School Supplement

Celebrating Catholic schools

VISION TheNew

of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson

0 Issue February 201 cial Spe

son Tuc of e ces Schools of the Dio

By any measure, the results are positive

By BISHOP GERALD F. KICANAS

In our Diocese we are proudly carrying on the Catholic Church’s long and distinguished history of educating children, preparing them to take leadership roles in their communities and to carry on the mission that Christ has given us through our Baptism.

We are especially grateful for the generosity of so many people who help support this effort, which benefits so many children, including the poorest who might not otherwise have the opportunities our schools offer them.

Our new partnership with Notre Dame University, announced in The New Vision in which this section appears, will enhance our efforts to increase the number of Hispanic children in our schools, especially at St. Ambrose, St. John the Evangelist and Santa Cruz.

Our 21 elementary schools and six high schools enroll a total of 7,180 students, with 523 full-time and part-time teachers.

By virtually any measure, our Catholic schools are producing positive results.

Academically, students in our schools perform above the mean in all areas of the state AIMS test. The number of graduates who go on to the college of their choice is very high.

At the same time, our Catholic

BISHOP KICANAS

schools provide a positive, safe environment for our children and impart to them the values and religious teaching that is so essential to their lives.

This special issue will allow you to learn first-hand the reasons for my being grateful for and proud about the good things happening in our schools.

Even as we celebrate our successes, though, we face a number of challenges in our Catholic schools.

We need to make Catholic schools more available to poorer families because finances should not preclude families from the benefits of a Catholic education. Scholarships through the Catholic Tuition Support Organization answer this need, but more needs to be done.

We need to make Catholic schools more accessible in the new and growing areas of the Diocese, especially in Pinal County.

We need to upgrade aging facilities at many of our Catholic schools.

We need to provide more training for our teachers and give them the best teaching technology.

We need to attract and retain competent teachers and principals who are formed in the faith and who understand the mission of Catholic schools.

Importantly, we need to recognize that the primary task of parents is to hand on the faith to their children and that Catholic schools can help parents in meeting this responsibility.

Catholics who are interested can support our Catholic schools and help us find the financial resources needed to address some of our challenges. I invite Catholics to participate in the CTSO by making a contribution that helps support scholarships and at the same time reduces state tax liability dollar-for-dollar.

Become a cheerleader for our Catholic schools – your enthusiastic support will benefit them.

I am grateful to all of our principals, teachers, staff, members of our school boards and especially parents, who, by their sacrifices, make it possible for their children to attend a Catholic school.

Providing ‘dividends for all’

This year’s theme for Catholic School Week is “Catholic Schools: Dividends for Life.” I strongly believe our 27 schools in the Diocese offer a chance for our students to reap the rewards of a Catholic environment and offer them many dividends: Firm development in the Catholic Faith Emphasis on the whole person Academic excellence Focus on leadership skills Safe, caring environment Creation of community with all stakeholders Catholic education is the best means of evangelization for our Catholic Church. We make it our goal that our 7,200 students are prepared to be the future leaders of our Church and our society.

It is very important that we make sure that there is excellence in the education of our students by ensuring that our principals and teachers are prepared to help our students grow as

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SISTER ROSA MARIA

true Catholics and good citizens.

Our schools’ administrators, teachers, school staff, parents and students are striving to achieve excellence in education as well as a sound education of our Catholic Faith. This, in turn, creates a solid foundation for the educational formation of the future leaders of our Church and country. I am very proud of each of our schools

and also proud of our students.

I commend you, the people in the Diocese who have supported our schools with CTSO funds and donated to the Catholic School Collection. Your support helps our Catholic schools continue to provide their great services to our students.

In the following pages you will read about our wonderful schools, and you may take credit for that through your support!

It is only with our lives filled with faith in the love and care of God and our unreserved trust in God that we can face the future and continue to reap “dividends for life.”

God bless you all,

Sr. Rosa Maria Ruiz, CFMM Superintendent of Catholic Schools Diocese of Tucson

INDEX All Saints

3

Holy Angels Immaculate Conception

4

Immaculate Heart Lestonnac

5

Loretto Lourdes

6

Our Mother of Sorrows

8

Sacred Heart

9

Salpointe

8

San Miguel San Xavier

10

Santa Cruz

11

Ss. Peter and Paul

12

St. Ambrose

13

St. Anthony

14

St. Augustine St. Charles

15

St. Cyril St. Elizabeth Ann Seton St. Francis of Assisi St. John

17 16 18

St. Joseph St. Thomas

19

Yuma Catholic

The New Vision La Nueva Visión 111 S. Church Ave. Tucson, AZ 85702 www.newvisiononline.org

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ALL SAINTS

Facing the future with ‘eager anticipation’ All Saints Catholic School in Sierra Vista, formerly known as Our Lady of the Mountains School, has a principal and a faculty of 10 with a support staff of nine. Our staff includes 16 members of the Catholic faith and three of other Christian denominations. Volunteers are an integral component of our school’s success; serving in the kitchen, classrooms, office, and on various committees.

The school building consists of classrooms for pre-kindergarten for three and four year olds through eighth grade, an office, a multi-purpose room, and a school store. Two playgrounds are available; one for pre-kindergarten and the other for grades kindergarten through eighth. Our playgrounds include picnic tables, a covered

area, swings, basketball/volleyball court, a kickball diamond, and other equipment. The parish provides a kitchen, cafeteria, parish hall, and multi-use space.

The parish also provides the sanctuary for a weekly Children’s Mass of Friday mornings with classrooms in grades four through eighth rotating responsibility for student participation as lectors, acolytes, and ushers.

The average cost to educate a student is $4,900. Tuition for school aged children (K-8) averages $3,700 per child. Tuition rates can be reduced significantly based on family needs and income.

Tuition is reduced based on donations through Catholic Tuition Support Organization (CTSO), budget process, and private schol-

arships.

Our challenge has been to ensure that we are truly meeting the needs of the families in our school community. We first and foremost are a Christian community living and learning as members of the Body of Christ.

This spiritual bond is our strength.

ASCS continues to be supported and respected by the business community and public schools because the students, faculty, and staff support our spirit of faith and love into the greater community.

The school has made great

improvements, changing the name of the school to reflect the overall vision of the community, growing up through the eighth grade, converting the library into a multi-purpose room with a state of the art computer lab and music keyboards, adding three new classrooms to establish a middle school, improving the basketball/ volleyball courts, and aligning the curriculum and instruction with the Diocese of Tucson standards, and doing exceptionally well on the standardized AIMS assessment.

Facing the future with hope, faith and eager anticipation, we trust in Christ to lead us as we continue to evolve to meet the changing needs of our faith community.

HOLY ANGELS

Religion a vital part of education

The playground is buzzing with energy as students are dropped off each morning.

Some of the girls are practicing for their upcoming volleyball game. Several boys come wearing football jerseys to inspire school spirit and support. Many elementary students are being greeted by their friends and teachers.

As soon as the bell rings, the children line up according to their class and are escorted to their classrooms to begin learning. At Holy Angels Catholic School in Globe, we believe in educating the whole child, spiritually, academically and socially.

Each classroom has a prayer area, crucifix and pictures of Jesus and the Blessed Mother. At the edge of the cafeteria is an altar where the children gather to celebrate weekly Mass. They share the mysteries of their faith with each other and their spiritual leaders through song and prayer.

Holy Angels Catholic School is a living, thriving community preparing children to take their places as thinking, Catholic members of society. We do this through daily religious instruction, rigorous academics and character development. We have opportunities for students to celebrate their knowledge. For example, our Academic League, led by Mr. Steven Stacey was awarded first place at their most

recent meet. We also strive to address the needs of students who may need additional support. The school provides them with small group or one-on-one tutoring.

Our school offers art classes, physical education and home and careers. We have several extra-curricular activities, such as volleyball, football, basketball, cheerleading, softball, and student council. These programs are led by dedicated teachers who not only teach students academics.

They inspire them to learn about themselves and their world in relation to Our Creator.

