The Daily Nonpareil
Sunday, January 25, 2015 5F
St. Albert’s pillars reflected by students Scott Stewart sstewart@nonpareilonline.com
Four pillars metaphorically hold up St. Albert Catholic Schools. To the three aspects highlighted by Catholic Schools Week – Faith (St. Albert says Spirituality), Knowledge (Academics) and Service (Community) – the Council Bluffs school also adds Enrichment, a variety of opportunities to grow through extracurricular activities and opportunities beyond the core curriculum. Literally holding up the school are those who make up its community. Educators and staff who keep the school day running, along with parents, clergy, parish members and others who contribute in their various ways. And students like senior Kelsey Fagan, junior
Rachael Gronstal, senior Manny Onate and junior Travis Miller, who are the raison d’être for St. Albert and future alumni who will continue to back the school’s programs. Fagan said she is one of three students who took Advanced Placement American literature, which was offered through assigned readings and discussion posts online as well as a test at the end of the semester, instead of requiring the students to travel to Iowa Western Community College. “The size really affects it because you get more interaction with your other students and with your teacher,” she said. “I also like how we have professors here who are able to teach the subjects instead of us going to Iowa Western and coming back to school.” She said one of her extracurricular activities – playing the Sour Kangaroo in the 2014 production of “Seussical the Musical” – have her confidence and is something she wants to continue in college. “It just really gets you to be more self confident,” Fagan said. “That feeling of accomplishment is really nice.”
Gronstal, the junior class president, said the school’s culture makes a difference, especially since almost everyone is involved in activities. “I like that everyone knows who everyone is,” she said. “You’ll know everyone, and they’ll know you.” She said she took two religion classes last semester, which was initially a shock but ended up being a benefit for her faith. “It was nice getting different teachers perspectives,” Gronstal said. “The teachers are closer to you, and you build a better relationship with your teachers, so you can relate to them better than you can a priest.” Onate said St. Albert offers a lot of personalized learning and opportunities, including participating in concert choir, plays and musicals. “I’m leaning toward going into the theater arts, performance for theater,” he said. “The one on one time is very beneficial.” St. Albert offers enough activities that any student can find a way to become involved, even if they are shy at first. He said the community service requirements also teach you about volunteering. “It does feel good to
Staff photo/Joe Shearer From left, St. Albert students Kelsey Fagan, Rachael Gronstal, Manny Onate, and Travis Miller pose for a portrait next to the school’s St. Albert statue on Jan. 8.
give back, so you start giving back of your own will,” Onate said. “There is a ton of leadership opportunities available and various activities. Developing those skills while you’re still in high school is just pivotal and growing. It prepares you to be a leader.” Miller said he finds lessons at St. Albert fun because the faculty enjoy what they teaching. He said he transferred from Treynor in fifth grade. “It’s fun to learn when your teachers enjoy what you’re doing,” he said. “One of the most important things was being able to talk about God in a classroom.” Although he’s not Catholic, the junior –
who is at the top of his class and who has taken several Advanced Placement classes already – said he has learned a lot about his Christian faith. “I have been able to learn a lot more about what I believe in,” Miller said. His favorite aspect of St. Albert, though, is its environment, which he summed up in one word: “Friendliness.”
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Cradle to College, all on one Campus
The Daily Nonpareil
6F Sunday, January 25, 2015
ACADEMICS
• Top ACT Scores. For the past three years, the top 10% of our senior class has earned an average ACT score of 31. Traditionally, Saint Albert has a 99% graduation rate with over 90% of graduates pursuing higher education (10 year average). • Enhanced K-12th Grade Technology and Engineering Courses. From the Robotics Lego League and advanced math opportunities in elementary, to new engineering and advanced placement courses in junior high, to the Principles of Engineering and Saint Albert 2.0 in high school, Saint Albert provides greater variety and challenges in these areas of study. • Preparation for College. Saint Albert offers 34 advanced, honors, college credit and AP courses: 6 English courses; 9 Math courses; 1 Religion course; 5 Science & Engineering courses; 5 Social Studies courses; and 8 Foreign Language courses.
COMMUNITY • 3rd Annual Community Involvement Day. A service day where our students and faculty provide 1,500 hours of service to our parishes, local community, and the elderly in over 20 different locations in Southwest Iowa. • Luke 10 Program. An innovative program that teaches our students how to help one another in bullying situations by referencing the Gospel of Luke and the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program (OBPP). • World Mission Project. A 17 year tradition, this year-long project includes a student service trip to a global location, such as the Dominican Republic, to provide service work, assist families in need, and grow in their faith.
