School Notes

Elementary Schools

More than 200 students at St. Ann’s School in the Bronx participated in a school-wide rally to fight for peace on the “World Day of Bullying Prevention” Oct. 6. At the rally, students participated in an anti-bullying poster contest with winning entries displayed throughout the school. The students will heard motivational speeches and participate in self-esteem exercises.

 The school recently completed the Archdiocesan Anti-Bullying curriculum and partnered with Stomp Out Bullying, a national organization founded to educate students about the negative effects of bullying and cyber-bullying.

High Schools

Mount St. Michael Academy in the Bronx announced the creation of the Rocco B. Commisso American Dream Scholarship Fund, thanks to a generous donation from the 1967 graduate. More than 900 people, including students, faculty, administration, alumni, board members and dignitaries, attended a ceremony held during the school’s honors convocation Sept. 23. The event was followed by a reception in the school’s Rotunda, which was renamed the Rocco B. Commisso American Dream Rotunda. 

Commisso is chairman and chief executive officer of Mediacom Communications Corporation, a company he founded in 1995 to acquire and reinvigorate cable systems in underserved communities. It is the nation’s 8th largest cable operator, with annual revenues exceeding $1.6 billion.

Thirty-eight students from the Academy of Mount St. Ursula in the Bronx, accompanied by their principal, Sister Jean Marie Humphries, O.S.U., faculty and staff, joined more than 300,000 advocates for climate change, at the People’s Climate March in Manhattan Sept. 21. The girls supported the cause by carrying banners, posters and artwork representing the school and by voicing their concerns. Concerns included limiting the amount of carbon worldwide, caring for the poor who are most impacted by climate change, and expressing the need for development of clean energy resources.  

Contests

The National Ladies Ancient Order of the Hibernians is hosting an Irish History Contest open to all students in grades 6-8 (Level 1) and 9-12 (Level 2). The theme: “The Role of the Irish People in the American Civil War.” Essays must be 500 words for Level 1 and 1,000 words for Level 2. Essays must be submitted by Nov. 15 and mailed to Ann Marie Mulholland, OCLAOH Irish Historian, 110 School Road, Monroe, NY, 10950 or emailed to LAOH_IrishHistory@frondier.com. Four copies of each essay must be submitted.

Family Rosary is holding its “Try Prayer! It Works” Contest for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. The theme: “Being About the Work of My Father” with participants reflecting on and expressing how they listen to God and how they go about the work God calls them to do, thus living out the Fifth Joyful Mystery. Students enrolled in Catholic schools, religious education programs, parishes, home schools or other organizations are invited to participate. Applications: www.FamilyRosary.org/TryPrayer. Information: (800) 299-7729.