Pastor:
Father Joseph Piekarski
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Principal:
Mrs. Mary Kirkwood
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Pastoral Minister:
Sr. Dorita Slaughter, OSF
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Grade 8:
Mrs. Christine Pochwat
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Grade 7:
Mrs. Michelle Keen
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Grade 6:
Mrs. Mary Bartsch
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Grade 5:
Mrs. Deborah Kruzienski
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Grade 4:
Mrs. Victoria Boyle
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Grade 3:
Mrs. Lena Kumpel
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Grade 2:
Mrs. Sara Carley
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Grade 1:
Mrs. Erin Blackwell
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Kindergarten:
Mrs. Barbara Broomall
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Art:
Mrs. Cindy Simeone
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Technology:
Mrs. Mary Gill
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Physical Education:
Mrs. Kathleen Smith
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Library:
Mrs. Kim Larmore
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Music:
Mrs. Amy Torres
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Spanish:
Mr. William Belford
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Math Specialist:
Mrs. Louise Northrop
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Reading Specialists:
Grades K-3
Mrs. Cathryn Harjung
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Grades 4-8
Mrs. Donna Strengari
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Assistants:
Grades 3 - 4:
Mrs. Mary Anne Smith
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Grade 2:
Mrs. Angela Mattucci
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Grade 1:
Mrs. Kim Paoli
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Kindergarten:
Ms. Claire Vulcan
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Secretary:
Mrs. Dolores Smith
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School Nurse:
Mrs. Jona Palalay
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Maintenance:
Mr. Joseph Bench
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Cafeteria:
Mrs. Shirey Joyce
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Miss Jan Ganderton

Aftercare Director:
Mrs. Angela Mattucci
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Aftercare Providers:
Miss Jan Ganderton
Mrs. Carmen Marrero
Ms. Linda Holmes
Ms. Peggy Wharton
Ms. Terri Fritz

Please see the Student Handbook for more detailed information about our school, including curriculum information, policies, and programs.

Immaculate Conception School develops the spiritual, intellectual, physical and social needs of its students in a Christ-centered, Catholic environment. Through a Franciscan tradition of faith and service, in partnership with our parish, parents, and community, and utilization of a challenging academic program, Immaculate Conception School nurtures disciples who embrace their God-given talents to serve humankind.

Presently, Immaculate Conception School has the following facilities:

Immaculate Conception School has a qualified faculty/staff who are dedicated to developing and educating the total child to the best of their abilities. It is our belief that education is an important way by which we, as Church, fulfill our commitment to the dignity of each individual as he/she takes his place in society. Our faith will live on in our youth.

Each member of the faculty of Immaculate Conception School attends workshops and receives directives from the Catholic Schools Office. Because of the diversity of methods, approaches, requirements and instructions within the school, teachers have curriculum meetings, departmental meetings and weekly faculty meetings to coordinate programs. Classroom assistants help meet the individual needs of students through the use of small groups in grades K-4. Reading and Math Specialists are on staff to provide remediation, support and challenge first through eighth grade.

Religion

Religion is taught daily in each classroom and is integrated into all curriculum areas. In addition, students regularly participate in liturgies and para-liturgies during the school year. Opportunities for receiving the Sacrament of Reconciliation are scheduled during Advent and Lent.

Sacramental programs are sponsored by the Religious Education program. Parents are required to enroll their child and attend all meetings. Parents are the primary educators of their children and are therefore obliged to see that their children participate at Mass weekly, and periodically receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

In accordance with our philosophy, we see our school environment as conducive to learning and living Christian values. Our religion program reflects the deep commitment, which the school has, to the formation of spiritual and moral growth in our students.

Human Sexuality Program

The Diocese of Wilmington has approved guidelines for programs in Human Sexuality and Family Living for all elementary grades. Immaculate Conception School integrates the Human Sexuality Program into the religion curriculum. Included in this program are drug abuse education, alcohol dependency education, and AIDS education.

Students in grades K through 8 are helped to look at life as a gift from God. The emphasis is upon an awareness and simple appreciation of creation in all forms: plant, animal, family, and self. In addition, students are encouraged to become more aware of their personal attitudes toward life, their value system, their dignity as persons, their normal physical and emotional development. Students are reminded that "what they are is God's gift to them and what they become is their gift to God." Guidelines are sent home before the program begins to encourage parental participation.

Language Arts Program

At Immaculate Conception School, we adhere to the Diocesan Language Arts Curriculum. Included in this area of learning are the following subjects:

. English grammar and composition
. Phonics in primary grades
. Penmanship
. Spelling
. Reading

In addition to the daily Language Arts curriculum, we encourage the students to participate in the following activities that enhance their learning:

. Diocesan Spelling Bee (grades 5 through 8)
. Declamation Contest (grades 5 through 8)
. Local and National Essay contests sponsored by Diocesan, religious, civic and national organizations

Mathematics Program

Emphasis is placed on basic skills of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; problem-solving; and critical thinking. Many supplementary materials are used throughout the grades to assist students to solve problems and learn concepts. Manipulative objects are used to help students master facts and concepts. We encourage parents to assist us in reinforcing concepts taught in the classroom by using "hands-on" materials at home with the children (card games, buttons, etc.)

Pre-Algebra and Algebra are offered to eighth-grade students.

