February 2008
Gleaming Computer Lab Brings Smiles to All

A state-of-the-art computer lab has given St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School students the chance to soar to new heights in technology as they learn to how to conduct Internet research, develop eye-catching presentations and create digital art and music. A classroom now is outfitted with rows of gleaming Apple iMac computers with dual-core Intel processors, 17-inch monitors and CD/DVD players. The teacher's iMac is little more powerful in order to monitor all of the student computers and control the programs being used. The lab now allows every child and the teacher to have their own computer during class. A projector enables the teacher to demonstrate new programs and techniques in regular K-8 computer classes. Other St. Charles teachers have used the lab for demonstrations of core academic material, said Joe Potter, who instructs computer classes at the school. "We teach the full office suite of programs such as word processing, spreadsheets, electronic presentations and database creation," Potter said. "We can also do online research using the Internet on any topic that we need; we even have an account to use the school edition of Britannica online, as well as other resources. "We also can teach digital image manipulation, digital art, video editing, podcast creation, music creation, and a host of other tasks that might be called electronic communications." Once an Apple OS X server is in service, the school will be able to use the Mac lab to demonstrate network navigation, Potter said.

"It will also facilitate software management and promote good organizational habits on the part of the students," he said. St. Charles, located at 4005 Edgewater Dr., Orlando, has a 50-year tradition of excellence in education. Its mission, "Cultivating Mind and Spirit,” comes directly from the teaching of St. Charles Borromeo. St. Charles has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School for academic excellence and gains in student achievement, one of only 287 in the nation to receive this honor in 2007.

January 2008

Blue-Ribbon Celebration For St. Charles

From left to right, St. Charles Assistant Principal Jay Gangwisch, Police Chief Mike McCoy, St. Charles Principal Mary Agnew, City Commissioner Robert Stuart and Father Thomas Barrett.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School held a schoolwide celebration for family, friends, alumni and community leaders to honor the students and faculty for helping the school achieve a prestigious 2007 Blue Ribbon School award. The ceremony was held on the school campus and guest speakers included Orlando City Commissioner Robert Stuart and Orlando Police Chief Michael J. McCoy.

As previously announced, St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School was named by the U.S. Department of Education as a 2007 Blue Ribbon School, one of only 287 in the nation to receive this honor and the only school in Central Florida to receive the award in 2007.
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, located at 4005 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, has a 50-year tradition of excellence in education. Its mission, "Cultivating Mind and Spirit," comes directly from the teaching of St. Charles Borromeo. St. Charles believes in teaching the whole child and wants students to love to learn and grow into well-rounded, contributing members of society.

March, 2007
ST. CHARLES MURAL DEDICATION

When he was 17, Peter Pasha gazed at a convent chapel wall that would become the site of the largest art project that the high school student ever had attempted — a life-size mural of Joseph's calling by God — and believed he could be worthy of the task.
It turned out that he was.

Thirty years later as an experienced artist, Pasha embarked a second time on the same project. This time his job was to replace the mural at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, and in so doing, he found himself making connections between the past and present and a life's journey that sometimes does turn full circle.

At the conclusion of Catholic Schools Week, a ceremony dedicated the new mural, which depicts the contributions of the school's 16th-century patron saint to Catholic education. The Rev. Thomas Barrett, pastor of the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Community presided.

"Our school slogan is derived by St. Charles Borromeo: 'Cultivating the Mind and the Spirit' and that is what we have been doing successfully for over 50 years," said Jennifer Garrison, a representative of the school. "However, our motto is, 'Work Hard, Pray Hard, Play Hard!' The playground and mural are a testament of that. We expect our students to work hard in the classroom but realize the importance of balance in their lives. On their way to the playground they are reminded by the mural of the mission of St. Charles Borromeo and the importance of the importance of education throughout history. The playground serves as a reward for their hard work as well as a vehicle of fun physical activity. Allowing the students the opportunity of this physical exertion enhances their learning in the classroom. Both the mural and the playground are results of prayer and the response of the faithful."

After several sketches of ideas were passed up the line, the Calling of St. Joseph was chosen as the theme. With the assistance of a friend, Gerard Wicklin (also of the BMHS Class of 1976), Pasha began the under-drawing on the wall during the Christmas break in 1975. A local Porter Paint store contributed materials to the effort, and the painting was completed in the spring of 1976.

