DIVINE SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

ART PHILOSOPHY

We the staff at Divine Savior Catholic School believe that young children experiment with art materials and investigate the ideas presented to them through visual arts and instructions. They exhibit a sense of joy and excitement as they make and share their work with others. Since we are made in the image and likeness of God and God is the creator of all that exists, we are creative beings, and creation is the heart of art instruction. Natural inquisitiveness is promoted and through the use of various materials, processes and media, students learn to coordinate their hands, minds and the visual world.

As students progress from 3K through sixth grade, they develop observation skills as they learn to examine objects and events in their lives. At the same time they grow in their ability to describe, interpret, evaluate and respond to works in the visual arts.

We value the process involved in the creation of a piece of art as well as the product and, therefore, we respectfully care for and display work from every student with pride.

DIVINE SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

HEALTH PHILOSOPHY

We the staff at Divine Savior Catholic School believe that health education should encourage all students to take responsibility for their lives by establishing health practices that will support lifelong wellness.

Teachers should instruct and motivate students to maintain their good health, eat good food items, exercise, prevent disease, and reduce health related risk behaviors.

Health instruction should focus on the whole person; physical, social, mental, and spiritual well-being. Students should recognize their “person” is a gift from God and needs to be respected and cared for to develop their individual potential.

DIVINE SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

LANGUAGE ARTS PHILOSOPHY

We the staff at Divine Savior Catholic School believe that the language arts curriculum supports the lifelong development of communication skills.

The beliefs stated here form the foundation of our approach to teaching language and literacy. We believe that when teaching children language arts:

  • Children learn by constructing and testing hypotheses about speaking, listening, and writing.
  • Children learn by assimilating new information into the scheme of what they already know and have experienced, making new connections and organizing the information.
  • Learning is a social process and occurs when children interact with peers and adults.
  • Learning is a social act; children learn by observing, imitating, and practicing.
  • Teachers must teach to the child’s needs by meeting the child at his/her developmental level and scaffolding instruction so the child can progress with support rather than frustration.
  • Teachers understand the culture of their classrooms and teach to each child’s strengths.

In light of these statements, we believe that the language arts curriculum encompasses:

  • Learning effective speaking skills.
  • Writing as the creative expression of ideas.
  • Quality listening.
  • Conventional spelling.
  • Proper grammar.
  • Language structure and vocabulary development.

These curricular goals are accomplished through:

  • Instruction of various forms of writing.
  • Participation and practice of writing, speaking, and listening.
  • Utilization of the writing process.
  • Teacher and peer editing.
  • Respect for others’ opinions through constructive deliberation.
  • Effective proclamation of Scripture.

Holding true to our Catholic beliefs, we encourage the reflection of Catholic teaching and beliefs that is evident in all writing, speaking, and listening activities.

DIVINE SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

MATH PHILOSOPHY

We the staff at Divine Savior Catholic School believe that our math curriculum should foster mathematical literacy among all of our students. To become truly literate in mathematics, students need to become mathematical problem solvers, be able to reason mathematically, and accurately represent mathematical ideas that incorporate real world context.

We believe our curriculum should be developmentally appropriate and provide a variety of ideas in a way that promotes enjoyment and curiosity about mathematics, as well as modeling good mathematical attitudes and strategies.

We believe that current technology and mathematical tools should be used to help reinforce skills taught across all grade levels. It is also our belief that our assessment techniques should be closely aligned with individual classroom instruction.

The mathematics curriculum should encourage students to see the everyday value of understanding mathematical processes and gain an appreciation of the career opportunities in math.

DIVINE SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

PHYSICAL EDUCATION PHILOSOPHY

We the staff at Divine Savior Catholic School believe physical education is a vital part of the education process. There are several benefits for teaching and integrating physical education in the curriculum. Some of these benefits are promoting a healthy and active lifestyle and encouraging positive social interactions.

Through physical education children gain an understanding of the movements of their bodies. They can also learn many ways to help their body by exercising through diverse activities involving sports, rhythm and multicultural events. Through physical education students get the chance to achieve. Students learn to get along with others while cooperating through team activities and events. Students can also use physical education as a fun integration throughout their other content areas.

DIVINE SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

MUSIC PHILOSOPHY

We the staff at Divine Savior Catholic School believe that music provides children with an aesthetic experience that involves understanding and meaning through sound, language, mathematical formula, and other forms of expression. Music is a means to self-realization and self-expression.

Our students learn customs, values, and beliefs through music of a culture.

Music education does influence the higher cognitive processes. Students’ spatial intelligence, an important component in logic and mathematical reasoning, is enhanced.

