Office of Catholic Education

19th Annual Archbishop John L. May Service Awards Announced

suebrown@archstl.org — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:59:36 +0000

The Archbishop John L. May Service Award recognizes outstanding leadership and community service of students in Catholic high schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The award is presented to young people who demonstrate to others they are Alive in Christ! As the recipients of the nineteenth annual Archbishop May Service Award, these Catholic high school seniors show extraordinary volunteer achievement in their schools and communities. Most Reverend Robert J. Carlson, Archbishop of St. Louis, and Mr. George Henry, Superintendent of Catholic Education, recognize these 28 students for their accomplishments. This year’s awardees—

Tori Valenti – Barat Academy

Kelsey Ann Tacchi – Bishop DuBourg High School

Myesha Thompson – Cardinal Ritter College Prep

Jack Terschluse – Chaminade College Preparatory School

Dominic Thomas Gatti – Christian Brothers College High School

Kathryn Schuering – Cor Jesu Academy

Alexander Trinkaus – DeSmet Jesuit High School

Michael Busche – Duchesne High School

Alison Brassel – Incarnate Word Academy

Melissa Rey – John F. Kennedy Catholic High School

Claire Ann Minnick – Nerinx Hall High School

Katherine Costello – Notre Dame High School

Samantha Leigh Halfmann – Rosati-Kain High School

Danny McAndrew – St. Dominic High School

Andrea Ying Dorsey – St. Elizabeth Academy

Whitney Nicole Swartz – St. Francis Borgia Regional High School

Joseph D. Whitman – St. John Vianney High School

Mary Margaret LoPiccolo – St. Joseph’s Academy

John Clayton Swanger – St. Louis Priory School

Timothy Eidman – St. Louis University High School

Matthew T. Eatherton – St. Mary’s High School

Elizabeth Olinger – St. Pius X High School

Brandon Roth – St. Vincent High School

Zhane’ Ochoa – Trinity Catholic High School

Karalynn Trittler – Ursuline Academy

Allisyn Roxana Dalton – Valle Catholic High School

Claire Thiedke – Villa Duchesne and Oak Hill School

Cherubimaris Casino – Visitation Academy

On April 18, a reception will be held in honor of the 2012 recipients of the Archbishop May Service Awards at Busch Student Center on the campus of St. Louis University. In addition to Archbishop Carlson and Mr. Henry, the students will be honored by their families, Dr. Robert Oliveri and Msgr. John Unger of the Catholic Education Center, as well as representatives from their schools and parishes.

Office of Catholic Education

3rd Annual Archdiocesan High Schools Art Show

archstlceo@archstl.org — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 18:51:54 +0000

The 3rd Annual Archdiocesan High School's Art show was held on March 25, 2012 at the Sheldon Concert Hall Students from Bishop DuBourg High School, Rosati Kain High School, St. Mary's High School, Trinity Catholic High School, John F. Kennedy High School, Cardinal Ritter Prepatory School, and St. Pius X High School particpated in the show that demonstrated a varity of art mediums that students studied through out the school year. The image gallery illustrates the work by the students.

