All REGISTRATION FEES and DONATIONS made in support of The Caring Place will go directly to The Caring Place’s account at the Freestore (even if the registrant does not actually run or walk on the day of the event).

When:       May 27, 2013
Where:      Sawyer Point
Time:        9:00 a.m.
Distance:  5K  (Walk or Run)

To become a The Caring Place team member or make a donation by clicking on the link below to the Freestore Food Bank Hunger Walk 2013.

http://fsfb.convio.net/site/TR/Events/HungerWalk2013?team_id=5921&pg=team&fr_id=1331

Join us for the walk and stay for the party on Sawyer Point immediately following the walk!

Questions?  cvgbud@aol.com or The Caring Place 841-1499

Some Background…

As most of you know, several years ago I started a group at Nativity which is affiliated with the United Nations called Girl Up (http://www.girlup.org). We meet every Tuesday after school and make crafts. Then, we sell what we make and use what we earn to support girls’ education in developing countries. This year we also sponsored the “girls night out” showing of the movie Brave here at school  and the screening of a very important film, Girl Rising, (http://girlrising.com) at the Kenwood Theatre.  Along the way the girls have honed their own leadership skills, learned more about the challenges that face girls in developing countries, become better friends and raised almost $4,000.

One of the schools we have contributed to is Saint Theresa’s School outside of Moshi, near Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania. Saint Theresa’s was started and is run by the Grail, http://www.grail-us.org, an organization I have been involved with for over 40 years. The good women of the Grail helped form my beliefs about spirituality, social justice and education. Quite simply, they changed the course of my life.

My fellowship from The Fund for Teachers will allow me to combine many of my passions… education and girls’ leadership, art, the transformative power of travel and the beauty of the natural world by allowing me to travel to Saint Theresa’s in person this summer!  Here’s an excerpt from my proposal/plans:

“Through this proposed exploration of education in Tanzania, I hope to:

1. Learn more about the challenges that face educators and students in developing countries first hand and explore ways in which we can work together.

2. Use what I learn to educate, motivate and support students in my Girl Up group.

3. Discover ways our school and local community can initiate meaningful exchange of ideas, people, and resources.

4. Acquaint myself with the cultural and natural riches of the region

5. Integrate what I learn into my teaching practice and curriculum in the visual arts”

I’ll be sharing more about my trip this summer through a blog and updates on Nativity’s facebook and web pages as well as a photo essay, Imac books for the library and several presentations in the fall.

So what is a Master Teacher?

A master teacher demonstrates excellence inside and outside of the classroom through consistent leadership and focused collaboration to maximize student learning. A master teacher strives for distinguished teaching and continued professional growth as specified by The Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession:

1. Teachers understand student learning and development, and respect the diversity of the students they teach.
2. Teachers know and understand the content area for which they have instructional responsibility.
3. Teachers understand and use varied assessments to inform instruction, evaluate and ensure student learning.
4. Teachers plan and deliver effective instruction that advances the learning of each individual student.
5. Teachers create learning environments that promote high levels of learning and achievement for all students.
6. Teachers collaborate and communicate with students, parents, other educators, administrators and the community to support student learning.
7. Teachers assume responsibility for professional growth, performance, and involvement as an individual and as a member of a learning community.

Taken from the Ohio Department of Education Website

Working hard for the students entrusted to their care – that’s a Nativity teacher and we are proud that the hard work has been recognized by the State of Ohio and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Office for Catholic School.

Friday, April 5, 2013
The Delegation from Escuela Panamericana has arrived!  Their trip was quite an adventure!  Having missed the connection in Houston, they were split into three groups to make the final trip to Cincinnati.  One group was routed through Newark; two groups were put on standby in Houston for the later flights to Cincinnati.  They eventually made it, arriving at 8:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m. and 12:00 midnight.  The good news is that their checked bags all made it Cincinnati.

The Nativity families were there to welcome the students from El Salvador to Cincinnati.  Posters, balloons, flowers and hugs were all part of the warm welcome for the tired, yet excited students from Panamericana.

We are glad they have arrived and look forward to the next two weeks learning about El Salvador and forging friendships.

Cookies in the shape of El Salvador, USA, and the Nativity Star.

