Montgomery Catholic Teachers Greet Students from Afar

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School’s four campuses have been closed to the public since mid-March due to Covid-19, but students and teachers have remained hard at work from home in their virtual classrooms. While they have seen their students frequently through video screens, the teachers at the Holy Spirit elementary campus arranged for a special “Corona Carpool” reception line so they could see their students. Teachers and administrators lined the sidewalk where students would normally be dropped off for school and held signs to express how much they missed seeing their students.

The turnout was incredible, and the line of family cars wrapped around the campus. Some even took multiple laps down the reception line to make sure they got to talk to every teacher. While the teachers had intended to be the ones to create signs to greet their students, many students made their own signs to express how much they missed seeing their favorite teachers. And while it was fun for them to see their teachers, the students were equally excited to see their classmates. Many cars gathered in the parking lot after the parade so that both students and parents could chat with one another from a safe distance.

Montgomery Catholic Campuses Continue Teaching Through Distance Learning

All four campuses of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School closed their facilities starting on Tuesday, March 17, in response to Governor Ivey's order for public schools to shut down to slow down the spread of COVID-19, the coronavirus that has affected nearly every country in the world. The faculty had been preparing for such an event in the preceding weeks and were ready to start distance learning measures as soon as the Archdiocese of Mobile ordered all its schools to close their doors and start teaching remotely. While it has been a challenging time for both educators and students, the faculty and families at Montgomery Catholic quickly adjusted to life that moved the classroom into their living rooms.

Students enrolled in grades 10 through 12 are given MacBooks as tools for regular classroom instruction, so as long as they have reliable internet connections, they can access most of the learning resources, such as digital textbooks, that they use anyway. For all other grades, teachers had to survey the families to verify that the students would have access to a digital device, be it a home computer, tablet, or smartphone, that could connect to the internet and be able to access course materials.

Using tools like Google Classroom, Zoom meetings, and even simple cell phone photos, teachers have stayed in constant communication with families and students to convey lessons and evaluate schoolwork. And since teachers across the world are also having to teach remotely, libraries of free educational tools and games have been made available online for the public to use. And of course, old-fashioned books and paper have been essential throughout this time.

"Distance learning has been a unique challenge," said sixth grade teacher Mary Pears. "I am trying to supplement my lessons with links to videos, games, and PowerPoints to enhance the at-home learning experience for my students."

Even the youngest students are continuing their curriculum through distance learning. K4 teacher Kathleen Reeves, whose class is comprised of 4- and 5-year olds, has chosen assignments for her students that encourage exploration and literacy in a way that also allows for some creativity.

"I'm trying to keep things as routine as possible with their assignments," said Reeves. "My class will continue doing the things we do regularly, like learning a new letter every week, tracing their names, playing with play dough, and working on their letter journals. They also have access to internet links for the movement songs we do."

The faculty and administration have also met regularly through video conferences. The campus offices, which are diligently practicing social distancing and heightened hygiene routines, have tried to keep business running as close to usual as possible, albeit with doors that are closed to the general public.

While this has been a challenging time for all of the staff and families, they have kept a positive outlook on the school year and look forward to returning to their classrooms.

"I sorely miss the daily interactions with my precious sixth graders!" said Pears. "It is my fervent prayer that I'm back in the classroom with them again soon."

Montgomery Catholic Students Find Successes At Youth Legislature

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School students had a fantastic showing at the 2020 YMCA Youth In Government (ALYIG) Youth Legislature conference that was held February 21-23. This year's participants were Michael Hodges, Gracie Barranco, Zach Izer, Julienne Pharrams, Ellie Pool, Michael Russo, Anna Sadie, Sebastien Sayegh, and Ada Ziegler, advised by history teacher Mrs. Haley Hart. While it was a relatively small delegation compared to previous years, this group of highly motivated students made a significant impact on the conference.

"This was the smallest delegation Catholic has brought in my four years of Youth Leg," said Anna, "but this is definitely the most successful Youth Leg we have had in those four years!"

Ellie was selected to serve on the Governor's Cabinet as the Superintendent of Education. Michael, Gracie, and Zach each authored and submitted bills, all of which were passed in their chambers. Of the hundreds of students in attendance at Youth Legislature, Anna and Julienne were selected to attend the upcoming Youth Legislature Conference of National Affairs (CONA), which will be held in June. Only 25 students were selected for this opportunity, and Gracie and Zach were picked as alternates to the conference. Gracie was given the Sunshine Award, which, according to the ALYIG website, is "based on a participant's leadership skills, community service and commitment to their faith and friendships." Anna won the Bill Barringer Scholarship, which is awarded to "a college-bound senior who exhibits exemplary Christian character, extensive behind the scenes work regardless of recognition, great dedication to the program, an attitude of encouragement and enthusiasm, and who has gained the respect of peers and adults."

