Academics

Philosophy

The Pre-School / Kindergarten Programs assist in developing the total child that he/she may become fully alive. Realizing that each child possesses strengths and weaknesses in all areas of development, we provide a rich variety of activities to fulfill the special needs of all students. This is accomplished in an atmosphere that is permeated with the spirit of Christian love and concern.

Admission Requirements & Schedule

Pre-School 3 children must be potty trained and 3 years old by September 1st.
Pre-School 4 children must be four years old by September 1st.
Kindergarten children must be five years old by September 1st.
Birth Certificate, Baptismal Certificate (if not baptized at Nativity of Our Lord), a parish Sunday envelope are required at time of registration. Under Pennsylvania Law, every child must be properly immunized before entering school. Immunization records are also to be provided at registration.

Pre-School-3 Schedule: Half-Day 8:30-11:30 am Full-Day 8:30 am -3:00 pm
Pre-School 4 Schedule: Half Day 8:30 – 11:45 am Full Day 8:30 – 3:00 pm
Kindergarten Schedule: Half-Day 8:25-11:45 am Full-Day 8:25 am – 3:15 pm

Attendance

Regular attendance at Pre-School and Kindergarten is recommended and strongly encouraged. It benefits your child since it assures continued involvement in the programs planned and helps add structure to his/her lifestyle.

Any child who is absent or late for school must have a note of explanation from the parent. Problems concerning absence for unusual or long-term reasons should be discussed with the Principal and Teacher.

Costs

Tuition costs are listed under the Admission Information section of the website. Preschool 3 & 4 and Kindergarten costs are low priced when compared to area licensed and franchised daycare facilities with comparable 5 day programs. Families can save from 10 to 30% over area daycare programs when using our full day programs and our Before/After school C.A.R.E.S. program.

Uniforms

Pre-School children are required to wear uniforms. Information about uniforms for Pre-school and Kindergarten children may be obtained at school or through the uniform supplier website.

Religion & Mathematics

The Pre-School / Kindergarten Programs enable the child to take delight in himself/herself as a person uniquely loved by God, our Father, and in each discovery of God’s gifts to him. Concepts such as faith, thanksgiving, belonging, prayer, trust, love of self and love of God are creatively developed.

The development of number meaning is an important part of the total growth of each child and thus, it occupies an important place in the Pre-school / Kindergarten Programs. Children learn by doing. They will be given the opportunity to observe, explore, experiment, discover and create.

Language Arts

The Language Arts Program will stress three basic skills: listening, speaking and writing. Your child has learned to converse at home and the Pre-School / Kindergarten Programs build on the language your child brings to school. Experience will be provided in informal conversation, classroom discussion, show and tell, poetry, rhymes, painting, stories, films, experiments, and field trips. In addition, children will have Story Time, which enables them to sit and listen to a book, specially chosen for this age group, read to them.

Science & Social Studies

Science in Pre-School and Kindergarten Programs concerns itself with the world of nature – plants, animals, materials and forces. The child who has both a Religious and Scientific outlook can understand more thoroughly the world in which he/she lives. Our program is designed to stimulate and satisfy curiosity and to develop basic concepts through various “hands-on experiences.”

The Social Studies Program encourages each child to know himself/herself, explore his/her world, and eventually make discoveries on his/her own. Through the discussion of self, family, school, and community, each child will grow to appreciate his/her surroundings.

Music

Music is aesthetic education in action. It is one of the most communicative arts which help to fulfill a child’s innate desire to express himself/herself. The Pre-School / Kindergarten Programs provide each child with the opportunity to develop a love for music, through listening, singing, dancing and participating in rhythmic activities.

Physical Education

Young children have a compulsive need to be active. Therefore, a planned program of games and physical activities specially designed for pre-school / kindergarten children has been developed. Through participation in this program, children will have an opportunity to improve body movement, body image, to refine skills and develop positive attitudes toward physical fitness, health, and safety.

Computers/Technology

Computers are all around us in the world and Nativity of Our Lord School is continually updating and adding to the array of current instructional technology hardware and software to supplement the curriculum.  Among the items available in every grade are Promethean interactive whiteboard technology, over 320 iPads for student use, document cameras, internet access in every classroom, Multi-Media Center and STEAM Lab, and IXL site license.  Teachers use a variety of educational programs and applications to enhance student learning and differentiated learning styles such as Edmoto, Google Drive and Docs, Nearpad, etc.