Two 8th grade students who began attending Holy Angels Catholic School in Kindergarten were interviewed. When asked why she attended a Catholic school, Alona said, “Because I am Catholic, so I wanted to go to a Catholic School.”

Asked what she thought she was learning about life, Rachel replied, “It’s a really good school to go to because I like the teachers. The teachers who teach us religion help us to understand more about our world.”

Both Rachel and Alona felt that they were more fortunate than their public school friends. Alona said, “I do, because they don’t know as much about God as I do.”

Visit our web site at

www.newvisiononline.org for more stories and photos.

Supporting All Saints School 4879 South Highway 92 Sierra Vista, AZ 520-803-7714 www.svsuperiorservices.com

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IMMACULATE CONCEPTION

Making His Kingdom a reality in our world Immaculate Conception School has long served the educational needs for those truly seeking a religious oriented Catholic education in Yuma. Throughout its history, Immaculate Conception School has consistently taught and affirmed the doctrines and religious teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

Immaculate Conception School is committed to religious formation, academic excellence, and compassionate service. The primary goals of the school are to teach within a nurturing environment the Good News of Jesus Christ, to build local and world community, and to serve others.

Established in 1875, Immaculate Conception School continues to be supported by the presence of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity and a strong Catholic lay principal, faculty and staff. The religious foundation provided through the Catholic Church is integrated in the academic curriculum.

The daily educational experience addresses each student’s spiritual, moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and emotional growth and well-being. Immaculate Conception School respects and celebrates the cultural and ethnic diversity of its student population. Like its surrounding community, the school is a mixture of English and Spanish speaking students from all economic backgrounds.

The theme this year is “Beatitude Hearts…Called to Love, to Learn, to Serve.” Each month, the school focuses on one of the Beatitudes to encourage all at Immaculate Conception School to live as Jesus did. Teachers, students

and families have supported others through prayer and special liturgical services, food and clothing drives, Catholic Relief Services Operation Rice Bowl, Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, Math-a-thon for St. Jude’s Hospital, The Leukemia Foundation’s Pennies for Patients, and the can tabs recycling program for Ronald McDonald House. Our students, a collection of many cultural heritages, are very generous in reaching out in compassionate service to help others.

On Mondays all students visit the Blessed Sacrament chapel for Eucharistic Adoration with parish members.

The entire student body gathers to celebrate Eucharist together each Friday at 9 a.m. where students have the opportunity to participate as lectors, altar servers, gift bearers, and song leaders. Students eagerly prepare for their reception of the Sacraments of Reconciliation, First Holy Communion and Confirmation while attending Immaculate Conception School.

The school has established five Student Learning Expectations for its student body. These expectations encourage and support students to become Active Christians, Critical Thinkers, Holistic Persons, Positive Thinkers and Responsible Citizens. Students are expected to progress from an initial level of performance to a level of competence by their eighth grade graduation. A rubric and reporting system has been established and is implemented each school year.

Currently 250 students are enrolled in grades Kindergarten through Eighth. The school enjoys full accreditation with both North Central and the Western Catholic

Accreditation Associations. Its faculty is both certified and professionally talented. With the support of parents and parish, I.C. School is an authentically Catholic School where Christ is real and His presence is experienced each day as people work and learn and grow together to make His Kingdom a reality in our world.

IMMACULATE HEART ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL

Preparing hearts and minds for life The Immaculate Heart School family has welcomed students since 1930 and over the years, the school has expanded from its original downtown campus to its present site on Tucson’s northwest side. Nestled at the base of the Catalina Mountains, the school now serves students from grades pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Immaculate Heart Elementary The Immaculate Heart Elementary has more than 370 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade.

Students in Pre-K through six go to school on the main campus at 410 East Magee Road, and students in grades seven and eight go to the Middle School across the street at 425 East Magee.

Each morning, the students begin their day with prayer and by stating our children’s mission statement…to love with the heart of Jesus, to work with the hands of Jesus, and to think with the mind of Jesus.

Some of the outstanding features of Immaculate Heart Academy include: An environment that values Catholic beliefs and traditions A strong community that embraces parent and community support Weekly Mass An excellent academic curriculum in alignment with Arizona and Diocese of Tucson standards Up-to-date technology in classrooms and labs

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Renweb – an online system that allows parents and students access to lesson plans, grades, and tuition management On-line grades and weekly newsletter to support on-going communication between the school and families Accelerated Reading Program and Math Facts in a Flash A nurturing Resource program Standardized test scores that exceed national levels Diocesan sports program Pre-school for 3-year-olds and pre-kindergarten for 4-year-olds Extended daycare program Immaculate Heart High School Immaculate Heart High School is the oldest Catholic High School in the Tucson area. The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary founded the current high school building in 1958 and since then have educated many of Tucson’s citizens. The high school is located at 625 E. Magee Rd. and its current population is 78 students. The school begins with prayer and there are seven classes in the day. At Immaculate Heart we “Prepare Hearts and Minds for College and for Life.”

Here are some of the highlights of an Immaculate Heart High School education.

Weekly Mass and confessions with Christ as the center

of our thinking Faith, Spirituality and Catholic values are at the heart of the school IHHS cares about the whole person and nurtures the student as their own College preparation – we gear to those that are college bound All graduates pursue higher education with plenty of scholarships 26 credits to graduate allows for more theology, math and science Small class sizes (12 average) make more time for education An Academic Decathlon that has won the state title 3 of the last 5 years Individualized instruction with ample tutoring for those that need/want it Athletics allow for the development of skills where participation is emphasized A state of the art computer lab and library provide plenty of research opportunities The family setting allows for more parental involvement – we know our parents well Respect is a way of life, it characterizes our students and comes from the heart Art, Drama, Choir and Technology create the well rounded individual at IHHS

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LESTONNAC

‘Maintaining the flame’ since 1928 Among the many things that make the United States a great nation is the freedom given to religious organizations to participate in a process that is the most basic for creating a society that befits the dignity of all persons: The educational process.

The Company of Mary is one of the many Orders of Religious Women who have focused the education of young people for many years as the “raison d’etre” of the Order. St. Jeanne de Lestonnac founded the Order in 1607, in Bordeaux, France, with the vision of education as the means by which to reach young people who were caught within the ills of a society plagued with violence and devoid of morals and values.

Religious ideals, moral development and appropriate secular knowledge would be the means of strengthening the family unit and trying to mend the social fragmentation that was threatening the world at the time of Saint Jeanne. The Order quickly spread throughout France and soon thereafter, to the other countries in Europe, and eventually to Africa, Asia and the New World, In 1926, during the persecution of the Catholic Church in Mexico, the Sisters were forced to flee the country. Some went to Cuba and others came to the United States, specifically to Douglas, Ariz. Soon thereafter the Sisters began their ministry of teaching and care of youth: Lestonnac Preschool and Kindergarten opened its doors in 1928.

PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS Today Lestonnac Preschool and Kindergarten is competently staffed by lay women who “maintain the flame” and continue the educational legacy of Saint Jeanne. Lestonnac School implements an early childhood education program which is designed to nurture the development of the whole child. Lestonnac School embraces the developmental theory of education for young children in the

following ways: * Develops an awareness of the love of God. * Provides developmentally appropriate curriculum in a Christian environment. * Provides opportunities for children to develop independence and self-confidence. * Fosters a child’s self-image through open-ended, multisensory, “hands-on” activities. * Develops large and small motor skills. * Provides opportunities for social and emotional growth. * Lays the groundwork of intellectual skills for future growth. * Provides opportunities for children to play with their peers. * Creates a readiness to learn.

CURRICULUM Our program is planned to help each child observe, question, participate, and listen, thereby providing the child with a wide variety of learning experiences. The development process includes an open-ended curriculum which is child-centered and follows the natural development and sequence of learning. All activities and lessons are designed to generate an excitement for learning without stress.

This coming school year, Fall 2010, the school will dedicate all of its efforts on teaching Preschool and PreKindergarten exclusively, concentrating on laying the strongest foundation possible for the educational process, at a very early age.

