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St. Margaret School Pre-K through 8th grade Elementary Catholic School

St. Margaret School has been serving the Rockland County School District since 1953. The school is committed to provide their students with a strong academic curriculum and a foundation of a faith and discipline values. This school is also know for its talented music program, where their students performed in the New York Lincoln Center in 2009.

History

Saint Margaret School is the proud manifestation of the faith, dedication, and generosity of generations of parishioners of Saint Margaret of Antioch Church in Pearl River, New York. The history of the school is a natural extension of the mission and spirit of its sponsoring parish. The parish and the school jointly shoulder the responsibility of educating our children according to Christian principles, placing an emphasis on strengthening their spiritual development.

When the Diocese of New York was established in 1808, Pearl River was still a sparsely inhabited farming community. The first Mass in Pearl River was celebrated in 1893 in a private residence. Masses continued in private homes until a Chapel dedicated to Saint Agnes was founded in 1895. In 1900, ground was broken for the construction of a new Church under the patronage of Saint Margaret of Antioch. Fire destroyed that Church in 1929 and a new church was dedicated in 1931.

In 1953, the parish was in a position to undertake the ambitious challenge of providing quality Catholic education to its youth. Under the loving guidance of Pastor, Rev. Msgr. Michael Toner and the Dominican sisters of Blauvelt, Saint Margaret School offered classes for the first four grades in temporary quarters in 1953. In 1954, Cardinal Spellman dedicated the parish's new eight-classroom school and gymnasium. The school proudly graduated its first class in 1957. The demand for the school's quality educational program rapidly outgrew its capacity, and, in 1960, an addition was completed that resulted in eight additional classes and a new cafeteria.

Saint Margaret Parish recently completed a yearlong series of joyfully celebrating the Fiftieth anniversary of the school.

Since Saint Margaret School first opened its doors in 1953, it has graduated more than 3,000 students. The school now maintains a stable enrollment of approximately 300 students. Students continue to be drawn from a number of surrounding parishes and towns, although 95% are parishioners. 99% of our students are Roman Catholic, with a relatively even mix of boys and girls. Typically, more than 95% of those who enroll in grade one continue to graduate from the school.

Ultimate responsibility for the administration of the school rests with the pastor of Saint Margaret Parish, Monsignor John J. O'Keefe. Day-to-day administration of the school is the responsibility of its principal. The first principal was Sr. Mary Blanch, O.P. who was followed by other members of the Dominican sisters of Blauvelt. Our current Principal is Mrs. Carolyn Slattery.

The Middle Sates Association of Colleges and Schools gratifies Saint Margaret School to receive accreditation in 1995, it was reaccredited by Middle States in 2000, and reviewed again in 2006. The school has maintained a tradition of academic and extra-curricular excellence. Our students graduate with a quality education and a well-developed understanding of the Catholic faith. The school's graduates are consistently awarded scholarships to the most competitive high schools and excel in area academic competitions.

Although Saint Margaret School is proud of its achievements and ongoing g tradition of excellence, it is not content to rest on its laurels. We welcome the opportunities to build upon our tradition and continue to work with the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools in order to maximize the opportunities for the success of our students in their current academic pursuits as well as in their future endeavors.

Academics

The educational programs consist of both carefully planned and well executed curriculum programs that include appropriate standards, solid instructional pedagogy, and appropriate assessment based on research and best practices. The educational programs are sufficiently financed, periodically reviewed, and mission-appropriate. They are developed to meet and address the needs of students and are designed to produce student learning at all levels. Effective policies and practices are in place, along with instructional materials, technology, and equipment that are appropriate, functional, and well maintained.

Saint Margaret School follows the current curriculum guidelines set forth by the Archdiocese of New York and the New York State Board of Regents. The faculty further develops the curricula through the selection of textbooks, the employment of a variety of teaching strategies, and the use of age appropriate projects and activities. As a Middle States Accredited School, our educational program is consistent with our philosophy and mission.

Students are regularly assessed in each subject area. The Iowa Tests of Basic Skills is given yearly in March to grades 1 to 8. Other methods of assessment include publisher tests, teacher-made tests, quizzes, homework checks, oral reports, blackboard work, projects, essays, progress reports, cumulative exams, and quarterly report cards.

Saint Margaret School Pre K accepts 3 and 4 year-old students who are fully toilet trained. We offer our Pre -K families several options

       The children may attend:

5 Full days 5 1/2 days (mornings only) 3 Full days (Tuesday/Wednesday & Thursday) 3 1/2 days (Tuesday/Wednesday & Thursday).

Our students in 4yr Old Pre -K particiapate in Gym, Computer, Spanish and Music Class.

Our 3yr olds are ofered Music and Gym.

