May 2014 SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Notre Dame High School

Baccalaureate Mass was Saturday, May 17th at 7:30 p.m. at Sts. Peter and Paul Basilica. Father Michael Cummins was our celebrant with concelebrants of Father Jim Vick, Father Charlie Burton and Father David Carter, and Deacon Brian Gabor assisting. Graduation was Sunday, May 19th at 2:00 pm at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium. We had 76 graduates who were offered a collective $6.5+ million in scholarships. They were accepted into 187 different colleges in 22 states and the District of Columbia; 88% of them received scholarship offers and 93% of the TN residents qualified for the TN Hope Scholarship, 89% of the GA residents qualified for the GA Hope Lottery Scholarship. Bishop Stika presented diplomas assisted by Sister Mary Marta. We had four (4) valedictorians - Chris Coles (will attend the U. of Notre Dame), Luke Larew (U. of Alabama at Huntsville), Becca Simerley (Lees-McRae College), and Gus White (U. of Tennessee at Knoxville). They collectively represent 30 AP classes, 60 Honors Classes, and 220 A's out of 221 classes. Other graduation awards went to: Christian Living Award - Becca Simerley and Seamus Finnegan Bishop James D. Niedergeses Award - Marnie Wall Bubber Bynre Award - Brandon Harris Scholar Athlete Award - Danika Dorris and Evan Newell Perry Storey Leadership Legacy Award - Gus White Jim D. Phifer "Spirit of Notre Dame" Award - Katie Lamsey and Connor Simpson General Excellence Award - Becca Simerley and Chris Coles

Our Lady of Perpetual Help School

May 2 - Grandparents' Day: OLPH School welcomed over 300 grandparents to our annual Grandparents' Day celebration. Our guests of honor joined us for a special all-school Mass, followed by brunch and a musical presentation in the gym. Afterward, students met up with their grandparents to tour the classrooms, art show and book fair, and had the opportunity to have their pictures made together in a photo booth.

May 3 - First Communion: OLPH School Second Grade Class and Parish School of Religion celebrated First Communion in two separate Masses.

May 6 - Teacher Appreciation Luncheon: The OLPH Home and School Association treated faculty and staff to a lunch catered by El Meson restaurant. Parent volunteers acted as substitute teachers to allow a time for everyone to sit down for a meal together. May 7 - Volunteer Appreciation Brunch: OLPH School honored our volunteers with a brunch prepared by teachers and staff. OLPH Families and friends logged nearly 5,000 hours of service both in and outside the classrooms during the 2013-14 school year. May 9 - BVM Awards: The Blessed Virgin Mary Award (B.V.M.) was established in 2004 in honor of the community of Sisters who established OLPH School. Students who exemplify the mission and core values of the Sisters of Charity (showing faithfulness and love to God, to those of the school, and to those in the community) are chosen to receive this award. This year's winners were:

Kindergarten-Aubrey Sewell, 1stgrade-Jackson Aseron, 2nd grade-Kate Covey, 3rd grade-Sean Greene, 4th grade-Heidi Eckler, 5th grade-Sam Phillips, 6th grade-Anna Qualey, 7th grade- Connor Riley, 8th grade-Fatima Huergo-Trevino.

Kindergarten End of year celebration:

May 14 and 15th - 8th grade Class night and Graduation: This year marked the 77th graduation class.

May 19 - Students and Faculty surprise Jeri McInturff with video presentation: The Students and staff of Our Lady of Perpetual Help School surprised Principal Jeri McInturff with a special farewell message on the occasion of her retirement. Following the video presentation, representatives from the various grades came up to share with her their advice about retirement. The video can be seen at http://youtu.be/hCtHI0vg9kM . Video credit to fifth grade teacher, Marc Barberi.

May 21 - 7th Grade Growing in Grace Mass and retreat: OLPH 7th Grade participated in the Growing in Grace retreat. This full day begins with Mass and includes team building activities. The students design their F.O.C.U.S. tee shirts and write their class prayer for their eighth grade year.

