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updated April 25, 2008
Staff, General Information, Activities,
Subjects, Tuition and Fees
"The Mission of Saint Matthew Catholic School
is to educate the whole student
by Christ centered formation in a Catholic environment, leading them
to do God's will in this world so as to be with Him in the next."
Staff 07-08
Principal
Mrs. Kathleen Scherer kscherer@stmatt.net
Assistant Principal
Mr. Max Crain mcrain@stmatt.net
Classroom teachers:
Click on teacher name to link to class web page.
Mrs. Susan Bredfield Kindergarten Mrs. Lynn Yonce Kindergarten Mrs. Cynthia Feeney Kindergarten Mrs. Karen Glogowski 1st Grade Mrs. Julie Hansen 1st Grade Mrs. Kristin Hummel 1st Grade Sister M. Veronica 2nd Grade Mrs. Jill Meade 2nd Grade Mrs. Carol Hatfield 3rd Grade 3rd Grade Science Mrs. Vicki VanEngelenburg 3rd Grade 3rd Grade Social Studies Sister M. Margaret 4th Grade 4th Grade Social Studies Mrs. Kathleen Marietta 4th Grade 4th Grade Science Mrs. Ann Case 5th Grade 5th & 6th Grade Social Studies Mrs. Jan Weber 5th Grade 5th Grade Science & Math Mrs. Cynthia Gumbel 6th Grade 6th Grade Science & Math Mrs. Mary Wurth 6th Grade 5th & 6th Grade English Mrs. Karen Pickard 7th Grade 7th & 8th Grade English Mrs. Celeste Olsen 7th Grade 7th & 8th Grade Social Studies Mrs. Judy Hackley 8th Grade 7th & 8th Grade Science Mrs. Kathy Schuett 8th Grade 7th & 8th Grade Math
Additional Staff
Mrs. Sandy Giger Spanish Mrs. Linda Johnson P.E. Mrs. Judy Sebens Technology Mrs. Mary McMillen Library - e-mail Mrs. Loretta Oakley Music Ms. Lara Jobe Orr Art Mrs. Mary Hazen C.R.E. Ms. Pam Shuler Band Mrs. Lynn Marassa Speech Ms. Debra Karplus OT Mrs. Karilyn Sonka L.D. Specialist Mrs. Pamela Holmer Aide Mrs. Julie Varndell Aide/Monitor Mrs. Sue Helfrich Aide Mrs. Laura Muscatella Aide Mrs. Katie Fulton Reading Resource Teacher/Learning Coordinator Mrs. Traci Schurvinske Extended Care Director - ECP e-mail Mrs. Fran Wilberg Secretary - e-mail Mrs. Lynne Brown Secretary - e-mail Mr. Rick Munds Maintenance Supervisor Mr. Joe Kriegel Athletic Director - e-mail
Students
Grades K-8
Each grade has between 45-56 students with two classrooms per grade (grades 2-8). In 06-07 there are 54 first graders in 3 classrooms and 56 kindergartners in 3 classrooms.
There is an Extended Care Program after school from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. for parents who need this service. For more information call 217-359-0330 or e-mail stmatthewecp@hotmail.com.
In addition to the standard elementary school curriculum, students in the junior high can take Algebra I and Spanish I and skip these courses in high school.
On the Terra Nova Tests, the sixth and eighth grades have median composite scores of 85-plus percentile.
On the Catechetical Assessment Tests, the sixth and eighth grades both had 77% class averages. On this test 50% is considered passing.
The school has implemented the Diocesan Religion Curriculum, Chastity/Virtue Education and the New Corinthians Curriculum..
Hours
The first bell rings at 7:50 a.m. The school day runs from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Uniforms
The students wear uniforms that can be purchased through C & A Inspirations, 313 N. Mattis, Champaign. Please click here to see this year's Uniform Regulations 2007.
Activities (click here for more information on activities highlighted in green)
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Language Arts
The St. Matthew School Language Arts program integrates a variety of disciplines. The students experience literature, grammar, penmanship, phonics, spelling, writing, speaking, and listening in a well-balanced curriculum. Computer literacy enhances the students' background as they prepare to become effective communicators. To provide challenging opportunities to read, write, speak, and listen is the goal for students to take beyond their years at St. Matthew School.
Math
The Math program encourages problem solving, math reasoning, logical and critical thinking skills, as well as emphasizing the basic concepts of computation, use of manipulatives, and various strategies for problem solving. Assessment is accomplished through daily homework, individual observations, and tests. The program complies with the NCTM standards.
Science
There is a very strong science program that helps students gain the well-rounded education they need for understanding their world. Woven throughout the program are opportunities for students to use skills that range from observing to thinking critically and making decisions. "Hands-on" activities offer learning experiences vital to their development. Concept continuity is ensured by a balanced treatment at all levels of life science, physical science, earth science and health.
Social Studies
Social Studies includes history, geography, map skills, cultures, and current events. Students in grades K-4 begin learning about family and friends, neighborhoods, communities, states and regions. Students in grade five study Native American culture through the Reconstruction. Grade six students cover the Eastern Hemisphere and grade seven covers world geography. The curriculum ends with eighth grade's study of American Government and U.S. History from the Industrialization Period to the present day. Eighth grade students are required to pass the Illinois Constitution Test.
Spanish
Every student at St. Matthew School is exposed to the language and cultures of the Hispanic world. K-4 focus on building vocabulary while grades 5 and 6 are introduced to some of the basic grammatical principles of the language. Junior high students are given the option of formally continuing their Spanish studies for which they receive high school credit or they may choose to take Art. All students, regardless of grade level, are presented the material using a variety of teaching methods that focus on oral, aural and written comprehension. Cultural studies culminate in the spring at the school wide Spanish Expo. The inclusion of Spanish as part of the St. Matthew School curriculum allows students to develop the global perspective necessary to succeed in today's world.
Technology
The school has a computer lab with 29 eMac computers and a large screen TV for instruction. There are 8 digital cameras, 4 digital video cameras, and 2 projectors. Each classroom has a TV, VCR/DVD, 1-2 laptop computers, 1-4 desktop computers and a color all-in-one inkjet printer. There are 4 network color laser printers throughout the building. There is Internet access with content filtering in the lab and in all the classrooms. St. Matthew School has two mobile wireless iBook carts to be used in the classrooms. Each cart contains 16 iBook computers. There is a school server for file storage.
Tuition and Fees 2007-2008
There is tuition with rates varying depending upon whether one is a parishioner or not. There are three payment plans-monthly(10), semester(2), or one payment. The tuition is determined for each year. The cost for one child (parishioner) for the 07-08 school year is $3520.00. There is a special rate for families with more than one child, two children is $6110.00, three children is $8280.00, and four or more children is $9910.00. A non-parishioner/non-Catholic is $5705.00 per child. The book & computer fee for 06-07 is $175.00 per student for 1-8 and the kindergarten book fee is $175.00 per student. Contact the school office for tuition payment options.