Curriculum

 

The strength of any school lies mainly in its curriculum and the ability of its staff to affect specific learner outcomes. This challenge takes into account individual differences in learning styles and teaching styles. Holy Cross strives for excellence, and we are proud of the curriculum we have selected for the students.

• Reading/Language Arts
• Math
• Art
• Computer Education
• Science
• Social Studies
• Religion
• Skills for Growing
• Music
• Physical Education
• Spanish

Reading / Language Arts
“Literacy Place”, the scholastic program , is a total reading and language arts program incorporating phonics, literature, writing, speaking, spelling, and grammar. Students have exposure and access to hundreds of pieces of great literature. Each promotes a broad range of interests and reading abilities. The program also features access through technology to skill building and mechanics.
Holy Cross School also provides an accelerated reading program. All students begin each school year at their own reading level and advance through the year at their own pace based on their reading comprehension. At the present time, Holy Cross offers over 3,000 books and quizzes for first grade through sixth grade.
The results of the 2006 Gate-MacGinitie Reading Tests indicate over 50% of the Holy Cross students scored significantly above their current grade level. In fact many scored at post-high school levels!

Math
An effective Math curriculum is one that provides students the basic math skills that allows the student to relate mathematics to their world. At Holy Cross we have selected the Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley Mathematics program. This program is based on rigorous scientific research with lessons that build on previous lessons to ensure that all children learn the math skills and concepts they need for academic success and for everyday life.

As an addition to this years math curriculum we are utilizing the Accelerated Math Program for those students who need to be challenged even further. This program will be in place by October 1st and will greatly enhance our current math curriculum.

Religion
Faith is an important part of the curriculum at Holy Cross. The students are called upon to live it daily. Students work at developing their relationship with God, and all of our families are encouraged to participate as the major influence in developing this relationship on the part of their children. In addition to the classroom study of religion, students also experience liturgical planning and implementation on a weekly basis. The sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion are taught during the school year.

In an attempt to "challenge" our students and their families, on Friday Mrs. Moran will be giving out a weekly quiz whose answers will be found in the bible. Students and their families may choose to answer these quizzes or not. Each correct answer will receive one point and points will be accumulated until December, when the students will be able to pick out their prizes based on their number of points. Parents are absolutely encouraged to help their children over the weekend. This is a family project. Every enrolled child in the family may participate. All answers are due on Monday. Only absence will allow you to bring them in on Tuesday. Good luck and have fun participating in this unique challenge.

Art
Holy Cross School uses a discipline based art education program entitled “Portfolios”. This program stresses art creativity, art appreciation, and understanding art concepts. The children study various artists and their works and have many opportunities to demonstrate their creativity.

Computer Education
Our school features a new media center completed during the summer of 2006. The media center provides each student with hands-on access to a computer during class. In addition, our media center includes a comprehensive library with many books for the children to read and use as resources.

Science
Holy Cross offers a science curriculum based on the 2006 Pearson/Scott Foresman series entitled “Science”. This is a complete program for children in K through sixth grades. It teaches important science concepts, has controlled experiments, and has some truly amazing photographs to enthrall the students. Critical thinking skills are developed as each of the sciences — life, earth and physical — are studied at each grade level.

Social Studies
Holy Cross has adopted a K through sixth grade curriculum “McGraw Hill Social Studies”. This series enlightens and empowers our students to be respectful, humane, and active citizens in a multicultural and interdependent world.

During the Spring of 2008, Mrs. Moran will be teaching a unit on The United States Government and Constitution for grades 3-6 in preparation for the upcoming fall elections. All of those students will have a summer project to work on next year which will be due the 1st day of school year 08-09. We shall also be holding fall elections with candidates representing both parties and any third party contenders. All together we should be having a great deal of fun during this process of learning about our government.

Skills For Growing
At Holy Cross, The Lion’s Quest “Skills for Growing” program focuses on two main outcomes:

• Helping young people develop positive social behaviors, such as self-discipline, responsibility, good judgment, and the ability to get along with others.
• Helping young people develop positive commitments to their families, schools, peers, and communities, including a commitment to lead healthy, drug –free lives.

Music
The curriculum is taught by a music specialist and allows students to grow in their ability to understand and organize, as well as to interpret and express musical ideas. In addition to music class, 5th and 6th grade students may become involved with the Kimball band program. Additional musical opportunities include participation in special programs at various times during the school year.

Physical Education
Students are introduced to a strong skill development program as well as our wellness program. Many opportunities for participation in elementary sports exist for our students through the Parochial Athletic Association (PAA). Students at Holy Cross can play volleyball, basketball, softball, football, baseball and tennis.

The strength of any school lies mainly in its curriculum and the ability of its staff to affect specific learner outcomes. This challenge takes into account individual differences in learning styles and teaching styles. Holy Cross strives for excellence, and we are proud of the curriculum we have selected for the students.

Spanish
In keeping with our strategic planning for Holy Cross School, one of our goals is to expose our children to the many cultures of the world.  This year we have been able to add Spanish to our curriculum.   Senor Jonathon Walz, a native Venezuelan, has volunteered to teach this new class under the guidance of the principal, Mrs. Moran, and each classroom teacher.  Jonathon is a senior at St. Cloud State University majoring in Education.   Spanish is also one of this majors which he will eventually be teaching.   In additional to his language skills, his trusty guitar will be traveling to class with him.   Spanish and music can be nothing but successful.