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csw 2010

Thank You  Lauren Dietz, 1999 graduate of St. Francis for sharing her experiences at Mass last year (1/25/09).
 Good morning.  My name is Lauren Dietz, and I graduated ten years ago in St. Francis’s class of 1999.  My education began at St. Francis in 1988 when I attended its pre-k 3 program and ended eleven years later.  However, the values and lessons learned while attending St. Francis continued with me throughout my life, both inside and outside of the educational setting.  I am proud to say that I will be attending George Washington University to earn and receive my masters to become a Physician Assistant this August, and I attribute this accomplishment to everything St. Francis offered to me.  Throughout my eleven years, I was surrounded by teachers that took a genuine interest in my growth as a person.  They pushed us to succeed, set high goals and supported us one hundred percent.  If we ever needed extra help with our studies or just needed to talk, the teachers at St. Francis were always there and truly went above and beyond the call of duty.  They showed us discipline, compassion, respect and integrity by demonstrating these qualities themselves.  St. Francis of Assisi School instill within their students the building blocks to succeed in life, and for this, I am ever so grateful to St. Francis. My love to learn and grow emotionally, intellectually and spiritually as a person, my desire to challenge myself and set high goals to achieve, and my need to be surrounded by a supporting, loving community of family and friends is because of St. Francis.  Now more than ever, the students of St. Francis of Assisi School can benefit from the experience and knowledge of the teachers that I had starting twenty years ago, from the innovative ideas and enthusiasm of the new teachers hired, and especially from the vivacity and passion Mrs. LaGuardia demonstrates.  I am forever thankful for investing those years at St. Francis School and for St. Francis investing its time, tools and effort in me. 
 
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2010
Date: January 31 - February 6, 2010

·        What is Catholic Schools Week?

Catholic Schools Week is an annual national celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country play in providing a values-added education for America's young people. Catholic schools are proud of their educational network that emphasizes intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical, and social values in their students.  Catholic Schools Week is a key part of the yearlong National Marketing Campaign For Catholic Schools.

 

·        What is the theme of CSW?

 Catholic Schools - Dividends for Life 

·        What does Catholic Schools Week celebrate?

Catholic Schools Week celebrates education that goes beyond preparation for a secular life ─ it is education that prepares students for a Christian life. CSW also celebrates the high standards of excellence and the quality of the education available to all students in Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the U.S.

 

·        What is the purpose of the Catholic Schools Week celebration?

The purpose of Catholic Schools Week is to build community awareness of, and involvement in, Catholic schools throughout the country. During this week, many dioceses and schools encourage parents to take full advantage of the benefits of local Catholic schools by enrolling their children in those schools. CSW also is an occasion for schools to interest citizens in volunteering their time and talents to the local Catholic schools.

 

·        Who sponsors Catholic Schools Week?

Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (USCCB).  Individual dioceses and local Catholic elementary and secondary schools develop and promote their own CSW activities each year.

 

·        How long has Catholic Schools Week been around?

The Catholic Schools Week celebration became an annual event in 1974.  The first national Catholic Schools Week slogan was "Different Where It Counts‑‑Message, Community, Service."

 
 

Catholic Schools Celebrate Service

January 25-31, 2009

CHECK US OUT

Are you considering sending your child to St. Francis?  To help with your decision, come meet the teachers, observe the classroom setting, and sense our warm and friendly school setting.  During Catholic Schools Week we have classroom visitations on Wednesday, January 30th at 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m. and Thursday, January 31st from 1:15 p.m.-2:15 p.m.  We offer a comprehensive curriculum including:  Reading/Literature, Math, Religion, Science, Social Studies, Computer, Music, Library, Art, Gym, and Spanish in all grade levels.  We also pride ourselves in the following:

In addition to a strong program in the "basics," as well as challenging programs for gifted students, at St. Francis, we add the significant "plus" of religious, moral, and spiritual development.

Standardized test scores and a college acceptance rate of over 80% for all Catholic School students reflect that our students are self-disciplined, self-motivated, responsible, and creative.

In Catholic Schools there is a mutual respect that exists among students, faculty, and administrators, which generates an atmosphere of care and concern.

We would love for you to become a part of our St. Francis

 

Why Choose ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI SCHOOL?

Our school families have chosen St. Francis of Assisi School to protect their children from an ever-expanding global environment that keeps children from being children. 

●   Our School places the health, safety, and welfare of children as it’s first priority.

●   Our school children learn the skills of academia, spirituality, and discipline from  highly-qualified teachers who challenge the students to perform at their highest levels.

●   Educational skills are taught early so that each student is well-prepared to meet the rigors of any high school setting with confidence. 

●   New Jersey core curriculum standards are infused into the appropriate grade levels. 

●   Religion, spirituality, morals, and ethics are a part of all learning experiences. CCD - religious instruction - is given during school. 

●   Our students wear uniforms so that ever-changing clothing styles are not a distraction to the learning process. 

●   Parents are encouraged to be part of their children’s education.  Parents have access to student’s grades through “Power School Online”.  

●   New, safe playground. 

●   Community Service is encouraged.  We offer a “total package” beyond what public education can provide

 

Why should I send my children to a Catholic school?

