Registration Underway For 2013-2014 School Year

Amarillo—Less than two months remain in the 2012-2013 school year and Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Amarillo are currently enrolling students for the 2013-2014 school year.
Here is the latest news from the five Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Amarillo:

Holy Cross Catholic Academy, Amarillo
Registration Information: Registration for the 2013-14 school year is underway at Holy Cross Catholic Academy.
Registration information and forms are available on the school’s website, www.holycrossama.org. Interested families are invited to come and take a tour of the school and talk with school officials, according to Darla Mueller, Associate Head of Schools at HCCA.
“We are asking prospective students to bring a report card and results of any standardized testing with them when they come by the school to tour our facilities or meet with school officials,” she said. All returning families and new families are required to make an appointment with Mueller to complete the registration process.
The registration fee for students registering before Wednesday, May 1 is $350. After May 1, the registration fee will be $400 per student.
“Students whose family with verification of being registered and active Catholic families of a diocesan parish will receive the Deanery Scholarship of $750,” said Mueller. “Families who need tuition assistance can apply for the Mustang Scholarship online at www.factstuitionaid.com. There is a $30 application fee paid to FACTS, the company that determines the need of each family applying. This scholarship is awarded on first-come, most-needed basis.”
TAPPS State Art, Academic, Speech, Debate and Music Competition: Holy Cross Catholic Academy students have been and will be well represented at several state academic meets this month.
Junior Miranda Crow took part in the TAPPS (Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools) State Art Meet at Concordia University in Austin March 22 and 23. Sixth grade student Joey Benitez represented HCCA in San Antonio March 25-29 at the ExxonMobil Texas Science and Engineering Fair.
Holy Cross students also took part in the TAPPS Speech/Debate and Academic Competition April 3-6, also at Concordia University. Those students were:
• Seniors Nena Fierro, Jena Rizcallah, Titus Medley, Daniel Huseman, Cecilia Rios and Tina Dang;
• Juniors Lianne Wallace, Kristin Huseman, Addison Tenorio and Chris Sinclair; and,
• Sophomore Kristin Acker.
Holy Cross will also take part at the TAPPS State Choir Meet on Thursday, April 12 in Belton and at the Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA) State Meet in Fort Worth Saturday, April 27.
Graduation: The Baccalaureate Mass for the HCCA Class of 2013 will be celebrated Thursday, May 30 at 7:00pm at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 4100 South Coulter. Commencement Exercises will take place Friday, May 31 at 7:00pm in the gym at St. Joseph’s School, 4114 South Bonham.

St. Joseph’s School, Amarillo
Pre-Registration Information: St. Joseph’s School has grown in the 2012-13 school year, with a 32% increase in enrollment, according to Principal Angi Seidenberger. She said the school plans to add a first grade in the 2013-14 school year, while keeping the two Kindergarten classes and expanding the Montessori Program.
“We are very excited about our growth during this current year and we anticipate more for the coming year,” she said.
Registration for the 2013-14 school year began on March 7 with the school’s annual Experience St. Joseph event, according to Seidenberger.
“Once again we chose to use the word experience because our school is something that you experience,” she said. “It can’t be described.”
The School Sisters Return: The School Sisters of St. Francis will return for the 2013-14 school year, with Sister Mary Ana Steele as vice principal and teaching Religion and Music to all grades Montessori through Fifth. Sister Mary Jude Schwind will continue her work in the school as office secretary and Sister Mary Pia Benavidez will remain as a full time volunteer, doing whatever is needed while spending much of her school day assisting with religion classes, according to Seidenberger.
A New Way to Pre-Register: This year St. Joseph’s School will consider a student to be registered when they fill out a registration form. Each family will be billed for $200 (which includes a $75 registration fee, $100 book fee and a $25 Parent Teacher Organization fee) in June. Each family will pay $200 for the first child and $175 for each additional child, according to Seidenberger.
It is still a tradition at St. Joseph’s School for those families who pre-register before Saturday, April 20 to receive five service hour credits for the next school year. All families who have paid their fees by Monday, June 10 will be put into a drawing for a month of free tuition.
More Registration News: Registration will be Monday, July 15 and Tuesday, July 16 from 5:00pm to 8:00pm at the school. During this time, parents will be able to pay their fees, complete all paperwork and order uniforms.
“This will also be a great opportunity to meet our staff, PTO and School Advisory Board as well as signing up to be room parents and to serve on other committees,” said Seidenberger. “If you are not able to make registration, we will have on-going registration during our Summer Office Hours, which are Monday through Wednesday from 8:00am to 4:00pm or by appointment.
Upcoming Events: The third annual St. Joseph Parish Festival will take place Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21. The annual School-A-Thon is scheduled Friday, May 3, beginning at 9:30am at Paramount Park. For more details or to support a student, call St. Joseph’s School at 359-1604.
The annual swim party for St. Joseph’s School families will take place in July. The third annual Whatchamacallit is tentatively set for Sunday, Aug. 18, which precedes the first day of the 2013-14 school year, which will be announced later this spring.
Saying Goodbye: St. Joseph’s School will be saying goodbye to Father John Ohlig, according to Seidenberger. He has been with the school for eight years. The Hereford native will be returning to the Diocese of Lubbock.
“Each year brings change and it is rare to keep every staff member,” Seidenberger said. “We knew that someday Father John would be called back to his diocese. It has been a blessing to have him here with us for so long.”
The school will also bid farewell to Rozanne Wilting, who has been the Montessori Teacher for two years. Seidenberger said Wilting plans to assist where she can in the growth of the program, even though she will be moving to Brady.

