Page 5Catholic Schools WeekJanuary 30, 2010 � Sauk Valley Newspapers
C a t h o l i c S c h o o l s T a b b r o u g h t t o y o u b y t h e s e s p o n s o r s
ST. MARY'S SCHOOL
606 Avenue B, Sterling, IL
815-625-2253
It is with great pleasure that I am able to tell you
the story of St. Mary's School. A new building was
completed in 1997 with fully equipped computer and
science labs. Thanks to the generosity of parishioners,
parents, alumni, and friends of St. Mary's, the building
debt was retired in 2007. We still call it our "new
building" and are very proud of it. However, a building
is just a building, and it is what goes on inside that
makes it great.
When the new building was opened the 7th and 8th
grades that had been housed at Newman returned to St.
Mary's. We are presently a Pre-Kindergarten through
8th grade school. There is great joy in watching the
growth and development of the children from 3 years old
to 14 when they leave St. Mary's. The younger children
look up to the older students and the older students
set a positive example for the younger children. The
older students help out in the elementary classrooms
with various projects throughout the year. The eighth
grade students each have a kindergarten partner that
they take to Mass each week. Siblings enjoy seeing
each other during the day.
St. Mary's School is fully accredited by the State of
Illinois, and the teaching staff consists of fully-certified
teachers. Although the pay scale and benefits are not
what draw the teachers to St. Mary's, more important
things do! The staff at St. Mary's believes that their role
as teacher and mentor is a calling. Being a part of St.
Mary's is a ministry, and the staff feels its responsibility
is to develop the whole child ~ academically, physically,
and socially ~ but more importantly, to assist the
parents in their child's religious development. Morals
and values are stressed not only in religion class but
throughout the day. St. Mary's is proud to have children
of various faiths and denominations attend the school.
Parents are very much involved in their children's
education. St. Mary's could not exist without the help
of our parents volunteering in the library, helping tutor
students, coaching and devoting time and energy in
support of the fundraisers. Parents come to school to
have lunch with their children and even go to recess
after!
Each year students in grades 3, 5, and 7 are
administered the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. Each year
students score at least one level above their present
grade. The following results are grade equivalents from
this years test:
Grade 3 Composite 4.2
Grade 5 Composite 6.6
Grade 7 Composite 9.6
The longer students remain at St. Mary's, the greater
their grade equivalent. Along with a strong academic
program, the school offers art, music, physical
education, and computer class. After-school Art
lessons are available along with a Saturday morning
Spanish class.
Students are taught the true meaning of stewardship.
Students participate in various activities that help our
parishes, community, and world ~ P.T. Penguin for the
United Way, Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive, food
drives for St. Vincent DePaul, and our advent project.
This year the students collected items for the indigent
children in Chihuahua, Mexico.
The character building program that has been
implemented at St. Mary's was designed by teachers at
the school. P.E.A.C.E. stands for Politeness, Example,
Attitude, Compassion, and Effort. Children have the
opportunity each and every day to earn an award.
There are many extra-curricular activities for the
students to participate in which include: volleyball,
football, basketball for boys and girls, cheerleading,
and track. Students can be members of the Leo Club,
Scholastic Bowl team, Math Counts team, and student
council.
Students attend Mass weekly, and each class is
responsible for preparing and delivering the readings
at Mass. Prayer is an integral part of the day. Each
morning there are readings and prayers that are offered
for those in need, as well as prayers at lunch time and
the end of the day. The mission of St. Mary's is to offer
a quality religious and academic curriculum including
necessary skills to live as responsible members of
society and our faith community.
Rebecca B. Schmitt
Principal
414 W. 1st St., Dixon
Congratulations Newman on 50 Years!
Good Luck Ariel
as a Newman Comet!
JONES FUNERAL HOMESFuneral and Burial Prearrangement
and Prefinancing Available
DIXON
204 S. OttawaAve.
288-2241
AMBOY
303 E. Main St.
857-2611
Patrick R. Jones, Sr. Patrick R. Jones, Jr.
www.thejonesfh.com
Collision Center
Proud supporter of the
area Catholic Schools
24 Hour
Wrecker Service
(815) 288-3211

Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5Page 6Page 7Page 8Page 9Page 10Page 11Page 12 Produced by PageSuite