LORETTO

‘The ‘pearl’ of Cochise County Loretto Catholic School is the “pearl” of Cochise County. The Carmelite Sisters and educators from the community offer an alternative form of education to the families of Douglas, Pirtleville, and Agua Prieta, Mexico (Douglas’ bordering communities).

Students of Loretto Catholic School become active Catholic Christians, effective communicators, life-long learners, responsible citizens, and self-respecting individuals.

The student body consists of 276 students, from first grade through eighth grade. Growth is underway with the opening of a new kindergarten in the fall of 2010. Also, Loretto is proud to announce it has recently added a new technology department.

What makes Loretto shine is the unity and support amongst families, parishes, staff, and the community. As one student said, “I feel like I am at home at Loretto.”

Founded in 1924, the three story building with high, arched ceilings and wood floors lend to this traditional learning environment. Loretto Catholic School is renowned for the leadership formation of pupils and the individualized attention given to each student.

Originally founded and dedicated to the Brophy family of Douglas on Sept.

1, 1924, Loretto was and still is one of the largest and most beautiful buildings in the city of Douglas. The Carmelite Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Los Angeles assumed responsibility of the school in the fall of 1987.

Throughout its history Loretto has served the need for families wishing to provide their children with an education rooted in academics and spirituality.

Included in Loretto’s Catholic family are more than 4, 000 alumni who are leaders in our community of gospel values.

Loretto Catholic School is dedicated to the mission of providing Southwest

Arizona with a home and family, where children will be educated for life with

the mind and heart of Christ in a disciplined learning environment.

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LOURDES ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOL

Making a difference for 75 years A lot can happen in 75 years.

And a lot has happened at Lourdes Catholic School. Thousands of children have received a bilingual/bicultural education that is far beyond the ordinary, enabling them to lead lives that make an appreciable difference to those around them.

School year 2009-2010 marks Lourdes’ 75th year of service to the families of Santa Cruz County, Arizona, and Sonora, Mexico.

Upon graduating from Lourdes, Maria was accepted to the University of San Diego with a 60 percent scholarship. Feeling a strong call to missionary work, she decided to take a year off and work with the Tarahumara Indians in Chihuahua, Mexico. After the year was up, officials at USD were so impressed with Maria’s experiences that they gave her a full scholarship.

As the only bilingual, bicultural Catholic school in Arizona, Lourdes is a unique place with a unique mission and a unique record of accomplishments.

Imbued with Catholic values and traditions, technologically current and featuring an academically rigorous curriculum, this pre-K-12 school has a gradua-

tion rate of 100 percent, with 98 percent going on to higher education.

David started school as a monolingual Spanish speaker.

But as a testament to his years of hard work and the excellence of Lourdes’ ESL (English as a Second Language) program, he earned numerous college scholarships. David was accepted to Rice, Drexel, Brown, Notre Dame,

Boston University, the University of Rochester and the University of Arizona.

The most recent graduating class of 18 has been accepted to 15 different universities with 40 percent receiving scholarships totaling more than $1.5 million.

In recent years, Lourdes grads have attended all three of Arizona’s Universities, Notre Dame, University of San Diego, Univer-

sity of Connecticut, Johns Hopkins, Loyola and several prestigious Mexican universities.

Heddy attended Lourdes from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Always a top student and class valedictorian, she went to the University of Notre Dame.

Heddy could have gone anywhere with a Notre Dame degree, but she came back to Lourdes where she now teaches middle school.

Lourdes students score well above the state average on AIMS testing and well above the national average for Latinos on the Stanford 10. Lourdes alumni hold positions of leadership in the church, government and business. For example, the superintendent of Catholic Schools, Diocese of Tucson, is a graduate of and former teacher at Lourdes, and press secretary to the governor of Sonora is also a graduate.

Other graduates include doctors, lawyers, business people and Catholic women religious.

“We realize the importance of preparing students for success in a global society,” says Sister Barbara Monsegur, principal.

“That means both professional success and the ability to reach out to others. That’s why community service is such a strong part of the mission of the school.”

For these many reasons, Lourdes has proven itself to be an excellent environment for learning and a worthy recipient of Arizona tax credit contributions.

At Lourdes Catholic School, 75 years is something worth celebrating. But it’s really just the start.

OUR MOTHER OF SORROWS

‘Engaged learners walking with Christ’ Upholding a tradition of excellence for 50 years, Our Mother of Sorrows School provides children with an academic, social, and spiritual education in a Catholic community setting. Located on Tucson’s east side, OMOS School serves families with children in grades K-8 and offers developmental preschool in a newly renovated facility.

The culture at Our Mother of Sorrows School is based upon moral principles that guide the entire school community in its direction, educational goals, and decision-making. These moral principles are articulated through our Student Learning Expectations: OMOS students are Active Christians, Active Community Builders, Engaged Learners and Responsible Global Citizens. The Student Learning Expectations are the foundation of our instruction and are summed up by the school’s motto, “Engaged learners walking with Christ.”

Daily religion classes, weekly school Masses, traditional observances of Holy

6

Days and special devotions, as well as solid sacramental programs, establish OMOS as a true Catholic school. Students are infused with values that mark our Catholicity: they grow to be young citizens of action, integrity, intelligence, and compassion.

At OMOS, we celebrate our charge to go forth and serve. Students readily embrace the dictates of the Corporal and Spiritual Works of Mercy. Students at all levels prepare sandwiches and lunches for the homeless at Casa Maria, support food drives for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, raise funds for the parish mission in Haiti, and perform Christian Service Hours.

Junior high students participate in quarterly “Justice Mondays” during which they focus upon learning about specific justice issues affecting our community.

OMOS students are encouraged to work to their potential in every endeavor. Academic offerings include reading, language arts, math, science, social stud-

ies, and English. Ancillary classes are also offered, and include art, P.E., Spanish, computers, science enrichment and music. The school also offers a Resource Center, which features a reading and math program, as well as specialized computer software to address phonics and writing for those students with identified needs.

The school has a renovated computer lab, and SMART Boards are utilized in all

classrooms. OMOS is accredited by the North Central Association and certified by the Western Catholic Educational Association.

OMOS students consistently achieve at the highest levels. In recent years, the students at OMOS have won the Arizona State Championship for Science Olympiad (2001 through 2005, and 2007 and 2008) and have had several winners claim individual awards in the Southern Arizona Science & Engineering Fair. OMOS students have placed well in the State Geography Bee and at the UHS Math Competition.

The school administration is committed to providing the safe and Christianbased environment that parents expect and students deserve. Our Mother of Sorrows School has a closed campus and a strong anti-bullying program. We invite prospective families to visit our school to see how the school’s motto – “Engaged learners walking with Christ” – is put into action daily.

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Our Mother of Sorrows students: • Active Christians • Active Community Builders • Responsible Global Citizens • Engaged Learners

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SACRED HEART

Where two cultures blend What is the profile of Sacred Heart Catholic School in Nogales?

The answer is simple yet complex .

Geographically, we are located only four blocks from the actual border between two countries, the United States and Mexico, next to a historical landmark which is Sacred Heart Church and surrounded by other historical landmarks neighboring the border.

The building is not the original one but it shelters what is really the essence of the school. As a Catholic educational institution, our mission is to communicate knowledge, build character, and understand that the strength of a people is community/ church.

As a communicator of knowledge, it addresses complete Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Art and Sports curriculums, all of which follow the Diocese of Tucson Standards of Education based on the Arizona State Standards. These subjects are continually being connected through cross-curriculum.

While our curriculum is predominantly English, there is also a Spanish program intended to help not only our predominantly Spanish speaking students, but all

students of Sacred Heart, to be truly bilingual as they develop the Spanish language with proper rhetoric.

The goal of education at Sacred Heart School seeks to cross the boundaries of objective knowledge. We persevere at helping the child develop a true sense of

responsibility, become a critical thinker, be sensitive to the needs of others and become a problem-solver.

The pillar of our school is Religion. It is the subject that reaches far beyond the objective goals, and never before has this focus been more important than now.