Saturday, April 6, 2013                                        The families did a variety of activities in the morning that ranged from shopping to lunch at Skyline to a visit to Findlay Market. In the afternoon everyone went bowling.  The students – American and Salvadoran – all enjoyed throwing the strikes, spares and the occasional gutter ball. From there is was on to the Welcome Pot Luck Picnic – hamburgers, hotdogs, potato salad, backed beans and all the traditional American picnic food.

The Nativity students formally introduced their Panamericana guests to all the host families.  The weather was perfect for all the backyard games and grilling.

The Delegation from Panamericana and their Host Families

The Chaperones from Escuela Panamericana

Sunday, April 7, 2013
Our guests from El Salvador will join the Nativity Community for Mass.  It’s an opportunity to introduce them to the wider community who have supported the exchange program at Nativity since it began in 1980.

After Mass we all headed down to Great American Ballpark to see our Cincinnati Reds take on the Washington Nationals – the team that may say they must beat to be able to represent the National League in the World Series in October.  It promises to be a great game.

It was a great day for a baseball game – beautiful blue sky and lots of sunshine.  Our seats were behind home plate and up high where we had a good view of all the action.  The Reds took an early lead scoring 3 runs in the first inning.  But the Nationals tied the game in the second inning.  We settled in to see who would break the tie and win the game.  Our Reds did not disappoint us.  They scored 3 more runs to finish the game 6-3.

For many of the students from Panamericana it was their first professional baseball game.  The Nativity students (and their parents) did their best to explain the rules of our national pass time.  The popcorn, ice cream, soda and hot dogs seemed to help students understand the entire baseball experience.

After the game the chaperones from Panamericana had dinner with the family hosting Fernando. Good conversation, good food an a good time was had by all.

Tomorrow is the first day at school and the Delegation from Escuela Panamericana will be welcomed to Nativity in the formal Welcome Assembly.  Everyone at Nativity is looking forward to meeting them!

Monday, April 8, 2013

The Delegation was formally welcomed to Nativity at the all-school Assembly this morning.  There were words of welcome, remarks by the students and staff from El Salvador, the anthems of both countries and the ringing of the Friendship Bell.  Representatives from each Nativity class shared what they hope to learn about El Salvador over the next two weeks.  Students from Nativity’s Upper School spoke in Spanish, sharing what they hope to learn from our guests.

Traditions and customs, favorite foods and favorite animals, sports they like to play, what the school day is like at Panamericana, national holidays and celebrations

Here is the link to the photo gallery for the Welcome Assembly.  >>>

Introductions at the Welcome Assembly

From the Panamericana Students:

I love school.  Everybody is nice with us.  GS

 I really love this experience.
I’m so thankful with my host family.  AH

 I had a lot of fun these days.  JM

 I have a lot of fun here and people here are so nice to us.
I hope to have more fund these days.  FM

 It’s really fun.  People are very friendly.  The school is so big.  SD

Ringing the Friendship Bell

 Ohio is such a beautiful place.
In school everyone is so nice with us.  AR

 I love Ohio.  Cincinnati is a beautiful city.  

 It’s a good experience for us and the people of Nativity are very friendly.  GO

 I love Ohio and I have so much fun here and I love my host family.  VM

The Staff Members from Panamericana at the Welcome Assembly

After the Assembly the delegates began the rotation of classroom presentations as they visited Grades 1 and 7 as well as the 5th Grade Spanish class.

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The day began with presentations to the Kindergarten classes, Nativity’s youngest students followed by visits to Grades 2 and 6th Grade Spanish class.   The afternoon was spent at Pleasant Ridge Montessori School, Nativity’s neighbor down the street.  The students from Panamericana had the opportunity to share their traditions and culture with the students at PRM.

Wednesday, April 10 2013

This was the day for classroom presentations and joining some of the Nativity classes.  The weather has been great – warm sun and blue sky.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Today the students from Panamericana joined the 5th Grade for physical education class and the 6th Grade for science and language arts.  After lunch they returned to Pleasant Ridge Montessori School to make presentations to the oldest students (ages 9-12).  With the use of the projector the PRM students got a good idea of the geography of El Salvador as well as an opportunity to see the ruins of the native people.  They had good questions about what life was like in El Salvador.

