CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SAINT AUGUSTINE OF CANTERBURY SCHOOL CLASS OF 2018!

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2018 GRADUATION AWARDS

Medals are awarded to the following students who have displayed exemplary work in a certain subject area.
	Gold Medal	Silver Medal
Religious Studies	Angela C.	Madison Q.
Language Arts	Angela C.	Madison Q.
Mathematics	Daelan H.	Ryan M.
Algebra	Matthew S.	Angela C.
Social Studies	Angela C.	Maegan H.
Science	Angela C.	Matthew S.
Technology	Matthew S.	Abel S.
World Language	Michael R.	Matthew S.
Physical Education	Ricardo V.	Madison T.
Fine Arts	Ayana R.	Daelan H.
Outstanding Academic Performance in All Subject Areas	Angela C.	Madison Q.

Presidential Academic Excellence Award:	Angela C.	Madison R.
	Maegan H.	Michael R.
	Bence K.	Ayana R.
	Siphina P.	Matthew S.
	Madison Q.	Abel S.

President's Achievement Award:	Zafir A.	Thomas M.
	Spencer A.	Jennifer P.
	Istvan B.	Everett W.
	Lily B.

Columbiette Confirmandi Saint Award:

Jennifer P.

Notre Dame High School Academic Scholarship Award:

Madison Q.

Saint Lucy Filippini and Cardinal Barbarigo Award:

Lily B. and Michael R.

Father Reilly Memorial Award:

Istvan B.

Monsignor Capano Scholarship:

Angela C.

Brother Robert Sheeley Scholarship:

Matthew S.

St. Joseph High School Alumni Scholarship Award:

Abel S. and Ricardo V.

 

PRE-K 4 GRADUATION

Monday, June 11, was a very proud moment for our Pre-K 4 parents, as they watched their children graduate from being a Preschool student into a BIG Kindergarten student in September. There were big rounds of applause as the students performed songs, recited their prayers, and even revealed what they would like to be when they grew up! Congratulations to all our PreK-4 graduates. We are so very proud of all you have accomplished and learned this year!

"So take off now, spread your wings, soar to new heights, and learn new things. Just remember as you do, we are so very proud of you!"

  
  
  
  

Please visit our Facebook page to see the full gallery with many, many more photos!

PRE-K 3 CELEBRATES THE END OF A GREAT YEAR

Congratulations to our PreK-3 Class of 2018, as they are now officially ready to move onto PreK-4 in September. Their celebration on Tuesday, June 12 was filled with prayer, poems, songs, awards, and sweet memories of a very special year! Look how much they have bloomed this year! "So it is with happy memories that we go out the door, with great expectations for what next year holds in store."

 
   
  

Please visit our Facebook page to see the full gallery with many, many more photos!

KINDERGARTEN AND 8TH GRADE CELEBRATE “BUDDY DAY”

One of our most treasured traditions is our Kindergarten and 8th Grade Buddies. They develop a relationship during the school year by attending school masses together, and fun projects like writing letters to Santa together and counting objects on the 100th day of school. However, the best day of the year is when we celebrate Buddy Day together, and this year the Buddies made clay pots together in the shape of a heart with each buddy signing their name as a memento of their time together. Many thanks to Mrs. Minsavage for coordinating this wonderful project. The buddies also built structures together, colored and designed their own "buddy kids", and had their pictures taken together for their special end of the year gift. But the very best part had to be when they went outside and blew bubbles, and ate ice pops together under a blessed, blue, sunny day as a special gift from God! Note of gratitude to all the Teachers/Aides in K and 8th that helped make this day an awesome memory for our Buddies.

Here are a few snapshots of the Buddies enjoying their time together. Please visit our Facebook page to see the full gallery with many, many more photos!

   

But Jesus said, "Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." ~Matthew 19:14

FROM THE ZOO TO NOAH'S ARK: MAKERSPACE STREAM ACTIVITIES IN PRE-K

In Pre-K 3's Makerspace Class, the students became Engineers and worked as teams to design and build a zoo for all their animals. Using only the materials from the Makerspace Room, each team had to design their enclosure to include a fence, water, and food for their animals to eat. We are happy to report that none of the lions, monkeys, giraffes, elephants, alligators, or hippos escaped from the Pre-K 3 Zoo this morning, due to good planning and excellent Engineering skills.We see a bright future in STEM careers for our Preschool kids!

