HISTORY OF OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART PARISH & SCHOOL

Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Parish, Reading, was dedicated on December 13, 1874 as an English speaking church, to accommodate the Irish immigrants who arrived in the area after Germans had established Sts. Peter and Paul Church.

The school began modestly in 1876 in a small one-room frame building. The enrollment was twenty pupils and the first teacher was the pastor, Fr. John Kress. A new school opened in September 1908 with twenty-six students. There was one graduate in 1909 and two in 1910. It was not until 1913 that Our Lady of the Sacred Heart had a male graduate.

By 1920 the enrollment had reached 165. In 1931 the four teachers, three sisters and one lay teacher, each taught two grades in the same room. Our Lady of the Sacred Heart continued to grow and further expansion was necessary in 1955. When the sixties arrived, the school enrollment zoomed past 700. Almost all grades were on split sessions due to lack of space.

In 1961 Fr. Brotzge announced plans for a new church-school on the Reading hilltop. The new building was circular with all classrooms on ground level, on the periphery of the circle. The offices, restrooms, library (now art), cafeteria and the church were on the inner side of the circle. An open courtyard was in the center of the building. The new school opened on September 4, 1962 as a full eight year grade school and remains so. . We look forward to the years ahead and the privilege of educating children.

FACULTY AND STAFF

Classroom teachers at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart are dedicated to the religious and academic education of children. Many teachers have many years of experience. The average teaching experience is 14 years. The faculty works together with the pastor, deacons and music director to develop the full potential of each child.

• Pupil-teacher ration 18:1
• Administrator 1
• Classroom teachers 13
• Physical Education teacher 1 (Grades K-8)
• Music Teacher (Grades K-8)
• Art teacher 1 (Grades K-8)
• Librarians 3 (Volunteers)
• Computer teacher 1 (Grades K-8)
• Technology Committee (Volunteers)
• Secretaries 2
• Reading Specialist 1
• Speech/Language Pathologist 1
• Psychologist 1
• Math Tutor 1
• Enrichment Teacher 1
• Band Instructor 1
• Music Director (Parish) 1
• Deacons 2
• CCD Cordinator 1
• CCD Teachers 8
• Cafeteria Staff 3
• Custodians 2

PARENTS

As the primary educators of their children, parents are involved in many activities within the school. Parents are encouraged to help in the library, drive on field trips, be resource people, and help with PTA projects. Parents many also volunteer to help in the classroom, cafeteria, playground and the nurse's room.

Yearly parent-teacher conferences are scheduled and open lines of communication are maintained.

PARENT TEACHER ORGANIZATION(PTO)

Organized to promote communication between parents and faculty and to aid in the general welfare of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, volunteers conduct many fund raising projects to benefit the school. PTO provides dinner for the faculty during conferences and lunch during Catholic Schools Week. Receptions for Confirmation and Graduation are also one of their undertakings. PTO coordinates volunteers for many school functions.

ACADEMICS

All academic areas follow the Archdiocese Graded Course of Study (GCS) and often exceed the expectations of the GCS.

Religion

Children of all faiths are welcome at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart. Traditional Christian values are the basis for all the academic programs. All students participate in daily instruction in Catholic doctrine. Weekly all school masses, prayer services, community Morning Prayer and reconciliation are shared by the student body. Benediction and the Rosary are on the first Friday of the month.  Sacramental preparation for Reconciliation, First Eucharist and Confirmation is provided during the course of the school year at the appropriate grade level.

Language Arts: Reading and Literature

The reading program at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart is comprised of many facets, which bring children to the love of reading. Students are taught reading skills through the use of texts and trade books while keeping an emphasis on phonics and sight words. Independent reading, reading aloud and oral book reports encourage reading for pleasure. The computer reading program The Accelerated Reader is being used in many grades.

In the middle grades, vocabulary and comprehension is continually stressed while exposing students to and teaching an appreciation of good literature. Trade books associated with time periods covered in social studies, as well as others, continue to be used.

Junior high students receive a strong foundation in vocabulary instruction. They experience short stories, plays, poetry, mythology and novels. Individual reading contracts supplement their daily work.

English, Writing and Spelling

An emphasis on developing writing skills begins in grade one. At the primary level the skills are taught in mini-lessons to tie in with writing. Writing folders, journal writing, pen pals, letters to each other, letters to shut-ins of the parish and creative writing are methods used to encourage writing. Language in the Classroom and Writers Workshop are used in the primary and intermediate grades.

The five-step writing process is learned early and is applied throughout a student's years at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart.

Students are taught grammar, mechanics and sentence structure. Students learn to write narrative, expository, descriptive and persuasive paragraphs. Research projects are encouraged from middle to junior high grades.

Math

Math features the use of a wide variety of manipulatives. Students explore the basic skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, story problems, solving techniques and critical thinking skills. Time, money, measurement and geometry are introduced and developed at the appropriate grade level.

Junior high math further develops basic skills, in decimals, percents and fractions, while integrating concepts and problem solving. Emphasis is placed on algebraic principles of evaluation, simplification, equation and inequality solving. Other concepts include geometry, statistics and probability.

At Our Lady of the Sacred Heart we utilize cooperative groups, calculator work, cumulative learning and projects.

Simple Solutions, an additional program, is used as a review and practice program to supplement the text.

Social Studies, Ohio History and Civics

At the primary grades, students study family, neighborhood and community. Days of historical significance are integrated into language arts. In the middle grades, students learn the basics of America's roots and development. An overview of world cultures focus on the geography, history religions and cultures of the people and places in the global community. An awareness of the power of the individual in shaping the past and present is fostered in the students. Students are geography literate.

In Ohio Studies there is a broad exploration of the unique history of our state, as well as, state government.