Caroline, Pius - Biss

Natalie, JFK - Untitled

Hannah, JFK - Self Portrait

Bryanna, Ritter - Pope John Paul II

Leah, Pius - Four Portraits

Joey, JFK - Self Portrait

Vernon, St. Mary's - Post Impressionism - Gogh

Marin, RK - Study of Bottles

Rachel, RK - Caroline

Sarah, Trinity - Self Portrait

Kelly, Trinity - Self Portrait

Kat, JFK - Lattern

Will, JFK - Self Portrait

Sharon, BD - Top Hat

Maggie, Pius - Cheetah Vase

Morgan, Pius - Water Lily

Franchesca, DB - Blue Flower

Kelsey, RK - Spring Blossoms

Chelsea, Pius - Bleeding Hearts

Capri, Pius - Branch on a Beach

Danny, St. Mary's - Post Impressionism - Gogh

Emily, Pius - In the Mountains

JFK - Untitled

Julius, Ritter - The Brain

Peter, St. Mary's - Cubism

Nina, DB - The Fire Hydrant

Jackie, Trinity - Untitled

Sara, DB - Bottles by the Window

Samatha, DB - Bottles by the Window

Samantha, JFK - Untitled

Lydia, RK - Study in Yellow

Marin, RK - Tropical Fish

Meagan, RK - Line Design

Kayla, DB - Frog

Greg, St. Mary's Post Impressionism - Gogh

Elizabeth, DB - Pastime

Michaels, DB - Bottles of Winter

Vincent, Trinity - Untitled

Lydia, RK - The Swan

Molly, DB - Rose in a Glass

Colin, St. Mary's - Lymphonma Design

Chris, Pius - Mid-Summer

Gillian, Pius - Wright's Falling Water

St. Mary's - Untitled

Mengyang, RK - Illustration

Laura, Trinty - Red Riding Hood

Alicia, RK - Repeating Pattern

Jessica, JFK - Untitled

Corry, Trinity - This is Me

Emma, JFK - Untitled

Ellie, RK - John the Bohm

Heather, Pius - Sea Oats

Jackie, Pius, Rocky Shore

Sarah, Pius - Purple Haze

Leah, Pius - Safari Vase

Laura, Trinity - Untitled

Audrey, Trinity - Sunflower

Abby, RK - Self Potrait

Jake, St. Mary's - Post Impressionism - Peasant Women

Allie, RK - Study in Values

Nick, Trinity - Self Portrait

Jessica, DB - Still life by WIndow

Bayle, RK - Owl

Sydney, Trinity - Under the Sea

Bayle, RK - Caterpillar

Marin, RK - For My Friend

Caitlyn, RK - Greek Myth

Holly, PIus - After Kandinsky

Maggie, JFK - Giraffe

Michael, Trinity - Piano

Ben, St. Mary's - Emty Bowl

JFK - Untitled

Cynthia, DB - Fish out of Water

Ali, DB - The 4 Seasons

Katie, DB - Chinese Festival

Hannah, DB - Blooming Lotus

Kim, Trinity - Fairy Tales

Madison, DB - A Dream is a Wish

Nathan, JFK - Untitled

JFK - Untitled

Joey, St. Mary's - Honor

Glen, St. Mary's - Fight

Tim, Trinity - Shark

Megan, JFK - Untitled

Bridget, JFK - Bee Hive

Federico, St. Mary's - Marianst Tree of LIfe

Bao, St. Mary's - Tribute to Brother Mel

Tommy, Trinity - Eagle

Sam, St. Mary's - Empty Bowl

Tre'von, Ritter - Architectural Study

Myka, Ritter - Toil

Jaerel, Ritter - Study, Study

Christopher, Ritter - Blues Man

Julius, Ritter - Man of Prayer

Ryan, Ritter - Our Lady of Guadalupe

Aaron, Ritter - Street Parade

Ryan, Ritter - Cathedral Study

Niyah, Ritter - The Death of My Lord

Jabri, Ritter - Holy Family

Myka, Ritter - The Pursuit

Matthew, Ritter - The Purple Christ

Office of Catholic Education

Student Ambassadors record radio spot

suebrown@archstl.org — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:20:59 +0000

By Sue Brown, Director of Marketing and Community Relations

Good Shepherd Catholic School Student Ambassadors, Eli W., Joe B. and AnnaLeigh K. took what they learned in the fall 2011 Student Ambassador training workshop to the next level by recording their own radio spot on J 98 The Boot, a country station that operates out of Festus and Farmington.

After a tour of the station, Eli, Joe and AnnaLeigh each recorded the 30-second spot which they had written and delivered at the training.

Good Shepherd Principal Mariann Jones said, “It was a great experience for all of us. The students recorded several takes, and the technician created the end product with us in the studio. Just this afternoon, I heard Eli's spot on the radio. It was very cool!”

