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So Very
Special
Student of the Month,
March,
2009
The St Valentine School PTG is proud to announce that
the 7th Grade Class are the SVS Students of the Month for
March, 2009.
Congratulations to
Brennen
Adams, Nick DiCenzo, Olivia Dowd, Brenna Erzen,
Kevin Frost, Jessica Hirsh, Aaron Modrak, and
Karley Nagy and their families. A $25 Giant Eagle gift
certificate has been presented to the 7th grade in
their name.
Other students nominated were:
- 1st Grade Class
- Hayley Dowd
- Olivia Dowd
- Brenna Erzen
- Beck Kozak
- Anthony Malley
- Bobby Malley
- Emily Nedzesky
- Sarah Wray
Here is an excerpt from
the 7th Grade nominations:
I would like to second last month’s nomination
of the 7th grade class, Brennen
Adams, Nick DiCenzo, Olivia Dowd, Brenna Erzen,
Kevin Frost, Jessica Hirsh, Aaron Modrak, and
Karley Nagy, for Student of the Month. As a class,
these students truly understand how to rely on
each other for their strengths and how to support
each other in their weaknesses. They have learned
to encourage each other and question each other in
ways that lead to a more thorough understanding of
both math and science concepts. They also work
well together as a team, particularly in science
class, where their ability to share
responsibilities has enabled us to complete many
activities and demonstrations that enhance the
learning process. They are friendly and courteous
when addressing the faculty, and always ready,
willing, and able to lend a hand. In math, they
will set up the overhead projector and begin
checking their HW before I even enter the room. No
one has to ask them to pass out books at the start
of class or put them away at the end. Over the
past few years, the faculty has been using a
system of discipline that encourages students to
do the right thing, not because they want to avoid
being punished or because they are looking for a
reward, but because they know it is the right
thing to do. I see the 7th graders making
decisions to do the right thing because it’s the
right thing every day, and have often heard other
teachers commending them for behaving
appropriately when they don’t know that someone is
watching.
While their level of maturity has grown
considerably this year, that is not the
primary reason that I am nominating them. I
believe the 7th graders deserve to be named
Student of the Month because they have taken their
role as buddies of the kindergarten class very
seriously. They put considerable effort into
developing
relationships with their kindergarten buddies.
Mass buddies are one of my favorite St. Valentine
traditions…it warms my heart each week when I
observe the older students helping the younger
ones to participate at mass. The seventh graders
have each attached themselves to one or two
kindergarten students, and have focused their
attention on that student each week. They have
spent time really getting to know their buddy.
They are true mentors in the faith formation
process, helping the youngsters to follow the
order of the mass, showing them how to use the
hymnal, and gently correcting them if they become
distracted. In addition, they are often seen
checking in with their buddies in Frawley Hall
when they cross paths at lunch time, or in the gym
before prayer at the end of the day. They show a
genuine interest in their kindergarten buddies
concerns and accomplishments. For this reason, I
believe they should be named student of the month.
Here are excerpts for some of the other excellent
nominations:
Anthony always works very hard in my class. He
always comes prepared and fully participates in
every class. He has shown continuous progress
throughout the school year and his effort is
wonderful. Anthony is a very responsible and
conscientious example for St. Valentine
*******************************************************************************
I would like to nominate the first grade class for
So Very Special student of the month. All of my
classmates are very smart and do kind things for
each other every day. For example, Tony Boff
offered some of his own money to another student
for the Cakewalk because he didn’t have any. Paige
Roeschenthaler offered her jacket to another
student on a cold day. Ben Minick helpd puck up
crayons that somebody spilled on the floor and
nobody even asked him to. Anna Bostaph and Michael
Pierce always help kids who are sad and crying.
They help make them feel better. Sandro Cocovich
is always nice to his friends and never cuts in
line like some other kids do. All of my classmates
are very special. We all help each other and pray
together everyday. My mom says we make a big
difference in lots of small ways. I love my class!
*******************************************************************************
For being a kind soul to every one in the time he
is at school. Also, he worked the busing cart at
the fish fry being only in second grade, that is
younger than you have to be to work. I thought
that was very good, that he wanted to help.
*******************************************************************************
Emily is an excellent student. Besides that, she
has many qualities such as always being dependable
and someone who gets the job done. She is a hard
worker and very respectful to teachers and other
students.
*******************************************************************************
This person is always very respectful and friendly
to everyone and does things for
other people constantly. She always puts others
first, and never expects anything in return. There
was one day I walked into the classroom late, and
found that I was supposed to go over to Church and
serve. Hayley quickly noticed I wasn't having the
greatest day, and tried to cheer me up, then
offered to serve for me. She is a good friend and
changes the signs on the locker every month, shuts
the lockers, cheers people up, and always tries to
look on the positive side of life.
