SAN DIEGO — Catholic Schools Week will be observed from Sunday, Jan. 26, to Saturday, Feb. 1.
Many schools host special events and an open house during this week.
Please check the websites of Catholic schools of interest. This is a great time to explore a Catholic school, meet the staff and talk to school families.
Information about Catholic schools in the San Diego-Imperial Valley region can be found at sdcatholic.org/schools.
Face of the Church
Students are able to interact often with the priest serving their Catholic school. That’s especially true when a parish has a school affiliated with it.
The positive interaction between pastors and youngsters might even open a student’s heart to the idea of a vocation to priesthood or religious life.
Parish priests often celebrate weekly school Masses, and the students receive the sacraments of Reconciliation and First Communion from them.
Homegrown leaders
Erika Rosas, an alumna of Sacred Heart School in Coronado, is in her first year as principal of her alma mater.
“This school holds a very special place in my heart because it shaped who I am,” she said.
As both a student and educator, she has seen the value of Catholic education.
She said, “The values instilled in Catholic schools last a lifetime. … Many graduates of Catholic schools find that their education continues to shape their decisions, relationships and careers long after they’ve left the classroom.”
Exceptional educators
The dedicated educators at San Diego’s Catholic schools range in experience from beginners to veterans. The diocese invests significant resources to training new teachers and supporting the professional development of seasoned ones.
Many of the teachers once taught in non-religious school systems, and they joyously opted to teach at schools where they did not have to choose between their faith and their craft as educators.
Building preschools together
For the past four years, Darlene Versteegh has been the director of St. Francis of Assisi Preschool in Vista, where she has 72 children ages 2 to 5.
With 20 years of experience as a preschool director, Versteegh serves on a leadership team formed by the diocesan Office for Schools to foster collaboration among preschool directors and provide mutual support.
“Catholic preschools are the parents’ first step in entering the school system,” she said. “So, we help them navigate this new and exciting change.”