Hot lunch is available for all full-time students as is after-care. The curriculum is child centered and encourages the young child to be an active participant in his/her learning through centers. Creative play, art, crafts, pre-reading, pre-math, science and social skills are part of our everyday activities. Religion plays a central role in all classroom activities with a special area in the classroom devoted to prayer. The Kindergarten program, students may attend five full days per week .

The students in grades Kindergarten through grade 4 are in self-contained classroom settings. The homeroom teacher is responsible for all subject areas. Religion is the core of all the students' learning. A parish priest visits the classrooms on a regular basis. All grades attend Mass or prayer services in the Church and in the Chapel. In conjunction with the classroom subjects of English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies and Religion, students also have Art, Music, Physical Education, Computers, and Spanish.

Grades 5 through 8 are departmentalized. Grades 5 and 6 and grades 7 and 8 have four teachers in the concentration of Social Studies, Science, Language Arts, and Math. All homeroom teachers instruct their class in Religion. In addition to the core subjects, each class has a "special" class of Music, Art, computers, Physical Education, and Spanish once a week. Seventh and eighth grade students attend Spanish class twice a week, and eighth graders study advanced Math prior to the regular school day.

All educational programs are designed to allow students to grow intellectually, socially, physically, and personally. The core of our educational foundation is to send into society a child well equipped with Catholic values and a strong academic foundation.

After School Programs

The following programs are offered by the Challenger Program. LEGO CREATIONS: Students are given LEGO kits without the printed instructions and are encouraged to build creatively using their own imaginations. While building, the students are taught fundamental principles of engineering and design. At the end of the course the kids keep their LEGO kits. HANDS-ON SCIENCE: Students participate in many hands-on, science-based activities. They may learn about the laws of motion; build and fly pop-rockets; design, construct, and test "Martian-landers"; learn about electronics using simple circuits; use microscopes; build solar-powered cars, construct and fly light-weight model airplanes, etc. MODEL ROCKETRY: Students learn the fundamentals of flight and the basics of model rocketry with air-powered and water powered rockets. They will also construct several rocket and glider kits that use commercially available rocket engines. The students keep any of the rockets/gliders they build. LEGO ROBOTICS: Students learn to build and program LEGO NXT Mindstorms robots. Using LEGO "sensors" the robots can be programmed to move, perform simple tasks, and to react to light and sound. SCRAPBOOKING: Students learn the importance of organizing and how to assemble an event, holiday or a special occasion with stamps, stickers, stencils, cut outs and colorful pens for a lasting keepsake. The current teacher is a St. Margaret Faculty member. PHOTOGRAPHY: Students learn about lighting, scenery and portraits, panning, and composition. Pictures taken are used on our SMS website, our yearbook, brochures, school newspaper, parent's newsletter, and your own personal pictures to frame at home. The current teacher is a St. Margaret parent. KIDZ ART: With KidzArt...There are no boring lectures. Creativity rules. KidzArt is an art-enriched experience that astounds and inspires. Through fun interactive exercises and personal encouragement, student energies are channeled into brain storming, problem solving, and practical application. Students are introduced to the fascinating world of contemporary and fine art. They discover the satisfaction of working in 2- and 3-dimensional art media. And they learn to draw. What begins as random shapes and colors emerge as confidence building skills to pursue most any subject. The program usually runs for 6-8 weeks each fall and spring. The same instructors have been at St. Margaret and our very own Mrs. Mercurio helps out. The company website is : http://kidzart.com/ GOLF: TGA is the only national Golf Enrichment Program for K-8th grade students and we offer the program here at St. Margaret!

• Children learn and play golf in the safe, nurturing environment of their schools. Programs can be conducted indoors or out, on concrete or grass, year-round.

• Curriculums were specially designed for K-8th grade students by industry-leading golf professionals and education specialists to ensure that the lesson plans are age-appropriate and easy to understand and retain. The curriculums are constantly amended and expanded by TGA's Curriculum Advisory Committee.

• Certified instructors teach swing fundamentals, rules, etiquette, course management, competitive formats and life values as students advance through the 5 Level Program.

• Students develop their motor skills and coordination while benefiting from golf's individualistic nature and TGA's group environment.

• TGA incorporates a plethora of educational components, including: arithmetic, reading comprehension, visual perception and mental focus.

At St Margaret's, the golf program has been a huge success each Fall and Spring. Many of our kids also attend the TGA Golf Summer camp that the company offers. The company website is: http://www.golftga.com/programs.asp. Mark Thornwell is the instructor at St. Margaret.  When Golf is being offered a flyer about the program, costs and dates is sent home with each student.

PIANO LESSONS: Our very own music teacher offers after school piano lessons. The lessons are 30 minutes and occur after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. To schedule piano lessons, please contact our music teacher directly by calling the school office.