Saints Mary and Elizabeth Academy

Where Children Grow in Mind, Body, and Spirit 

2-11-2010
Thank you letter from the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park for sending Valentines day love bear greetings, made specially by Saints Mary & Elizabeth Academy Students to cheer up the veterans and seniors.

Click here for Full Sized Printable PDF version of this letter

Time passes by so very quickly . . . it seems like only yesterday that these young ladies and gentlemen began school as kindergarteners.  We wish our graduates the very best as they leave us for high school.

May they always remember the days they spent with us at the Academy!

The annual field day activity took place on a beautiful Friday!  Click here to see our Academy athletes (including parent athletes).

Audience members were taken on a magic carpet ride when the Academy Drama Club gave their presentation of Aladdin at their Spring Play.

See the pictures by clicking here!

Emily Badalis tries to contain the lava flow from her volcano as fellow classmates watch.   Grade 5 students built volcanoes and then took turns setting them off using dish soap, baking soda, vinegar and a touch of food coloring.  Hands-on experiments are part of their Science curriculum. 

Students of the month are chosen in each class, grades 1 through 8, based on a student's Christian behavior and good class performance.  They are recognized at the monthly Student Council meeting and awarded with a "student of the month" pin.

Chosen for the month of May are Izabell Wilk, Aniyah Florio, Emily Jones, Bennett Labrador, Jade Weatherington, Lila Majano, Michelle Cao, and Michael Lindnal.

The Academy May Crowning took place on Friday, May 1.  Chantley Thomas had the honor of crowning our Blessed Mother at the First Friday Liturgy.  Assisting Chantley were Alexandra Maravegias and Katherine Barna.  Deborah Lagos served as flower girl, and Randolph Manongsong bore the crown.  8th grade students and 2nd grade students formed the procession.

Click here for more pictures of the beautiful ceremony.

Erika, Erin, and Colleen hold their winnings from the 100th Anniversary poster contest held by St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church.  First place, $50, went to Erin Waltner, Grade 4.  Second place, $30, went to Colleen Badalis, Grade 2; Third place, $20, went to Erika Valderrama, Grade 4.

The students also made a time line of all the important events in the parish's history.

Students of the month are chosen in each class, grades 1 through 8, based on a student's Christian behavior and good class performance.  They are recognized at the monthly Student Council meeting and awarded with a "student of the month" pin.

Chosen for the month of April are Debora Lagos, Jeremy Meima, Alyssaminna Manongsong, Nicole Moncrief, Jelisa Rivera, Jason Kostovcik, Monica Youn, and Dawn Gergich.

7th Grade science students ready their modules and hope for a safe landing.  Tucked inside the modules they designed is an egg!  

Although several of the modules protected their tiny passengers during the test run, no eggs survived the actual launch event.  Oh well, back to the drawing board!

2nd Graders cannot understand how leprechauns were able to sneak into their classroom first thing in the morning and cause such turmoil!  Chairs were upside down, weekly spelling words changed to leprechaun words, streamers were strung everywhere!

Leprechauns played their tricks later in the morning, as well!  Kindergarteners discovered their backpacks and coats were missing when they returned from gym!

Could this be the mischievous leprechaun?  No--it's just a mischievous lepre-Colleen!

The seventh grade class sponsors the annual Mardi Gras at the Academy to raise funds for their eighth grade class trip.  Face painting and posing are two of the favorite activities.

Kindergarteners and First Graders celebrated 100 days of learning by making necklaces and doing a celebration dance! 

Rachel has 8 Froot Loops down . . . 92 more to go!

Students of the month are chosen in each class, grades 1 through 8, based on a student's Christian behavior and good class performance.  They are recognized at the monthly Student Council meeting and awarded with a "student of the month" pin.

Chosen for the month of February are Matthew Swinehart, Sarah Garcia, Angelica Merced, Marco Garcia, Alonso Torres, Jennifer Bednarz, Joseph Czylek, and Bridgette Badalis.

What is happening inside the walls of the Academy during the cold cold days of January and February?  Let's take a peek. . .

Derek Coriolan, 8th grader, proudly shows off the medal he received for winning the school competition of the National Geography Bee.  After competing against his schoolmates, Derek took the written test to see if he qualifies for the state competitions this spring.

Other class winners were: 5th grader Norah Bianculli, 6th grader Miguel Savaille, and 7th grader Sandra Stankiewicz.

