How do Catholic schools help reinforce the values in your home?

January 26, 2006

"Catholic schools reinforce the values in our own home because our childen witness our faith being practiced every day in their classroom. Prayer and reflection is a normal part of their school day. Special school projects often revolve around helping those less fortunate than themselves and this in turn teaches the students to be generous to others and to be thankful for all the blessings God has given them."

Lisa Bradley, St. John Catholic Grade School parent, Bancroft

"It is a challenge to raise kids today. There are so many temptations and it seems children are surrounded by poor examples of moral living. Try as we might to raise our kids with Christian values we would never have been as successful without the excellent education they received at Sacred Heart School in Boone. How reassuring to know that the Christian beliefs that are taught at home and church are also reinforced at school. We will always be grateful for the education given to our children by the dedicated faculty and staff at Sacred Heart School!"

Charlie and Clare Kostelnick, Sacred Heart Grade School, Boone 

"We have three children who are graduates of Kuemper Catholic Schools and another son who is currently a junior at Kuemper. Of course our schools have helped to prepare our children for the sacraments and rituals that are a part of our Catholic faith. Most importantly we believe that our school has helped to reinforce our belief that as a Catholic we are called to put our faith into action. At home we have tried to teach our children that it is their responsibility to inform themselves about their community and the world around them and to be active and vocal about the issues they feel a passion for. At Kuemper they have learned about the social justice issues our church embraces and we are proud that they have carried that to their own communities. We feel Kuemper helped us to teach these values to our children."

Barry and Mary Bruner, Kuemper Catholic School, Carroll

"One similarity we appreciate is the value of respectfulness shown to others. Students are expected to treat teachers, administrators and one another with respect and kindness. Our students are taught that they are ambassadors and representatives of the school. It is important for them to know the manner in which they conduct themselves in the community reflects on the school as well as them personally."

Kirk & Mary Yung, both alumni of St. Edmond's Class of 1981 and current parents of Michael (11th), Thomas (9th), Ryan (6th) and Anna (3rd), Fort Dodge

"As parents, our top priority is seeing that our children learn how to nurture and grow in their faith. We want them to live and behave as Christ-like as they possibly can. We feel blessed and are grateful to have St. Mary School available to support us in our efforts. All five of our children have attended St. Mary's. They have had the benefit of daily religion classes where they have learned Christian values - among them kindness, forgiveness, charity, honesty, politeness, and appreciation for others. As an employee at St. Mary School, I am in the unique position of observing these values demonstrated and "lived" each day at school. For example, it is not uncommon for a student to happily open the door for another student or teacher. The school children also excel at showing respect for others by using their good manners - "please" and "thank you" are automatic and genuine. I have also witnessed many incidents of sharing and helping. We have been fortunate to see these values carry over into our home."

Pam Tecklenburg, parent from St. Mary's Grade School, Humboldt

"Catholic schools teach our children more in-depth knowledge of their faith. It also teaches them to serve and respect others without asking anything in return. A Catholic education gives our children a focal point to work, live, and to build their life around what they have learned."

Ken and Bonnie Ahlers, St. Mary's School, Remsen

"Catholic schools help reinforce the values in my home by including Christ in all that is taught. Our teachers guide my children to be Christ-like in all they do just as I teach them at home."

Esther Nilles, St. Patrick's School, Sheldon

"The gospel values that are taught at school carry over to our home in many ways. Our children have learned compassion and empathy for others as they watched and discussed the Hurricane Katrina disaster. They discovered ways that they could help those in need by raising money with a lemonade stand and adding those people to our daily prayer. Showing respect for other children at school creates the habit of showing respect to siblings and parents at home. Most importantly, our children are learning how to pray. Their simple prayer is a reminder to us that we are blessed to have our children in Catholic Schools."

Allison Beumler, Sacred Heart School, Sioux City

"I'm not sure how to have a day that isn't a faith-based day. What we teach at home goes hand-in-hand with what goes on at school. We listen to what God tells us and teaches us and we want to follow that. We learn what's right from wrong, and try to do what's right. If we mess up, we want to get back on the right track."

Mary Kay Larsen, third generation graduate and parent, St. Mary's High School, Storm Lake