My husband and I have two children in the program, and we are 150 percent committed to it. Neither my husband nor I speaks Spanish (the few words we do know come from a couple short beach vacations in Mexico) or any other foreign language. However, because of the immersion program, our children have the opportunity to learn a second language at the same time they are learning to expand their native language. It is an academic edge with no downside that we are aware of. The fact that this is done in a Catholic, values-centered environment where the children also learn about their religion is the perfect mix for us. I find my second-grader's knowledge of Spanish in just three short years to be nothing short of amazing. I remember being concerned that she was not understanding much when she was in kindergarten. At that point I had to just trust in the program. By the end of first grade my faith was rewarded when one day I heard her spontaneously tell her brother and sister a story in Spanish. And she sounded so authentic! The ease with which the child's brain soaks up the foreign language is astonishing. When my oldest daughter was in kindergarten, she learned to sing the Spanish version of the alphabet song. She then tried to teach it to me as we drove to and from school. But it was my three-year-old, who also was in the car with us, that learned the song the fastest - weeks before I did. This was dramatic evidence to me of how quickly and easily the young brain absorbs the new language. My toddler simply learned the Spanish words exactly as she was also learning new English words. By contrast, my adult brain had to translate the Spanish letters to their English counterparts before I could learn the song, and thus it was much more difficult. Our decision to enroll our children in the immersion program is reinforced every time we listen to conversations in Spanish between the students and their teachers. Although we don't understand the language, the children speak it so well. I can't wait to see what the future will bring as my children's Spanish vocabulary and conversational skills expand.

We decided that as a family we would be willing to move from our current home elsewhere within the tri-state area in order for our two youngest children to attend the strongest preK-12 program. Not only did we not have to move, but the program we fell in love with was in our own backyard. Immediately upon entering Our Lady of Guadalupe we felt a sense of home. We were so impressed with students and not only their ability to speak Spanish, but the enthusiasm they had for it. It was January and we decided not to wait until kindergarten began in the fall, but to start our son right then in the preK dual language program. What a great decision that was. He instantly became more interested in learning and loved the fact that he was learning a second language. We believe this newfound love came from the fact that he was being challenged and was thriving in that setting. As parents we can�t help ourselves and often talk about what a wise decision it was to start our son when we did at OLG and we have told everyone we know about the strength of programming as well as the incredible staff. This year our son began kindergarten and our daughter began in the four year old preK program. Both of our children are not only learning Spanish, but getting a wonderful faith-based understanding of the world around them. Our Lady of Guadalupe and its staff has made believers out of us in the fact that quality education is closer than you think. Thank you to everyone involved with programming there. Eric and Deb Lockhart

The Catholic School system is an extension of what I believe in: faith in God, humility and respect for others. It is evident that Catholic School education is high caliber and it is taught in ways that reflect the students� family and faith values. The intertwining of exceptional education and community of faith gives my children a sense of belonging in a way that public school cannot provide. There is a close knit �fuzzy� felling, an extended family, and a reflection of home. I cannot imagine sending my children off to public school every day knowing that they would not be in the hands of the devoted and nurturing teachers and staff that care for and work with my children everyday in the Catholic school system.\

We send our children to Catholic schools because of the environment. They are surrounded by children from like-minded families: similar values, similar beliefs about the importance of education, similar support for the school community, and similar sacrifices. My kids and their classmates are diverse individuals with a variety of gifts and talents, but the binding thread that holds all of them together is their similarity of faith and values. Catholic schools are wonderful learning communities!

We choose to send our children to Catholic schools to be an extension of our Christian faith. As parents, we are the primary source of their faith; however, children spend time away from home-schools is a large part of their lives. With Catholic schools, our children can have daily reminders through sight, sound and felling. With Catholic education, we are never limited with our freedom to pray and believe. Catholic education is our cornerstone in our faith- though it may be an investment of financial hardship at times it is an area in which we choose to invest as the results are lifelong. We are blessed to be able to send our children to Catholic Schools.

As the first and primary teachers of our children in ways of life and faith, we have been blessed to come from families who modeled faith, thankfulness, decency and hard work. Our parents possessed these qualities and sheltered us in their embrace. The seeds of these fell too into our hearts. For many, this is enough and would have been for us too, but like our parents- we�ve embraced the gift of community to extend that embrace and fill in the lessons of life with broader perspectives, richer diversity, and quality education�.education that�s enlightened and enlivened by the heart, the eyes, and the soul of faith. These gifts infuse life lessons and knowledge with respect for life and humanity and creation; comfort growing and insecure spirits; and yet challenge young and budding hearts to grow beyond the bounds of self-interest and be emboldened to stand among their peers and one day, society, as rooted and confident people of faith, thanksgiving, and love�the hallmarks of the children of God. This is why we send our children to Catholic schools.

We send our child to a Catholic school because we truly appreciate the support of other adults in teaching our son about the Catholic faith. Even though my own parents are very faith-filled and practice their faith on a daily basis, I know my faith is stronger and deeper because of certain teachers I had in grade school and high school. My home environment as well as my school environment shaped my faith. I pray the teachers of the Holy Family Catholic Schools will help provide that additional piece in developing my son�s faith.

Catholic School provides our children with a learning environment, combined with morals, values and the sharing of our faith. It is the learning and sharing of our faith on a daily basis that sets us apart from other schools. Catholic school is a place where it�s ok to say the name of God in our Pledge of Allegiance. Where it�s ok to say a prayer in class for a sick family member. One aspect of a Catholic school that has stuck with me a s I went through life is that at times in my life when all the chips were down and I felt despair- I knew I was never alone- that God walked with me. To have a school that not only accepts this, but celebrates this- makes all the difference in the world.