Our world is undergoing a crucial historical time, when the social, political and economic problems are most challenging.

The political atmosphere of the events of drug cartels and the violence the students are witnessing has increased our awareness to provide the tools they need to endure and prevail in these times of trial.

Our unique location gives us a student body directly exposed to the positive influences of two cultures but also the problems of the two countries. Religion is the essential key needed to instill Hope, grow in Faith and choose Charity as an option for change, to ameliorate the severity of their fears and uncertainties. We have worked adamantly to enhance the presence of the Lord in their young lives.

In our world of so many differences trying to come together to form a people with one common goal of peace and wellbeing (prosperity) for all, Sacred Heart Catholic School, K-8, is a basic stepping stone for our students in the educational pathway toward becoming a “Global Citizen,” a “Catholic Disciple.”

SAN MIGUEL HIGH SCHOOL

Teaching minds and touching hearts There are 27 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Tucson. What makes San Miguel Catholic High School stand apart from the others is its commitment to providing a first-rate college preparatory education to students from families of limited financial resources.

Sponsored by the Lasallian Christian Brothers, the school aims to teach minds and touch hearts.

A college preparatory school located in the heart of Tucson’s economically disadvantaged south side, San Miguel operates with an unqualified belief in the dignity of our students and their right to a quality education. Students complete a rigorous academic program of relevant studies which meets or exceeds most college entrance requirements.

The average income of our students’ families is $36,000, and our population is approximately 85 percent Latino and 10 percent Native American. With the high

8

school dropout rate among Arizona’s Latino youth hovering at a dismal 50 percent, San Miguel High School is committed to educating all of our students, with our goal of 100 percent graduation from high school and entrance to college.

Last May, in our fourth year of operation, our first class of seniors graduated. Every one of our 37 seniors did indeed gradu-

ate, and 100 percent of them were accepted to college. This fall, 100 percent were enrolled in college.

Further, these young men and women earned $3.6 million in scholarships, most of which was merit-based!

This year, all 24 of our seniors have once again been accepted into college. San Miguel is achieving its goals!

San Miguel is part of the Cristo

Rey Network of 22 schools from across the nation. These schools share in common a commitment to educate the underserved, a graduation rate that includes nearly every student, and a Corporate Internship Program in which every high school student works in an entry level professional position in a corporate or business setting one day each week, while attending classes

four longer school days.

Students’ earnings offset a portion of the tuition costs, while the work experience instills confidence, broadens cultural familiarity, teaches accountability, and expands student awareness of opportunity. Students’ work experiences also provide for an immediate connection and relevance to their academic studies.

We are confident that this 21st century career-preparatory model will yield gains in economic development and in the growth of an educated work force.

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SALPOINTE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

A school with a distinguished reputation Salpointe Catholic is a high school of distinction.

Since opening its doors in 1950, Salpointe has enjoyed a distinguished reputation for its strong curriculum, competitive athletics, highly acclaimed fine arts, faith-strengthening religious program, lifelong alumni tradition, commitment to community service and spirited co-curricular activities.

The school is certified by the Western Catholic Educational Association and

accredited as a college-preparatory school by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. A private, Catholic collegepreparatory high school owned by the Carmelite Order, Salpointe enrolls approximately 1,200 students and mirrors Southern Arizona in its ethnic diversity. The student body is approximately 75 percent Catholic.

Lancer alumni and parents know

Francisco Medina

Salpointe best: “Salpointe remains the most stable experience of my life and the most long-lasting, even though it was only for four years and I left almost forty years ago… School matters. Values matter. Teachers matter.

I send my thanks.” Kathleen M. Roberts, Ph.D., Esq.,’63 “The soul of Salpointe…is the one thing that cannot be duplicated…I am very grateful that my daughter’s experience at Salpointe has encouraged her to discover her own soul and spirit. I will always hold Salpointe not only in my memory, but in my heart.” Kathy Borg, parent of Lindsay ‘03 “Winston Churchill said that the Battle of Britain was won on the playing fields of Eaton and Harrow, and similarly, I believe that for many former Lancers the game of life was won on the football field at Salpointe... we had the opportunity to forge habits of discipline, teamwork, toughness, tenacity, and courage under fire that have served us well no matter the path ultimately chosen.”

Richard J. Trant ‘55 “I want to thank you, Salpointe, for believing in this fifteen-year-old kid, who thirty years ago showed up at your doorstep with a vague notion, a hope, that a Salpointe education might make a difference… I took

the road less traveled, through Salpointe, and it has made all the difference.” Joseph Guzman, Ph.D., ‘78 “I am so proud of the legacy of excellence that continues to be Salpointe. And I am proud, as well, to be a part of that rich heritage. I was inspired in those important formative years, and have tried to live my adult life aspiring to the ideals presented at Salpointe…So, go Lancers! Continue to lead the way in faith, excellence and commitment that changes the world!” Patty Sullivan ‘65 “Salpointe always encouraged me to get involved and that has carried over to my first semester of college. The school helped me realize the importance of community and the value of experiences outside the classroom... Salpointe taught me how to manage my time and put forth my best effort. Kairos was great in that I went to college with a good sense of self…The transition was much easier than I expected.”

Gaby Gonzalez ’08 (recently completed her freshman year at Princeton University) For more information about Salpointe Catholic, please contact Director of Advancement Kay Sullivan at ksullivan@ salpointe.org or 520-547-1952.

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9

˜SAN XAVIER

Kindergartener and true faith One afternoon at San Xavier Mission School, a kindergartener named Alexander asked Ms. Diana, his teacher, if he could go to the restroom.

After receiving permission, he slowly wandered down the hall investigating the spots on the floor, touching the papers pinned to the walls, and looking in other classrooms (pretty normal for a kindergartener).

He then poked his head into the second grade classroom. He saw Sister Delores, a Franciscan Sister of Charity, sitting at a table in her empty classroom quietly grading papers.

Alexander said to her, “Sister Delores, are you lonely?”

Sister Delores responded, “I’m never lonely because Jesus is always with me.”

Alexander took a moment and looked around the empty classroom searching for Jesus. He smiled without saying a word, and continued on his way to the restroom.

On his return trip, Alexander again poked his head into the classroom and said to Sister Delores, “Is Jesus still with you?”

Sister Delores responded, “Jesus is always with me.”

Alexander happily skipped back to his classroom. He didn’t question how Sister Delores knew Jesus was in the classroom with her, he understood.

A special pledge The eighth grade students recite a

four directions, the East, the West, the North and the South. The Earth Pledge reminds the class of the intimate connection between God, nature, themselves, and all of creation.

Pledge to Mother Earth I pledge allegiance to the Earth And all its sacred parts, Its water, land and living things And all its human hearts

Pledge to the Earth after the Pledge of Allegiance to begin each day at San Xavier Mission School. They turn to the East to begin. Then after each phrase of the Pledge the students slowly turn to face the

I pledge allegiance to all life And promise I shall care To love and cherish all its gifts With people everywhere.

˜SANTA CRUZ

Tuition is based on ‘pay what you can’

The mission of Santa Cruz Catholic School in Tucson is to teach students to love God, self, and others, serve as a Christian community, and develop to their full potential.

In carrying out this mission, Santa Cruz is committed to remaining financially affordable for all families who desire a Catholic education for their children. To this end, the school is unique among the schools in the Diocese of Tucson in its approach to tuition.

The school does not require a set tuition of its families. Rather, the actual annual per-pupil cost is presented to families each year. Families that cannot afford to pay the full amount are required to formally apply for tuition assistance through the school’s tuition management company.

Having applied, each family then meets with school administration to determine a tuition amount that the family can afford to pay. In essence, Santa Cruz’s tuition is based on each individual family’s ability to pay a percentage of the per-pupil cost.

This cost-based, needs-based tuition assistance approach is based on the Gospel message of Jesus, which says, to those who have been given more, more will be expected and, everyone is asked to give according to their means. Trust in families that they will indeed pay according to their means is at the heart of this plan. The school administration uses family income and household membership data as a guide in arriving at a fair share tuition amount.

