Good News from the Office of Catholic Education

February 2016

D.O.R.S. Impact 2

Champion Parent Note 3

Bishop Manogue Catho-

lic High School

4

Our Lady of the Snows 5

St. Albert’s School 6

Little Flower School 7

St. Teresa of Avila Cath-

olic School News

8

Holy Child Early Learn-

ing Center

9

Inside this issue:

National Catholic Schools Week Highlights

Students from Bishop Manogue Catholic High School, St. Albert

the Great School, Our Lady of the Snows School, Little Flower

School, and St. Teresa of Avila participated in poster and essay

contests coinciding with Catholic Schools Week.

One of the highlights of the week

was the all-school’s Mass on Wednesday on

February 4 at St. Rose of Lima Parish,

celebrated by Reverend Tony Vercellone

(pictured left) and Concelebrated by the

Very Reverend Chuck Durante, Reverend

Richard Kayizzi, and Reverend Justin Lazar.

Father Tony’s homily

reminded students that Catholic Schools Week is an

important time to honor the great tradition of Catholic

education in our nation.

Faith has been and continues to

be the foundation of this tradition.

We appreciate love, but it is faith

that allows love to happen. Faith

gives love reality. While many in

our ministry of Catholic education have been given

the talent of teaching, it is also relevant to realize

how much God believes in each and every one of us. Our students will make

their marks on society. Each of you is a gift and a person of worth, and as

you grow, realize that a foundation of Catholic education is a gift that goes

on giving.

Sincere gratitude goes to Barb Hawn, Chair of the Catholic Schools Week

committee for her coordination of the poster and essay contests and the

Mass, which was attended by approximately 1,200 people from our middle

schools and high school. In addition, we want to acknowledge Nina Weaver

and Jeremy Satalick for their assistance with music.

As part of our commitment to service in the community, students collected

toiletries to give to Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada. Peter Vogel,

Executive Director, and Emelie Melton Williams attended the Mass.

Emelie wrote: “Thank you so much for the beautiful Mass today. Every detail was so heart-felt. All of us at Catholic Charities are so very grateful to you and the team that coordinates all of the

Catholic Schools Week activities.”

Superintendent’s Report Karen Barreras, M.Ed.

Page 2

Diocese of Reno

Scholarship

(D.O.R.S.)

This needs-based

scholarship provides

$2,000.00 per year in

tuition assistance for

qualifying students, as

funds allow.

For the Calendar year 2015, D.O.R.S. was able to add $70,000.00 to our fund,

allowing us to add even more students in the 2016-2017 School Year!

To donate online, go to

www.renodiocese.org, click the

Donate button and follow the link to

D.O.R.S.

Or click here

To mail a gift, please send to:

D.O.R.S.

290 S. Arlington Ave.

Reno, NV 89501

*For the last five years all donations

have been matched by an anonymous donor.

Give a gift of Love!

A donation to the

Diocese of

Reno Scholarship

(D.O.R.S) will

give the gift of a

Catholic

Education.

Strong Catholic Families: Partnering with Parents to Bring Home the Faith

One of the most important tasks for the Church today is to promote the faith growth of families by encour-

aging families to share, celebrate, and live their faith at home and in the world. Renewing the Vision, p.12

Parents Have a Strong Influence on Their Teen

It might not seem like they are spending a lot of time at

home when they are headed off to school, a soccer

game, band practice, play rehearsal, a part-time job, a

friend’s house, a youth ministry event, etc., but teens real-

ly do spend more time at home and with their families

than any place else. When asked about the most im-

portant influences in their lives teens consistently list their

parents as the people they first look to for help, guidance,

advice and approval. When it comes to shaping values

and attitudes about faith and life, parents, whether they

realize it or not, have a greater impact on their teen than

peer groups or the media. Read more: http://

www.strongcatholicfamilies.org/families/index.htm

This week's Champion Parent Note was contributed by Tauno Latvala, Director of CYO Athletics for the Archdiocese of Seattle. Tauno has been a long time trainer for Play Like a Champion Today.

