Dreaming in color - Left, Saint Rose Students wear vibrant outfits in lieu of their regular uniforms during a Monday morning flagpole ceremony that kicked off Catholic School Appreciation Week 2010.

A bustling open house at St. Rose Catholic School recently kicked off Paso Robles' Catholic School Appreciation Week 2010.

The nationwide event, which kicked off the weekend of Jan. 30-31, features seven days of appreciation focusing on the Catholic faith and the schools that nourish those values in their students. Community members gathered at St. Rose School on Monday, Feb. 1 for a flagpole ceremony, where Paso Robles Mayor Duane Picanco gave a proclamation.

During the brief 8 a.m. ceremony, eighth-grade student Sophia Emmons sang the national anthem and the student council led kids in a cheer. During the flagpole ceremony, students donned brightly colored outfits in lieu of regular uniforms as part of the weeklong celebration.

"We are really happy to be continuing to provide the Catholic education here in Paso Robles...we are appreciating faith, knowledge, discipline and morals," St. Rose Principal Sister Rebeca Muņoz said.

Parents, teachers, religious leaders and students gathered at the K-8 Catholic grade school for the open house on Sunday, Jan. 31 in an effort to celebrate with current students and show off the school's best features to prospective students.

"We are showing off the best parts of our school and highlighting our programs," alumni and first-grade teacher Meagan Scully said.

Among those shining attributes, Scully cited the school's outstanding faith, fine arts, music, art and Spanish programs.

"We are a small community of faith, and we're like a family here," Scully said. I've seen how the school has grown, and it's amazing because the small-family atmosphere is still the same."

Sixth through eighth-grade teacher Liz Villalobos said the school also wants to showcase its new principal, Muņoz, due to her real-world service as a Catholic nun. Munoz was appointed to the principal position late in summer 2009.

"It's a new atmosphere, having the religious aspect of her order come on campus," Villalobos said." It gives kids a hands-on look at what the religious life is actually like."

Sister Leticia Ramirez is also new to St. Rose, adding her own unique experiences to her teaching position. Ramirez said the school should be celebrated because it allows students to practice their faith in an educational setting.



For the complete article see the 02-05-2010 issue.

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