Monday, December 31, 2012


Dear Parents,
A reminder that school begins Thursday January 3, 2013.

Wishing you many blessings this year.











Thursday - January 3rd
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus
School Reopens after Christmas break.

Friday - January 4th
Feast of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Today is Trivia Day

Sunday - January 6th
Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord
Confirmation Class 12:00 noon
Mass for all students 1:00 PM

Saturday, December 15, 2012
















Announcements Week of December 17, 2012

Gaudete Week
Our week begins with “Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin. It comes from the first word of the Entrance antiphon on Sunday. The spirit of joy that begins this week comes from the words of Paul, “The Lord is near.” This joyful spirit is marked by the third candle of our Advent wreath, which is rose colored, and the rose colored vestments often used at the Eucharist.

The second part of Advent begins on December 17th each year - this year, in 2012, it is Monday of the Third Week of Advent. For the last eight days before Christmas, the plan of the readings changes. The first readings are still from the prophesies, but now the gospels are from the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke. We read the stories of faithful women and men who prepared the way for our salvation. We enter into the story of how Jesus' life began. These stories are filled with hints of what his life will mean for us. Faith and generosity overcome impossibility. Poverty and persecution reveal glory.

Emergency/Crisis Plan

Some parents have expressed concern regarding the latest school attack in Newtown, Connecticut. As per Archdiocesean policy there is a crisis plan drawn up each year and shared with the faculty along with an evacuation procedure. One of the many problems with all this set up is the amount of telephone numbers that are incorrect on emergency cards and on the SIS system. If your telephone number has changed please update the number with Alba.
There are also 24 survelliance cameras in the school and another 24 in the rectory.

Probably the most important thing for a parent to do is to e-mail all their elected officials and insist that gun control be brought before Congress. Today, not tomorrow go to the League of Women Voters website at http://www.lwvnyc.org/TRY_find.html and find ALL your elected officials and e-mail or call them and express your concern about gun control and your child's safety.That includes e-mailing Mr. Obama and expressing your concern.


After School Program
On January 3, 2012 when we return from Christmas break the after school program will see some changes. To address the new Mathematics Common Core State Standards Mr. Placido will return to the classroom as a Mathematics tutor for all the classes in the After School Program.
Ms. Silvia Cabreja, from Mother Cabrini High School, will coordinate the program for Mr. Woods for the remainder of the school year. Mr. Placido and Mr. Woods will transition the parents and students this last week of school as to the changes that will occur.
Parents should remember that the After School Program is an extension of the school program and therefore any concerns should be brought to Mr. Woods' attention. It is Mr. Woods intention to assist every student in becoming proficient in Mathematics. No longer is it acceptable that students say or feel that they don't like Mathematics. It is essential that all students become Mathematically proficient.

Regionalization of Catholic Schools
Recently you may have heard that 27 schools are at risk of closing at the end of June, 2013.
While we are not on that list of at risk schools a new goverance pattern for the remaining schools will take place in September, 2013. This plan is explained by Dr. McNiff, the Superintendent of School at www.adnyschools.org under the title of Pathways to Excellence.
So what this mean to Our Lady Queen of Martyrs?
Beginning in September of 2013 the school will no longer be a parish school but a regional school governed by a board of directors. Mr. Woods will continue as principal and the board of directors will assist Mr. Woods in coordinating academic programs, financial decisions, classroom observations and the everyday running of the school. Fr. Antonio will be be one of the board of directors in terms of the continued Catholicity of the school along with its spiritual development.
Parents with educational experience may be requested to join the board to assist it in making decisions.
These decisions are being made to make all remaining Catholic Schools financially stable and academically strong. More information will follow and parents should remember these are new developing trends and there may be some rocky roads ahead but it is for the good of our Catholic School system. As more information becomes available Mr. Woods will post the information here.

Archdiocesean Bullying Curriculum
Recently, the Archdiocese of New York developed a Bullying Curriculum that will be taught to your children beginning in January, 2013. ADAPP (Archdiocesean Drug Abuse Prevention Program) developed the program to meet the mandates of New York State regarding bullying in schools, on line on social media networks and other areas where children may be exposed to bullying.
Part of these curriculum topics also come under the guidelines of the Archdiocese in the Parents Handbook under Harassement. As the curiculum is reviewed by the faculty and Mr. Woods there will be posting here about signs that parents should be aware of regarding bullying.
One of the main things is that parents should remember that not every instance of a child to child conflict is bullying but many time horsing around or rough game playing that gets out of hand.
Another thing that parents should be aware of is that------ all the adults (parents, teachers, counselors) must settle the matter with the children involved through talking, counseling and maybe at time psychological guidance.
Probably the biggest factor where bullying occurs is on Facebook. Again, Mr. Woods reminds parents that it is not cute or creating maturity for your child to have a Facebook acount UNLESS YOU THE PARENT are watching it DAILY. When a Facebook issue breaks out, and we have had one already this year, the direction is that the offending child and parent are recommended to file an order of protection at the Police Department. Avoid the issue by continually monitoring your child's access time on the computer.

Unit II Week V

Monday, December 16th - Feast of St. Olimpias
Map a Month Due
This week's morning and evening prayer led by the Confirmation Class will be in memory of the children and staff of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Tuesday, December 17th - Feast of St. Rufus
Morning Prayer 7:30 AM, Evening prayer 2:30 PM

Wednesday, December 18th - Feast of St. Nemesius
Morning Prayer 7:30 AM, Evening prayer 2:30 PM
Shopping bags are needed to pack all books in closets for Christmas cleaning.

Thursday, December 20th- Feast of St. Dominic of Silos
Jesse Tree Contest will be judged by Fr. Antonio.