As a varsity baseball coach, an administrator overseeing a youth sports league, and a parent-coach of an elementary soccer team, I have witnessed the role of parents in sports from a varie-ty of perspectives. What I have experienced over the years has crystallized my belief that how we as parents act on the sidelines and in the stands can have a significant impact on the experi-ence of our kids and their teammates.

Each of us has specific roles in the experience of youth sports - player, coach, official, and

fan. Champions stay focused on their role and perform it to the best of their ability. Tension, is-sues, and conflict arise when we act outside of our role. In other words, let the players play, the coaches coach, and the parents cheer.

A parent can have a positive impact from the sideline! Players should be encouraged to fo-

cus on giving their best effort, being the best teammate they can be and having fun. Coaches have committed to the kids on their team - respect the commitment they have made. Coaching from parents on the sideline can be distracting and can undermine the coach's authority with the team. Indecisiveness and confusion do not lead to maximized perfor-mance and experience.

Referees have been instructed in the basic rules of the sport and the nuances of how to use their judgment to ap-

ply them. Constant badgering of the officials often causes our athletes to become more focused on calls instead of per-severing through the adversity that is part of sports. Officiating is difficult. EVERY league needs more officials, if you have an interest, sign up and help out!

Fans should focus their effort on affirming the process of play and the little things that contribute to team enjoy-

ment (enthusiasm, effort, sportsmanship, team play, persistence), not just the outcomes (points, victories) because the

What can you do in your league or at your school to remind all fans of their role in the game?

This is a statement that is read aloud by an adult prior to each competition in the Seattle CYO.

"Champions are those that maximize their potential. We need to create the environment in which Champions are made. We will respect and support coaches and officials by remain-

ing in the designated spectator areas. We will remember that youth participate for their enjoyment, not ours. We will remember our role as a fan and applaud good effort by all competitors. We will encourage the athletes to improve their skills, be good teammates

and play by the spirit of CYO Athletics."

More Resources on Parent Behavior

Hear what Sam Snow, Technical Director of US Youth Soccer says about parent be-havior on the sidelines.

Check out Play Like a Champion's Guidelines for the Sidelines for parents.

Read what US Youth Soccer suggests for parent etiquette at games.

Page 3

Page 4

Love in the Lenten Season

Students serving Students

Bishop Manogue students have a rich history of serving our community, but what may not be as well known is their

spirit of service for each other. Students kicked off

February by celebrating “Dude, Be Nice” kindness month.

Students are encouraged to simply be nice, do good and

treat others with respect. Throughout the month students

wear their “Dude, Be Nice” t-shirts (pictured left) and

nominate each other for their acts of kindness. At the end

of the month an assembly is held where students highlight

the nice things that were done for them as well as

honoring faculty & staff members who live out the

message. A perfect example of kindness displayed this

month was also seen in our French Club students who arrived to school early to make

homemade crepes (pictured right) to share with fellow students during both lunch periods to celebrate Le Chandeleur

(France’s Crepe Day) .

Sharing the Love

For the children in our community that go hungry over the weekends when there are no school

lunches or resources at home, the work of our JV Girls’

Basketball team with the Kids Back-Pack Program made a

huge difference. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada’s

Kids Back-Pack Program gives bags of food to needy

children to take home over the weekend. Along with

student project coordinators, Michael Bruno, Josh Menante

and Anthony Bruno (pictured left with friends), the JV

Girls’ Basketball team set a goal of collecting 75 bags and

beat their goal by collecting 80! Go Miners!

School Spirit has its Rewards

Our students showing their love for Bishop Manogue certainly has its rewards.

Recently, the Dolan Auto Group launched a School & Community Upgrade Contest

giving students a chance at winning $5,000 for their school. In order to enter, students

had to organize and execute a community service project – our students were ahead of

the curve. A recent service project lead by the Freshman Football team and friends

collecting food and cold-weather gear for less fortunate members of our community

was a perfect fit. The Dolan contest also gave an extra entry for every 100 likes on

social media for each outreach project. With our #MinerSpirit, Bishop Manogue

students cast countless votes which ultimately resulted in a win! The Dolan Auto Group presented the check to

enthusiastic students during our WinterFest pep rally!

