The Courier, February 2013 - 7
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS
Meet Our Catholic Schools Rochester Catholic Schools
by Michael Brennan, RCS Director of Schools
As a unified system of schools, Rochester Catholic Schools (RCS) provides quality Catholic education to nearly 1,800 students living in the greater Rochester area. Comprised of three elementary schools and one high school - Holy Spirit, St. Francis and St. John the Evangelist/St. Pius X, and Lourdes High School - RCS promotes faith formation, academic excellence and service learning experiences for all students. Delivering quality instruction of challenging curriculum, maintaining high expectations for students and faculty, and providing an inclusive, nurturing environment, Rochester Catholic Schools is committed to preparing students for success in leading Christian adult lives. From preschool to high school, Rochester Catholic Schools seeks to inspire student creativity and transform interests into passions. Embracing a holistic approach to education, RCS provides students through co-curricular and extra-curricular activities such as music, drama, athletics and art, mentor and leadership opportunities to grow in areas beyond traditional academic disciplines. Art
instruction encompasses age-appropriate concepts of color, line, shape, texture and skill, using a variety of art media. The K-8 music program is considered one of the greatest assets offered to the entire Rochester community. The Music Department at Lourdes High School consistently earns state-wide awards for their Marching Band, Drum Line and Choral performances. Each school in the RCS system offers opportunities for participation in theatre and dramatic arts, including the production of an annual musical or play at all levels, both elementary and high school. Additionally, opportunities for structured physical education and health classes, coupled by school athletic teams, allow students to acquire the necessary tools for remaining active and healthy into adulthood. RCS promotes not only exceptional athletic achievement, but equally important sportsmanship, character, integrity and personal growth. By maximizing shared resources RCS is able to offer quality instruction and support academic success for every student – meeting them where they are at and working in collabora-
tion with school and home to bring about their full potential. Students consistently demonstrate high levels of academic achievement in standardized test scores and a wide array of academic benchmarks. Rochester Catholic Schools is proud to be able to offer world language instruction in Spanish and French for students in kindergarten through grade 12. Latin is also an option for students at Lourdes. At the high school level students have the opportunity to earn college credit with successful scores on numerous Advanced Placement (AP) course exams as well as through Post Secondary Enrollment Offerings (PSEO) with partnering institutions of higher education. Additionally, RCS is committed to developing its technology infrastructure and providing opportunities to enhance curriculum instruction through this rapidly evolving medium. Rochester Catholic Schools strives to help students develop their unique God-given gifts and talents. This process begins with a sustained commitment to educate children in the Catholic faith. All students participate in religion instruction, liturgical celebra-
National Catholic Schools Week Jan. 27 - Feb. 2 theme:
Catholic Schools Raise the Standards
We will feature only some photos and stories in this issue and more in the March issue of The Courier.
Winona Area Catholic Schools
Crucixion Elementary, submitted by Lori Datta La Crescent We started out Catholic Schools Week with Mass on Sunday. All the readings, petitions, offertory, and singing were student led. On Monday, even though we had a late start, we had our Bible Bowl and Crazy Hair Day. Students compete in teams to win the school Bible Bowl, and as individuals to represent Crucifixion School at the Bible Bowl hosted by Aquinas.
The Office of
Catholic Education Marsha Stenzel Director
tions, mstenzel@dow. stuorg dent retreats, and service initiatives. Religious instruction encompasses the study, knowledge and pursuit of God through Scripture, service, worship and prayer. Students attend weekly Mass and participate in service learning experiences at all grade levels. RCS is committed to forming and strengthening each student’s relationship with Jesus Christ and seeks to provide an authentically Catholic educational experience where students learn, love and live their faith in service to others. RCS is excited to be in the final stages of construction of it new Lourdes High School. The new stateof-the-art facility that will open in the fall of 2013 will increase capacity for student enrollment as well as the opportunity for more families to experience all that makes Rochester Catholic Schools a place where God is known, loved and served. For more information about RCS please contact the Director of Schools Office at 507218-3028, or visit the system’s website at www.rochestercatholicschools.org.
February Speaking Schedule for The Office of Evangelization & Apologetics Raymond de Souza Director rdesouza@dow.org
All talks begin at 7 p.m. sharp! following parishes in February (all talks start at 7:00 pm - sharp!): 1. Tues. 5: St Charles, St Charles 2. Thurs. 14: St James coffee Shop 3. Fri. 15: St Rose of Lima, Lewiston 4. Tues. 19: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona. 5. Thurs. 21: St Rose of Lima, Lewiston 6. Wed. 27: St Bernard, Stewartville 7. Thurs. 28: St Rose of Lima, Lewiston 8. Wed. the 6th, 13th, & 20th he will address the IHM Seminarians.
Wasaka, an American bald eagle,visited students at the Winona Area Catholic Schools during Catholic Schools Week. the event brought Wasaka and National Eagle Center guides Jennifer and Katie to the school to share information about eagle biology,ecology and physiology. All WACS students in preschool through grade six participated in this event. Catholic School Week began with opening Mass (above). Students participate in our Bible Bowl (left) and a couple students are showing off their Crazy Hair (below).
In March: Thurs. 14: St James Coffee Shop Fri. 15: St Rose of Lima, Lewiston Sun. 17: St Mary, Houston Tues. 19: Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Winona Wed. 20: St Charles, St Charles There are still days available for March. Other parishes interested in booking talks on Apologetics for the Year of Faith are invited to contact Mr. Raymond de Souza at (507) 8581265 or RdeSouza@DOW.org.