Office of Catholic Education

Archbishop Carlson receives Joseph Cardinal Ritter Award

suebrown@archstl.org — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 21:17:06 +0000

By Sue Brown, Director of Marketing and Community Relations

Archbishop Robert J. Carslon was honored with the Joseph Cardinal Ritter Award at the February 10, 2012 Celebrating Success in Urban Education Gala held at the Missouri Athletic Club.

Over 300 guests and supporters of CRCP attended the fund-raising event, raising over $200,000! (Pictured with Archbishop Carlson holding his award are Chelsea D., Vice-President of CRCP Student Council (left) and Myesha T., President of CRCP Student Council.)

CRCP President Leon Henderson said, “There is no one more deserving of this honor than Archbishop Carlson. His passion for educating underserved youth in our community personifies the actions and beliefs of our namesake, Joseph Cardinal Ritter. We are so blessed to have Archbishop Carlson leading the Archdiocese of St. Louis.”

Office of Catholic Education

Northeast Deanery Federation of Catholic Schools wins award for teacher development

suebrown@archstl.org — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:29:45 +0000

By Sue Brown, Director of Marketing and Community Relations

The Northeast Deanery Federation of Catholic Schools has received one of eleven national Catholic Schools for Tomorrow awards from Today’s Catholic Teacher in the category “Innovation in restructuring or merging schools.” Jennifer Stutsman, Principal of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, one of eight schools that comprise the Federation which serves 2,300 PreK-8 students in North St. Louis County, applied for the award to recognize their creation of Professional Learning Teams—groups of educators from each school who gather in grade-level or subject-area groups for professional dialogue, and to study and share ideas, process problems, and improve instruction.

Created in 2010 to ensure sustainability of Catholic education in the area, enhance Catholic identity and school programs, respond to increasing diversity, and share resources where needed, the Federation identified professional learning teams as one way to achieve its goals.

Principals of Federation schools wanted a professional development model which included time for its 150 teachers to collaborate professionally. Following a PLC institute presented by Solution Tree, they created teams from all eight schools rather than within each individual school.

Pastors support the initiative financially providing resource materials and compensation for substitute teachers during peer observation sessions. Principals worked with the Catholic Education Office to guide teachers and make improvements.

“It has been a great success!” said Stutsman. “Teachers went beyond the original meetings to create wikis, develop writing programs between students of different schools, develop a common pre-school curriculum, create a Summer Academy for students with academic needs, and more. Coming together through learning teams has improved the teaching and learning process!”

Winning schools are featured in the March issue of TCT, and will be honored at an awards presentation banquet during the NCEA Convention in the spring.

In addition to Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, Federation schools include: Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Angela Merici, St. Norbert, Sacred Heart--Florissant, St. Ferdinand, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne and Christ, Light of the Nations Catholic Schools.

To learn more about the Federation of Catholic Schools, visit http://www.federationofcatholicschools.org/

Office of Catholic Education

Student speaks to parish about the value of Catholic education

amandatrimble@archstl.org — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:13:13 +0000

By Sue Brown, Director of Marketing and Community Relations

Angelica B., an eighth grader at Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School in Webster Groves, delivered one of many Catholic Schools Week speeches at weekend Masses in parishes all over the Archdiocese of St. Louis. No one can speak more knowledgeably and convincingly about the value of Catholic education than a student of a Catholic school. The following is the complete text of Angelica’s talk delivered at the 11:00 Mass at Mary, Queen of Peace Parish on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

“Hello. My name is Angelica. I first came to Mary, Queen of Peace (MQP) as a little second grader with perpetually skinned knees and a page-boy haircut.

There were many things I didn’t know then. I had never used a microscope, I felt overwhelmed by multiplication tables, and I struggled with drawing a realistic horse (don't we all?). My teachers helped, encouraged, and supported me and showed me how to ask for help when I needed it. Now I know how to dissect owl pellets, identify the six animal kingdoms, and name their classification system. I can say the Hail Mary in Spanish, hit high C on the clarinet, list all the state capitals, and compose an essay in five-paragraph form. I've learned how to describe the structure of a cell, categorize subordinate clauses, and solve for x in an algebraic equation. I’ve learned all these things, and many others I’ll need to excel in high school, here at MQP, and I am very grateful. But there are many other good schools that might have prepared me just as well academically.