Science Program
The Inquiry Approach and Scientific Method are used throughout the school. These approaches encourage the students to discover, to think for themselves, to weigh pros and cons, to interpret facts, and to do hands-on experiments. Students participate in lab classes where they are taught to prepare a lab report and analyze findings. To enhance the Science program, middle school students participate in a Science Fair sponsored by the school where creativity and originality emerge. 8
Social Studies Program

The major goals of the Social Studies Program are:

1. To learn and understand the five major disciplines:
. Geography/Ecology
. History/Current Events
. Anthropology/Sociology
. Political Science
. Economics

2. To develop a basic understanding of concepts through a foundation of knowledge from independent subjects.

Students keep informed of national and international events on a daily basis. At the middle school level, students are required to maintain a daily current events journal using television news, radio, newspapers, or the Internet.

The Enrichment Programs consisting of Art, Computer Science, General Music, Library, and Physical Education are important components to the school curriculum.

Art Program

The Art program is an essential component of the school curriculum. Students are encouraged to utilize their skills and talents by participating in contests made available to the school. Standards of conduct and attendance are the same as those of other subject areas. Students who come to Art unprepared or without the proper excuse three times will receive an unsatisfactory grade in Art.

Computer Science

Immaculate Conception School's computer lab is equipped with 22 workstations. Each workstation is equipped with headphones to allow each child to completely utilize all multimedia functions without disturbing the other students. The computer lab is networked with the Windows 2003 operating system. Since the 1998-99 school year, each computer has had Internet access through a firewall capable proxy server.

Each school year the students, along with their parents, must sign an Acceptable Use Policy before having access to the Internet. The Acceptable Use Policy, along with a "Guidelines for Acceptable Use for Telecommunications" booklet will be sent home in September. As explained in the booklet, misuse of the Internet will subject the student to disciplinary action at the appropriate level in keeping with existing procedures and practices regarding inappropriate language or behavior. Access to the Internet, and use of technology equipment will be revoked if the teacher deems it necessary.

The Computer Science program is an important element of the school curriculum. Students are encouraged to develop basic keyboarding. Microsoft Office application, Internet research, Internet safety, and practical computer science skills. Standards of conduct and attendance are the same as those of the other subject areas. Students who come to Computer class unprepared or without the proper excuse three times will receive an unsatisfactory grade in Computer.

Library

Library is an important part of the curriculum at Immaculate Conception School. Students attend Library class weekly with the goals of fostering an enjoyment of reading, teaching skills that support and reinforce the school-wide curriculum, and enabling the students to navigate successfully in a Library. The standards of conduct and attendance are the same as in other subject areas. Supplemental materials are used to assist students in learning various library skills. In grades three through eight, there are some homework and small project requirements. Diocesan grading standards are adhered to in Library class at Immaculate Conception School.

Music Program, Musicals, Band

A regular program in music is an essential part of the curriculum. In addition to singing and playing simple instruments, students generally participate in drama and dance. Students in grades K through 8 perform in yearly musical programs. These annual programs are designed to enrich and enhance the regular school curriculum. Performances are posted on the monthly calendar.

Physical Education Program

The Physical Education program is an important component of the school curriculum. The same standards of conduct and attendance which apply to other subjects also apply to gym. Students are expected to come prepared by wearing the required uniform/sneakers for gym on the days assigned. If a student is unable to participate on given day for health reasons, the parents must send a note of explanation to the Physical Education teacher. If a student is unable to participate for an extended period of time, the parents must obtain a medical excuse from the family physician to be presented to the Physical Education teacher. Students who come to gym unprepared or without the proper excuse three times will receive an unsatisfactory grade in gym.

Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic School was opened in 1927 by the Ursuline Sisters. It was located at Cathedral Street and Singerly Avenue in Elkton, Maryland until 1956.

The Ursuline Sisters ministered in the school from 1927 through 1930. The Glen Riddle Franciscans followed the Ursuline Sisters in 1930 and presently continue to provide a quality, value-based Catholic education for the children of Immaculate Conception/St. Jude parish.

Many changes occurred between the founding year and the present. Due to increased enrollment, the old four-classroom structure became inadequate to properly house the children. Therefore, on September 10, 1956, the doors of the newly constructed twelveroom school, located on Bow Street, were opened. At this time Kindergarten was added and grades 1 through 6 were single classes while grades 7 and 8 remained a combined class. In September of 1957, all grades were single with two of each at the primary level.

During the 60's Immaculate Conception School reached its peak, ministering to 554 children. It was necessary to have two classes for each grade level. The increased enrollment caused a problem as we began to outgrow the facility. As a result, it became a priority to provide Catholic education first to parishioners. At this time, and through the 80's, we experienced increases and decreases in enrollment for a variety of reasons. Two major factors impacting enrollment changes were busing and rising tuition costs.

Immaculate Conception School was fully accredited on October 14, 1988 by Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary Schools. The school continually monitors strengths and weaknesses to prepare for reaccreditation every ten years. Reaccredidation was obtained April 24, 1998. Curriculum areas are updated every five years. The Home School Association was revitalized in September 1991. A networked computer lab was opened in September 1992. We look forward to the challenge of continued growth in our faith, basic curriculum and technological skills into the next millennium.