Catholic school values to live by

readyDuring the next week, St. Joachim School marks Catholic Schools Week with a celebration of character, compassion and values. This theme highlights the importance of the relationship that exists among educators, parents, students and community members as they strive to provide exceptional educational opportunities for all children in a faith-based environment.

High standards and academic rigor is the framework for Catholic education at St. Joachim School.

The teachers in our school do more than teach basic skills. They are inspirational mentors who nurture each child to his or her full potential, especially on their faith journey. Lifelong skills, including critical thinking, problem solving and conflict resolution, support the educational structure and are taught in each of our classrooms.

Our administrators provide the guidance necessary to ensure these structures provide for intellectual, spiritual and social growth and development.

We rely on involved and dedicated parents who sacrifice much to help us fulfill our mission as we strive for educational excellence. Our strong partnership with parents, especially through the Parent Teacher Organization, helps us provide innovative and enriching learning opportunities for all students. Our students demonstrate their skills with our student learning expectations. We offer service-learning projects at each grade, weekly Mass, curriculum-based field trips, high attendance and an inclusive educational program to meet the needs of all students in our environment.

Our facilities are new and each classroom has been improved, thanks to the volunteers in our community who believe in Catholic education. In these facilities, we provide learning environments that are second to none in Orange County.

Our faculty and staff are engaged in curriculum planning projects and are highly collaborative. Their goal is for students to have continuous access to higher level learning. Our athletic department continues to provide support to all of our students through enhanced extra-curricular activities.

I salute the many members of St. Joachim School. Our strength lies in our community atmosphere, where the parent-faculty partnership exists to provide extraordinary learning opportunities for all children. I am extremely blessed and tremendously honored to work in an environment where children come first. After all, the values children absorb now will surely flow out later.

JOSEPH W. LEPPERT

Principal, St. Joachim School

Costa Mesa