So, what makes Mary, Queen of Peace School special? At MQP we learn things that matter even more than math, science, and history.

Mary, Queen of Peace energetically creates a culture of faith. We hear about God’s great love for us and His holy will for us every day: through Mrs. Ciolek's God's Little Devotional Book, in daily religion class, and in the prayers we say every morning, at lunch, before classes, and at the end of the school day. We attend Mass every week, we receive regular visits from Fr. Bob and Fr. Craig to our classrooms, and we prepare as a class for the sacraments of Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist, and Confirmation. We research saints in the fifth grade and again in the seventh grade. We go on a seventh grade retreat, a Confirmation retreat, and an eighth-grade retreat.

At the same time, Mary, Queen of Peace immerses its students in an environment of faith. Crucifixes appear in every room, statues of the Blessed Mother dot the school, and life-size statues of the Sacred Heart and the Prince of Peace grace the hallways. Classrooms contain prayer books, prayer boards, and prayer tables. Paintings and pictures of Jesus hang in the classrooms, and even the art teacher has religious posters on her walls. One says, "Jesus is tougher than nails." Another shows a picture of Jesus carrying the cross that reads "Follow the Leader." At Mary, Queen of Peace we are surrounded with reminders of our faith, and from these grow the compassion we need for a life of service.

MQP gives us many opportunities to offer service: dress-out day donations and sandwich prep in support of St. Patrick's Center, Mission Carnival, each grade's annual stewardship project, and the SAC Ambassadors program to help MQP's smallest students. When I was their age, I used to spend Mass in the cry room, running my Hot Wheels cars along the backs of the chairs an d asking how much longer Mass was going to take. Now I help my two kindergarten buddies to sit through Mass quietly, and, on good days, even prayerfully. Mrs. Smith taught me the Hail Mary, and now I teach this prayer to first graders in the PSR program. Mrs. Black taught me how to serve at Mass, and now I help her instruct the new servers.

My teachers at MQP taught me the parts of the Mass, the liturgical calendar, and all five verses of “We Three Kings.” But what they really taught me was to care for and to serve others. All of these opportunities, this warm and faith-filled environment, and especially the teachers and staff here at MQP, have given me what no secular school experience could. This is what it means to be a Catholic school. Thank you.”

What an eloquent presentation that absolutely captures the essence of the mission of Catholic education--to bring children into a close, personal relationship with Jesus! Congratulations to Angela, her parents, and Mary, Queen of Peace Catholic School for articulating it so well!

Office of Catholic Education

Students with Autism find iPads suit their special needs

suebrown@archstl.org — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:56:27 +0000

By Sue Brown, Director of Marketing and Community Relations

Students and teachers of St. Gemma Center for Autism have found high-tech help with their communication challenges thanks to the Foundation for the Special Education of Children. The board said a resounding “Yes!” to a recent grant proposal for iPads to use in their classroom.

St. Gemma Center for Autism serves a unique population of students in the Archdiocese of St. Louis with severe autism-spectrum disorders and other developmental disabilities. Persons on the autism-spectrum typically experience serious challenges with communication which impact their academic learning and development of social skills, often resulting in emotional frustration and challenging behaviors. Oral and written expression and language development present particular difficulties for these students. However, some children who are non-verbal or have limited speaking skills communicate well in writing. Many are visual thinkers with strong technological and/or artistic skills. When engaged in a task and highly motivated, these children can achieve far more than previously anticipated.

Dr. Karen Tichy, Associate Superintendent for Instruction and Special Education in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, wrote the grant after seeing the research on the successful use of iPads in the instruction of children on the autism spectrum. The iPad’s touch screen and layout make it more accessible for children with coordination or learning difficulties, as they may find sliding and tapping easier than either typing or writing. Because it is very portable, the iPad can also be useful in calming and focusing active children. It can be used as a communication board or augmentative communication device, as well.

