LENT IN CATHOLIC SCHOOLS

PRAYER, REFLECTION, SERVICE

This Holy Season, Rochester Catholic Schools students have shared their Lenten journey together with celebrations that include prayer services, Mass, Stations of the Cross, the Sacrament of Reconciliation and service projects that help fight hunger and bring peace to people in our community and around the world.

We are blessed, as a Catholic school community, to have the opportunity to experience these traditions during our school day. The mission of Rochester Catholic Schools is to educate and inspire young students in mind, body and spirit. There is no time like Lent to see our mission come alive for our young learners.

Please click the read more button to learn about specific service projects happening at each school site this past month.

GRADE SCHOOL MUSICALS -

 A BIG HIT!

In March, Rochester Catholic Schools elementary and junior high students brought their musical talents to the big stage at Lourdes High School. Students in The Raven Drama Club at St. Francis of Assisi School, under the direction of Mrs. Amelia Smith, performed the musical Mary Poppins. Holy Spirit Catholic School students in grades 3-8 performed Shrek the Musical, Jr. under the direction of Mary Pyfferoen.

Education and musical theater offer quite a partnership. Congratulations to those students for their hard work!

LANGUAGE IMMERSION & GLOBAL LEADERSHIP

The World Language Department at Lourdes High School has begun a new initiative this year that inspires students to participate in a language immersion experience that encourages them to be active Global Citizens. These experiences promote immersive travel, thoughtful leadership, and innovative thinking.

HOLY SPIRIT INTRODUCES

SOAR TO HELP ENSURE STUDENT SUCCESS

In an effort to help students grow and be successful, Holy Spirit Catholic School launched a new program called SOAR (Student Opportunities for Academic Results), which provides additional support for junior high students who may need assistance completing their assignments. SOAR develops and nurtures the relationships between teachers, students, and parents to help build success beyond junior high and into high school.

"We believe that every student has the responsibility to develop their gifts and talents and to share them for the common good. We are blessed to have a community who share the same values, goals and work together to help students reach their full potential," said Principal Chris Smith.

MORE THAN 3,500 POUNDS

COLLECTED FOR RED LAKE

Recently, a crew of Lourdes High School students and adult leaders took the 335 mile trip to northern Minnesota to help deliver items gathered for families who live in poverty on the Red Lake Indian Reservation at the St. Mary's Mission School. More than 3,500 pounds of food was collected by RCS families during Catholic Schools Week.

A big thanks to everyone in our community who donated!

LHS GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH

INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME

Congratulations to Myron Glass, former Lourdes High School Girls Basketball Coach, for his induction into the Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame! An inaugural class of 14 inductees was honored with a reception at The Courts at Mayo Clinic Center in Minneapolis.

As the girls head varsity coach for 31 seasons, Mr. Glass is the second ranked coach in state history for most wins, with a record of 719-143. Glass guided Lourdes to eight state championships, never losing in the state finals. They made 15 state tournament appearances and accumulated 30 state tournament wins.

The Minnesota High School Basketball Hall of Fame is in conjunction with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx and will have a display in the skyway of the recently renovated Target Center to honor the recipients. The goal of the Hall of Fame is to celebrate the rich history of high school basketball from around the state by recognizing the most successful players, teams, coaches and other contributors.

RCS HIRES NEW 

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR

Rochester Catholic Schools is pleased to announce that after an internal and external search, Mr. Steve Strickland began as the new Activities Director for Rochester Catholic Schools on March 12.

Mr. Strickland's primary responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations, mission alignment, scheduling, staffing and future direction of the fine arts and athletic programs for the RCS system. He will also facilitate relationships with coaches, directors, students, parents, and benefactors in order to strengthen the identity and cohesion across all activities at all levels.

"I am excited for the offer to become the new Activities Director for Rochester Catholic Schools and to work alongside the talented faculty, fine arts directors and advisors, coaches, parents and volunteers who have helped create a level of excellence throughout the RCS activities programs. I look forward to the opportunity to bring new ideas to the Activities Department while engaging with the RCS community," Strickland states.

VISION 2020

FOCUS GROUP SIGN-UP

The Rochester Catholic Schools Board of Trustees is proposing a visionary reconfiguration plan to grow Rochester Catholic Schools and is inviting stakeholder input to determine next steps.

There are many positive reasons to support the possible reconfiguration, however, the RCS Board of Trustees is seeking your input to assist us in moving forward. The RCS Board of Trustees has asked representatives from The Reid Group, a national Catholic consulting firm, to facilitate focus group sessions April 9-12.

To learn more or consider attending one of the sessions, please click here.

SUMMER ACADEMY

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

At Rochester Catholic Schools, we strive to enrich the minds, hearts, and spirits of our students throughout the summer as well as during the school year! RCS offers kindergarten through grade 12 enrichment as part of our Summer Academy, and our high school students have the option to participate in J-Term courses. All K-12 Summer Academy camps and clubs are open to non-RCS students.

Check out our website - we have a wide range of activities to keep families engaged all summer long!

HEARTS OF GOLD 2018

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Hearts of Gold, A Purple Tie Affair, the premier event for Lourdes High School, will be held on April 28, 2018.

You are invited to come celebrate Lourdes High School while enjoying an evening of fun and fellowship. Come experience the amazing spirit of the Lourdes community and support Catholic education.

The LHS Hi-Lighters will be making a special appearance to help us celebrate 1920's style.

Get you tickets now by clicking here!

13th ANNUAL FISH FRY EVENT

RAISES $13K FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

The 13th Annual Gary Vanselow Memorial Fish Fry on March 16 raised $13,000 to help students in financial need attend Rochester Catholic Schools. More than 600 guests from the RCS and greater communities were at the International Event Center for an evening of great food, raffles and games.

The event has raised nearly $160,000 and helped 25 students to date. Proceeds go to the two Vanselow scholarships established through Lourdes Foundation. The the Vanselow Family Scholarship benefits students in grades Prek-8, and the Gary Vanselow Memorial Scholarship helps students in grades 9-12.

COFFEE & CURRICULUM

WITH DIRECTOR OF TEACHING & LEARNING

On March 23rd, Christine Gregory, Director of Teaching and Learning, hosted the first Coffee & Curriculum event at St. James Coffee. The event was well attended by parents who engaged in great conversation about curriculum, research and a multitude of ideas. All who attended are eager to keep open the lines of communication to foster these types of conversations. Parents shared that they would like to see a monthly blog from Mrs. Gregory about the curriculum at RCS and some of the supporting research. They also expressed a desire to have additional Coffee & Curriculum meetings (a couple of times a year) to ask questions and keep connected to all the wonderful things taking place at RCS!

UPCOMING EVENTS

March 30

Good Friday

April 1
Easter

March 30 - April 6
Spring Break

April 14

Holy Spirit Rummage Sale

April 9-12

Vision 2020 Focus Group Sessions

April 25
Diocesan Baccalaureate Mass

April 28

Hearts of Gold