EDUCATING THE 21ST CENTURY
St. Mel School was founded in 1959 by the Sisters of Mercy who had a vision where children are educated in heart and mind, formed to be men and women of faith, learning, virtue, and service to others. It is that vision that lives on today! Our students appreciate our proud history as well as the sense of community that supports them. Our commitment to the development of the whole child includes differentiated instruction. They develop their talents - academic, artistic and athletic. The achievements, attitudes, spirituality and well-being of our students are important to us as are their families.
The core curriculum is academically challenging and is designed to help students prepare for high school pursuits. St. Mel School offers many extra activities, including athletics, academic competitions, art exploration program, choir, drama, baton, STREAM week, Student Council, and other special events. Our Student Learning Expectations (SLE’s), encourage children to become life-long learners, develop care for self and others.
A Catholic faith identity is at the heart of St. Mel School. This is what sets us apart from other schools and draws us together as a community. Our students are afforded the luxury of having the religion curriculum woven into their daily school experience, opportunities to celebrate the sacraments, and participate in community service projects. I invite you to attend the second Sunday of the month school Mass at 10:00 a.m. There you will see St. Mel Catholic School students getting a head start on leadership as they serve as lectors, greeters, altar servers and sing in the children’s choir.
I have been blessed to be Principal of St. Mel School since 1990. My belief that faith and a strong parent-teacher-student partnership will empower the students of St. Mel School to become tomorrow’s leaders who are compassionate, confident, and articulate. After you have finished browsing our website, please call me at 916-967-2814, or email jnagel@stmelschool.org , to arrange a tour to experience for yourself the tradition of St. Mel Catholic School, “Integrating Faith with Academic Excellence”.
“Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.” Deuteronomy 15:10
There are many opportunities throughout the Lenten season to teach our students important lessons supporting character, moral development, prayer and service to others. Essentially, FAITH IN ACTION! For example, our 5th grade students are participating in the Catholic Relief Service Rice Bowl Project; our 1st & 7th grade students made fleece tie-blankets for the Linus Project. Schoolwide, we are participating in the Sacramento’s Life Center Baby Bottle Project, and our 4th grade students are donating items to St. Vincent DePaul. In addition, the students in 2nd grade received the Sacrament of Reconciliation last month as they continue their preparation for First Holy Communion in May. I am very proud of our students in grades 1 -8 as they pray the Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent. Our faculty and staff participate in a weekly Lenten prayer service before school every Tuesday morning.
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, March 25. On Tuesday, March 27 students in grade 7 will present the ‘Living Stations of the Cross’ at 9:30 a.m. in church, and again on Good Friday, March 30 at 2 p.m. The school will attend the 8:30 a.m. Mass on Wednesday, March 28. I invite you to take a moment out of your busy week to please join us.
Congratulations to our 8th grade students who have received their high school acceptances for the next school year! It is always a tense time and is a big event in the life of the 8th graders. Speaking of important information, all students will receive their second trimester report cards on Friday, March 9.
On Saturday, March 3rd the following students from 6th, 7th, and 8th grade participated in the Academic Decathlon at Christian Brother High School: Charlie D., Cate J., Sophia C., Bella A., Gracie D., Amaya T., Sean J., Collin Y., Aaron C., Marcus C., Sophie D., Marisa K. and Ryan O. The team competed against 24 Catholic schools within the Diocese. It is with great joy to announce St. Mel School placed FOURTH OVERALL! Our team performed very well in Super Quiz and Logic and most of the team placed very high in their individual exams. In particular, Cate J. placed 3rd in Literature, Aaron C. placed 4th in Science, Sean J. placed 4th in Religion, and Ryan O. placed 5th in Current Events!! Congratulations to the entire Academic Decathlon team for a terrific performance!! Many thanks to the dedicated team of coaches who volunteered countless hours preparing these students before, during and after school, including weekends: Dr. Rod Diaz, Brittany Rupley-Haefele, Jill Joaquin, Serena Carleton, Chris Herne, Maria Johnson, Laurie Campoy, and Maria Kniestedt.
Congratulations to our Little Dribbler teams and our PAL boys and girls basketball teams for playing so well during the season. Many thanks to their coaches and parents for supporting our students! I am grateful for the many hours the coaches have volunteered to run practices and attend games and tournaments.
It is my sincere hope that you are finding time with your family during this Lenten season to prepare for the joyful celebration of Easter!
Sincerely In Christ,
Janet Nagel
