St. Patrick's Day School

Today was "Mix it up Day" at St. Patrick's! We changed things up by wearing crazy hats and socks and, more importantly, by meeting new friends and reviving old friendships. Our student body was broken up into small groups today, remaining in classroom cohorts, and then zoomed with other small groups from different grade levels. They got to know one another by answering questions such as "What super power do you wish you had?" or "Tell me three random facts about yourself." or "If you had one wish for the world and one wish for yourself what would they be?". It was part of this week's school wide theme of meeting new friends and valuing each person in our community. #stpatricksdayschoolTO #MixItUpDay

Our fifth graders have been studying matter in science. Over the past two days, both our remote learners and in-person learners have been participating in an alchemy experiment called "Magic Potions". They looked at how alchemists use potions to transform materials. The first day of the experiment our students used various solutions to soak real copper pennies (from the year 1982 or prior) and found that vinegar and salt changed tarnished pennies to a bright copper color. They were challenged to think about where the tarnish went. The next day they used the copper that came off the pennies to copper plate a steel nail. Students were asked to write down their results and hypothesize how the experiment worked, citing evidence from their observations. #stpatricksdayschoolTO #FifthGradeScience #alchemyexperiment #experientiallearning

Our first grade has launched their new Manna campaign for January - "One can, two can, who can? You can! " Dr. Seuss is a favorite author of our first graders, and this new slogan is a nod to him for the use of his creative language. Our students are learning creative ways to encourage their classmates to donate cans. Buckets for collecting these cans will be on the upper patio and donations can be placed in these buckets during morning drop-off or afternoon pick up through ...the entire month of January. Please help support this great cause and bring those cans in. Just remember... One can, two can, who can? YOU can! #stpatricksdayschoolTO #Manna #Donate #Giveback #serviceproject #thousandoaksschools #firstgrade

It's officially 2021, and St. Pat's students had a wonderful first week - hard at work and at play! They are shining bright and getting off to a great start keeping in mind our 2021 theme of "Courage". Sixth grader, Blake Miller, reminds us all what that means by writing "Courage isn't a gift. It's a chance. A chance you need to take, even if you don't want to." #stpatricksdayschoolto #thousandoaksschools #afreshstart #2021

It's time for another Monday Alumni Spotlight and today we are checking in with Isabella Chabot, a member of the St. Patrick's Class of 2012. After graduating from St. Patrick's Isa went on to attend La Reina Middle School and High School. She was a National Honor Society member and President's Scholar and graduated in 2018. Isa is currently a junior at Southern Methodist University in Texas where she is Majoring in Marketing with a Minor in Advertising. When asked to refle...ct upon her time at St. Patrick's Isa said... "St. Patrick's was a place with a nurturing environment and sense of community that helped me grow from a shy child into a confident adult. I made lifelong friends there that are still like family to me. Even though we went to different high schools and universities, we never broke the bond we made at St. Pat's." If you are a proud St. Patrick's alum, please write us and let us know where you are today and what you are doing. [email protected] #stpatricksdayschoolto #lareinahighschool #alumnispotlight #thousandoaksschools #proudofourstudents #smu

The St. Patrick’s Students would like to wish you a blessed Christmas Eve

A unique tradition at St. Patrick's is the fifth grade "Patriotic Pumpkin Contest." We know you're used to seeing spooky pumpkins around Halloween, but our fifth graders study American history all year and give service to "For The Troops." And with Veteran's day right around the corner, it only seems right that we make our pumpkins patriotic! This year our pumpkins did NOT disappoint. With everything from Thomas Jefferson to the Statue of Liberty the fifth grade pumpkins b...rought a smile to our entire school. #stpatricksdayschool #patrioticpumpkins #pumpkindecorating #conejovalleyschools #thousandoaksschools #inpersonlearning #fifthgradefun See more