Friday, December 21st- Feast of St. Peter Canisus

Lessons and Carols 10:00 AM in Church Parents welcome to attend.
Classroom parties in afternoon.
Students may wear dress up clothes for Church - reds and greens would be appropriate.
No Jeans, no sneakers.

Sunday December 23rd - Fourth Sunday of Advent
Students are to attend Mass with their parents.
School office will be closed today.

Christmas Recess begins at dismissal.
School resumes --- Thursday January 3, 2013

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year














Saturday, December 8, 2012





















Week of December 9, 2012 Announcements

Socks and Glove Collection for Homeless
Gloves and socks will be collected for distribution to the Homeless on Saturday, December 15th at the parish Christmas Party for the Homeless.
They will be collected by 6th grade students this week.

Raffle for Auditorium Air Conditioner
The parish is sponsoring a raffle to have air conditioning installed
in the school auditorium.
Tickets are available in the tuition office. They are $20.00 each.
The raffle will be held on Sunday, February 10th.

Keyboarding - Learn to Type
Another strategy that will be important for your child to learn is keyboarding or learning to type with all ten fingers. In 2014 all New York State tests will be administered by a computer. Students will be typing in their responses to answers --including essays. As all standardized tests are timed it is important that children learn to type in an accurate, timely manner so that they are not struggling with the technology during the tests. Mr. Marcial has been doing this in the computer room weekly and it is easy enough for a child to practice at home these test taking techniques. Should you have any questions feel free to see Mr. Marcial.

School Website Updated

There is a link at the top of this page that will take you to the updated web site for OLQM. Should you have any suggestions please see Mr. Woods or Mr. Abreu in the school library.

After School Program Announcement
There will be NO After School Program on Friday December 14th.
Dismissal on December 14th will be at 12:00 noon.

Monday,December 10th
Confirmation Class Morning Prayer 7:30 AM and Evening Prayer at 2:30 PM
Advent Confessions today for students in grades 4-8 at 9:00 AM.

Tuesday,December 11th
Confirmation Class Morning Prayer 7:30 AM and Evening Prayer at 2:30 PM
Reading Coach today grades 4, 6 & 8

Wednesday,December 12th

Confirmation Class Morning Prayer 7:30 AM and Evening Prayer at 2:30 PM
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mass at 9:00 AM led by the students of the 4th grade.

Thursday,December 13th
Feast of St. Lucy
Confirmation Class Morning Prayer 7:30 AM and Evening Prayer at 2:30 PM

Friday,December 14th --EARLY DISMISSAL DAY
Feast of St. John of the Cross
12:00 noon - staff Christmas party
NO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM TODAY.

Sunday - Third Sunday in Advent
Communion Class 12:00 noon
Mass for all students 1:00 PM




Sunday, December 2, 2012


Announcements Week of December 2, 2012




ITBS - Iowa Tests of Basic Skills
The ITBS scores were sent home on Thursday and in some cases Friday with your child.
The tests this year as you may remember from my October posting was based on the new Common Core State Standards.
In reviewing the total scores across the grades the Reading/ELA tests were good. Math on the other hand needs some extra work. The Mathematics tests are much more complicated with the Common Core Standards. The Mathematics component has multiple step word problems that were not part of the old curriculum. During this initial incorporation of the new standards, methodologies will be explored to assist your child in understanding these new strategies in solving word problems.
As many of you may remember the ITBS tests are diagnostic tools that we use as a school system early in the year to see weaknesses that may be corrected before the onset of New York State tests in the Spring.
Parents that may have questions may see Mr. Woods regarding their child's test scores.
Again, a reminder that all parents from PreK through 8 grade should look at the EngageNY website (www.engageny.org) and look at resources to assist you.

Keyboarding - Learn to Type
Another strategy that will be important for your child to learn is keyboarding or learning to type with all ten fingers. In 2014 all New York State tests will be administered by a computer. Students will be typing in their responses to answers --including essays. As all standardized tests are timed it is important that children learn to type in an accurate, timely manner so that they are not struggling with the technology during the tests. Mr. Marcial has been doing this in the computer room weekly and it is easy enough for a child to practice at home these test taking techniques. Should you have any questions feel free to see Mr. Marcial.

School Website Updated
There is a link at the top of this page that will take you to the updated web site for OLQM. Should you have any suggestions please see Mr. Woods or Mr. Abreu in the school library.

After School Program Announcement
There will be NO After School Program on Friday December 14th.
Dismissal on December 14th will be at 12:00 noon



Monday, December 3rd
Feast of St. Francis Xavier
Calendars for December will be sent home with your child today.
Picture money envelopes due to tuition office.
Confirmation Class will be leading morning prayer at 7:30 AM and evening prayer at 2:30 PM. Parents are welcome to join.

Tuesday, December 4th
Feast of John of Damascus
Reading coach will be working with students in grades 4, 6 & 8.
Picture money envelopes due to tuition office.
Confirmation Class will be leading morning prayer at 7:30 AM and evening prayer at 2:30 PM. Parents are welcome to join.

Wednesday, December 5th
Math Coach will be working with students in grades 4, 6 & 8
LAST DAY FOR PICTURE MONEY ---tuition office
Confirmation Class will be leading morning prayer at 7:30 AM and evening prayer at 2:30 PM. Parents are welcome to join.

Thursday, December 6th
Feast of St. Nicholas
Individual picture day-students may wear dress up clothes for pictures.
Confirmation Class will be leading morning prayer at 7:30 AM and evening prayer at 2:30 PM. Parents are welcome to join.

Friday - December 7th
SCHOOL CLOSED - Archdiocesan Data Day

Saturday - December 8th
Feast of the Immaculate Conception

Sunday - December 9th
12:00 noon - Confirmation Class
1:00 PM - Mass for all students in sacramental program