Civics prepares them to be productive, active and educated voting citizens. Both Ohio History and Civics prepare the student for the 9 th grade proficiency test.

A comprehensive survey course in American History stresses vocabulary, chronology, cause and effect, theme, generalization, essay writing, test taking and research portfolios.

Science and Health

Students learn through lecture, hands-on-experiments, videos and demonstrations. In addition, trade books are used to teach concepts in the primary grades. A science lab is available primarily for junior high but it is available to all science teachers.

An in depth study of living organisms and processes involved in maintaining life is provided for the students. Basic physics and chemistry enable students to study matter, energy and the laws that govern their movements.

Physical well being and basic health concepts are taught an reinforced in each grade.

Computers

The computer lab is available for students and their teachers in grades K-8. The computer teacher uses age appropriate software that enhances the curriculum for instruction. Activities include: introduction to Microsoft Windows, learning Microsoft Word, instruction in saving, deleting and copying files, also creating directories and in understanding pathways to open files.

Technology is integrated in all the content areas.

The computer lab, classrooms and offices are networked and connected to the Internet. Students only do research on the Internet with teacher supervision.

A portable laptop cart with laptops are available for student use.  AlphaSmarts are also in use.

Music

Students from grades K-8 learn basic music terms, music structure, differentiating sounds, rhythm and information about instruments using various activities. In addition, students develop their voices by singing songs from various countries as well as worship music. Students become familiar with the works of many composers.

Physical Education

Physical education at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart emphasizes teamwork, participation, cooperation and overall well body fitness. These skills are developed through many types of sports, large group activities and games of trust.

Art

Discipline Based Art Education (DBAE) includes four areas:

•  Art history: movements, artists and culture

•  Studio projects: all different mediums, 2-D drawing, painting, pastels, etc. and 3-D, sculpture and ceramics.

•  Criticism: learning how to respect artists and talk about art in a critical informative, yet sensitive way.

•  Aesthetics: discussing different types of art and questioning the difference between art and craft or art and decoration, also, discuss whether art has a purpose or function.

The art instructor interjects projects for the students' enjoyment as well.

All-School Enrichment Opportunities

In addition to the core subjects, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart strives to enrich the curriculum for its students. Student opportunities include: Science Fair, Post Spelling Bee, Right to Read Week, Power of the Pen, Band, Choir, Student Government, Servers, Catholic Schools Week and various class field trips.

AUXILIARY SERVICES

The Auxiliary programs of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart are available in the school building.  Auxiliary teachers through the Hamilton County Educational Service Center provide speech and language, instructional services, psychological services and enrichment.

Speech/Language Program

Services provided in the Speech/Language program include screening, identifying and placement of children with communication problems. Individual and/or group therapy is provided as needed. Regular consultation with the classroom teacher is maintained in order to meet the needs of the children. Students also benefit from the Language in the Classroom (LIC) program. This program is designed to provide support for students at risk for language deficits. The speech pathologist and the classroom teacher design specific lessons to meet the language needs of the class. Awareness of concentration includes listening, vocabulary, speaking, following direction and writing skills.

Instructional Services Program

Remedial language arts instruction is tailored to meet the needs of students in grades

K-6 who are experiencing reading difficulties. Small group instruction is designed to support classroom curriculum. A combination of phonics and literature-based activities are used to improve reading/comprehension skills. Daily collaboration with the classroom teacher provides continuous monitoring of student needs and progress.

A program to enhance research development skills is provided in various grades to classroom students. Instruction is provided in note taking, outlining, time management and writing skills.

Enrichment

The enrichment program provides services to students in grades 5-8 who have been selected on the basis of standardized test scores, school performance and teacher recommendation.

Y.A.C. (YOUTH ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE)

Y.A.C. provides support for boys' baseball, basketball, football, soccer, volleyball and track. They also support for girls' basketball, softball, soccer, volleyball and track. Interest, sign-ups and availability of coaches determine teams and sport.

Fundraisers provide financial support for equipment and special activities in the school for all students.

SCOUTING

Scouting for both girls and boys is available through the school and parish.

BAND

Band is offered as an alternative to General Music for grades 4-8. Classes are held during scheduled music class time or lunch/recess.

The schedule is determined on a yearly basis depending upon enrollment. Funding for band is not a part of the school budget, therefore, a small non-refundable fee is charged on a semester basis. This pays for music, awards and a pizza party in the spring.

SCHOOL CHOIRS

There is a student choir for grades 1-5.  Older students are also invited.  This choir sings at several parish masses, a concert at Christmas and in the Spring.

TESTING

The standardized test: the Terra Nova/InView Test are administered every October to grades 2,4,6 and 8.

SCHOOL DAY

The school day begins at 7:45A.M. and ends at 2:25 P.M. We ask that students not be dropped off before 7:30 due to supervision.

LUNCH PROGRAM

A nutritious hot lunch can be purchased daily in the school cafeteria. Milk and ice cream may also be purchased separately. Free and reduced lunches are available for those who qualify.

UNIFORMS

Girls wear the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart plaid jumper, skirts,skorts, navy pants or shorts. White short or long sleeved polos, turtlenecks, or blouses are worn. Girls in grade 7 and 8 wear only skort, short or pants.  Their uniform is navy or kahaki

Boys wear navy pants or shorts in addition to white short or long sleeved polos, turtlenecks, or white shirts. Boys in grades 7 and 8 may also wear short or pants in kahaki.

Girls and boys may wear navy, gray or white sweaters, also, the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart embroidered gray or navy sweatshirts.

Tuesday is Spirit Day.  Students may wear any type of OLSH T-shirts or sweatshirts.

Complete uniform policy may be found in the parent-student handbook.