Nativity offers many opportunities for our students to develop leadership skills, to be of service to others, and grow the talents and interests God has given them.
Leadership and Service Opportunities We believe there are life-long benefits that come from learning to work selflessly with others for a common goal. These types of opportunities build character and give our students the confidence to be strong role models among their peers. Students in grades K-8 can participate in leadership and service opportunities through the following experiences:
Student Council (Grades 4-8) Each year, every homeroom in grades 4-8 elects a representative and an alternate to serve our school community on our Student Council. Elected representatives assist with service projects and special activities throughout the school year, including weekly coordination of our school-wide recycling program, our Holy Rosary outreach program at Thanksgiving and Christmas, and Catholic Schools Week activities. We are proud of their efforts and appreciate their willingness to serve as leaders our school community.
STAAR Team (Students Teaching Acceptance and Respect; Grade 8) 8th graders on the STAAR Team create and present high-energy, creative, student-driven educational skits, learning activities, and lessons for classrooms upon request. Their presentations appeal to and engage younger students while addressing classroom, playground, and social issues. Examples of STAAR Team activities include teaching playground skills to first graders, presenting age-appropriate assemblies on bullying, implementing activities for Nativity's Bully Prevention Week, and helping put on Nativity's No Name Calling Week. Nativity Social Justice Club (Grades 6-8) The Nativity Social Justice Club (SJC) is a service-oriented group open to all middle school students. The purpose of the SJC is to activate and fulfill a need that young people have to be forces for positive change in their communities and in the world, opening students’ eyes to the needs of people around them and then empowering them to create positive change. Examples of SJC activities include providing support to local after-care programs, tutoring kindergartners in math, packing meals at Feed My Starving Children, serving meals at local organizations, and coordinating clothing and supply drives for local charities. In addition, students are always encouraged to propose their own causes that need volunteers or fundraising efforts.
Scouting Programs
The Cub Scout Program: An educational program for boys in our parish to achieve their full potential by developing self-confidence, leadership, respect for others, and a commitment to service. For more information please contact, Morgan Catlin, Cub Master Pack 9067 at mfcatlin@yahoo.com or 612-987-6462. You can also visit https://pack67stpaul.org.
Kindergarteners Cub Scouts (Lions) - all boys are invited to join. Sign up in the fall.
The Boy Scout Program: Scouting trains for citizenship by instilling the qualities of character, health and strength, handcraft and skill, and service to others. For more information please contact Scoutmaster, Brent Rosenberger (612) 300-5767.
The Girl Scout Program: An educational program for girls in our parish to achieve their full potential by developing self-confidence, leadership, respect for others and a commitment to service. Contact the school office at (651) 699-1311 for more information.
Altar Servers (Grades 6-8) Nativity is blessed to have an extremely active, committed group of altar servers. Altar serving is open to all parish youth who are in 6th grade or older. Students may serve at daily and weekend Masses. This is an excellent way for young parishioners to serve the parish. Fine Arts Opportunities Nativity offers opportunities for students in grades 3-8 to explore musical interests and grow their skills during and outside of school.
Nativity Bands (Grades 4-8) Nativity is proud to have a thriving band program, with strong participation at each grade level. Interested students select an instrument in consultation with the band director. Students participate in small group lessons and full-band rehearsals during the school day, and perform at three band concerts throughout the school year.
Students in grades 6-8 may also join Jazz Band. Jazz Band is an ensemble that learns jazz and pop tunes to perform at the band concerts and other community events throughout the school year. The Jazz Band rehearses before school on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30-8:00 AM.
Nativity Youth Choir (Grades 3-5) The Choir offers young parishioners in grades 3rd-8th an opportunity to share their gift of music with our parish community. The Nativity Parish Youth Choir participates in a number of liturgical celebrations throughout the year. The choir practices are once a week during the school year after school in the choir room. The choir is directed by Mr. Brian Carson.
Liturgical Choir (Grades 6-8) Nativity School offers a liturgical choir for middle school students who are interested in further developing their musical skills. The Liturgical Choir director is Mrs. Cassie Kratt. This choir meets during the school day. The students have the opportunity to learn some beautiful music and lead our school in sung worship at all-school liturgies. This choir is a wonderful addition to our fine arts program. STEM Opportunities Robotics (Grades 5-6) Nativity offers a LEGO League Challenge Robotics Team for students in grades 5-6. Students meet weekly in the fall to design, build, and program a LEGO robot to complete a variety of tasks. They also research and design a solution to an innovation project. The season culminates in an all-day robotics competition where the students present their innovation project, communicate the goals they achieved, share challenges they overcame during the season, and compete against other schools in a robot game showdown.