Catholic Schools Spotlight: Our Lady of Fatima School in Texas City
March 12, 2013
TEXAS CITY — The defining characteristic of Our Lady of Fatima School (Co-ed, 3K-7) is one that embraces the Holy Spirit throughout the generations of students who have received a spiritual and academic education at the Texas City Catholic school.
The religious and lay teachers continually strive to meet the highest expectations to build capacity in the community and beyond. Our Lady of Fatima has a strong spirit of volunteerism and support from parents, alumni and the parish community of St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Church.
Parents and volunteers are truly active in the school. The “5 for Me” Volunteer Program allows parents an opportunity to select their area of expertise and acquire five volunteer hours. Also, the parents work endless hours in the successful Fall Festivals, Casino Nights and other school-related fundraisers. Several volunteers provide refreshments and fun activities for classroom celebrations.
Volunteers help provide video productions for Family Movie Nights. On a daily basis, there are volunteers who provide time to assist in the pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade classes. The parents, alumni and parishioners volunteer by donating their business services, including plumbing, electrical, air conditioning and maintenance. The Men’s Club and parishioners at St. Mary of the Miraculous Medal Church routinely volunteer and have a strong partnership with the school.
The school community has seen several students evolve into academic achievers through the dyslexia program provided by a trained Texas Scottish Rite Dyslexic teacher. Specifically, one student of the program has earned top grades and is qualified to apply for membership in the National Junior Honor Society.
Overall, Our Lady of Fatima raises the standards for every student. The teachers are provided an instructional coach for on-going professional development. Weekly news briefs, entitled Falcon Focus, are sent to the teachers to enhance their spiritual life. The Fatima Foundation annually awards innovative grants to the teachers for classroom implementation. Annually, Dow Chemical and Valero grants are prepared to enhance student-centered instruction.
Many former students continue to support the school. Several have become outstanding American citizens serving in the military, the government, medicine, education, engineering and industry. The majority are practicing Catholics who have their roots deeply embedded in their education at Our Lady of Fatima.
Patron saints are honored at Our Lady of Fatima School in Texas City. Among those are St. Mary with the May Crowning; St. Patrick, who is featured on a stained glass window in the front of the church honoring the Sisters of Charity; and St. Vincent de Paul, with service donations to the St. Vincent de Paul assistance for the poor and needy. The service workroom is named after St. Catherine Laboure.
Our Lady of Fatima is a school that offers an education for Catholic and non-Catholic students while providing spiritual and rigorous academics. The one-of-kind learning environment empowers students to be happy, responsible, faithful and successful in life.