Month: February 2021

QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

ST. MICHAEL’S CATHOLIC ACADEMY CELEBRATES CHINESE NEW YEAR AS PART OF THEIR CELEBRATION OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

The students at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Queens, this week celebrated both Catholic Schools Week and Chinese New Year.  A variety of age-appropriate lessons and activities were incorporated into their curriculum including studying Chinese artwork, the twelve Chinese zodiac animals, and cultural and food traditions, as well as crafting lanterns and making dumplings.

“This year St. Michael’s continues to celebrate the richness the Chinese culture brings to our academy. Although our activities are centered in each separate cohort due to COVID restrictions, the teachers and students showed much enthusiasm in preparing for the New Year. We look to celebrate as a whole community next year,” said Maureen Rogone, Principal of St. Michael’s Catholic Academy.

The student body of the school is approximately 70% Asian and since 2013, has offered instruction in the Mandarin language to all students from Pre-K through the 8th grade. St. Michael’s Catholic Academy is located at 136-58 41st Avenue in the Flushing section of Queens.

Photos attached.

###

BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOL HOSTS “HEROS FOR HEROES” EVENT TO HONOR FIRST RESPONDER PARENTS

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 12, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

 

BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOL HOSTS “HEROS FOR HEROES” EVENT TO RECOGNIZE PARENT FIRST RESPONDERS

            The Bay Ridge Catholic Academy community, as part of their Catholic Schools Week celebration, hosted a special lunchtime event billed as “Heros for Heroes.” The school recognized first responder parents with a certificate and a sandwich to express their appreciation for their service to the City of New York.

Members of the FDNY and NYPD, nurses and other front line workers, were among those who took part in the event held in the parish parking lot.

Bay Ridge Catholic Academy is located at 365-83rd Street in Brooklyn.  Kevin Flanagan is the Principal.

  The photos attached are courtesy of Bay Ridge Catholic Academy.

###

QUEENS CATHOLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO HONOR CHINESE NEW YEAR FRIDAY

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

ST. MICHAEL CATHOLIC ACADEMY TO CELEBRATE CHINESE NEW YEAR AS PART OF THEIR CELEBRATION OF CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

WHO: St. Michael’s Catholic Academy School Community

WHAT: Chinese New Year Celebration as part of Catholic Schools Week

   Classes throughout the building PKA through Grade 8 will celebrate the Chinese culture on this day. This year is the Year of the Ox.

WHERE: St. Michael’s Catholic Academy, 136-58 41st Avenue, Flushing, New York

WHEN: Friday, February 12, 2021, 10:00 A.M.

Background:

For 170 years, St. Michael’s has welcomed immigrant families in the heart of downtown Flushing. Our immigrant population has shifted from predominantly European/Hispanic, to Asian, primarily Chinese. The school’s most recent census indicates that it student body is almost 70% Asian while maintaining a significant Hispanic population slightly under 30%.

In 2012 the academy applied for admission and was accepted to the TWIN-CS (Two Way Immersion Network for Catholic Schools) with the Roche Center for Catholic Education at Boston College. Since 2013, the school has offered a language immersion program with Mandarin. Presently all grades kindergarten through grade 8 offers instruction in the Mandarin language. PKA students are introduced to basic concepts in Mandarin.

The school is following all the health guidelines, and restrictions for social distancing, and therefore, celebrations will be within each grade level cohort and not a group assembly as in previous years.  The teachers have been creative in their choice of grade-appropriate activities.

Here are the class activities as scheduled for presentation tomorrow:

PKA has focused on Chinese artwork.

Kindergarten and Grade 1 learned about the importance of the Chinese zodiac animals and will perform a traditional Chinese New Year Song.

Grade 2 has learned about the Chinese culture and the importance of food in relation to the geographic regions, as well as the importance of family gatherings and eating together.  The class also learned how to make dumplings.

Grade 3 made lanterns and compared American New Year with the Chinese New Year.

Grade 6-8 infused the Chinese culture in their academic studies-the Silk Road in China, and interpreting how Confucius’ wisdom can be applied to their lives.

Students are encouraged to wear red on Friday or other Chinese clothing to celebrate the New Year.  Members of the media interested in attending must RSVP to jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.

All photography will be taken from outside each classroom to maintain the safety of the school community.

###

VIRTUAL FLYING CLASSROOM, LED BY FIRST BLACK MAN TO FLY SOLO AROUND THE WORLD, LANDS AT BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 10, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

VIRTUAL FLYING CLASSROOM, LED BY FIRST BLACK MAN TO FLY SOLO AROUND THE WORLD, LANDS AT BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, this morning participated in a virtual journey around the world thanks to a “Flying Classroom” as part of their celebration of Catholic Schools Week and Black History Month. All students participated with some seated socially distanced in the auditorium, and others from their classrooms.