May 22 - Field Day: 1st -7th grade students were blessed with beautiful weather for a full day of outdoor fun. Students participated in Basketball Hot Shot, Tug of War, Sack Races, Soccer Kick, 50 yard dash and many other events.

St. Jude School

The 17th annual St. Jude Golf Classic was held on Friday, May 2. The event, a double tournament that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, is one of the most popular school tournaments in the city. This year, St. Jude "brought the tournament home" as the Shutters family, long time parishioners, served as hosts at Creeks Bend Golf Course, a venue they own and manage. It was a fabulous day with over 25 teams and many volunteers. Proceeds benefit the Classroom Adoption Program. Transition was the theme as our 8th grade students prepared for graduation and our 7th grade students prepared to take over their leadership role in the school. A Transition Day Mass was held where the 8th graders passed a lighted candle, symbolizing the light of leadership, to the 7th graders. Afterwards a day of activity was held including a special presentation by George Valadie, President of Notre Dame High School, an awards luncheon with parents, and a final gathering with the 8th and 1st grade partners. A beautiful graduation ceremony was held on May 16.

Our incredible St. Jude parents treated faculty and staff to many fun and fabulous events during Teacher Appreciation Week. Events included breakfast, "out to lunch" dates, "take home" desserts, "donate a book" day and a day of "pampering" gifts. THANK YOU TO OUR SUPPORTIVE AND CARING FAMILIES!

Knoxville Catholic High School

The KCHS Chorus presented its Spring Concert on May 1. The concert performances included a wide variety of musical styles from Classical to pop and featured students from our feeder schools. The three Dominican Sisters who have blessed our school this year will all return for the 2014-2015 School Year. Sister John Catherine Kennedy, O.P., will be here on a part time basis while she continues work on her Doctorate. Also returning are Sister Patrick Stephen Myers, O.P., and Sister Joan of Arc Wicks, O.P. Their presence and knowledge mean so much to everyone at KCHS. The 82nd Commencement Ceremony for Knoxville Catholic was held on May 17. The Class of 2014 had 159 members; 130 students, or 81% of the class, were offered $15.3 million in scholarships, and 156 members, or 98%, are going on to college. The Boy’s Tennis Team finished their season undefeated, 15-0, and won the State Championship. The Baseball Team had a great season, advancing to the State Championship game, but unfortunately fell to CAK to take 2nd Place. Camille Baker won the Pentathlon at the State Track Meet, and Connor Fair placed 3rd in the Decathlon.

Sacred Heart Cathedral School

Grandparents/Special Friends Day

On Friday, May 2, 2014, Sacred Heart Cathedral School held Grandparents & Special Friends

Day. This annual event began on the pavilion with a welcome reception hosted by the Home &

School Association. More than 350 grandparents & special friends joined Sacred Heart students

for Mass, classroom visits and tours of the school. The National Junior Honor Society students

served as greeters and the Elizabeth Ann Seton Guild and The Knights of Columbus filled in as

special guests for students who needed a special friend.

May Crowning SHCS celebrated May Crowning on Wednesday, May 7th. It was a beautiful ceremony.

8th grader Mary McCready crowns Mary. 8th grade takes their official class photo after May Crowning

Young Entrepreneurs Second grade created a "marketplace" where they became producers and consumers, earned and spent market money, learned how to barter, and negotiate. This "Market Day" event concluded their unit on how the marketplace operates.

Congratulations to the Class of 2014 on their graduation

Special Guest

Mayor Tim Burchett was a Guest Reader for the Kindergarten and First Grade classes

yesterday. He read to the children and answered MANY questions! Some of the children are

holding photos of Father David, Bishop Stika and Mrs. Trent as we extended a SHCS welcome in

their absence since they were attending the Graduation Breakfast. Thanks to William’s dad

who helped to organize this special visit from the Mayor. ~ Ms. Anderson

Mayor Tim Burchett with Ms. Anderson's Kindergarten Class.