Our weekly school Masses provide an opportunity for our students to learn hymns appropriate for Mass and learn to pray by singing. Preparation of hymns offers our students exposure to historical and cultural modifications of liturgical music.

Christmas and Spring musical programs are our times for Divine Savior Catholic School students to perform for parents, grandparents, and parish members.

DIVINE SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

READING PHILOSOPHY

We the staff at Divine Savior Catholic School believe that there are two distinct areas of literacy: Reading and Language Arts. We also believe that there are two distinct levels of learning within the area of reading: learning to read and reading to learn.

The beliefs stated here form the foundation of our approach to teaching language and literacy. We believe that when teaching children to learn to read:

  • Children learn by constructing and testing hypotheses about reading.
  • Children learn by assimilating new information into the scheme of what they already know and have experienced, making new connections and organizing the information.
  • Learning if a social process and occurs when children interact with peers and adults.
  • Learning is a social act; children learn by observing, imitating and practicing.
  • Teachers must teach to the child’s needs by meeting the child at his/her developmental level and scaffolding instruction so the child can progress with support rather than frustration.
  • Teachers understand the culture of their classrooms and teach to each child’s strengths.

In light of these statements we believe that the reading curriculum should have the following:

  • A solid phonics foundation.
  • Varied comprehension strategies.
  • Experiences rich in literature.
  • Phonemic awareness which in turn supports decoding.
  • Many opportunities for practice to support fluency in reading.

We believe that reading supports the acquisition of knowledge across the curriculum while refining and enhancing reading skills already acquired. Reading instruction also includes the teaching and learning of advanced reading strategies to promote an appreciation of reading and a quest for lifelong learning. Encouraging children to make solid moral choices when choosing literature provides avenues for discussion of moral acts and promotes Catholic social teachings.

DIVINE SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

RELIGION PHILOSOPHY

We the staff at Divine Savior Catholic School believe that children are created in the image of God and through their baptisms they are committed to grow throughout life in that image. We believe that those commitments are shown as service to others in accordance with the Catholic social teaching. Carrying out this mission of Jesus is a sign that we are sacramental people.

We believe that the truths of our Catholic faith, as found in the Creed, are based on the word of God and a rich tradition passed down from the followers of Christ.

We believe that we are called to a moral life that embodies Jesus Christ’s example of faithfulness, forgiveness, compassion, justice, and service. We believe in encouraging respect for others, and all life, by developing respect for oneself especially through awareness of peace and social justice issues.

We believe prayer, which is integral to our Christian life, sustains and nurtures our relationship with God and with each other. We believe that the students can experience Jesus through prayer, scripture, and the celebrations of the Eucharistic Liturgy.

DIVINE SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

SCIENCE PHILOSOPHY

We the staff at Divine Savior Catholic School believe that God is the creator of all that exists and that science is the active investigation of His creation. These investigations encompass all areas of science instruction including physical, chemical, and earth science.

The beliefs stated here form the foundation of our approach to teaching about the world we live in. We believe that when teaching children science:

  • Children learn by constructing and testing hypotheses about the world around them.
  • Children learn by assimilating new information into the scheme of what they already know and have experienced, making new connections and organizing the information.
  • Learning is a social act: children learn by observing, imitating and practicing.
  • Teachers must teach to the child’s needs by meeting the child at his/her developmental level and scaffolding instruction so the child can progress with support rather than frustration.
  • Teachers understand the culture of their classrooms and teach to each child’s strengths.

In light of these statements, we believe that the science curriculum should reflect Catholic teachings and beliefs, religion and science are interrelated, and the Catholic teachings should be integrated.

Science investigations utilize the scientific method where children make hypotheses, test them, and share the results with their peers so conclusions can be drawn and further investigations can be made.

The science program also provides students with an appreciation of the career opportunities available to them.

DIVINE SAVIOR CATHOLIC SCHOOL

SOCIAL STUDIES PHILOSOPHY

We the staff at Divine Savior Catholic School believe the social studies curriculum should teach students to discover and develop their roles as Catholic Christian individuals. As individuals they are members of a family, as well as active reflective participants in a local, national, and global community.

We will provide developmentally appropriate exposure to a variety of multicultural and global issues in ways that promote enjoyment and curiosity while engaging students’ interest and intellect. Through the use of tools and technology, the students will gain an appreciation of our national and global geography, history, economy, and culture and therefore better understand their world. With the advances in tools and technology we are becoming more inter-related and inter-dependent.

We believe that these concepts can provide the students with a focus on past, present, and future events. The students can then relate to their world through the application of knowledge and become morally responsible problem-solvers and decision makers. Our children should become active Catholic Christians in their communities and their world.