Submitted by Alma Rubio
For Today’s Catholic
St. John Berchmans Catholic School (PreK3-8) commenced its 2017-2018 academic school year on Aug. 21, with a new interim principal at the helm. Nora García has been promoted from the position of vice-principal, “As educational leader at St. John Berchmans Catholic School, I feel that it is my duty and my responsibility to lead our campus to serve and to teach our students in developing their Catholic faith as well as to teach them to successfully assess what they need for their academic growth, progress and continued success for learning. Our ongoing theme this year will be: “St. John Berchmans Catholic School — A Place of Learning Guided by the Holy Spirit.” Students and parents will discover that our teachers are loving and caring in their response to teaching. Teachers understand that what they do daily contributes to the foundation of our student’s ongoing development of faith, knowledge and skills and also prepares them for their lives of service in whatever capacity to which they may be led.”
Father Fidèle O. Dikete, pastor of St. John Berchmans Church, shares, “I am very excited and optimistic about this 2017-2018 academic school year. Our vision has been to raise the academic bar, establish a bully-free environment by promoting disciplined structure and exercising the policies and regulations outlined in the student/parent handbook. All goals will be attainable if we rely on God’s and the Holy Spirit’s guidance and by working together as a family.”
Julie Ortiz is a fifth grade teacher commencing her seventh year of service, “As a teacher, I want my students to understand that mistakes are OK and that it is essential they possess the tools necessary to achieve anything they want to do and their personal goal is their own decision to achieve. We are a special campus where unity as family is very evident and our students gain a faith filled education. Our goal is that with God’s presence, everything is possible at SJB. Mrs. García is making us as one whole unit working to achieve academic success for each child.”
Library Manager Ariana Hopcus is in her fourth year at SJB, “Our library has undergone a complete makeover to promote a more inviting environment because reading is so essential in a child’s life. This year we intend to have visitors read to our children, short summaries of books will be written, storytelling and Book Fairs will be held with each student leaving with a book to read. Our goal is to have reluctant readers get hooked on books. Other activities include a school Spelling Bee, poetry contest, reading incentives and writing contests.”
García encourages her students to assist in a humanitarian manner to society, “We intend to have a fund drive for Hurricane Harvey and eighth grade students will hold their annual drive for needy families during Thanksgiving. Some former students return and become members of our Youth Group to further assist our parish community, every second Sunday of each month our students are responsible for the liturgy at our noon Mass as well as the weekly Wednesday morning mass and the CYO is a fundamental partnership. Our goal at SJB is to excel in academics by rebuilding and taking to a higher level all of our classes.”
“I am confident that under the leadership of Nora García, the interim principal, our excellent teachers, faculty and parish community we will be able to materialize and reach our goals. My heartfelt gratitude to our parents who have entrusted their children to us. We will do our very best to provide an excellent learning atmosphere; thus, ultimately increasing our enrollment,” concluded Father Fidèle.