This system is working for Santa Cruz School. The school is maintaining and slightly growing in its enrollment, has added the teaching of Spanish to its curric-

10

and to motivate each other toward positive behaviors and academic achievement.

Each house has its own motto, mascot, banner, patron, and teacher moderator.

Supporting

Leading children to live out the school motto, Never Too Young to Be a Disciple of Jesus,” is the motivating force behind all of Santa Cruz’s school endeavors.

Santa Cruz

Catholic School

Our future citizens are our children of today!

ulum, and has been able to enhance its technology program. Promethean (Smart) Boards have been installed in the classrooms, and a mobile computer lab is in place for the 2009-2010 school year.

Another new venture at Santa Cruz is the establishment of a House System for the middle school students. Based on the Harry Potter house model, a sorting ceremony is held, at which the Santa Cruz 6th, 7th and 8th grade students are assigned to either the Mother Teresa, St. Patrick or St. Christopher House with a mixture of students from each of the three grades in each house. The program is designed to help students be actively involved in building community among themselves

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Ss. PETER AND PAUL

10 reasons why families love this school With 75 years of tradition, Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School in Tucson has a lot going for it, says Kasey Nye, president of the School Board. Here are her “Top 10” reasons that families love the school.

10. Tremendous Pastor and Parish Support. Father John Lyons is a graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul School and is an absolutely passionate supporter of the school. Father Lyons and the other priests of the parish are visible on campus and are known by all the children. Not every parish has a second collection two times each month devoted to supporting the children at its school.

9. Sts. Peter and Paul School Looks Like Tucson. Organically, without conscious effort, the demographics of the children at Sts. Peter and Paul School closely parallel the demographics of Tucson’s Catholic community. That means SSPP families self identify as 28.9 percent white, 58.4 percent Latino, 1.5 percent African American, 1.1 percent Asian American, 1.5 percent American Indian and 8.6 percent as multi-racial.

SSPP is not just ethnically diverse. SSPP also strongly reflects the socio-economic diversity of the Tucson area. School

administration prides itself on handling financial aid very discreetly which, along with a strict uniform policy, allows children to feel equally a part of the school community no matter their family’s means.

8. Fabulous Faculty. One of the things that strike you immediately about SSPP’s faculty is the lack of turnover.

The average SSPP teacher has been at the school 7 years. They’re experienced, too, with an average of 16 years teaching. They’re highly educated; roughly half of the faculty has master’s degrees, and every member of the faculty has both state and religious certifications.

More important than this statistical stuff is their clear love for and dedication to our children and our School. Next year we will have a full time resource teacher and new teacher who just received his master’s degree from Notre Dame.

7. Beautiful Secure Campus … thanks to the dedication of the Parents Club, From the track and field, to the basketball and volleyball courts, to the “Sandbox” and jungle gym, to the Gramer Hall Court Yard, to the Poet’s Corner, to the beautiful statue of Mary dedicated to the Sisters of Charity who ran the

school from 1931 to 2008…to the new central air conditioning, the new Mac Lab Media Center Library, to the PC computer lab, to smart boards, to the primary grade court yard, SSPP’s campus is second to none. It is practical, very beautiful, and very secure with fencing and limited controlled access points.

The campus is the result of years of generosity of parents and local businesses, as well as the blood sweat and tears of hard-working and dedicated Parents Club volunteers.

6. Location…Location…Location.

SSPP’s location in the heart of the city on Campbell Avenue just north of Speedway across the street from University Medical Center makes it convenient for any family that lives or works in the city.

For example, SSPP is just 0.7 mile from the University of Arizona, 3.1 miles from downtown, 7.1 miles from DMAFB’s Craycroft Gate, 6.0 miles from Skyline and Campbell, and just 4.8 miles from Grant and Silverbell.

5. Family Participation Required.

Every SSPP family is required to give 68 hours of volunteer time to the School.

Seriously, this is one of the best things about the school. Families must provide

at least 3 hours of volunteer service at the annual Fun Day Carnival. Each family must also volunteer 65 hours per year. Although it is possible to donate your way out of these requirements, buyouts are strongly discouraged. There are literally hundreds of ways to help, including selling gift cards after Masses on Sundays, lunch monitors, helping teachers in classrooms, crossing guards, assisting with technology, serving on committees, planning and administering fundraising or social events, Cub Scout den leaders, Boy Scout leaders, Girl Scout leaders, sports transportation and coaching. There is also a program for families facing an unusual hardship and who do not have the means to pay. All of this hard work increases our connections to our children, and builds strong community and connection among parents.

4. SSPP Students Graduate Well Prepared for High School. We’re very proud of the fact that the vast majority of SSPP Students go on to attend the Salpointe, St. Augustine, or San Miguel Catholic high schools. The most common public school destination is University High School. For example in

Continued on page 12

FEBRUARY 2010, Special Issue • THE NEW VISION - LA NUEVA VISIÓN OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF TUCSON • WWW.NEWVISIONONLINE.ORG

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ST. AMBROSE

Education in a loving, safe environment St. Ambrose Catholic School is dedicated to providing a sound Catholic education to its students in a loving and safe environment.

Our community is diverse and welcoming to all students and families and encourages family participation in all aspects of our school life. We have many programs that are unique to our school community and these make us a special choice among the many educational options available to parents seeking a school for their child.

We are NCA and WCEA accredited. Our faculty is wellqualified with 94 percent holding state certification. Thirty-eight percent of our faculty have advanced degrees and all participate in on-going professional development. We have a B.S./R.N. on campus four days a week and a certified school counselor 2.5 days a week.

Academically, we have a wonderful Early Childhood program, beginning with preschool classes for three and four-year olds. We have a strong Primary (K-2) and Intermediate Department (3-5) with self-

contained classrooms. At the middle school level (6-8), our students have a separate teacher for science, math and language arts/social studies. Every classroom has a Smartboard and computers and teachers integrate the use of technology into their daily lessons.

Our new state-of-the -art science laboratory, opened in January 2010, now provides our students with the ability to study this subject in a beautiful and modern facility. We also offer an enriching program of co-curricular subjects, with physical education, art and music/ dramatic performance, each offered two or three times a week to grades Kinder – 8th. Our fine arts program encourages music development, theater performance, and artistic creations and presentations.

All students have a daily religion class and religious holy days and holidays are celebrated on a school-wide basis.

Students attend mass weekly and pray daily in their classrooms. Students participate in community service activities throughout the year in order to

Continued from page 11 this year’s 49-student 8th grade class, 41 students are going to Salpointe, three are going to St. Augustine, two are going San Miguel, and 3 are going to University High School. No matter where they go, SSPP Students enjoy a strong reputation for being well prepared to excel at the social and academic challenges that high school presents.

3.

Academic Excellence and Religious Service.

SSPP features both a traditional classroom experience and innovative academic programs. From day in, day out core methods such as Super Kids reading to Saxon

put their religion into action.

We participate with the parish community in activities such as our weekly student mass and our monthly school-parish mass and brunches. Our teachers participate in on-going religious certification classes through Jordan Ministries.

Math, to annual events such as Science Fair, book fair, math decathlon and financial management contests, SSPP students experience a rigorous academic environment. Students start every day with religion class.

I am always surprised and impressed with just how many students are active Church volunteers, both while attending SSPP and long after they graduate. I personally am aware of numerous young people who are active Alter Servers, Lectors, Commentators, or who go on to serve in choirs, St. Vincent de Paul Society, or as Eucharistic ministers.

2.

Sports, Music and Extras. We love our Crusader sports teams! SSPP offers Boys and Girls Basketball,

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(520) 326-1101 12

Our CHAMPS program is now well-known throughout diocesan schools as the model for teaching students healthy living - physically, mentally and spiritually. We strive to be a “green” school and incorporate policies that support stewardship of God’s creation. We

1601 N. Tucson Blvd., Ste. 8

participate in the Diocesan Athletic Program for grades 5th – 8th.

We invite you to call and make an appointment to visit our school. We are proud to share the good news about St. Ambrose Catholic School with all visitors.