St. John Neumann School

Field Day –

Our annual SJNCS Field Day was Tuesday, May 20th

, 2014. We celebrated Field Day as an all

school, day-long event beginning with an All School Mass at 8:10 AM. Challenging and exciting

physical activities marked the day, and food and fun were aplenty! Students eagerly lined up for

chances to "dunk" our Principal or Assistant Principal in a tank full of chilly water! Many parent

volunteers graciously gave their time to help with Field Day activities and concessions. Thank

you!

Iowa Assessments –

The students at SJNCS did fantastic on their standardized tests this year! Composite National

Percentile Ranks (NPRs) at SJNCS met or exceeded the diocesan totals at every grade level.

Some grade levels reached as much as 7-10% higher than the Composite NPR achieved in the

diocesan averages (all elementary schools in the Knoxville Diocese). Our faculty does a superb

job advancing the skills of our students each year, and we are thrilled with our students' progress

and performance! Join us in celebrating their sweet success!

8th

Grade Graduation –

This year’s Graduation celebrations on Friday May 16th

began with a Baccalaureate Mass that

morning and Graduation Ceremonies that afternoon. Congratulations to all of our incredible

graduates! We hope that you have great success as you move on to high school and beyond!

St. Joseph School

Commencement exercises were held for the class of 2014 on May 22. Students participated in a May Procession on May 7. It culminated with a crowning of the Blessed Mother by two of our eighth graders. Saint Joseph School Grounds were covered by children with bandanas, hats, and eye patches as students enjoyed a pirate-themed field day Kindergarten students initiated the use of iPads in the classroom. I -Pads were the gift of generous donors at Mardi Gras earlier this year.

St. Mary School – Oak Ridge

St. Mary’s May Crowning and Family Picnic Day was Friday, May 2nd. Following the procession and crowning of Mary with flowers, families picniced on the front lawn of the school.

Field Day was Friday, May 9th. Students participated in water games, inflatable obstacle courses, and relay races all morning and then enjoyed a cook-out lunch complete with summer favorites like sno-cones and watermelon.

St. Mary’s graduated 22 students from the 8th grade. Sister Mary Marta Abbott, R.S.M. attended the graduation Mass which was held on Monday, May 19th at St. Mary’s Church.

St. Dominic School

On May 8, 2014 the 2nd Grade - 5th grade students presented an operetta entitled "Fire on the Prairie". It was a cowboy comedy with an intense scene when the fire headed toward their town. The children really showed off their talents and had a good time doing so. And the audience reaped the benefits!! We had a great Field Day on Friday, May16, 2014 even though it rained for a while. They were able to play outside in the morning and did their team games in the gymnasium during the rain. The rain didn't seem to bother anyone's good time! Awards Day was on Tuesday, May 20, 2014. The children had worked so hard this year it took an hour and 30 minutes to make sure everyone received the awards they earned! That evening the 5th graders graduated during Mass. They were so excited and their parents were so proud

St. Mary School – Johnson City

We honored the Blessed Virgin Mary on Thursday, May 1st with May Crowning. Our First Communion for our second graders was with our Parish on Saturday, May 3rd. We enjoyed a water-filled Field Day on Friday, May 9th.

Our Eighth graders traveled to D.C with parent chaperones and two faculty members and the principal May 13th-May 16th. Some of the sites we saw were as follows: Monticello – Jefferson’s home on our way to D.C. Mount Vernon- Washington’s home Smithsonian Our Capital Arlington Cemetery including the Changing of the Guard Shrine of the Immaculate Conception Along with the many Memorials Our Talent Show was on the afternoon of May 20th with many talent students. Middle School Awards Day was on Wednesday, May 21st at 9:30 a.m. Our Kindergarten Program for the end of the year was on Friday, May 23rd at 9:30 a.m. Our eighth grade Mass and graduation was Wednesday, May 28th at 8:30 a.m. Mass followed by a graduation ceremony. Last day of school was May 29th, 11:30 a.m. dismissal