 |
|
|
 |
 |
History
Blessed Sacrament Parish School was established in 1947 and staffed by the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary for grades one through eight. In 1974, the Sisters withdrew from the school and the first lay principal was hired. In September of 1977, the Kindergarten classroom was opened to meet the needs of our families. At that time, the student population increased to 262 students. In 1981, a Preschool was opened. The program was later expanded to include a pre-Kindergarten and by 1986, was fully licensed by the State of California as it is today. As the school grew, a ninth grade was added in 1984 to meet the needs of students and parents in continued until 1991.
Throughout the decades, Blessed Sacrament continued to seek out improvements in programs, services and facilities for its student population. As a mid-city school, the plant is constrained by the surrounding by businesses and homes. However, through careful space planning, a new building was completed in 1986 to replace three bungalows. As the Preschool numbers increased and the pre-Kindergarten program was established, additional classroom space beneath the school library was outfitted to meet those needs. Under the Parish Master Plan for future growth, permission was secured in 1992 for the construction of a 6800 square foot building designed to house three new classrooms, administrative space, a permanent lunch room, and a new Computer room. Construction was begun in 1993 and completed in August, 1994. Today, Blessed Sacrament's campus includes three two-story buildings which house grades Kindergarten through Eight and two additional Pre-school/Pre-K buildings.
However, the heart of our school is what goes on inside the classroom. The staff has grown from twelve full and part time teaching and office personnel to thirty staff members. Programs have expanded to include Extended Day, Enrichment, Hot Lunch, and an active Student Leadership group . While student enrollment has fluctuated through the years from 175 students in 1979, to over 400 students in the 1990’s, it has stabilized to a consistent 360 students in recent years. Over 68% of the students’ families are registered in Blessed Sacrament Parish and another 18% are registered in other Catholic parishes.
Throughout its history, Blessed Sacrament has prepared its students by providing a strong foundation academically, spiritually, socially and morally. Our students annually receive "honors at entrance" to local Catholic high schools and frequently are among scholarship winners. You will often find a Blessed Sacrament graduate serving in student government leadership roles and in campus ministry during their high school years. And you will also see our graduates back on our campus, working in our Extended Day program or helping to coach one of our after-school sports teams.
Blessed Sacrament Parish School continues to accept the challenge of providing Catholic Education opportunities to the faith community which we serve, and we welcome your prayers, participation, and support.
“Jesus came up and spoke to them. He said, ‘All authority in heaven and earth has been given to me. Therefore, make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Holy Spirit, and teach them to observe all the commands I gave you. Also know that I am with you always, yes, to the end of time...’ “(Mt 28: 18-20)
With these words, Jesus Christ commissioned His apostles and their successors to spread His Good News of Salvation to the ends of the earth. As Christian educators, we at Blessed Sacrament Parish School share in the mission of the Church by carrying out His divine mandate to those entrusted to our care. In so doing, we affirm the love and sacrifices of the Parish, parent community, and staff who have made Catholic education at Blessed Sacrament Parish a reality.
The challenge set before us is to establish an atmosphere for learning in which who we are as individual teachers as well as how we function as a faith community both give witness to the message of Christ.
“I give you a new commandment: Love one another. Such as my love has been for
you, so must your love be for each other. This is how all will know you are my
disciples: by your love for one another!” (Jn. 13: 34-35)
It is imperative that, as partners with parents, we
permeate our message with methods and materials which take into consideration
the world from which the student comes, as well as the world in which the
student will function as a young Catholic adult. Catholic education has as one
of its goals to make one’s “faith become living, conscious, and active, through
the light of instruction”. (The Bishop’s Office in the Church, 14). In light
of this, we sense the need for a conscious effort to reinforce our faith-gift.
We seek to nurture in all students a faith based on sound Catholic doctrine,
supported by an ever growing faith community which leads to a child-centered,
life-long mission of Christian service and commitment.
Blessed Sacrament Parish School endeavors to act in
partnership with parents for the benefit of students. We all strive to “come
together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God . .
. By speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to
Christ, who is the head.” (Eph. 4:13, 15) We believe the academic, moral, and
spiritual growth of children to be a ministry that begins at home; therefore,
parents are the primary educators of their children. Through the
continuing active role of parents, children develop their Christian identity and
become responsible to witness to the world a life of love and service.
We are aware as we prepare students for life in the twenty-first century that ours is a world at times troubled by high mobility, increased technological challenge, and time constraints and family dynamics that impact their lives. As a school community, we invite parents and staff to constantly reinforce the importance of the relationship between parent and child, to act as co-partners in nurturing that relationship, and to provide for an appropriate balance between school and home outside of the school day.
As effective role models for children, parents and teachers realize that their example of effective partnership is vitally significant. To this end, the staff commits itself to working with parents in order to develop in each student those qualities which more perfectly mirror the example of Christ’s life. We recognize as a staff that our power to teach is a God-given responsibility.
“In the church, God has put all in
its place: in the first place, the apostles, in the second place prophets, and,
in the third, teachers...” (Eph. 4: 7-11)
Recognizing the fact that Christian personality grows
neither in constraint nor permissiveness, we seek to teach students that through
responsible decision-making the capacity for self-discipline is best achieved.
In working towards this end we, as teachers, wish to motivate the student to
acquire knowledge and to balance intellectual growth with the teachings of
Christian love.
“I may have all
knowledge and understand all secrets ... but if I have not love, I am nothing...
“(I Cor 13: 2-3)
In a world of increasing technological specialization and dehumanization, it is imperative to be able to think critically, creatively, and conscientiously. We hope to teach our youth not what to think but how to think by providing academic tasks which stress critical thinking skills.
Blessed Sacrament Parish School recognizes that we are first and foremost a Catholic Parish educational institution. With that in mind, we believe that the Parish plays a vital role in supporting the ministry of both the school and parents. Through active involvement, both liturgical and non-liturgical, we, as a faith community in the Parish, endeavor to work together in a spirit of partnership.
“They devoted themselves to the Apostles’ instruction and the communal life, to
the breaking of bread and prayers...” (Acts 2: 43)
With open communication, the Parish and the school benefit each other by
utilizing one another’s talents. Together we work to carry on the
evangelical mission of the Church by proclaiming the “Good News”.
The proper end of the educational structure of Blessed
Sacrament Parish School is to help the students acquire the skills and habits of
thought and character which are attributes of a Christian education. It is our
ultimate hope that the youth of Blessed Sacrament Parish School will be prepared
to actively, fruitfully, and joyfully contribute to the progress of society as
responsible citizens and Christian leaders.