Category: News & Events
During Catholic Schools Week, Saint Ignatius School recognized and congratulated the following staff members for their years of service in Catholic schools.
5 Years of Service:
Ms. Angie Frey, Intervention Specialist in Kindergarten
Mrs. Meg Crowley, teacher in grade 4
Mrs. Kara Conneighton, teacher in grades 7-8
10 Years of Service:
Mrs. June Walke, Aftercare Program
Mrs. Diane Meeks, classroom aide and tutor
Ms. Megan Pacitti, Language Arts teacher in grades 6-7
Mrs. Niki Youngquist, Middle School Math teacher
15 Years of Service:
Mrs. Sheri Talbot, Cafeteria
Mrs. Amy Mueller, Office Assistant
20 Years of Service:
Mrs. Ann Burgan, Middle School Religion teacher
Mrs. Vickie Geckle, Theology of the Body teacher
25 Years of Service:
Mrs. Karen LaPine, Kindergarten teacher
30 Years of Service:
Mr. Kevin Vance, Principal
Mrs. Cathy Ray, Kindergarten teacher
40 Years of Service:
Mrs. Peg Fischer, Director of Inclusion
On Monday, November 25, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., St. Ignatius of Loyola School will host an iLab Open House to celebrate the opening of the new state-of-the-art Innovation and Design Lab (iLab), located adjacent to the school library. One of the most ambitious technology projects in the Archdiocese, the iLab took over three months to complete. The iLab will facilitate student education in design thinking, and also provide opportunities for hands-on learning experiences.
School Introduces Innovation and Design Program
Says St. Ignatius School Principal Kevin Vance, “One of the greatest assets of humans is the ability to creatively problem solve and innovate. This iLab, which provides 600 square feet for student innovation and design, will facilitate just the sort of collaboration and interaction that provides active learning for our students.”
“We can teach kids the design thinking process and have them practice the 21st century skills we know they need: critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, and communication, along with local and global citizenship. All these skills help them better engage in the world and with other people,” Vance says. “Through the Innovation and Design program, our students will provide solutions to real life issues, building their grit and resiliency.”
The initiative is designed to introduce students to the innovative five-step design thinking process:
empathize–Learn about the audience for whom you are designing
define–Construct a point of view that is based on user needs and insights
ideate–Brainstorm and come up with creative solutions
prototype–Build a representation of one or more of your ideas to show to others
test –Return to your original user group and test your ideas for feedback
“The really good thing about the new iLab and our integration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) into the curriculum is the collaborative aspect that allows students of differing abilities and interests to get involved in the creation of the final product,” says Technology Director Bill Magness. Additionally, the program introduces students to robotics, coding, global citizenship and digital literacy concepts.
Director of Innovation and Design, Megan Mears, spent the summer training teachers on Tech Tuesdays. “The teachers enjoyed using our new tools and immediately began brainstorming ways to incorporate them into the existing curriculum,” Mrs. Mears says. The training was designed to introduce teachers to learning tools in the iLab and help them understand the design thinking process.
Mrs. Mears continues, ”This is an incredible opportunity for students to use higher-order thinking skills as they collaborate to problem-solve real issues we face in the world today. I’ve already witnessed an immense increase in student engagement and excitement as we begin to implement the design process school-wide.”
The Innovation and Design Lab is one of the most advanced makerspace facilities in the Cincinnati area. The iLab was made possible by generous private donations in partnership with the school. To arrange a tour, please contact alumni@saintischool.org.
For the past year, St. Ignatius has held serious conversations about offering a new preschool alternative for the community. Hearing from families about the need for a preschool and confirming the demand with a survey, the elementary school decided to expand their offerings by adding half- and full-day programs that began on Sept. 3.
Pre-K is held five days a week for five-year-olds from Monday through Friday. The classes start at 8:55 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Half-day programs are offered for four- and three-year-olds, for three and two days, respectively. The preschool follows the same school calendar as grades K-8.
Each class has a certified teacher and an assistant teacher to meet the needs of all students. The preschool staff of five have designed and arranged two preschool classrooms housed in converted conference room space in the church office.
Much of the education that the children will receive is what you would expect in a traditional preschool, but also includes some faith-based learning, focusing on the weekly gospel readings. Says Principal Kevin Vance, “We value the opportunity to collaborate with families as we all make the journey to meet, know, love and serve Jesus Christ.”
Preschool Director Denise Schnur has been designing and implementing plans for the new preschool since she was hired in February. “Our preschool offers a Catholic-based kindergarten readiness program which will enable children to grow academically, spiritually, physically and emotionally,” says Schnur.
Having a background in early childhood education helped Schnur formulate a plan for the new preschool option being offered at St. Ignatius. Schnur has 25 years of experience in launching preschools and has taught at the preschool and university levels, also working in administration. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s in early childhood education from Loyola University.
St. Ignatius Preschool recognizes the unique and God-given potential of each child, leading them in their discovery of faith, and fostering a love of learning. Students will learn more about Catholicism through faith-based learning materials that guide the children through the Bible and prayer, and eventually, be able to apply those skills in the classroom.
The preschool curriculum will be age-appropriate, focusing on children maximizing their God-Given gifts. Hands-on and active lessons will focus on prayer and faith, reading skills, math, science, technology, service, and positive personal development.
Schnur hopes that the children would learn more about Jesus Christ and from what their faith is based. “We want children to gain a lifelong love for their faith and learning. Children will build a personal relationship with Jesus. We will exemplify this by role modeling, showing kindness toward one another, reading Bible Stories and seeing Jesus in each other. Children will learn that we treat our friends how we want to be treated,” says Schnur.
Says Vance, “To prepare our students for success in an ever-changing world, we value and promote collaboration with one another, creative problem solving and technology integration.” He continues, “St. Ignatius is not only a school of over 1,000 students, but it is also a loving family where students, staff, parents, grandparents, and many others work together to promote the mission of the school: Educating each student by helping them develop their faith and by teaching academic skills that will last a lifetime.”
