About CCS » Student Life Text

Student Life Text

Students in grades 1st and 2nd participate in biweekly art lessons.  While exploring a variety of art media, trying new techniques, and introducing a range of artists, students are encouraged to express their creativity and imagination.
 
Students in 4th grade participate in a trimester minicourse where they explore the basic building blocks of art, the Elements of Art, and develop a better understanding of a variety of art media, techniques, and the function of the Elements of Art within various projects and works of art.
 
The Art Program is open to students in grades 5th-8th as an elective.  Students may choose the art elective for one semester only.  An Advanced Art class is offered to students for the entire school year in grades 7th and 8th based on a performance evaluation from the previous year and teacher recommendation.
The focus of the counseling program includes the enhancement of communication among all individuals in our school. The program fosters relationships as a Christian community, helps to improve academic achievement, furthers student self-discipline, and provides guidance for social and emotional growth. Staff members and/or parents can make referrals to the counselors. Students may also visit the counselors on their own. If parents refuse counseling services for the child, they must notify the school in writing.
Cathedral-Carmel School has a fully equipped library which is available to all students and teachers. Students are able to use the wide variety of library materials and resources for study, reference, and enjoyment. Classroom work of the students is closely correlated with the school library, and each student learns proper use of the library and its resources. The library has a certified librarian and a full-time library assistant. The library uses a computerized card catalogue system, and students are able to check out books electronically.
The Accelerated Reading Program is a computerized reading software program that is utilized by students in grades 3rd – 8th. It enables teachers to manage literature-based reading by their students. Accelerated Reader’s main purpose is to motivate students to read more and to become lifelong learners who love to read. The program is also designed to help teachers assess reading comprehension and to aid in diagnosis and intervention. The Accelerated Reading Program has proven to be a successful component in the language arts curriculum and is a fine example of blending technology with literature-based reading.
The French elective is offered to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. French alternates with PE every other day and is one (1) semester in 6th grade and the full year in 7th and 8th grades. To be accepted in the regular 7th grade elective class, students should have had French in 6th grade. Students who participate in the French elective in 7th and 8th grade may receive one World Language credit in high school if they receive a passing grade both years. Further, Accelerated Bilingual class is offered to students who qualify based on academic ability. Those students need not have taken French in 6th grade. The Accelerated Bilingual course consists of a full year combination ELA and French with French I taught in the 7th grade and French II taught in 8th grade. It allows these students to participate in other elective offerings at CCS, including band, drama/speech, and art. It also provides more elective options in high school as their World Language requirements for graduation have been fulfilled.
The Liturgical Choir is made up of talented dedicated singers who volunteer their time and talents to sing for our school's weekly liturgies.  Students in grades 4th-8th are invited and encouraged to join.  If there are a large number of interested singers, auditions will be held, otherwise all are welcome to join.  Rehearsals are held before school on Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning at 7:20 until classes begin.  The choir sings for weekly liturgies and any special event on campus when asked to participate. 
 
Handbell Choir is a mini-course designed to study the art of handbell ringing. Students should have some knowledge of music and must audition to be accepted into the class. The handbell choir is a full-year course and is offered to 8th graders. Handbell choir members perform for special liturgies and special programs on campus throughout the school year. Music class is offered as a semester elective in 7th grade and is a preparatory course for the Handbell Choir.
CCS offers a comprehensive band program for 5th-8th grade students who wish to learn how to play wind and percussion instruments. The Cathedral-Carmel Band has engaged in extraordinary opportunities for music performance. In 2016, the band travelled to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to perform for the 75th anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In 2019, the band travelled to New York City to perform on top of the USS Intrepid. In addition, the band participates in numerous school events and church activities. The CCS band program also includes a handbell ensemble, a percussion ensemble, and numerous chamber wind ensembles. 
The CCS Yearbook is a publication that presents the events and lives of our CCS students, faculty, staff, parents, supporters, and friends during our school year. It is a memory book and a reference book.. While not every event can be covered, the CCS Yearbook strives to record the major ones, as well as the members and activities of most clubs and athletics.
 