Cody, an 11-year-old student at St. Gemma for the last three years, can verify—literally and verbally—that the research is accurate! After experiencing difficulty with math computation, reading and writing skills, Cody experienced a breakthrough upon receiving his new iPad. Using a variety of applications designed especially for children with autism, Cody is now sounding out difficult words successfully, identifying sight words, writing sentences, adding and subtracting with ease. Cody’s teacher, Catherine Forder, says “From a teacher’s perspective, Cody’s iPad has given him a new way to look at learning. He is highly motivated by the game format used by the applications, as well as the instant feedback he receives. He is learning at a much faster pace, and the iPad is easy for him to use and understand.”

After a recent visit to St. Gemma at the students’ invitation to their Thanksgiving dinner, Dr. Tichy reported, “One of our boys, whom I have never heard speak in a complete sentence in the three plus years I have known him, fluently spoke several sentences as he eagerly showed me AND explained what he could do on the iPad!”

For more information about St. Gemma Center and the other special education schools and centers of the Department of Special Education, please contact Dr. Karen Tichy at 314-792-7320.

Office of Catholic Education

Catholic Schools Week Poster Contest

archstlceo@archstl.org — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:34:51 +0000

67 students from 31 schools throughout the Archdiocese submitted posters in the first St. Louis Archdiocese Catholic Schools Week Poster Contest!

Students were asked to represent how “My Catholic School is Alive in Christ!” Principals electronically submitted their school’s top entry in each grade level category.

The staff of the Catholic Education Office voted to select the top winners in each category. The winners’ works were printed and will be displayed at The Sheldon Concert Hall during the Catholic Schools Week concerts (Jan. 3-6) and at the Catholic Education Center at 4445 Lindell Boulevard in February. Come by and see them!

Pictured are the school's top entry in each category, Primary (Pre-K- 2), Intermediate (grades 3- 5), Middle (grades 6- 8), and High School (grades 9- 12).

Primary- Olivia, St. Roch

Primary- Cameron, St. Simon the Apostle

Primary- Maxmillian, St. Joachim

Primary- Julia, St. Clement of Rome

Primary- Cole, Sacred Heart- Valley Park

Primary- Category Winner- Ashlyn, Holy Infant

Primary- Mikaelyn, Holy Child

Primary- Marrelle, Holy Spirt

Primary- Caleb, St. Jospeh- Cotteville

Primary- Ramone, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Primary- Seamus, St. Richard

Primary- Susanna, Our Lady of Lourdes- University City

Primary- Michael, Christ Prince of Peace

Primary- Olivia, Our Lady of Lourdes- Washington

Intermediate- Nhat, Annuziata

Intermediate- Autumn, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Intermediate- Mackenzie, St. Joachim

