Anna M. Bell, an instructional staff member at St. Mary’s Center, has been working hard to get her students to lose weight and get into  shape.  The students are participating in our Wellness Program.  As part of the program, students work out every morning, five days a week, on stationary bicycles, treadmills and elllipticals and so far this year have lost a combined weight of 84 pounds.

In addition, students learn about healthy eating and healthy activities. “Our students are quite sedentary and this exercise helps them get their weight under control and improves their  metabolic rate” Bell said. “Student health is important to us.  They are learning that it should be important to them, too”, she said.  Starting in November, The Wellness Program will add voluntary aerobics classes to the schedule.

Pam Duffy, instructional staff member at St. Mary’s Center, conducts expressive art activities.  The activities titled, “Celebrate Your Creative Self”, helps students act upon their artistic inspirations and to joyfully appreciate the creative process.  Students develop skills that allows them to express themselves both internally and externally.

Also part of “Celebrate Your Creative Self” are activities centered on Drama and Dance.  These are designed to give students an opportunity to express themselves through movement and as part of a group. Student art is featured in local art shows and galleries and has been entered in the fine art competition at the Special Olympics.  Students perform dance and drama presentations at community events, nursing homes and special events.

St. Mary’s Center received an F.E.I. Grant from Congress to equip a Computer Learning Center for our students.  The grant provided the furnishings and equipment for 10 computer stations. This has given our students the opportunity to learn basic computer operation skills and to use the computer to learn.

Kelly Meadway, an instructional staff member, works with our students in small groups, to acquire the skills necessary to use a computer and to enjoy the educational and entertainment opportunities available on the computer.

The VFW Post 1170 in Middletown held a Halloween party for our students again this year. I good time was had by all. We’re grateful to the Middletown VFW Post 1170 members for all their hard work and we look forward to next year's party.

Pat Harkleroad, a retired Jefferson County School Teacher, volunteers as a music teacher at St. Mary’s Center.  She teaches the playing of Hand Bells to our students.

During the holiday season, the students perform before many community groups and at nursing homes.  The music is very soothing and quite beautiful.

The student performers feel a sense of accomplishment making such beautiful music and learn the value of teamwork. If you or your group would be interested in hearing our Hand Bell Group perform, call us at 502-244-0082.

Students at St Mary’s practice square dancing in the cafeteria. The students perform during the Dreamweaver Program for supporters and guests each quarter.  Students attend Handicapable Square Dance conventions all over the United States.  We would be happy to square dance for you.  Please call Mary Jo Payne at 254-7298.

  Students at St Mary’s Center participate in a wide variety of sports including  basketball, softball, track and field, golf, swimming, soccer, bocce' and bowling. 
This year we will be adding flag football.  The picture at the left shows our students enjoying bowling with the Kentucky Governor Scholars. Our sports games lead to regional and state tournaments with many fortunate enough to participate in world games.

Every year, students look forward to getting their hands in the soil and preparing it for the growing season here in Louisville.  Our students then plant vegetables in the community garden and tend to them all season long. As the plants grow and begin to produce vegetables, students harvest them and experience the plant growth cycle and understand how much work it takes to farm. Students especially enjoy growing Sunflowers and watching how they follow the sun each day.  Harvesting the sunflower seeds is amazing to most students too.