Volleyball, and Track. There are also mandatory music class and art classes. Music, which simply isn’t available in many schools, particularly impresses me. Can you believe it, even the 8th Grade boys sing. Students may also participate in after school music lessons, chess and scouting organizations.

And, the Number 1 reason families love Saints Peter & Paul School: In the words of former principal Sister Mary Lucilla, “This is a Jesus school! This is holy ground! Jesus is the reason for our school! We follow Jesus’ example in everything we do here.”

Greg Baker and p b i i Financial Solutions, Inc. Proudly Support St. Augustine High School and its mission!

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ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA

Promoting faith, love and service St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School has been a growing part of the Casa Grande community for 59 years. The school has grown from a K-2 elementary school to a Preschool-8th grade elementary and middle school, thanks to the dedication of the parish, community, caring parents, teachers and staff.

St. Anthony’s School is committed to providing a challenging, God-inspired educational environment. In addition to the Diocesan curriculum, the school offers such experiences as the annual Science Fair (K-8), which allows the students an opportunity to delve into the mysteries of science and simulated Congressional Hearings (8th Grade), which gives the students a chance to use the civics information they have been learning in class. Both of these experiences invite members of the community to our school, making us an active part of Casa Grande.

Teachers also plan after-hours open house events like Math Night (K-3), Reading Night (K-3), and Science Night (4-8) to bring parents and students back to school to

share in the learning and fun.

Education is a wonderful part of life and also takes place beyond the school’s walls.

Classes visit Arizona’s missions; this brings history to life and builds a respect for those who came before us spreading the Good

News.

St. Anthony’s sponsors an Aerospace Challenge team to learn about living and working in space. The students then take what they learn, and compete against hundreds of other students across the state—they made

the finals during the 08-09 school year.

The school’s Chess Team practices diligently after school throughout the year to compete in the city tournament. The team swept the tournament and proudly brought home all the trophies during the 08-09 school year.

The students of St. Anthony’s also follow Jesus’ mission to serve others by bringing non-perishable food items to St. Vincent de Paul each Friday before Mass, collecting money or participating in various activities for charities, collecting pet supplies to help God’s creatures at the local animal shelter, and bringing gifts at Christmas for local families in need. Several classes also visit local retirement communities to share their time and talents.

St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School strives to promote our faith, love and service to God in all that we do, in and out of the classroom, and these gifts are transferred to all the students who pass through our doors.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson Catholic School Department The mission of the Department of Catholic Schools is

2. Maintaining high academic standards in every school

to help our Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Tucson create the best possible atmosphere and environment for faith, academic excellence, and service that are integral to the life of every student.

In order to fulfill this mission, we believe in these core

by promoting staff development programs that will en-

values:

administrators, faculty and staff.

1. Providing spiritual formation for faculty and staff and

5. Marketing Catholic education in the Diocese to in-

instilling in them a strong sense of Catholic virtue and

crease overall enrollment.

sure excellence in teaching.

3. Ensuring long-term financial stability in our schools.

4. Reinforcing the need for just wages and benefits for

service.

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Supporting Ss. Peter and Paul

Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing. ~ Mother Teresa

(520) 326-1101

1601 N. Tucson Blvd., Ste. 8

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ST. AUGUSTINE CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

A growing school that’s ‘personal’ Nestled on 44 acres of pristine desert and tropical vegetation, St. Augustine Catholic High School projects a stately appearance as you enter the campus. Known for many years as Regina Cleri Seminary, built in the early 1950’s, St. Augustine’s will soon celebrate its eighth year as one of four Catholic high schools in Tucson.

St. Augustine Catholic High School enjoys a unique identity! Although the current enrollment is about 135 students, it will always be considered a “personal” school. Maximum capacity enrollment will someday be about 400 students, which will still permit the close kinship known amongst its faculty, students and families.

The student community consists of a rich, cultural diversification, with more than 35 percent non-Catholic students in attendance. There is much attention to detail in that each student is personally known to all his or her fellow students, as well as to faculty and staff. Each student is recognized for his or her individual talents and encouraged to aspire to excellence.

The full high school experience is offered at SACHS, which is a college preparatory focused curriculum. From excelling academic offerings to a competitive athletic program and an abounding

fine arts menu, there are numerous amenities to motivate and attract a student’s opportunity to learn and grow.

In addition, the SACHS identity encourages students to give back to their community and multiple opportunities to do so are included within the school’s curriculum. SACHS educates to develop leaders!

In May 2009, SACHS graduated 27 seniors, all of whom were accepted into the colleges/universities of their choice.

Collectively, the graduates earned an impressive $730,000 in college scholarships.

St. Augustine Catholic High School recently celebrated the opening of their new 20,000-square-foot Wellness Center/ Gym. Featuring one of the most complete fitness centers located on the Tucson east side, the court area can host multiple games at the same time, as well as state tournaments for both basketball and volleyball.

The “Studio Room” is open to dance, aerobics and yoga classes, as well as a stately meeting room for groups. The final phase (projected 2012) of the building will include a stage with dressing rooms and commercial kitchen.

For the ultimate high school experience,

SACHS ensures each student’s building strength of character and the ability to

know, love and serve God as well as their fellow human beings.

Congratulations to the first Graduating Class of St. Augustine High School

We make business possible.

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ST. CHARLES

Students ‘give back’ to community

Students at St. Charles School in San Carlos take time from their academics to apply their learning about the Church’s Social teaching to caring for others. The school has an active community service program that encourages the children to give back to others in the community.

Each holiday the students in kindergarten visit the Elder Center on the reservation and entertain with songs in English and Apache to the delight of the elders, most of whom only speak Apache. Fifth and sixth grade students in Sister Ann’s room also take advantage of holiday themes to make table decorations and little favors for the elders at

the center.

This thanksgiving the children applied their art skills, turning the traditional turkey theme into a gift for each of the 110 seniors that the center serves meals to each day. Intergenerational events are a common occurrence on the reservation as children are raised to honor their elders. Many of them are raised by grandparents and come to respect the wisdom and gifts of the elders.

Fourth grade students apply skills learned in their Six Trait Writing Program to write to their “letter buddies”. The project, now in its fifth year, is an intergenerational program where the students

write to retired US West Pioneers each month. At the end of the year the letter buddies get to meet each other and have lunch at the school.

Care for the earth is the motivation behind the school wide recycling program which is expanding beyond the school’s paper and cardboard recycling to include aluminum cans. The students also participate in environmental clean up days on the reservation.

School wide projects include the penny race which last year was used to help a child and his family struggling with expenses from his cancer treatments, the Halloween cans food drive

to fill the parish cupboard, and the peanut butter and jelly jar collection to help supply sandwiches for the homeless. Each month the students donate their snack money at the school liturgy.

Their donations help to pay the postage to send school supplies to an orphanage in Haiti.

Giving back to the community is important to the students at St. Charles.

The Service Program is an opportunity to look beyond the poverty and problems of reservation life and extend God’s love and care to others. Children begin to see their connection not just to the reservation, but to the wide global community.

ST. CYRIL

‘Ready students’ populate this school Wisdom declares, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” The adage is realized at 4725 E. Pima in Tucson at Saint Cyril School. Led by Principal Ann Zeches, 25 master teachers instruct 388 ready students.

For more than 55 years, Saint Cyril School’s mission has been to follow our Lord Jesus Christ. Each day students can be seen bringing canned food to donate to Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Students respond to community cry for diapers by donating more than 5,000 for the diaper bank. Their culinary skills are put to work making sandwiches and lunches for the homeless. They donate our allowance to buy phone cards for our servicemen and women. Yes, they follow our Lord Jesus Christ through these simple acts of kindness and compassion.

The school promotes strong academ-

ics in the classroom, in the science and computer labs, in the library, and at the Smart Boards and Think Pads. Ready learners love the state-of-the-art technology. The school expects students to become active Christians, life-long learners, effective communicators, responsible citizens, and self-aware individuals.

The Carmelite Fathers preside at weekly Masses, and the virtuosity of a 40-member student choir inspires everyone. Pastor Ron and Father Glenn remind everyone that the parish is a faith community committed to the gospel call of hospitality where all are welcome.

