Curriculum

• Peace Partners was formed six years ago in an effort to provide another opportunity for mixed-age groups to nurture their faith.  
• Peace Partner groups are comprised of approximately 13-14 students from grades K-8 along with one faculty or staff member.  
• All classroom teachers, “specials” teachers, the principal, and CRE have a Peace Partner group. 
• These groups meet once a month and participate in activities that focus on a specific Marian virtue or religious theme.    
• The 8th grade student/students in each group is/are called on to help plan and lead the activities.  
• Past activities include attending a Living Saints presentation (led by the 8th grade) during November, celebrating Epiphany with a party in January, and making Valentine cards for the nursing homes.  
• Students stay with their same Peace Partner group each year. 
• In May, the graduating 8th graders are “sent forth” from their groups with a short prayer service and good wishes.   
• Students new to our school are added in the Fall and as needed through the year.  
• Students, faculty, and staff all grow together throughout the year as they pray, work on service projects, learn about our faith, and complete virtue-based activities together. 

Students are nominated once a month for a Marian Virtue Award.  

• Students attend grade level classes, communities allow middle school students to integrate with students from 6th, 7th and 8th grade, building friendships and camaraderie across grade levels.
• Each community is named after their chosen saint and has their own colors, custom t-shirt, and motto.
• Communities compete for points throughout each quarter through challenges (academic, service, performance, and athletics). 
• Communities raise the bar in terms of accountability – academically and socially and provide leadership opportunities.  
• Communities foster unity and Christian virtue-based relationships.
• Communities foster a feeling of connectivity and accountability among 6th, 7th and 8th graders.
• Communities promote belonging, integrity, and pride amongst all members and a true sense of inclusion and engagement.   
• At the end of May, our 5th graders look forward to the big reveal and the excitement of being welcomed into their community, where they will spend their middle school years.  The buzz is electrifying as they wait to hear which community they have the privilege of calling home.
• Also at the end of May, each community celebrates their 8th graders as they are ready to graduate and begin a new chapter of their academic careers. Each community has their own celebratory traditions causing a flurry of smiles and tears.  
• The connections students make as a result of our Unity Through Community program have positive effects beyond their time at Our Lady School. Students have said the transition to high school was made easier by already having friendships with upper classmen.