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About Us |
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Welcome to Saint Boniface
Parish School where our commitment to providing a values based
education in the Roman Catholic tradition is as strong today
as it has been in the past. We continue a nearly 150 year
tradition in our small rural parish that so values education
that we have never been without a school.
Once served by sisters of several different religious orders, St. Boniface is currently staffed by a lay faculty of certified teachers – both full and part-time. The parish pastor works in collaboration with the school principal to insure that each student is enriched in spirit, mind, and body. In addition to our Kindergarten through eighth grade curriculum, we offer pre-school for three and four year olds, a developmental care program for pre-school age children, and before and after school care for all school students. At St. Boniface, like generations of our parish family before us, we all share a commitment to “Celebrate each Child’s Uniqueness”. Accomplishing our mission requires the dedicated effort of our teachers, administrators, parents, and volunteers. Through this team effort, we have developed programs and experienced success by focusing our attention on several key building blocks that nurture better students, better citizens, and ultimately a better world. The first of these building blocks is faith development. St. Boniface welcomes students of all religious backgrounds while maintaining a specific Roman Catholic curriculum. All students attend religion classes and have the opportunity to participate in prayer, liturgy, and religious celebrations. The Christian centered education offered at St. Boniface emphasizes the importance of developing strong morals and values as students grow toward becoming responsible adults. In addition to learning about their faith, we encourage students to live their faith by getting involved in their communities. Community service is the second building block of the better world we all want for the next generation. Students are provided with opportunities through which they can experience the rewards of community service both as individuals and in groups. Older students have the special opportunity to help others right here in school as they serve as “buddies” to the younger students on a regular basis. Whether working on a project, reading together, or attending a school liturgy, buddies help each other academically and socially. Many other service related opportunities are provided for the students. Each of these events helps students of all ages to better understand the value of giving of self. The importance of service is also modeled for the students by the presence of many adult volunteers in the school. We pride ourselves on the commitment to St. Boniface and its mission that is so evident in the hours upon hours contributed by parents, grandparents, neighbors, and parishioners who serve in so many areas of the school. The children recognize through these adult role models that service is an important part of any community. Their world will be better for having learned this lesson in childhood. Values are further enhanced as St. Boniface students are supported, enriched, and challenged in their intellectual growth – the third building block and the central component of all education. Our core curriculum consists of the basic skills all children must learn. Teaching this curriculum at St. Boniface is enhanced by providing:
Our curriculum also includes a full range of opportunities in the creative arts, physical education, music, and health. Our computer lab, well equipped science lab, and five acre environmental center provide creative and challenging ways for students to apply what they learn. Enrichment opportunities are available for students who would benefit from further academic challenge. In the same respect, remedial help is available for students in need of additional academic support. We encourage all students to use their God given talent to the best of their ability. By implementing consistent discipline standards in an atmosphere where mutual respect is emphasized, students are provided a safe and secure learning environment. The education provided at St. Boniface, however, extends beyond teaching and learning the curriculum. Students need to know how to apply what they learn to situations they will encounter throughout their lives. Therefore, the development of critical thinking skills is the fourth building block of a St. Boniface education. From the primary grades on, students are provided with many opportunities to enrich their thinking skills. Some examples of the opportunities available to them include:
Encouraging students to think critically, question, and problem solve helps them develop a clear understanding of what they learn. They become better prepared for the academic and personal challenges they will face in the future. We are proud of the fact that many St Boniface alumni serve their communities today as doctors, attorneys, pharmacists, teachers, business owners, public servants, professors, engineers, and artists. Building character by teaching respect and responsibility for self and others defines our 5th building block, self-discipline. In addition to our academic programs, St. Boniface students have many extra-curricular opportunities available to them. They may choose to become involved in youth empowered programs such as KIDco, a national coalition of students involved in educating their peers about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, or Earth Force, a coalition of students involved in identifying environmental issues and working to affect local policy changes. Many special interest clubs are active within the school such as Student Council, the School Newspaper, Math Enrichment, an Environmental Awareness group and a Recycling Club. Students of all ages can participate in a full range of athletic programs. In addition to cross country and swimming which are offered to students in the primary grades, older students may choose to participate in junior varsity or varsity football, basketball, soccer or cheerleading. A no cut rule affords all students the opportunity to play. The success of our extracurricular programs can be credited to the dedicated efforts of our parents, teachers, and coaches working to encourage students develop good work and study habits while pursuing these other special interests. A visit to our school gym gives testimony to the outstanding history of athletic and extracurricular achievements of St. Boniface students. The many banners and awards on display there, including two state basketball championship trophies, are reminders of our commitment to educating the whole child in spirit, mind, and body. St. Boniface prepares students for their future roles in society not only by providing an excellent academic foundation, but also by teaching them to be respectful and tolerant of others. Respect is a building block that is not only taught but modeled for our students. Children learn respect by being in an environment that models respect. Clearly established discipline standards outline the importance we place on creating a safe environment where children can learn. Many programs are in place at St. Boniface that help students learn how to interact with others in peaceful ways. These programs include:
Programs are also available to help students who are in need of individual support. These include:
We respect our students’ needs to feel safe in the environment in which they learn to such a degree that our building’s security is maintained by a limited access entry system as well as by policies that screen and identify visitors to the school. Our commitment to the parents who entrust their children to us involves providing a solid educational experience based on our key building blocks. St. Boniface is a caring, learning community grounded in tradition yet energized for the future. We invite you to visit with us, “Building A Better World, One Student at a Time”. |
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