Accolades

Professional Development

Our kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Lorraine DelPercio recently received a $140.00 grant from the Kids in Need Foundation for her proposal  "Jump! Thump! Pump!"  The grant focuses on health and nutrition. The money will be used to purchase curriculum materials to raise the children's awareness of the importance of healthy eating and exercise.

 Three IHM teachers—Mrs. Susan Havelin (Grade 1), Mrs. Ellen Corbiere(Middle School), and Mrs. Terry Ashman (Middle School and Computers)--attended the 10-day Math and Science REFORMS II Summer Institute at William Paterson University during the month of July. Following comprehensive large group instruction, the teachers worked in small groups to create Classroom Application Documents to improve unit planning based on the NJ Math and Physical Science State Standards. They also took part in a 3-day formal Lesson Study, consisting of grade-level groups working cooperatively to plan an in-depth lesson, which they will teach, observe, and evaluate in one another’s classrooms later this year.  Additionally, Professors in Residence from William Paterson University will be visiting the school this year to mentor our three teachers as they focus on differentiating instruction based on their students’ individual learning styles.

 Mrs Del Percio, our Kindergarten teacher, attended a workshop on Differentiated Instruction in Assessing Reading and Writing. It was given by a first grade NYC public school teacher who had two books published by Scholastic. The workshop provided writing samples to be critiqued and instruction about having writing conferences with the children. This will help to meet the learning styles and multiple intelligences of all the students.


 Mrs. Feura and Mrs. Nigito (both Middle School) attended 2 workshops at Kean that provided subject-specific ways to effectively integrate the SMART Board into classroom instruction.  The workshops targeted sample ideas and strategies for developing interactive lessons in writing and literature acoss the curriculum.  This was especially beneficial as Differentiating Instruction is a building goal of IHM for the 2011-2012 school year.


IHM Forensics Team Takes First Place!


Immaculate Heart of Mary eighth-grader Christina Nikovits placed first in the Declamation Competition held by The Chrysostom League at St. Mary’s School. Christina is congratulated here by IHM Forensics coach, Ellen Corbiere, and IHM Principal Frances Alberta




Science meets Electronics

Immaculate Heart of Mary science teacher Ellen Corbiere partnered with Wayne Valley teacher Jim Kirby during the Rutgers summer seminar, "Electronic Data Collection in the Middle School Lab."  The 24 teachers selected to participate received 40 hours of intensive instruction in the integration of data collection technology into the school science program. They were provided with sensors to use in their classrooms.  The follow-up session is scheduled for October.

Immaculate Heart of Mary science instructor, Ellen Corbiere, recently completed NASA's Lunar/Meteorite Loan Training Program. Mrs. Corbiere is now authorized to receive meteorites and lunar rocks from the Goddard Space Flight Center that were gathered by the Apollo 17 astronauts on their final mission to the moon. These specimens will be used during lessons in which the students will compare and contrast the elements that are contained in lunar rocks with those found in the Earth, as well as the numerous United States' Apollo missions to the moon. All students and their families will have the opportunity to view the lunar samples under a stereo microscope and view videos that have been prepared by NASA for this occasion. 

Immaculate Heart of Mary Teacher Wins Award Immaculate Heart of Mary Kindergarten teacher Lorraine DelPercio has been named Teacher of the Year by the Kids in Need Foundation.  The selection committee reviewed more than 2,000 applications and chose Mrs. DelPercio's "Tell Me What You See" as the basis for this recognition.  In addition to a grant, the foundation is providing art supplies for the school and has invited Mrs. Del Percio to a gala "Education Celebration" in Minneapolis.