By Molly Moreno and Stephanie Brady

RIVERSIDE—Notre Dame High School is a spirited community, where friends, family and alumni come together to share their love of sports, academics and faith. The Notre Dame Community stands apart from other schools because of the close relationships they share and the support they receive from one another. And at the heart of ND’s spirit, is the Notre Dame Cheer squad! The 30 cheerleaders make up two squads, JV and Varsity, that are out to support their athletic sports on campus and also be spirit leaders for their community. 

By Patricia Vesely

 January 27 begins Catholic Schools Week in our country where we reflect on the importance of Catholic school education for ourselves and for the children we serve in the Diocese of San Bernardino. As a product of Catholic school education, I remember the sacrifices my parents made to send me and my four siblings to Catholic elementary school at St. Catherine of Alexandria in Riverside.

SAN JACINTO—Known for her inspiration leadership and dedication to academic excellence, Ladonna Lambert, principal at St. Hyacinth Academy in San Jacinto, will soon be recognized at the national level with the Distinguished Principal Award.

 Lambert is one of 12 principals from across the United States to receive the 2013 NCEA Dr. Robert Kealey Distinguished Principal Award from the Department of Elementary Schools of the National Catholic Educational Association. 

PERRIS—St. James Catholic School closed out 2012 by participating in the city of Perris Veteran’s Day Parade and annual Christmas Parade. The school’s cheerleading squad prepared a dance performance for both parades and placed in the top three at each event. The Jr. Cheer Leaders (grades K-4) received second place in their category during the Veteran’s Day Parade and third place during the Christmas Parade.

ONTARIO—Catholic Schools Week in the Diocese of San Bernardino ended on a high note with the annual Catholic School Awards Banquet held at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario on Feb. 2. The Awards banquet recognizes volunteers, staff, teachers and alumni who have impacted Catholic schools in the diocese.

Elementary schools dip slightly, high schools up

 Catholic schools in the Diocese of San Bernardino closely mirror a national trend of slightly decreased enrollment although local high schools have actually seen a slight uptick in their student populations.

 Overall, elementary schools in the diocese reported 97 fewer students this year with 12 schools reporting enrollment drops and 11 reporting enrollment increases, according to enrollment reports submitted to the diocese on Oct. 26. Catholic high schools in the diocese were up 49 students, most coming at Xavier College Preparatory High School in Palm Desert.