As the country celebrates National Catholic Schools Week on Sunday through Feb. 3, students at St. Teresa Catholic School will start the week by celebrating their own community.
Mayor Marv Teixeira will attend opening prayer at 8:30 a.m. Monday and will read a proclamation. A different theme will be celebrated each day of the week.
"All parents and community members are welcome at the open house, which is from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tuesday," said St. Teresa Principal Chris Perdomo. "We will have volunteers for tours for interested parents, along with refreshments."
National Catholic Schools Week is held to promote individual schools and the benefits of Catholic education. It also increases awareness of Catholic schools and encourages student enrollment and teacher recruitment.
St. Teresa has a 157-student enrollment, with 14 teachers - nine regular classroom teachers, one computer, music, physical education, science, social studies, and a half-time librarian.
"We do this to share the good news of what goes on in our schools," Perdomo said. "This shows the parents what's going on and why it's the right environment for their children. A safe, centered education."
Perdomo also said parents are quite active in activities and programs.
"The parents are absolutely more active in parochial schools. They must put in 30 hours per school year, per family. They help with classroom projects, special fundraising events, help with carpooling and supervise at lunch and recess times. They give more than 30 hours."
St. Teresa offers full-day kindergarten. Perdomo said it provides good academics plus emotional and social skills to the youth.
"We have 157 students enrolled, and could take on about 100 more," she said. "We welcome parents to come and take a look at us and see if we fit."
Perdomo said as the students celebrate the nation on Wednesday, they will be writing Valentine letters to the troops in Iraq, and giving them to the Blue Star Moms for mailing to the soldiers.
"And on Friday, we celebrate our teachers and staff," she added. "The parents of the third-graders will prepare lunch for all our staff, and our students will write special notes to their teachers."
Perdomo has been principal for the past four months, coming from the principal position at Zephyr Cove Elementary School.
"This (job) has been a blessing for me," she said. "I was ready to retire. But I've been able to watch the school grow. I'm really feeling the spirit of the school - not only as an educator but as a leader impacting the school, both spiritually and academically."
• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.
For your information
WHAT: National Catholic Schools Week
WHEN: Sunday through Feb. 3
ALSO: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday
WHERE: St. Teresa Catholic School, 567 Richmond Ave., at the corner of Fifth Street
CALL: 882-2079
MONDAY: Celebrate the Community
TUESDAY: Celebrate the Students
WEDNESDAY: Celebrate the Nation, with the Carson High School NJROTC presenting a patriotic flag ceremony
THURSDAY: Celebrate our vocations, with the Revs. Jerry Hanley and Angeles DeLeon, Sister Marie McGloin and Deacon Bob Evans
FRIDAY: Celebrate our Teachers and Staff