Bishop Manogue Catholic High School | www.bishopmanogue.org | (775) 336-6000

Page 5

Our Lady of the Snows

02/05/2016

The 40-day Lenten Season at Our Lady of the Snows School includes the following service projects, special

events and prayerful reflections:

Mardi Gras: Students were challenged to join the Lenten faith-in-action program known as Catholic Relief

Services Rice Bowl. We’ve teamed with 13,000 faith communities across the United States to join together

to bring lifesaving aid for millions of individuals living in conditions of poverty around the world. A simple

cardboard box – a CRS Rice Bowl – inspires prayers, fasting and almsgiving within Catholic families across

the United States and delivers hope to millions around the world. The

hungry are fed; the thirsty are given drink; the homeless find shelter.

Ash Wednesday: School Mass and distribution of ashes.

Lent Calendar of Kindness: The Calendar of Kindness is a school-wide

project sponsored by the Student Council – every day a different act of

kindness helps us grow closer to God as we journey together through Lent.

Stations of the Cross: An important devotional tool at Our Lady of the

Snows School is the Prayer of Stations. By focusing on the key events of Jesus’ last day, students enter into a

deeper understanding and experience the passion of Christ so that they might be ready to celebrate Easter

with new joy and freedom. The prayer of Stations will be presented to the whole school during Lent; the first

led by the 8th grade and again led by the kindergarten class. Finally, the “living” Stations will be presented

by the kindergarten and 8th grade.

Lenten Reconciliation Service: Two Reconciliation services are held for students and offer them the gift of

grace, a way to God, and a way back to God. Through self-examination and acknowledging failings

through Reconciliation, students commit to making things right with God, with others and with themselves.

Triduum Retreat: The morning of Holy Thursday, we hold a Triduum Retreat for the whole school. Families

are invited to join us for this very special retreat which is designed to give everyone a preview of the

Triduum; Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday/Resurrection Sunday.

Easter Basket Drive for Catholic Charities:

Student Council is collecting baskets, treats and small toys/activities to donate to Catholic Charities Easter

Basket drive for homeless children. Baskets will be assembled during lunch times by Snows students and

delivered to Catholic Charities by the staff.

Our Lady of the Snows School 1125 Lander Street, Reno, NV

775-322-2773

www.ourladyofthesnowsschool.org

Our Mission: Inspired by our Catholic faith, Our Lady of the Snows School nurtures our students to become young leaders who love God, love learning and love their neighbor.

P a g e 6

St. Albert the Great School “Love,” by parent, Tracey Collamer

“I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you,

so you also should love one another” John 13:34

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it

does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all

things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.“

1Corinthians 4-7

This year, I have a very special Valentine. My 9 year old son asked me to be his special Valentine. I don’t take this

lightly, as this is the first time he’s ever really been aware of the love the surrounds him and the many blessings he has in

his life. Of all the people that surrounds him and loves him, he chose me to be his special one.

Valentine’s Day has sparked a lot of conversations about the subject of love

with my children. They’re becoming more aware of the relationships that they

see in books, the media, and in real life. When my son asked me what the

strongest form of love was, I replied that I believe that the strongest love is a

parent’s love for a child, like God’s love for us.

So when my son wanted me to be his first Valentine, I decided to make his

day special. I wanted to do something beyond the gift of chocolate, flowers,

or conversation candies that are readily available at the store. I wanted to give

him something that has meaning to me and something to share with him. I decided to give him a replica of the Sacred

Heart of Jesus medallion that I have carried with me through my youth. The medal has a picture of Jesus who is

revealing his heart. On his heart, there is a crown of thorns.

The Sacred Heart represents the love and compassion that Jesus has for humanity and our suffering. Jesus teaches us the

golden rule: treat others as I have treated you and love others as I have loved you. In parables, he relates multiple

teachings of unselfish love and sacrifice, as well as demonstrates his love for us by sacrificing himself and freeing us

from sin. This is the greatest love that he could give the world. In return, we reciprocate his gift of love by treating each

other with the same kindness, compassion, and care. This is not an easy task. It’s easy to lose sight of compassion and

peace when we’re surrounded by an imperfect world.

