This week, the fifth grade had many opportunities to celebrate the Pascal Mystery in ways unique and special to HCA. Keep reading to learn about how we observed each day of Holy Week!
On Tuesday, fifth and sixth graders joined the nursery and Pre-K students in their annual Easter egg hunt. Fun was had by all, and our older students really stepped up as helpers for their younger friends.
On Wednesday, the class acted out the Passion of Christ as they reenacted Jesus' final few days on Earth. Later, they wrote Easter poems from the perspective of the apostles, which they later recorded. Please make sure to click on the 'Easter Poems' presentation below to enjoy their hard work!
Sean M., as Jesus, prays in the Garden of Gethsemane while his disciples await his return.
Jesus is betrayed by his followers and sentenced to death by Pilate.
Jesus is crucified at Calvary while his followers look on.
Jesus dies on the cross; the class pauses at this time to reflect in prayer.
Each student's written work is featured, along with a video of their poetry reading.
On Thursday, our Holy Week celebrations culminated in a Jewish seder, where the entire middle school community gathered together to learn about this sacred meal during Passover.
Middle school students gather in the MPR to take part in a traditional Jewish seder,
which is held at the start of Passover.
A traditional seder plate: shank bone (zeroa), egg (beitzah), bitter herbs (maror), vegetable (karpas),
and a sweet paste called haroset.
Many students were selected to read special parts of the seder, which featured readings
from Exodus in the Old Testament.
Garrett D. held a special role, being the youngest person at the seder, he asked the Four Questions to begin the maggid, or storytelling of the Exodus from Egypt by the Jewish people.
The seder plate that each student tried: Maror– Bitter herbs (horseradish) symbolizing the bitterness and harshness of the slavery that the Hebrews endured in Egypt; Charoset– A sweet, brown mixture (apples and cinnamon) representing the mortar and brick used by the Hebrew slaves to build the storehouses or pyramids ofEgypt. Karpas– A vegetable (celery and parsley) other than bitter herbs representing hope and renewal, which is dipped into salt water at the beginning of the Seder.
It was a busy, spirited week that ended with the perfect weather to start off the holiday break.
Fifth graders celebrated Fat Tuesday for Mardi Gras with a King Cake in Religion class! On Monday, the entire school took part in a Black History Month celebration. Here, Ms. Brown leads the middle school in a round of "Finish the Lyric," where they completed song lyrics by Whitney Houston, the Jackson 5, Bob Marley, Beyonce, and more! At another station, they were given iconic images in black history to recreate through illustration. The best work from each division will be chosen to be posted around the school! At their last station, middle schoolers answered trivia questions about famous figures in Black History. This weekend is the annual auction! We hope you can join us this Saturday evening, February 29 for "A Night in Philly" at the Springfield Country Club. The re-enrollment deadline is next Friday, March 6 ! Please remember to send your registration in by next week.
This week for Community Time, students in early childhood, lower school, and the middle school culminated a month's worth of honoring Hispanic heritage with a celebration filled with music, crafts, and Quizzo. Middle school started off the celebration in the gym, where they learned various styles of hispanic dance and enjoyed music by Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Estefan, and other artists! Each student had the opportunity to answer a musical trivia question on hispanic culture. Those who guessed correctly could come up and lead the dance by playing bongos. Everyone got into the celebrations! Next it was off to the MPR to play a round of Quizzo where students tried to guess famous Hispanic personalities, national flags, and quotes. Lastly, it was off to the cafeteria to practice their Spanish speaking skills and celebrate with piñatas! ...
On Wednesday, fifth graders enjoyed a spiritual retreat led by Ms. Kathol. After a hearty breakfast (thank you, parents!), they settled in for a morning of prayer, reflection, and discussion. There was inward reflection, a collective sharing of personal moments with God, mindfulness activities focused around breathing centered in God, and station work. Fueling up for the day at breakfast. Welcoming the fifth grade and going over expectations for the day. Ms. Kathol begins the retreat with an opening prayer by St. Therese of Lisieux (below). Students pass the candle around to share their hope(s) for the day. May today there be peace within. May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. May you use the gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge settle into...
