IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL, JACKSON, MO.

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION SCHOOL, JACKSON, MO.

What began by a pastor in a room behind the sacristy back in 1880 has grown into a school which includes 180 children, 8 lay and one Religious full time faculty members, 1 full time lay Principal and 1 part time Music teacher. The Kaleidoscope of People who made the dream of a Catholic school a reality includes the Ursuline Sisters, the school Sisters of Notre Dame, support of many pastors, and a large number of lay faculty members.

Immaculate Conception School is experiencing a period of growth as a growing number of Catholics have begun rediscovering the value of the American Catholic school system. There are presently 180 students enrolled at Immaculate Conception. Not only does our school offer a very strong academic curriculum, it also provides an education where all participants are called to say yes to Christ and His meaning for our lives, and which stresses prayer and worship.

Our students attend Mass three times a week with the liturgies prepared by a different class each week. This gives the children an opportunity to take a leadership role in the church which is one of the goals of our education system. Children from the upper grades are the organists and servers for these Masses. Religion is taught daily in all of the classrooms but it is more than just a class. The values of love, justice and mercy crown the efforts of all involved at Immaculate Conception. One day a week the pastor, Father Stephen Schneider, visits the classrooms and teaches the Religion classes.

Our school insists on quality education for the academically able, but also makes adaptations for those with special needs. Because of Title I funds from the federal government we have a remedial reading teacher who works with our students at the public library each morning. Textbooks are updated each year on a rotating basis so that we are up to date on changing trends in education. An all day kindergarten program was instituted this year with a curriculum which stresses hands on learning appropriate for the age level. Grades 7 & 8 are departmental programs with the other classes being self-contained.

The dedication of the faculty and parents at Immaculate Conception continues to make the school a strong Catholic community that proclaims the same values. The active care and involvement of parents in all areas of the education of their children contributes to the success of the programs. Parents are visible in the Home and School Association, the School Board, as volunteers in the Kindergarten and the Physical Education programs, with Project Charlie and Room Mothers for the classes. The sports program at Immaculate Conception, which includes boys and girls basketball and volleyball, functions because of the dedication of volunteer coaches.

To maintain our school it takes a lot of commitment from the entire pastor and parish. Our prayer here at Immaculate Conception is that teachers, as well as parents and all who support the cause of Catholic education, will find ways to kindle within our schools the flame of the love of learning and the love of God, to keep this "Kaleidoscope of People" strong and active.