Welcome from Queen of Angels School!
Thank you for your interest in Queen of Angels Catholic Elementary School. We understand the significance of making the right choice for your child’s education. We invite you to discover the rewarding experience of a Catholic School education at Queen of Angels School.
Child, teacher, parents and God are partners in every student’s education here. This partnership forms a powerful community united in the belief that Christian values and excellent academics will best prepare your child for the future. As their faith-based values take root they also grow their knowledge about the world and its people.
We reach out to you and your family to create an educational experience of the highest quality, centered on each child’s individual growth and fostered by an atmosphere of trust and cooperation. Student development through religious, academic and social education is the primary goal of our school.
We invite you to learn more about our school, its future and the difference that a Catholic education can make in the life of your child. This Parent Primer highlights the student, teacher and parent partnership in learning; it includes curriculum and Terra Nova scores by grade level, enrichment programs, extra-curricular activities and admissions requirements. If you have any questions or would like more information, visit our website, or email us at .
Come experience how an education at Queen of Angels can make a difference in your child’s life.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Julia Byrns Kelly, Principal
Reverend William J. O’Brien, Pastor
Mission Statement
The Queen of Angels Catholic School community, as part of Queen of Angels Parish, the Parishes of Lincoln Avenue, and the Archdiocese of Chicago, believe we are called to proclaim and witness to the Gospel. This will be realized through the complement of prayer, active participation in the Eucharist and service to each other and the community.
We further believe this call requires the formation of a faith-based educational community. We are challenged to accept our own uniqueness and that of our students.
In pursuit of academic excellence, we are committed to a challenging and well-rounded curriculum. We will celebrate our cultural diversity, interests and talents by offering a variety of educational and enrichment opportunities to meet the needs of all students for the twenty-first century. We firmly believe we are called to serve the Church by ensuring the Catholic presence in the academic world and by transmitting life-long Catholic values. As we achieve this goal, we are willing to respond to the unique needs of the people in our school and parish community.
Philosophy
“Queen of Angels School educates our students to have lifelong Christian values and academic skills that will prepare them for the 21st century.”
The goal of Queen of Angels School is the total development of each student through
Religious, academic, and social training. We enthusiastically embrace the gospel values and traditions of the Catholic faith and its reverence for sacred scripture. We strongly encourage in their pursuit of academic excellence. We believe that each child’s moral development must be guided by our example, an informed conscience and loving care.
We believe that each child learns in a unique, faith-based, supportive and interactive environment. Our faculty and administration and are convinced of the value of using positive approaches in the learning process and in student management. We recognize the ethnic diversity in our school population, and will strive to educate students to accept everyone regardless of race, color, or ethnicity.
We believe that the students, faculty, and parents are partners in learning. We recognize the students’ individuality in learning styles, and we address their various needs and strengths through our curriculum. The faculty will utilize a variety of current instructional methods to benefit the individual needs of the students and enable them to be successful members of society. Parents are the primary educators of their children, and we encourage them to continue in that role while they entrust their children to our school.
Queen of Angels School is an important and vital part of Queen of Angels Parish. Students should be made aware of the larger community of the parish and be encouraged to partake in its activities, both religious and social.
Catholic Identity
The school exists to serve the child. The love of Christ for each child is known, felt, and shown at Queen of Angels.
Queen of Angels School is witness to the presence of Christ in children. The school's teachers are strong showcases for Catholic teaching philosophy: each and every child is infinitely more important and significant than anything they will ever do. The warm and nurturing environment at Queen of Angels School embodies this belief.
The daily prayer and its focus on the liturgical cycle is a strong component of the Catholic identity at Queen of Angels. Decorations emphasizing the liturgical season dot our school walls. Hall Advent wreath and Lenten displays are also good reminders. The praise of God comes through Daily prayer and regular Mass attendance at Queen of Angels School. The student Masses are strengthened by a strong music component. Catholic education teaches our children how to praise God -- that is their universal vocation.
A Catholic education teaches children how to know, love, and serve God. That means revealing to the children the beauty, wonder, and mystery of God. Flowing from that revelation of God's love is our response that is embodied in praise and `love of neighbor, particularly the poor.
Educational Excellence
Queen of Angels offers programs for children from Preschool through 8th Grade. Our students develop sound academic skills, critical thinking skills and an ability to learn independently and cooperatively through a rich academic curriculum. Each day is designed to bring new excitement and opportunities to engage in meaningful learning. The school is bustling with activity—our students are lively, energetic and self-confident.