 

Spanish

Preschool and Kindergarten students will receive instruction in Spanish language once a week. Our world is becoming a true melting pot offering children the opportunity to experience and relate to other cultures. The program is designed to provide enough cumulative instruction through their education in our school to gain skills that will enable them to take an additional year of language in high school.

Conferences

Toward the end of the first semester (January), you will receive a notice about a scheduled conference with your child’s teacher. This will give both the parent and teacher an opportunity to share information, discuss problems, make adjustments, and plan together to suggest ways of working with your child at home and at school.

Nativity of Our Lord School follows the Curriculum Guidelines set forth by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Guidelines can be viewed on the Archdiocesan site www.aopcatholicschools.org in the Elementary Curriculum section.

Additionally, Nativity School offers 5 areas of special instruction in Art, Music, Physical Education,  STEAM. and Spanish. These classes are offered to all grades PreK-3 to 8th.

In 2010, Nativity School added an Instrumental Music Program that offers both Instruction in group lessons on various instruments and the opportunity to perform in Music Ensembles.

The School curriculum is enhanced by various additional activities that build the Christian character and further the mission of the Church through community service including a Prayer Partner Program for students in Pre-K to 2nd grade, various Community Service projects throughout the school year, a  Children’s Choir and student participation in school liturgies.

Honors Math – Nativity of Our Lord School is a participant in the Archdiocesan Honors Math Curriculum offered to qualified students in Grades 4 – 8. This program is an accelerated Math curriculum that will enable students who participate to cover the Math curriculum at an accelerated rate and complete 8th grade work by the end of 7th grade. During the 8th grade year those Honors Math students study Algebra I which enables them to add additional course material in their high school mathematics course selection. Many of these Honors Math students may also become eligible to participate in the Diocesan Scholars Program in high school.

Honors English –  The Honors ELA program is a meaningful and profitable experience for qualified students in grades 7 and 8.  This class is an accelerated reading program with a focus on enhancing critical thinking and cohesive text response skills.  Additionally, we will focus on writing development by understanding and crafting thesis statements, citing text evidence, and properly formatting and executing essay writing.

Standardized Testing – Students in 2nd to 7th grade annually participate in the administration of the Terra Nova Standardized tests. Our students annually score above the National Percentile at each grade level and above Anticipated Local scores. These tests are used to gauge areas of strength and weakness in both student performance and curriculum materials. These assist the school and individual teachers in preparing lessons and units of study that will best suit the students in their classes.

Scholarship winners – Each year Nativity of Our Lord graduates are recipients of multiple scholarships to area private and diocesan high schools. These include many winners of the Neumann Scholars Program Scholarships as well as scholarships awarded by Archbishop Wood, Villa Joseph Marie, LaSalle, Holy Ghost Prep, Mt. St. Joseph Academy, St. Basil Academy, Gwynedd Mercy high schools.

Math & Science Contests – qualified students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades compete each year in various area Math or Science contests. Nativity students frequently take home top prizes in both individual and team categories

Band – students involved in the Instrumental Music Program participate in the Ensemble program and give concert/recital performances twice per year

Reading Olympics – Students compete in the Bucks County Archdiocesan Reading Olympics competition. The only requirement is a love of reading and a commitment to reading multiple titles of the annual reading list to prepare.  This consists of an Elementary Team of Grades 4-5 and a Middle School Team of Grades 6-8.

Altar Servers – Students in 5th to 8th grades are invited to train and join the Altar Server Program as a way to serve their God and their parish. Training begins for interested participants in the Spring of each year and is conducted during the school day or immediately after school dismissal.

PAWS Performing Arts Club – Open to students in 5-8th grades- students participate in acting, staging and production of an annual school musical performed for parents, family, and friends.

TNN-Tiger News Network – Interested students in grades 7 & 8 can participate during school hours in creating twice-monthly broadcasts that are student managed in content, editing, filming, and production.  These broadcasts are viewed by the entire student body.  This activity is moderated by adult faculty and staff.

Student Council – Leadership and organization skills are developed through election of student leaders and representatives to the Student Council.  8th grade students serve as Executive Board along with other students as grades PreK-8 classroom representatives.  Various social and service projects are developed and administered by Student Council each school year.  Elections for new Student Council members are held each spring for the following school year.