Catholic elementary schools in the Archdiocese of St. Louis reflect a visible faith community.  Rooted in the teachings of Jesus, these schools are enriched by Catholic tradition and lived Gospel values and are enhanced by the celebration of liturgy, sacrament, and prayer.  They further the children’s knowledge and practice of their faith and guide them to serve others through the use of their gifts and talents.  They foster a safe and secure environment in which the children can grow.

Catholic elementary schools are child-centered and are committed to providing strong academic and developmental programs which enable children to meet the challenges of living in an ever-changing racially and culturally diverse world.  The faculty and staff of these schools are faith-filled, dedicated, knowledgeable and competent in their professions, and strive to meet the individual needs of the children.  These schools are sensitive to family issues and encourage parents/guardians to fulfill their role as the first educators of their children.

Our Lady of the Pillar is a Catholic faith community working to educate the whole child with emphasis on respecting the uniqueness of each individual and on establishing and living the gospel values.

SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY

Our Lady of the Pillar School is a Catholic, parochial, elementary school which serves children from kindergarten through eighth grade. It is staffed by lay teachers under the direction of the Marianist Pastor. The special visions of the Marianists and the Franciscans, the unique perspective of Pillar parishioners and Archdiocesan guidelines determine the philosophy of Our Lady of the Pillar School.

The faculty teaches the elements of the Catholic faith not only in the curriculum but by their example of Christian and intellectual living. The school, created by the parish, views the child as an image of God and strives to nurture in each child a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Therefore, the school recognizes its responsibility to emphasize the positive qualities of the individual. The staff works to build confidence and self-esteem in each student. It is of primary importance that the children learn to love and respect others. This is the basis for both the child's personal sense of value and his/her sense of Christian community.

Our Lady of the Pillar School has a structured, highly academic educational program which emphasizes the development of the basic skills and of the conceptual thinking ability of the child. The school teaches the child to value personal responsibility and academic self-motivation. The faculty presents a comprehensive curriculum in the Arts and Sciences to enable the children to compete successfully as Catholics in a secular world.

The pastor, principal, and teachers work in a partnership with the school board and the parents to develop the School's academic, religious and social programs. The school, with the active participation of the parents, educates each child to fulfill his or her spiritual, intellectual, emotional and physical potential.

Through participation in the liturgy and through community service, the school is responsive to the needs of the parish. The school works to develop in the children a strong sense of membership in the Pillar Community.

GOALS OF OUR LADY OF THE PILLAR SCHOOL

I. Christian Message

1. Religious instruction including special preparation for the reception of the sacraments is provided for the students in their daily curriculum. Students not attending Catholic schools are given religious instruction on a weekly basis for one hour during the Parish School of Religion classes.
2. Christianity is a way of living. Students are encouraged to live these Christian principles in which they have been instructed and to become aware of their responsibility, along with parents, administration, faculty and staff, to help create a unified Christian atmosphere at Our Lady of the Pillar School.
3. Opportunity is given for students to give external expression to their Christian beliefs by active participation in liturgical and non liturgical experiences and in regular reception of the sacraments.
4. The school tries to nurture in each student a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

II. Christian Community

1. It is of primary importance that the children learn to love and respect others.
2. The school works to create a positive environment for children which promotes confidence and self-esteem.
3. Mutual respect and acceptance of new members of the school community is essential,
4. There must also be mutual respect for the rights and property of others.
5. Prayerful sharing and support in times of joy and sorrow is fostered.
6. Each student is encouraged to take personal responsibility for his or her own behavior.
7. A strong sense of membership in the Pillar Community is encouraged in the children.

III. Christian Scholarship

1. The school presents a structured, highly academic educational program which is responsive to individual needs and talents.
2. The staff encourages the students to be academically self motivated and to be responsible for their own learning process.
3. The program stresses the development of basic skills and of conceptual thinking abilities.
4. The staff regularly tests the child's progress so that growth can be recognized and serve as a personal motivator.
5. A comprehensive curriculum in the Arts and Sciences is offered to enable the children to excel in high school and college.
6. The school communicates with the parents to promote active parental participation in the child's education.

IV. Christian Service

1. The school supports the needs of the parish through participation in the liturgy and through work with Pillar's sick and elderly members.
2. The children are encouraged to become involved in service projects.
3. The students are given opportunities to visit and to form friendships with the senior sisters at the Franciscan Sisters of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Center at Kenrick.
4. The students are shown ways to help other children who are sick or in need.
5. The school is open to Christian service in the St. Louis, American and world communities.

One of the supreme gifts of marriage is bringing forth new life. God entrusts children to parents who have a primary right and duty to educate their children in the practice of their faith. Parents carry out this responsibility by creating a home full of love, forgiveness, respect, and fidelity. The family is the community in which, from childhood, one honors God and learns moral values.

In the rite of the sacrament of Baptism, parents receive the call from God to evangelize their children, as here summarized:

You have asked to have your child baptized. In doing so you are accepting the responsibility of training him (her) in the practice of the faith. It will be your duty to bring him (her) up to keep God's commandments as Christ taught us, by loving God and our neighbor...You will be the first teachers of your child in the ways of the faith. May you be also the best teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what you say and do, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

No wonder, then, that the Church understands the home to be the domestic church. It is in the intimate environment of the family that parents are, by word and example, the first heralds of the faith with respect to their children. This environment is enhanced and deepened through the parish Eucharistic community that is the heart of the spiritual life for Christian families.

Catholic schools and parish religious education programs are in partnership with the family in proclaiming and witnessing to the person and life of Jesus Christ. They assist parents in fulfilling their responsibility as the primary religious educators of their children.

Aware, then, of the dignity of this holy parental call, and with a reverent awe for that responsibility which is mine, I commit myself to be, in word and deed, the first and best teacher of my children in the faith. Practically, this means I should

• Regularly participate in the Sunday Eucharist (if not Catholic, regularly participate in worship and prayer) with my family.
• Commit to speak more with my children about God and to include prayer in our daily home life.
• Participate in and cooperate with School or Parish School of Religion programs that enable me as a parent to take an active role in the religious education of my children, including sacramental preparation for Catholic children.
• Support the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church to ensure consistency between home and school.
• Teach my children by word and example to have a love and concern for the needs of others.
• Meet my financial responsibilities in supporting the Catholic School or Parish School of Religion.

2007-2008 FACULTY AND STAFF

SCHOOL BOARD, 2008-09

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