August 2025

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to St. Rita Catholic School for the 2025-2026 school year! We hope that the pages in the Handbook for Students and Parents will provide you with an understanding of the mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures followed at our school. 

We ask all students and parents to carefully read and review all sections of the Handbook. The Handbook also contains a Parent’s Covenant of Ethics and Conduct, drafted by the Mission Effectiveness Committee of the Advisory Council in conjunction with parents and teachers. As parents, you are the primary educators of your children, and we know that you chose to send your children to St. Rita because we share the same values. This covenant is intended as a visual confirmation of those shared values. 

Please acknowledge that you have read this Handbook by signing through the Magnus portal for each child. The Handbook is available electronically for your reference throughout the year. Please know that we may make amendments throughout the year. 

I pray that you will join me, Father Josh, the faculty, and the staff as we evangelize the glory of God and strive for excellence in Catholic education. 

Our scripture theme this year is  "Rejoice in hope" - Romans 12:12. As we begin another school year, we hope all will remember this in our pursuit of service and leadership.

Thank you for your commitment to the St. Rita Community. 

We Are St Rita! 

Sincerely in Christ, 

Dr. Lara Henderson, Ed.D, MLA, BS EDCI

Principal

Mr. Michael Wixted, M.Ed., M.A. EdL., MBA

President

Rev. Josh Whitfield 

Pastoral Administrator 

Mrs. Nancy Russell 

Advisory Council President

How To Use This Site:

• All major sections of the Handbook can be found using the sidebar.

• If you are looking for specific information, be welcome to use the search feature in the top right corner.

• CSO stands for the Catholic Schools Office of the Diocese of Dallas. 

• Please be sure to digitally sign off on Magnus on/or before August 20, 2025.