Nativity hosted the annual Family Science Night.  Each grade hosted a science experiment and the Nativity Robotics Team showcased their project.  In spite of the rain, there was a good turnout.  Families went from room to room to testing rockets, testing Newton’s First Law of Motion, observing the robots, and more!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

The big adventure today was a visit to the Cincinnati Zoo.  The weather was perfect for an outing among the animals.  The Zoo is also a Botanical Garden and the flowers were beautiful.  Below you will find photos of the day.

Monday, April 15, 2013

The Museum Center was the destination for the day.  The express bus took us downtown where we had some time on Fountain Square before boarding our connecting bus.  At the Museum Center we visited the Cincinnati History Museum, saw the IMAX move on the butterflies, and finished with a quick tour of the Natural History Museum.

Tuesday, April16, 2013

The day was filled with classroom visits, presenting information about El Salvador and Escuela Panamerica.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

The destination for today’s field trip was the Newport Aquarium and the Underground Railroad Freedom Center.  After a bus ride to town from Pleasant Ridge, the delegation walked across the Purple People Bridge to Newport.  It was the first visit for some to an aquarium and they were intrigued by all the different kids of fish – from sharks to penguins and schools of fish in between..

Back in Cincinnati they had lunch at the North Star Cafe at the Freedom Center.  The tour of the Freedom Center focused on the Underground Railroad and the US Civil War.  The guide was impressed with the students’ knowledge of the Underground Railroad and the issues surrounding the war.

With some extra time, they went to the top of the Carew Tower – the tallest building with an observation platform in Cincinnati.  It was a beautiful day to and the visibility was great.  From there it was a bus ride back to Nativity.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

The agenda for today: additional classroom visits and rehearsals for the Cultural Show that will take place on Friday.

Friday April 19, 2013

The 1st Grade was the host for the final classroom presentation.  The morning was spent in final rehearsal before the 11:00 Cultural Show.  The Nativity students were impressed with the dances and the song the delegation presented.  A very pleasant surprise during was a short slide show that documented the beginning of this journey of friendship when the Nativity Delegation arrived in El Salvador.

After lunch there was a meeting with Mr. Herring.  It was a good conversation about the best and most challenging parts of the exchange, recommendations for what could be improved and  what to keep the same.  At the Farewell Assembly the host students presented their guests with Nativity shirts and small flags of the US, Ohio and Cincinnati.

The Farewell Dinner was a Crawfish Boil.  Every family contributed something to this unique dining experience.  There were 50 pounds of crawfish from Louisiana along with shrimp, corn, potatoes and S’mores for dessert.  The students from Panamericana thanked their host families for the hospitality of the previous two weeks.  A good time was had by all – it was the perfect way to conclude the leg of The Friendship Journey.

Saturday, April 20, 2013

The delegation was booked on a 8:15 United flight to Houston – that was canceled.  With a bit of hard work from the United staff, they were rebooked – all together as one group – on a Delta flight to Atlanta and then on to Houston, arriving in time to make the flight to San Salvador.

This partnership was made possible by International School-to-School Experience.
Nativity has been a member of ISSE since 1980.

Nativity’s Delegation of eleven 7th and 8th grade students accompanied by Mr. Arbogast and Mrs. Burger will visit Arpad Gymnasium in Tatabanya, Hungary for two weeks.  This trip is the second half of the exchange for Nativity and Arpad, who visited Nativity in the fall.  Check back again to follow their visit to Hungary.

5 pm  Saturday, March 2nd:

The delegation is on its way!  Here’s a photo of the group at the airport just before they left.

Monday, March 4

Report from Mrs. Burger:

We woke to cold (22F), but a blue sky day in Hungary! Everyone was glad to see one another, share news about host families and swap stories of new foods we’d already tried and descriptions of our households and family pets! A good night’s sleep was definitely in order after almost NO sleep on the plane ride. Coping skills and a sense of adventure are definitely buoyed up by a little rest…

After some delegation time we toured the school and then the town center of Tatabanya. The sun warmed things up enough for a basketball and ping pong break outside. Then it was a double music lesson: learning a traditional Hungarian folk song and painting to Hungarian music. After a luxuriously long lunch by American standards, (ritual comparisons of Hungarian snack foods and sandwich fillings…) we watched a movie about Hungarian history and ended the day with a lesson on traditional embroidery! Whew! That was just day one!

Tomorrow we’ll be at school again visiting English classes, Wednesday will be our first field trip.

Parents would be very proud of their sons and daughters who are stepping up every day to make the most of this amazing opportunity!

