Nazareth students hit the Mall on Saturday, January 30th to put the word out about the quality Catholic education they receive at Nazareth Academy. Students distributed brochures and also served as "live mannequins" in the display window at Best Buy!

The Nazareth Academy Choir of Angels helped kickoff the St. Joseph High School Family Festival by accompanying the STJ Choir in singing our National Anthem. The N.A. Cheerleaders then wowed the crowd with an outstanding dance routine! 

On January 27th, the Nazareth Academy 3K students had a Bike Parade.

On Jan. 26th St. Joseph High School hosted Nazareth Academy's 8th graders for a tour of their campus and facilities.

5th grader Shelby G. won Young Miss Victoria 2009-2010! Congratulations, Shelby!

Students have also been working on the Nazareth Academy TV show as well as TV ads for the upcoming Open House on February 2.

2009-10 Open House Radio Ad
2009-10 Open House TV Ad

New soccer uniforms have been purchased by the HSA for the upcoming soccer season. Take a look at them here.

The monthly Kinder-8th grade buddy day was held Friday, Dec. 11th. This month the students spent time reading together!

The 7th Grade Religion Class, lead by Sr. Mary Jean, took a field trip to the Jewish Synagogue. The students learned a great deal, and realize the importance of learning about other religions and cultures.

We have received our first check from the BoxTops for Education program for 2009-2010. Our first check was in the amount of $1215.60. Way to go Jets!

The SmartBoards in Every Classroom Project continued this week when 4 more SmartBoards and Mounted Projectors were ordered for the school.

Earlier this year, a SmartBoard and mounted projector was installed upstairs in Mrs. Burkett's room. Later on, 3 more projectors were mounted and Wireless Smart Slates were installed in 3 other classrooms throughout the school. Over the Thanksgiving holidays, several grants were awarded to Nazareth Academy to continue the SmartBoards in Every Classroom Project. On Wednesday of this week, 4 more SmartBoards and Mounted Projectors were ordered and will be installed in the coming weeks. Once this phase of the project is complete, 8 classrooms at Nazareth Academy will be equipped with permanent mounted projectors attached to a PC with 5 of those classrooms also having a wall mounted Interactive Whiteboard (SmartBoard).

This project would not be possible without tremendous amounts of help and know-how. Nazareth Academy parents Charles Slaten, Allen Livingston, and Bill Beck have spent many hours at the school and at home researching SmartBoards, as well as, many other exciting new technologies to ensure that our Nazareth Academy students and teachers have the technology they need to stay above the curve in today's fast moving world. All of the SmartBoards, Projectors, and Computers were installed (and continue to be installed) with volunteer labor at no cost to the school. The project would not be possible with out them.

The project would also not be possible without the leadership of Mr. Kloesel and Sister Bernarda who have given their input, approval and guidance throughout the project. Sister Ann and Mr. Livingston have been instrumental in applying for and receiving the grant monies that have also made the project possible. Sister Ann has also been involved every step of the way, offering input, guidance and labor when asked.

Thank you to everyone involved in the project. If you would like more information about SmartBoards, please visit their website. If you would like more information about the SmartBoards in Every Classroom Project or would like to make a donation, please contact the school.

Joy to the World Video

Mp3 file of Joy To The World featuring Nazareth Academy 7th Grader Nicholas Vallejo on electric guitar. All background music is by Nazareth Academy students and Mr. Ralph Nance, music director of Nazareth Academy.

Joy to the World Music (.mp3)
 

Choir Director Mrs. Lark Pesek and Band Director Mr. Tony Wilhelm have been working hard with their students all year in preparation for this crowning moment, the annual Choir & Band Christmas Program and our Choir and Band students certainly did not disappoint. On the evening of Tuesday, December 15, parents were treated to an outstanding concert of Christmas music by the Choir of Angels, the Beginner Band, and the Advanced Band. Great job!

On Tuesday, December 15 Mrs. Vilchez and Mrs. Hernandez combined their 4K classes to put on an excellent Christmas program that included dancing and singing, as well as dialogue. The program emphasized the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ. Great job, 4K!

