St.

John School and

Class Culture
By Shane Murchison
Student Teaching Seminar
School and Class Culture Presentation
Professor Patricia Dickenson
3/4/2013
1
History
In 1772, Franciscan Father Juan Crespi, celebrated Mass near a swamp that
would one day become Lake Merritt in Oakland.
Mission San Jose would remain the only Catholic parish on the opposite
coast from San Francisco, for the next 64 years.
In 1869, St. Paul Church in San Pablo was named the first parish in the present
Contra Costa County.
Due to the rapid growth in population throughout northern California in 1962,
the Holy See carved three new dioceses Oakland, Santa Rosa, and Stockton
from the Archdiocese of San Francisco. This is how we know the Diocese to
be today

2
Facts
5 shepherds of the diocese :
Bishop Begin (1962-77), Bishop John Cummins (1977-2003), Bishop Allen Vigneron (2003-09),
Bishop Salvatore Cordileone (2009-2012), and Bishop Brunett
46 elementary schools
9 high schools
32nd largest Diocese in the United States
4th largest in California.



3
Demographics-2012
4
St. John Catholic School
We foster enthusiasm for life-long learning. St. John motto




5
St. John Catholic School
Mission Statement-
"Catholic Schools in the
Diocese of Oakland
educate children in the
Catholic faith
and nurture their minds,
bodies, and souls,
inspiring them to live the
Gospel of Jesus Christ,
achieve their highest
academic and creative
potential, and actively
serve and enrich the
community."

6
St. John Catholic School
Site Facts
Located 270 E. Lewelling Blvd. San Lorenzo, CA 94580
WASC and WCEA accredited private school which provides education
services from Pre-Kindergarten-8
th
grade
Nominated for Best in the Bay (K-8
th
) by Kron 4 news
Use both California state and common core standard for lesson planning
and ongoing student assessment
Before/After School Extension Program (SEP)
Library, Music, Art, Spanish, and Computer Classes (for all grades)
Roughly 260 students
School colors are green and white
Mascot: Shamrocks
Celebrate religious holidays, and events
Faculty meetings held every Wednesday after dismissal
Pre K-5
th
attend P.E twice per week
6
th
-8
th
attend P.E. once per week
Students participate in service learning projects and events
Student with IEP and 504s receive extra services provided from the
faculty and a learning specialist
Hold student of the month awards ceremonies monthly





7
St. John Facilities

8
Playground
Multiple Blacktop areas
C.Y.O. gym
Church
Library
Computer lab
St. John Organization Structure
Staff
Principle
Vice principle
3 Pastors
2 office clerks
10 homeroom teachers
3 elective/Art teachers
3 instructional assistants
1 learning specialist
1 librarian
1 student counselor
3 after school instructors (SEP)

Communication Branch
9
St John Leadership
Principal Schwartz
10
Mrs. Schwartz is a product of Catholic
education and attended St. Joachim and
Moreau Catholic High School. She has
worked in the Diocese of Oakland for 12
years as a teacher, Vice Principal, and
Principal.
Strong believer in lifelong commitment
to learning
Humanistic in nature
Maintains high expectations for both
students and staff
Emphasize the development of the
whole child including intellectual,
spiritual, social, physical, emotional,
and psychological well-being
Strives to evaluate each teacher
performance and provide valuable
feedback
Enthusiastic about advocating and
sharing her love for the Catholic faith
and lives by the gospel of Jesus Christ
St. John Parish
Demographics-2012
11
St. John Teachers
More than 200 studies have shown that the most significant factor in improving student
learning is a knowledgeable and skillful teacher (Wong, 2009, pg. 330)

The greatest asset of a school is its people, (Wong, 2009, p.22).





