PARISH CENTER
The parish center completed in the fall of 2006 houses the
Art Classroom, a Music Classroom, the gymnasium,
Library and a state-of-the-art Computer
Lab. All students participate in music, art, computer, and physical
education classes with a specialized teacher.
Art Room
The St. Jude art program encourages
students to master the elements of art by developing the elements
each year using different techniques. Students in grades one through
eight are introduced to different artists/masters with short biographies
and examples of the artist’s work. Throughout their time at
St. Jude, students enjoy using different media including watercolor,
tempra, acrylics, chalk and oil pastels, model magic, red clay,
polymer clay, crayons, watercolor pencils, watercolor crayons, charcoal
pencils, and different kinds of papers. Eighth graders have a chance
to explore careers in art through various projects. The Art Room
in the Parish Center includes sinks, counter space, storage and
display areas, and lots of room for creativity.
Computer Room
Recognizing
that technology is a tool for learning, the St. Jude computer lab
in the new Parish Center is state-of-the-art. Thirty student computers,
one instructor computer, and a projector allow for constant student-teacher
interaction and learning. While the focus of the technology program
is on mastering the Microsoft Office Suite and safely navigating
the internet, classroom teachers collaborate with the technology
coordinator to create innovative lessons which enhance the classroom
curriculum.
Library
The St. Jude School Library
is fully automated and houses over 8,000 books. Six computers are
available for students to use to take Accelerated Reader tests or
to access the automated card catalog. The Library provides an environment
that supports the curriculum and stimulates learning. Our full time
librarian hopes to teach students the necessary skills to be efficient
and effective information users, while helping them become lifelong
readers. Students are excited to visit our new library in the Parish
Center which features a wonderful “book nook” and comfortable
chairs for reading. Students also enjoy participating in the Birthday
Book Club and Accelerated Reader Point Recognition Days.
Music Room
All St. Jude students participate
in a structured music program designed to give a wide theoretical
and practical understanding of music, covering harmony, history,
and cultural diversity. Our large, modern music room in the Parish
Center is equipped with many musical instruments, and students learn
to play those instruments in class. Specifically, with an emphasis
on reading music, each student learns to play the recorder and the
guitar and performs on these instruments in an end of the year concert.
Over the eight years of study, each student will sing in the Christmas
Concert, participate in the Archdiocesan Choral Festival, take part
in a drama production, and perform in variety and talent shows.
Physical Education
At St. Jude, Physical
Education activities are based around games, team sports, recreational
activities, health and nutrition. Throughout their eight years at
St. Jude, students participate in many team sports, plus other fun
activities like Four Corner Tag, Ultimate Football, Ultimate Frisbee,
NASCAR racing (one of many tag games), and Bowling Pin Knockdown.
The new gym in the Parish Center triples the size of space we use
to have to play games and participate in activities. We have two
full courts, which allow us to have two games going at once.