St. Mary’s Cathedral School, Amarillo
Pre-Registration Information: St. Mary’s Cathedral School will be conducting pre-registration for the 2013-14 school year, beginning Monday, April 15. Returning and new families who enroll and pay the registration fee by Tuesday, April 30 will have their name entered into a drawing for a one-time tuition credit and 10 hours of volunteer service credit.
The school is accepting students at all grade levels and will continue registration through the summer. To take a tour of the school or to register, contact principal Kathi Lewis, at 376-9112.
Why St. Mary’s?: “St. Mary’s Cathedral School has a strong academic elementary program that includes weekly swimming as part of the physical education program, and Spanish in grades one through five,” said Lewis. “Students at various grade levels have the opportunity to participate in a before-school Mileage Club, after-school Hands On Science Club, Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA), Student Council and private piano and strings lessons. Daily religion, weekly Mass and monthly Adoration are an integral part of the Catholic identity of the school. “The school also enjoys strong parent and community support. St. Mary’s School was recently awarded a $1,500 VISA card for having the largest percentage of parent participation for Amarillo area elementary schools, in the Kid’s Inc.-Coffee Memorial Blood Drive. Parents offer their time, talent and treasure to the school in a variety of capacities.”
Montessori Information: The Montessori pre-school program has remained at full capacity throughout the 2012-13 school year, with an enrollment of 112 students. Class size is capped at 18 with a certified Montessori lead teacher and an assistant in each class, according to Lewis. The very individualized Montessori program serves children ages three to five. To be eligible, a child must be three years old on or before Sunday, Sept. 1 and be toilet-trained. Montessori stays at full capacity and has a waiting list. It is important to contact the school as soon as possible, if interested in enrolling in the Montessori program. The Montessori director is Julie Scrimpsher, who can be reached at 376-9155.
Finishing the 2012-13 School Year: There are a number of events remaining on the calendar for the current school year. School families will gather for a Knights of Columbus sponsored picnic on Friday, April 26, followed by a night of fun at Wonderland. Three students will represent the school at the state Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA) competition Saturday, April 27 in Ft. Worth: Carson Eyer in Dictionary Skills; Colby Koetting in Number Sense; and, Andrew Jackson in Maps, Graphs, and Charts. Nine St. Mary’s students placed at the local PSIA competition in February (WTC 3/3/13). The school’s annual Piano and Strings Recital will take place Tuesday, April 30. Thirty-five piano students and nine string students will perform.
The final month of the school year will begin with the Kindergarten Spring Program on Thursday, May 9. Thirty kindergarten students will perform and be recognized for ‘graduating’ from kindergarten, according to Lewis. On Thursday, May 23, the entire student body will participate in the traditional Field Day outdoor event. Students enjoy an outdoor picnic and participate in a variety of games and activities.
“We are grateful to the many hard-working Home and School Association mothers and other parent volunteers who help make this event successful every year,” said Lewis.
The month of May will wind down with fifth grade students spending a day at Palo Duro Canyon to celebrate one last time together. An Awards Assembly for grades one through five is set for Wednesday, May 29 and a fifth grade Promotion Mass will take place Friday, May 31, followed by a reception for students and their families.
Summer Activities: The school remains open for most of the summer, offering students the opportunity to enroll in Squirrel Camp. Activities include numerous in-school field trips, some of which will include the Discovery Center, Brush with Art, the Amarillo Public Library and a visit to Tandy Leather, among others. Arts and crafts, games and other activities are also planned. Squirrel Camp operates during the month of June, three weeks in July and two weeks in August, from 7:30am to 6:00pm Two classes of Montessori pre-school are also offered during the summer.
To get ready for the 2013-14 school year, August will feature New Parent Orientation Night and the annual Back to School Swim Party.
Celebrating a Centennial of Service: St. Mary’s Cathedral School will be celebrating 100 years of quality education with a festive Centennial Celebration set for Thursday, Sept. 19 through Saturday, Sept. 21. Alumni and anyone who has had any association with the school in any capacity over the years is invited to attend. Events being planned for the celebration include a wine and cheese social, school tour, family picnic and games/activities day, a catered reception and closing Mass. Registration information will be forthcoming in the near future, according to Lewis.

