St. Mary Catholic School Works Hearts and Minds

The curriculum at St. Mary Catholic School, located at 11409 West 195th Street in Mokena, emphasizes developing students’ minds and improving their overall health through a structured skating program and reading night.

Beginning on Monday Sept. 26, all physical education classes started the school’s annual in-house roller skating program. In order to ensure the safety of all students, younger students are assisted by eighth grade students and parent volunteers during the three-week period.

“This skating unit is taught because of its emphasis as a ‘Lifetime Activity,’ said Anne Lindley, physical education teacher, St. Mary Catholic School. “Skating provides a variety of benefits including balance, coordination, motor skills, and a top rated cardio-respiratory workout.”

Roller skating is recognized and recommended by the American Heart Association (AHA) as an aerobic fitness sport. In fact, it is seen as the equivalent to jogging in terms of health benefits and caloric consumption, reduction of body fat, and leg strength development.

In addition to working on student’s cardiovascular health, St. Mary School faculty and parents work together throughout the year to strength the students’ love of reading. In order to help younger students develop a passion for reading and storytelling, the school’s Parent Teacher Council (PTC) hosted the annual ‘Wild with Reading Night’ on the evening of September 23. Pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade students came to school dressed in their pajamas to listen to stories read by parents and Sister Kim Wolf, liturgist and classroom aide. The PTC-sponsored event is offered to help students find excitement in reading and supports the school’s strong reading curriculum.

Photo 1: Sister Kim Wolf, liturgist and classroom aide, reads to St. Mary’s Catholic School first graders during the WILD with READING NIGHT.

Photo 2: Photo 2: St. Mary Catholic School fourth grade students, Mitchell Voltz (Mokena), Daniel Pasyk (Frankfort), Jimmy Hawksworth (Mokena), Quinn Puralewski (New Lenox), enjoy their first day of the school’s three-week roller skating unit.

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Since September 6, 1949, St. Mary’s Catholic School has been preparing students for the future through spiritual and academic excellence. To learn more about the school, visit www.stmaryschoolmokena.org. St. Mary’s School is located at 11409 West 195th Street Mokena.