An excessively shy little girl at Our Lady of Hope spent the last school year “Making herself as invisible as possible,” says her 7th grade teacher, Dena Campbell. She wouldn’t make eye contact.  She wouldn’t talk to other students.  At lunch she stayed in the classroom by herself.  That same little girl is now planning her Quinceañera with new friends.  Kindness made the difference.  Kindness encouraged a timid young girl to lift her gaze.

Though everyone in her class recognized her shyness, after a few weeks of the school’s Kindness Campaign, one young boy—instead of discounting her—said, “We don’t know what she’s going through.” Empathy changed him from looking the other way to looking with more sympathy at his classmate.

The school’s campaign was designed around a curriculum based on the book and movie, Wonder. Originally planned for religion-studies students, the school ultimately decided to share the learnings school-wide, encouraging everyone to take a deeper look at what it means to be kind, to live with more understanding for each other’s situation. 

Every morning, principal Mary Delac,  led the entire school in a morning prayer, choosing a different emotion or life-challenge to reflect upon—feeling unloved, being incarcerated, having drug addiction problems. The students then shared a moment of silence as they thought about situations others (perhaps themselves) were living through. “I realized that life is bigger than me,” one boy shared with his teacher. 
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It was a good lesson for grade school students to learn. It’s a good lesson for all of us to learn from them.

Several months ago four seventh graders at Our Lady of Hope used gun control as the focus of a joint art project. From that one project, these students organized a rally and on April 20th, 58 students “walked out” of school to stand up for their values.  When asked why, one student simply said, “Guns just aren’t right.”

How did they feel during their protest?  “Really good,” said one. And after? Everyone joined in singing the Prayer of Saint Francis.  It was a meaningful day for the students who conceived of and led the rally, one that was encouraged and supported by the school’s administration and teachers.

The day began with a middle school assembly to talk about the walk out. (Students who chose not to participate were supported with as much encouragement and understanding as the protesters.) After the assembly the kids walked a few blocks to McDonalds, where they stood on the corner of 43rd Street and Rainbow Boulevard, chanting and waving posters.  The chant—Don’t Build a Wall, Change the Gun Law—were the student’s own words. 46 posters—also student-conceived and designed—were made and waved. A McDonald’s customer bought all participating kids a soft drink.

When asked about the experience, the students shared their excitement when cars honked and held thumbs-up in support.  They also talked about other onlookers who were angry and felt the need to shout diminishing epitaphs and brandish negative gestures.  What did they do then, they were asked. “We got louder”, they responded proudly.
During the assembly earlier in the day, the students were wisely coached to not engage with negativity.  In fact, this lesson alone could have been the focus of the march itself. Because, they shared, how we respond to what happens to us reflects what we value and are willing to stand for.  These students value peace. They stood up and walked out to proclaim the value of peace in their classrooms, and the world.

Before heading back to school for another assembly—which provided a safe space for the kids to discuss and process the day with teachers—they all joined in a moment of silence.
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Why April 20th?  It was the 19th anniversary of the shootings at Columbine High School, resulting in 15 deaths.  Since then guns have continued to cut young lives short. From Sandy Hook Elementary to Virginia Tech to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (and sadly, others), gun violence against young lives continues. This past month, 58 youngsters in a Kansas City Missouri Catholic school decided to say the shootings need to stop.  So they made a plan. “We all did,” said one young man. Moreover, they all followed through.

"The scholarship from Bright Futures helped ease the financial pressure of sending my son to private school and allowed me to place all my focus on becoming the best parent I can be. Thank you for your financial support, which is very much appreciated. I will work hard to make sure that you feel that you have made a wise decision in selecting my son as one of your Scholarship recipients. Again, thank you for your generosity." — Antoney Perez

Juan Marron and Mateo De La Torre have no question about why they love Our Lady of Hope and the Catholic education it provides them.  “Being here makes me a better person,” says Juan. “And I’m more comfortable being around people I know,” Mateo adds. “There’s no drama, no bullying.  We have fun in school without worrying.”

For a pair of 8th grade boys preparing to graduate in the next couple of months, their comments are wise beyond their years.  Their words are also deeply satisfying.  Thanks to Bright Futures Fund, both students are well on their way to significant future endeavors that will be grounded in daily prayer and faith.  Mateo is pretty sure he wants to be a coach.  Juan hasn’t yet committed.  He’s still considering his options.
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They feel safe at Our Lady of Hope.  Both boys agree that’s partially because their teachers keep an eye on them.  “They make sure we’re doing the right thing,” both confirm. Asked if they’ll miss their teachers they nod their heads. “We will,” both agree.  And they’ll miss their friends.  “We’re a family here,” the boys say, knowing families are hard to replace.