I’ll enclose a few photos in separate emails…sorry I didn’t get a group shot today, so if your son/daughter is not pictured, be assured…everyone is alive and well! We’ll write again in a few days and include one then.

Tuesday, March 5

Greetings from Hungary! Yet another beautiful day in Hungary. The Nativity delegation experienced their busiest day yet. The focus of this day was classroom visits. Mrs. Burger and I can’t tell you how proud we are of the students. Much of what we planned to do in CIncinnati had to be altered due to the fact that the classes had a varying degree of English comprehension. We then had to “brainstorm” for some new ideas. They were up to the challenge from the start. In fact, there were periods when we had to split up into two to three different groups on our classroom visits. The students initiated and led these activities with students who were older than they. Not to be intimidated, our students were organized and creative in their approach to engaging the Hungarian students. They knew what would work. One of the activities was “question box.” As most of you know, “question box” is a weekly ritual in Mr. Ahrens’ class. This was the students’ idea. It seemed to give the Hungarian students the chance to ask questions as they pertain to American life. This activity gave the Hungarian students a ceratin level of confidence to ask questions that they otherwise would be uncomfortable asking.  We completed our day with Hungarian Folk Dance. This activity provided the opportunity to exercise and be social in a agroup setting. 

The delegation departed on a 6:15 a.m. flight Saturday morning to begin their adventure to make new friends and learn about El Salvador. They were up early and ready to go!

Report from Mr. Herring,  4 p.m. Saturday:

It was a smooth flight from Houston to San Salvador.  The plane was full.  There were several American groups – college kids – on board who were spending spring break working in El Salvador.  On group from Kansas came to work on building affordable housing.  

Sunday, March 3

We spent the day at the beach – about a 90 minute drive from San Salvador.  The Mayor’s office provided a bus which took us there and back.  All the beech front property in this area is privately owned.  The parents made arrangements for us to access the beach through a hotel / restaurant.  It is a beautiful beach – the water was just right.  It’s hard to believe we swam in the Pacific Ocean.

After time in the ocean the students tried out the pool at the hotel. The students from both countries had cheese burgers and fries. The adults tried a more traditional Salvadoran cuisine.  The day went fast and soon we were back in town.  There is another field trip tomorrow.  All is well.

Monday, March 4

 Monday, March 11

In many of the small towns around San Salvador there were street fairs – lots of food, vendors and music from the town square.  Here is a sample.  >>>

News of the Weekend in El Salvador

• A high point of the weekend was attending the Arts Festival Friday and Saturday evenings.  The bi-lingual schools in San Salvador collaborated in creating works of drama, dance, vocal and instrumental music, and the visual arts that involved students from all the schools in each work.  The exhibit and productions were held in a theater near downtown.  The tour de force was the dramatic telling of the story  – without speaking a word, all done through movement – of immigration and love lost.  Saturday my host family took me to see the ruins of the pre-Columbian natives.  Their village was buried by the eruption of a nearby volcano and is in the process of being excavated.  It’s amazing how well the volcanic ash preserved the houses and artifacts.  Sunday we toured the Rue de Flora, stopping in several small towns up in the mountains.  It was great to get away from the big city and see a different part of El Salvador.  BH

• Saturday I went to the volcano next to San Salvador.  There is an amazing view of the city.  Sunday we went to the beach and had a birthday party.  I’m having a wonderful time with my host family.  Kate C.
• We had tons of fun going to see some really cool cities.  Saturday and Sunday we went to a bunch of markets in the small towns.  DK
• Saturday was a lazy day and we hung around the house.  That evening we went to the Arts Festival.  I liked the orchestra and what they played at the end.  They rocked!  Sunday we went to a lake and went swimming.  There were other Nativity students there too.  MG 
• I went to the beach on Saturday went swimming and saw sea-crabs.   Sunday we went to see Oz the Great and Powerful as part of the birthday party which included a trip to the arcade.  GH 
• We went to the beach for the weekend.  The beach was good.  We went swimming and hiking.  EL
• On Saturday we went to a village in the mountains and stayed overnight.  The dune buggy ride was very cool.  We went to the beach on Sunday.  Three other Nativity students were there and we went swimming.  EM
• I went to a birthday party where they had a piñata.  On Saturday we went swimming and drove up to the crater of the volcano.  Sunday we went to the lake to swim and ride in canoes.  IP
• I went to a party on Friday.  Saturday we went shopping and saw Oz, The Great and Powerful.  I met my host student’s aunt and cousins, went swimming with family friends.  CM
• We went to the beach for the weekend and took a boat ride in the Pacific.  We saw a four-eyed fish and jelly-fish.  NA 
• I went to the volcano crater on the mountain next to San Salvador.  Sunday we to the forest where I went on the Zip Lines – there were nine lines and they were really awesome.   MW
• The weekend was awesome.  We went to the beach and I rode on jet-ski and a four wheeler.  I went tubing.  It was awesome!  JM
  
