The curriculum followed in grades kindergarten through eight at Our Lady of Hungary Regional School is developed in accordance with the guidelines prescribed by the State of Pennsylvania and the Diocese of Allentown. The guidelines set forth are continuously being revised and updated to meet the needs of our school community.

 

Religion

The spiritual bond at Our Lady of Hungary Regional School is constantly strengthened through weekly Mass, reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and daily faith-filled religion classes.  Priests visit the classrooms to enrich the student’s awareness of spiritually relevant topics.  Students are encouraged to treat everyone as Christ would treat them, to share with those less fortunate, and to respect all forms of life on this planet.

           

Prayer services are held periodically and students take part in the readings at our weekly Eucharistic Celebrations.  Devotional prayers are said as a school community on mornings during the seasons of Lent and Advent.  The students also attend Stations of the Cross and perform the Living Stations during Lent. During the month of May, the school community intensifies its devotion to our Blessed Mother. The entire school gathers to recite the rosary, and joyfully participates in a May procession with the crowning of Mary as its climax. Service activities such as contributions to the missions, raffles, honoring our veterans, collecting for the local food bank, visiting the senior center, collecting tabs for the Ronal McDonald House, and St. Jude’s Math a thon, indicate students’ Christian spirit at work.  Students enhance their spirituality through shared experiences and quarterly activities and prayer services with their prayer partners.

 

 

Reading

Students in Kindergarten through sixth grade follow a structured reading program that emphasizes phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and reading comprehension strategies.  Seventh and eighth grade students use a literature-based program to develop comprehension strategies stressed at the middle grade level.

 

Instructional techniques are varied at each level in order to meet the needs of each student.  The major techniques used in the reading curriculum include Early Prevention of School Failure centers, whole group and flexible group instruction, guided reading groups and individualized instruction when needed.  Remediation is provided by a reading specialist from the Intermediate Unit and funded by Title I.  Library skills are taught through weekly library instruction.

 

Integration of reading is achieved through cross-curriculum activities, projects, and development of writing skills through the use of the writing process.  All students are required to read specific books during the summer in accordance with our Summer Reading Program.  These books are then discussed during the first week of school.

 

 

Language Arts

The goals of the Language Arts program are:  students will communicate and express ideas and thoughts in a coherent manner both orally and in written form; students will display correct usage of English grammar for each grade level; students will gain skill in technical aspects of the English language through penmanship and spelling appropriate to each grade level; and, in conjunction with group and individual activities, teachers will implement writing journals and cumulative writing folders.  Enrichment offered to the students includes oral presentations, creative writing contests, and spelling bees.

 

 

Mathematics

The Mathematics program at Our Lady of Hungary Regional School is designed to emphasize the importance of Mathematics in every day life.  Each grade level shows math relevance by incorporating a wide variety of real-world problem solving experiences across the curriculum.  Exposure to these experiences benefits students’ problem solving ability, reasoning and thinking skills, and develops an understanding of the importance of Mathematics in society.

 

Students practice and master a wide variety of grade appropriate skills from basic arithmetic facts and operations through complex algebraic concepts and formulas.  A strong mathematical foundation is developed based on standards set forth by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.  Flexible grouping throughout the primary grades allows students to work and advance at their own pace.  Separate classes are offered at the middle school level in Pre-Algebra and Algebra I according to ability.  Our Lady of Hungary Regional School strives to educate each student according to his/her individual need.

 

Students use technology to augment concept understanding.  Teachers present lessons using a variety of methods including direct instruction, cooperative group, multi-media, Internet website activities, and computer software.  The use of hand-held basic and scientific calculators is encouraged as a tool after students demonstrate understanding and proficiency of concepts involving computation.

 

The mathematics curriculum is further enhanced through participation in extra-curricular activities such as the Professional Engineers Society sponsored MathCounts program, Pennsylvania Math League competition, and 24 Math Challenge.

 

 

Social Studies

The Social Studies program at Our Lady of Hungary Regional School follows the curriculum for the State of Pennsylvania as well as the Allentown Diocese.  This curriculum includes knowledge of past and present civilizations as well as an understanding of cultural, political, social issues, and concepts. Students are taught their rights as American citizens as well as their responsibilities to be good citizens.

 

Northampton County Law Day and National History Day are supplementary activities.  Black History Month is also remembered.  Field trips, Pennsylvania history in grades four and eight, as well as the discussion of current events help enrich the student’s national and local awareness. 

 

 

Science

The science curriculum is designed to build and nurture an interest in science.  Science instruction goes from general, well-rounded instruction to the very specific.  Students at all levels participate in hands-on experiments and lab activities, projects, oral presentations, research, and cooperative learning.  A fully equipped science lab is used to enhance instruction.