Meanwhile, in our Pre-K 4 classes, the students added the letter "R", to their STEAM project, as they learned the story about Noah's Ark, and then became Engineers and built and tested their own ark to see if it could float. They used craft sticks and straws to build their arks, and then tested it in the water adding plastic animals, two by two until it could no longer float. They also learned that wrapping the ark, in clear plastic wrap, would also help keep the water out, and the ark floating longer. Most importantly, they learned that all rainbows are the sign of God's Love for us, and that no matter where we go to school next year, God's Love will always be there with us.

 
 

TWO ST. A'S STUDENTS WIN AWARDS IN THE DIOCESAN RESPECT FOR LIFE POSTER CONTEST

The finalists and poster winners of the Diocese of Metuchen Respect for Life Poster Contest were honored at an awards Mass and Luncheon held at the St. John Neumann Pastoral Center in Piscataway, NJ. For this year's contest, students in grades one to eight were asked to create a poster based on the theme: "How can you be Jesus to a person who is different from yourself and is facing challenges or problems in life?" Congratulations to St. A's fifth grader Lara F, whose poster won Second Place for Grade 5, and to seventh grader Gabrielle D., whose poster won Second Place for Grade 7. We are very proud of how you both have expressed your faith through your artwork, and your dedication to respecting all life. Thank you to Bishop Checchio for the great photo op!

(Posters reprinted from the May 3, 2018 edition of The Catholic Spirit.)

RUBE GOLDBERG MACHINE CONTEST TEAM TAKES THIRD PLACE AT NATIONALS

The St. A's Rube Goldberg Machine Contest (RGMC) Team - nicknamed the "History Makers" - traveled to the Windy City to compete in the 2018 RGMC Finals which were held at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago, IL. The team took Third Place in Division I (Middle School) with their remarkable machine performing flawlessly and garnering the top score among the 11 teams in their division. After the awards ceremony, the team got the opportunity to take a photo with Ms. Jennifer George, the granddaughter of Rube Goldberg himself. A team mom who made the trip as a chaperon said, "The kids really had such a wonderful experience together. They were having so much fun and bonding. They were problem-solving and in their spare time creating fun things with their machine. Tons of people kept coming over because they seem to love the kids as well as the machine!! The parents also had a wonderful time together! The experience was something that will last for a lifetime." Congratulations to the students, coaches, and parents on this outstanding achievement. The entire St. A's family is proud of you!

  

NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTION

On April 19, 2018, we proudly inducted seventeen students into the National Junior Honor Society during a ceremony held at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church presided over by our Principal, Sister Mary Louise Shulas, MPF. The Lighting of the Candles was performed by current 8th grade NJHS members Lily B., Angela C., Maegan H., Madison Q., and Madison R. Delivering the Keynote Address was St. A's alumna Katherine Blum (Class of 2014), who is currently a Senior at Mother Seton Regional High School.

   

The inductees took the Pledge of the National Junior Honor Society, promising to "be loyal to my school, and maintain and encourage high standards of Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Citizenship, and Character" which are the pillars of the Honor Society. Then they were formally inducted by Sister Mary Louise and Vice Principal Mr. Edward Modzelewski.

Congratulations to all of the 2018 National Junior Honor Society Inductees: John Michael A., Jaeden B., Reese C., Kylie F., Chelsy G., Jordan G., Taleb H., Alyssa M., Theresa M., Lacey O., Joshua R., Sasha S., Julianna S., Kayla S., Jake S., Sanjana S., Farhaan V.

EIGHTH GRADER WINS GOLD MEDAL AT NATIONAL HISTORY BEE REGIONAL

8th Grade student Bence K. won a Gold Medal at the National History Bee New York (South) Regional in East Brunswick, NJ. His outstanding performance earned him a spot in the National Finals to be held in Atlanta in June. Congratulations!

KINDERGARTEN VISITS THE BOOKMOBILE

Kindergarten made their first visit to South Brunswick Public Library's Bookmobile when it made a stop at St. Augustine School. The students and teachers were able to chose a book that would be enjoyed in class until the Bookmobile returns in two weeks. It was fascinating to visit a library full of books that can move from one place to another. We can’t wait until we can visit the Bookmobile again!

