Here’s what’s been going on and coming up at some of our academies

St. Helen Catholic Academy

St. Helen Catholic Academy has a new STEM Lab for grades K-8 and students in 4-8 are using iPads. On October 31^st the National Circus Project will be at SHCA teaching students circus related skills.

St. Stanislaus Kostka Catholic Academy in Brooklyn

On Oct. 27th at 7:00 pm they are having their annual International Night.  It is an evening of performances by students where every grade presents information about a different country, usually also including a song and/or dance.  This event has always resulted in a packed house.

St. Bernard’s New Editions

September brought many new opportunities for the students at St. Bernard Catholic Academy. New programs began, including a new STEM Lab, new early childhood playroom, new fine arts room, and step dance on Tuesday mornings for Grades 1 & 2. Artists in Residency began for Grades 4, 6, & 8. The blessing of the animals was on October 4th, student council held a bake sale on October 24th, and Trunk or Treat on Halloween, Rosary Rally at the academy occurred on October 23rd.

The eighth grades of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Academy in Bellerose helps out and does their part in Hurricane Relief. Baby food, diapers, paper towels and cases of water were all collected and loaded up by the Class of 2018!

A representative from De Cecco Pasta, Marco Auriti, was able to come in and teach the students of Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy in Astoria about the history of pasta and the different types. After a short presentation grades Pre-K- 2 were able to make a cold pasta salad using De Cecco Pasta, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and parmesan cheese. The classes all sat together to eat the food that they had put together. Each child was sent home with a De Cecco pin and a box of De Cecco Pasta. A big thanks to De Cecco for their generosity in donating their time as well as their products!

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy 50th Anniversary Gala took place at the West Side Tennis Club on October 21st from 6pm – 11pm.  There were alumni representing 12 different graduating classes and coming from as far as CA, AZ, FL, VA and Edmonton, Canada.  The largest class represented at the Gala was the 1st graduating Class of 1971!

The Academy is also happy to announce their special Honoree, Sister Frances Rose, from IHM.  She was the last religious sister to teach at Our Lady of Mercy.   She taught for 45 years and spent 27 of those years at OLM when she started in 1986.  Sister Frannie, as she was affectionately known, had one of if not the longest tenure of any teacher. Initially, she taught Pre-K and then moved to Kindergarten.  Sister left just as the school was becoming an Academy.

The day after the Gala, there was also a special Alumni Mass celebration at the Sunday noon service follow-by a tree dedication from the Class of 2017.  All alumni and parishioners were welcome to attend and join the hospitality hour afterwards.

They also made the cover of the Forest Hills Times. Here is the link: http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/27488169/article-OLMCA-to-host-50th-anniversary-gala?instance=home_news_2nd_left

September 2017 marked a new chapter for Our Lady’s Catholic Academy in South Ozone Park.  The formerly two campuses merged together into one to start the new school year in a literal sign on unity.  This transformation has allowed the academy to initiate an Accelerated Jr. High Program which includes Earth Science and Algebra I Common Core classes that culminate in the Regents exam.

In the spirit of this unity, Our Lady’s Catholic Academy has orchestrated a number of charity drives, referred to as OLCA Gives Back to help those in need.  So far, the academy and its students have raised money and collected food to benefit families affected by the recent hurricanes.  OLCA Gives Back has also raised money toward raising awareness for Hydrocephalus, a condition which affects two members of the academy community.

On October 24th, world unity was displayed during the 8th Annual United Nations Day at OLCA.  This is a day where all of the countries represented by the academy community are recognized and celebrated through flags and activities.