Parents collaborating with the school are involved in fund raising, volunteering in the classrooms, and, monitoring their children’s grades and homework assignments via their personal online access to RenWeb.

Sportsmanship is contagious, too, and there is an epidemic in grades 4 through 8 in volleyball, basketball and track. Saint Cyril always places in tournament play.

Field trips include Catalina State Park for the Dad’s Day Hike, theatre productions, such as “Oliver,” end of the year party at Skate Country, Planetary Night

at the school and the Mother’s Day Tea. The special buddy matching of junior high students with primary children creates memorable fun relationships while writing letters to Santa. Junior high students perform in the spring show. “Dazzling Decades 2009” was a success and even the staff can clown around on stage for a laugh.

An after-school care program is available. Students can also attend chess club, student council, honor guard training, and yearbook committee.

A Tri-Board composed of the School Board, Pals Board and Parish Council meet yearly to set goals for this active school.

Western Catholic Educational Association and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredit the school.

Visit the school at http://www.stcyril.com/ SchoolHomepage.html.

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15

ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI

‘Teaching the heart to love’ in family-like atmosphere St. Francis Catholic School, located in southern Arizona on the California border, is a short distance from San Luis, Mexico.

We have a rich history of providing quality Catholic education to our parish and the local community of Yuma and surrounding areas.

The mission of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School is to teach the heart to love, the mind to think and the soul to be faithful to God. Parents choose St. Francis School for reasons that align well with its mission; they send their children to St. Francis School for the religious formation and the high academic standards set by the school . Many successful citizens in Yuma are proud to say that they attended St. Francis School.

The teachers and staff are well prepared, approachable and concerned with the education and welfare of all the students.

St. Francis School projects an atmosphere of Catholicity that contributes positively to the community at large. Teachers work with families to support students to become well rounded individuals through a variety of community services. This

helps them be more aware of the needs of others.

St. Francis School has a small student body that lends itself to a family-like atmosphere. Everyone is friendly and shows concern for others which is evident throughout the school.

St. Francis teachers use a variety of instructional methods to teach their

students. They work at making learning engaging. One activity that has become a tradition at St. Francis and encourages students to learn more about saints, students choose a saint of their choice, research them and then dress up as them at the end of the month. It is a great time for all.

Technology has become a vital part of

St. Francis. Computers are utilized in all the classrooms. Research projects are done in both the library and computer lab giving students one more avenue to learning.

Intramural sports are offered to those students in grades 5-8. Boys participate with other schools in the area in football, soccer, baseball and basketball. Girls participate in volleyball, soccer, baseball and basketball. Parents volunteer as coaches and referees for these activities.

St. Francis has a very active Student Council in which 4-8 graders participate .

The Student Council plans dances for the middle school and fun activities such as pep rallies and scavenger hunts.

Students have ample opportunity to be involved and utilize their own unique gifts and talents. They may participate in the Peace Choir, the Saint Francis Environmental Club, Team Poetry, Altar Serve or participate in the monthly Mass.

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School looks forward to many more years of providing Catholic education to the community of Yuma, Arizona and the surrounding areas.

ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST

Students are involved in the community St. John the Evangelist School in Tucson begins each school year with a special Mass. Last year, we began with a vigil for the solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. At that Mass, we consecrated our school families, children, and staff to the prayers of the Virgin Mary.

During the month of November, we celebrated Nov. 2, All Souls Day, combined with All Saints Day. Each classroom set up an altar in the Mexican tradition of “El día de los muertos.” The children were able to bring many different kinds of remembrances of their loved ones who had died.

Since we have many students of the Hispanic culture steeped in Mexican traditions, our families and children feel very connected to their extended families and to one another.

When illness or death is

16

connected with someone in the school community, the impact is felt deeply by our children. Therefore, this celebration gave us the opportunity to speak about death and resurrection and the grieving process in a very positive and Catholic way for children.

The students also participated in several community service projects throughout the school year. They had a canned food drive for our community food bank – Casa San Juan. They also collected toys for the Tucson Shopper Newspaper, who in turn pass these items out to local orphans who are in group homes.

Other classes sang Christmas carols to the elderly. One class did community outreach to Marshall Home for Men. They spent time creating Christmas cards for these men, visited them, and sang them Christmas Carols.

Another great experi-

ence of the spirit and determination of our school and their families was preparing a trip for our seventh and eighth graders. This came under the leadership of Ms. Moreno, one of our middle school teachers.

In May, 20 students accompanied by five adults made the trip to Washington, D.C. They spent five days visiting the sights around our nation’s capital.

A special treat for them was that they were able to visit the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, and though they had not been able to plan for this visit, the opportunity arose as a grace-filled moment.

Since economically our families are not able to afford out-of-pocket trips such as this for their children, it became necessary for our children to work together in raising the necessary funds for the trip. They did so by having car washes, dinners

and dances, and by selling tamales. The outpouring of support for our children from the extended families and community made all of this possible.

Many other memorable things occurred this year for our school; however, we believe that these are the most reflective of the spirit of school community and identify who we are.

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˜ST. ELIZABETH ANN SETON

‘Catholic identity’ defines its strength It has been seven years since St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School opened its doors on North Shannon Road in Tucson. The first class graduated in May of 2009.

SEAS School is a 21st Century school with the latest in educational technology which includes two full computer labs, two small computer labs and innovative programs such as Superkids, Bal-A-Vis-X and Stanford University’s Educational Program for Gifted Youth (EPGY).

Yet for all of that, the school’s major strength lies in its Catholic Identity.

From the moment you walk into the school, it is clear that we are Catholic. The first thing you see is a shrine to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in the lobby. The office

area has two glass walls which hold religious stained glass drawings made by our founding students, staff and school board.

The architecture of the entire building is embedded with religious symbols and

abeth Ann Seton parish.

Each classroom has a builtin Sacred Space.

Our Catholicity is evident in our formal religion curriculum, the faculty’s catechetical preparation, our study of the “Saint of the Day”,

To see more Catholic school photos visit our web site at www.newvisiononline.org

images. A prominent image in our school is the God’s Eye. Our parish church has a God’s Eye behind the altar and our children are reminded wherever they are in the building that they are under the care and prayer of the people of St. Eliz-

daily prayers, rosary, and ongoing teachings of Catholic liturgical traditions before our weekly all school Masses. In connection with the parish, each grade level leads a monthly parish Mass and actively participates in the celebration of the sacra-

ments.

Our school motto, which is a combination of our Vision statement and our Student Learning Expectations, has been consolidated into one, easy to remember phrase: “Making a Difference Through Spirituality,

Excellence, Academics and Service”. We have used this motto as a framework for all of our activities.

Our service has been evidenced by the many projects of each of our classes.

These projects ranged from collecting school supplies,

used eye glasses, food, clothing and blankets for those in need to the Trike-a-thon for St. Jude’s Hospital. Our school service even extended to our four-legged friends through collected items for the Humane Society.

FEBRUARY 2010, Special Issue • THE NEW VISION - LA NUEVA VISIÓN OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF TUCSON • WWW.NEWVISIONONLINE.ORG

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˜ST. JOSEPH

St. Joseph Catholic School, fully certified and accredited by North Central Association (NCA) and Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA), offers a rigorous academic program aligned with both Diocesan and state standards for children in Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade.

We began this school year with the grand opening of our 4-year-old pre-K program. This program and our other grade-level programs not only assist our parents but also help our students to grow both academically and spiritually while displaying a caring attitude towards all.

We encourage students to be “Life-long Learners” by facilitating participation in academic competitions and communitysponsored writing and poster contests.

Students have the opportunity to become “Self-aware Individuals” by participating in our many extra-curricular activities including Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, SADD, Youth Group, Chess Club, Choir, Scouts, and Yearbook. We also encourage our 5th to 8th graders to join our sports teams and compete against other Catholic Schools through the Diocesan Sports Program.

