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Letter From The President
Letter From The President
Dear families and friends of Siena,
March is a curious month. It could be the unpredictable weather (after all, we went from nearly-60 degrees to sleet in a matter of days), the time change, "March Madness" or just general mental fatigue during this time of the year.
All of that being said, I'm grateful that Lent falls in March, giving us the opportunity to truly focus on what is important in our faith lives. We prepare for the recharge and joy that Easter presents, as well as the full, in-person return to school in April.
St. John Paul II said, "Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song." May that message remain in your heart as we prepare for the most important time in the Catholic Church.
Blessings in Christ,
Brenda White
President, Siena Catholic Schools of Racine
The Month In Photos
The Month In Photos
Reminder: In-Person Learning
Reminder: In-Person Learning
Just a friendly reminder that ALL STUDENTS will be returning to in-person learning on or before Monday, April 12, the first day back from Easter break. If you wish to have your child return before Easter break, please reach out to your school principal to make arrangements.
Almsgiving at Siena Schools
Almsgiving at Siena Schools
Our schools are all participating in Lenten service/almsgiving projects, living out our mission as Catholic Schools. From funding wells in Bolivia to making donations to Homeless Assistance Leadership Organization (HALO) and Catholic Relief Services' Rice Bowl Program, our students, faculty, and staff are holding up the pillars of Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. If you are looking for ways for your family to get involved, please reach out to your school secretary!
Siena Promise Update
Siena Promise Update
The Siena Promise Scholarship will be increased to $2,500 per student starting in 2021-22. This scholarship is an annual tuition deduction for high school families whose children attended a Siena Catholic School or a religious education program at one of the 11 Siena sponsoring parishes for three years or more. The scholarship is made possible through the generosity of the St. Catherine’s Foundation and other donors.
CfUT Summer School Returns
CfUT Summer School Returns
Mark your calendars and register today for the Center for Urban Teaching's summer school program (June 30 - July 28, 2021)! This program is for rising kindergartners through eighth-graders and is FREE for Siena Catholic Schools of Racine students! Interested in registering? Click here!
Jennifer Jeffers
Heather Collum
Differentiated Learning: Math
Differentiated Learning: Math
Starting in March, St. Rita Principal, Jennifer Jeffers, and St. Catherine’s High School Assistant Principal, Heather Collum, are co-chairing a team of math teachers to review and align the math curriculum for all Siena schools with the goal of implementing new resources in the 2021-22 school year. Thank you to Michelle Edwards, Jenni Adams, Joey Mickelson, Coleen Ruediger, Heather Ropiak, and Dottie Maccanelli for your expertise! Objectives of the team include:
Explore current instructional practices and resources
Analyze system-wide math performance data
Review teaching standards with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Assistant Superintendent Sue Nelson
Consider ways to offer both math enrichment and remediation
Develop community connections to enhance math instruction
Pilot new curriculum materials
Recommend resources that are aligned K-12 for the 2021-22 school year
Plan staff development and training for parents
Thank you to Jen and Heather for taking the lead, and to the teachers for leaning in!
Catholic Community Foundation Award
Catholic Community Foundation Award
Siena works hard to provide financial assistance to families in need and recently The Catholic Community Foundation contributed a $13,000 grant to these efforts. From the impacts of COVID-19, many families faced challenges with tuition and the Admissions Office works to fill those gaps. With the help of the grant, we were able to retain students during the 2020-2021 school year and provide the support needed. The Catholic Community Foundation is a longtime advocate of Siena Catholic Schools.
Sleep Awareness Week
Sleep Awareness Week
No one can dispute the fact that students need enough sleep to be successful and engaged in school. Children should be getting between 8 and 10 hours of sleep every day. One way we can help students get enough sleep is to limit their use of electronic devices for at least one hour before bed. The blue light emitted from cell phones and tablets has been proven to have a negative impact on sleep. These devices suppress melatonin which our body produces to control our sleep and wake cycles, as well as our ability to fall into a deep and restful sleep. Furthermore, the late-night chime of texts and emails keeps a student's mind alert and further harms the ability to fall and stay asleep. So, what can we do? It is important to make sure our children are not going to bed with their phones or tablets. Consider making a family charging station where electronic devices are kept overnight. When our phones sleep we sleep!.
Celebrating GROWTH at Siena Catholic Schools
Celebrating GROWTH at Siena Catholic Schools
Our incoming Class of 2025 is looking to be 150 strong! In addition to Siena eighth graders, we also invited 36 new students to join the family of Angels! The K-8 schools are going strong, as well! We look forward to welcoming 207 new students for grades K3 through eighth-grade. Siena Catholic Schools is a beacon of light in the Racine community!
A special thanks to all Siena staff and faculty that have worked diligently over the past year, focusing on our students and their well-being, both in and out of the classroom. Without a fantastic group of dedicated educators and staff, enrollment growth would not be possible.
If you know of anyone that is looking for a new school, or would like information about Siena Catholic Schools, please let the Admissions team know by calling (262) 812-0155 or by emailing admissions@sienacatholicschools.org. We are eager to continue spreading the good news!
News & Notes
News & Notes
Need help with heating, electric, and energy costs? Contact WHEAP for assistance! See below.
Read Across America
Read Across America
Launched in 1998 by the NEA, Read Across America Day was created as a way to encourage children to read. It later developed into a year-round program, with special celebrations in March. "This year-round program focuses on motivating children and teens to read through events, partnerships, and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone," the NEA website for the program says.
Since its conception, the annual reading day has been held on or near March 2, which is Dr. Seuss's birthday. This year, it was held on his 117th birthday. For many Americans, Read Across America Day is celebrated alongside his birthday.
COVID-19 Dashboard
COVID-19 Dashboard
St. Cat's Black & White Ball
St. Cat's Black & White Ball
You can make a difference in the lives of students through your support of the 11th Annual St. Catherine's Black & White Virtual Ball!
On April 17, 2021, at 6 p.m., we will virtually gather together to celebrate the Angels of today, raising funds to cover the cost of educating our students inside and outside of the classroom.
Register for free today by visiting: https://BWB2021.givesmart.com or text BWB2021 to 76278.
If you have questions or would like to donate an item to the Black and White Ball, please email Kaela Coleman or call her at 262-753-1597.
If you have ideas for the Siena community newsletter, have pictures or stories to share, or just want to say hi, you can reach us:
communications@sienacatholicschools.org (general mailbox)
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