Friday, December 11 saw the annual Nazareth Academy Cafeteria Christmas Lunch for all 3K through 8th grade students and parents. The lunch featured turkey & all the trimmings, including homemade dressing.

On Thursday, December 10 the Nazareth Academy 1st grade went to the Victoria Ballet Theatre production of The Nutcracker.  This South Texas Christmas tradition is in its 25th year and features Victoria Ballet Theatre company dancers, nationally known guest artists and community volunteers.  This year's production features Nazareth Academy 1st Grade teacher Ms. Julie Janecka in the role of Sugar Plum Fairy!  Also participating are 12 Nazareth Academy students in various roles.

Nazareth Academy held its annual Spelling Bee on December 9th. After an intense 14 rounds a Champion and 1st Runner Up were crowned. Congratulations to our Spelling Bee Champion Jake S. and to our 1st Runner Up Rachel H. Jake will now move on to the County Bee to be held on February 11th, 10:00am at Victoria College. Rachel will serve as the alternate. Congratulations and great job to all of the contestants of the Nazareth Academy Spelling Bee!

Bishop David Fellhauer celebrated liturgy with Nazareth Academy on Tuesday, December 8th, which is a Holy Day of Obligation honoring the Immaculate Conception of Mary. Following liturgy, Bishop Fellhauer took time to visit with the students, and even sat for an interview to be aired on the December edition of the Jetstream: The Nazareth Academy Show!

Student Ambassadors from St. Joseph High School came to Nazareth Academy and spread the Christmas spirit by reading Twas The Night Before Christmas to the 3K through the 4th grade students.

Nazareth Academy is honored to have won Best Buy's Teach Award four consecutive years Now, Nazareth Academy is further honored to have our own display in the Best Buy window.

Nazareth Academy 8th Grade - Kinder Buddy Day was held Wed., Nov. 25th! Sure does look like it was fun!

On November 20 during activity period, the Nazareth Academy junior high was treated to a concert by The Vallejo Brothers! Check out a sample of their music here.

The Nazareth Academy Boys 'B' Basketball team took 1st Place in the N.A. B-Team Tournament, defeating St. Michael, Weimar and then St. Rose, Schulenburg.

The pre-school (3K) celebrated Thanksgiving with a presentation and a special meal on Tuesday, Nov. 24th.

Reading opens children's minds to creativity and helps expand their general knowledge.  Every year for the past 20 years hundreds of schools across the country celebrate reading by participating in National Young Readers Week.  Nazareth Academy once again participated in the event, this year held Nov. 9 -13, by recruiting local celebrity guests to visit the school and read to the 3-year old through 3rd grade students.  In addition, on certain days during the week students were allowed to have special dress days that included Pajama Day and Dress As Your Favorite Book Character Day.  Special guest readers during the week included Bishop David Fellhauer, Mayor Will Armstrong, Superintendent of diocesan schools Mr. John Quary, Father Stan DeBoe, Newscenter25 anchor Shawna Currie, Public Relations Expert Gary Moses, General Superior of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament Sr. Evelyn Korenek, N.A. Assistant Principal Sr. Bernarda Bludau, Third General Councilor of the IWBS Sisters Sr. Amata Hollas, local attorney Lisa Moore, Laura DeLeon, and N.A. Principal Scott Kloesel.

Shelby V, Mary Beth E, Jenna E, Clara S & Kyle S competed in the Victoria 4-H Food Challenge on Thursday, Nov. 5 and placed FIRST out of four teams. They will now move forward to District Competition on December 5th. The "Camo Chefs" are coached by Mrs. Nadine Vanbeveren.

Nazareth Academy honored our veterans by participating in Victoria's annual Veterans Day parade on Nov. 11. The N.A. Band, Drill Team, and Cheerleaders marched as the band played God Bless America.

The students put forth such an outstanding effort in obtaining cakes for the cake wheel at the Fall Festival (with first prize being a pizza lunch) that Dr. Afridi and Mrs. Janie Gonzalez purchased pizzas for the entire school!

Eighteen seventh grade students from Nazareth Academy (41% of the class) have earned Duke University Academic Talent Search honors for the 2009-2010 school year.

