Diocesan Catholic Schools Office thanks Catholic educators for historic year of in-person learning

Originally published on anchornews.org

FALL RIVER — During the recent Teacher Appreciation Week, the Diocese of Fall River Catholic Schools Office publicly thanked all teachers, principals, and staff of the 20 Catholic schools for their commitment and dedication to educating students. Even though the 2020-21 school year has been a historic year, the focus and commitment of educating the “entire child” by Catholic schools never changed.

Just over a year ago when the Covid-19 pandemic began and all schools were immediately closed, the Diocese of Fall River Catholic schools demonstrated their nimbleness and ease in converting to remote learning to ensure students would experience as little disruption in their education as possible. The 2019-20 school year closed out with Catholic school students not missing a beat.

During the summer of 2020, the leaders of all 20 Catholic schools used the time to carefully plan if their school could return to in-person learning at the beginning of September and if so, how their school would do it safely. Teachers and principals gave summer vacation time to prepare for the opening of school on time. All 20 Catholic schools opened their doors to welcome students back in school in September with much joy and excitement.

When it was announced that the Diocese of Fall River Catholic schools would open for in-person learning, many families contacted schools, enrolled their children, and quickly learned why Catholic schools are such a treasure to every community. After the Catholic schools opened in September, accolades from happy parents poured into each school as well as to the Catholic Schools Office.

The Catholic Schools Office delivered a snack basket to each Catholic school for all personnel, as well as bookmarks with a prayer for each employee. These baskets were delivered during Teacher Appreciation Week, May 3-7.

Wendy Rocha, a Marion mother of a kindergarten student, indicated, “As a parent, I was worried about what school would be like for our kindergarten class, and I was quickly put at ease with our excited kindergartner who loves going to school. Mrs. Jason (the kindergarten teacher at St. Francis Xavier School in Acushnet) is nurturing, encouraging, and a joy to our little learners, especially during these uncertain times. Our son has excelled socially through the confidence given to him by Mrs. Jason. We enjoy hearing the excitement and love my son has for school.”

Jennifer Moore of Attleboro added, “St. John the Evangelist School is very fortunate to have Mrs. Muehlberger as the Middle School ELA teacher. She is an engaging, enthusiastic and inspiring educator who has a positive impact on all her middle school students as she really gets to know them in a safe and caring environment. Both of my children have excelled in her class due to her creative teaching strategies and positive leadership style.”

“This school year would not have been as successful if it were not for the commitment and dedication of our Catholic school educators,” said Daniel S. Roy, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Fall River. “They have worked tirelessly for our children providing structured familiarity in learning environments that are nurturing and safe.”

Bishop Edgar da Cunha, S.D.V., bishop of the Diocese of Fall River, lauded the educators, “Our Catholic school educators perfectly exemplify the call to service that Jesus asks of everyone.

“Catholic education is a vocation to educate and evangelize our youngest members of the Catholic faith. Throughout this most historic challenge, our schools remained places of safety, consistency, and family.”

For more information about the Catholic Schools Alliance, please go to https://www.catholicschoolsalliance.org/we-have-a-place-for-you/.