The YMCA Youth in Government program was started in 1949 with the mission of "building a better tomorrow from the youth of today." Over the years, the program has grown to include over 1,500 students from around the state of Alabama in the Youth in City, Youth Judicial, and Youth Legislature programs. These programs help to familiarize students with legal and political processes and encourage them to use their own moral and ethical values to evaluate public policy and real-world issues. By collaborating with students from all parts of the state, students also learn about the importance of diversity of ideas and tolerance of others' beliefs.

Justin Castanza Named President of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School

Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School is proud to announce that Justin Castanza, Principal of the Middle and High School Campuses, has been named the school’s new President. He will succeed current Montgomery Catholic President Anne Ceasar, who is retiring in the summer.

“Justin’s years of service with Montgomery Catholic has provided a strong connection with our students, parents, teachers, and leadership,” said Tia Levanda, Montgomery Catholic Advisory Council Chairman and member of the search committee. “He brings a big heart, a ton of energy, and knowledge from the ground level on up. The skills that Justin brings to this position will help to ensure the continued growth and success of Montgomery Catholic. I am excited about what the future of Montgomery Catholic looks like under Justin’s leadership.”

“I am tremendously honored and delighted to accept the position of President of Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School,” said Castanza about his new role. “This is an immense responsibility, and I am fortunate to be following the example of Mrs. Anne Ceasar, who has prepared MCPS for great things to come. The faculty and staff at Montgomery Catholic are remarkable, and I’m humbled to part of such a great team. Our community is thriving, our students are excelling, and our Faith is truly living. I have a passion for working with the youth of our community, and I am excited to begin this new step of service. I am thankful for my family, especially my wife, who are the people that make all of this possible. Please pray for me, as I will be praying for all of you.”

Montgomery Catholic President Anne Ceasar expressed her delight at Castanza’s appointment. Ceasar announced her retirement in November 2019 after serving in the role since 2008 and will remain President until the end of July 2020.

“I am thrilled that our search committee has selected Justin to lead Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School,” said Ceasar. “He is the perfect choice. Justin has been an integral part of our school since his time here as a student, and he has a heart for our mission. I am confident that he will be able to keep our trajectory moving in a positive direction and implement new ideas that will enhance all four of our MCPS campuses.”

A native of Montgomery, Castanza is a 2001 graduate of Montgomery Catholic and holds both a Bachelor and Master of Science degree from Mississippi State University. Being no stranger to service, Castanza worked as a camp counselor at YMCA’s Camp Chandler since 2000, becoming Camp Director in 2009. After transitioning to Montgomery Catholic in 2014, he started as a math teacher and Dean of Students at the High School Campus before assuming the role of Principal of the Middle and High School Campuses in 2015. Active in the Catholic community, he has served as the Youth Ministry Leader at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and regularly leads pilgrimages to Italy, Guatemala, and the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. He has continued to serve the YMCA in various leadership roles over the years and was named Man of the Year for the YMCA of Greater Montgomery in 2019. Castanza and his wife Meg, a fellow MCPS graduate, have been married for seven years and are active members of St. Bede Catholic Church in Montgomery. Together they have three children: Vincent, Natalie, and Sal.

Founded in 1873, Montgomery Catholic is the oldest continuously operating private school in the state of Alabama. Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School serves students in K4 through 12 ^th grade and is comprised of four campuses: St. Bede Campus (K4 through 6 ^th grade), Holy Spirit Campus (K4 through 6 ^th grade), the Middle School Campus (7 ^th and 8 ^th grade), and the High School Campus (9 ^th through 12 ^th grade).

Montgomery Catholic RoboKnights Win State Tournament

For the second year in a row, senior Arthur Murray and junior Aidan Cochran built a world-class robot that qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship Competition. Their robot, “Happy Little Accidents,” is an homage to the late television painter personality Bob Ross, who often called minor mistakes in his art “happy little accidents” because they would always yield beautiful end results. The Happy Little Accidents team headed to the Alabama State Tournament in late February, where they won both the State Tournament Championship and Robot Skills Champion titles. Either of these wins would have sent them to the World Championship, but they were able to secure both titles to guarantee a spot at Worlds. Unfortunately, due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, the Robotics Education & Competition (REC) Foundation, which runs the VEX Robotics competition, canceled the World Championship Competition, which was scheduled to be held in Louisville, KY, from April 22 to April 25.

Happy Little Accidents—which also includes senior Ja’Michael Washington and 8^th grader Hunter Dailey—has had an incredibly successful competition year. Prior to their appearance at the Alabama State tournament, the team brought home the Tournament Champion trophy at five different competitions and the Skills Champion trophy twice. Also making an appearance at the State Competition was high school team “Insert Team Name Here,” made up of sophomores Chris Lathram (a VEX Worlds alumni), Andres Lemuz, and Jake Talbot. In the middle school division, two teams competed at the state level: “Last Resort,” comprised of 7^th graders Zack Azar, David Huston, Merritt Payne, Will Sasser, and Jackson Wright, and “The Sevies,” made up of 7^th graders Ben Chitlik, Antonio Lemuz, Jaden Sigler, and Harrison Vaughn.

While the teams are disappointed that this season has come to an early end, they are all looking forward to the next competition challenge, which will be announced soon by the REC Foundation.