Over the past few weeks, sixth grade students have explored the life of early humans as they worked to establish stable food supplies on their way toward the establishment of complex civilizations. Students explored the geographic and topical elements of early Mesopotamia (with a focus on the Sumerian peoples) as they sharpened their map-reading skills. They also investigated the connection between the problems faced by growing city-states and the solutions that were implemented to ensure the survival of the societies. In the coming weeks, students will further probe the religious, cultural and intellectual lives of these civilizations.

Congratulations to the St. Cletus Academic Bowl team for a strong showing at the 2017 Brother Rice Academic Bowl competition. The team successfully answered a variety of questions on topics ranging from math, science and civics to sports and Brother Rice trivia.  The students participated in a team round, as well as an individual assessment of their academic prowess. Great job Kaj, Kamil, Zach and Tyler. You should be very proud of your accomplishments.

On Thursday, September 21, the children, faculty and staff of St. Cletus School gathered to celebrate the International Day of Peace.   The ceremony showcased the work of the junior high students that they completed as while studying the consequences of situations in which peace is lacking and the impact that efforts towards peace can have on their communities and the world.  Members of the 8th grade class hosted the event.  They introduced the Peace Crane Project, spearheaded by school 6th graders who spread the word of peace and the International Day of Peace through the creation and distribution of origami paper cranes throughout the school and the LaGrange and Chicago communities.  They then introduced members of the 7th grade class, who read poems that they wrote in furtherance of peace as part of the Poems for Peace Project.   Finally, they introduced the Peace Pole Project and unveiled the first peace pole, which has been designed and constructed by members of the 8th grade class.  For many years to come, this inaugural peace pole will stand as a reminder to St. Cletus students and the St. Cletus community of the need for peace in their days and in their world.

The ceremony was enhanced by musical selections chosen by the 7th grade class.  It closed with the formation of a peace sign by all ceremony participants.  Student work is documented in a website (www.peaceiseverydaybro.weebly.com) created and maintained by several 7th grade students.  A video of the activities is being prepared by members of the 8th grade class and will be posted on the site upon its completion.

Congratulations to all students on a job well done.  May Peace Prevail on Earth.

As members of the junior high classes prepare for their September 21 Peace Day celebration, the students learned that their Skype conversation with Jeremy Gilley of Peace One Day will be included in a video presentation to be featured on the organization’s website.   A link to the video can be reached by clicking here.  In participating in this conversation, the students were outstanding representatives of their families, their parish and their school.  Congratulations to all.

Grade 6 students have been working hard.  They not only (virtually) met their Australian exchange peers (see picture below), but they researched and shared information on the climate, culture, economy and geography of Bunbury.  The students also perfected the art of origami cranes and crafted plans to use the cranes to spread the spirit of peace throughout their communities, their families and their world as participants in the international Peace Crane Project.  Several students have elected to send cranes to public figures, including Jeremy Gilley (the founder of Peace One Day), President Donald Trump and others in the hope of encouraging them to work towards or speak in favor of peace.

Students also learned about the history of nonviolent/peaceful protests throughout the world.  The students expanded their understanding of the impact of nonviolent/peaceful protest through research and presentations in which they discussed the timing, location, core purpose and result of historic protests, including the American Suffragette Movement, the Vietnamese Independence Movement, the South African Anti-Apartheid Movement and the Tienanmen Square Protests.  The students did an outstanding job as they pushed themselves to find information to assist them in understanding peoples, places and issues that were new to them.

In the coming week, students will continue to work towards the celebration of Peace Day on September 21; they also will begin to explore the inception of man and the formation of cooperative civilizations.     

The junior high continues to work towards the inaugural St. Cletus Day of Peace, which will be celebrated the afternoon of September 21.

Earlier today, all 143 St. Cletus junior high students participated in a Skype question and answer session with British actor and filmmaker, Jeremy Gilley, who spoke to the students from his offices in London.  Mr. Gilley founded Peace One Day in 1999 in furtherance of his desire to achieve world peace through acts of global unity and shared purpose.  In September 2001, as a result of Mr. Gilley’s efforts, a General Assembly resolution was unanimously adopted by UN member states, establishing September 21 as an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence on the UN International Day of Peace.  As the result of Mr. Gilley’s actions, millions of children in war torn regions have been vaccinated as human rights workers have been able to safely move into areas made safe by the one-day ceasefire.  (More information on Peace One Day may be found at http://www.peaceoneday.org.)

Several weeks ago, the students learned more about Mr. Gilley’s mission as they watched his 2012 Ted Talk in which he outlined his journey from London to Afghanistan to Somalia to the United Nations.   (Mr. Gilley’s talk can be found at:  https://www.ted.com/talks/jeremy_gilley_one_day_of_peace).  In today’s session, students were able to ask Mr. Gilley about his journey, the challenges he faced and the manner in which he continues to work toward the goal of not only a single day of peace, but a year of peace.  The students learned the lessons of how a single person has the ability to effectuate change and the power of unfettered grit in working towards a goal.  St. Cletus was one of only a handful of schools with whom Mr. Gilley met in the days leading up to September 21.

Welcome back!

A quick little back to school note for you all!

Below is the schedule the students will be following for their specials:

A – 1st period Study Hall; 6th period Spanish
B – 1st period Art; 6th period Gym
C – 1st period Music; 6th period TLC
D – 1st period TLC; 6th period Library
E – 1st period Music; 6th period Gym
F – 1st period Spanish; 6th period Study Hall

I look forward to a great school year!

Thanks!

Ms. Shupe