*******************************************************************************
I feel that Brenna Erzen is one of the best
candidates for the so very special
student of the month award because of who she is.
Although I've only known her as well as I do for a
very short time, I can see that Brenna always has
a smile on her face, and a fun and respectful
attitude to match. She is caring towards the other
younger kids and sets a mature and responsible
example for them. Brenna is fun to be around and
you should get the chance to know her well because
she will put you in a good mood from the love and
happiness she radiates. She is a well-rounded
student, always working hard. I know this for a
fact because she always puts schoolwork first.
Brenna does girl scouts and childrens choir, and
both are active ways to help the church and our
community. In cheerleading, she always knew how to
get everyone in a good mood and to work harder.
These are only a very few reasons why I would like
to nominate Brenna Erzen for St. Valentine's So
Very Special student of the month award.
*******************************************************************************
I would like
to nominate Olivia for her good example and
responsibility that she
shows towards younger students. She has happily
helped me on several occasions with my preschooler
and 1st grader.
For example - while helping to set up for Super
Bingo, Olivia helped keep an eye on Ben and Anna
while I was busy prepping bingo cards. She offered
to walk Ben to his classroom to pick up his
bookbag and then suggested that I load my car and
she would escort the kids outside to meet me.
Also, on Wednesdays, Anna can't wait to sit with
Olivia and her friends at lunch. Anna feels so
special being able to sit and chat with the "big
girls!"
Part of the reason that SVS is so special is
because of students like Olivia who
serve as good examples. It is such a blessing that
the older kids look out for the younger ones!
*******************************************************************************
During the month of March, Olivia did what she
does EVERY month- utilizes her
God-given abilities to make the days of other
people better. An outgoing person,
Olivia uses that skill to draw out a shy
kindergarten buddy who talks to very few
people or offer to help some JV cheerleaders who
are learning new cheers. She is not afraid to be
kind or friendly as anyone who observes her sees
that as her natural make-up. Most noticeably,
Olivia "Reads by Example". In other words, she may
have at least a half dozen or more books with her
to read at a time. These books are classics she
has chosen to read for fun- Wuthering Heights,
Romeo & Juliet, as well as contemporary fiction.
She shows others by her action that reading is
exciting and a way to explore new places. Olivia
is genuine in how she does things and that makes
her kindness, and love of books contagious
examples for others.
*******************************************************************************
I would like to nominate Sarah Wray for Student of
the Month for March for a variety of reasons.
Sarah is a very well rounded student, and many of
her efforts have paid off in the last few weeks.
She began working on her Pennsylvania Junior
Academy of Science (PJAS) project over the summer,
but ran into difficulty and had to change topics
during the fall. However, she was not deterred by
this, and she achieved her goal of receiving a
perfect score at the recent PJAS Regional
competition. She will be traveling to Penn State
in May to participate in the PJAS State
competition. Sarah has also put many hours of
practice into Forensics, where she rose to the top
of the drama category with a lively interpretation
of a scene from Pygmalion. Sarah placed first with
perfect scores at each competition this year,
including the finals, and then ended the season
with a first place win in the All Star round. In
addition, Sarah continues to use her vocal talents
as a cantor at school masses, and she was selected
to sing in a district choral event. Sarah is also
a member of the Varsity Girls Cheerleading squad,
and a very active participant in Student Council.
Although she has always been a good student, I
have recently noticed Sarah making an effort to
improve both her academic performance and her
behavior in the classroom. These efforts, along
with her determination to work toward achieving a
goal, will serve Sarah well throughout her life. I
am proud of the young lady she is becoming.
*******************************************************************************
I would like to nominate Bobby Malley for Student
of the Month for March because of the his
commitment to the success of this year's Living
Stations. Bobby was
recently chosen for the part of Jesus, and I am
amazed at the level of dedication he has shown in
preparing for the role. At a time of the year when
many students are distracted by spring fever,
Bobby is all business when it comes to practicing
for Stations. During the first few practices, he
listened very patiently as Mr. Leo and Miss P told
him where to go and how to stand and how to look
and what to think about as he moved from place to
place, and then he did exactly what he was asked
to do. He followed through on a suggestion to get
a feel for the twelfth station by viewing
Michelangelo's pieta, and managed to convey the
moment effectively at the next practice. If
practices are any indication of what we are to
expect at the Living Stations on April 3rd, I am
certain his dedication will result in a very
moving and prayerful performance of Christ's
passion.
Thank you to everyone who participated. Nominations are
accepted up to the last school day of each month. The winner is announced
at the next month's PTG Meeting.
For more information about the SVS Student of the Month
Award, please click here.
For more information about St Valentine School PTG,
please click here.
Questions or to make an
nomination, please send an email to
ptg@stvalschool.org
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St.
Valentine School
