Message to Parents

The education of children begins the day they are born.  Their entrance into school is not the beginning of their education but the continuation of it.  Parents have the first right and obligation in the education of their children.  The teachers, professionally trained in the psychology of learning and techniques of teaching, wish to assist parents in this all-important work.

 The school is usually one of the first experiences of Christian community that children have outside of the family.  The respect, communication, and cooperation that parents, teachers, and administrators exhibit among themselves should, therefore, model Christian Community for the children.  Equally important, however, are the respect, communication, and cooperation shown toward and expected from children as part of that community.

 Parental attitudes toward the parish school and their respect for individual teachers are normally absorbed and reflected by children.  Only if children perceive this mutual respect as a shared authority of parents and teachers will they be able to participate positively in their education.

Principal Thoughts

Here at St. Therese, we are definitely a parish school. This is different than simply a Catholic School. Here, the entire parish community supports what we do in school by their prayer, their presence, their volunteering, their input, their financial support, and their smiles and their tears. There is close contact with the teachers, the children and the parents. There is involvement with the pastor and the parish at large. Parents as well as children are known by name. Family values are respected and nurtured. The whole child is taught. Spirituality and faith are integral parts of everything that is done here from discipline, to religion class, to math class, to physical education. We are firmly committed to teaching the Catholic faith and to living the Catholic faith in all that we do. At the same time, we are more than happy to welcome students who profess other religions. We are pleased to be able to share our values with them as well as have the opportunity to appreciate their faith traditions too.

 Our highly qualified and educated teachers come from strong faith backgrounds of their own and are happy to be teaching where their own faith can be nurtured and strengthened as well as shared with their students. The discipline at our school is not a punitive one. It is a strengthening one- one that addresses mental discipline, spiritual discipline and physical discipline. The good discipline at St. Therese School comes not only from the teachers, but also from the parents. Concerned parents who work as a team with school personnel and the firm Catholic values that we all profess give our students a strong sense of moral direction and enable them to develop disciplined lives that lead to happiness.

 Our children not only receive instruction in the meaning and mystery of the sacraments, but also have continued opportunities to participate in the sacraments throughout their days here. Each time they receive the sacraments and participate at our liturgies and prayer services, they are reminded of God's loving goodness, and each time they pray in class or in church, they become more of what God intends them to be. Opportunities for service abound and each time they are presented with the chance to serve others, they see it in relationship to the God who loves them.

 Academically, our students are challenged to develop to the best of their abilities, and to explore the world and the best of what it has to offer. The school strongly supports a solid education in the basics with special emphasis currently being placed on reading, math, science, technology and visual arts.

Students at St. Therese come away with a sense of community through parish activities, school functions, contacts with the larger Southgate community and the Diocese of Covington. Students are broadened through instruction in Spanish to help them appreciate cultural differences in the larger community and to better prepare them to belong to a wider community. Children learn that they are a part of a school and parish community that cares for them and prays for them and for their families.

 Sometimes, we may be weak in a certain area. Sometimes, we make mistakes. Sometimes, we haven't communicated clearly. But, all the times, we've done our bests, remained true to our calling and' have continued to strive for the very best parish Catholic education possible for our children here at St. Therese School. The strengths far outweigh the weaknesses and the end result is that our children do learn to embrace the Gospel, do achieve academic excellence, and do make positive differences in the world. We are very blessed and lucky to have St. Therese School, St. Therese Parish, and the entire St. Therese community. Thanks to each and every one of you for the part you play because the strength of St. Therese School is dependent on each of us who make up this community of faith. May you continue to experience the awesome presence of a very good God in your lives and in the lives of your children.           

Sr. Mary Ellen Strunk, Former Principal June, 2001