News - January 2023

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., (1929-1968) is a civil rights legend. In the mid-1950s, Dr. King led the movement to end segregation and counter prejudice in the United States through the means of peaceful protest. His speeches—some of the most iconic of the 20th century—had a profound effect on the national consciousness. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was one of the most quotable speakers of the 20th century. Some of his famous quotes are… “The time is always right to do what is right.” “Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase.” “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” “The surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.” He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964; he was the youngest person to ever receive this high honor. The students at South Boston Catholic Academy and in the Early Childhood Program read about Dr. King, Jr. and did projects in their classrooms and in Art Class based on his achievements and legacy… Ms. Massey’s K0A students in the Early Childhood Program talked about Martin Luther King Jr. and how his dream was for people to be kind to one another no matter what they looked like. For our craft we made a heart with two hand prints to represent loving one another no matter what we look like. Ms. Vareika’s K1A students read "Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King." by Jean Marzollo. We talked as a class about who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was and the important and brave things he did. Then, each student thought of one way they can "change the world." We wrote their idea on a handprint which they glued onto a paper plate that was painted to look like the world. Ms. Tempinski’s K1B students also read the book, "Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King, Jr." by Jean Marzollo. Talked about what Martin Luther King, Jr. did to change the word. The students then did an art project making the world with blue and green ink then glued on hands with the words, "To change the world I will..." They dictated and wrote words to finish the sentence related to the book and had class discussions about Martin Luther King, Jr. Mrs. Finn’s K1C students celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. birthday by reflecting on how they could make the world a better place. Students first created an earth by using blue and green ink. Next, they were asked what they could do to make the world a better place. They wrote their responses on a hand. Some of these responses included “Play with someone who has no one to play with”, “smile”, “be kind to people” and “plant seeds to grow flowers”. Ms. Sudhalter’s K1D students also talked about ways they can be world changers to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Then painted paper plates with earth colors and added a hand print and a way we can change the world. Mrs. Connolly's K2A students learned about the great American hero, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The children learned how Dr. King believed in solving problems peacefully. They practice being calm and peaceful in the classroom and find ways to solve problems with their peers without getting upset. Everyone watched part of Dr. King's "I Have a Dream" speech while working on the classroom magazine, Let's Find Out. They read books, made books, and created a Dr. King craft to celebrate his birthday. In Art Class, Ms. Szmurlo’s students read “A Picture Book of Martin Luther King Jr.” by David A. Casilla. We talked about how he changed the world and used his ministry to empower people peacefully. First and second grade drew portraits of Martin Luther King Jr., fourth grade unscrambled a puzzle and fifth grade worked on a collaborative poster. They did a fantastic job with their portraits of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Happy Birthday Dr. King! Thank you and God Bless you and your family. New families are welcome to email our admissions team at: admissions@sbcatholicacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.

On January 6, 2023, the students at South Boston Catholic Academy celebrated the Feast Day of Epiphany aka Three King’s Day and Little Christmas at St. Brigid Church. Students, families, and teachers attended Mass on this special day. The students in Ms. Olsen’s Third Grade class and in Ms. Sammarco’s Third Grade class did a wonderful job participating at this Mass as Greeters, Readers, and Bringing the gifts up to the Altar. We want to Thank Father Ross Chamberland, OFM for coming and being the guest Celebrant at this Mass. The SBCA Children’s Choir directed by our Music Teacher, Mr. Claro, did a marvelous job singing at this Mass. The students in Ms. Gannon’s First Grade class and Ms. Leslie’s Second Grade class also did a marvelous job singing “We Three Kings” and “Angels We Have Heard on High” at this Mass. At the end of Mass, several teachers took their students to see the beautiful Nativity Scene that was in the church. Epiphany is when the Three Kings/Magi came to see Baby Jesus and brought him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts they brought symbolize Jesus's identity and mission: Gold for a King, Frankincense – incense for God, and Myrrh used to anoint the dead. Epiphany commemorates the manifestation of God to the world through Jesus Christ. The 12 days between Christmas and Epiphany are known as the “Twelve Days of Christmas” and Epiphany marks the end of the Christmas season. On January 6th the 4 th , 5 th and 6 th Graders celebrated Día de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany) during Ms. Avery’s Spanish Class with a Rosca de Reyes (King's Cake)! Inside the cake are hidden little baby Jesus dolls, symbolizing how Jesus, Mary, and Joseph had to hide from King Herod. In some Spanish-speaking countries, the tradition goes that whoever gets the slice of cake with the baby in it has to host the next party! New families are welcome to email our admissions team at: admissions@sbcatholicacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.

Just before we left for Christmas vacation, the 6th Grade students at South Boston Catholic Academy did a marvelous job in the Nativity Play. The word nativity comes from the Latin word “nativus” which means “arisen by birth” which is fitting since the nativity sets reflect the true meaning of Christmas and are fashioned after the accounts of Christ’s birth in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. We wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year, From all of us at SBCA. New Families are welcome to email our admissions team at: admissions@sbcatholicacaedmy.org to learn more about South Boston Catholic Academy.

South Boston Catholic Academy News On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! & We Welcomed Mr. & Mrs. Claus On Saturday, December 3, 2022 we held our Annual South Boston Catholic Academy Jingle Bell Run. Many came and were ready to run. Thank you to our wonderful parents who did such a great job organizing this fun event, our families and friends, volunteers and to all those, young and old, who participated in this year’s SBCA Jingle Bell 5K Run! On Sunday, December 11, 2022, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus stopped by SBCA to have some Cocoa and Cookies with the children that came to say hello. The children had a chance to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and have a photo taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Thank you to our wonderful parents who did such a great job organizing this special event, our families and friends that come to say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Claus. We Wish Everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas, from all of us at SBCA! New families are welcome to email our admissions team at: admissions@sbcatholicacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.