School Activities

Grade Level	School Activity	Parent Attendance
K-6	Map Testing  The Office of Catholic Schools has directed its schools to administer NWEA MAP (Northwest Education Association - Measure of Academic Progress) testing in grades K-8 (fall, winter and spring). Therefore, St. Malachy students in grades K-6 will take the reading and math assessments, which take about 45 minutes each. Test dates and times will vary per grade level. Online MAP testing is dynamic and is designed to measure academic growth and instructional levels rather than provide a singular snapshot of a student’s academic standing.	no
K-6	Backpack Day is not a mandatory student attendance day. Students and parents have the opportunity to deliver school supplies, meet teachers and see the classroom before school officially starts.	yes, with student
K-6	All School Project allows students in every class to work with children from different grade levels several times throughout the year in groups led by sixth grade students. Teachers select a theme for the year and organize special days of non-traditional instruction and a variety of activities centered on the ASP theme.	potential volunteer opportunities
Pre-K to 6th	St. Malachy School Information Sessions provide an opportunity for prospective (new) families to learn more about the school through informal conversation, a Q & A session and tour prior to attending Kindergarten Round Up in March.	optional for new prospective families
K-6	Class Parties are organized and supervised by room parents. *Halloween: No costumes *Christmas: Typically scheduled for the last day of school before Christmas break *Valentines Day: Students exchange valentines with classmates	optional
K-6	Holidays & Traditions *Secret Santa The entire student body, faculty and staff participate in Secret Santa  before Christmas Break. A specific gift is designated for each day: cookie, prayer or poem, ornament, card, and a gift-wrapped candy bar. The whole school gathers to sing Christmas carols on the last day of school before Christmas break and Secret Santa is revealed. *Shrove Tuesday is commonly known as Fat Tuesday. St. Malachy School celebrates with Mardi Gras themed decorations, a pancake lunch (prepared and served by parent volunteers) and annual pancake race.	no optional, parents may volunteer at lunch and watch pancake races
K-6	Book Fair is held in the fall and in the spring. Students visit the book fair during the school day. The school librarian coordinates dates and times that the book fair is open to to the public, as well as opportunities for parents to volunteer.	optional: opportunities to volunteer
6	Band & Choir Concerts 6th grade students are eligible to participate in band and choir at Geneseo Middle School. Communication regarding band & choir events comes directly from the middle school music directors. Dates and times of performances are posted on the Fine Arts Calendar on the Geneseo School District website.	optional
K-6	Christmas Program is an all school production focused on the birth of Jesus Christ. All grades, K-6, participate in the musical performance and the sixth graders “star” in the play. There is a dress rehearsal in the afternoon on performance day. All school families, grandparents, friends and neighbors are invited to attend. Parents Club hosts refreshments (cookies) in the Hall following the program.	optional: guests are welcome to attend the dress rehearsal and/or evening performance
K-6	Field Trips Some field trips are taken annually, while others are scheduled as opportunities arise. Permission slips are required for students to participate.	some field trips allow parent chaperones while others do not, additional cost may apply
5 & 6	Speech Contest 5th and 6th grade students are invited to participate in the IESA Speech Contest in the fall. Students prepare an excerpt from a play to perform the night of the contest. Judges rate and critique the students’ performance helping them grown in their public speaking skills. Time and location of evening contest TBD.	yes: NO school transportation provided
K-6	Catholic Schools Week is celebrated nationally each year. Each day centers around a special theme which may include dress up days. *Wax Museum Character Day 5th & 6th grade students bring history to life as they portray an individual they have studied in a wax museum setting. All school families and parishioners are invited to attend this open house. *Flat Stanley Presentations 2nd grade shares their Flat Stanley poster presentations in an open house format. All school and parish families are welcome to attend. *Spelling Bee 5th & 6th grade students participate in the St. Malachy School Spelling Bee in the church, family and friends are welcome to attend. The winner goes on to represent St. Malachy School at the regional spelling bee at Augustana College. *Catholic Schools Week Open House takes place in the school from 9:30-10:20 a.m. on the day of our Catholic Schools Week Mass. Coffee and donuts are served by Parents Club. *Catholic Schools Week Mass 6th grade prepared and presents the liturgy is prepared and presented at the 10:30 a.m. Mass by the 6th grade class, and the school choir sings.	optional: open house format optional: open house format optional optional optional: 6th grade students are encouraged to participate
K-6	Special Guest Day is an opportunity for St. Malachy students to invite a special guest to attend Mass, tour the school, visit the book fair and have lunch in the Hall. Beverages are provided, however, students bring lunch for themselves and their special guest(s). Mass is celebrated at 10:30 a.m. and students sit with their special guest(s). School is dismissed at 12:30 p.m. on this day, and there is no bus or after school service.	yes: special guests attend Mass, tour the school and eat lunch with students
6	Sixth Grade Breakfast is hosted by the faculty and staff to honor our sixth grade class. Teachers and staff serve breakfast on the morning of the 6th Grade Recognition Mass. Breakfast is served at 7:15 a.m. in the cafeteria.	no
K-6	Sixth Grade Recognition Mass is typically scheduled as the last school Mass of the year. Sixth grade students have an opportunity to share their memories and appreciation for St. Malachy School; and each sixth grader is recognized and receives a certificate of achievement. Our "retiring" sixth grade families who will no longer have children in the school are also recognized at this Mass.	optional
2-6	Dodgeball Tournament is a St. Malachy tradition. All students in grades 2-6 are assigned to a team. Sixth graders are team captains and choose their team name and colors. Students are invited to dress up on the day of the dodgeball tournament to support their team. Kindergarten and 1st grade students do not play in the tournament but have the opportunity to watch.	optional: tournament is played all throughout the day, parents may choose to attend the championship game
K-6	Game Day is typically scheduled on the last day of student attendance for the year. Students rotate through stations with their class to participate in a wide variety of outdoor activities including parachute games, tag games, sack races, tug of war, water balloon toss, soccer and bowling bingo. Athletic shoes and comfortable clothing are required, students may also bring a water bottle, hat, sunscreen and insect repellant.	no