Intermediate- Ashley, St. Clement of Rome

Intermediate- Alayna, Sacred Heart- Valley Park

Intermediate- Patrick, St. Roch

Intermediate- Haily, St. Simon the Apostle

Intermediate- Sydney, Holy Child

Intermediate- Annemarie, Holy Infant

Intermediate- Amy, St. Raphael the Archangel

Intermediate- Jack, Our Lady of Sorrows

Intermediate- Grace, Our Lady of Sorrows

Intermediate- Christopher, St. Ann

Intermediate - Category Winner- Patsy, St. Peter, Kirkwood

Intermediate- Emily, St. Rose of Lima

Intermediate- Daniel, St. Rose of Lima

Intermediate- Abbey, Our Lady of Lourdes, Washington

Intermediate- Loren, Holy Spirit

Intermediate- Audrey, St. Patrick

Intermediate- Lauren, St. Joseph, Cottleville

Intermediate- Marie, Sts. Joachim and Ann

Intermediate- Sean, St. Richard

Middle- Lindsey, Christ, Prince of Peace

MIddle- Katie, Annunziata

Middle- Alexander, Immaculate Conception - Union

Middle- Alyssa, St. Rose Philippine Duchesne

Middle- Annie, Little Flower

Middle- Seth, St. Joachim

Middle- Ashley, St. Clement of Rome

Middle- Dennis, St. John the Baptist

Middle- Meg, Sacred Heart- Valley Park

Middle- Allison, Holy Child

Middle- Lauren, Holy Infant

Middle- Nick, St. Raphael the Archangel

MIddle- Abby, Our Lady of Sorrows

Middle- Ariel, St. Ann

Middle- Chris, St. Peter - Kirkwood

Middle- Kayla, Cathedral Basilica

Middle- Devon, St. Rose of Lima

Middle- Bailey, St. Rose of LIma

Middle- Nolan, St. Roch

Middle- Olivia, Our Lady of Lourdes- University City

Middle- Liz, Our Lady of Lourdes- Washington

Middle- Ashely, St. Patrick

Middle- Shawn, Most Holy Trinity

Middle- Gordon, St. Margaret of Scotland

Middle - Sarah, St. Richards - Category Winner

High School - Alex, St. Pius X High Shchool - Category Winner

High School - Niyah, Cardinal Ritter College Prep

Intermediate - Kayla, Cathedral Basilica

Intermediate - Hannah, Christ Prince of Peace

Intermediate- Katie, Assumption - Mattese

Office of Catholic Education

Mike Welling named 2011 Distinguished Principal

suebrown@archstl.org — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:05:09 +0000

Incarnate Word Catholic School Principal Mike Welling (Region 3) has been named the 2011 Distinguished Elementary Principal in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The Elementary Principals Coordinator Council chose Mr. Welling from the eight candidates nominated by fellow principals in their regions after reviewing the applications of all nominees. As the archdiocesan Distinguished Principal, Mr. Welling has submitted an application for the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) Distinguished Principal Award.

In his fourteenth year as principal at Incarnate Word, Mr. Welling has taught at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School and Bishop DuBourg High School, and served as principal of St. Mathias Catholic School. He is an active member of St. Mary Magdalen Parish. In 2007 Mr. Welling received the Cardinal Rigali Service Award.

Mr. Welling considers his three most significant accomplishments as a Catholic school principal to be his own spiritual and professional development, the creation of the position of Curriculum Director at Incarnate Word School to support a full-time learning consultant, and the development of an enrollment management plan through which the school communicates effectively and consistently its purpose and spiritual vision—Rooted in Family, Nourished by Faith, Strengthened with Knowledge, Reaching for Excellence, and Bearing the Fruit of Leadership and Service.

Congratulations to Mr. Welling, and to all candidates for the 2011 Distinguished Principal Award, including:

Deborah DaLay—St. Joan of Arc Catholic School—Region 1

Ken Morr—St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Catholic School—Region 2

Mike Biggs—Annunciation Catholic School—Region 4

Jill Burkett—St. Mark Catholic School—Region 5

Elaine Blair—St. Vincent Catholic School—Region 6

Susan Schutz—Immaculate Conception Catholic School-Old Monroe—Region 7

Keith Branson—St. Francis Borgia Catholic School—Region 8

Office of Catholic Education

Department of Special Education honors distinguished graduate Doug Buder

suebrown@archstl.org — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:13:41 +0000

By Sue Brown, Director of Marketing and Community Relations--Catholic Education Office

Mr. Doug Buder was honored with the first Outstanding Graduate Award at the Department of Special Education’s second annual “Celebrity Waiter Dinner and Auction” on Saturday, November 19.

Director of Special Education Schools and Centers Sr. Luanne Boland, SSND, who was named the “Celebrity Waiter of the Year” for raising the most money in “tips” from her table, introduced Doug and spoke of his many accomplishments throughout his time with the Department of Special Education which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

“Doug is a man for all seasons, a man for all people,” she said. “He is a beacon of light and hope and an example of our mission—to provide quality education, success in life and a living faith for children with special needs. Doug lives his faith and is succeeding in life," she said.

Doug is a graduate of St. Mary’s Special School and now lives independently and is a valued employee in store maintenance at Dierberg’s Marketplace in Chesterfield. He serves Ascension Parish as a faithful usher every Sunday.

Both Doug and Sr. Luanne received specially engraved crystal platters to mark their distinguished achievements.