Our very talented music teacher, Mrs. Emma Roche, recently wrote an original song about courage. The St. Patrick’s Day School Choir recorded each individual voice in their own home, and it was later assembled together to create this beautiful track that reminds us how courage is demonstrated in many different ways. As global citizens we have all been challenged with finding courage in these recent months. But by coming together, and helping one another through service, empa...thy, kindness, and optimism we will get through this time staying St. Patrick’s Strong." #Stpatricksdayschoolto #courage #stpatricksstrong #communityofkindness #havecourage #weareinthistogether #thousandoaksstrong #wegotthis See more

Each grade at St. Patrick's participates in a service project to help our community and encourage leadership. Second grade helps out the Ventura Humane Society by collecting donations of food, blankets, toys, and other items. They also get the word out about specific animals that are currently up for adoption and looking for permanent homes. At St. Patrick's we believe in kindness to all of God's creatures, and second grade does an excellent job in reminding us of that. #stpatricksdayschool #kindnessmatters #serviceproject #humanesocietyofventura #thousandoaksschools #conejovalleyschools

It's time for another Monday Alumni Spotlight! Today we are checking in with Nico Chabot, a member of the St. Patrick's Class of 2017. After his graduation, Nico went on to Chaminade Middle School and is currently a Sophomore at Valor Christian High School in Highlands Ranch Colorado. Before moving to Colorado Nico was a hockey player on the Ventura Mariners Club Hockey Team. This year they went to the SCAHA League Finals and came in 2nd and later placed 3rd in the CAHA ...State Championships! St. Pat's couldn't be more proud! When asked how St. Patrick's has influenced him Nico said, "St. Patrick's was a place where I learned how to be part of a team and work with others. I especially loved my time at WOLF Camp in the fifth grade! We worked together to make a shelter and conquer a ropes course. I continue to use those team building skills today with my hockey team." #stpatricksdayschool #teambuilding #alumni #mondayalumnispotlight #conejovalleyschools #thousandoaksschools #thousandoaksprivateschool

Albert Einstein once said, "play is the highest form of research". Keeping that in mind, we are so happy to see our students playing on our beautiful campus again and the many smiles it has brought to their faces. #stpatricksdayschool #stpatricksdayschoolto #inpersonlearning #backontheplayground #conejovalleyschools #thousandoaksschools #happykids

Today the Student Council participated in their traditional flag ceremony done just a little differently. This time the students were filmed giving speeches about the upcoming elections and the importance of having a say in what happens in our country through the power of the vote. They reminded everyone that to preserve our democracy and be represented in our government it is essential for each citizen over the age of 18 to vote. They spoke of the time when not everyone... in our country could vote depending on their race or gender, and therefore not everybody was represented. An active democracy is about ALL voices being heard. (FYI: The video of the flag ceremony will be put on our youtube channel for everyone to see next week) #stpatricksdayschool #flagceremony #leadership #thepowerofthevote #conejovalleyschools #thousandoaksschools #getoutandvote

There is a saying that goes art is a place for children to learn to trust their ideas. At St. Patrick’s, we believe in the value of the arts in enriching the lives of all those who participate. With a dedicated art room, complete with kiln to fire our ceramics, the art program develops our students’ art skills, vocabulary, and creative expression. We use multiple forms of media such as clay, paint, printmaking, pen and ink and a variety of sculptural materials. Cross-cur...ricular lessons are created with the homeroom teachers to help reinforce classroom studies. We would like to officially welcome our new Art teacher this year, Mrs. Leslie Miller, who is already doing an amazing job filling some very large shoes left by Mrs. Appleford who retired last June after 35 years as our Art teacher. The students are currently working on beautiful fall themed projects like these adorable ceramic Halloween ghosts and Thanksgiving turkeys. #arteducation #stpatricksdayschool #conejovalleyschools #inpersonlearning #creativelearning #thousandoaksschools #artsineducation

