17 STE students in grades 4-8 experienced the real-life struggle of a professional animator and were engaged in problem solving toward solutions during a 4-day stop motion animation camp in the STE STEAM Lab!

Daily challenges were designed to use any and all pieces to create a "story" then animate it.
Students developed their storyboards and scripts, put the figures into action, and then added sound effects to their final videos. Many were quite elaborate and the sound effects were super fun!
 
They learned how to create more fluid transitions and to slow down or speed up the frames to create a natural movement effect.
 
We looked at some awesome examples to get the idea and expectations. And, we learned about hte different professional opportunities in the animation world, as well as some "animation" vocabulary.
 
Storyboarding is critical and this is a difficult concept. Students continued to complete the storyboard development and frame drawings with what happens at each "frame."
 
By all accounts the camp was an enjoyable learning experience for St. Elizabeth students. They impressed all of us by how quickly they all picked up the skills of the application. These skills learned will be valuable as they use the tools and resources in their school work, or just for fun!
 
There are other resources for stop action videos; this is the one used during camp.
Stop Motion Studio Pro

The March St. Elizabeth School Student trip to El Salvador was a resounding success. Click here to read the history of the El Salvadoran relationship with St. Elizabeth Parish and School.

Several years ago, the St. Elizabeth Parish El Salvador Ministry began talking about a student trip to El Salvador.  The trip and relationship would be beneficial for both the Salvadoran students and the St. E’s students, but the struggle was with the logistics.   For example:

Who would be the students most interested in going?
Who would accompany them?
When would be the best time to go?

With the help of several of the St. E’s school teachers, it was decided that the target audience was 7th and 8th graders, with parents and grandparents accompanying them.  And the best time to do it would be spring break.  Jackie O’Brien and Anne Ira organized and led the trip, and, by all accounts, it was a huge success.  

Upon their return the St Elizabeth’s Youth Trip group did a great job raising $1,300 for school supplies for the school in Palo Grande / Suchitoto (target goal was $1,000).

"Una Familia" t-shirts are for sale through St Elizabeth’s School. For every t-shirt purchased locally, a student in El Salvador receives the t-shirt.
To order call Matt Prusa at 913-219-4840 or email mprusa@gmail.com.
VENMO PAYMENTS TO: @Matt-Prusa

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: St. Elizabeth Church (El Salvador T-Shirt in the memo line) 

Please consider contributing to Palo Grande Grade School. Send a check payable to St. Elizabeth El Salvador Ministry with “Palo Grande Grade School” in the memo line.

St. Elizabeth
2 E 75th Street
Kansas City, MO 64114
Attn: Vicky Kinney

St. Elizabeth School is excited about the next youth trip March 8-15, 2024. 

Testimonials:
Isaac F.
The trip we took was extremely powerful. There were so many grateful people, and everyone was extremely kind. We worked together to help paint a mural, and it was a great activity to get to know the El Salvadorian people. We did many museums which weren't super interesting for the kids. but I could tell that some parents were really into it. My favorite part of the trip was when we climbed the volcano with the scholarship students. This was the time when we got the know them and truly had so much fun trying to communicate with them. I overall had a great time and would totally recommend it to other people.

Jude S.
I think that the trip was very valuable. I learned a lot about their culture and the conditions that they live in. They do not have nearly as much as we do but are still so happy. I love that they are happy about the slightest of things and are always smiling. I liked playing a soccer game with them. It also makes me want to help other people who have less than me. It makes me not want to complain about anything again. I wish that I could go back and visit my friends again in later years.

Stephanie S.
The El Salvador trip was wonderful! 
We spent a lot of time visiting the different communities and learning about their history. The people there were so incredibly gracious and welcoming! It was really fabulous watching as the students were able to make connections with new friends despite their language barriers. 

​Thank you to our St. Elizabeth Community in supporting inclusive education and helping keep the FIREBall Cup!

Congratulations to the reigning champs, St Elizabeth, for coming in as the Big Cheese in 1st place! Making the biggest jump and selling over 1000 more tickets than last year, are the 2nd place Hotsy Totsy winners at St Therese! The difference between these 2 schools was only 13 tickets! Also Putting on the Ritz and making a swanky run over last year are the 3rd place winners at St Peters! Our Lady of Presentation are the Bee's Knees, coming in at 4th place! St Michael the Archangel is the Cat's Meow coming in at 5th place!

Funds raised in the FIREBall Raffle Cup Contest, along with the FIREBall Auction event on Saturday, October 10, support FIRE Foundation's mission of inclusive education and allow us to offer a place for all learners in our community. We all care so much for each other and it shows! 

This weekend, our 3rd graders will be receiving their First Holy Communion with Fr. Greg. Because of the current COVID-19 mandates and our safety protocols, the first group will be celebrating this afternoon while the second group will receive tomorrow afternoon, August 30.
After 4+ months, they are more than ready to join our congregation at the table!
Please join us in congratulations and keep this group of young people in your prayers.

Today we welcomed our K-8 students both in-person and online. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this day possible. Please keep our students, teachers, staff, and families in your prayers for a healthy and safe school year. Go Irish!

As they prepare to welcome back our students next week the 8th-grade teachers took some time to reminisce with this sweatshirt gallery. These are the class sweatshirts from the STE Class of 2006 through, our most recent graduates, the STE Class of 2020. Just like each class, each shirt is unique and memorable and represents the past, present, and future of STE.
What will the Class of 2021 choose to represent their 8th-grade year?

St. Elizabeth students received assistive technology through a FIRE educational grant.
​
Congratulations to Claire, Class of 2023!  Claire is the recipient of a technology grant from FIRE and received an e-reader pen.  Looks like she's already using it with a good novel!

​Congratulations to Jacob, Class of 2023! Jacob is the recipient of a technology grant from FIRE and received a Chromebook. He is very happy and uses his device for all his learning!