Curriculum Overview
Our academic strength focuses on an evolving and carefully articulated curriculum. Updated annually for the past 4 years, the curriculum begins with the Kindergarten program and continues to expand in each subject area as students advance in grade levels. A strong hands-on Math program, which begins in Kindergarten, provides the basis for abstract, higher-level thinking skills necessary in the upper grades. The Communication Arts/Literature (Reading, English, Phonics, and Spelling) curriculum is carefully selected to inspire young readers. Classes emphasize verbal and written skills through journaling, language experience stories, beginning research and creative story writing. All students are provided access to and instruction in the use of the school Library’s resources.
An in-depth Social Studies curriculum combines hands-on historical instruction with geography and an exploration of many world cultures. The program allows students to explore who they are and promotes an awareness of other societies, cultures and contemporary world realities. Science instruction is experiential and takes place in the regular classroom for all students. Our 6th, 7th and 8th grade students also meet weekly with our science specialist in the new Science Lab to reinforce and test concepts learned in the classroom.
The Loyola Press Religion program provides continuous learning from year to year and includes learning about church doctrine, Scripture, the church’s liturgy and prayer, feasts and seasons. The comprehensive program—classroom work, Scripture and liturgy, daily prayer service, community involvement (Adopt-A-Family during the holiday seasons), special activities (theatrical performances) and family discussions—work together to give children a well-rounded foundation for their adult faith.
For many of our students technology is or will become an everyday part of their lives. Students receive formal Computer instruction to familiarize them with the many ways in which technology can enrich their curriculum and to prepare them for the role evolving technology will play in their futures. All students (including Preschoolers) attend a computer class 1-2 times per week at our state-of-the art Computer Education Lab. Classrooms at all grade levels are equipped with Internet-ready computers.
All students participate in our Music, Library and Physical Education Programs at various levels appropriate to their age and grade at least once per week. Students are also introduced to art appreciation through participation in the “Art Lovers” program, one of the school’s Enrichment Programs.
Queen of Angels School recognizes the need to develop well-balanced children through a combination of quality academic learning and unique Enrichment Programs. Our students directly benefit from the school’s incorporation of educational programs from the Enrichment Programs into the curriculum. (Some after school enrichment programs require an additional fee.) In addition Extra Curricular Activities also provide students opportunities to enrich their educational experience at Queen of Angels.
The richness and exceptional quality of an education at Queen of Angels may also be demonstrated by the consistently above-average scoring by our students on the standardized Terra Nova tests and also in the placement of our students in some of the best area high schools.
Preschool
Queen of Angel’s Preschool is fully accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and offers programs that are designed to develop a solid foundation for social and academic skills for young children. Our program strives to attain the following goals:
- Meet each child’s needs in order to become a self confident, inquiring learner.
- Promote each child’s growth and well-being through the development of skills, social competence and positive self-image.
- Provide an atmosphere that encourages a love for learning.
- Provide a program that is supportive of the Preschooler's family and communicates effectively.
We believe that Preschoolers learn best by actively participating in an atmosphere designed for young children. Centers of learning and interest will draw children to create, investigate, and problem-solve in a safe, child-centered environment. A warm, cheerful atmosphere will encourage social interaction among children and caring adults. It will enhance the individual's self-concept and ability to get along with others.
Our program provides each child a variety of experiences to meet his/her needs. Activities are arranged for individual and group experiences as well as free choice play. Teachers work with children individually to develop specific needs and with groups to promote social interaction and negotiating skills. Activities are arranged in interest-activity centers.
- Art-Writing
- Computer
- Blocks and Building
- Housekeeping
- Manipulatives
- Library
- Sand-Water
- Outdoor/Indoor Gross Motor Skills
Preschoolers have large motor experiences each day. We go outdoors as often as possible and use our Indoor Motor Skills Area when the weather does not cooperate. We have a Gym Class with the school Physical Education teacher once a week.
Preschoolers are also introduced to liberal arts through regular art and music activities in the classroom and a weekly music class with the school’s music teacher. To further enhance their fine arts experience, preschoolers may also look forward to participating in the Art Lovers program.
Preschoolers also visit the Computer Lab once a week.