This recognition is based on their scoring in the 95th percentile or above in one or more tests included in the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) and/or the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT). Scoring the 95th percentile translates to scoring better than 95 percent of all seventh graders in the nation. By virtue of their accomplishment, these students now qualify to take the college entrance SAT with high school juniors and seniors in January.

Emma A, Shelbie V, Gabriella P, Brandy C, Kelly W, Allie B, Rahul H, Brooke H, Ryan T, MaryBeth E, Nicholas V, Sarah D, Austin G, Richard M, Jake S, Richard S, Bruce E, Evan M.

On Friday, October 30 Father Stan, from Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, came to Nazareth Academy to bless all of the students'
animals. This annual event is in honor of St. Francis of Assisi's love for all creatures. Father Stan began our ceremony as he always does, with a prayer. He then went around blessing many animals with holy water such as big dogs, small dogs, birds, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, and even a turtle. Everyone was very thankful that Father Stan came to do this special blessing for our animals because they mean so much to us.

By: Mary Beth E, 7th Grader

The Honor Roll for the 1st 9 week grading period has been released. Congratulations to all of our Honor Roll students. You can see the list here.

Newly refinished cabinets for Ms. Martin's classroom is another step in the classroom makeover project started this summer. If you would like to help or make a donation to this project, please contact the school office.

Nazareth Academy 5th graders took part in the G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education And Training) program lead by the Victoria County Sheriff's Department.

The Murphy family for the 6th year generously donated yearbooks to ten deserving families! Thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Bill & Lea Murphy!

4th grader Maegan M. won 1st Place in her grade level in the Victoria County Fire Prevention Poster contest. Maegan competed against all 4th graders in the Victoria area. Congratulations Maegan!

The 7th grade class was visited by Ms. Kathleen Edwards, an iconographer. Read More...

A group of local Kohl's employees volunteered at the the Fall Festival this year as part of the Kohl's A-Team program. The Kohl's Corporation also made a $500 donation to the school. Read More....

Despite the rain, The Nazareth Academy Fall Festival was fun for the whole family again this year. Thanks to everyone for their help. Take a look at some of the pictures, here.

Food prep for this Sunday's Fall Festival has begun. Thank you to all the volunteers that have helped so far. If you would like to help, contact Bill at hsa@nazarethacademy.org for more information. See pics here.

Nazareth Academy Students gather for prayer during See You at The Pole Event. Read the story printed by the Victoria Advocate here.

5th Grader, Haley C, attended the first annual “Manning Hot Shots” banquet at Incredible Pizza and was awarded one of the top awards……”Incredible Athlete” for her outstanding gymnastics skills!

The Nazareth Academy Volleyball B-Team, made up of twelve 6th and 7th graders, won 2nd place in the Nazareth Academy B-Team Tournament Saturday, September 12th. Congratulations to the Lady Jets B-Team!

Volleyball Season has begun. Take a look at some pictures from our first game. More pictures can be viewed here, or visit our Sports page.

The first Liturgy of 2009 was held on Friday, August 21.

Mr. Nance has acquired an awesome set of African drums for the Music Department. 

The first day of the 2009-10 school year is in the books. Check out a few photos of our little angels on the first day.

The 2009-2010 Nazareth Academy Drill Team and Cheerleaders worked hard at dance & cheer camp this summer, learning a variety of new dances and cheer routines they will be performing at school pep rallies and sporting events.

8th Grader Taylor E. has earned the position of "Captain" of the Victoria Strutters. Taylor is featured in the Strutters advertisement that was recently in the Victoria Advocate. Check it out here.

A SmartBoard was recently installed in Mrs. Burkett's classroom. The technology committee has set a goal to install SmartBoards in every classroom. For more information about SmartBoards visit their website. If you would like to make a donation or help with this project, please contact the school office.

As an eco-friendly innovator, TerraCycle is going to convert the used drink pouches into unique fashion bags, tote bags, and pencil cases for kids and adults! Bring your clean, empty, de-strawed drink pouches to the school office and place them in the collection bin.