Search
St Luke Light
-
October 30, 2022NEWS RELEASE – NCEA (National Catholic Educational Association)
THE NATION’S REPORT CARD SHOWS CATHOLIC SCHOOLS EXCELLING POST-PANDEMIC
The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), a biennial report of the U.S. Department of Education, notes Catholic schools outperforming public school counterparts in almost all categories.
Leesburg, VA – According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), Catholic school students performed at or near the top in reading and math compared to public schools coming out of the pandemic. On October 24, NAEP, also known as the Nation’s Report Card, released its findings for math and reading for grades 4 and 8. NAEP is considered the most consistent measure of U.S. student achievement over time and a lens into student success.
As one commentator observed, if Catholic schools were a state, they would be the highest performing state in the country. The data also shows that Catholic schools are near the top in learning outcomes for students receiving free and reduced-price lunch, demonstrating the system’s commitment to underprivileged students. Although Catholic school students experienced a statistically significant five-point drop in grade 8 math, Catholic school students’ average scores remained 15 points higher than the average scores of their grade 8 public school peers.
“One of the reasons Catholic schools performed so well is that our teachers showed up for the kids. In every state, we were among the first to transition to distance learning, and after that brief time, also the among the first to return students to a safe in-person environment. That’s why I call our educators heroes,” said Lincoln Snyder, NCEA President/CEO.“This is a proud moment for our Catholic schools, but we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us. The nation’s top priority must be working together to help our kids grow and excel as we emerge from this pandemic.”
Setting an industry standard, more than 90% of Catholic schools opened safely, in person, five days a week with hybrid options during the pandemic. This is compared to approximately 56% of public schools. Catholic schools worked to meet the educational, economic, mental health and spiritual needs of students and staff. This intentional dedication to Catholic school education also has shown an enrollment increase in Catholic schools as reported in the NCEA Data Brief: 2021 – 2022 Catholic School Enrollment.
The reading and mathematics assessments are given every two years to students at grades 4 and 8. The reading portion measures reading comprehension by asking students to read selected grade-appropriate materials and answer questions based on what they have read. For math the assessment tests knowledge and the students’ ability to apply their knowledge in problem-solving situations. Both results present a broad view of students’ reading and math knowledge, skills and performance over time in public and non-public schools. Aside from Catholic schools, other private schools did not meet the minimum standard of responses to be included in the 2022 assessment.
NAEP is part of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Since 1990, it has been the primary federal entity collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations. NCES is located within the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences. NCES fulfills a congressional mandate to collect, collate, analyze and report complete statistics on the condition of American education; conduct and publish reports; and review and report on education activities internationally. To view the details of the full report go to: https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/.
For more information on NCEA, visit www.NCEA.org and connect with NCEA YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Virtue of the Month
Congratulations to our students and teachers who were recognized for consistently demonstrating the virtue of Dignity throughout the month of October
Our 8th grade students attended their class retreat on Friday, October 28. We loved seeing them working together and strengthening their bond as the leaders of our school.
Visit our Facebook page to see more of the great activities our students participate in every day! Be sure to Like, Follow, and Share!
THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1 – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15
YOUR DONATIONS BENEFIT
ST. LUKE’S ST. VINCENT DE PAUL FOOD PANTRY
THANK YOU!
PreK Stuffing Kinder Mashed Potatoes Gr. 1 Gravy Gr. 2 Gift cards Gr. 3 Sweet Potatoes and Marshmallows Gr. 4 Pumpkin and Evaporated Milk Gr. 5 Cranberry Sauce Gr. 6 Green Beans Gr. 7 Peas Gr. 8 Carrots
This past week, every student was sent home with 2 books of raffle tickets (worth $40) to sell for our annual Catholic Life Sweepstakes. For those of you who are new to St. Luke, this is a fundraiser provided by Catholic Life Insurance and although many Catholic schools in the area participate, 100% of the funds returned to our school, stay at our school.