By the fall of 2005, Pasha said he thought the mural was in need of updating. The former convent building again had changed hands — this time as library and classroom space for St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School. Pasha volunteered to paint a new mural on the chapel wall, and St. Charles principal Mary Agnew and her husband Jim graciously donated the paint and materials for the new mural.

"I wanted to picture the patron saint's strength and guidance in Catholic education both in his time on earth and in our present time," he said. "The saint is surrounded by grade school children of the 16th century and our modern century. My two sons, Conor and Ryan, are portrayed to the immediate left of St. Charles.

For more information, please contact Carol Saunders at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School 407.293.7691, ext. 245.

Peter Pasha, artist, illustrator and teacher, lives in Winter Park, Fla. with his wife Kathy and his two sons, Conor and Ryan. He is a graduate of 12 years of Catholic education in three states and graduated with a BFA in art and graphic design from the University of Florida (1980). Professionally he divides his time between teaching, free-lance commercial art and fine art.

October 2006

Former Bishop Moore High School soccer standout and Winter Park resident Amanda Wallace played a key role in the University of North Florida’s championship run in last week KELME Port City Classic in Mobile, AL.

Wallace, a 19-year-old sophomore midfielder for the Lady Ospreys, scored one goal and assisted on another as UNF trounced Nicholls State, 5-0, in the title game and improved its season record to 4-1.

Behind a balanced attack, Wallace helped stake the Lady Ospreys to what would be an overwhelming 2-0 lead by assisting Lena Mullaney at the 24:29 mark for the game’s second goal and scoring an unassisted goal moments later.

UNF relied on a stout defense to stifle Nicholls State throughout, limiting the team to only one shot on goal – and that in the final minute of the game.

The Lady Ospreys dominated the all-tournament team, placing four players on the squad, including Wallace, tournament offensive MVP Katelin Swift, Jessica Eriksen and Elizabeth Gowan.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School's Students Receive Awards in Art!

Twenty-five schools participated in the Catholic Diocese of Orlando Office of School's 2nd Annual Art show and each was allowed to submit four pieces of art work for exhibition. Of the four pieces submitted by Mrs. Su D'Alessio, program director and instructor at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, each received ribbons for their work!

Emily Lawrence received an Honorable Mention ribbon for her mosaic in the 6-8th grade 3-D Division; Zachary Clinton won 2nd Place for his Greek Amphora pencil drawing also in the 6-8th grade Drawing Division; Nicolas Rogner won 1st Place for an abstract portrait in the 3rd-5th grade drawing division; and Nicole Bravo won 1st Place for her watercolor in the 6-8th grade painting division. Nicole also won Best of Show for her entry.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School has been cultivating mind and spirit for over fifty years, it has done so with its strong emphasis on academic as well as cultural programs.

The strong academics at St. Charles is evident in their students far exceeding the national average on standardized tests. The religious and socio-economic background of our families is as diverse as the learning styles of our children. Multiple Intelligences education that balances academic, social, emotional, artistic, physical and spiritual development is fundamental at St. Charles.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School encourages the arts both performing and visual. The performing arts program under the direction of Mrs. Louise Roy features Choir, Bell Choir, Drama, Musical Theatre and set design classes. The visual arts features instruction in a wide variety of mediums from drawing and photography to mosaics and stained glass.

St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School Cheerleaders Perform at the Orange Bowl

Armed with their faith and a strong determination to win, the fifth through eighth grade classes of St. Charles girls cheerleading practiced hard for four weeks before sending their audition tape to the Orange Bowl Halftime Committee. Their hard work paid off when they were chosen among 750 other young ladies. "This was a great opportunity. I promised the 8th grade girls when they were in 6th grade that I would take them to a competition. I never dreamed it would be one so extraordinary" said Mrs. Kelly Avery, Cheerleading Coach.

They left for Miami on January 1st and returned January 5th. "This was the most exciting event for me. The Orange Bowl experience of performing on TV as well as in front of thousands of people in the stands was awesome. I felt anxious, nervous and excited all at the same time. This experience is one I will never forget," said Sara Tomlinson, cheerleader.

The girls had to practice every day before the event for several hours at a time. "It was tough, but that is what makes this team stand out above the rest. They have teamwork and determination. I was proud to represent my school at the Orange Bowl. It was also great to dance with all of the performers. It was a once in a lifetime experience for all of us." explained Kayla Forester, cheerleader.