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CSW2013: St. Ephrem School, Dyker Heights

 

Providing Educational Excellence in a Catholic Atmosphere

 

Beginning on Sunday, Jan. 27, St. Ephrem School, Dyker Heights, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week by exploring the many ways this year’s theme: “Catholic Schools: Raise the Standards” applies to our educational community. 

Among the many annual events that keep the school building abuzz with activity is the school Spelling Bee. Above, this year’s proud winners.
Among the many annual events that keep the school building abuzz with activity is the school Spelling Bee. Above, this year’s proud winners.

Every year, Catholic Schools Week highlights St. Ephrem’s ties to the parish and the Dyker Heights community, as well as providing a time to bond with its own students, parents, faculty, staff and volunteers.
Since the Eucharist is at the heart of the Catholic Church, fittingly, Catholic Schools Week at St. Ephrem parish begins with the 10 a.m. Mass in church on Sunday, Jan. 27 with Auxiliary Bishop Frank Caggiano as the celebrant. School families and students will worship with faculty and parishioners in Christian unity.
Following Mass, there will be an Open House for all interested new families. They will have an opportunity to meet and speak with the principal, Annamarie Bartone, faculty, staff, students and parents, as well as time to tour the well-maintained school facilities.  St. Ephrem School information folders will be distributed to prospective families, and they will be able to complete applications and register for the 2013-2014 school year.

Fourth Grade Museum
Also open to visitors and other students is the new Fourth Grade Museum of the State of New York.  Our classes created this museum as part of a project to develop reading, writing, speaking and listening skills as they learned about our state.  When they aren’t busy learning about New York, the fourth grade can be seen hard at work using REFLEX Math, a computer-based program designed to increase fluency in math computation skills.  Visitors will also be able to view a Visual Arts Exhibit of work created by the students in first through fifth grades.
A developmentally appropriate curriculum is implemented in our Early Childhood Program (early nursery, nursery, pre-k and kindergarten). First through fifth grades are self-contained, and sixth, seventh and eighth grades are departmental.

Some of the best Christmas presents St. Ephrem’s Class of 2013, above, received were their school rings.
Some of the best Christmas presents St. Ephrem’s Class of 2013, above, received were their school rings.

Diversified Instruction
St. Ephrem School maintains a new computer lab with an extensive software collection and two libraries – primary and elementary.  SMART Boards are utilized for diversified instruction. Our students consistently perform well on state and diocesan standardized tests. Each year, our eighth graders are the recipients of many Catholic high school scholarships.

Oasis of Faith, Peace, Prayer
The Catholic identity of St. Ephrem School is evident to all. It is felt, lived and shared through Gospel values and solid curriculum. Tucked among the busy classrooms is an oasis of peace, prayer, psalms and liturgical movement – “The Potters Room.” In this “spirit-filled” atmosphere, our students encounter the light of God.
Students enjoy dressing up for the school Halloween party last fall.
Students enjoyed dressing up for the school Halloween party last fall.

Each day during Catholic Schools Week, the theme “Raise the Standards” will be celebrated as the entire school community appreciates the presence of the IHM Sisters, parish priests and deacons, the loyalty of our school parents, the commitment of our teachers, the munificence of our community workers and the conscientiousness of our students. Many activities are planned to respect each person connected with St. Ephrem School, past and present.
Catholic Schools Week at St. Ephrem School is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate to everyone that Catholic identity is the essence of our school. It allows us time to celebrate the accomplishments of our school to all here and in our neighborhood community.

All are welcome to join the school and parish community for Mass and the Open House on Sunday, Jan. 27.