 
 

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT WINS KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS STATE FREE THROW CONTEST

Middle School student Patrick B. recently won the New Jersey State Council Knights Of Columbus 2018 Free Throw Contest, earning the title of 12 Year Old State Champion! Congratulations!

ST. A'S PLAYERS RECEIVE SPECIAL RECOGNITION AS 8TH GRADE BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FINISHES 2ND IN ST. STAN'S LEAGUE

The St. A's 8th Grade Varsity Boys Basketball team closed out their regular season with a Second Place finish in the St. Stan's Competitive League. Several players were recognized with special awards for their outstanding play during the season: Akshat N. was named "Mr. Hustle," Scott L. received the All League award, Ryan K. received the All Tournament award, and Akshat and William P. represented St. A's in the All Star Game. Congratulations to the players and coaches on an outstanding season!

 

MIDDLE SCHOOL ODYSSEY OF THE MIND TEAMS OUTSTANDING AT REGIONALS

Our three Middle School Odyssey of the Mind Teams proudly display the medals and awards they earned at the Skylands Regional Tournament in Branchburg, NJ. With their 1st Place finish, the team competing in Division II on the problem "Emoji, Speak for Yourself" advanced to the New Jersey State Finals to be held in Ewing, NJ on April 14. The teams competing in Division II on the problems "A Stellar Hangout" and "Classics... Mockumentary? Seriously?" both finished in 3rd Place, with the Stellar Hangout team earning a perfect Long Term score with a unique self-learned STEM innovation. Congratulations again to our students and coaches, for being recognized for their creativity and their problem-solving skills.

 
 

MORE MARCH MADNESS: FIRST PLACE WINS FOR THREE ST. A'S BASKETBALL TEAMS

Three St. A's basketball teams took home Championship trophies to end their 2017-18 seasons. First up, the 4th Grade Girls team defeated St. Francis 8-7 to win the Division B title.

The 5th Grade Boys team prevailed over Blessed Sacrament to win their bracket of the Mary, Mother of God Tournament. They also capped off an outstanding league season by finishing in Second Place in the Diocesan League.

And finally, the 8th Grade Varsity Boys team won their bracket of the Mary, Mother of God tournament by dispatching St. Matthias.

We are proud of our Knights and Lady Knights and their Coaches for all their hard work this season and for these Championship titles. GO KNIGHTS AND LADY KNIGHTS!!!

RUBE GOLDBERG TEAM WINS POMPTON LAKES, NJ REGIONAL COMPETITION

Our Rube Goldberg Machine Contest (RGMC) Team - nicknamed the "History Makers" - has done it again. They took First Place in Division I (Middle School) at the RGMC regional competition held at Lakeside Middle School in Pompton Lakes, NJ. This year's challenge was to build a Rube Goldberg machine to pour cereal into a bowl and the team created a machine and skit that took the judges and audience on a trip through time on the way to accomplishing the final task. They were also awarded First Place for Creative Spark, First Place for the Funniest Performance, and Third Place for Teamwork. We are so very proud of this consecutive Championship and for all the hard work this team has put forth to accomplish this AMAZING achievement.

 

STREAM IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

Our Middle School Students completed two STREAM projects integrating Social Studies, Math, Science, Language Arts, and Religion. Our 8th Graders built bridges out of popsicle sticks after learning about the Engineering of Ancient Bridges. One bridge was engineered so well that Mr. M was able to stand on it without it breaking!

  

Meanwhile, 6th Grade worked collaboratively to design and build a working Fidget Spinner.

  

HUMPTY DUMPTY INSPIRES PRE-K 3 STEAM ACTIVITY

Our Pre-K 3 Students participated in a STEAM activity last week, based on the Nursery Rhyme theme of Humpty Dumpty called "Humpty Dumpty: Stay On The Wall." The students were tasked with the job of engineering a strong and sturdy wall for Humpty to sit on and NOT fall. Each were given an egg to represent Humpty and they all were successful in completing this hands-on project. Congratulations to our future Engineers!

 
 

4TH GRADE LADY KNIGHTS ROLL ON TO SECOND ROUND OF BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS

March Madness is definitely in the air as the St. A's 4th Grade "Lady Knights" girls basketball team defeated Immaculate Conception of Clinton 13 - 7 at St. Francis Cathedral School to advance to the second round of the playoffs. The team and coaches could hardly contain their excitement as the final buzzer sounded. Congratulations on the big win and best of luck in the next round. Go Lady Knights!

