Maria Velazquez (grade 6) and Kapre Alexander (grade 7) demonstrated "Leadership and Unity" as recipients of the School Sisters of Notre Dame Award in their respective classes.
Affirming the Spirit of the Sponsoring Congregations
Published: Sisters Academy of Baltimore Newsletter – Volume 7, Issue 1
Our students are reminded every day of the four groups of Catholic sisters who founded and continue to sponsor Sisters Academy of Baltimore. First, the girls interact with sisters who work at the school. The Academy’s president, principal, eighth grade homeroom and lead math teacher, eighth grade art teacher, and librarian are sisters from two of the four congregations of religious women.
On the walls throughout the building, students see symbols of the sisters, including a picture of the foundress of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, a statue of the foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, a Mercy cross that stands for the Sisters of Mercy, and a sculpture of potter’s hands working at the wheel that stands for the Sisters of Bon Secours.
Dayona Harvey (grade 7) demonstrated "Respect and Compassion for Others" as one of the recipients of the Sisters of Mercy Award for the first semester of this academic year.
Each symbol points to particular qualities prized by one of these congregations. For the School Sisters of Notre Dame, the qualities are Leadership and Unity. For the sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, the qualities are Effort and Academic Motivation. For the Sisters of Mercy, the qualities are Respect and Compassion for Others. For the Sisters of Bon Secours, the quality is Good Help to Those in Need.
In creating our middle school, the four congregations came together to cooperate and share the values that inspired them with the girls who would become Sisters Academy students. Learning these values and putting them into practice is part of the Academy’s program for educating young women, so that they can succeed in school and live happy, fulfilling lives.
Kafui Anthony (grade 6) is one of the recipients of the Sisters of Bon Secours Award as she demonstrated "Good Help to Those in Need."
The whole school remembers and celebrates each congregation on one designated day during the school year. Usually, one of the sisters will come to meet the girls, tell them about the history and unique characteristics of the congregation, and talk about her own experiences. The girls also have opportunities to visit some of the sisters at their retirement communities.
At the end of each semester, our principal gives “Stars for Success” awards to four girls in each grade who have exemplified the qualities associated with a sponsoring congregation. Teachers, staff, and students nominate girls for these awards. It’s understood that girls who adopt these qualities will become the best they can be.
Shaniya Mullin (grade 7) is seated next to a statue of St. Julie Billiart with her certificate for "Academic Motivation" as one of the recipients of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Award.
Tamia Bailey in fifth grade recently received the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Award for “academic motivation.” She explains what it means in her own words, “When I get a test that is pretty hard, I still go for it.”
Tags: catholic ministries, Sisters Academy of Baltimore, sisters of bon secours
