McKenna MIDDLETON, intern

Sunday, Jan. 26 marked another year of excellence in Catholic education at St. James Elementary and Holy Redeemer Middle schools. Both held an open house for parents, students and prospective attendees from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Throughout the Holy Redeemer campus, classrooms displayed students’ hard work from semester one. The science class showcased posters for an upcoming science fair while the history class exhibited the various time periods studied by students.

It was obvious that teachers of every subject were equipping their students for future endeavors in high school and beyond. For example, eighth grade English classes have already prepared for the high school placement test, leaving time for more literature and grammar in the coming semester.

The welcoming atmosphere of HRMS was supplemented by its intimate campus. Parents and students milled around different classrooms and were able to chat with teachers on a communal level.

“I like the small community. I enjoy having the same kids from sixth to eighth grade so I can track their progress,” long time math teacher Rich Triquart said of HRMS.

Nearby St. James Elementary School also hosted parents and students for its annual open house.

The classrooms were brightly decorated and also demonstrated the learning students have done over the past semester. Each grade had a different project to boast.

The fourth grade classes recently took a trip to Mission San Juan Capistrano and created a project based on an individual mission of their choosing.

“I love working with the students. They enjoy learning which makes my job fun,” fourth grade teacher Kellie Insalaco said.

St. James had the same small school feel as its sister school, Holy Redeemer. Each classroom hosts about 15 students.

The schools used the open house as an opportunity to collect blankets and socks for their January service project. Each classroom had a box to collect donations that will be given to local homeless shelters this winter.

  Mckenna MIDDLETON