
Specials (Art, Library, Music, P.E, and Technology)

Art
Art class holds a unique place in the academic offerings at Holy Cross. Not only are there lessons to be learned about the great artists of the world and the many art techniques, ancient and modern, but art classes allow the students to explore their creative genius and apply it in ways that they had never before considered.
Art classes support and enhance the classroom curriculum, as when 6th grade art students explore Egyptian cartouches and 1st graders make and decorate pots for the herbs they have grown in Science. Display cases and boards allow us to showcase our students’ art both here and at St. Mary.
Our Art Room is equipped with a kiln, allowing classes to experience the joy of molding a new work of art with their own hands. What a joy to see the faces of these young creators of beauty.
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-Mrs. Anne Pierson

Library
Our Holy Cross Academy library is an inviting space where children and adults come to read, learn and study. Our primary goal is to promote a love of reading and help our students to discover the world that books can open up for them. Our librarian and all our teachers promote the wonder of books and guide our students to become lifelong readers. ​
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We are working hard to keep kids reading and raise critical funds for our school with our spring Book Worm Fair. We are so excited to be able to bring even more books to our students!
Our Fair will connect your kids to notable books and inspiring characters — helping them become lifelong readers.
And all purchases will directly support our school!
We look forward to seeing your child at the Fair! Thank you for continuing to support our school.
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Motivating children to read is an important factor in student achievement and creating lifelong successful readers. Research has shown that children who are motivated and spend more time reading do better in school.
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Ms. Keila Hamed-Ramos, Librarian

Music
We love to sing and music is everywhere at Holy Cross Academy. Our music program consists of weekly music classes for grades K to 6. Students learn music theory, experience dances from around the world and experiment with basic instruments. Teachers also use music within their classes, in the study of various cultures and as a means of self expression.
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As part of their music classes, our students take part in school plays and programs. Kindergartners perform both a Christmas show and an End-of-year program for their parents. Students in grades 1, 2 & 3 act out the Nativity for our school community and their parents each year. 4th & 5th graders participate in a Spring show and our 6th graders present the Tale of the Three Trees each year at Holy Cross and St. Mary Church on the Wednesday of Holy Week.
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Boys and girls in grades 5 to 8 are invited to be part of our school chorus, Holy Cross Academy Choir. Our chorus leads music at our weekly liturgies, led by student cantors. Students also learn challenging choral music for our Christmas and spring concerts.
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Students in grades 3 & 4 are eligible to take keyboarding lessons taught by our band instructor Mrs. Laurie Kendall. . Our instrumental music program is a co-curricular activity and one which allows students to expand their musical talents. Students perform in two concerts annually, at Christmas and in the spring.
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Mrs. MaryRosa Ramos-Burgos (K-6 music teacher, HCA chorus director)

Physical Education
Our physical education program emphasizes personal fitness. Students are challenged to establish personal goals and to establish a lifetime style of personal fitness. Students take physical education classes once a week. Daily recess periods allow them to continue and practice their skills and participate in group games.
Middle School students can participate on sports teams. Students at all levels can join the Running Club which meets in the fall and in the spring.
Our physical education program works along with our school nurse and lunch chef to promote health and wellness for all our children.
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Mrs. Miriam McCabe

Technology
Our school is blessed with computer access in all our classrooms! Elementary students share in the use of tablets and 3 Google Chromebook Carts. During technology class, students learn to use software and internet-based programs to complete class assignments and augment their learning.
Most technology assignments are integrated with topics taught within the classroom curriculum. In this way, students learn real-life applications of technology.
Technology in the classrooms includes Promethean ActivPanels and full internet access. Our students are taught to be thoughtful, ethical consumers of technology as an essential 21st century skill.
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Mr. Than Krueger - https://sites.google.com/holycrossweb.com/hca-technology/home​