 

Technology is utilized in classroom science instruction as well.  Teachers routinely incorporate video, DVD, and laser discs into their instruction.

 

The curriculum includes age-appropriate lessons in earth science, biology, physics, astronomy, chemistry, and environmental science.  Students are instructed in mental health topics, nutrition, and drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs such as D.A.R.E. and "Here’s Looking At You."  Field trips, assemblies, contests, and school-wide projects supplement the curriculum. Grades seven and eight compete in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science.

 

 

Computer Education

Our Lady of Hungary Regional School strives to incorporate current technology in the classroom as a method of lesson instruction, student remediation, and to stimulate interest in learning.

 

Children in Kindergarten through grade eight receive weekly instruction in computer education in the school’s computer lab.  Kindergarten through fifth grade is introduced to basic components, functions, and operation of the computer.  The competencies in which students work are keyboarding, word processing, spreadsheets, slide presentations, database, math work, drawing, simple crafts, and creative writing.  A wide variety of subjects are reinforced while students become comfortable and adept using the computer as a tool in the learning process. 

 

Students at the middle school level have a greater focus on office software applications.  They create spreadsheets, visual presentations, various multimedia reports, web pages and databases.  Classroom teachers work cooperatively with computer teachers to create projects that integrate technology into their classroom lessons.  Students become proficient navigating within a local network environment and acquire safe methods for utilizing the Internet.  The school is fully compliant with the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA).

 

 

Art

The children develop art appreciation through experiences using a variety of media while becoming familiar with the art elements and principles of art.  Teachers promote the child’s growth through many creative activities.  Students in grades 2-8 receive weekly art instruction with an art teacher.  Students are encouraged to submit art work in various diocesan and state contests.  All students participate in an art show in the Spring.

 

 

Music

Our Lady of Hungary Regional School provides a general music program in which all children experience the singing of both secular and sacred music, rhythm and movement activities, and listening experiences.  Flutophones are played in grades 2 through 5 and hand chimes are played in grades 6 through 8.  Classroom music is an integral part of the daily curriculum in all grades. 

 

Students in grades Preschool through eight participate in the annual Christmas concert.  Musical diversity is encouraged through participation in instrumental music and band for grades 4-8, choir for grades 3-8, cantors for grades 5-8, and Drama Club for grades 4-8.  A spring concert and school play showcase the individual talents of our students.

 

 

Physical Education

All students explore a variety of activities that provide them with competitive, recreational, and lifetime activities.  While engaging in the various activities, the students receive knowledge of rules, skills, strategies and health benefits that they can utilize throughout their lifetime.  In the primary grades, emphasis is placed on activities that develop body control and coordination.  In the Intermediate grades students practice specific sports skills and develop cognitive knowledge of rules. 

 

Facilities are available for indoor and outdoor activities.

 

 

Foreign Language

Spanish is taught in all grade levels.  Kindergarten and First Grade students are introduced to the language by their classroom teacher on a weekly basis.

 

Students in grades 2-8 receive Spanish instruction once a week as a minor subject taught by the classroom teacher.  The students use the Rosetta Stone computer based program. 

 

 

Kindergarten

The Kindergarten program at Our Lady of Hungary Regional School is a full-day program.  Prior to entering Kindergarten, each child participates in the Early Prevention of School Failure screening that is administered by a trained team of professional educators.  The results of this screening indicate the strengths and weaknesses of each child and are then used to help plan curriculum and drive instruction.

 

Small group instruction plays a large part in the curriculum.  Centers are done daily and include activities in language development, auditory skills, visual skills, fine and gross motor skills.

 

The children also receive whole group instruction in Religion (including attendance at weekly Mass), Mathematics, Language Arts/Reading, and Penmanship.  A writing program entitled “Kid Writing”, Spanish, Science, Social Studies, Music, Physical Education, Library, and Computer Education are also a part of the Kindergarten curriculum and are taught on a weekly basis. 

 

Time is provided each day for a morning snack and playtime, noon lunch/ recess period, and rest time.

 

 

Preschool

Our preschool offers half-day programs for both three and four-year-old children.   The three-year-olds attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays while the four-year-olds attend on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  The classes are staffed by a teacher and an assistant who plan age-appropriate activities for the developing child.

 

Through creative play and teacher-directed activities, the children's social, language, motor, cognitive, and self-help skills are strengthened.  Self-expression is further encouraged through music and craft activities that are regularly integrated into our program.  Activities are planned for both small and large groups.  The children are provided with opportunities to build confidence in their abilities, to be challenged by new activities and skills, to gain a positive self-image through accomplishments, and to gain an acceptance of differences among themselves.

 

The preschool follows the calendar of Our Lady of Hungary Regional School.   Parents provide transportation and a snack for their children each day.