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Saint Paul Students Excel at Regional Science Fair
“And the winner is Saint Paul School!” This announcement echoed four times at the Regional Science Fair. Eighth grader John Kenneally placed first with his project titled “Love thy Neighbor?” Fellow classmate Sally Stover placed third with her project “Bow Wow Bacteria.” The awards ceremony continued with seventh grader Marco King placing first with his project “Shock Diamonds.” Fellow seventh grader Molly Fitzgibbon placed third with her project titled “Who Nose.”
Saint Paul School was well represented by their sixth grade students - Mairead Anderson, Madison Feely, and Timothy Irish. Seventh graders Matthew Dwyer and Timothy Chase and eighth grader Louise Falvey rounded out our amazing definition of scientists.
More than 90 students representing 10 area Catholic Schools participated in the 2nd Annual Area 6 Regional Science Fair hosted by Archbishop Williams High School in Braintree. Saint Paul’s science curriculum coordinator, Jonathan Mihal, said “These awards speak volumes to the students’ outstanding efforts and I couldn’t be more proud of them!”
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| John Kenneally, 1st Place |
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| Sally Stover, 3rd Place |
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| Marco King, 1st Place |
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| Molly Fitzgibbon, 3rd Place |
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Saint Paul School Students Win Writing Contest
We are pleased to announce that two of our students placed first and second in the 2011 Will McDonough Writing Contest sponsored by the Boston Globe and Bank of America. The essay contest is named in honor of long-time Boston Globe sports columnist, Will McDonough, and is designed to encourage the development of language and writing skills, and explore the topics of teamwork, responsibility, fairness, courage, and determination in sports.
Under the direction of Mrs. Maureen Jensen, middle school writing teacher, the following students received awards:
Hugh Gorman, Grade 8, First Place
Sally Stover, Grade 8, Second Place
Hugh's essay was entitled, "The Best Birthday Ever", and Sally wrote, "Grandpa's Story". We are very proud of their accomplishment!
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St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Saint Paul School
By Mary Furlong Healey
Special to The Hingham Journal
March 30, 2011
On Thursday March 17th, Saint Paul School celebrated St. Patrick’s Day. In addition to being the Patron Saint of Ireland, St. Patrick is recognized as the Patron Saint of the Archdiocese of Boston. In part, this may explain the affinity that many people in and near Boston feel for this great Saint. This fondness was especially evident at Saint Paul School on March 17th.
The Saint Paul School students and faculty began the morning with a Mass in honor of St. Patrick. In the afternoon, the students in Grades Pre K - 8 entertained school parents and friends with a St. Patrick Day musical celebration. The “wearing of the green” was evident as the children were permitted to wear green and white attire instead of their regular uniforms. Each class, under the direction of Music Teacher Matt Browne, performed one or two Irish songs. The performances included such songs as “Wild Mountain Thyme,” “Irish Rover,” and “The Rattlin‘ Bog.” The performances were a delight and it was obvious that the students had spent much time and effort practicing.
Interspersed throughout the musical performance, the audience was treated to what has become a tradition for the St. Patrick’s Day celebration at Saint Paul School. Each March, for more than 20 years, students at Saint Paul School have entertained the school community with their Irish Step Dancing. This year 16 girls delighted the audience with their traditional dance steps. Students of the Woods School of Irish Dance , The Nevin Academy of Irish Dance and the Costello School of Irish Dance were represented. The girls were divided into 4 groups.
The first group to perform included students Maeve Lowther, Margret Lowther , Kerry McCauley and Josie Ward who danced a ceili style dance. Then First Graders Grace Connelly, Aislinn Gibson, and Robin Penza charmed the audience with their reel. The third group of dancers included Jaclyn Daley, Nell Falvey, Grace Healey, Megan Hogan, Molly Kerrigan, Maeve McAuley and Elizabeth Zheng. The girls danced gracefully to a traditional tune. The final performance was by Grade 7 students Sarah Kerrigan and Kate Whale, who wowed the audience with their reel. Both girls are accomplished Irish Dancers, with Sarah having danced for 7 years and Kate having danced for 9 years. All of the Irish Step Dancers delighted the audience with both their beautiful attire and spirited dancing. The audience was also obviously captivated by their talent and enthusiasm. A number of the girls are committed Irish Step Dancers, competing in feisanna (festivals/competitions) throughout New England.