• Saturday I went to the volcano.  It was cool but we did not see any lava, only the crater.  We went swimming at the lake and I went in the kayak.  SL

Sunday of the Square in El Salvador  Link

Tuesday, March 12

Today we finished our final presentations in the classrooms with visits to Grades 6, 2 and 3.  Our delegates have done a good job introducing the students at Panamericana to the Cincinnati landmarks and cuisine.  They sang the Nativity School Song, the Suscipe and Take Me Out to the Ballgame.  Tomorrow there is a visit to the Children’s Museum of San Salvador.  With early dismissal for parent-teacher conferences, we’ll be on our way by noon.  Thursday we will present our Cultural Show and then join the 4th Graders on a field trip to a plastic manufacturing and recycling plant.  The days are slipping by quickly and more than one student has asked if we could stay another week.

Thursday, March 14

Exploring the properties of bubbles at the Children’s Museum in San Salvador

Wednesday we spent the morning at the Children’s  Museum of San Salvador.  It’s located close to downtown next to one of the major parks in the city.  We explored bubbles and why they are round, the butterfly exhibit, a volcano and the moon landing exhibit.  For those of us old enough to remember Neil Armstrong’s historic first step, it was something to see the exhibit of American’s first journey to the moon highlighted in a museum in El Salvador.  There was also an opportunity to lay on a bed of nails.  It can be done with no injury or pain.

This was an early dismissal day because of Parent-Teacher Conferences.  Parents can pick up the report cards and then conference with the teachers.

On a tour of the Wire Factory in San Salvador

Today we joined the 4th Grade on a field trip to a plastic recycling and manufacturing factory.  We saw each step in the process of making a variety of plastic containers and dolls.  The factory is owned by the parents of a student at Escuela Panamericana.  Another division of the plant makes steel wire that is exported throughout Central America and used in a variety of manufacturing and construction projects.  Workers there were taking the finished wire and turning it into springs for beds.  We donned hart hats, ear plugs and breathing masks as we toured the plant.

Friday, March 15

This was our last day at Panamericana and we spent it with our host students following their schedule.  The teachers have welcomed us into their classes and we joined in the activities.  It was “out of uniform day” for the students and we joined in.  Throughout the day they sold special treats in the cafeteria – fried bread sticks with sugar and cinnamon, the El Salvadorian version of snow cones and more.

At the end of the day the Americans played the El Salvadorians in volleyball.  The court is in the center of the campus surrounded by the classroom buildings and the cafeteria.  It was a good match in spite of the fact that we lost 2 of the 3 games.  Then the seniors took on the faculty.  Despite the efforts of Mr. Herring and Ms. Cammerer the seniors prevailed.  It should be noted that the longest volley included an incredible save by Ms. C. in which she ended up on the ground.

Tomorrow we head for home – wishing we had another week but looking forward to the arrival of the Delegation from Escuela Panamericana in two weeks.

Fr. Paul DeLuca, Carol Gruber O’Toole, Joan Endres Jessee, Pam Hittner Tucker

On behalf of the parishioners and pastoral staff I offer special thanks to the Class of 1962 for their generous gift of $717.00 to Nativity School. The money has been designated to purchase a statue of St. Joseph for the school. We hope to have that accomplished by March 19th, the Feast of St. Joseph, Husband of Mary. St. Joseph is also a principle patron of Nativity parish.  Thanks once again!

Join the Friends of Nativity

Climb for the Kids to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro

June 25 to July 7, 2014.

With every step we take we’ll raise funds to help underwrite the Student Exchange Program at Nativity providing scholarships for students who might not be able to participate.