The Academy celebrated Catholic Schools Week, the annual celebration of Catholic schools and their contribution to their communities and the nation from Jan. 25 through Jan. 30, 2009.

For more than three decades, the nation’s Catholic schools have spent the last week of January recalling what makes Catholic education special.  

The 2009 theme is “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service,” which highlights the mission of Catholic schools to do service to others.

Click here to see the week's activities.

First and Second graders gather around the screen to watch President Obama take the oath of office.  All of the Academy students from Kindergarten to Grade 8 were able to witness this historic day in our country!

Maybe in a few years we will be watching one of our Academy students taking the Presidential oath!

It is an annual event for the 5th grade students to be presented the 10 week DARE program from the Linden Police Department.  It is even more exciting that the 4th graders were introduced to the 6-week GREAT program as well!  The Academy 4th grade class is the first class to complete this new program obtained through a Federal Grant.  Officer Durham presented the programs to the two classes.  Lieutenant Detective Aslin was on hand for the presentation of the certificates.

Several Kindergarteners stand in front of their display for Martin Luther King, Jr.  The students learned how Dr. King helped to make changes that affect all of us.

The Kindergarteners also have dreams of their own . . . to maybe one day become president! 

A few of the "citizens" of Second-Grade City sit among the buildings they researched.  The buildings are on display in the main floor hallway.

The students and teachers of the Academy presented a stellar production on Wednesday, December 17.  All classes sang their favorite Christmas carols before the Drama club presented A Charlie Brown Christmas.  The Living Nativity Scene at the end highlighted the evening.

Click here for all the details and lots of pics!

Santa Claus Came To The Academy!

The Student Council made arrangements with the North Pole to have Santa pay a visit to the students of the Academy.  Student Council Representatives served a yummy breakfast of waffles, sausage, juice and milk to the Pre-K, Kindergarteners, and First Graders before the man in red arrived.  The children colored and sang Christmas carols while they waited for their turn to tell Santa what they want for Christmas.

Students of the month are chosen in each class, grades 1 through 8, based on a student's Christian behavior and good class performance.  They are recognized at the monthly Student Council meeting and awarded with a "student of the month" pin.

Chosen for the month of December are Gabriella Leveque, Randolph Manongsong, Jole Perkins, Melonie Reyes, Domenic Ippolito, Dylan O'Donnell, Michael Pender, and Nekeia Scotland.

Grade 3 students put the finishing touches on a boat they designed.  The students tested the boats for buoyancy by placing them in water.  Ask the third graders why boats as large and heavy as ocean liners do not sink!

Spirit Day takes place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.  Highlights include cheers from our cheerleading squads, demonstrations of skills from basketball and volleyball teams, and the annual faculty-8th grade volleyball tournament.

Click here for more pictures

St. Elizabeth Parish in Linden opened the centennial year of the parish foundation with a special liturgy on November 15.  Prior to the Mass, the parish held a Novena in honor of the Patroness of the Parish.  Classes in the Academy made posters to commemorate each of the titles of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

The major liturgy to mark the actual date of foundation will be held on May 2, 2009.

Students and Student Council Officers help box the collected food under the direction of Mrs. Cannon, Student Council Advisor. 

This year the food will help to replenish the food pantries in the Archdiocese.  Every year the Student Council sponsors a food drive to help families in need as part of the Academy's Quality of Life theme that focuses on service to others. 

The 2008 forensics team performed well at the first meet of the school year.  Monica Youn received a second place ribbon and David Tibbs received a third place ribbon in the Reading category held at Hillside Catholic Academy on November 5.

Also, Monica received perfect scores in the preliminary round.  Krystyna Krupinski and Chantley Thomas received a perfect 25 in one of their preliminary rounds.

Visit the Forensics link to learn more.

Students of the month are chosen in each class, grades 1 through 8, based on a student's Christian behavior and good class performance.  They are recognized at the monthly Student Council meeting and awarded with a "student of the month" pin.

Chosen for the month of November are Simone Abdullahi, Kaddin Berry, Matthew Youn, Cailtin Diaz, Emily Badalis, Ryan Lund, Ludmia Savaille, and Andrew Youn.

Students at the Academy learned about the democratic process of electing a president.  Social Studies classes reviewed the candidates and major issues before casting their ballots.

What were the results?  Senator Obama won the Academy vote by a margin of 2 to 1. 

Many strange things occurred at the Academy on Halloween!  Parents' car trunks were filled with Halloween oddities, the Stage in the gym became haunted, and classrooms turned eerie and spooky.  Perhaps strangest of all--the 8th grade classroom turned into the Class of the Living Dead!

