School Family Program

Each student in St. Patrick’s Episcopal Day School is a member of a “school family.”  These are small groups of students from many grade levels that are headed by one of the sixth graders.  Each member of the faculty and staff is placed in a “school family” as well.  The “school families” sit together in chapel each Thursday and in other selected events.  Special meetings of “school families” are also scheduled throughout the year, providing opportunities for the students to plan and carry out a special activity, have additional time together and to get to know each other better.  The “school families” program provides opportunities for cross grade level and interaction among all the students and significant leadership opportunities for the sixth graders who head the families.

School Picnic

Each fall the Parents Association sponsors a family picnic to start the new school year.  This gathering provides an informal setting where adults and children can relax, socialize and have fun!

Sports Day

Another annual event that brings parents, faculty, staff and students together is the annual Sports Day.  Typically held each fall, Sports Day offers a half-day of games and physical activities planned and organized by the PE teacher with the sixth grade students.  Every child in the school is assigned to one of several teams comprised of students from all grade levels and led by members of the sixth grade class.  Parent volunteers help plan and set up the activities and provide encouragement of effort and good sportsmanship.

All Creatures Great and Small

In October, the school hosts a Blessing of the animals.  Parents, students and their pets gather on the patio where a great cacophony of barks, meows, squawks and squeaks competes with the opening prayer.  The rector blesses all the dogs, cats, tortoises, snakes, iguanas, guinea pigs, bunnies parrots, birds, fish as well as any stuffed animals in attendance!

Overnight Trips

The Sixth Graders travel to Santa Cruz Island in the Channel Islands for a three-night, four day camping trip.  The class is able to use the Santa Cruz Island Reserve that belongs to UCSB for its land-based activities [hiking, studies in geology, astronomy, the ecosystem, botany].  Water based activities like kayaking and snorkeling are also part of the program.  Students also participate in group building and leadership activities that help them carry out their roles as they oldest students at St. Patrick’s.

The fifth Grade travels to Astrocamp near Idyllwild, California and spends three days and two nights engaged in many science based activities:  Lessons focus on the laws of motion, force, launching rockets; training underwater like astronauts by building satellites in a near weightless environment; experimenting with lights, lasers, magnets and electricity, air pressure and properties of gases.  Students have an opportunity to sample spinning in the gyro-tech, learning to climb rocks, and gaze at the heaves through high powered telescopes. 

The many hands-on activities scheduled in these overnight trips support the science topics studied at each grade level.  Additionally, the time away from campus allows the students opportunities to grow in independence and to strengthen relationships with their classmates and the teachers who accompany them.