Unique to St. John
Highly qualified
Accommodating
Flexible
Common beliefs , values and goals
Teach to California state and common
core standards
Works to high expectations of the
administration and Oakland Diocese
Committed to lifelong learning
Strive to raise the standard for
student learning.
ITPS Testing

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ITPS Testing
Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) is a research, development, and outreach unit in
the College of Education at the University of Iowa. ITPs mission is to pursue:
Ongoing assessment of student progress
Differentiate assessment techniques so more academic success can be achieved.
Provide schools with results which demonstrate whether they have made AYP.
13
Uses at St. John
Assessing AYP
Drive future instruction
Hold teachers accountable for student
learning and progression from one year
to the next
To help with the development of
necessary implications to accommodate
student needs
Identify areas where both class and
individual struggle and need additional
support

ITBS at St. John-2012
Testing areas for lower levels
Reading
Writing
Vocabulary
Word analysis
Listening
Math
Computation
Social studies
Science
Testing areas for upper levels
Reading
Writing
Vocabulary
Spelling
Capitalization
Punctuation
Word analysis
Listening
Math
Computation
Social studies
Science

14
St. John Daily life
School hours are from 8:00 to 2:50 (Wednesdays
are early dismissal at 2:30)
School starts with daily routine including the
pledge of allegiance and morning prayers
Prayers are said throughout the day (morning
routine, lunch, end of the day, during a tragedy,
faith families, retreats, religious activities, etc.)
Students have daily recess (15 minutes)
Attend weekly mass (every Wednesday 8:30am)
Participate in mandatory silent reading
PreK-5
th
attend P.E twice per week
6
th
-8
th
attend P.E. once per week
All grade levels attend art, Spanish, and music
weekly
Students participate in service learning projects
and events
Student with IEP and 504s receive extra services
provided from the faculty and a learning specialist
Hold student of the month awards ceremonies
monthly



15
Extracurricular Activities
C.Y.O sports
Basketball, volleyball,
softball, cheerleading,
track and field, cross
country
School Extension Program
(SEP)
Free play
Organized games and
activities
Computer lab time
Mathletics
Spellcity
Accelerated reader
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St. John School and Class Culture


17
Schools that are effective have a
culture that is based on their beliefs and
practices (Wong & Wong, 2009, pg.
328)

The greatest asset of a school is its
people, (p.22).

St. John Culture
the way we do things- Schwartz
Creating Positive School Culture:
Why is St. John Culture Unique?

Catholic Schools Week
Caritas (retreats)
Faith families
CYO participation
Student counsel
Service learning
Religious holidays
Lent
Mass
Prayers
PTG meetings
Communions
Weekly staff meetings
Communal beliefs, values and goals

18
Personnel
Mrs. Schwartz
Faculty
Students
Parents
Community members
Church members

How does it get done?
Enthusiasm
Leadership
Professional development
Commitment
Keeping clear vision about what
we value and believe is important
St. John Class Goals
A student inspired by Christ who

Develops an understanding for the Christian
faith and church teachings
Lives the Gospel message, participates in
prayer and liturgical opportunities, and exhibits
moral values and integrity
Establishes a person relationship with Jesus
and follows His example
Practices forgiveness

An effective communicator who

Listens critically and compassionately to the
ideas of others
Accepts constructive criticism
Utilizes both written and oral expression,
provides examples of organization, proper
grammar mechanics and form
Uses technology to acquire and disseminate
information





A life-long learner who

works both cooperatively and independently
curious and shows enthusiasm for learning
Uses higher level of thinking processes
Demonstrates age-appropriate mastery of
basic curriculum, skills and concepts
Uses technology for learning and enjoyment
Is aware of current events and global issues

A socially aware student who

Takes responsibility for his/her actions
Practices environmental awareness
resolving conflicts humanisticly and
peacefully

A healthy, well-rounded individual who

appreciates and values the skills and talents
of others
Pursues physical fitness and Incorporates
good health habits into an everyday routine

19
Resources/ Citations
Wong, H. & Wong, R. (2009). The first days of school: How to
be an effective teacher. Mountain View, CA, Harry K. Wong
Publications, Inc.
St. John Catholic School (March, 1
st
, 2013) retrieved from
http://www.stjohncatholicschool.org/
Iowa Testing Programs (ITP) (March 3
rd
, 2013). Riverside
Publishing Company.retrieved from
http://itp.education.uiowa.edu/Default.aspx



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