The “Flying Classroom” lesson was led by Captain Barrington Irving, who in 2007 became the first Black man and youngest person ever to fly solo around the world. Captain Irving traveled 30,000 miles over 97 days, making 27 stops in 13 countries, in a single-engine plane known as “Inspiration.” Prior to his achievement, the youngest person to have flown around the world solo was 37 years of age. Captain Irving completed this at the age of 23.

Launched in 2014, the “Flying Classroom” is a K-8 STEM+ digital curriculum that challenges students to design innovative solutions to the problems he investigates. The lessons will be incorporated into the Diocesan school and academy curriculum as a component of the 2021 Year of Renewal for Catholic Education.  “I am encouraged by today’s presentation and believe this program will get the students

to really love science and math and it will greatly enhance our STEM program at our school. I hope by listening to Captain Irving’s life story, my students will see the value of perseverance because there is so much to learn in this world,” said Margaret Tyndall, Principal of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy.

The theme of Catholic Schools Week this year is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.”

Members of the media can request interviews with Principal Margaret Tyndall and/or Captain Barrington Irving, and additionally can request the recording of the Zoom presentation by sending an e-mail to jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.

Photo attached: Captain Barrington Irving speaks with the students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Brooklyn including this Kindergarten class.

###

FIRST BLACK MAN TO FLY SOLO AROUND THE WORLD TO BRING VIRTUAL FLYING CLASSROOM TO BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 9, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

***MEDIA ADVISORY***

FIRST BLACK MAN TO FLY SOLO AROUND THE WORLD TO BRING VIRTUAL FLYING CLASSROOM TO BROOKLYN CATHOLIC SCHOOL

Students at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Academy in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, will take a virtual journey around the world thanks to a “Flying Classroom” STEM class tomorrow, Wednesday, February 10, 2021, at 10 a.m., as part of their celebration of Catholic Schools Week.

The “Flying Classroom” lesson will be led by Captain Barrington Irving, who in 2007 became the first Black man and youngest person ever to fly solo around the world. Captain Irving traveled 30,000 miles over 97 days in a single-engine plane known as “Inspiration.”

Launched in 2014, the “Flying Classroom” is a K-8 STEM+ digital curriculum that challenges students to design innovative solutions to the problems he investigates. The lessons will be incorporated into the Diocesan school and academy curriculum as a component of the 2021 Year of Renewal for Catholic Education.

The theme of Catholic Schools Week this year is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.” Members of the media can request the Zoom link by sending an e-mail to jquaglione@desalesmedia.org.

###

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK EVENTS TO HONOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND CHINESE NEW YEAR

Posted on

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 4, 2021

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Adriana Rodriguez
646-241-9805
arodriguez@desalesmedia.org

John Quaglione 
718-576-9180
jquaglione@desalesmedia.org

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK EVENTS IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS TO HONOR

BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND CHINESE NEW YEAR

            Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic School Support Services for the Diocese of Brooklyn, today has announced plans for schools and academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens to celebrate Catholic Schools Week during the week of February 7-13. The Diocese will mark Catholic Schools Week differently than in previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however unique events are planned that will connect the celebration of Catholic Schools Week with both Black History Month and Chinese New Year.

“This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our schools and academies have had to change their plans for Catholic Schools Week, which in the past featured mostly in-person gatherings celebrating our students, teachers, and the success of our schools. I am proud to see that despite the challenges to reinvent these events, our schools have some amazing virtual activities planned that will showcase our students and the academic excellence of our schools,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools.

Highlights of this year’s events include:

*Zoom classroom visits with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Auxiliary Bishops Raymond Chappetto and Paul Sanchez at various schools.

*Virtual “Flying Classroom” STEM lessons led by Captain Barrington Irving, the youngest and first African-American male to fly solo around the world in 2007. Captain Irving will be presenting lessons to three schools as part of Catholic Schools Week.

*Chinese New Year celebration led by the dual-language program at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Flushing.

The theme of Catholic Schools Week this year is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.”

The “Flying Classroom” lessons will be incorporated into Diocesan school and academy curriculum as a component of the 2021 Year of Renewal for Catholic Education. The Diocese of Brooklyn committed this new year to bolster Catholic education. The effort is guided by the goals of addressing the challenges facing Catholic schools, implementing innovative educational opportunities, and strengthening specific areas of Catholic education including enrollment, academic excellence, financial stability and governance.

Catholic Schools Week also marks the beginning of registration for the upcoming school year. Virtual open houses are scheduled at each of the Diocesan’s 69 schools throughout Catholic Schools Week. For more information on Catholic Schools and Academies in Brooklyn and Queens, visit catholicschoolsbq.org or call (718) 965-7300.

###