Dear Friends,

 

Our school’s principal, Kathy Petroshius, announced a few months ago that she would be retiring at the end of her contract (June 30^th). Once that decision was finalized, the wheels were set in motion to begin the search for a new principal for the 2012-13 school year.

 

A search committee was created made up of the following individuals: Linette Benes, Mark Buckley, Fred Konopasek, Tina Lutzke, Bill Obenauf, Sharon Rada, Colleen Schoenberger and me. The work of the search committee is to advertise the position of principal in the appropriate places, field candidates who would like to apply for the job, create questions to ask in the interview, conduct the interview with certified candidates and make recommendations to the Board of Specified Jurisdiction (BSJ) for a subsequent interview. Once all candidates were interviewed, the BSJ conducted a second interview of recommended candidates after having created a second set of interview questions for that occasion.

 

After those interviews were completed by the BSJ members who were available on short notice during Spring Break (Greg Benyak, Missy Greenenwald, Ron Hoehne, Kevin Hunter, Mary Lou Obenauf, Robin Ramberg, Gretchen Sampson and Marcela Zipp - I was present at this level of interviews too) a recommendation was made to me by the BSJ about who they would like to offer the job to and I interviewed the candidate one last time. At the time I offered a one year contract to Mr. Charlie Pinto, and he accepted my offer to serve as principal of St. Bede School for the 2012-13 school year.

 

What follows is a brief biography of our new principal, Mr. Charles Angelo Pinto:

 

Mr. Pinto, a native of Akron, Ohio, attended Catholic elementary and high school there. He also attended three Catholic Universities, one in Texas, one in Ohio and one in Chicago. He majored in English and Social studies, and has one Master’s Degree in Education (with a major in reading) and one in Human Relations (group process, counseling and communication). He is also a certified school administrator in the State of Illinois.

 

Past work has included both Catholic schools (principal twice and Office of Catholic Education for the Archdiocese) and public schools (State Board of Education and central office work for North Chicago). Most recently he has been a Language Arts specialist and reading coordinator in the public school district.

 

In educational philosophy he favors collaborative work, especially supporting teachers and parents in their efforts to empower students. This combined effort helps to maximize student potential in academic development as well as help them grow to be contributing members of their Catholic Community.

 

Mr. Pinto is married and lives in Grayslake where he is a member of St. Gilbert Parish and the Precious Blood Council of the Knights of Columbus.

 

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Pinto to our St. Bede Parish and School community. This is a very exciting time, and I look forward to Mr. Pinto’s leadership of our school community.

 

I would like to thank Mrs. Kathy Petroshius for her three years of service as principal of St. Bede School. Her dedication, faith, wisdom and enthusiasm are very much appreciated. She will be missed, but we all wish her God’s blessings as she begins her retirement.

 

I’d also like to thank the members of our Principal Search Committee and BSJ for their flexibility, dedication and honesty in working many hours to find the right principal to lead St. Bede School into the future. Your work is very much appreciated.

 

Let’s all pray for Mr. Pinto as he begins his tenure as principal, and may God bless you all.

 

Sincerely,

Fr. Tim Fairman

Pastor

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT

 

St. Bede Catholic Church is a welcoming spiritual community where sacraments, education and evangelization lead us to Jesus Christ.

 

SCHOOL MISSION STATEMENT

 

St. Bede Catholic School exists to fulfill the parish mission and to provide all children an opportunity for a quality educational experience centered in faith formation within a family atmosphere.

 

PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

 

The formal education of a child is the spiritual, academic, physical, and social development of an individual aimed at establishing strong moral and ethical values in each person who will be able to function effectively in a rapidly changing, diverse society.

 

At Saint Bede Catholic School, we seek to develop this vision by reinforcing the Catholic Christian values instilled by the child’s first teachers, his/her parents.

 

Saint Bede Catholic School is an integral part of Saint Bede Parish. It is the educational ministry extension of the parish. The Catholic religion is the core of our focus with emphasis on teaching children respect for God, themselves, and others. This is accomplished though immersion into an atmosphere that has its roots in the concept of family. Faculty members regard teaching as a ministry. They foster a love and appreciation for God, Country, and Saint Bede School.

 

We have established a curriculum based on Catholic Christian values, which encompass the school, church, and the local communities. This program reflects an atmosphere of enthusiasm that provides the student with a loving, caring, and sharing family environment.

Every student is regarded as an individual recipient of each teacher’s interest, respect, and best efforts.

 

Teachers and students are both learners striving to achieve individual goals in the educational process; each interacts with the other to achieve mutual needs that benefit the individuals.

 

OUR GOALS AS EDUCATORS ARE AS FOLLOW:

 

To lead our students into exciting new avenues of learning

 

To impart information

 

To allow students to be free to explore areas of interest

 

To create an attitude of life-long learning

 

To teach the message of Christ

 

 

Our goals are accomplished by encouraging parental involvement in student progress, by offering a curriculum that fosters self direction and critical thinking; by encouraging the students to reach their full potential and function successfully as Catholics in the society of the future.

 

CURRICULUM

 

SAINT BEDE SCHOOL OFFERS A COMPREHENSIVE FULL-DAY KINDERGARTEN THROUGH 8TH GRADE PROGRAM.

 

THE STUDENTS RECEIVE INSTRUCTION IN:

 

 

Religion

 

Reading

 

Mathematics

 

English

 

Spelling

 

Science

 

Social Studies

 

Handwriting

 

 

 

The students also receive instruction in Computer Science, Physical Education, Music, and Art.

 

EXTENDED DAY PROGRAM

 

The Saint Bede Extended Day Program offers supervised before and after school care that is affordable, recreational and enriching. Care is available from 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 2:30-6:00 p.m.

 

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

 

Parents, as the primary educators of their children, are expected to take an active role in the Saint Bede educational experience. Through participation in activities such as Parents’ Association, Educational Advisory Council, Athletic Association, and various fund-raisers, the children gain a sense of parental pride placed on the value of Christian education and community involvement.

 

BEYOND ACADEMICS

 

Extra curricular activities are an important part of the Saint Bede experience. The programs are used to promote the physical, intellectual, and spiritual health of the student. These offer a means of teaching teamwork, self-discipline, sportsmanship, and a sense of community service.

 

Grades four through eight may participate in volleyball, basketball, track, cheerleading, and pompons. Saint Bede School is a member of the Fox Valley Catholic Conference.

 

Other activities that are offered include Altar Servers, Library activities, music programs, preparation of Liturgies, reading incentive programs, Student Council, band program for grades 4-8, service programs, and participation in the Presidential Physical Fitness Challenge.