The ubiquitous car line, the trudging of feet in the hallways, the ringing of the first bell, morning prayers and then classroom instruction.
These scenes are repeated each day, in one form or another, at the 15 Diocese of Venice Catholic Schools which began instruction for the 2024-2025 Academic Year on Aug. 12, 2024, with the full complement of 6,524 students engaged in schoolwork by Aug. 14.
The first days were full of everyone figuring out where to go, reuniting with old friends or making new ones, participating in their first academic lessons and taking part in any of a myriad of extracurricular activities.
At Diocesan Catholic Schools, each student attended an opening Mass, either the first day of school, or within the first week.
Jesuit Father John Belmonte, Diocesan Superintendent of Catholic Education, celebrated Mass for several schools in the first days of the year exclaiming that these are exciting times in Diocesan Catholic Schools.
“We have new initiatives which are being implemented to ensure that each of our students receives the educational experience that parents have come to expect from the Diocese: that is a quality education that helps to build the mind, body and spirit, all focused on building up the glory of God in the world,” Father Belmonte said.
With the support of Bishop Frank J. Dewane, there is a comprehensive and inclusive STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts and Math) model in all classrooms. This includes the incorporation of the Diocesan curriculum called, “The Gifts of Christ: Truth, Beauty, Goodness, Affability, Fortitude, Humility, and Prudence.”
This effort also includes a growing robotics program where interested students learn new skills, including construction, planning, teamwork and more, to create machines that they use to complete tasks and later to enter into competitions.
“The broad approach of using the STREAM model and robotics in the classroom, places students ahead of the curve in primary fields while at the same time it continues to promote core Catholic virtues,” Bishop Dewane said. “This effort is helping students to develop cognitive thought processes and gain skills such as leadership, communication, complex problem solving, teamwork and creativity.”
At St. Francis Xavier Catholic School in Fort Myers, the second-grade students used this approached to brainstorm ways they can “Be Like Christ” at school, in the home and in the community. They also practiced their handwriting and saying their prayers.
Throughout the first week of school, students at St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples participated in a goal-setting workshop, learned stress management techniques, and discussed proper planning. The all-school Mass was a beautiful moment of unity and reflection, grounding the students, faculty and staff in their shared faith. The week ended with the annual House Retreat that allowed students to bond with their classmates and race against each other in a fast-paced Scavenger Hunt. That afternoon, there was a “Club Rush” so that all could learn about the different clubs and activities that St. John Neumann has to offer.
At nearby St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School in Naples, the middle school students dove into the fun with hands-on team-building activities. This was part of a back-to-school “Boot Camp,” during which the students learned the importance of being Christ-like in their lives and in the manner in which they treat others.
These are just a few of the examples of what took place during the first week at Diocese of Venice Catholic School and doesn’t even come close to covering the full scope of the exciting things that are taking place each day. Stay tuned as we follow our students throughout the school year.
To learn more about Diocese of Venice Catholic schools, please visit www.dioceseofvenice.org/education.