SPIRITUALITY
• Spiritual & Service Retreats. Students in 4-12th grade attend annual spiritual retreats. Students in grades 10-12th can also apply to participate in additional retreats, such as the student-led KAIROS retreat. 28 students and faculty members participated in KAIROS 4 this fall. • Faith Formation Committee. A committee, whose purpose is determining how best to grow our students’ faith, focuses on increasing student and parent Mass attendance, Reconciliation opportunities, and providing more religious opportunities for our students, such as the March for Life event in Washington, D.C. • Weekly Mass and Parish Presence. Our students attend weekly Mass celebrated by our supporting parish priests. Additionally, our school’s Chaplain, Fr. Parker, and Senior Chaplain, Fr. Monahan, hold regular office hours for our students.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS
• Over 40 Enrichment and Extracurricular Activities. From K-12th grade, Saint Albert offers enrichment opportunities including Science Bowl, Robotics Lego League, History Day, Battle of the Book, Leadership Programs, and many more, to engage students in heart, mind, and body. • Award-winning Programs. In addition to athletic state championships and appearances, Saint Albert has qualified for state in Robotics Lego League, Individual/Group Speech, History Day, Destination Imagination, Journalism. • Active Student Body. More than 90% of our students participate in one or more enrichment programs per year.
“Here at Saint Albert, my faith grows more and more each day by the Masses on Fridays and how we are kind and respectful towards others,”
When I volunteered for the Honor Flight, I learned more about the Korean culture from the stories the veterans shared with us,”
Asha, 6th grader.
Megan, 10th grader.
l The Daily Nonpareil
SAINT ALBERT PROVIDES: •Better learning environment
“Saint Albert provides a safe and nurturing environment where success is expected, dreams are encouraged, faith is cultivated, and individualism is fostered,” Emily (Fischer) Glaser (’00), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist at UNMC.
•Excellent education
“Our Catholic education is one of the finest gifts we received from our parents, who believed the value of our education far exceeded the monetary cost. They received valuable assistance from Saint Albert in preparing us physically, spiritually, academically, and socially for higher education and life beyond,” Chad Graeve (’92), Natural Resource Specialist at Hitchcock Nature Center.
• Smaller class sizes and more individualized attention “At Saint Albert, with small class sizes and the great teachers we have, they are really dedicated to making sure each student understands the lessons,” Peter Jacobsen (’13), Undergraduate Student at Southeast Missouri State University.
• Religious education
“Over its 50 years, Saint Albert has consistently provided a rich tradition of teaching and living the Catholic faith across the spectrum; from core academics to athletics and the arts, from religious education courses to career readiness, and from community involvement to parent involvement,” Marty Shudak (’82), Director of Assessment and Data Management for CBCS.
• Better preparation for college
“As a student, I felt well prepared academically and spiritually for the rigors of collegiate life. As a parent, I felt blessed to be able to provide my son with an education that combined college preparatory academics with the opportunity to learn in a Christ-centered environment,” Ellen Rallis (’78), Elementary Teacher at Saint Albert.
Sunday, January 25, 2015 7F
The Daily Nonpareil
8F Sunday, January 25, 2015
You are cordially invited
2015 Saint Albert Benefit Auction Cheers to 50 Years!
2015 Catholic Schools Week Activities January 25
• Students participate in Mass at our school’s supporting parishes • Open House 2:00-4:00 pm, 400 Gleason Ave
January 26
• Parent/Grandparent Luncheon (Pre-K 4 - 3rd grade) • Students write thank you notes to the Foundation Board, Priests, Area Board, and SA Ambassadors
January 27
• #SA_Day: Celebrate All Things Saint Albert • Parent/Grandparent luncheon (4th - 6th grade) • High School Choir sings the National Anthem at Girls Basketball Game, 7:30 pm
January 28
• Parent/Grandparent Luncheon (7th – 12th grade)
January 29
• All School Mass celebrated by Bishop Pates, 9:30 am • Seniors serve as elementary classroom aides
January 30
• Green and Gold Spirit Day • Ice Cream Social
April 25, 2015
Mid America Center, Council Bluffs Dinner, drinks, silent and oral auctions Tickets (include dinner and drinks) on sale in April Celebrate 50 years of excellence with the Southwest Iowa community at the 2015 Benefit Auction.
2015 Raffle
Arctic Cat Prowler Sponsored by Struyk Turf
2014 Prowler 700 HDX Ltd
Year old model with 1,500 lb towing capacity, Duramatic Automatic transmission, EPS, sculpted seating for 3 occupants, tilting cargo box with 1,000 lb capacity, and more.
1 ticket for $20 or 3 tickets for $50 Purchase tickets at 400 Gleason Ave.
Drawing held April 25, 2015, at the Mid America Center
Need not be present to win. Not a cash raffle.