​As much as they’re looking forward to High School—Juan will be attending Bishop Ward; Mateo is heading to Rockhurst—its clear neither young man is ready to leave.  “Until now I was always looking forward to the 8th grade,” shares Mateo.  Juan agrees with his friend and continues by saying, “And now I want to stay.”  They’re comfortable at Our Lady of Hope.  Yet, they’re also well-prepared for what the future will bring them.  Thanks in large part to the school they’re leaving behind.

Though Dimitri Gonzales, an eighth grade student at Our Lady of Hope, has always recognized
the importance of Holy Thursday and the Stations of the Cross reenactment of Jesus’ walk to
Calvary, he also couldn’t help but envy the students who played the role of soldiers. He wanted
to play that role himself. This year, as an eighth grader, he had the chance. His mother,
Stephanie Gonzales, was proud.

Mrs. Gonzales is also deeply grateful that Dimitri, as well as his three brothers—Gabriel, Victor
and Julian—are receiving their education at Our Lady of Hope. According to Mrs. Gonzales,
“Dmitri had the confidence to ask for the part because of his teachers’ support and
encouragement. The teachers know my kids,” she continued. “They look out for them.” She
adds that the school also knows what she expects of her children. They reinforce the faith she
teaches at home.

Though teachers and staff are part of what makes Our Lady of Hope special, family is as well.
The Gonzales boys have not only had each other, the school has also been filled with cousins.
Some are still there; others have graduated. “It’s one big family,” says Victor. “I like knowing
everyone has my back,” agrees Gabriel. “Nobody wants to come to school to be bullied,” he
concludes.

​My family has been a part of the Holy Cross Catholic School family since 2009. My oldest son, now a college freshman, and my son who is now a high school junior, both graduated from Holy Cross. My daughter (7th  grade), son (5th  grade) and youngest son (4th  grade), are all attending Holy Cross this year.

Holy Cross goes beyond the standards of reading, writing and math. The school nurtures the education and development of the whole child.

Holy Cross continually strives to update the school facilities. We have the latest technology in the classroom that allows our students to learn the latest education curriculum. Recently we obtained a state of the art heating and cooling system that makes learning, in any weather, possible.

Parental involvement is what sets Holy Cross apart from other schools. We meet other parents in kindergarten and form friendships that continue until graduation…and beyond. Families all work together so that our children get the best education possible both in and out of the classroom.

As each year passes, our principal, Mrs. Deane works to provide more after school activities and enrichment programs that will help our children. Because our children love sports, Holy Cross has partnered with local organizations and programs to bring a variety of sports to our kids.
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My children love going to school, feel trust in their teachers, enjoy being with classmate—in and out of school—and genuinely feel loved by the entire faculty and Holy Cross staff. As a parent, I am grateful for the dedication that all teachers give my children. I would recommend Holy Cross Catholic School as a place where any child can receive the best education ever.

“Every moment at school is a teaching moment,” says Tammy Neeb, inclusive education specialist and instructional coach at Our Lady of Hope. “I’m there to support the teachers,” she continues. “I’m there to encourage the students to dream big, live into their ideas, to become successful inventors of the lives they deserve.”

Ms. Neeb believes deeply in creativity itself as the teacher.  It’s her job—and passion—to encourage it.  One of her recent inspirations is that Our Lady of Hope students “Be Like”… and then leave it up to the children to identify with Saints who lived a life they want to reflect. Some choose St. Michael, others St. Peter, a few will look to St. Joan of Arc.  “I want to encourage the children to be Daring Disciples,” Ms. Neeb explains.  “I want them to walk through Lent knowing Jesus, and His Disciples, also walked through these holy days. Yet I also want the students to realize it took daring to be a Disciple of our Lord.”

Not many judges send two-page emails congratulating students who didn’t receive a top award. However, one of the judges at a recent robotics competition did just that. The Holy Cross students, per the judge, were unanimously applauded as a team that deserved recognition. To quote the email, “This first year team was small but mighty. They are obviously on a crusade to work together and excel in the world of Robotics.” To which their coach, Kittie Batiste says, “Amen.”

Ms. Batiste’s team of 5 th and 6 th grade Holy Cross students was tasked with identifying a
challenge within the human water cycle. They had to research the problem and then offer an
innovative solution. The group of three (reduced from seven) spent two and a half months on
the project. All time invested was after school—for both kids and Ms. Batiste. Not only did the
Holy Cross team get a late start on the challenge, in contrast to many schools in the competition, they didn’t have funding.

