When St. Patrick Catholic Academy opens on Sept. 6, students will be delighted to see the transformation that took place in their school over the summer.
Extensive renovations at the school’s Bay Ridge building included installation of a STEM lab, creation of a new pre-kindergarten classroom and the sprucing up of hallways, offices and hallways. Last spring, St. Patrick completed a long-needed renovation of the school’s library and installed air conditioning in all of its classrooms.
An $85,000 grant from the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Trust funded the installation of a LabLearner STEM lab, an in-school laboratory for physical, earth and life science experimental activities for kindergarten through grade eight. The lab consists of five stations with new furniture and equipment. The grant funded the installation of the stations and storage equipment, the STEM curriculum, student workbooks and professional development.
“We are very grateful to the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Trust Foundation,” said Principal Kathleen Curatolo.
“Our teachers are thrilled to have the
LabLearner STEM Lab at their disposal and I’m certain that our students are going to love going to science!”
In addition, an outdated computer room was renovated to house the pre- kindergarten class. The inviting space has new wood floors, sink and restroom, and is adjacent to the kindergarten classroom. The location of the two early childhood rooms will allow youngsters opportunities to build friendships and share learning experiences.
St. Patrick is also introducing expanded academic, enrichment and arts programs. Stages on the Sound, an arts residency program, will teach filmmaking in grade four, persuasive speaking in grade six and Shakespeare in the eighth grade. Regents courses will be offered in algebra and living environment. Regents Earth Science will be added in 2018-19. Nursery to fifth graders will study Italian, and upper grades will have the choice of studying Spanish, Italian, Latin or Arabic.
Limited spaces are still available for this school year, starting at the nursery level, which offers half- and full-day options.
