St. Catherine of Siena Elementary School

I just read the comments regarding the students selected to represent the school. I have attended many events at the school and have been extremely impressed with the students selected. I am not sure I would label them "elite" but rather hard working students that exel in academics, classroom behavior and standout as the leaders of their peers. I applaud St. Catherines for selecting the best to represent the school. The school has very high standards and I have always been impressed at each event I attend. I can also comment that when I look at the students selected they often are the children of the parents that give so much of their time and energy to the school to make it the best school in the area. I guess you could say the apple doesn't fall to far from the tree, hard working dedicated parents foster children that also want to go above and beyond the classroom to ensure the successs of St. Catherines. Hats off to the school for selecting such mature, outstanding students to represent them. I know that colleges and universities will also select the students that stand out for their high standards. May these children be a role model for the students in lower grades
--Submitted by a parent

Maybe SCS chooses the students with neat hair, pressed uniforms and a good attitude. My children have been chosen at SCS. They have also been chosen for Open Houses at their high schools, I guess I must have an "in" there too?!
--Submitted by a parent

My children have been chosen and I can tell you I have never worked a day at SCS. Do you know who has worked there? My children have worked there... worked at getting good grades, being kind to fellow students and respectful to the administration. You can call it playing favorites or elitism, but I choose to call it CHARACTER!
--Submitted by a parent

In regards to the post about the "elite" students being chosen to represent the school at different events. I am the Director of Advancement at SCS and would be more than happy to have a discussion about the criteria the administration uses to chose the student volunteers for key fundraising events. Feel free to call or email me. I am also a parent of two students at the school and view that as a positive I feel that only encourages me to work harder for the benefit of SCS and my children. Paula
--Submitted by a teacher

I am so happy for all you people that the biggest life problem you have is that your children are not picked to represent their school. Who the school hires to work has nothing to do with the fact that your child may not have the right personality to take on that role! Face facts, accept your children for who they are and move on! Rather than finding blame with the school for hiring parents of students (a very weak excuse) you might find it better if you help your child accept the disappointment of not being chosen. Making excuses for them will only make it more difficult for them to accept the bigger challenges and disappointments of life.
--Submitted by a parent

It is so true they choose only the staff's children that work there to be reps for the school. They should definitely not hire parents of students to work there. It sends the wrong message.

Regarding the January 25 review about elite students, I was at the school's gala and how many non-elite students did you have assisting that night? It appears that the same students are chosen over and over again for school-sponsored events.
--Submitted by a parent

The student body at St. Catherine's has high academic standards and most are generally motivated to do well in school. As a student of St. Catherine's, I wish the administration would invest more into extracurricular activities to enrich creativity and grow our artistic talents. The school is great academically, but offers little beyond classes.

As a parent of several St. Catherine's students, I find the post about the bias towards "elite" students for the golf tournament to be unnecessary. Things like the golf tournament and open houses are exactly when you want to showcase your "elite" students. The school is trying to put its best foot forward for donors and potential students. It would not make any sense to do it any other way. Every other school, public or private, does the same thing.
--Submitted by a parent

Our child had a really great first year in middle school, and is looking forward to the new school year. We had good communication with the staff, if we ever had a question.