Visitors, Parents, Benefactors, Students and Alumni

Principal's Letter

Yes, welcome to St. Frances Cabrini School. I hope this website will give you an opportunity to get acquainted with us. We think we’re a really special school. We expect a lot of our staff, our parents and "our" children. The result is a quality environment in which every person in our community has the opportunity to grow. But let me start at the beginning.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus tells us all to "to proclaim the good news." What’s the news? It’s that everyone, every person, is part of God’s plan for salvation. That’s what Catholic schools are about … bringing people to God and God to the people. Jesus’ words continually remind us to ... proclaim the Gospel of God … the Kingdom of God is at hand … repent … believe … come after me … follow me. That was Jesus’ mission, His whole life. That’s our ministry! That’s our Catholic School’s goals statement!

St. Paul’s message in Philippians 2:6-11 tells us that material things are not the sources of happiness and that our attention should be on the deeper things, the things that last. I believe that’s what Catholic schools do – focus on the heart, the soul, wisdom, knowledge, values, hope.

There it is. That is the utmost reason for existence. It’s what permeates all that we do. It’s what makes everything else we do successful. Anything not done with God is done in vain.

This Parish took up that ministry in 1953. Even before the church was built, the school, the children, came first. To this day, the children come first. In September, 2003, St. Frances Cabrini School celebrated its 50th year of responding to Jesus' call to spread the Good News.

We believe that Catholic schools make a difference. We believe our school has successfully made a difference in the lives of all who have been a part of our school. How? I would like to share just a few ways …

DISCIPLINE: Our children learn well because they are in an orderly, caring atmosphere where "What would Jesus do?" is the motivation for developing self-discipline, the kind of discipline needed to succeed in life. The children feel safe, loved, peaceful and successful at school. They know they are held to a higher standard and feel good about themselves because they meet that standard daily. We do make a difference in the life of each child and, as our children go, so goes the future.

STAFF: Our very qualified staff accepts salaries considerably below our public school counterparts, not because it’s easier to teach in a Catholic school, but because there is something in their hearts that wants to respond to God’s call to serve. They love children. They love the challenge of helping children grow and learn. They choose to teach in a Catholic school because they know our school makes a difference in their lives and they make a difference to each child.

Unfortunately, our school is unable to serve every child. Like many Catholic schools we don’t have the staff or facilities to serve everyone. Though every teacher provides learning accommodations for those with special needs, we do not have learning specialists who can give specific attention to children whose needs go beyond the classroom teacher’s training. This is one of the future challenges many Catholic schools must address.

LEADERSHIP: The future of the Church depends on having people who will one day live lives of service. If you check out the membership of parish councils, parish staff and those in parish ministries, you will find that the majority have Catholic education in their backgrounds. Often that fact is related to the many leadership opportunities our students have. Junior high students are Student Council officers and are constantly involved in leadership for the whole school. The Cabrini children participate every week in the Mass – as lectors and servers. They develop poise, public speaking skills and a strong understanding of being of service to the church. Ask any of our parish seniors who go to Mass every day. The children’s happy smiles, self-confidence and respect touch and make a difference to everyone.

COMMUNITY SERVICE:  From Pre-K to 8th grade, every grade, throughout the school year, reaches out to the needs of the wider community – visiting the elderly, sponsoring blood drives, making cards and praying for the sick, elderly and shut ins, just to name a few. Sometimes the activities of our students touch a few; other times, they touch many. To all, they make a difference. And the children know that they can and do make a difference. What a wonderful way to build the best kind of self-esteem. Our children believe in themselves because so many others believe in them.

PARENTS:  Many parents who choose Catholic education for their children make sacrifices to afford the cost. Often their choice means going without some of the material things that today’s society tells us we should have. Our families range in income levels from those on welfare to those who can afford the full cost.

Tuition assistance funds are raised each year through our Annual Giving Campaign and our Endowment and the Parish helps active parish families through Parish grants. We are most grateful to the many who contribute very generously to help these families. Their giving is evidence that they understand the importance of Catholic education. Come into the school and see our Endowment display and you will see many names of those who have given to provide perpetual support to help children receive a Catholic education.

Parents know and experience that the material sacrifices they make are worthwhile. Their children are receiving the best education – education of their child’s mind heart, spirit and soul. Today’s society seems to demand that we invest many dollars in our children’s physical well-being with braces, participation in programs, for athletics, lessons in art, dance, music, in video games and everything else. How much of an investment do we make in the care of their soul?

Throughout the pages of our website you will get an idea of the many special qualities of our school, of the joys and successes of our students. God blesses the fruits of our labors.

If your child is currently in a Catholic school, God will bless you and reward you for the sacrifices you make, for making your child’s education your top priority.

If your child is not in a Catholic school, or you are new to the area and looking for the best school for your child, I invite you to visit us. If you choose to enroll, you will find the rewards are great!

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