Celebrating Catholic Schools Week
In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, it is a pleasure to highlight some of the unique experiences that make Rochester Catholic Schools so meaningful. As a community, we try to achieve this mission statement that is displayed in each of our classrooms:
“Rochester Catholic Schools (RCS) develops the spiritual, social, emotional, and academic growth of young people. RCS partners with parents and the Catholic faith community to nurture the development of a Christ-centered learning environment that fosters a culture of excellence where students grow in wisdom, courage, and character. Rooted in Gospel values, RCS students are challenged and supported to become critical thinkers, collaborative problem solvers, creative visionaries and servant leaders who bring hope to the world.”
I have enjoyed being a teacher at Rochester Catholic Schools for the past eleven years. I was also grateful to have been able to do my student teaching at Lourdes High School while attending St. Mary’s University. Every single day as an educator, I have witnessed how our staff live this mission statement and how our students thrive in their academic growth. Staff members wholeheartedly embrace this concept and work far beyond the regular school hours to create a nurturing learning environment. Our goal is to educate the needs of the whole student. We strive to meet each student's academic, emotional, and spiritual needs. In addition, we collaborate with fellow teachers in order to enrich the growth of our students.
As with our mission, our staff embraces the concepts of being a “Christ-centered school with a culture of excellence.” Our challenges have always been to meet the academic needs of a diverse population of students within our classrooms. Students have shared that the teachers at the Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School are excellent in preparing them for high school and college. We care about our students and strive to help them achieve academic success. Students benefit from a high academic standard, yet lessons are varied enough to meet their individual needs.
Students also grow by priorities being placed on their emotional and spiritual needs. Our students are able to meet with a teacher in order to express any concerns or issues that they may experience in their lives. In fact, students feel comfortable enough that they do not hesitate to speak with a staff counselor when a need arises.
Spiritual growth is met with prayer at the start of each class and by attending Mass each week. Teaching lessons include moral values and principles as well. When possible, our priests visit the classrooms in order to enhance spiritual learning. Students also request prayer when emotional needs arise within our school community.
Students have shared several aspects that they enjoy about their learning. St. John’s strives to keep classroom size small so teachers will be able to give individual attention for academic success. When gathering as a whole school, volunteers from homeroom classes do readings of Bible verses, petitions, and music during School Masses. Students share how much they love the songs and a growing number have contributed with their diverse musical talents.
Students express their joy in the fact that they can make long-lasting friendships throughout all their school years. Oftentimes, they have even returned to visit and to connect with past teachers in order to share their successes in high school, college, and careers.
It has been very rewarding for us educators to have students and parents express their appreciation for the special learning that has made a difference in our students’ lives.
Ms. Susan Claypool
Middle School Social Studies Teacher
Co-Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist Middle School