The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock
   

Possibilities! in Catholic schools

Catholic Schools Herald, April 22, 2023

From achievement to safety and from grants to vocations, Catholic schools in Arkansas explore all the possibilities to give their students a foundation for success throughout their lives. 

(More stories will be added to this section through April 27, 2023.)

 

Fifth graders to be introduced to religious vocations

Published: April 26, 2023   

After a three-year break, the Fifth-Grade Vocations Day will return for Catholic school students on April 26. This day introduces the students to priestly, diaconate and religious vocations for men and women. Bishop Anthony B. Taylor will celebrate Mass at 9 a.m. for nearly 300 students at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Little Rock. The day will also include workshops led by priests, deacons and religious brothers and sisters, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and a More... 

Schools seek grants to make buildings safer

Published: April 25, 2023   

Catholic schools in Arkansas could get  up to $1.4 million in reimbursements to make safety improvements to their buildings and grounds, training and staff. The state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education offers school safety grants to implement the School Safety Commission’s recommendations. The deadline for schools to apply was March 31. For schools to qualify, the schools must conduct a school safety audit by August 2024. They also are recommended to provide current floor plans to More... 

School safety plans look at situations, how to respond

By Theresa Hall, Published: April 24, 2023   

Each Catholic school is required to have a safety and crisis plan, according to the Manual of Policies and Regulations for Elementary and Secondary Catholic Schools of Arkansas. School safety encompasses everything from classroom management to crisis situations. In the last few weeks, several events have taken place within our community and the world that remind our Catholic schools how important it is to have a school safety and crisis plan. It is not just important More... 

Many unknowns with LEARNS Act, superintendent says

By Malea Hargett, Published: April 21, 2023   

Catholic schools are preparing to implement the state’s voucher program, but there are still many questions the diocesan superintendent’s office wants answers for. “Many of our schools are very excited about the prospect of being able to help more kids in terms of what we can offer in our schools,” associate superintendent Marguerite Olberts said. “With some of them that are struggling with enrollment, this could be very helpful.” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed the LEARNS Act More... 

Fort Smith principal retiring but staying nearby

By Maryanne Meyerriecks, Published: April 20, 2023   

FORT SMITH — When Immaculate Conception School’s principal, Sharon Blentlinger, retires in May, she will have a lifetime of experience to share with her successor. Blentlinger spent 53 years in the school — eight as an elementary student, eight as a fifth-grade teacher and 37 as its principal. “All of my experience as a student and educator has been in Catholic schools, except for college,” said Blentlinger, who holds a master’s degree in educational administration from More...