We encourage our students to be “Coop-

Education ‘with God in mind’

erative Workers” with an inter-grade buddy system. Peer Educators and Peer Mediators, who are trained to teach and mentor students in solving everyday problems, are peacemakers here. The student-run Carnival, in the early spring, and our Field Day, in late spring, highlight school-wide cooperation.

The same cooperative spirit is behind the efforts of our students, as “Active Community Members” when they give of their time, talents and resources to local community needs at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic and the Tucson Food Bank, and by writing letters to our overseas, military personnel.

Above all, we offer a “safe, nurturing, child-centered faith community”, always remembering our motto: “Excellence in Education with God in Mind”.

Come see what we are all about! Come “fly with our Eagles”!

Pancake House Family Restaurant

We are open Monday - Saturday 6am - 2pm Sunday 7am - 2pm Open Holidays

2532 S. KOLB • 747-7536 18

THE NEW VISION - LA NUEVA VISIÓN OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF TUCSON • WWW.NEWVISIONONLINE.ORG • FEBRUARY 2010, Special Issue

ST. THOMAS

‘We are not just a school, we are a community’ St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Preschool Director Michelle Garmon and her staff of 13 are passionate proponents of caring and giving, cornerstones of the Catholic faith that they do their best to preach and practice daily with 85 preschoolers ages three to five.

“We are not just a school, we are a community; St. Thomas Preschool is a family environment and we work together as a family to help others in the community,” said Garmon. Helping others takes on meaning for the children through a variety of avenues, ranging from a Thanksgiving Food Drive and a School Supplies Collection for St. Charles Apache Catholic Community to a Trike-a-thon to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and bake sales to purchase chickens for Heifer International, an organization dedicated to increasing sustainable development and ending world hunger. The children also participate in a Giving Project for Lent. This year, they collected clothing, food items, toiletries and other items for The Giving Tree, a local Christian-based nonprofit organization that provides food and shelter for homeless families.

“We wanted the children to realize there are people in the community who don’t have everything that we have and give them the opportunity to donate toys and new and gently used items to others. They learn compassion and sharing by think-

ing about others enjoying things they have enjoyed themselves. It is a tangible example of ‘passing on’ kindness and also helps them recognize the value of recycling and reusing,” Garmon said.

Another “teachable moment” is the much-anticipated annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, Garmon said. The event has become a tradition with St. Charles Apache Mission School, which serves 130 students in kindergarten through grade six on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. (Approximately 80 percent of the St. Charles students are from families that live at or below the poverty level. The Thanksgiving benefit provides 25 families with turkey dinners, complete with all the trimmings. It also provides grocery gift certificates that St. Charles families can use for additional food after the holidays.

“This isn’t just a one-time meal. They are helping families to stretch out their meager incomes. If people fall on hard time or are unemployed or can’t make ends meet, they can use the additional gift certificates to buy staples,” said Sister Georgia Greene, principal of St. Charles School. And the giving goes both ways: it has become a custom for St. Charles students to visit St. Thomas preschool to perform traditional Apache dances in full regalia. “St. Thomas has always made a commitment to teach children to be grateful for what they have and to share that abundance with those

who aren’t as fortunate and we are happy to be recipients in that relationship. We have tried to build a bridge of faith so it is not just St. Thomas giving to us, but St. Charles students giving back by sharing their Apache culture, since that is their richness,” Sister Georgia Greene said.

The efforts to incorporate philanthropy in the preschool curriculum have provided learning opportunities on multiple levels, according to Garmon.

The Trike-a-thon integrates bike safety and general health principles, is met with enthusiasm by students and parents alike.

“The parents think it is a great idea since it is fitness-oriented, so the kids are not only helping children in need, but getting exercise and learning about health and safety as well,” she said. Overall, these experiences are integrated into a curriculum that includes music, math, science, language arts, dramatic and outdoor play, religion and discipline while nurturing social and emotional development, creativity, and independence. The preschool, which provides at least five scholarships annually in an effort to promote diversity, is in the process of earning accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

How You Can Help St. Thomas the Apostle Preschool welcomes contributions to support scholarships for children in need. Contributions can be sent to: St.

Thomas the Apostle Preschool 5150 N. Valley View Rd. Tucson, AZ 85718.

Arizona residents can support St. Charles School through the tax- deductible Catholic Tuition Support Organization, a “lifeline” that provides at least half of the annual budget for the school. Cash contributions can also be sent directly to: St. Charles Apache Catholic Community P.O. Box 339 San Carlos, AZ 85550

˜YUMA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL

A path to excellence Since the opening of Yuma Catholic High School in August of 2000, it has been the mission of the founders, board members, faculty and staff, parents and students alike to realize a dream – the dream to provide a spiritually rich environment that goes beyond traditional educational values, surpasses the minimum needs of each child and addresses each student as a unique gift, a child of God. It is with this dream in mind that Yuma Catholic has become, today, the school of choice in and around the Yuma community.

Yuma Catholic is a Catholic high school, although not all students attending are of Catholic faith. This is not an issue because what is being taught is the appreciation of the Catholic faith, enduring Christian values and how to conduct oneself in an upstanding moral fashion.

We express what we learn by attending daily Morning Prayer and a weekly allschool Mass.

Prayer and readings at Mass are offered by the students to promote a participation and involvement that engages each student and provides a more personal relationship to Scripture. Another significant part of high school years at YC are the retreats that each class is afforded.

This is an opportunity to come together as a class and share in faith, learn to respect Christ and each other, and to truly grow as a person of living faith.

Yuma Catholic academic standards are set exceptionally high and are met by each student with rigor and fortitude. It is this quality of instruction and effort on the part of faculty, students, and parents that advance our student body well beyond ANY other local high school, whether public or private. Each and every YC student to date has been accepted into one or more college or university, with a per student scholarship award average, more than two times greater than any other high school in the Yuma area.

Yuma Catholic works diligently to

provide athletic programs of excellence that cultivate the intellectual, spiritual, emotional, and physical characteristics of each individual. Through participation in athletics, student athletes mature and learn to take responsibility for their growth as a person by developing loyalty, pride, integrity, and commitment. We have taken great steps to provide the best

coaches, facilities, and faculty support to ensure that our athletes are provided every opportunity to succeed.

YCHS is proud of its integrated oneto-one laptop program, which places the latest technology in each student’s hands.

It is our goal to provide each individual with the latest technological tools and skills in an effort to become effective as well as moral users. The benefit of years of proper exposure to technology and information has been expressed many times over by both alumni and university representatives. YC students are consistently found to possess technology skills that greatly surpass the average student entering college.

It is the mission of Yuma Catholic High School to challenge young men and women to become intellectually, spiritually, emotionally and physically prepared for their futures. We realize that excellence is not a place, but a path. Join us and we will walk the path of excellence together.

FEBRUARY 2010, Special Issue • THE NEW VISION - LA NUEVA VISIÓN OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF TUCSON • WWW.NEWVISIONONLINE.ORG

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An educated population is the basis of a productive society.

Our Catholic schools in Southern Arizona provide a quality education that emphasizes excellent teaching, a constructive learning environment, academic achievement and faithfilled values. The support of CTSO makes it possible for thousands of students to enjoy the longterm benefits of this superior education.

Support for CTSO comes from individuals and corporations... more than $7 million a year! Of that, 97.5% goes to students in the form of tuition scholarships and only 2.5% is used for operating expenses. And 86% of our scholarships go to low and middle income families.

The efforts of CTSO build a better community as thousands of spiritually motivated, environmentally sensitive, intellectually prepared young people move through our Catholic schools into every fabric of our society. The positive value of this chain of productivity is incalculable.

Thank you CTSO, and thank you all for supporting CTSO.

www.ctsotucson.org If you would like to contribute to the 2010 campaign, please do so by December 31st. For more information, contact any of the CTSO schools, call us at 520 8382558, or visit our website at www.ctsotucson.org FEB-VIS

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THE NEW VISION - LA NUEVA VISIÓN OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF TUCSON • WWW.NEWVISIONONLINE.ORG • FEBRUARY 2010, Special Issue