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History
Philosophy
Goals
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History
Saint Callistus Catholic School was established in 1963 with grades one
through four. Reverend James Gallagher was pastor at that time. The Dominican
Sisters of Mission San Jose staffed the school. By 1969 the school had
grown to sixteen class rooms with eight sisters and ten lay teachers on the
staff.
In 1966, Reverend Peter Scannell was appointed Administrator of St. Callistus
Parish and in 1969, he was appointed pastor. Under his direction three
additional classrooms, a library and a School of Religious Education office
were constructed and an adjacent apartment complex was purchased to serve as a
convent for the sisters.
Student enrollment began to decline in 1971 and a recommendation from the
Archdiocese resulted in dropping one grade each year. In the fall of
1986, extended day-care was added and in 1996 an off-campus pre-school,
licensed for 56 students, was opened. Currently 14 classroom are being
used, nine for grades kindergarten through eight and one each for a computer
lab, library, art, music and extended day-care. The student body
enrollment is currently 280 students. The staff consists of nine
full-time teachers, six part-time support teachers and five teaching
assistants. Before and after school programs include, student council,
hand bells, choir, band, dance, drama, cheer leading, flag football, volleyball,
basketball, and softball.
The first lay principal was appointed in 1990. The school presently
operates under the auspices of the Diocese of Orange and receives guidance and
supervision from the Dominican Sisters of Mission San Jose.
A professional, faith-filled, visionary staff and a dedicated,
actively-involved Parent Guild combine to offer the students of St. Callistus
Catholic School moral development, cultural enrichment, and faith formation,
in addition to a strong academic curriculum.
Philosophy
As members of the Catholic educational community of St. Callistus School,
integrally linked to our parish faith community and influenced by the
spirit of St. Dominic, we believe:
- That we are called to preach and live the gospel message of Jesus Christ;
- That parents are the primary educators of their children;
- That teachers facilitate the child's learning and development and share
a partnership roll as ministers of gospel values and truth;
- That each child is uniquely gifted and loved by God, thus worthy of respect;
- That we are called to educate the whole child, providing opportunities for
each to grow spiritually, intellectually, socially, physically, emotionally,
and aesthetically;
- That we are called to nurture a healthy and positive self-image in each
child, challenging each to assume responsibility.
Goals
To realize these beliefs, we plan a school program aimed at achieving the
following goals:
Spiritual: |
We strive to:
instruct students in the doctrines and practices of the Catholic faith;
foster within the students a personal relationship with God;
motivate students to actively live gospel values and commandments. |
Intellectual: |
We seek to provide a curriculum that:
follows Diocesan curriculum outcomes;
exposes the children to new learning experiences;
motivates students to use their intellectual abilities responsibly;
instructs children in global awareness and ecological issues. |
Social: |
We seek to encourage and to motivate the students:
to appreciate the cultural diversity within our society;
to interact with others in a Christian manner;
to be sensitive to the needs of others and of our environment;
to respond to opportunities of service. |
Physical: |
We strive to:
educate the students in care, appreciation and respect for their bodies;
encourage participation in physical activities. |
Emotional: |
We seek to develop in each individual:
an appreciation and value of self;
the ability to identify and cope with personal feelings of self and others;
the responsibility for behavioral problem solving. |
Aesthetic: |
We strive to:
develop in students an appreciation for fine arts;
help students recognize and value the beauty of God's creation;
encourage students to value and appreciate their own creative abilities
and those of others. |
Student Handbook 2003-2004
©St. Callistus School
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