Watching the metamorphosis – a kindergarten teacher’s view

By Teresa Sanchez
St. George School

ONTARIO—Every year at the beginning of the school year, I am reminded of why I believe teaching kindergarten is one of the hardest jobs in the world. 

 In August, my new students are famous for crying, wandering, asking off-topic questions, telling off-topic stories, sleeping at inopportune times, and tattle-taling, just to name a few. For the first three months of the year, I go home each night completely frazzled and so exhausted I can barely keep my eyes open. 

 Students at the three Catholic high schools of the Diocese of San Bernardino have collectively earned more than $13 million in college scholarships this year.

 The 128 seniors at Xavier College Preparatory High School in Palm Desert have earned $5.6 million in scholarships; the 124 seniors at Notre Dame High School in Riverside earned a total of $5.2 million; Aquinas High School, with 83 seniors, earned $2.5 million in scholarships.

 College going rates at the three high schools are above 95% with many students attending state university system campuses and some attending prestigious private universities throughout the country.

PASADENA—The highest award a Girl Scout can earn was presented to St. Joseph, Upland parishioner Jacqueline Withey at a reception in Pasadena on June 8. 

 Her Gold Award Project, organizing a community food and blanket outreach to the poor, was sparked by her concern for the underserved poor in her community. 

 “Because of unemployment and a poor economy, food banks are receiving less food donations,” Withey said. 

By Callista Ordonez

 The following are remarks prepared by Sacred Heart Academy eighth grader Callista Ordonez for the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast in Redlands on May 1.

 As today is a day of prayer, I would like to briefly explain how myself and other practicing Catholics pray. Prayer can come in many different forms. Prayer can be through singing, confession, petitions, a conversation with God, and much more. Prayer is simply talking to God in any way that one feels most comfortable with. 

REDLANDS—The young adults at The Holy Name of Jesus parish arrived at 9 a.m. on April 12 to make 200 sandwiches and provide water for the homeless in San Bernardino and Redlands.

 They visited shelters, parks, and alleys to share Christ’s love with the poor, and on several encounters, they prayed over them and their intentions.

 Most of the homeless the young adults encountered were appreciative of the food, but the ones whose hearts changed the most were the young adults.

CORONA—St. Edward School sixth grader Nicholas Perez followed his strong regional showing in science fair competition with great results at the California State Science Fair held at the California Science Center in Los Angeles April 28-29. His project “Polymer:  The Ultimate Barrier to Fire and Smoke,” had captured a gold medal in the junior division at the RIMS Inland Science & Engineering Fair.