New principal

St. Mary’s Central Catholic School has gone through both some good and difficult times during its 50-year history.

It’s a past the campus for students age 3 through sixth grade has decided to honor with multiple events throughout the 2009-’10 school year, recognizing the history of Catholic education in the community.

"Your heart overflows with all the goodness that is around at St. Mary’s," school library manager Delma Balerio said.

Sister Alicia Realino teaches the student religion class and coordinates all religious education, even preparing the liturgy of the Mass. She came to serve the school during the 2006 school year, leaving her home in the Philippines to become part of a revived St. Mary’s including lay teachers.

Up until the 2006 school year, Sister Realino said nuns from the Sisters of Charity order managed the school and taught classes. The school building served as their convent, and the second floor served as living quarters.

"Some of those rooms are now offices," new principal Josie Mediano said. She’s taking over after former principal Mary Jaramillo retired in May.

Mediano said the number of nuns in the United States has decreased over time, leading to a shortage. That required a transition to lay teachers and staff.

"We would like more nuns, but thankfully we do have Sister Alicia," she said.

However, the Sister said she is glad to be at the school and believes a family atmosphere permeates.

Faith is at the center of all activities at St. Mary’s, with students learning more than reading, writing and arithmetic. The Sister said students learn by integration of faith concepts in classes, attending prayer sessions and weekly Mass while also learning how to serve others.

"Even in physical education, students are asked to make the right choice, to show Christ-like behavior," Balerio said.

She pointed to the school’s impact on her own faith, saying she has come closer to God by hearing questions and comments from youngsters. Citing one example, her aunt was once very sick and close to death last year. Balerio went to visit the critical care ward of Medical Center Hospital for the few minutes allowed. However, she was surprised when her 12-year-old daughter posed a question to the aunt.

‘How did it feel to see God?’ she asked, to which the aunt described spiritually going to a room with flowers and a dim yellow light ahead — ultimately deciding to fight to come back and live for her family’s sake.

"I’ve haven’t even told Sister this before. I cried after because it was so natural for my daughter to ask that question because of the school," Balerio said.

Principal Mediano emphasized the school’s academics. Though tuition costs $3,000 per student, the school had a waiting list in 2008 of roughly 45 students; enrollment stood at 240.

"We don’t have any more room, and who knows what will happen for the future. A lot of things can happen," she said.

Students take part in Accelerated Reader and Math programs, and some take part in an orchestra that will play for the bishop in September.

"They just do a beautiful job," Mediano said.

The Rev. Mark Woodruff just transitioned out of a church administrative position that partly oversaw the school. He said religious education is critical for students to get a larger picture of truth.

"It’s important because God is the source of all truth, and it should be reflective of its origin," he said.

Woodruff said the school has emphasized the importance of strong teaching methods. Not all teachers are Catholic, and the school looks for both good teaching methods and Christian faith prior to hiring new staff members to join the 40-member staff team. Mediano said many students aren’t Catholic, but families know that a Christian faith with a Catholic theology will form the basis for worship and teaching at St. Mary’s.

The school will hold a number of events this school year in honor of that faith-based learning. School board president Linda Navarro said she is working on gathering alumni and developing a school photo album for the celebration.

Navarro cited the church and parents as reasons why the school made it to the 50th anniversary.

"It’s a definite milestone for us," she said.

Anniversary events kick off Aug. 22 with a sock hop and ‘50s theme party including dances and food. On Sept. 8, the bishop will conduct Mass and rededicate the school in conjunction with a back to school picnic.

Dinners and other celebrations will occur throughout the rest of the year, including an alumni Mass in March 2010.

It’s a celebration of a school going beyond the basics.

"The fourth R is religion," Mediano said.

SCHEDULE

>> Aug. 22: Sock hop, music, fun with a 50s theme.

>> Sept. 8: Bishop’s Mass and school rededication with picnic.

>> October: Spaghetti dinner.

>> November: St. Vincent De Paul Breakfast for generosity of supporting Catholic education.

>> December: Christmas nativity lighting and reception.

>> January 2010: Golden "Knight" celebration and Catholic Schools Week.

>> February 2010: Casino Night, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus.

>> March 2010: Alumni Mass.

>> April 2010: Tee It Up "Fore" Kids golf tournament.

>> May 2010: Month of Mary/rosary and reception.