmark of the Salesians. I realize that we are imperfect people, living in an imperfect world corrupted by sin. We will face adversity, we will face unkindness and we will get hurt. What matters most is how our community responds to adversity -- that we continue to find Joy in God, and celebrate and demonstrate our Salesian spirit!

As we prepare for a much needed Spring Break, I wish you a joyful, restful time with your families and hope you make time to be with God.