St. Rose Holds Open House

The St. Rose of Lima Catholic School family gathered in the gym on Tuesday, Aug. 6 for the annual Back to School Orientation and Open House.

Father Augustine opened with prayer and Mrs. Gallia gave a welcome message. There were stations in the gym for family information packets, booster club items, and support organizations. Teachers were available in all classrooms for students and parents to visit. Several new faces included 21 new students and three new staff members.

Thursday, Aug. 8 was the first day of class at St. Rose School for its 135th year to continue providing an excellent Catholic education for students since 1889 that combines faith, academics and moral values with a commitment to educating the whole child, mind, body and soul. St. Rose School is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops Education Department which is recognized by TEA. The school is one of 5,920 Catholic schools in the United States that educate over two million students across the country.

Building strong connections, social/emotional skills, and a school family has always been a priority at St. Rose and continues to be a major focus for faculty, staff, students and families. An additional Mindfulness in Motion support program is incorporated for students and staff. Morning greetings, class meetings, school wide assemblies, consistent rituals, procedures, androutines are ways teachers and staff will continue to build cooperation and community. Extra curricular programs provide opportunity to learn teamwork and sportsmanship. Consistency in curriculum with vertical alignment, and teaching as Christ did with love while modeling discipleship makes St. Rose of Lima Catholic School a unique choice in education.

The mission of the school is also reflected in the commitment of its teachers. With 433 years of combined teaching experience and 215 of those years at St. Rose School, a TCCBED Teacher of the Year, Reader’s Choice, highly qualified and GT, teachers and staff, is a true testament to the commitment, dedication and belief in the great things that are happening at St. Rose.

Faculty and staff for the 2024-2025 school year are as follows: Rosanne Gallia, Principal; Jeannie Mican, Administrative Assistant and Health Coordinator; Michele Kubos, Bookkeeper and Safe Environment Site Administrator; Hannah Ahrens 3K; Jaime Rainosek 4K; Rachel Guentert, Kindergarten; Shavon Lewis, 1st Grade; Paige Berger, 2nd Grade; Sheila Klimitchek, 3rd Grade; Claire Eckhardt, 4th Grade; Madalyn Schneider, 3K Aide; Annie Stoner, 4K Aide; Megan Pledger, PE Aide/Gym Janitor, Pamela Vrazel, Aide; Laura Fogle, 5th Homeroom/Junior High; Wendy Becka, 6th Homeroom/ Junior High; Donna Kunz, 7th Homeroom/Junior High; Lindsey Schiffli, 8th Homeroom/Junior High; Matt Bonner, Junior High and Music Ministry; Sandy Zaruba, Athletic Director and Physical Education; Melissa Schmidt, Religion; Julius Castillo, Band Director; Colette Surman, Music; Doris Bujnoch, Library Manager; Carmen Stoner, Cafeteria; Carolyn Osina, Cafeteria; Kelly Adams, Main and Annex Janitor.

St. Rose of Lima Catholic School admits all qualified students regardless of sex, race, religion or national or ethnic origin. A child must be 3 years of age on or before Sept. 1 to enter the 3K program. A child must be 4 years of age on or before Sept. 1 to enter the 4K program. A child must be 5 years of age on or before Sept. 1 to be admitted into Kindergarten. Contact the school office for further information.