Diocese of Las Vegas Catholic Schools

As a tradition, Our Lady of Las Vegas students and faculty have come together as a school to pray together and remember the sacrifice that God made for us, lead by our 8th-grade students, by praying the Stations of The Cross each Friday during the Lenten season. This year since we are unable to all be together in the Church, we join virtually, with our in-person students and our virtual students, to prepare for Easter Sunday.

March 2nd is Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The students at Saint Anne dressed up in their favorite whimsical attire. Dr. Seuss’ birthday is recognized during NV Reading Week. It also falls on Read Across America Day and during Saint Anne’s Book Fair. We love to celebrate reading in multiple fashions.

As part of our preparations for First Reconciliation, the Second Grade students at St. Francis de Sales were introduced to the Parable of the True Vine, where they heard Jesus’ words: “I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit because without me you can do nothing.” There are three presentations that will be shared prior to students receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first time. Last Wednesday, February 24th, we presented True Vine I – with parents invited to join us virtually. During these presentations, the students continue on their journey, growing closer to the Good Shepherd and contemplating their ability to carry their own Light. First Reconciliation is scheduled for Friday, March 12th, following our weekly School Mass.

St. Viator in Las Vegas studied hard to stay in school during COVID-19. They started with a restoration plan made up by a team of medical professionals for a safe return to school. This plan was guided by the CDC and Southern Nevada Health District plans. The school carefully reviewed the plan and immediately put it into place.

To keep the students at the top of their class, daily health screenings have been implemented. QR codes at guest check-in prompt a health survey for all students, faculty and visitors. In true teaching fashion, some teachers created poles with strings that display 6 feet to teach the younger children to stay that far apart at all times. Before the return to school all desks were socially distanced. Every square inch of the campus is now a classroom to ensure social distancing for all.

Twenty percent of the school decided to start school online and teachers are accommodating them. The students who decided to participate in person have been divided into cohort groups. These cohorts stay in the same classroom and only the teachers rotate, helping to contain any health risks that may arise. When the school heard of a positive case contracted from off campus, the cohort model enabled them to switch the cohort of the positive student to distance learning for 14 days to keep the campus healthy.

In keeping the campus healthy, there is also a day porter who goes around the school all day cleaning high-contact points. The school is also sprayed nightly with an electrostatic sprayer. “We have worked very hard to stay open and keep teachers in front of students,” said Tracy Brunelle, principal at St. Viator.
Of course, everyone (even the pre-kindergarten students) wear masks at all times. “Our families have been amazing and we are so thankful. Everyone is paying attention and wants to be safe,” Brunelle said. Teachers are working hard to keep their students learning; one kindergarten teacher has created individual center boxes so each student has their own learning materials. “Our teachers have never worked harder, they are teaching in two classrooms and online,” Brunelle said. “We are very creative now more than ever. It is a different world out there.”

Mrs. Andes’ second grade class at St. Anne watched video clips from the inauguration. The students really enjoyed seeing the familiar faces of Lady Gaga and Katy Perry, but were more intrigued by the faces they didn’t know. The new faces, like poet Amanda Gorman, sparked their curiosity. Each student was asked to manifest their emotions into a color, symbol and image. The picture of student work is only a glimpse at what these students took away from one of our Nation’s most historic events.

Students in grades 5-8 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School built self-driving vehicles in technology class while learning the basics of circuitry and motion for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) project using littleBits educational kits. Through this guided challenge students start with instructions for a simple invention. Once they create the invention, the challenge moves into a Remix phase where their creativity really takes off.

As outlined in the lesson plans on classroom.littlebits.com students are able to create and test a circuit containing a power source, inputs, outputs and wires, construct a prototype of a self-driving vehicle using Bits and other materials, test their prototypes and make improvements. Students self-assess their work based on the outlined success criteria and constraints and demonstrate their ability to create, play, remix and share.

Student enjoyed racing their self-driving cars and adding sound and lights to their completed inventions.

Learning is FUN at SEAS!

Students and staff at St. Anthony of Padua Roman Catholic School are participating in the devotional practice of the Stations of the Cross every Friday as part of this Lenten season. All grades are able to take an active role and participate in this sacred tradition through readings, singing, meditation, and prayer. We are blessed to be able to share the Stations of the Cross with our school and St. Francis of Assisi Church community. What a wonderful way to prepare for the resurrection of our Lord on Easter!

As we started the Lenten season, we continued with a St. Christopher tradition of Burying the Alleluia. This year instead of doing a whole school assembly, we constructed individual tombs for each classroom. The students then had a lesson on the Alleluia in their Religion class, constructed their own Alleluia banners, placed their Lenten promise on them, and placed them in their tombs until Easter.

We welcome this new year, and pray that it is filled with many blessings for our Catholic Schools community!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week to all of our teachers in the Diocese of Las Vegas. We are so grateful for all that you do each and every day! National Teacher Appreciation Week provides an opportunity to share our appreciation for those special educators we are blessed to have in our lives. Thank you for your dedication and devotion to our students – and for all that you do in normal times – as well as in this new normal!