Page 16 - Paduan Fall Mobile

Padua Partners with
Catholic Elementary Schools
As members of Padua Franciscan
High School, we are called to service and to share our gi s and talents with others. For many years, Padua has helped to shape and educate many of our elementary school-aged brothers and sisters. In a special way, Padua has developed relationships with many of our area Catholic elementary schools to provide enrichment in both the areas of our mission – holiness and learning. Padua’s Elementary School Outreach Program is meant to inspire students, help develop their talents and give them opportunities in the areas of academics, ne arts and spirituality.
In order to provide area elementary students
unique access to high school level classes,
Padua has developed a partnership with St. Albert the Great and St. Anthony of Padua. Students from St. Anthony’s take Algebra1 at Padua each day alongside our own students. Next year, students from St. Albert the Great will be on campus to take Honors Geometry. For the third year, Padua Spanish teacher JoAnne Hipkins will once again be teaching Spanish 1 at St. Albert the Great prior to the beginning of the school day.
In the area of ne arts, students have many opportunities to develop their abilities. Elementary students can try out for Padua’s Marching Band, audition for theatrical parts (when available), as well as take advantage of our Elementary Band and Strings program. As an extension of the program
started by former Padua music teacher Mr. Wayne Miller, the Elementary Band and Strings program has been developed and strengthened over the years to now serve six of our area schools including: St. Anthony of Padua,
St. Charles, St. Columbkille, Incarnate Word Academy, St. Albert the Great and St. Ambrose. Over 200 students take part in these programs. Additionally, for the past ve years, St. Ambrose has performed its spring production on our stage, working closely with our Fine Arts department and our theatrics students.
Another exciting initiative is our 7th grade Digital Leadership Retreat. Each year we bring in area 7th grade classes to experience presentations from our faculty and students about
how to responsibly navigate and utilize digital media and electronic communication devices. e dignity of the human being is the primary social justice focus to this important and far-reaching program.
Whenever we can help our area elementary Catholic schools to meet their student academic needs, we continue to spread the mission of Padua. Hopefully those students begin to understand the strong lessons of holiness and learning that are taught here at Padua each and every day.
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