Tuesday, October 23
2 pm Auditorium
Grades 3-5
Jeffrey Brown, author of the Lucy & Andy Neanderthal graphic novels, as well as some of the Jedi Academy books, will speak with the students, demonstrate how to draw for comics/graphic novels, and answer any questions the kids may have about writing children’s books.
Both Mike Curato and Samantha Berger (best friends in real life!) will be at school on Thursday, 26 April to read the new picture book they made together to us, talk about their lives as a writer (Samantha Berger), and as an author/illustrator (Mike Curato), and to answer student questions. Books will be available for purchase at the event, so that your child can get a signed keepsake, personalized by the both authors.
Samantha Berger has written numerous picture books including Crankenstein, A Crankenstein Valentine, Witch Spa, Snoozefest, and Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry, which won a Parent’s Choice Award Honor. When she isn’t writing, she’s doing voice-overs, traveling the world, and helping rescue dogs. Samantha splits her time between New York City and California, and she invites you to visit her online at samanthaberger.com.
Mike Curato is the author and illustrator of the beloved polka-dotted elephant, Little Elliot , who appears in his books Little Elliot, Big City; Little Elliot, Big Family; Little Elliot, Big Fun; and Little Elliot, Fall Friends. He is also the illustrator of Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian and All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle. Mike lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, and he invites you to visit him online at mikecurato.com.
Liz Kessler, coming all the way from England, is the author of the New York Times best-selling Emily Windsnap series as well as three adventures about Philippa Fisher and her fairy godsister. She is also the author of the middle-grade novels A Year Without Autumn, North of Nowhere, and Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins?
Special thanks to Jennie Bender and Secret Garden Books for hosting.
(For grades 3-7)
St. Alphonsus Students
Extracurricular Involvement
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
Our family choose to make a switch from SPS to St. Alphonsus in 2021 and it has become a huge blessing. In midst of Covid and with concerns about the academics for our daughters, we were prompted to explore school options and discovered the St. Als community. We were attracted to the school based on the academics, the small class sizes, and the values, including upholding behavior expectations. All of these benefits have been realized with so much more.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
Our girls love St. Al’s, the commitment from their teachers and the new friendships with classmates. The academics have challenged them and when needed, they have received extra support from St. Al’s teachers/staff. Our girls, surprisingly, appreciate wearing uniforms to school as it makes the mornings so easy with one less decision/choice. They have had opportunities to try new clubs (chess), CYO sports and to pair up with younger class buddies as the school extends from Preschool through 8th grade. We all appreciate the community activities including the auction, Bingo nights, Halloween at school and more. We are relishing in our final year all 3 of our daughters will be together at St. Al’s.
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St. Alphonsus Students
Extracurricular Involvement
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
We chose St. Al’s because we desired a school that not only had a strong academic curriculum but also one which focused on values such as Compassion, Generosity, Respect, etc. Educating the full child was important to us and we felt St. Al’s reinforced what we were morally and spiritually working to teach her within our home. We were also attracted to how diverse the student body was and the incredible community the school fosters both on campus and off.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
I love how happy my daughter is when I pick her up and drop her off. She loves the academic and social environment and loves being a member of the St Al’s student body. As a parent I also love seeing how much she has grown intellectually over the past 4+ years at the school. The teachers really care for each individual student and she has flourished each year through the care her teachers take in understanding what she needs in-order to continue to succeed.
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St. Alphonsus Students
Extracurricular Involvement
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
When looking for a preschool for our oldest son, we hoped to find a school where our Catholic faith would be reinforced and enriched in the classroom. Finding a school that could also help him excel academically beyond preschool was a secondary goal. St. Alphonsus was both, and so much more. Within the first month at St. Al’s, it was evident that we had found a school that not only embraces the richness of the Catholic faith, but also encourages students and their families to reach their full potential in a welcoming community.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
There is so much to love about St. Alphonsus! I love how our students know each other and are friends across all grades. I love how unmistakably our teachers and staff care for the students and their families. I love how our parents support each other and work together to make the school the best place it can be. And I love that St. Alphonsus is a place where our faith is celebrated and strengthened. Lots of schools have good academic programs and good faculty and staff. But not every school has a great culture and community. We feel very blessed to be a part of a school that has all those things and a rich legacy of faith and academic excellence for over 100 years. We feel loved by the St. Alphonsus community, and we love them!
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St. Alphonsus Students
Extracurricular Involvement
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
We chose St. Alphonsus because we needed more academic support and were afraid that our older child would fall through the cracks in middle school. St. Alphonsus has been able to seamlessly meet the educational and social needs of each of our boys. It has been amazing to have a faculty proactively identify particular academic and social needs and then develop a plan and work to support those goals. It was obvious from the very beginning that the teaching staff is dedicated to supporting our boys. The small class sizes help support this effort.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
We love the community! We feel very comfortable here and love the warm and supportive environment. We also feel that our boys are getting a quality education. You also may be surprised to know that many of our students are not Catholic. This school welcomes and embraces all students, Catholic or not.
St. Alphonsus Students
Extracurricular Involvement
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
While looking for a faith-based institution for our child and being a parishioner at St. Alphonsus, it was an easy decision to make. St. Al’s has a great community which was apparent in the first few tours/visits. And we found a curriculum that met the needs of our child well.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
Warm community of families, supportive teachers, and faith centric education that enhances the spiritual side of the child along with great academics.
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St. Alphonsus Students
Extracurricular Involvement
Why did you choose St. Alphonsus for your children?
I chose St. Alphonsus because of the small class sizes and excellent education, especially the split-gender middle school.
What do you love most about St. Alphonsus?
I love the community of St. Alphonsus and it continues to be a wonderful experience. Parents and teachers cooperate to give a wonderful nurturing environment to all children. I’m very grateful for the many lifelong relationships that have been created through the school involvement.
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