Academic
Curriculum
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 Moral
training and religious knowledge in a Catholic environment provide
the foundation of Little Flower's curriculum.
The
curriculum includes concentrated learning in Religion, Language
Arts, Mathematics with Pre-Algebra and Algebra in sections of
the Junior High, Social Studies, Science, and Art. The Language
Arts area includes Reading, Phonics, Spelling, Vocabulary, Grammar,
Creative Writing, and Penmanship. Reading is an essential component
of all areas of our curriculum.
In
addition to the core curriculum, Little Flower offers instruction
in French, Spanish, Music, Library Skills, Physical Education,
and Computer Science. The school program is enhanced by the
presence of a counselor on staff.
Children
of Little Flower School participate annually in the Archdiocesan
Standardized Testing Program. Results of these tests are shared
with the parents, provide valuable information for the school,
and are used in conjunction with the High School Admissions
Program of the Archdiocese.
Each
child who attends Little Flower will find acceptance, encouragement,
and motivation to become his or her best possible self. The
administration and staff are committed to working with parents
to create a warm, loving environment in which children can gain
an awareness of their potential and be challenged to use their
abilities and talents for their own good and for the good of
their family, school, church, and country.
A
Middle States Accredited School, Little Flower's educational
program meets the requirements set by the Catholic Schools Office
of the Archdiocese of Washington and the Department of Education
of the State of Maryland.
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School
Building and Grounds
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Little
Flower's facilities include 11 classrooms, library, music room,
computer lab, science room, special reading room, and after-care
facility. A multipurpose school hall serves as a lunchroom,
assembly hall, and place for school concerts and activities,
as well as other parish functions. The gymnasium serves as the
center of Little Flower's physical education program.
The
upper and lower playgrounds provide space for the students'
activities both at the recess period and at the noon hour.
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Enrollment
Procedures
Little
Flower School of the Archdiocese of Washington admits and provides
services for students of any race, color or national or ethnic
origin.
Since
Little Flower is a parish school it provides the children of
the parish with an educational experience based on a Catholic
philosophy of education. Any child who fulfills the age, health
and academic requirements is eligible for admission. Priority
of acceptance is given to families who are registered members
of the parish and families who have other children enrolled
in the school. If space is available, non-parishioners may be
accepted.
Children
entering Pre Kindergarten, Kindergarten or First Grade must
be four/five/six respectively by the specific date determined
by the State of Maryland. Incoming First Graders must have attended
an approved Kindergarten Program. Birth and Baptismal certificates
and health records are to be presented for children entering
our school. Registration for Pre Kindergarten and all grades
up to and including Grade Seven takes place during the month
of February preceding the new school year.
Care
is taken to determine whether a child will benefit from our
program of studies. Screenings, review of school records and
report cards, teacher recommendations and reports of conduct
are some of the criteria used in making admission decisions.
New students will be accepted on a probationary basis for a
period of three months. Acceptance will be finalized when it
is determined that the school can meets the student’s academic
needs.
Enrollment
of a child in Little Flower School implies the willingness of
both parents and students to comply with the policies of the
school. In order to realize the school's aims, parents and students
must agree with and support the philosophy of the school and
the Code of Discipline as outlined in the school Handbook.
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Governance
and Goals
Little
Flower School is a parish sponsored school that is part of the
Washington Archdiocesan Catholic School System. It operates
in accordance with the directives and guidelines of the Catholic
Schools Office and the mandates and requirements of the State
of Maryland.
The
School Advisory Board is a consultative group of interested
parents, parishioners and a Faculty representative who assist
and advise the Administrative Team - the Pastor of Little Flower
Parish and the School Principal - regarding the governance of
the school.
Our
goals consist of faithfulness in our mission of ministering
spiritual growth and academic excellence to our School Community.
We strive continually to strengthen our academic programs so
that our students will meet the challenges of the 21st century.
We are committed to integrating technology into the curriculum
as well as providing our students with the skills and opportunities
to be involved in real life outreach programs for the poor and
the disadvantaged.
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Parent
Involvement
The
strength of our school community relies heavily on the support
and involvement of all of the families that the school serves.
Our parents are strongly encouraged to be actively involved
in one or more of the many Parent Involvement Programs here
at Little Flower. Ample opportunity is provided for parents
to assist both during the school day and in events and activities
that take place after school hours. Every child in the school
benefits from the commitment, interest and assistance given
by involved mothers and fathers.
An
integral part of the school program is the Home and School Association,
which is composed of all parents and the school staff. This
is another link between home and school by which parents keep
informed of school activities, programs and new trends in education.
The
Home and School Association strives to work for the good of
the school, to build a strong sense of school community and
to foster viable channels of communication whereby parents and
faculty may better communicate and cooperate in the education
of our children.
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Spiritual
Development
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Fostering
the spiritual development of our students is the primary mission
of the school. Instruction in the faith permeates every aspect
of school life.
The
teaching of Christian doctrine receives special emphasis in
every grade. Second Grade children prepare to receive the Sacraments
of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. Eighth Grade students
prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Monthly school masses
provide all students with the opportunity for liturgical participation.
Personal,
family, local, and global concerns are addressed from a Christian
perspective. Little Flower, in partnership with the parents,
endeavors to provide the students with a strong moral framework
that can help them to live a good Christian life. Students are
encouraged to respond to one another with love and a sense of
justice and to reach out to the needy of this world in their
Christian Service projects.
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Student
Activities
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Little
Flower offers a wide range of activities to help promote the
unique talents of each child and to encourage socialization
in a range of settings. Popular activities include Christmas
and Spring pageants, as well as a variety of cultural arts assemblies
and field trips. Upper grade students may choose to participate
in speech and mathematics competitions or develop their leadership
skills through safety patrols, student teachers, and planners
for the annual School Field Day.
In
addition to a band program, Little Flower students may join
the Children's Choir, which sings at Sunday liturgies in the
parish. Girls and boys in Grades 5-8 also have the opportunity
to be Altar Servers for our parish community.
Interscholastic
sports programs in soccer, basketball, baseball, and softball-
open to all of the youth of Little Flower Parish and School
- are organized through the Archdiocesan Catholic Youth Organization
(CYO). Parents volunteer to coach most of the teams. Other activities
offered after school hours for an additional fee include special
programs in art, music, dance, science, and study skills.
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Student
Population
Our
student population consists of 260 girls and boys enrolled in
Pre-Kindergarten through Grade Eight. Registration for our Pre-Kindergarten
class is held at 20 students and the average class size throughout
the rest of the school is approximately 25. Our classes reflect
all ability levels within the normal range. Our admission policy
requires that we be quite honest with parents of children with
special needs as to whether or not we can adequately address
their child's educational deficits within the Little Flower
curriculum.
The
majority of our students' families are members of Little Flower
Parish, which sponsors our school. Our proximity to Washington
also attracts students of families here on diplomatic assignment
thus enhancing an awareness of cultural diversity within our
student population.
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