Primary

Grades 1-3

The Responsive Classroom approach is used in all primary classrooms. Its focus is on creating a positive community within the classroom by respecting one another. Students’ social, academic and behavioral needs are addressed and children learn positive responses and strategies for dealing with them. It is a proactive program that emphasizes teaching children expectations and routines instead of punishing them for making mistakes. It allows children to take ownership of their behavior by using logical consequences.

The reading and math RTI programs are implemented four times a week for 30 minutes for all students in grades K-4. RtI stands for Response to Intervention. A universal computerized reading and math benchmark test is administered three times a year to all students. These benchmark tests provide specific, targeted skills for each child. A Academic Resource Team, analyzes the data and places students into groups based upon these skills. Since all learners are different, their needs are different. While some students would benefit from small group instruction focusing on remediation of specific skills, other students may be ready for applying skills. By using the data to split students into specific skill-related groups, we are able to effectively differentiate and meet the needs of all of our learners! The grouping is flexible, and we meet as an academic team to review data and analyze students’ progress every six weeks.

At St. Pius X School, we promote service learning. Each grade level adopts a service learning project during the year. In January, first graders make a prayer quilt and pray over each strand as it is tied. The quilts are sent to a local homeless shelter. The second graders partner with the St. Vincent DePaul Society to help local families in need at Christmas. They complete chores around the house to earn money, which they donate to purchase Christmas presents for families in need. The second graders also assemble Christmas dinner baskets, make Christmas cards, and wrap Christmas presents. The third graders participate in a different service project each year. This year they had family members, neighbors and friends sponsor them for an Exercise Extravaganza! They exercised in their classrooms for 30 minutes using their favorite movement website: gonoodle.com. The third grade donated funds to a local animal shelter.

Standardized Testing

St. Pius X School uses the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment for kindergarten through eighth grade students. The MAP assessment was introduced by the Diocese of Covington and is administered to students three times a year. Test results are reported to parents and are used throughout the year to design student instruction and to study the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum. Test results are also used to ability group students in some academic areas.

Grade 1: Meet Our Teachers

Ms. Abbey Caldwell

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BS, Elementary Education, University of Louisville

Mrs. Pamela Klear

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BS, Elementary Education, College of Mount Saint Joseph
MA, Elementary Education, Xavier University

Ms. Kristy Iannarelli

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BM, Music Education, University of Kentucky
Kentucky Board of Education Elementary Education

Mrs. Erin Walerius

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BA, Early Childhood Education, Wilmington College
MA, Educational Technology, Miami University (OH)

Grade 2: Meet Our Teachers

Mrs. Jenny Kent

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BA, Elementary Education, Thomas More College
MA, Elementary Education, Northern Kentucky University

Mrs. Stephanie Larcher

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BA, Elementary Education, Specialty - Mathematics, Thomas More College
Associate of Arts, Spanish, Thomas More College
MA, Elementary Education, Xavier University

Mrs. Joanna Tallarigo

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BS, Elementary Education, Thomas More College
MA, Elementary Education, Northern Kentucky University
Endorsement for Teaching Gifted Education

Grade 3: Meet Our Teachers

Mrs. Laura Engelbrink

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BS, Elementary Education, University of Dayton
MA, Elementary Education, Xavier University

Ms. Kristin Vennaman

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BS, Elementary Education, Northern Kentucky University

Mrs. Meghan Frost

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BS, Elementary Education, Eastern Kentucky University
MA, Educational Administration, Xavier University