I am a member of Nativity Preparatory Academy. I am called to become all that God has created me to be. I know that if I believe that I can achieve, I will achieve. As a member of Nativity Prep I will strive to practice the five virtues:ANNUAL REPORT Respect, 2019-2020 Responsibility, Gratitude, Spirituality and Scholarship. Nativity Preparatory Academy MESSAGES FROM THE LEADERSHIP TEAM FACULT Y AND STAFF FROM THE PRESIDENT: James C. Smith – President Jennifer Kremer – Principal In this unique year we have seen many circumstances in our communities that have never been seen before. This publication highlights the school year Meredith Smith – Director, Student Support Services and Programs that started out as a normal year and transformed to a new normal. We were Paula Dolan – Director, Special blessed in March to have laptop technology in place to quickly switch to our Projects School at Home program. Our teachers and students did an amazing job Jillian Beaman – Associate Director taking on a new way to teach and learn. As a result, youth were empowered to continue their of Development journey to success. Eleven of our eighth-grade graduates will be attending area private high Amanda Adams – Science schools next year and our 2012 class of graduates just graduated from college! Joseph Appleby – English In the pages that follow you will read about School at Home, Graduation, and the Graduate Language Arts Support Program (4+4+4). Please know that the successes of our programs are a result of your Samir Bhagwat – Mathematics generous donations, volunteer service, and prayers. Robert C. Bonfiglio–AIS, Mathematics Your support unlocks the power of underserved youth in Rochester. Thank you for joining me on Susan DiFabio – 5th Grade this journey to empower youth with the knowledge they need to succeed now and in the future. Tiffany Greer – Teaching Assistant We couldn’t do it without you! Sara Jenks – Sister of St. Joseph Sincerely, Americorp Fellow James C. Smith Jonathon Matt – Physical Education, Health FROM THE PRINCIPAL: Cynthia Ragus – AIS, English Language Arts As I reflect on my first year here at Nativity, I am in awe of this amazing Andrea Rivera-Luna – Americorp school. The staff, students, volunteers, donors, and board of trustees make Teaching Fellow up such a powerhouse of mission that truly changes lives. This school year Amy Stell – Social Studies presented many challenges during our shift to online learning at the end of Reginald White – Teaching Assistant March through June, yet it was amazing to see our students’ commitment Shannon Yawman – Religion during the several months of School at Home when so much of the world around them faced Karen Anvelt – Office Manager unknowns and hardship like never before. David Bergeron – Facility Custodian Our Nativity academic life transitioned to a virtual one and our students continued to be engaged Roxanne Vanderwalker – Cafeteria and attended classes in real time, culminating with final exams and report cards. I couldn’t be Supervisor prouder of our students’ academic achievement during such a challenging time. Our year was filled with so many memories where we celebrated cultures, had class competitions, retreat days BOARD OF TRUSTEES and even a silent disco! William Carpenter, Chair Joseph Carney In the upcoming year we look forward to providing a 5-day in person learning environment with Mary Christine Carpenter health and safety of the whole child as our primary concern. Our on campus academic day will Timothy Crilly, CPA end at 2:00 pm each day, but we will continue the unique Nativity model using online platforms to Philip J. DiPasquale, Sr. Robert Fox engage students in study groups, tutoring, and enrichments. Thomas Glavin Michael Hurley Our school year will feel different to students with masks, distancing, and new safety procedures, Kiki Mahar but the heart of our mission drives us to be the beacon of hope in our students’ lives. We Mary Ann Mayer SSJ William McDonnell anticipate the social-emotional needs of our students in ways that are unprecedented and will Janice Morgan SSJ integrate opportunities for school-wide community building and self-value awakening. We will Audrey Peartree meet the academic challenge before us with a team of intervention teachers for Mathematics and Nicholas Piehler, CPA Literacy that will continue to serve our students’ additional needs during the upcoming year. Dave Pitcher, CPA Kathy Purcell James C. Smith Thank you for being a part of the mission to help us serve such a faith-based, quality education Dan Spoor that impacts these Rochester youth for the rest of their lives! With gratitude, ON THE COVER: Jennifer Kremer Socially distanced Nativity Prep graduation 2020 OUR MISSION Nativity Preparatory Academy is a Catholic middle 2% school transforming the lives of underserved Caucasian students through an education that provides strong Demographic 13% academic grounding coupled with a sense of Multi-Ethnic spirituality, morality, and personal responsibility. Profile 60 students Within a secure and nurturing environment, enrolled for 2019-2020 we deliver a uniquely effective education through 46% African-American an extended school day and school year, dedicated Female: 24 and caring teachers, personal mentoring, and Male: 36 39% continuing support after graduation. Asian Grade distribution Nativity serves City of Rochester students in 5th Grade 13 grades 5-8. Nativity was founded in 2009, and is 6th Grade 16 jointly co-sponsored by McQuaid Jesuit and the 7th Grade 20 Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester. 