ONTARIO—For the second consecutive year, St George Parish School has been selected for the 2013 Best of Ontario Award in the Private Schools category by the Ontario Award Program.

 Nationwide, only 1 in 70 (1.4%) 2013 Award recipients qualified as Two-Time Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2013 Ontario Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the Ontario Award Program and data provided by third parties.

SAN BERNARDINO—Catholic schools in the diocese saw a tiny overall increase in enrollment this year thanks to strong gains at the three high schools.

 Aquinas High School reported 40 students more than last year’s enrollment while Xavier College Preparatory High School has added 29 students and Notre Dame High School 15. Overall, elementary schools in the diocese reported 36 fewer students than last year with 13 schools experiencing  a decline in enrollment.

ALTA LOMA—Students of St. Peter and Saint Paul Catholic School in Alta Loma participated in an Annual Trike/Bike-a-thon and 100 Mile Club Kick Off on September 21st.  The cooler morning temperatures aided over 50 participants as they ran and pedaled at top speeds to complete laps required to earn donations.  

A group of Notre Dame High School students sprang into action during a hike in the Box Springs Mountains near Riverside on Jan. 4, helping a seriously injured woman get timely medical care. The seven boys, pictured left to right, were Adam Ruiz, Chris Romero, Sam Norton, Alex Acero, Justin Waterman, Lorenzo Pena and Johnathan Oliaze.

SAN BERNARDINO—In an effort to better prepare students for college and the workforce, and increase their depth of knowledge in core subjects, Catholic schools in the Diocese have begun to adjust their curricula to meet the national Common Core State Standards.

 The new standards represent what students in kindergarten through 12th grade should know in Math and English. The standards have been adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia. In most cases, Catholic dioceses in those states, which include California, have elected to adopt the Common Core Standards.

PERRIS—The students, staff and faculty at St. James School decided to participate in the annual Thanksgiving Baskets provided for local families through the St James Catholic Church Food Pantry by providing 200 decorated bags packed with “prayers” and goodies” for the children of the families receiving baskets.