FATHER-DAUGHTER DANCE - HAWAIIAN STYLE!

St. Augustine School held its annual Father-Daughter Dance on Saturday, February 17. Our gym was transformed into a scene from the Hawaiian Islands and our Dads and their daughters were dressed in bright and flowery outfits, ready for a musical Luau. It was a magical, tropical Island evening, filled with dancing, laughter, and lots and lots of LOVE! Aloha au iāʻoe!

ST. A'S STUDENTS GO FOR THE GOLD IN KEYBOARDING OLYMPICS

For the past two weeks, our Computer students have been competing in the 2018 Keyboard Olympics, and today on the last day of the competition, six of our students were awarded Gold Medals for their outstanding achievements. Our First Grade Student broke the school record for Grades K-2 by typing the alphabet in just 10.4 seconds, and four of our Seventh Graders and one Eighth Grader earned Gold Medals for typing one of their Time Trials with ZERO MISTAKES! We are very proud of all our Keyboarding Olympians.

 

FABULOUSLY FUN-FILLED FEBRUARY IN PRE-K 4!

Our Pre-K 4 students had a fun-filled February beginning with a Valentine's Day Celebration, in which the class parents came in and gave the students a lovely party filled with games, arts and crafts, snacks, and shared their love with each other. On Ash Wednesday the students were visited by Sister Mary Louise and Sister Barbara. Sister Mary Louise explained to the students that the ashes represent that we love God and God loves us! This helped the students begin their Lenten journey just like the big kids in our school! Lastly the students participated in a fun, lively and interactive program run by Currier's Magical Mania Presents Seussology. The program explores the background of Dr. Seuss and his beloved works. There was even a very special visit from Horton the Elephant!

   
 

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS & TEACHERS PRAY THE ROSARY FOR LENTEN INTENTIONS

Middle School students and faculty, led by Religion teacher Mrs. Paras, prayed a Decade of the Rosary for all our Lenten Intentions before receiving ashes at our Prayer Service on Ash Wednesday.

KINDERGARTEN CELEBRATES 100 DAYS IN SCHOOL WITH 8TH GRADE BUDDIES

Our Kindergarten students, along with their 8th Grade buddies, celebrated the 100th day of school, by counting 100 items and completing a STEM project together.

   

SECOND GRADERS EARN CATHOLIC MEDALS FOR CUB SCOUTS

Members of Cub Scout Pack 100 were awarded Catholic Medals by Reverend Canon Bob Lynam at Scout Sunday, celebrated at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church. Among them were four St. A's 2nd graders (pictured below, left to right):

 
Lucas B. - Light of Christ Medal
Braeden B. - Light of Christ Medal
Colin R. - Parvuli Dei Medal
Anthony M. - Light of Christ Medal

Congratulations to all of the Catholic Medal recipients from Pack 100!

FIRST GRADERS HAVE A SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR THE SCHOOL'S MAIL CARRIER

During Catholic Schools Week, the first graders did a service project for our school’s mail carrier.  The children were thrilled to make thank you cards for her service to the community .  They were also excited to be able to deliver the cards to her.

NEW ALTAR SERVERS INSTALLED

Nine St. A's students were among the group of new Altar Servers installed by Father Bob Lynam on December 17, 2017 at St. Augustine of Canterbury Church. The St. A's students are (listed alphabetically): Christa A., Christopher C., Aaron D., Lara F., Stephen H., John M., Alyssa M., Isabella O., and Salvina P.

Congratulations to all of the new Altar Servers!

7TH GRADE LANGUAGE ARTS CLASSES BRING A LITERARY CLASSIC TO LIFE

Seventh grade has been reading Cyrano de Bergerac. They were asked to depict a scene from Act 1 or Act 2 in a 3D Diorama.  They needed to write a summary of the scene, give what theme was portrayed, and write ten tone or mood words that the scene evokes.