The grand raffle prize includes the Choice of a Roman Holiday Vacation for Four*, 2023 Toyota Corolla Sedan* or $20,000 Prepaid VISA Card. Additionally, someone from our school will have the chance to win a $1,000 Prepaid VISA Card. More great incentives will be announced soon, including prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place top sellers, top selling classrooms, and a tuition assistance incentive!
We have set a fundraising goal of $25,000 and will use these funds to contribute to the cost of replacing our school’s roof and to complete Phase 2 of purchasing new student desks.
Please help us by selling your 2 books of tickets for each student and returning them to school by Monday, January 9, 2023. We will be offering opportunities to sell tickets after weekend masses; more information will be sent soon. Please return any unused tickets, as they cost money to print.
The grand prize raffle will take place on February 14, 2023. Tickets are due to the office by Monday, January 9, 2023. Money raised can also be submitted vie Cheddar Up. If you need additional tickets, please email [email protected], or call the school office.
With your help, we WILL reach our goal!
Please help us make this year a success!
Note: More books may be checked out in the office or sent home with student upon request.*or comparable prize.
Scholastic Book Fair Schedule
Monday - Oct. 31st
1A - 9:50 - 10:35
8A - 12:05 - 12:50
6B - 12:55 - 1:40
1B - 1:45 - 2:30
7A - 2:35 - 3:20
Tuesday - Nov. 1st
All Saints Day Mass
*KB - 9:25 - 10:10
*4A - 10:10 - 10:55
8B - 12:05 - 12:50
6A - 12:55 - 1:40
PKB - 1:45 - 2:30
7B - 2:35 - 3:20
Wednesday - Nov. 2nd
(No Mass)
*PKA - 8:15 - 9:00
*KA - 9:00 - 9:45
3B - 9:50 - 10:35
3A - 10:40 - 11:25
5A - 1:45 - 2:30
5B - 2:35 - 3:20
Late Day - Close at 5:30 pm
Thursday - Nov. 3rd
*2B - 8:15 - 9:00
*2A - 9:00 - 9:45
4B - 9:50 - 10:35
Book Fair Closes Thursday promptly at 11:00 am.
Thank you for your patronage!
Photo Retakes
Retakes for individual student photos are scheduled for Thursday, November 3, in the morning.
Students who were absent on the original photo day, Tuesday, September 13, will be called from their classroom to have their photo taken.
If you received your child’s photos and you would like to have their photo retaken, please email [email protected]. The photographer does ask that if you ordered photos and received them, please turn the photos in to the office. Thank you.
You may still order photos at:
Yearbook Portrait Order Form 2022-2023 - Studio Benton
Studio Benton 210-804-1188
ARTS AND CRAFT SHOW SCHEDULE
Student Performance Times
Friday, November 18th
Time Grade 9:30-9:40 KB 9:45-9:55 KA 10:00-10:10 Break 10:15 - 10:25 2B 10:30 - 10:40 PKA 10:45- 10:55 PKB 11:00 - 11:10 1A 11:15- 11:25 1B 11:30 - 11:40 2A 11:45 - 11:55 Lunch 12:00 -12:05 3B 12:10 - 12:15 3A 12:20 - 12:30 5A 12:35 - 12:45 5B 12:50-1:00 4A 1:05 - 1:15 4B
A look ahead…
October 31 – November 4 Scholastic Book Fair
Monday, October 31 – Free jeans day and Halloween shirt or St. Luke Spirit Shirt; students may wear athletic shoes
Tuesday, November 1 – All Saints Day Mass (students will not attend Mass on Wednesday this week)
Thursday, November 3 – Retakes Individual Student Photos
Friday, November 4 – Noon Dismissal, After-school Care available until 6:00 pm
Friday, November 11 – Midpoint 2nd Quarter
November 17 – 19 Parish Arts & Crafts Fair
Friday, November 18 – PTC Chick-fil-A Lunch
Friday, November 18 – Civvies Day
Support St. Luke School when you shop on Amazon. You get all the same products for all the same prices. A portion of your purchase is donated to our school.