8th Grade 11 GRADUATION 2020 The Class of Seton’s 2020 Graduation Ceremony took place Two students were awarded full tuition scholarships, one at outside of St. Boniface Church with our graduating 8th Mercy and one at Aquinas. graders, their families, Nativity teachers, and board members in attendance on Friday, July 17, 2020. A unique, masked, and This ceremony was the culmination of the hard work each socially distant ceremony was beautifully arranged in the graduate put into their middle school years and celebrated the courtyard between the church and the convent. The graduating students and their families before officially welcoming them into class of eleven 8th graders were accepted to their top choice Nativity’s Graduate Support Program. Thank you to everyone who Catholic high school and received significant financial aid awards. supported and empowered this class of future leaders! 3 VIRTUAL TRANSFORMATIONS A SUCCESS School at Home In March when schools across the state had to pivot to distance learning, Nativity immediately began synchronous instruction for all students, allowing for the continuation of all core subjects, plus religion, gym, and homeroom. Class content was pared down to ensure learning acquisition of key skills in a new format while minimizing volume to maintain student participation. Additional opportunities for connection and maintaining community were provided weekly, including game nights, movie watching parties, and virtual field trips. Throughout the spring, with regular follow up to students from teachers, attendance hovered at 95%. Donor support allowed us to provide students with continued learning and enrichment opportunities that helped to build bridges to their success now and in the future. Whatever role you played in Nativity’s program this year, we want to thank you for investing in the futures of our youth. 2020 Billy D Summer Classic 2020 Nativity in Bloom Due to the pandemic the 2020 Billy D Summer Classic went This year’s event was transformed into a virtual gathering virtual! Using the 18birdies app, participants played golf at that raised funds to support the empowerment of Nativity’s courses across the country in July. The virtual reception was held students. The broadcast was done on Facebook Live on on Sunday, August 2nd via Facebook Live. This year’s tournament May 28th. Generous sponsors of the event provided financial raised over $60,000! Thank you to all who participated, donated, support, along with a highly successful paddle call delivered and volunteered. by the new President James C. Smith. The event’s $70,000 fundraising goal was achieved. The Billy D’Antonio Summer Classic celebrates the life and contributions of Billy D’Antonio, a former AmeriCorps volunteer at The Nativity in Bloom committee worked tirelessly to raise Nativity and one of Nativity’s most memorable teachers. In its 8th donations to help in this unusual year of the pandemic. Thank year, the tournament is the result of the efforts of Billy’s family and you to everyone who donated and supported our event! friends who remember the importance of Nativity to him. We gathered in our homes to watch the amazing stories Save the date for the 9th Annual Billy D Classic on August 7, 2021! of our Students and graduates and to support the mission of Nativity Preparatory Academy. We hope you will join us BILLY D COMMITTEE again in the Spring of 2021. (Hopefully in person!) Brackett Bourne Chaz Fiscella Colin McNulty Jackie D’Antonio Ryan Higman Corey Pender NATIVITY IN BLOOM COMMITTEE Joey D’Antonio Alex Linares Charlie Rizzo Chrissy Carpenter Amy Maxwell Tommy D’Antonio Will McDonnell Eddie Seibolt Patti Doerr Christina Pearson Pat Durkin Steve McLean Tricia Hanley Judith Shaw Janet Hanford 4 ANNUAL REPORT OF GIVING Thank you for empowering students to be their best, providing equity in Notations for Campaigns education, and unlocking the potential of our youth. We couldn’t do it without you! Student Sponsorship Program ~ Annual Fund * We gratefully recognize the following individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations Billy D Classic + for contributions to Nativity Preparatory Academy of Rochester between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. While we have made every effort possible to list all financial and in-kind gifts for Nativity in Bloom # the period noted, we realize that something could be missed.