Meet Daniel Door, author of Kissing Kilimanjaro – Leaving It All on Top of Africa, who will describe his experience climbing above the clouds.  Learn more about this opportunity to check off this experience on your personal Bucket List.

Mark your Calendar for the Climb Kick Off
Saturday, January 4m 2014

Before then, if you’d like additional information 

Contact Climb for the Kids Captains.

Tom Donelan  donelant@redwoodventure.com
Bob Herring  bob.herring@nativity-cincinnati.org

Student Leadership in Action …..

A Change in the Catholic Schools Week Schedule

The Upper School students had a different idea for Catholic Schools Week and took the lead in circulating a petition asking for a change in the schedule last week.  They proposed a change, and, when asked to make the case – deliver a persuasive argument, they rose to the challenge.  A representative from each class caucused and approached with a well thought out argument that drew on tradition and focused on the future for the youngest students.  As a result their petition has been granted.

We are delighted to report on the progress of the Upper School three months into this new school year.

•  The Multi-Grade Homerooms have been well received by the Upper School students.  After some initial hesitation, the 7^th and 8^th Graders stepped up to welcome the 6^th Graders into this new experience.  They have offered tips to the 6^th Graders on getting organized, filling out the Assignment Book, and more.

• The Upper School students sit as homerooms at Mass each week.  It is now part of our experience that we pray with and exchange the Sign of Peace with those beyond our grade level.  That helps build the Upper School Community.

• Eighth Grade students have responded to the invitation to serve the community as Eucharistic Ministers.  Prepared by Fr. Paul and welcomed by the community, they engage in this important ministry at Mass each week and will continue to serve throughout high school and beyond.

• The Upper School provided outstanding leadership in the annual (its 41^st year) Canned Food Drive collecting more than 4000 items for those in need.  Gerry Ahrens has provided the faculty support throughout its history.

• Upper School students have taken the lead in Student Led Conferences paving the way for students in Grades 4 and 5 to experience a new sense of ownership for their education.

• The Science Fair has expanded from Grade 7 to include all the Upper School Students.  Look for students to take their projects to the regional science fair at the University of Cincinnati.  Karen Gruenke and Sue Daniel are supporting our student scientists as they delve into hands-on science.

• Sue Daniel has introduced the “Flipped Classroom” in her Upper School science classes.  Students watch a video presentation on the concept for homework and then spend the next day digging deeper into the concepts and performing experiments.  Class time is spent with hands-on instead of listening to a lecture.

• The Math Club is in its second year.  Under the direction of parent volunteers Mark and Tina Lawson (undergraduate math majors), Upper School students meet once a week to explore math concepts and prepare for the citywide Math Counts competition.

• Girl Up – This is an opportunity that empowers girls in the Upper School Grades 7and 8 to make a difference in the world, targeting girls in third world counties.  In addition to developing their own awareness of the conditions for girls in countries that do not support opportunities and education for girls, the Nativity girls raise funds to help with education and health care in selected countries. Mindy. Burger works with the girls every week raising awareness and making a difference.

• Look for the H.O.P.E Project in the spring.  Upper School students will have researched an area of need, educated themselves and the entire student body, and then formulated a plan to help.  This is Upper School Leadership at its best.  Karen Gruenke is the chair of the staff team that works with the students to bring HOPE alive.

• It’s almost time for the annual Variety Show.  The 8^th Graders will provide the leadership in this annual display of student talent.  From selecting the theme to designing the sets, from managing the house to running the lights and sound board, they will do it all as the model for the rest of the student body on how much fun – and hard work – leadership can be.  Our thanks to Joe Beiting, Dave Arbogast and Patti Burwinkel for supporting the students in this process.

• Upper School students are part of the History Bee.  Dave Lucas has challenged students to demonstrate their knowledge of historical facts in the time honored bee format.  This is Nativity’s first year to participate.

• Mark your calendar for the 8^th Grade Portfolio Presentations.  Members of our graduation class will share their story through this culminating project – the story of their years at Nativity and how they have lived Nativity’s Mission Statement through the years.  Under the direction of Margo Bellman, the process forces the students to reflect on what this experience has meant to them, what this education means.  It builds on the Student Led Conference where they tell their story of their education, and is an incredible way to end their years at Nativity.

• Off Campus and Overnight.  Students in Grade 6 got up close at the Zoo for the Wild Wolves Program.  Grade 7 went to Camp Kern for three days / two nights of outdoor education.

