ST. ANTONINUS PAROCHIAL SCHOOL A Model "Christian School of Character" November 30, 2001   St. Antoninus Parochial School is a Roman Catholic School of approximately 560 students from kindergarten through 8th grade. The school is predominately white, located in the predominately white, blue and white collar Western Hills area of Cincinnati. The staff includes Director of Religious Education (DRE) for the school and church, Robert Schroeder, and Principal James Leisring, 24 classroom teachers, and teachers for music, physical education, and technology. It also includes 3 remedial assistants and a psychologist/counselor. In terms of governance, both the Principal and Director of Religious Education report to the Senior Pastor who in turn reports to the Archbishop of Cincinnati. The Principal also works with the Department of Education of the Archdiocese. The DRE works with the Department of Religious Education of the Archdiocese. While both answer directly to the senior pastor, the Principal and DRE are also responsible for implementing the standards and working within the guidelines established by these two archdiocesan departments. The Principal and DRE also make reports to the parish education commission. This body, comprised of school parents and some other parishioners, serves in an advisory capacity to the Pastor, Principal and DRE. Regarding Faith and the School, the philosophy of Catholic Education makes it clear that the fundamental reason this, or any Catholic School, exists is eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. The principal, DRE, faculty, staff and the pastor work to make it clear that being a disciple of Jesus is meant to influence every aspect of life. To that end, all students, including non-Catholics, are required to attend religion classes as part of the school curriculum. Students attend religion classes four days of the week and attend Mass at least once a week. Religion is a graded course and the religion grade is included in the tally of those grades which determine first or second academic honors (grades 4-8). In addition, one annual religious in-service is required for all teachers, regardless of which subjects which they teach. A variety of extra-curricula activities are offered to students at St. Antoninus. Athletics include football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, and soccer. All sports except football and baseball offer teams for both boys and girls: girls who wish to play these sports are part of mixed teams. A student band is offered for students in grades 5-8. An amateur radio club, open to all, currently includes six students holding their own amateur radio license. All students may join one of the Girl Scout Troops, Cub Scout Pack or Boy Scout Troop chartered by St. Antoninus Church. Parents are central. In the philosophy of Catholic Education, parents are the primary educators of their children and have the primary responsibility for forming their children as disciples of Jesus. The school exists to support them in that role; it does not supplant parental authority but serves as an extension of it. Parents support the school in various ways beyond tuition payments. Over 120 volunteers work with students in various capacities: coaches, scout leaders, the art program, playground workers, cafeteria workers and many others. Students serve the parish and wider community in various ways. Students in grades 6-8 may function at Mass as altar servers. Students in grades 4-8 may sing in one of several student choirs; these sing for school Masses and for one Sunday Mass a month. In the wider community, Boy Scouts perform community service for rank advancement; Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts perform community service for the Roman Catholic religious awards; and additional service to the school and parish are a normal part of the scouting program. Students preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation do community service as part of their preparation. Every fall the 5th grade students and teachers coordinate a collection of food for World Food Day, and ask all students of the school to participate. Every winter/spring, during the liturgical season of Lent, all students are asked to make some personal sacrifice so that they may make a monetary contribution to Catholic missionaries in other parts of the world. Contact: Deacon Robert Schroeder Telephone: 513-922-4759 Email: w8cro@yahoo.com Address: St. Antoninus School 5425 Julmar Drive Cincinnati, OH 45238     This material is published by the Faith Committee of the Character Council of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Reproduction and Adaptation is encouraged.