About six weeks ago, St. Mary Catholic Community School Principal, Tom Ruiz, was approached by one of his 8th graders who had an idea. His name is Sergio Araiza. “Often times, when junior high students come to me with “ideas,” they involve fun activities for themselves and their classmates or suggestions regarding loosening the school dress code rules. This was not the case with Sergio.” Said, Principal Ruiz. Over the summer Sergio stopped in at the St. Jude House, in Crown Point. The St. Jude house is a place of refuge for abused women and their children. What Sergio learned about the St. Jude House motivated him to come see his principal about doing something to help the St. Jude House. He was invited to share his idea with the school’s Student Council and after several weeks of date changes, a Wednesday the 20th of October was landed on as the school’s designated “jeans day” in support of the St. Jude House. Families sent in a free-will donation for the privilege of wearing jeans at the parochial school. Perhaps those scheduling snafu’s were actually meant to be, as the timing landed on the same week when school’s beloved teacher who retired a few years ago, Mrs. Sue Elinkowski was laid to rest. Mrs. E’s son, Ryan, is the director of the St. Jude House! When the school’s donation is sent over to help those women and their children, it will be made in honor of Mrs. Elinkowski.
Sergio Araiza had this to say with a smile on his face, “It makes me feel good to see everyone in the school supporting the St. Jude House. Most people didn’t even know it existed right here in Crown Point. I was happy to help!”
St. Mary Catholic Community School in Crown Point offers grade levels Junior Pre-K (for three-year-olds) through grade eight. St. Mary’s faculty teaches a rich curriculum supported by cutting-edge technology. Faith, Academic Excellence, Life Lessons, and Compassion are the pillars of the school. Students in all grades are provided with opportunities to help others by way of service projects. St. Mary’s is currently accepting new students. To learn more about St. Mary’s School visit stmarycp.org/school.