Student Activities

STUDENT LIFE (N - 8)

The school year begins with an opening school Mass sponsored by the 8th grade class. Prayer services are held each month sponsored by grades Nursery-8.

Halloween is a spootacular event and includes a school Halloween costume party, sponsored by the Home School Association, attended by both faculty and students.

Nursery, Pre-K and K celebrate thankfulness with a Thanksgiving Banquet. The students dress up as Pilgrims and Native Americans and sing songs to entertain and delight their families. The annual Thanksgiving food drive has the students collecting food for families in need. The food is distributed to needy families in the community by the Parish Pastoral Ministry.

During Advent the K-8th grade participate in the Advent Tree Ceremony. They sing songs around the school Christmas tree. The 8th grade places an ornament on the tree as a lasting memory of their years at Our Lady of Grace. Our annual Christmas toy drive is always a great success. Students each bring in a toy to be donated to a less fortunate child during the Christmas season. The year culminates with the Annual Christmas Show. All students, N-8, participate in this magical presentation of song and skits, leading to the finale, the manger scene depicting the birth of Christ.

The new year begins with the 8th grade Ring Ceremony. The 8th grade families are invited to attend a prayer service to celebrate the receiving of their school ring.

"Fat Tuesday” is celebrated with a Mardi Gras party, sponsored by the Home School Council. Students, faculty, along with the Mardi Gras King and Queen, celebrate before the start of Lent.

All the students, N-8, honor the Blessed Mother with a May Crowning Ceremony. The procession and Prayer Service are lead by the Communion class.

The year ends with a Tar Beach Party, sponsored by the Student Council. Students and faculty enjoy a barbeque before beginning summer vacation.

On the last day of school, there is an awards ceremony. It is at this ceremony that the students are recognized for their academic achievements and community service involvement, and their participation in contests for the school year.

Students in grade 2 receive First Holy Communion and make their First Penance. Students in grade 7 receive Confirmation.

The students in grades Pre-K- 8 participate in field trips and attend special assemblies related to the curriculum.

Students in grades 1-8 can also join Daisies, Brownies, Cub Scouts or Boy/Girl Scouts, all of which are held in the Parish.

The 8th grade activities include a Retreat Day for prayer and meditation; a year-end trip for recreation and fun; a family graduation dinner dance and on graduation day, a special ceremony to distribute awards, diplomas and to honor the graduates.

We, also, have a Talent Club, which is an extra curricular activity for all students in grades N-8. This club is moderated by parent volunteers and culminates with a Broadway production showcasing the student’s talents.

For a nominal fee, students in grades 3-8 can join the school band, which provides individual music lessons and a Christmas and Spring concert.

The establishment of Student Council in 2003 has raised school spirit at Our Lady of Grace School. Council members consist of students in grades 5-8 who have obtained an 85 average and have a G or E in special subject areas.The students in grades 1-8 have the opportunity to vote for those students who run for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Campaigning, speeches, and elections are held in October. An Induction Ceremony is held in the school Auditorium where members take an oath of office and receive a pin. All students attend this ceremony and parents are welcome. There are 18- 20 members each school year.

Members meet weekly with a moderator who is a dedicated teacher to discuss goals for the school year. In the past, the Student Council has sponsored fundraisers for several charities. Some of these charities include Pennies for Patients, Breast Cancer Awareness, Multiple Sclerosis, Saint Jude Hospital, and the ASPCA. The entire school is motivated to donate by having special days where the students can have fun. For example the students get to wear Pajama’s to school or, wear sneakers. Other fun ideas are Sports Day, Denim Day, or a class may win a pizza party or an ice cream party for the most money raised. We also have an annual “Tar Beach Party” at the end of the school year. The money raised is to help improve our school. In the past we have purchased a basketball hoop for recess along with other fun games to add enjoyment at recess time.

Student Council members also give tours of our school during Catholic Schools Week. They represent our school in a very positive light. Their mission is to serve the community and spread school spirit by finding creative ways to raise money to make a global difference. As children of God the Student Council members are faithful, committed followers of Christ who continue the teachings of Jesus and withhold a spiritual family tradition here at Our Lady of Grace.

The students in grades 1-8 are given the opportunity to join the church choir, which sings during the family Mass on Sundays and for the elderly and disabled in nursing homes, during the Christmas season. Students, in grades 4-8, may, also, choose to become altar servers at Sunday Masses.

The fourth grade participated in The Readers Are Learners contest sponsored by a local Congressman. This year’s fourth grade class was featured in the local papers, with the Congressman in recognition of their participation in the contest. The fifth grade participates in the Anthology of Poetry contest and also, takes part in the Passport for Reading summer program sponsored by a local Senator.

All students in grades 1-8 participate in an annual Science Fair. The students present various projects relating to their Science curriculum. They are judged on originality, content and presentation.

All students, in grades 1-8, also, participate in the Primary, Intermediate and Junior High School Level Math Bee, where the winner goes on to represent the school in the Diocesan Regional Math Bee. The Junior High School students, also, have the opportunity to participate in the Diocesan Oratorical Contest.

The Fundraising Committee sponsors dances and events for the students throughout the school year.