ESFDB kicks off Catholic School Week

In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, ESFDB students pose with Rev. Fr. Isaac Ayuyu at the San Isidro Church in Sinapalo, Rota. (Contributed Photo)

Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja joined Mount Carmel School on Saipan and other countries in observing Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6.

This year’s theme is “Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service,” which highlights the schools’ focus on faith development, academic excellence, and dedication to community service.

At Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja, Catholic Schools Week is a celebration of all the elements of our school that make it such a great place: students, parents, administration, faculty, staff, friends, and the entire parish community.

Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja kiced off the event with a special Mass at San Isidro Church on Jan. 31.

“Catholic schools provide us with the best opportunity to evangelize, catechize and educate our Catholic youth in the rich traditions of the Church,” said administrator/principal Carmen H. Atalig.

“Catholic schools are a vital aspect of the Church’s mission to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and so an important aspect of our own teaching mission,” added Atalig.

During Catholic Schools Week, students shared their thoughts about what attending Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja means to them.

• “I am grateful that my parents have given me the opportunity to go to a school with strong values.  These values will stay with me the rest of my life. God has given me many blessings and my Catholic education is just one of the many that makes me grateful and makes a difference in my life.”—Eighth grader and student body president Angelo S. Lucero
• “ESFDB is preparing me for my future by bringing me closer to God.  I have the privilege of learning about my faith in religion class every day ESFDB — Seventh grader and student body vice president Jeremy John Atalig II
• “ESFDB teaches us responsibility for one another and to respect one another.”—Fifth grader Kaitlyn Balgoa
• “My ESFDB education will help me in the future because I am learning to be a hard worker and a good student. I have also learned to love God, my parents, my teachers, my friends, and other people. I know God loves us very much.”—Second grader Edward U. Maratita III
• “I like my school because we love one another just the way God does.  I love my family, my teacher Mrs. Atalig, and my classmates.”— Kindergarten student Eianne Miel Ladao

“Even as economic times become more difficult, our Catholic school continues to provide outstanding value in educating the whole child,” said board chair Edward Maratita Jr. “The emphasis on the teachings of the Catholic Church, the overall importance of Christian values and the central place of community and service make Catholic schools the premier place to give our children the best preparation for their future.”

“The success of ESFDB and any Catholic schools is attributable, in part, to the formation of caring communities of parents, administrators, teachers, staff, and students dedicated to academic excellence and to moral and spiritual values,” added Maratita.

In addition, the school would like to recognize the following hardworking and dedicated lay teachers who teach a highly diverse body of students; Carmen H. Atalig, Florinda M. Chavez, Geraldine Dela Cruz, Monette M. Ladao, Mary Rose S. Lucero, Lea D. Maratita, and Edward Maratita, Jr.

Here’s a look at Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja’s schedule of events during Catholic Schools Week: Sunday: Kickoff day/Mass at San Isidro Church at 8:30am; Monday: Presentation by Rev. Fr. Isaac Ayuyu-Faith; Tuesday: Discussion-Knowledge; Wednesday: Home Visit of Sick People in the community-Service; Thursday: Cultural Activities; and Friday: Open House/Family Night/Potluck Dinner.

This year’s ESFDB Catholic Schools Week celebration is spearheaded by Florinda M. Chavez, class adviser for the first to second grades.

The administration, faculty, staff, and students would like to express their appreciation to the parents, Parent Teacher Organization officers, board of directors, Rev. Fr. Isaac Ayuyu, Monsignor Louis Antonelli, Mayor Efraim Atalig and staff, 15th Rota Municipal Council, CNMI PSS Board of Education member Tanya King, and Tita Hocog.  (ESFDB)