Saint Agnes School

In this episode of the Saint Agnes Podcast Series, Host Michael Adkins takes listeners on a brief tour of educational neuroscience and its relevance for liberal arts classical education. This episode contains 5 parts: Part I offers an intro to educational neuroscience (2:16-6:24); Part II reveals how modern science of the brain affirms the classical liberal arts model (6:25-10:53); Part III is a fascinating interview with our Guidance Counselor Mrs. Jolene Schmitz on how to support our students with brain-based strategies (10:54-20:42); Part IV offers an overview of the brain lessons I taught in my Latin classes (20:42-23:39); Part V is an overview of data and feedback from a student survey I administered after the lessons - you'll also hear directly from students! (23:40-32:04); The episode ends with a brief recap and offer of resources (32:05-33:18).  For more brain-based learning/teaching information contact: madkins@saintagnesschool.org   The text referenced was "Research Based Strategies to Ignite Student Learning" by Judy Willis & Malana Willis (2020).

Saint Agnes School is proud to share with everyone the 2021 Divine Mercy Passion Play performed by our 6th grade students. The narration and character voices were recorded on site under the direction of Mrs. Claire Bona over the past several weeks. Our students worked very hard and are proud to present to the Saint Agnes community the final production, assembled by Mrs. Bona, author of the original script. Normally, this annual event would have been performed during Holy Week for parents, teachers, and fellow students in the beautiful Helene Houle Auditorium. While it is not, sadly, the live performance with all our 6th graders, we hope that this recording inspires everyone to contemplate God's unfathomable Divine Mercy during the Triduum and Easter season! "Jesus, I trust in you!"

Members of the Podcast Club known as "The Lampstand" discuss the importance and different modes of prayer.

Part I of our investigation of Cultural Literacy features Dr. Anika Prather, professor of Classics at Howard University and founder of Living Water School, who will help us explore the importance of cultural literacy as Americans, as Christians, and as people of goodwill from various diverse backgrounds. In addition, Dr. Prather, a proud African American educator, wife, and mother of three, will evaluate current trends that threaten to "cancel" the Western Canon of the Great Books, and she will underscore the importance of a traditional Liberal Arts education. Part II will feature Dr. Dave Deavel from the University of St. Thomas.

Sr. Teresa Christi and Mrs. Lori Dumas, faculty at Saint Agnes School, discuss the importance of teaching History (as opposed to "Social Studies") as well as aspects of our philosophical and pedagogical approaches to this critical subject.

Saint Agnes School is proud to share with everyone this audio drama, created with the script for the 6th Grade Divine Mercy Passion Play. This annual event would have been performed this Holy Week for parents, teachers, and fellow students in the beautiful Helene Houle Auditorium. With the acting support of the 1st grade and selected 5th Graders, our 6th grade students had already put many hours into memorizing their lines, roles, and blocking, and creating voice-over recordings for the performance. In honor of the 6th Grade and their hard work, and as a gift to everyone during this strange Holy Week in quarantine, Mrs. Claire Bona (6th grade teacher and Director of the Passion Play) and her immediate family produced this audio drama. The voice recordings were created with special guests Dr. Kathleen Kirsch and Ms. Sami Burr, fellow members of the Saint Agnes faculty. The original voice-over recordings of student actors have also been integrated in the drama; featuring the vocals of Kidus Dawit as Jesus, Lily Drayton as Saint Faustina, Anali Flores as Mother Mary, and Rafael West as Saint Peter. While it is not, sadly, the live performance with all our 6th graders, we hope this recording inspires everyone to contemplate God's unfathomable Divine Mercy during the Triduum and Easter season! "Jesus, I trust in you!"

Mrs. Leila Vance and Dr. Scott Pentecost talk about reading to learn, the art of asking good questions, and how to engage in great conversation.

Feeling weary? Grab a cup of coffee and settle in for a podcast you won't want to miss! Dr. Michael Naughton, Past Aggie Parent and Director of the Center for Catholic Studies, talks to our upper school students about the three habits of rest (silence, celebration, and charity) and why getting Sunday right is the pivotal turning point of our week.

Mr. Ted Sexton and Ms. Sarah Ennis discuss the value of being well-read, how to create a family culture of reading, and the enduring legacy of the Great Books.

A panel of four Aggie parents offer candid reflection on how they made educational decisions for their children and what their experiences have been at Saint Agnes School.

Mr. Dan Berthiaume, Latin teacher, and Mr. Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics, discuss the enduring value of Latin (and debunk the myths that surround study of this language). Latinam amamus! #WeLoveLatin

Assistant Headmaster Mr. Karl Hendrickson reflects on the unique aspects of junior year and how parents can support their students in the academics, post-high school planning, faith and family.

Allie Hutchins, from WildTree Psychotherapy, discusses everything from the power of deep breathing to what therapy is like during a high school convocation on Wednesday, November 20. Allie visited Saint Agnes as part of our House discussions for the month of November surrounding mental health.

Father James McConville, Parochial Vicar, reflects on finding constructive ways to manage stress during a high school convocation on Wednesday, November 13.

Assistant Headmaster Mr. Karl Hendrickson reflects on the unique aspects of freshman year and how parents and Saint Agnes can work together for the academic, spiritual and social development of their children.

"Are Catholic schools simply public schools with religion classes? If they are, that's a problem... The curriculum itself has to be filled through and through with the Catholic intellectual tradition; there has to be some purposeful formation in the virtues; and there has to be a rich sacramental life; and the subject areas need to be integrated together." Mr. Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics, and Mrs. Claire Bona, Grade 6 Teacher, dive into the topic of virtue and how to form young people of great character.

Saint Agnes School's Fall Lecture is proud to present Dr. Ray Guarendi (nationally-recognized speaker, author, and psychologist from Ave Maria Radio's "The Dr. Is In" and EWTN's "Living Right with Dr. Ray.") His reflection on the vocation of parenthood was delivered at Saint Agnes School on Monday, October 21.

Mr. Dan Berthiaume, Latin teacher, offers a brief reflection on the newly canonized Cardinal John Henry Newman during a special high school convocation on Friday, October 11.

Why choose the liberal arts? Mr. Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics, and Fr. Mark Moriarty, Pastor and Superintendent, discuss the solid foundation liberal arts education builds to inspire and encourage lifelong learners.

Private vs. Public? Language immersion or STEM? With limitless options in education, why choose liberal arts or classical? Mr. Michael Adkins, Dean of Academics, illustrates 12 reasons why this type of education is forming well-rounded individuals prepared for college, life, and beyond.

Training in professional competencies is just one way we are preparing our students for college, life, and beyond. In this excerpt from Convocation on Tuesday, September 3, Mr. Hendrickson introduces the launch of email addresses, Office 365, and Educate access for high school students.

Happy First Day of School! Dr. Kevin Ferdinandt, Headmaster of Saint Agnes School, shares insights on a new academic year, including the 2019-20 House program theme and a reflection on 1 Corinthians 10:12-13.