• Upper School students have the opportunity to join our parish Music Ministry under the direction of Chris Brewer.  Leading song at services is an act of both leadership and service.

• Upper School students are stepping up as volunteer tutors for 4^th grade math students.

• World Languages offer opportunities for our students to deepen their knowledge of Latin (Gerry Ahrens), Spanish (Lisa Lorenz) and Chinese (Hazel Wei).  The world is different when you know another language and begin to understand another culture.  The Upper School is preparing students to be players in the global community.

• Romeo and Juliet take center stage for Grade 8 when they study this classic of Shakespeare.  They meet with two professional actors to learn more about theater.

• The Upper School Tech Team is up and running.  Under the direction of Rudy Gruenke and Stefanie Kathman, students are deepening their understanding of technology and working to help maintain the system.  It’s another example of servant leadership at Nativity by the Upper School students.

• Latin students will begin their in-depth research on topics of classical mythology and ancient history which will be shared as power point presentations at the Catholic Schools Week Open House.

• Grade 6 is on the go!  These students are a core group working with the Inlet Dance Theatre Company.  They’ve attended The Christmas Carol at the Playhouse and visits to the Mosque at the Greater Cincinnati Islamic Center and the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington are coming up.   The Muslim Nations Project will take place in the spring.  Author Brandon Marie Miller will stop by to conduct a Writers’ Workshop.

• Students in Grades 7 and 8 have experienced the long-standing Catholic tradition of praying a Novena, in this case, through the intercession of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frasatte.

• Friendship Journey 2013 – The Friendship Journey is back!  In September we will welcome delegations from up to 6 countries to form the Community of Nations here in downtown Pleasant Ridge.  Details will be coming after the first of the year.  Next year at Nativity is one you definitely won’t want to miss, and the Upper School will provide the leadership for a successful Friendship Journey.

• We’ve applied for the TEDxNativity license and have every reason to believe we’ll get it.  TEDx events are designed to provide short motivational talks on a specific theme that are then shared with the world via YouTube.   TEDx Nativity will feature next year’s students from the Upper School.  If you’d like to get an idea of what a TED talk is like, you can see Mr. Herring give a TEDxCincinnati talk on YouTube.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxHdZvT7rbk)

• It’s all rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Religious education Grades 6 to Grade 8 grounds our students in scripture, Christian morality.  They prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation and live the Gospel message through service projects all three years.  It’s the most important work that Gerry Ahrens and Lynn Elfers do – it’s the foundation on which our students will base their lives.

This has been an exciting start to the Upper School at Nativity.  We look forward to marking its milestones in the years to come.  The Upper School is part of Nativity – it’s here to stay!

The Upper School at Nativity
It’s the place to be for solid academics with a global perspective,
where the arts and technology are integrated into the curriculum
– all rooted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The New Service Opportunity

Lori Watson, the director of the Applied Behavioral Services School (ABS), diagonally across from
Madison Bowl on Madison Road, will come to Nativity to speak to those interested Catherine’s Kids Club
members and available parents on Wednesday, January 16 from 3:15 pm to 4:15 pm in Room 206. She
will tell about her school, her students, and the new service opportunity working with the students at
the school. Those students who have already expressed an interest should attend so information
about initial scheduling can be arranged. Any other interested students/parents are also invited to
attend.

Time to Knit Some More Hats!

The January knitting afternoons will be on Monday, January 7 and Tuesday, January 29 from
3:00 pm to 4:00 pm in Mrs. Burwinkel’s room. Bring your loom or use one that’s available. Yarn is
provided.

Mark your calendar.   Next Day to Work at the Food Pantry!

Saturday, February 16, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
1125 Bank Street, Cincinnati, OH 45214 (562-8841)

Students will sort food, stock pantry shelves, meet agency’s staff, and selected students will
help in the pantry itself. Group may consist of 10-15 students, 20 at the most. Group will meet at
the pantry’s front door downtown. Students are responsible for their own transportation. Carpools
from Nativity are encouraged. Mrs. Burwinkel will meet the group at the pantry and accompany
them throughout the morning. She will have school’s medical forms for group in case of emergency.
Parents/drivers are welcome (and encouraged) to stay. Permission slips are required. Get a
permission slip from Mrs. Burwinkel in February and return it to her signed by Thursday, February 14.