St. Anthony of Padua Catholic School

From our Annual Report:

With immense gratitude, we thank our supporters, benefactors, donors, and God-driven friends. Thanks to your gifts we were able to provide St. Anthony of Padua School children with a year filled with excellent learning activities.

Major events: 2009-2010 found us celebrating success at the Carolina First Center with an International Fest, which raised $80,000. Under Joe Vilardo’s direction, hundreds of folks were involved in planning, gathering materials, decorating, and attending. This event was even more critical than we realized, as the economy forced foundations to reduce their funding. We featured programs that kept everyone busy all year, including Open House, Safety Day, Talent Show, Christmas Pageant, University Night, Black History, Homework Habits and Hugs, a Fashion Show, Career Day, Arts & Music Festival, and, finally, a Family Picnic.

New Programs: With revitalized faith in Divine Providence we were able to increase our Parent Involvement substantially, and recruited a number of volunteers for the activities above. In addition to the Faculty’s successes in the classrooms each day, Marie Weisser kept us on the move with well planned and executed Field Trips. No small task when you consider our dependence on The Trolley! Our first ever All-School outing was a visit to the new Children’s Museum.

Achievements: Once again First Steps awarded St. Anthony’s a grant for our K3 and K4, enabling us to participate in a Clemson University research project. The Sisters of Charity Foundation fell in love with our Elder Buddy Program and, thanks to Tara Mendes and her helpers, our K5 and 1st Graders made new friends and renewed acquaintances with returning “Elders.”

Our Extended Care Program rejoiced in our well-prepared Chess Team winning various competitions. Additionally, our Boy and Girl Scout Troops enjoyed outings and gave enthusiastic service in community projects.

The Notre Dame Club of the Carolinas selected Donna Barkey, our Fifth and Sixth Grade Teacher to attend a weekend with her peers at the University of Notre Dame in celebration of their profession. Donna is also the founder of our new Student Council!

In March, our Faculty and Staff joined with the other 29 Catholic Schools of the Diocese of Charleston to honor those who have given years of service to our schools. Miss Carolyn Lenhardt, with her 35+ years at St. Anthony’s, was a top level honoree! Our teachers, along with those of all 29 Schools, then participated in the first-ever 3-day Conference. Imagine the thrill of being one of only five schools in the country to receive the NCEA Outstanding Board Award at the April National Convention in Minneapolis!

Thanks to Sally Cade, our PTO President, and Sister Mary Jane, our Safe Environment Coordinator, we were awarded a Safe School banner in recognition for all the activities carried out to enhance our children’s safety.

St. Anthony’s 2003 graduates made us proud as they received their High School Diplomas from high schools in Greenville County this June with college plans in hand!

Besides those already mentioned, we were blessed by funding from MANY other sources, as you can see from our Thank You list. Whether the gift was large or small – in the form of time, talent, or treasure – you made a difference in the lives of the Children of St. Anthony’s School and we are extremely grateful.

Thank you for your courageous support!

- Sr. Catherine Noecker, OSF