In preparation for March 17th, the Irish Dancers had been busy practicing both after school (as a group) and at their own individual Irish Dance Schools. Students Sarah Kerrigan and Kate Whale had graciously orchestrated the after-school practices, as is the privilege for the oldest Irish Step Dancers at Saint Paul School. The St. Patrick Day celebration at Saint Paul School was an obvious delight - leaving the audience anticipating next year’s celebration as well!
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Saint Paul School “Skypes” with Award-winning Author Avi
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By Mary Furlong Healey
Special to The Hingham Journal
March 24, 2011
On Tuesday, March 15th students in Grade 5 at Saint Paul School had the privilege of speaking with award-winning author Avi. School Librarian Barbara Mullin and Computer Teacher Heather Carroll had arranged a skype session with Avi, much to the delight of the entire school community. Avi has authored such books as Poppy, Nothing But the Truth, and The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle. A number of Avi’s books have been assigned reading at Saint Paul School. The Enrichment Committee at Saint Paul School was pleased to sponsor this event.
The 5th Graders were already quite familiar with Avi, having read Poppy during a Book Group in Library Class last year. In preparation for this skyping session, the students were busy further familiarizing themselves with Avi’s books. Kathy Hofmann, Fifth Grade teacher, has been recently reading aloud Avi’s book The Good Dog, to the entire class. Mrs. Mullin also asked the students to select one of Avi’s books to read on their own, in preparation for this special event. Additionally, the students spent library time doing author research.
On the day of the skype session, the Fifth Graders were incredibly excited. Saint Paul School was also pleased to welcome some local members of the community. Sharon Moody, Children’s Librarian from Paul Pratt Public Library in Cohasset, and Theresa Conroy, Cohasset High School Librarian, were in attendance. The Cohasset Librarians were eager to see how Saint Paul School skypes, with the idea of using our skyping session as a prototype for their libraries.
The Fifth Grade students were very well prepared for the skype session. Each child was given the opportunity to personally ask Avi at least one question and many of the students asked more than one. Avi enthusiastically responded to each question, often querying the students in return. He shared with the students that he is currently working on 3 books, one of which is called City of Orphans and which he finished about one hour prior to skyping with the Fifth Graders! Avi spoke about his love of reading and books and how he considers himself a bibliomaniac. He also talked with the students about reading a book versus reading a Nook or Kindle - and polled the students as to their preference. As to his advice as to how one may become a writer, Avi stressed the importance of reading. One must “Read, read, read and read some more” in order to write.
The Fifth Grade students at Saint Paul School were truly fortunate to be able to speak with such an accomplished author as Avi. With Avi’s permission, this skype session was videotaped so that the entire Saint Paul School community will ultimately benefit from this wonderful event.
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Saint Paul School Students Learn About Night Sky
By Mary Furlong Healey
Special to The Hingham Journal
February 17, 2011
On Monday January 31st the Saint Paul School Enrichment Committee welcomed The Museum of Science (MOS) to campus. Students in Grade 1 to Grade 8 were able to learn about the night sky with the assistance of two of the museum’s portable planetariums, STARLAB. Students learned about stars and star patterns and were even able to view the night sky as it would appear in Hingham later that evening. Since the display is highly interactive, the children could actually enter the STARLABs for observation.
Saint Paul School was especially pleased to be able to host the MOS STARLAB during Catholic Schools Week held January 30th - February 5th. The theme for this year’s nation-wide celebration is “Catholic Schools.: A+ for America.”
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Helping Haiti: The Journey Continues
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By Mary Furlong Healey
Special to The Hingham Journal
January 13, 2011
Last May, Paula Connors of Hingham had the opportunity to travel to Leogane, Haiti. The purpose of her trip was to aid the victim’s of Haiti’s devastating January 2010 earthquake. Paula and her volunteer companions did not travel alone. They brought with them the love and concern of the greater Hingham community.
