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Fall 2010 Newsletter

Kindergarten Expands at St. Clement's

The kindergartners buzz through the hallway, bearing paper acorns and leaves and pumpkins. They are three classes merged, hopscotching over brand-new bright blue and white tiles. Math is all around them: underfoot and in hand, as they arrange themselves to create patterns with the objects they've made. It is an exercise not only in learning, but in community.

St. Clement's School transformed its kindergarten this summer, expanding into a third classroom and creating what teacher Cathy Molteni described as "a consistent, comprehensive kindergarten program."

With much help from staff and parents, the art room and library were moved downstairs in order to create a kindergarten wing. Three classrooms now extend the length of the hallway, stretching around the new tiled floor provided by the St. Clement's Alumni Association. Each classroom was fitted with new windows, fresh paint and Smart Boards sized for the younger students. With increasing interest each year in the school's pre-k and kindergarten programs, Principal Jane Kromm said it was "an investment in the future."

"It fits into our overall plans for growth," Mrs. Kromm said. "We chose to have three classrooms to keep it small. For many students, it's their introduction into a formal school setting. The teachers are able to get to know them very quickly this way. And the reason for relocating classrooms was to give them the opportunity to work together."

The three teachers - Mrs. Molteni, Amy Munn and Kelly Panasci - meet weekly to plan the curriculum. Their lessons, though flavored by their individual personalities, are rooted intentionally in the communal planning, so students will move through the year together and take the same foundation to first grade.

Mrs. Molteni, who has taught kindergarten at St. Clement's for 15 years, acts as lead teacher in developing the lessons for each week. She praised both new teachers for the "dynamic energy and new ideas they are bringing to the program."

The three classes gather often to build relationships and work together. On the first day of school, they gathered for a story with Mrs. Kromm. Other days, they share playtime by visiting one another's classrooms or begin parts of projects in class and come together in the communal space to finish the whole.

Along with the new emphasis on cohesive teaching, the renovated space has worked out well, Mrs. Molteni said. The upper grades, whose classrooms are also on the second floor, have begun to use a separate stairway, leaving the hallway outside their rooms to the kindergarten alone.

"I love having the kindergarten wing because the little ones can get overwhelmed by the bigger kids," she said. "The older ones are wonderful and full of energy and doing exactly what they should be doing, but for a five year old, they can be scary."

Students will stream into two first grade classes, but Mrs. Molteni believes the transition will be less overwhelming because such small kindergarten classes will allow them to develop a comfort level with the school and each other that they will carry with them.

Registration for next year's kindergarten program is already underway, Mrs. Kromm said, adding that feedback from parents has been positive.

Jen Weaver is the mother of two young boys who are new to St. Clement's. Her youngest, Beck, is in the pre-k class, while Bodie, 5, is in kindergarten with Mrs. Molteni. She said the small class size was part of what made St. Clement's the family's choice.

"I like the small classes," Mrs. Weaver said. "I just think it's a better experience when the kids are that young."

And she also appreciates the efforts teachers are making to build community.

"It helps them socialize better and get to know the other kids," Mrs. Weaver said. "At the same time, they have the individual time with their teachers in the small classes. It's a great foundation for when they start to advance through the school."

A Word from Our Pastor, Fr. Paul

There are many nice events that happen during the school year, but one that I always enjoy is when the school children come over to the Church for Mass, be it as a class once a week or as an entire school once a month. As a priest, the celebration of the Mass where Jesus once again feeds us with his Body and Blood is the highlight of my day. While I enjoy walking through the school to see the children in their classes or at lunch or on the playground, I must admit I really enjoy when they are on my "turf."

For those in 3rd to 5th grades, who have not made their First Holy Communion within the Catholic faith, we invite them up to receive a special blessing at Communion time. For the 1st and 2nd Graders (and the Kindergarten children when they start coming to monthly Mass), I invite them to stand after Communion and have them recite a prayer after me that the Lord Jesus still come into their hearts and souls to realize how much Jesus cares for them. Even at a young age, it is important that they never forget how welcomed they are at every Mass and how much Jesus wants to be a part of their lives. If you are free when we have our monthly School Mass, you too are invited to join us in our celebration of Jesus' love for us. Perhaps if you are free in the morning you could attend Mass at 8:00am when your child's class attends.

Speaking of attending Mass, I would also invite you to come by on Sunday afternoons at 5:00pm for our parish's LIFE TEEN Mass. For over a year we have been celebrating Sunday Mass at 5:00pm with a view towards "the young at heart". Many young people are involved in these Masses, from reading to ushering to singing in our LIFE TEEN Band (also known as WPT for We Pray Twice). The music is a form of Christian Rock and very uplifting. Trust me; don't plan on taking a nap when the Band is singing/playing. Again, while it may be called a LIFE TEEN Mass, it is a celebration of God's love for us open to all ages. Once again, as always, thank you for allowing all of us at St. Clement's to be a part of your child's life and thank you for allowing us to share the love of Jesus with your little ones. In the Redeemer, Fr. Paul Borowski Pastor

A Few Faculty Changes for this School Year This September St. Clement's School welcomed three new faculty members to our school family: Mrs. Panasci, Mrs. Munn, and Miss Tripoli. Mrs. Kelly Panasci joins us in kindergarten. Mrs. Panasci most recently taught at St. Brigid's School in Watervliet. She brings eight years experience in teaching kindergarten. Her creativity and enthusiasm for teaching are very evident as you enter her classroom. Mrs. Amy Munn is another addition to our kindergarten team. She has returned to the classroom as her children are now of school age. She has spent endless hours preparing an inviting classroom for her new kindergartners. Mrs. Molteni, Mrs. Panasci, and Mrs. Munn have been working on an exciting program for all of our kindergartners! Miss Stephanie Tripoli previously taught middle school at Christ the King School in Guilderland. She joins us as a 4th grade teacher, partnering with Mrs. LaBelle. Her creative ideas are sure to spark the imagination and creativity of her students. We welcome all of them to our St. Clement's School family. In June of 2010, we said goodbye to two very talented and experienced teachers. Mrs. Andrea Sullivan shared many valuable lessons with so many students during her 30 years at St. Clement's School. We wish her the best in her retirement. Mrs. Karen Franchi spent 16 years at St. Clement's School beginning by teaching our pre-K students, then 3rd graders, and most recently our kindergartners and Extended Day Program. We wish her well in her move to North Carolina.

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