As a parent, you want the best education for your child, not only in terms of academics but also an environment where he or she will grow in and practice the Catholic faith, and excel to the fullest of his or her potential. While you have many alternatives and choices to meet these goals, a Catholic school education offers the "fullest and best opportunity to realize the fourfold purpose of Christian education, namely to provide an atmosphere in which the Gospel message is proclaimed, community in Christ is experienced, service to our sisters and brothers is the norm, and thanksgiving and worship of God is cultivated." (Renewing Our Commitment, 2005)

What makes Catholic Schools unique?

Christ-centered quality education
Catholic schools integrate our faith and Gospel values into every part of the educational experience, whether a student is in the classroom, on the athletic field, or in the chapel. A student learns to think and act according to the mind and heart of Jesus Christ.

Dedicated administrators, teachers and staff
While parents are the primary educators of their children, Catholic schools provide a "second home" in a collaborative community of parents and educators, where morals and values are supported and complemented by those who serve as role models in the faith. Many Catholic school alumni share lifelong memories and relationships with those persons who taught, coached or simply encouraged them with a kind word or smile.

High academic standards
Catholic school students are encouraged and challenged to achieve their fullest potential as individuals.

Well-rounded curriculum
Catholic schools educate the "whole" child – mind, body, and soul. Through a solid academic core, variety of extracurricular offerings and opportunities to worship and practice the faith, students are given the tools to build a strong foundation for life and become contributing members of their community and Church.

Safe and structured learning environment
Students learn best in an atmosphere where they feel safe, valued, and cared for. Catholic schools set high standards for student behavior and appearance, which fosters self-discipline, confidence, responsibility, and respect for all persons.

 

 

Catholic Schools Week is a celebration of the commitment to Catholic school
education from the entire school and parish community.  From the great
support of our pastor, Father Lance to our staff, students, parents, and
parishioners- we are truly blessed.  I would like to share the heartfelt
words of one of our parents on the significance a Catholic School education
has on the life of a child and family!

Thank You, Mrs., LaGuardia
 

 "Many years ago, long before I had children or was even married, I put to my father the very question that vexes many Catholic parents today: Why did you send all of us to Catholic School?

 

You see, I was one of seven children.  My father was an electrician who worked six days a week getting up at a most ridiculous hour only to come home exhausted.  Seven children: all who attended Catholic grammar schools, all who attended Catholic High Schools.  That’s quite a feat, and quite an expense.

 

My father took some time to think and then he replied in a very measured tone “I want you in a school where the parents of the other students are like-minded to me”. 

 

Of course, I didn’t understand (nor expect) that sort of answer.  I expected to hear him speak about the importance of strengthening my faith, about discipline (which apparently I was much in need of), about the Godlessness of society and its alluring power over an impressionable mind.  But he didn’t speak of those things.  And I didn’t get it.

 

Then, many years later, there arrived a defining moment in my life.  My daughter Shannon was to enter Kindergarten and Kate and I had a decision to make.    Where would she go to school? 

 

We discussed the issue at length.  Our talk ranged from spiritual concerns, to financial concerns, to safety concerns, and back again to financial concerns.  We talked about the things we saw happening in public schools throughout the country; the gradual but persistent efforts to remove God from the classroom, the lack of discipline, the offensive attitude of an “entitled” youth, even scary things like underage drinking, teen pregnancy and sex-education classes for grade-schoolers.  Realizing we wanted to put some space between Shannon and those influences, we sent her to St. Francis.

 

Five years later, Shannon is in the fourth grade and she has been joined by her brother, Liam who is in first grade.  They are doing well.  Good grades, well behaved (generally), and with a growing faith in God.  But having been put to the task of answering “Why I send them here”, I find myself thinking about those people who surround them day after day.  I think of young Bradley Thomas, the nicest little boy you could meet.  Who when Liam goes to his house to play, has two parents that insist on prayers before dinner, who set example to their children through service to the Church and community, and who are their children’s parents….and not their buddies.  I think of Christina Cruz, whom Shannon frequently plays with and whose parents Ralph and Rosanne give of their lives so much to the Church and School that it boggles the mind. 

 

You see, Shannon and Liam spend far more time at school surrounded by children like Bradley and Christina than they do with me or Katie.  And while the lay and religious educators endeavor to impart the meaning of “walking the path of Christ” through classroom instruction, it is their peers that instruct that message through example.  An example that is presented to those children through the actions of their parents. 

 

In the end I realize: I send my children to St. Francis because the parents of children like Bradley and Christina, (Ralph and Roseanne, Jim and Dana), are like-minded to me.  All those concerns of mine, those reasons I expected to hear from my father (like the moral clarity to do what is right, the importance of self-sacrifice to others, the very meaning of love), is present at St. Francis in both words and action, from faculty and students.

 

 There is a joke about a young man of 20 who thinks his father is a fool, but when that man reaches his 30’s he’s astounded to see how wise his father got in such a short time.  So if you ask me why I send my children to St. Francis I’ll chuckle to myself and think “thanks Dad for getting so wise so fast”.  But to you I say this, “If you desire to have the “living message” of Christ’s example set before your child each and every day, if you long for an environment where that message is reinforced at home, if you hope to meet faithful Catholic parents who are like-minded to you, you will find all this and more at St. Francis of Assisi school.

 

I thank you for your time, and to Fr. Lance and Mrs. LaGuardia for allowing me to speak today.  God bless you and your families.  And may God bless St. Francis of Assisi School, its teachers, students and dedicated parents.  Have a wonderful Sunday."    - Bill Matier