The new school year is just around the corner, and with it comes the opportunity for continued growth and change. As a parish, it is important to know and be involved in what is going on at our school because that is where the youngest members of the parish are being formed.
“This year we will strive to get our students more involved in the surrounding Belleville community,” says Principal Linda Hobbs. “We want our students to become more in touch with downtown Belleville businesses because there are so many places and businesses that the kids can learn from. We also want our students to learn the importance of giving back to their community.”
Notre Dame Academy will continue to emphasize the Catholic faith with all the students. Students will attend a religion class every day and Mass is offered on Fridays. The chapel within the school is also available to students during the day for quiet prayer time.
“We always want to instill the virtue of faith in our students,” Mrs. Hobbs says. “But this year we also want to emphasize charity, by getting our students involved in the community. We want everyone to be caring, kind, nice, and patient with each other. Other kids are going to do things, and we want our students to learn how to forgive.”
As a parish school, Notre Dame Academy relies on the Cathedral and its parishioners for support. This support comes in terms of finances, as well as from volunteers and prayers. The school wants the parishioners to see and know what is going on, so they can understand what their support is doing and how it is helping to form the youth of the parish. There are multiple events held throughout the year in which parishioners can get involved. There are also beginning and end-of-the-year Masses at the church so the parishioners can see the children.
“We are excited about the upcoming year,” Mrs. Hobbs says. “We are really pumped about being able to reach out to new places that can help support our school. Our big push is to become more engrained in the society we live in.”
If you have any questions or would like to get involved, contact Principal Linda Hobbs at linda.hobbs@notredamebelleville.org or 618-233-6414.