and 50 Years of Academic Success!
This week St. Rene School joined with more than 8,000 Catholic Schools in the United States to observe the long history of academic success that is the Catholic School System. For over 50 years, St.Rene Goupil School has fostered each student’s personal relationship with Jesus Christ while offering a strong academic program that prepares students for life as responsible citizens with integrity and Christian values. We invite you to come and see why St. Rene is among the 216 Chicago Catholic elementary schools that is growing stronger every year. Faith, Academics, Service! It’s all waiting for your child at St. Rene Goupil School!
Saint Rene Goupil School Philosophy
St. Rene Goupil Catholic School celebrates God's presence among us by creating a Christian educational environment permeated by the Gospel values. By this approach we demonstrate that all learning is guided from God and we apply our Catholic identity to all academics.
Saint Rene Goupil School functions as and is an integral part of the Saint Rene Parish community and the community of mankind. The school strives to develop a truly educated individual who is aware of his/her interdependency and responsibility in every aspect of Christian life. Each child has received special gifts and talents to be used in service to others. Daily learning experiences enhance the opportunity for students to develop these gifts with integrity, responsibility, leadership, cooperation and self direction. We believe that the active involvement of the parent/guardian is integral to the faith and academic development of each child. Together we work to create an atmosphere, which will foster in each child, the desire to be a lifelong learner in an ever-changing world.
Saint Rene Goupil School Mission Statement
St. Rene Goupil school is dedicated to providing quality Catholic education for our children. Recognizing that parents/guardians are the primary educators of our children, we strive to form a partnership to provide an excellent learning environment in which all students grow spiritually and academically adhering to the state and local standards. We recognize and respect each child as a unique person with individual gifts and talents, and will provide opportunities for children to develop these gifts to give witness to their faith, and to make responsible decisions ensuring the vitality of St. Rene Goupil School. Our goal is to foster respect for self, school, and community giving witness to Catholic values. We strive to create a learning environment where children reach their full potential. We share a friendship, gather to nurture and educate, and proclaim our desire to minister and celebrate our faith.
St. Rene Goupil School is the proud recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation!
Our grant application was approved in May 2008 and a one kilowatt photovoltaic solar panel was installed in early July. One kilowatt harnesses enough solar energy to power the lights in one classroom. St.Rene is proud to be the only solar powered elementary school in our area!
Dave Merrill of SunAir Systems, the company that installed the panels, explained that six individual panels comprise the "solar panel" or solar ray. Sun light drawn into the panel is converted into energy for the school. The panel will create approximately 120 kilowatts of energy per month.
The amount of solar energy created via the panels is in fact minimal - but the thrust of this project was first and foremost to bring environmental learning into the classroom. By visiting www.solarschools.org, our students (anyone) can view data constantly streaming from the panels. Our teachers are integrating clean energy lessons into our curriculum for grades K-8. Students will be able to "see" how much energy is harnessed on a cloudy day opposed to a full day of sun. Teachers will help the students figure out how much energy it takes to power items we use in our every day lives.
The acquisition of solar panels is something our pastor, Fr. Tom has been interested in for quite some time. We are currently researching additional funding options for the acquisition of more panels. Our hope is the project will grow and produce dual benefits; a higher level of learning for the students and true energy and money saving benefits for the school and parish.
Over the last few years St Rene School and parish has been moving towards "going green" in as many ways as we can. The school and parish recycles paper (there's also community involvement), the students recognize Earth Day by having an in school "Recycle Market" where the students make "new" items of old ones. The items are sold for a few cents and the proceeds are used to purchase plants and bulbs to beautify the parish/school green space. Our students are encouraged to reduce waste by using lunch boxes in lieu of paper bags and refillable sport bottles for water thus eliminating plastic water bottle waste. Our parish will be celebrating a 50th anniverary beginning Advent 2008 and to kick off the anniversary we will distributing St Rene eco-bags to our parishioners. These are reusable shopping totes that eliminate the need for the tons of plastic bags we get at the grocery stores.
Are you interested in helping St Rene be the first Archdiocesean "green school" on the southwest side? If so, the school is looking for your help in forming a Green Committee. The mission of the Green Committee would be to work with teacher representatives to find and implement viable ways for the students of St Rene School to take an active role in preserving the environment. Interested persons can contact Kathy, St Rene Marketing & Development at 773-586-7385 or kbt629@comcast.net.
Faith, Knowledge, Discipline and Morals. Dividends for Life! That’s what Catholic Schools are all about!