Paula’s interest in Haiti was the direct result of a friend’s trip to Leogane in early February. Sean Farrell, a college friend of Paula’s husband Matt, felt called to help Haiti. As a graduate of University of Notre Dame, Sean was able to reside at the Notre Dame Haiti Program Residence in Leogane, Haiti. This program has operated in Haiti since 1983, searching for a cure for elephantiasis. Located approximately twenty miles outside of the capital of Port-au-Prince, Leogane suffered massive devastation, with 90% of the buildings destroyed. Miraculously, the Notre Dame residence was “still standing and became a command central for the entire region,” according to Paula. From Leogane, Sean sent daily e-mail updates to family and friends. Paula, in turn, shared these updates with her friends. Moved by Sean’s e-mails regarding Haiti’s plight, Paula’s friend Martha Murphy decided to travel to Haiti to help. As Paula was helping Martha ready for her trip to Leogane, Paula decided to journey there, as well.
Prior to leaving for Haiti, there was much fundraising to be done. Paula reached out to Saint Paul School, where her daughter Kelsey is a student. Principal Cynthia Duggan was eager to assist the people of Haiti in their continued need. Saint Paul School had previously held a fundraiser for Haiti, in which they collected $2,500 and 300 pairs of shoes for donation. It was decided that Saint Paul School would once again help the people of Haiti, in particular the people of Leogane. The response was completely overwhelming. Saint Paul School students and their families generously donated such items as new or gently worn clothing, sneakers, multivitamins, tooth paste and toothbrushes, soap, and of course, monetary donations. A “Red Sox” dress down day was held for all students, in which $600 was raised. The school also donated a number of Saint Paul School gym shirts, sweatshirts and jumpers. Before leaving for Haiti, Paula visited with the children of Saint Paul School. Father Rafferty and the students gave her a special blessing for the journey.
On May 8th, Paula traveled to Leogane, Haiti for a nine day charitable trip. Paula was one of 16 volunteer team members, consisting of 7 doctors, 6 nurses, 1 pharmacist and 2 non-medical personnel, of which Paula was one. Among the 2 nurses who traveled were Martha Murphy and Amy Murray, both former Saint Paul School parents. Each of the volunteers brought with them two bags full of donated items, including clothing, sneakers, candy and even soccer balls. Paula volunteered with World Wide Village and InterVol, two non-profit charitable organizations who were helping the Haitian people. While in Leogane, Paula also stayed at the Notre Dame residence. As a non-medical volunteer, Paula was called upon to do whatever was necessary. She spent most of her time in the makeshift pharmacy, and also had the opportunity to visit 3 orphanages. Paula found the people of Haiti to be “open and friendly.” Even in the midst of destruction there was still joy to be found, especially on the faces of the children.
Lamb Center Ministries is an orphanage which was completely destroyed by the earthquake. Before the quake, over 200 children were cared for here. Following the terrible devastation of January 12th, the center was not able to feed and care for the great majority of children. Paula’s friend Sean had befriended this orphanage and is currently overseeing the reconstruction of the new center. It was this orphanage which was the main recipient of the generosity of the Saint Paul School students. Of the money raised from the “Red Sox” dress down day, $300 was used to purchase rice, beans and kerosene for two weeks and the remaining $300 went to purchase a 250 gallon water reserve tank. The local fundraising for the Lamb Center continues today. Paula’s son, Chuckie, is a student at Boston College High School, where they have a weekly “Mite Box” collection for different organizations. BC High selected the Lamb Center as the first recipient of the 2010-2011 school year and $2,200 was raised. As the Lamb Center is in the process of opening up their school again, the funds from BC High will be used to purchase items such as blackboards and books.
Upon her return from Haiti, Paula visited Saint Paul School to speak with the students and share her photos. The students were especially moved by the pictures of the children at the Lamb Center wearing the Saint Paul School gym shirts. As Paula noted, “It was an immediate connection!” Certainly, the children of Saint Paul School now have a special affinity for the children of Leogane, Haiti. With Paula’s assistance, this friendship continues. Paula is currently planning an additional Dress-Down Day at Saint Paul School, commemorating the first anniversary of the Earthquake. The funds from this event will of course help the needy of Haiti.
From Sean’s simple e-mails, two communities have changed for the better - Hingham, Mass and Leogane, Haiti. Many lives have been touched by this journey of hope and healing, including those of Sean, Paula and her family, the students of Saint Paul School, and of course, the children of Leogane.
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