Specials

Diocese of Green Bay State Standards, Benchmarks, and Curriculum for Catholic Schools

Art

Younger art students focus on hand/eye coordination and correct usage of materials.  All students learn to recognize and use the elements of design. The elements include; line, color, value, shape, texture, form & space. All middle school art students learn how the elements of design are combined and organized in developing the 7 principles of design. Principles include; balance, movement, rhythm, contrast, emphasis, pattern, & unity. These principles are used to create successful compositions. Usage of the elements and principles is ongoing. Art history is interspersed throughout the year at varying levels for the different grades. Of course creativity is always nurtured and encouraged!

Physical Education 

K-1st grade: Students concentrate on large gross motor skills such as throwing, catching and kicking. They also practice movements that include skipping, galloping, jumping, hopping, sliding, walking and running. They will learn to work/play as a team with their classmates. Students are encouraged to use good sportsmanship and to follow safety rules in class. grading: participation, effort, sportsmanship.

2nd – 3rd grade: Students continue to work on skills used in various sports and activities. They begin to learn basic rules, and participate in lead up games that are a precursor to regular team sports, in their lifetime and other activities. Students are encouraged to use good sportsmanship and to follow safety rules.  Grading: participation, effort, sportsmanship.

4th – 5th grade: Students are introduced to more organized sports and begin to learn the rules of various individual sports, life activities, and staying active more in-depth. Students are beginning to understand the team sport concept and working together. Sportsmanship is emphasized, as well as having good character and encouraging classmates. Grading: participation, effort, sportsmanship, some skill testing.

6th – 8th grade: Students are put into game situations after learning rules and reviewing skills needed to participate. Good character and sportsmanship is emphasized.  A major part of class is participation and staying involved with effort put in.  Grading: participation, effort, sportsmanship, written quizzes on rules, skill testing.

Computer/Technology

Technology classes in Grades K-8 will support the ISTE Standards for Students. The Structured Learning Technology Curriculum will be used to teach the standards. It includes project-based, collaborative activities that address the four main topics: keyboarding (not just typing), digital citizenship, problem-solving and technology vocabulary.  Programs utilized include Google Suite, Storyjumper, Canva, and activities with coding.

Music

Students in grades PreK-5 participate in general music classes at least once a week. Grades 6-8 students have the option of participating in Music through Electives.

Band

Students in Grades 4-8 are offered an opportunity to learn a band instrument.  Students in Grades 4-5 are in Spirit Band while students in Grades 6-8 are in Varsity Band.  The band fee is $80/semester.  A limited instrument rental program is available.  All band fees are non-refundable and must be paid at the beginning of each semester.

Spanish

Students in lower elementary will begin to learn basic Spanish vocabulary. As they progress through the grades, their vocabularies will continue to grow and we will begin to learn basic grammar.

In middle school, students will begin to learn more advanced grammar and work on their listening, reading, writing and speaking skills.  Majority of our students enter Spanish 2 as high school freshmen.  Students in all grades will explore cultural holidays and traditions as well as faith integration.

Library

The library is staffed by a coordinator who provides library opportunities and programs for students in Grades K-5.  The library operates on the “library habit” which is designed to have students return and/or check out books any day versus only once a week.

Guidance
Holy Spirit School is fortunate to offer a comprehensive school counseling program.  All students in grades 4K through 8th benefit from the services of the licensed School Counselor.  The School Counselor is available to consult with and provide support to teachers and parents throughout the year, and participates in many varied activities within the life of our school community in an effort to be familiar with the needs of our school families.  This comprehensive program focuses on success in three primary domains: academics, career exploration, and personal/social development.  The School Counselor meets these learning objectives in a variety of ways.  Students participate in full group "Classroom Counseling" lessons as well as small group non-therapeutic experiences throughout the school year.  Short term individual counseling and topic-focused small groups are available to all students as needed, and can be requested by parents or teachers.  Finally, our 8th grade students participate in Academic and Career Planning Conferences in the spring as part of their preparation for transitioning to High School.    

Reading Specialist
Our reading specialist follows the Science of Reading, by focusing on the following pillars of literacy: phonological awareness, phonics, decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. She utilizes 2 programs, depending on the needs of the student.
UFLI Foundations is an explicit and systematic program created by the team at the University of Florida Literacy Institute. The program introduces students to the foundational reading skills necessary for proficient reading. It follows a carefully developed scope and sequence designed to ensure that students systematically acquire each skill needed and learn to apply each skill with automaticity and confidence. 
The Barton Reading & Spelling System is a Structured Literacy program that is Orton-Gillingham influenced.  Our multi-sensory, direct, explicit, structured and sequential intense intervention program is research and evidence based and is designed for students with dyslexia.

Speech Pathologist 

The speech language pathologist (SLP) works with students in 4K-8th grade. The SLP at Holy Spirit provides therapy for students identified with a primary disability of speech and language. Evaluations for students with speech and language concerns are completed by a public school district. SLPs in schools work with students with articulation disorders, phonological disorders, voice disorders, fluency/stuttering, augmentative/alternative communication, social communication, and receptive language and/or expressive language disorders. Students may have difficulty in one single area or multiple areas of speech and language. Each speech and language therapy session is focused on targeting a student’s goals and objectives that are developed annually. A variety of activities are used during sessions to target their goals in an engaging way, including books, play, games, sensory bins, table work, and ipad apps.