Throughout the school year, we present an article in the bulletin each week providing updates from St. Margaret’s School, written by a member of our school staff.
SMOS School News
by Patrick Holley, Principal
A couple of weeks ago, we were visited by our school improvement visiting team. This group of teachers and principals from around the diocese visited classrooms, joined us at Mass, and reviewed our proposed strategic planning goals. They have also provided commendations for our school in the areas of Catholic identity, academics, and institution.
This week we will focus on commendations in the area of Catholic identity.
COMMENDATIONS – Catholic Identity
The Visiting Team commends St. Margaret of Scotland School for:
- Providing a vibrant and faith-filled experience at the celebration of All School Mass that included student leadership and a large amount of parent/family/parishioner attendance.
- Having a dedicated school anthem, St. Margaret of Scotland song, that is sung by all at each Mass, prayer services, and other celebrations.
- Providing a dedicated space for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, where it is currently being implemented with the preschool classes.
- Having a Christ-like faculty, staff, students, and parents who were warm and welcoming during our visit.
- Ensuring student faith and leadership development by having older students partner with younger students to help with transitions to Mass and providing faith-focused electives to promote leadership skills.
- Dedicating themselves to Catholic Social Teachings, as evidenced by engaging students in No Place for Hate and the Anti-Bias Anti-Racism programs.
- Evangelizing the entire school community and welcoming and accompanying non-Catholic students and families into the Catholic faith.
- Engaging students in multiple service opportunities, as evidenced by their participation in Forces for Food, Our Lady’s Inn, the Teen Outreach Program, and the Feast Day 5K.
- Forming strong relationships with students, where students are deeply known and loved by their teachers.