ST. BENEDICT SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT
Jesus Christ is the foundation for our school community. In our community, we strive for the education of Catholic values and faith that promote faithfulness and stewardship. St. Benedict is also committed to the development of the whole child, while maintaining an environment that provides an academic program designed to develop the diverse learning abilities of each child.
St. Benedict works together to nurture the individual character of each child and embrace the cultural and ethnic diversities.
The school community encourages praising others, modeling peace, building values and emphasizes the importance of each individual’s responsibility towards others.
PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy of Saint Benedict School is committed to the intellectual, emotional and spiritual development of each student. The school community teaches the importance of our Catholic faith encouraging students to work hard and pray hard.
We strive for the excellence in teaching knowledge and critical thinking skills to our students while maintaining values of respect or themselves, others and, above all, God. In the spirit of Saint Benedict and Saint Augustine, our school promotes love and learning through the praising of one another, emphasizing the importance of assuming responsibility of one’s actions, and invites students to help build a community of faith, mutual respect, with peace at home, at school and in our community.
STUDENT LEARNING EXPECTATIONS
Graduates of Saint Benedict are capable of being:
1. Active faith-filled Catholics who:
• Pray everyday
• Live each day as Jesus did
• Demonstrate a spirit of service
• Share the teachings of Jesus with others
• Understand and participate in the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church
2. Lifelong Learners who:
• Love to learn
• Use and apply basic skills
• Develop independence and learning
• Utilize critical thinking skills
• Appreciate fine arts
• Value every life situation as a learning experience
3. Effective Communicators who:
• Speak well
• Listen to others
• Write ideas clearly
• Read with understanding and enjoyment
• Understand the tools of technology and use them responsibly
4. Responsible citizens who:
• Make good choices
• Think before they act
• Help and take care of others
• Accept accountability for their actions
• Recognize, appreciate, and use their God-given talents
5. Global ambassadors who:
• Follow the Golden Rule
• Respect themselves and each other
• Are peacemakers
• Appreciate and care for all God’s creation
• Recognize that everyone is equal in God’s eyes
OUR PATRON SAINTS
SAINT BENEDICT
Saint Benedict is known as the founder of Western Monastic life. He was born in Nursia, Italy in 480. He studied in Rome and later went to the mountains near Subiaco where he lives as a hermit in a cave for three years. During his time as a hermit, a raven would bring him food to eat.
Many young men heard of the holy life Benedict was leading and wanted to join him. He soon established his first monastery at Monte Cassino where he wrote the Rule of St. Benedict which guided the monks in their daily living. The monks remained there praying, feeding the poor and teaching school. The motto St. Benedict established for his monks was “Ora et labora” (Pray and work). His twin sister, Saint Scholastica, followed him in the monastic tradition and established a Benedictine convent of Sisters following the same Rule.
SAINT AUGUSTINE
Saint Augustine was born in Tagaste, North Africa, a Province of the Roman Empire in the year 354. His mother, Saint Monica, trained him in Christianity. His story is that of a young man who chose to turn away from goodness, falling into a life of sin. Monica prayed that her son would change his ways.
Augustine was a very clear youth with a brilliant mind, however, he preferred not to follow Christian ways. He quickly fell in with bad company and led a sinful life. After so many years of following the wrong path, the grace of God allowed the young Augustine to turn from his evil ways and to embrace Christianity and St. Monica offered prayers of thanksgiving.
Soon after Monica’s death, St. Augustine founded his first monastery and many others wanted to follow in his path. The Rule of St. Augustine is a guide for all those who follow his path. The motto established by St. Augustine for his monks was “Caritas et Scientia” (Love and Learning). St. Augustine used all of his energy and intelligence to guide others to God. He wrote: “Our hearts are made for You, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”