Click here to see the strange happenings (If you dare!!)

Academy families of 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders enjoyed three Tuesdays in October doing MATH!

Union County Educational Services Commission teachers Mrs. Pat Cero and Mrs. Donna Towner presented Math activities designed to spark interest in the subject.

The students never realized that Math could be so much fun!

Eighth Grader Monica Youn displays the plaque she received for earning 1st place in the Art Division of the Scholastic Olympics.  Monica will receive a $300 scholarship to Roselle Catholic High for her accomplishments.

8th Graders received certificates for their participation in the Scholastic Olympics.

Mrs. Cannon's 4th grade students show their support.  The students of the Academy donated money to wear a hat to school in support of children undergoing treatment for cancer.  The children raised $625 for this worthy cause. 

Congratulations to our winners!

Grade 6: 1st place, Sierra White; 2nd place, Danielle Murray; 3rd place, Christopher Mendoza

Grade 5: 1st place, Norah Bianculli; 2nd place, Emily Badalis

Grade 2: 1st place, Colleen Badalis

8th grade student Katherine Kujawa poses for her "before" and "after" pictures.  Katherine donated her beautiful blond tresses to Locks of Love.

6th Grade students are studying animal cells, plant cells and bacteria in science.  Not only did the students have to do research, but they had to make brochures and present their information to the class.

It was a beautiful October day when Pre-K and Kindergarten classes took their annual field trip to Cheesequake Farms.  Not only did students take a hayride, but were able to pick out their own pumpkins.

Students in Pre-K through Grade 2 learned many things having to do with fire safety from Linden fire officials.  The firefighters suited up and showed them many of the tools and equipment that they use to rescue people and protect property; but more importantly, children were told ways to prevent fires from starting.

Students of the month are chosen in each class, grades 1 through 8, based on a student's Christian behavior and good class performance.  They are recognized at the monthly Student Council meeting and awarded with a "student of the month" pin.

Chosen for the month of October are Mikaela Orange, Briana Tucker, Matthew Hozer, Acacio Escada, Zamina Abdullahi, Amanda Coccia, PeterPaul Manongsong, and Cheyanne Fusilli.

Each year the 8th grade class visits Union Catholic High School for a Day of Recollection.  It is a chance for the students to reflect on self-acceptance, decision making, faith and friends.  Our 8th graders appear above with UC's Big Brother and Big Sister counselors.

Grade 2 students display posters that they made to remind us to take care of our neighbors and neighborhoods.

Lunch hostesses Mrs. Pauline, Mrs. Dania, and Mrs. Carmen take a short break to pose for the camera while they prepare lunch.  Because the Academy is part of the National School Lunch Program, students at the Academy are served nutritious breakfasts and hot lunches.  Students in the afterCARES program also get snacks.

Grade 5 received a very famous visitor last week!  Betsy Ross (Angelica Merced) paid a visit to help kick off the Social Studies unit on the American colonies.  She stands in front of posters her classmates made to remind people of their responsibility to vote. 

Recess is a lot more fun when you can share it with friends.  All the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders spent their recess time on a beautiful September day playing a circle game. 

Grade 3 students and Mrs. Warnock watch as newly hatched butterflies make their way out of their cage.  We hope they find a warm place to settle before the cold weather comes!

New Student Council Officers for the 08-09 school year were inducted at the first Student Council Assembly.  Congratulations to new officers and representatives!

To learn more about the Academy Student Council, visit the link.

FACULTY RETREAT 2008

It has become a tradition for the Faculty of the Academy to attend a retreat before beginning the school year. he teachers and staff meet at Saint Joseph's by the Sea, directed by the Filippini Sisters in Mantoloking, NJ.  The staff prays together, meditates, and celebrates Mass.  What a beautiful and peaceful way to begin the school year!

While you vacationed . . .

Planning and preparing never stop at the Academy, even during the summer months!  Besides the usual ordering of textbooks and materials, making class lists, revising schedules and handbooks, etc. our maintenance department is also hard at work.  Classrooms and hallways were thoroughly cleaned and polished.

To further improve our school, the gym floor was completely refinished.  Money for this project came from a Stewardship Grant from the Archdiocese.

We received an additional Stewardship Grant this year and were able to tile the remaining section of floor in our main hallway.

The girls who attended our summer volleyball camp pose on the newly refurbished gym floor.