What they did have, according to Ms. Batiste was eagerness, resilience and tenacity. “The kids
were gung ho,” Ms. Batiste continued. And then she shared the moment they were (almost)
overwhelmed. “When we arrived in our mismatched clothes and saw the teams from 39
competing schools, all in matching shirts, it was intimidating.” Yet the toughest moment was
when the kids were unable to print out their material for a computer code presentation.
However, that was also the moment when the judges took notice. Since they couldn’t print it
out, the students drew the code by hand. According to the email-writing judge, “We were
impressed.”

Next year? According to Ms. Batiste a Holy Cross team will be back. She is already seeing
interest, and she’ll be ready to work with whatever students show up to compete.

Though Ms. Batiste loves teaching at Holy Cross she didn’t start her career at a Catholic school. In fact, she was getting ready to start a job in the public system when she felt a pull toward something different. “God was calling me,” she shared. She has never regretted her decision. According to Ms. Batiste, at Holy Cross the smaller class sizes, respect for teachers and personal faith coalesce to create a more comfortable learning environment. And then there’s the positive attitude of her students, such as the three youngsters she took to the robotics competition.

​Again quoting the judge, “They were poised, deferred to each other and obviously understood
what they were doing.” And that, more than any award, is recognition to be proud of.

Beth Jerome, eighth grade teacher and assistant principal at Holy Cross Catholic School, believes deeply in her faith.  She believes faith and education are essential to student success and stability. At the core of this stability is community, Mrs. Jerome shares with heartfelt certainty, and is best found, nurtured and supported through a Catholic education, one that continues into a faith-based high school.

Eighth grade is the last grade for Holy Cross students; they begin high school in ninth. As the eighth grade teacher Mrs. Jerome knows her kids have a choice to make—do they continue in a Catholic school or transfer to the public system.  “Though many of my students have attended Holy Cross for most of their education,” explains Mrs. Jerome, “It’s a battle to keep them in the Catholic system. It’s often more cost effective to simply switch to a public school. However, parents believe their student has a solid base in faith formation from grade school and so the decision has to be made.”

Mrs. Jerome knows that choices kids will face in high school can be overwhelming. “Yet through faith,” Ms. Jerome shares, “These choices will be easier to navigate.”   The obstacles to enrolling in a Catholic high school however, are significant.  Fortunately, Mrs. Jerome is committed to chipping away at them, one obstacle at a time.

One of her commitments is to educate parents.  “Many of our parents are unfamiliar with the application system in high school,” explains Ms. Jerome. “I provide Catholic high school options. I help them understand financial aid is available.  And I encourage them to learn about application deadlines and meet them.”

Bunnies in the classroom, eggshells on earth, and Dia de los Muertos all represent a pathway to God; they all offer an opportunity for Jennifer Cecena, our Lady of Hope middle school religion teacher, to talk about faith. Ms. Cecena is deeply committed to conveying the magnitude of faith to the young lives she has the responsibility of shaping. In addition, Ms. Cecena says with emotion, “I love talking about God.” She firmly believes her students do as well.

Having a safe place where God is part of the conversation provides her students a sense of security. And through these conversations youngsters and teachers become family.  Ms. Cecena explains that many of her students have—though loving—hectic, irregular home lives.  Parents often work multiple jobs; they work nights and weekends.  “When they’re with us at school the kids have routine and routine provides great reassurance,” Ms. Cecena continues. “We’re always present. And by working in smaller groups we get to know each other.” 

And they get to talk about God, Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe, topics not discussed in the public school system.  “We tell them God is loving. God is forgiving,” Ms. Cecena explains. God is always present, even through death and tragedy, an assurance Ms. Cecena recently authenticated using the annual celebration of Dia de los Muertos as the lesson.

Since August Ms. Cecena’s students worked on a family enrichment project, constructing shrines to a departed family member or loved one to be displayed at the school as part of the annual celebration with origins in Mexico.  When the project was finished in late October, 70 alters were displayed through the halls of the school. 

Though the project in itself was important, the true value came from the fact that it involved the help of parents or older family members who shared the memories.  “Through this project everyone put lives on pause for a few minutes to think about loved ones lost,” shared Ms. Cecena. “By talking about death, students were able to talk about heaven, to know heaven is real.”  One young man lost a brother to a drive-by shooting. Clearly, creating an alter did not erase the pain, yet it did provide an opportunity to add some light (through a candle) to his loss.  It allowed emotions that were dark and scary to be transformed into something reassuring.  “Creating the alters became part of the healing,” Ms. Cecena reflects.
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And what do eggshells have to do with faith?  “I tell my student’s we are eggshells on earth,” Ms. Cecena concludes “The spirit is what’s inside. And though eggshells can crack, the spirit can never break. It simply flows.” Faith will always flow, Ms. Cecena believes, including her own. Faith in God, herself as a teacher, and most importantly, the students she teaches.