For 2021-2022, the Yearbook moderators are Nicole Helo and Kate Mottram. Moderators love getting school event photos from parents! If you have photos you would like to share, please send them to [email protected]

The 2021-2022 CCSYearbook’s title is Noteworthy, and it will be distributed in the Fall of 2022.
Study Skills is a semester elective offered to 5th grade students. This elective is open to any student who is interested in learning strategies and techniques to become an independent learner.
“The Learning Center” is designed to provide academic support for all students. TLC provides the least restrictive environment for meeting students’ individual needs. CCS will not discriminate against any student with a disability when reasonable accommodations can be made to meet our program requirements. Students participating in the program are assessed to determine their individual needs. Scheduling and placement of students in TLC is based upon recommendation by TASK (Teachers Assessing Students’ Knowledge), availability of classes, and the resources of the school.

The following are goals of TLC:
  • To improve basic reading, math, and language arts skills
  • To develop independent learners
  • To improve study skills
  • To assess personal strengths and weaknesses
Tiger Care is our in-house, after-school care program. Participants will receive homework assistance, snacks, and recreational opportunities. Our Tiger Care Program follows the same “code of conduct” as our CCS School-wide Discipline Plan. 
Jr. High students are eligible to participate in the following sports:
  • Football (5th–8th grade)
  • Cheerleading (7th / 8th grade)
  • Golf (5th–8th grade)
  • Baseball (5th–8th grade)
  • Softball (5th–8th grade)
  • Tennis (5th–8th grade)
  • Basketball (6th–8th grade)
  • Volleyball (5th–8th grade)
  • Track (5th–8th grade)
  • Soccer(5th–8th grade)
  • Cross-country (5th–8th grade)
  • Swimming (5th–8th grade)
 
The National Junior Beta Club is an educational organization for junior high school students in grades 6th – 8th. Membership in Beta signifies that “the student is a student of good character and mentality, creditable achievement, and commendable attitude – a student worthy of special recognition because of outstanding attainment and promise.”
Cub Scouts Pack 405 is open to any boy in grades 1st-5th. Cub Scouting focuses on building character, improving physical fitness, teaching practical skillsk, and developing a spirit of community service through fun activities at meetings and campouts. The Cub Scouts meet on the first Tuesday of each month in the CCS cafeteria at 6:00pm.
Quiz Bowl is an academic competition that covers all subject areas. Cathedral-Carmel’s team competes with other 7th and 8th grade students from schools in the Acadiana area.
The CCS Science and Technology Club is organized to provide students with the opportunity to explore science and technology outside of the normal classroom. Meetings provide students with enriching experiences in both the branches of science and new emerging technologies. Club members are provided with hands-on activities using all types of digital resources. CCS Science and Technology Club is open to all students in the 5th through 8th grades.
Student Council is composed of elected representatives in grades 5th – 8th, with 5th graders as non-voting members. The executive 8th grade board is the President, Vice-President, and Secretary/Treasurer.
The Drama Club is open to any student in grades 5th – 8th who is interested acting in plays and learning the fundamentals of acting. The Drama Club students meet before and after school on an as needed basis.
The Library Club helps students develop leadership qualities, as well as provide opportunities to promote the services of the school library and reading celebrations throughout the school year. Membership is open to students in grades 5-8.
The CCS French Club offers students an opportunity to participate in fun, French related activities that will further enhance their appreciation and knowledge of the French language and culture. Membership is open to students in grades 6-8.
The CCS Art Club provides further opportunities for students who love art to expand their creativity in ways not available in the regular art classes. Membership will allow students to explore a variety of unique art making media and techniques, as well as provide the members an opportunity to promote and assist with the Fine Arts Showcase.
The CCS Ambassadors are a select group of students whose purpose is to exhibit leadership and provide service to the school and community. Membership is open to 8th grade students, upon application.
REC Mentors offers students an opportunity to provide assistance, as needed, to the REC students and their teachers. Helping with Special Olympics and various other REC projects fosters an appreciation for the gifts of special needs students.
The CCS Robotics Club is committed to bringing fun in learning through engaging, interactive and hands-on educational-oriented activities designing and building EV3 LEGO robots. Meetings provide students with enriching experiences in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). Our club is team-based where each student is encouraged to participate in the process of design, creation and execution of robotics projects from start to finish. CCS Robotics Club is open to students in grades 6th through 8th.
The 4-H Club is open to 4th-8th grade students. Involvement in 4-H empowers members with the skills needed to lead for a lifetime. It’s a research-based experience that includes a mentor, a hands-on project, and a meaningful leadership opportunity.