Colorful Greetings!!!
               My name is Lonie Yuschik and I feel honored and blessed to be part of the St. Matthias family. I have taught art in Catholic Education for 22 years. Prior to becoming an art teacher , I was a fashion designer in New York City, designing prints on clothing and home furnishings items, in the textile industry.
.                Art has always been my passion and I am appreciative that I have been given the opportunity to share my creative talents with your children. I look forward to bringing out the creativity of each and every student at St. Matthias School.
               I love baking ,gardening, bicycle riding and day-tripping. One of my favorite places to travel is Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket. I love the landscape of the area, the windmills and of course ,all the Cape Cod arts!!
              Looking forward to a creative year at St. Matthias School in 2022-2023.
                                                                           Colorful Blessings,
   Email...lyuschik@stmatthiasnj.org                         Lonie Yuschik                                                    
October 2022
       The students at St. Matthias worked very deligently during September and October to create artistic projects for the Halloween season, as well as harvest time. Their creative efforts did not go unnoticed and their projects decorated the artroom hallways  for Halloween and will do the same for the Thanksgiving season. The projects are as follows....
        Pk3- Halloween Kitty Cats (using recycled materials)
        Pk4- Jack 'o' Lantern Buddies (using recycled materials)
        K-  Halloween Cats ( using recycled materials)
        Grade 1A- Frankenstein
        Grade 1B- Witch Portrait
        Grade 2- Van Gogh Inspired Sunflowers
        Grade 3-Pumpkin Landscapes
        Grade 4- Count Dracula
        Grade 5A /5B- Decorative Lettering Inspired by Manuscript 
         Lettering
        Grade 6A- Charcoal Still Life
        Grade 6B-  Still Life of Colors
        Grade 7A- Dreamcatchers
        Grade 7B- Native American Pottery
        Grade 8A/8B- Harvest Drawing ( Graphite Pencil or Color)

        Aside from their class project, the students in 4th grade are creating an idea for the 4th Grade Folder Contest. They need to think of an anti- drug message and create an image that represent their theme. They have developed some outstanding ideas and we hope someone's idea will attract the attention of the contest judges! Most students have an idea and will begin to outline and color in because the deadline is fast approaching!!
       The art classes Grade 1 to Grade 8 will be creating ideas for the "Keep Christ in Christmas " art contest. All students will be working on their idea in art class, of what that saying means to them. They can create a picture of the Holy Family, Mary with Baby Jesus or Baby Jesus with the animals. Their creativity is unbelievable with their first sketches!! The best is yet to come!!
       Please encourage your child in the Arts. They can always practice drawing at home and coloring in one direction. Art has a connection to math, science as well as to language arts. By continuously drawing and creating, their skills in art will become better and better over time. Please be patient. Have a colorful month ahead and wishes for a season of whatever you are wishing for!! Blessings.

December 2022....the students of St Matthias have dedicated their time in art, in creating artwork for the Keep Christ in Christmas art contest. We had many creative ideas and they have been submitted
to the Knights of Columbus for judging and we are awaiting their decisions.
                The artwork for the Fourth Grade Folder Contest has also been submitted and we are awaiting their decision. So many creative ideas were developed by our students around an anti-drug theme. We hope we are blessed with winners...we all did our very best!!
               In January, students will continue to create an idea for next year's Christmas card contest for the Basilica in Washington,D.C. I know many beautiful ideas will be created. Students will also be creating an idea for the Respect for Life Art Contest that is centered around a quote of Mother Teresa. After they choose a quote,they will create an image that expresses their quote. 
                 Aside from the contests ,we will also be trying to create a class project related to the winter theme or Valentine's Day. I am looking forward to their creativity in the New Year. Wishing all a blessed New Year.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!!!
Keep Christ in Christmas Poster Contest Winners
Grades K-2...Winner Camila Mosquera...2nd Place Lilenna Alexis

Grades 3-5...Winner Colby Lewinski...2nd Place Shannon Garlatti

Grades 6-8...Winner ...Juliet Albanese...2nd Place Isabella Matusalem
      
Their winning posters were sent to compete in the next level of this contest. Thank you for all your hard work ! I thank all who participated in this contest.Remember... you need to be in it to win it!!!