St. Rose School Holds Open House

Pictured front from left: Sandy Zaruba, Kacy McBride, Paige Berger, Jaime Rainosek; second row: Jeannie Mican, Kelly Adams, Doris Bujnoch, Matt Bonner, Lindsey Schiffli; third row: Rosanne Gallia, Carolyn Osina, Carmen Stoner, Annie Stoner, Allison Mican; fourth row: Jane Schneider, Pamela Vrazel, Michelle Kubos, Laura Fogle, Donna Kunz; fifth row: Shavon Lewis, Rachel Guentert, Sheila Klimitchek, Cindy Carter, Wendy Becka; back row: Hannah Ahrens, Melissa Schmidt, Colette Surman, Julius Castillo, Pastor Jasper Liggio.

The St. Rose of Lima Catholic School family gathered on Monday, Aug. 7, for the annual Back to School Orientation and Open House. Father Jasper opened with prayer and Mrs. Gallia gave a welcome message.

There were stations in the gym for distribution of family information packets, booster club items and opportunities to meet support organizations. Teachers were available in all classrooms for students and parents to visit. There were several new faces which included 23 new students and three new staff members.

Wednesday, Aug. 9, was the first class day at St. Rose School for its 134th year, to continue providing an excellent Catholic education for students since 1889, that combines faith, academic principles 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, and routines are ways teachers and staff will continue to build cooperation and community. Extra-curricular programs provide opportunities 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 398 years of combined teaching experience and 209 of those years at St. Rose School, a TCCBED Teacher of the Year, Reader’s Choice, highly qualified and GT, teachers and staff, it 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 2023-2024 school year are as follows: Rosanne Gallia, Principal; Jeannie Mican, Administrative Assistant & Health Coordinator; Cindy Carter, Bookkeeper & Safe Environment Site Administrator; Hannah Ahrens 3K; Shavon Lewis 3K; Jaime Rainosek 4K; Rachel Guentert, Kindergarten; Kacy McBride, 1st Grade; Paige Berger, 2nd Grade; Sheila Klimitchek, 3rd Grade; Jane Schneider, 4th Grade; Allison Mican, Aide; Michele Kubos, Aide; Pamela Vrazel, Aide; Laura Fogle, 5th Homeroom/ Junior High; Wendy Becka, 6th Grade Homeroom/ Junior High; Donna Kunz, 7th Grade Homeroom/Junior High; Lindsey Schiffli, 8th Grade Homeroom/Junior High; Matt Bonner, Junior High & Music Ministry; Sandy Zaruba, Athletic Director & Physical Education; Melissa Schmidt, Religion; Julius Castillo, Band Director; Colette Surman, Music; Doris Bujnoch, Library Manager; Carmen Stoner, Cafeteria; Annie Stoner, Cafeteria; Carolyn Osina, Cafeteria & Bus Driver Coordinator; Kelly Adams, 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.