   

STUDENTS HELP RECYCLE PLASTIC BAGS INTO SLEEPING MATS FOR THE HOMELESS

We are deeply moved and blessed to have had the MATthew25 Ministry visit our school and work with our 7th and 8th Grade Students on their Plastic Mats For the Homeless Project. Words cannot express our deepest gratitude to Anne Lurski, Karina Sherman, and Jeanine Cavanaugh from Immaculate Conception Parish for sharing their devotion to this beautiful Ministry. Also thanks to Mrs. Paras for bringing this Ministry to our school, and the many Moms who came and worked along side the students preparing the plastic bags and making balls of Plarn, so the volunteers can use it to crochet the plastic into the mats for the homeless.

 
 

For more information on this worldwide Ministry, click here and view this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU3uBCgMaNA

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40

"HANDS ACROSS THE SEA" MINISTRY SENDS CARE PACKAGES TO MILITARY PERSONNELL

To honor all those who bravely serve in the military, our school community, along with the Parish "Hands Across The Sea" Ministry, collected items for Care Packages for our men and women in the military, and who are deploying from our joint bases—Dix, McGuire and Lakehurst. May God bless and protect them always and we bestow our utmost gratitude to all those who help keep our country safe and free.

STUDENTS GATHER FOR ANTI-BULLYING RALLY - "IT'S COOL TO BE KIND"

On Halloween morning, the whole school community gathered for our Annual Anti-Bullying Presentation. This year's theme was "It is cool to be kind and not be a bully. Let us create a world without bullying and let us begin today." We also reaffirmed our Good God Choices based on the writings of St. Therese Lisieux, where we ask Jesus to help us show St. Therese's "Little Way" of merciful love and forgiveness to everyone, every day.

HALLOWEEN 2017: TRUNK-OR-TREAT, ST. A'S STYLE!

The St. Augustine School community celebrated Halloween with the traditional Trunk-or-Treat and Costume Parade. Thank you so much to all our AWESOME St. A's families that really made Halloween so memorable for our students. We are so very blessed to have such incredible, generous, and creative families here at St. A's.

Below is a video snapshot of the day's festivities. Additional photos are posted to our Facebook page.

PRAYING FOR PEACE ON THE CENTENNIAL OF THE MIRACLE OF OUR LADY OF FATIMA

On the one hundred year anniversary of the miracle of Our Lady of Fatima, our Middle School students along with Mrs. Paras, prayed a decade during their lunch hour, and the students from Grades 3-8 gathered in the Church to pray a student-led Rosary for World Peace. 

 

GIRL SCOUT TROOP SENDS CARDS TO HEROES OF LAS VEGAS TRAGEDY

4th grade Girl Scout Junior Troop 82406 made "Thank You" cards for the first responders and medical teams who helped to save others in the tragedy that occurred in Las Vegas on October 1. They are partnering with a Las Vegas Girl Scout troop to have them distributed there locally.

ODYSSEY OF THE MIND ALUMNI RETURN TO HELP MENTOR 7TH GRADE TEAM

Alumni returned to St. A's for a visit and two former Odyssey members stayed after school to help mentor a current team by running spontaneous drills with them.

 

8TH GRADE STREAM ACTIVITY MODELS UNITY WITH POPSICLE STICKS

8th grade students wrote the gifts they each have in their personality in popsicle sticks. Then, they were invited to join together and create a structure together as a class. This lesson paralleled the way our church relies on all gifts to accomplish a shared goal. They were offered glue to represent the presence of the Holy Spirit in accomplishing their task.

  

CELEBRATING THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

On Thursday, September 21, our students participated in an International Art and Literacy Project in honor of The International Day of Peace. Under the direction of Mrs. Minsavage, our Art Teacher, students created colorful pinwheels with their thoughts about peace, tolerance, and living in harmony with others in the world. Together with our Middle School Religion Teacher, Mrs. Paras, our Fifth to Eighth Grade students led the school community in a Prayer Service for World Peace. Mr. Berg, our Music Director led us all in song as we sang "let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me..."

PRE-K AND PRIMARY GRADES COME TOGETHER TO PRAY FOR PEACE

The Pre-K thru 2nd grade classes gathered together in front of the Sacred Heart of Jesus to pray for peace. After they prayed, they joined hands in a circle and sang a song about spreading God’s peace, love and joy. The prayer service ended with the children hugging each other as a sign of Peace!

  
 
 

BACK TO SCHOOL!

Here are a few snapshots from the first week of school. We're off to a great start!