Physical Education
Physical Education teachers work with students at all levels and provide a daily developmental curriculum based on the Dynamics of Physical Education for grades PK through 8th grade. In lower elementary, students are taught Physical Education daily and in junior high, Physical Education is taught to 7th graders on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and 6th and 8th graders on Tuesdays & Thursdays. The P.E. department utilizes the Presidential Fitness Challenge to motivate all students to reach physical fitness goals in agility, flexibility, speed, cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and muscular endurance. Our students learn from a diverse curriculum that includes fundamental motor skills, movement concepts, body management, cooperative games, a variety of traditional & non-traditional team sports, along with Cajun dancing and other rhythmic skills.
Music
Music enrichment is offered from PreK3 through 5th grade. Students in PreK3, PreK4, Kindergarten and 4th grade attend music once per week, while students in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th grade attend music biweekly. Our main objective in music enrichment is to prepare students for our school masses. Students learn to sing the mass parts and go over the songs and hymns that will be used in school masses. Students also explore general music concepts in music enrichment class. Fourth grade students learn to play the recorder and begin learning to read music.
Students have the opportunity to participate in the Fatima Band from 5th through 8th grade. Band classes are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Band students learn music literacy skills, basic music theory and how to produce quality sounds on their instruments. The band performs in two concerts per year, as well as pep rallies, sporting events and other school functions.
Library
The John E. Chance II Memorial Library is a dynamic environment that provides a broad range of learning services and media resources to the children and patrons of Our Lady of Fatima School and the community. The library houses an excellent collection of more than 23,000 titles and various online databases. Library hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 AM-3:00 PM. Students in all grade levels visit the library bi-weekly, weekly, or on a flexible schedule. The librarian works with students to meet their AR goals and provide motivation with the AR Point Clubs and Quarterly Parties. The Millionaire Club recognizes students who have read one million words! The library also encourages the excitement and love of reading through various optional reading programs.
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School X-STREAM Lab®
All students from PreK-3 to 8th grade attend the X-STREAM Lab on a biweekly basis. Students learn to work together as teams to complete open-ended tasks to achieve their goals. While completing these projects, students build upon their communication and socialization skills. As early as PreK-3, they utilize the Engineering and Design Process, learning to design, build, test, and modify their designs.
Students learn to code using robots, building blocks, and coding software. Students learn about Augmented Reality. They design original creations to print in a 3-D printer. They build and explore circuitry and electronics using electronic building blocks. They explore simple machines and more. In the X-STREAM Lab, students are free to explore multiple solutions to a task using a variety of materials to accomplish their goal.
French
French is provided as an Enrichment for students in grades 1–5. Every class meets on a weekly basis for half an hour. The World Readiness Standards for learning the language of ACTFL are utilized. The ACTFL Proficiency is based on the five C’s: Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, Communities. The emphasis is put on a solid awareness of the Francophone World and the Louisiana-rich French Heritage. French I elective has been added for Jr. High students in Jr. High.
Art
PreK 4 through fifth grade students attend art enrichment class every two weeks. Within the class time, they create beautiful projects while learning about principles of design, elements of art, famous artists, and different types of art medium. They create guided projects but also have the opportunity for freedom and experimentation to grow their own artistic skills. In art class, students are encouraged to have a positive attitude while growing their skills and to believe that they can all be artists who can create a beautiful masterpiece.
Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students have the opportunity to take art as their elective class. Those grade levels come to class every other day, giving them more time to create larger, more detailed projects and dive even deeper into new art skills and styles. Students spend the whole year creating projects with perspective, by drawing from observation, by drawing from a picture, taking photographs and using technology, with printmaking, and more.
Science Lab
Our Lady of Fatima classes from Kindergarten through Fifth grade attend Science Lab weekly for 45 minutes. Students work in cooperative groups to learn about the wonderful world God has created. The lessons involve problem solving, critical thinking, the scientific method, design process practices, constructive discussion, and application to real-life experiences. Each lesson is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards.
Garden
All students who attend the Science Lab help plan, plant, maintain and harvest the school garden. The lessons taught in this outdoor learning environment transcend gardening to impact the students, their families and the community for years to come by encouraging environmental stewardship, cooperative skills, and healthy nutrition.
Piano Lessons
Piano lessons are provided to students who are interested in such instruction. These lessons are not a part of the required school curriculum and instruction. These are optional programs that are offered on campus for those interested. Arrangements are made for students to receive lessons before school, after school, or during recess times.