Jesus’ mercy calls us back to him. He understands our struggles and gives us

grace. His love doesn’t come with rules and conditions. He knows that we’re

not perfect. He asks us to be better and to do better. He wants us to be the best

version of ourselves by living and practicing his teachings of mercy and

compassion. Like most parents, I want my children to always feel loved. I hope

that my son will recognize that like Jesus, my love doesn’t come with

conditions. Every day he’s my little Valentine and I will always love him, even on the days when he feels he’s

struggling or alone.

CATHOLIC

EDUCATION

IS FOR LIFE

St. Albert the Great School, 1255 St. Albert’s Drive Reno, NV 89503 (775) 747-3392 www.stalbertcatholicschool.org/

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Go!!!

P a g e 7 Little Flower School Different Where It Counts

1300 Casazza Dr.

Reno, NV 89502

(775) 329-2931

www.littleflowerschoolnv.org

Catholic Schools Week, Valentine’s Day, and Lent, all in a

two-week span! Students at Little Flower School have

been busy with service projects, thank you cards, and

preparation for walking the

Lenten Path. During Catholic

Schools Week, students

decorated doors with signs

about why they Love Little

Flower, wrote thank you notes to their parents, and wrote prayers and support

cards to active duty military. The Catholic Schools Week Hygiene Supply

Drive, Jeans for Teens Drive, Cereal Box Challenge, and “Soup”er Bowl were a

huge success, with the school bringing in over

3,000 toiletry items and tons of jeans for Catholic

Charities.

The church food pantry was stuffed with cereal

and soup to support those in need in our parish

community. As Lent begins next week, students

will continue with their service in the form of almsgiving, participating in the

Pennies for Patients program for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The

students will be asked to bring one food item they are willing to “give-up” for

Lent each week as an offering at the school Mass for the church food pantry.

There will be a Lenten Reconciliation Service, Living Stations of the Cross

performed by fifth grade, and a school wide focus on 40 days of prayer. We

hope you and your families have a prayerful Lenten season.

The Tradition lives on:

“Legacy” picture of Little Flower students with some family members and teachers who attended

Catholic schools.

Little Flower School: The Trifecta

Page 8

We love to Spell!

While spell-check is an amazing

tool to use, it is also imperative that

students know how to spell

properly.

The annual St. Teresa of Avila

Catholic School spelling bee supports

the school’s mission statement and

Schoolwide Learning Expectations:

specifically, “Demonstrate a solid

foundation in all academic subjects…”

St. Teresa of Avila Catholic School, 567 South Richmond Ave. Carson City, NV 89703, www.stts.org

P a g e 9

February Happenings

February has a lot of different events throughout the month, don't forget to

participate!

February 2: Groundhog Day

February 4: Dental Presentation

February 5: Pajama Day - Go RED day!

February 14: Valentine's Day

February 15: NO SCHOOL - President's Day

February 24: Wacky Wednesday - Dress Like Your Favorite Animal

February Theme:

Our Bodies & Nutrition

Your child's curriculum focus throughout the school is "Our Bodies/Nutrition." Each of the four weeks will

have a different theme. The month kicks off with lessons about the

heart, followed by our body, nutrition/health and in all exercise!

February is American Heart month. Let's show support by wearing

red on Friday to bring awareness to heart health.

You can expect to see a lot of different activities surrounding these

themes in the classrooms! Students will be doing hands-on activities

such as science experiments, art projects, and reading different

books to really learn and understand the different topics throughout

the month. Also, with the nutrition and exercise unit, expect your

child to learn about healthy foods and healthy exercises you can do inside or outside. Join the fun by adopting

these in your own home. We invite you to help yourself to the items labeled in the cafeteria for families and

staff. The Food Bank of Northern Nevada is a partner in providing fresh produce and dry

items.

Holy Child Early Learning Center | 775.329.2979 | http://holychildearlylearning.org