Enrollment. A child may begin Preschool if she or he has celebrated their thirdbirthday by September 1st of the year she or he is beginning school and can care for her or his personal and bathroom needs.
Preschool classes are organized in multi-age groups of 3, 4, and 5 year olds. We believe that the older children gain confidence by showing the younger children routines and sharing information. The younger children's curiosity and wonder about the classroom and school motivate older preschoolers to look at things in new ways.
Full day and half-day sessions are available:
- Full-day session - Monday through Friday, 8:10 am–2:40 p.m. (lunch at 11:00 a.m.)
- Half-day morning session -- Monday through Friday, 8:10 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
- Half-day afternoon session – Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon, 12:00 p.m. – 2:40 p.m.
- Extended care is also available
Kindergarten
In Kindergarten children are encouraged to grow and see their own beauty and abilities. Children are successful and their self-esteem flourishes through an age appropriate Kindergarten program that stresses developmental readiness.
Language Arts. A child’s reading abilities emerge in Kindergarten establishing the foundation necessary to develop each child into a successful reader. The children develop phonemic awareness and phonics skills through songs, rhymes and flannel board stories. A phonics workbook is used to reinforce the letters and letter sounds. Big Books and Read Aloud Books are used to develop concepts of print and comprehension skills. Activities that involve oral language, critical thinking and writing are integral.
Handwriting. D’Nealian handwriting is introduced. The transition from D’Nealian manuscript to cursive is easier and less stressful to children than traditional handwriting programs. D’Nealian letters are slanted from the beginning and the basic rhythm of forming the letters is securely established by the time children are introduced to cursive writing.
Science. The Harcourt "hands on" science program develops essential skills that form the basis for lifelong learning and investigation of the natural world. Observation, comparison, classifying, gathering and recording data, measuring, predicting, hypothesizing, and experimenting are some of the process skills used.
Mathematics. The Silver Burdett Ginn Mathematics program helps students develop a math skills foundation they need to succeed in school and for use in their lifetime. The children explore concepts using manipulatives then practice and apply the skills that reinforce those concepts through problem-solving and hands-on activities. The children also take part in the Math Their Way program (patterning, sorting, counting, odd/even numbers, money recognition, graphing, and place value). Manipulatives are often used when adding numbers up to 10.
Social Studies. This program explores the children’s curiosity about the world; it expands their knowledge of the world around them and the world at large. “Who We Are”, “Communities”, “Work”, “Our Earth”, “USA”, and “Family Stories” are the units covered.
Religion. Religion opens children to God’s love through a discovery of the good things God has placed in their world. They reflect on God’s goodness in creation, his presence in their lives, in the wonder of their own unique selves, and in the love of the people around them. Kindergarteners celebrate religious feast days and attend all school liturgies with their fifth grade “buddies”.
Enrichment. The children also participate in numerous art activities in the classroom and in the Art Lovers program. They attend Physical Education, Music, Library and Computer classes each week.
1st Grade
The first grade program incorporates elements from the school core curriculum along with many other topics, themes and skills-building opportunities that may arise during the school year. As in all learning experiences we try to make connections across the curriculum and relate what students learn to our everyday lives making their learning experience more meaningful. In all subject areas, use of various modalities—auditory, visual, tactile and kinesthetic—is included to provide an optimum experience for all types of learners. Topics and skills covered during the first grade include:
Communication Arts. The Scott Foresman reading books, World of Language and the Intensive Phonics Program are used to explore children’s Literature and to develop the students’ spelling, writing (sentences and paragraphs), listening and speaking skills through stories and journaling.
Handwriting. D’Nealian handwriting skills continue to develop.
Mathematics. Silver Burdett Ginn, patterns, graphs, story problems, beginning addition/subtraction, place value, time, money, fractions, odd/even, measuring, probability, solid shapes, fact families, counting by 2’s, 5’s and 10’s, beginning algebra.
Religion. LoyolaPress’Christ OurLife, FamilyLifeSupplement—Benziger, daily prayers,weeklyandmonthlyMass attendance.
Science. The McGraw-Hill 2000 Series explores Science Skills, the five Senses, plants & animals, our Earth, the weather and seasons, matter, energy and forces.
Social Studies. Students learn about communities and are introduced to government, economics, our country’s history and holidays. Students also begin developing map skills.
Enrichment. The children also participate in numerous art activities in the classroom and in the Art Lovers program. They attend Physical Education, Music, Library and Computer classes each week.