Last Thursday, as the sun was rising over the hill above our beautiful playground, the fourth, fifth, and sixth graders participated in an outdoor chapel service. St. Patrick’s remains committed to keeping our students safe, while creatively maintaining as many of our traditions as possible. As an interfaith family, St. Patrick’s provided the perfect faith-based environment for our children; focusing on the common values that unite all faiths and welcoming everyone at whatever point they are on in their faith journey. -A former St. Patrick’s parent

St. Patrick’s Day School has a long-standing tradition of celebrating "Blessing of the Animals". Normally, the students bring their pets to the labyrinth in front of the school for a ceremony that includes songs, readings, and a sprinkle of holy water on each creature. And we have had some very unique creatures over the years! Along with our beloved dogs and cats, we have blessed lizards, snakes, hedgehogs, ponies, goats, fish, guinea pigs, tarantulas, and of course all ou...r beloved stuffed animals as well. Today, we held our first Virtual Blessing of the Animals. Students submitted photos of their pets and Mrs. Kavetsky put together a lovely power point that was played during Zoom Chapel with Reverend Sarah. We look forward to the day we get to see all our furry and scaled friends in person again. Until then, enjoy this small clip of today’s Virtual Blessing of the Animals. Animals have always been an important part of our lives and the world. More than just livestock, they are companions and members of our families. God created animals for our partnership and through animals, God teaches us about love, care, kindness, trust and devotion. For this reason, we gather today to ask God to bless our pets. We pray that God will keep them safe and healthy. We pray also that we will uphold our part in caring for and protecting them. As God has loved us and provided for us, so may we share that love with these animals and with all creation. - Reverend Sarah

It's Monday Alumni Spotlight - where we check in with our fabulous alumni and see where they went and what they are doing today! This week we are checking in with Sofia Iezza, a graduate of the St. Patrick's Class of 2012. After leaving St. Patrick's, Sofia attended Oaks Christian Middle and High School where she was a Top Ten Scholar, National Honor Society Member, Lion Scholar Athlete and member of the OC Ladies Choir and Musical Theatre. She was the Founder and President ...of Lion's Heart Westlake Village and received the Presidential Service Award for more than 100 service hours in a single year. Sofia graduated from Oaks Christian in 2018 and is currently a Junior at the University of Notre Dame where she is Majoring in Science Pre-Professional and Minoring in Italian and Business. Sofia has shadowed a local Pediatric Surgical Opthamologist the past two Summers and hopes to pursue a career as a Pediatric Optholologist after she graduates from Notre Dame. When asked about her time at St. Patrick's Sofia said, "Some of my fondest memories from St. Patrick's are the Fifth Grade Colonial Play, Talent Shows, Gardening, Christmas Concert, and Mrs. Appleford's Art Class and the Art Show. I loved the numerous Cultural Programs and Field Trips. The Enrichment Programs were the best and set the school apart from other schools. The foundation I received from St. Patrick's was a fantastic springboard to get me started on my educational path." If you are an Alum of St. Patrick's Day School, drop us a line and let us know what you did after graduation and where you are now. Send us a pic and you could be our next Monday Alumni Spotlight! email us at : [email protected] Don't forget to tag your favorite St. Pat's Alumni in the comments section!!

St. Patrick's mission is to inspire and equip children to courageously transform the world. One way we do this is through our service learning projects. The first graders collect food for Manna, a local food bank in our area. During this time of unparalleled food insecurity we are proud to be part of the solution.

This world can always use a little more kindness. Right? That is why at St. Patrick's our students pledge to be part of a Community Of Kindness. They are encouraged to live by the Golden Rule and treat others the way they would like to be treated. Yesterday, Reverend Sarah talked to the students about what being a kind and peaceful member of the community means. She talked about various symbols of peace and one of our students even read a poem she had written about "a community of peace". After Chapel, all the students signed a Peace Pledge. We hope to inspire others to think the same way. How can you spread kindness?

Did you know St. Patrick's is back for in person learning? Check out all the safety measures we have in place in our "Return To Campus" video on our website. www.stpatricksdayschool.org