St. Anthony of Padua School, Dalhart
Registration Information: St. Anthony of Padua School registration for the 2013-14 school year is underway, according to principal Karen Graff.
“Some classes are already filled and there are a few students on waiting lists,” she said. “Other classes are filling up quickly.” Prospective students and their families are asked to contact the school for a tour of the Montessori Pre-K through sixth grade classrooms at 806-244-4811. Registration packets are available online in English and Spanish. Visit www.stanthonydalhart.com for additional information.
Upcoming Events: Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students are preparing for the Science Fair that will take place on Thurday, April 18th. Students will be participating in a Lake Clean-up project on Saturday, April 20 at Rita Blanca Lake. Students will also participate in a local track meet with two other area schools in May, as well as participate in an Advanced Reading (A.R.) Party for their reading efforts throughout the year.
Kindergarten awards and presentation is set for Thursday, May 30. Sixth grade graduation and an award ceremonies for the rest of the student body will begin with Mass at 9:00am on Friday, May 31.

St. Anthony’s School, Hereford
Enrollment For 2013-14 Underway: Enrollment for the 2013-14 school year has begun at St. Anthony’s School, according to principal Linda Aranda.
“There are many wonderful things going on at our school and we would love to have everyone be a part of it,” she said.
Pre-enrollment for families currently enrolled in the school will continue through Tuesday, April 30. Those pre-enrolling will be eligible for a 10% discount on enrollment fees, according to Aranda.
On Wednesday, May 1, enrollment will be open for new families, parish families, non-parish families and non-Catholic families. Enrollment will continue during the summer through the school or parish office. Call the school office at 364-1952 or go to www.herefordstanthonys.com for additional information.
Running for a Good Cause: The third annual “got faith? run for it” 5K and one-mile fun run, sponsored by St. Anthony’s School, is set for Saturday, April 20, beginning at 8:00am. All proceeds from the event will benefit the Physical Education (P.E.) Department at St. Anthony’s School. Entry forms are available at the school or online at www.herefordstanthonys.com. Entry fee is $20.00 through Thursday, April 11, and $25.00 the day of the race. Contact Karen Hacker for more details at 344-7373.
Upcoming Events: The annual Seder Meal for school children, staff and invited guests was celebrated March 28. The school’s Science Fair will take place Wednesday, April 10. The faculty and staff will host a Family Movie Night, on April 19, at 6:30pm in the school gym. The second grade class will be celebrating their First Communion during a 6:00pm Mass on Saturday, May 4.
The school Track Meet will be Friday, May 10. On Saturday, May 11, the school will host a Big Mamma’s Steak Dinner and Dance Night, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, beginning at 6:45pm in the school gym. All proceeds will benefit the technology department to replace a number of sick computers, according to school spokesperson Elaine McNutt. Tickets are on sale for $75, which includes a Steak Dinner, five Drink Tickets, a Dessert Bar, music from Young Country and a chance to win a $500 gift card from Southwest Airlines. The School Picnic is on Friday, May 24. Sixth Grade Graduation will be celebrated during Mass on Friday, May 31 at 8:15am.
Excited For The New School Year: “We are very excited about our 2013-2014 school year as we implement Phase I of our new Apple Technology Plan,” said Aranda. “Please check out our website, visit our school or give us a call for any additional information.”