Ms. Savage, Grade 8, and Pre-K bless the bulbs before planting

October 11, 2011 – Grade 8 boys dug more than 275 holes around the school yard and garden for our annual bulb planting activity. Each class blessed the bulbs before planting them. We expect to see the flowers in Spring 2012.

Follow the link for pictures of Bulb Planting Fall 2011. (Special thanks to Mr. Martin and Mrs. Perez for taking the pictures!)

The students heard “first hand” stories from Revolutionary War veterans. Afterwards, the classes took a tour of the State House which included a walk through of Gov. Christie’s office and the Assembly and Senate Chambers. Reading about our past is not the same as listening stories from actual veterans.

SFA File photo: the inside of the State House dome.

Below are some of the students’ experience….

GRADE 5

Katherine
“The Old Barracks Museum was so much fun. We went back to 1792. We learned how much they used to pay them. It was fantastic and I loved it! I was also scared when they shot the gun. It was awesome!”

Geraldine
“The Old Barracks Museum was fantastic and educational. It had so many fun things. The actors acted so many things out, as we went back to the past. I had so much fun.”

Kavi
“One actor posed as a corporal serving in the Continental Army during the year 1777, and he taught us how to load and shot a musket…. Another actor posed as a surgeon’s maid, and showed us the primitive, and painful ways of taking care of a wound or disease….. From the ear-popping musket firing to the gruesome medical methods used during the Revolutionary War, the museum painted me a vivid picture of what life was like serving in the Continental Army during the year 1777, and I hope to visit it again soon.”

GRADE 6

Ambar
“We learned about the Revolutionary War. I had an awesome time learning how to fire a musket, the defense system against the British, and exploring the vast State House. I liked how everything was organized and factual. What I enjoyed the most was the part of learning about the small pox. The introduction was funny. The field trip was most definitely educational and interesting.”

Thomas
“We went back in time to the Revolutionary War. This fun learning experience surprised me because it was an act rather than a museum. My favorite part was the doctor. He was hilarious.”

Follow the link for some photos of the Field Trip to the Old Barracks and NJ State House.

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Thank you Mr. Martin for taking the pictures and for the writeup.

Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at Sts. Joseph and Michael Church

Feb. 11, 2011 – Grades 4 through 8 students of St. Francis Academy visited Sts. Joseph and Michael Church to honor Our Lady of Lourdes. A short prayer service was offered following the procession. Check out the photos HERE. Follow the link to learn more about Our Lady of Lourdes.

The SFA Annual Science Fair 2010 has been concluded and winners have been determined. Special thanks to Mrs. Donna Grzybowski (Science Coordinator/Supervisor at Anna L. Klein School) for judging the experiments!

SCIENCE FAIR 2010 WINNERS

A. GRADE 5

• 1st – Andres Orbe (Is antibacterial soap more effective than regular soap?)
• 2nd – Susann Torres (Are cell phones a source of electronic pollution?)
• 3rd – Geraldine Riveros (How to save more energy?)
• Honorable Mentions: Robert Onoz (What citrus fruit has more vitamin C?) and Abby Scarpello (Temperature changes in fluids)

B. GRADE 6

• 1st – Mauricio Cedillo (Effect of surface temperature on fingerprints)
• 2nd – Robert Quintas (Which soil is best for a foundation?)
• 3rd – Ambar Grullon (Human Sharks)
• Honorable Mentions – Charles Brucaliere (Biodegradability of common products), Ryan Ross (Does incubation temperature affect sex ratio of fruit flies?) and Thomas Jandora (Will fabric softener affect the flammability of fabrics?)

C. GRADE 7

• 1st – Brandon Perez (Which building design is best to withstand earthquake?) and Christian Raslowsky (Osmosis)
• 2nd – Eric Hartl (Ferro fluid and Neodymium magnet)
• 3rd – Andrew Perez (Carbon dioxide and plant growth)
• Honorable Mentions – Joseph Koegel (E-Waste to E-Cycle) and John Morin (Do different varieties of orange have the same level of Vitamin C?)

D. GRADE 8

• 1st – Elizabeth Doody (To move or not to move?)
• 2nd – Andrew Hernandez (Magnetic Force)
• 3rd – Thomas Tyson (Geothermal Power)
• Honorable Mentions – Luca Casulli (Solar energy to heat water) and Jenny Quispe (Will more radiation come from old TV or smoke detector?)

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS!

[ORIGINAL POST: Nov. 30, 2010]

Science Fair 2010 at Saint Francis Academy starts today, November 30, 2010. The annual event organized by Mrs. Isabel Cassidy and Mr. Robert Tholen exhibits scientific experiments of students from Grade 5 – Grade 8.

All cardboards are displayed in the auditorium and parents are welcome to see students’ work.

Science Fair will be concluded on December 3, 2010. Selected winners will represent SFA to the Annual Hudson County Science Fair.

Photos from the first day of Science Fair:

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* Thank you Mrs. Perez for the additional pictures!

Excellent in Sports! (Click to view larger size)

On April 30, 2010, students of St. Francis Academy received Sports Excellence Award from Union City.

The first ever Sports Excellence Awards Ceremony was held at the Union City Performing Arts Center located at 2500 Kennedy Boulevard in Union City. Five (5) SFA students received the award from the city.

From the news:

…Commissioner Irizarry, director of recreation, says: “We are honoring more than athletic abilities, we will be honoring positive character and commitment. This is an opportunity for us to highlight our student athletes, their families, and our coaches….”

Recipients of Sports Excellence Awards:

• Nathalia Alfonso (Gr. 4) – Swimming
• Michael Seo (Gr. 5) – Swimming
• Joseph Koegel (Gr. 6) – Swimming
• Melissa Alfonso (Gr. 7) – Swimming
• Dixie Dato (Gr. 7) – Karate

Congratulations!