Welcome to the George Mc Cann Memorial School Home Page!

Please see our new website at http://gmccatholicschool.org

GEORGE McCANN MEMORIAL CATHOLIC SCHOOL

 200 EAST RACE STREET VISALIA, CA 93291 (559) 732-5831

EXTENDED CARE: 741-1556 HOME AND SCHOOL ASSOCIATION SCRIP: 732-7419

PRINCIPAL: SHEILA RAST EMAIL: rastfamily@aol.com

A Word from the Principal:

Welcome to the George McCann Memorial Catholic School site! We are very proud of the fact that we will be celebrating our 80th year anniversary this year! The school opened it's doors for the first time in September 1923 and the ministry of Catholic Education began at that time. George McCann Memorial Catholic School is an integral part of St. Mary's Parish. As parents and students, administrators and teachers, we come together in a Christ-centered community. George McCann supports and assists parents in the role as their child's primary teacher in the "ways of the faith". George McCann School has served the community proudly through the years and we continue to do so. Our dedication to serving the community can be best evidenced in our school's mission statement: "George McCann Memorial Catholic School is dedicated to the teaching and nurturing of children. We are a family of parents, students, educators, and parishioners who strive to create a Catholic faith community through the vehicle of a quality education based on Gospel values. As we center on Jesus and his message, we assist our students in becoming responsible, respectful, loving adults. Our school community supports and encourages parents in the growth and practice of their personal and family faith so they can better fulfill their role as "the first teachers of their children in the ways of their faith".

I am very excited as I look ahead to the coming year. I anticipate a year filled with students' learning and growing. I am also looking forward to all of us working together to make this a successful year.

The construction work on the front offices began just as soon as school was let out for the summer. Tremendous progress has been made in just a short time. You can really see the layout of t he new teacher workroom, the front office, the athletic office, the principal's office and the teacher lounge/meeting room! Mrs. Cisneros and I have temporarily moved into the 8th grade classroom for the summer. Please remember that the office will be closed from July 4th until August 1st. If you need to contact us please leave a message on the answering machine and we will try to get back to you as soon as possible.

If you have any questions regarding George McCann School, please do not hesitate to contact me. The school office phone number is 732-5831.

Sheila Rast
Principal 

Curriculum/Program

GMC is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Western Catholic Education Association (WCEA). Students in Grs. 2-8 take the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) each school year in the fall so that the staff can plan more effective lessons based on student needs. Also, students in Grades 5 and 8 take the Assessment of Catholic Religious Education (ACRE) midyear, the results of which are used to analyze the effectiveness of the religion program. As part of the religion curriculum, students also study "family life" and participate in school and class Masses, as well as daily prayer and special services on holy days and for other special occasions. Service to the community is an essential part of this religion curriculum and students participate in activities at the local soup kitchen, with the elderly, with young adults with special needs, and at the convalescent homes. Students are taught a "core curriculum" of language arts (English grammar and literature, composition, spelling, vocabulary [3-8], phonics [K-2], handwriting [K-4], mathematics up through Algebra I in Gr. 8, social studies, science, and of course, religion (daily classes). Physical education, music and art, and computer education are also taught.

Special Features

The school has just recently installed a large new playground structure for all grades to enjoy. The school library on site contains reading books for K-3 and reference materials for all grades. The computer lab, managed by a part-time teacher, will soon have Internet access. Students learn keyboarding, computer skills, and do curriculum enrichment activities. The Extended Care Program provides safe, supervised care for students from 7:25 to 7:55 a.m. each school day, prior to the time the campus officially opens, and from after-school hours until 6:00 p.m. each school day. Fees are very reasonable; this is quality care for our students whose parents cannot pick them up right away. The middle school grades (Grades 7 and 8 ) participate in a local league of small schools for after school sports (football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and field, baseball/softball). Sixth graders are accepted onto teams as space allows. Students are offered the option of a hot lunch at least twice a week.

Faculty/Staff

There is one homeroom teacher for each of the nine grades (K-8), as well as a full-time PE teacher (who also teaches health science and serves as the Athletic Director), two part-time teacher assistants, a librarian, extended care personnel, a school custodian, a school secretary, and a part-time bookkeeper, all in addition to the principal.

Parent Involvement

The recognized success of our school is due in large part to the fostering of a strong sense of community and family. Parents are expected to be integrally involved in supporting school activities for the benefit of their children. Parents support the school not only through tuition payments, but by the performance of hours of service each school year (e.g. driving on field trips, supervising on the playground, working in the classrooms) and hours of fund raising efforts. Faculty and parents communicate through person-to-person contact, progress reports, phone calls, and report cards.

Admissions Criteria

George McCann Memorial is an integral ministry of St. Mary's Church. Importance is placed upon a family's participation in St. Mary's Parish for whom first consideration for enrollment is offered. Space allowing, consideration is given to other Catholic families who are involved in and supportive of their own parish. Published "Admissions Criteria" guide pastor and principal in the admissions process. All students are screened by teachers for emotional / maturity and academic readiness. Back to top Tuition Assistance The school provides some assistance for those families who might need financial assistance. Parents can contact the principal who will guide them through the process. Information is kept confidential; final decision is made by the pastor and principal.  Back to top

The Home and School Association

The Home and School Association is the parent club of our school. Parents are asked to work cooperatively to help in providing a high quality, moderately priced Catholic education for our children. Money raised contributes directly to the daily operation of our school, supplemental tuition for all families. The Home and School Association is designed to bring families together, foster spiritual and educational growth and to contribute to the financial stability of our school.

"I would like to welcome back our returning parents and extend a warm welcome to our incoming parents. I am so looking forward to having a memorable and exciting year with the growing George McCann family. Our growing enrollment proves to me that we have one of the best schools in the city and the active participation of the parents contributes to this success".

Juan Alfaro
President, Home and School Association

GEORGE MC CANN PROGRAMS

Pre-School  / Elementary / Middle School / High School and Young Adults 

/ Confirmation / R.C.I.A. for children and families /

Summer Vacation Bible School

 

Pre-School Program (Sunday School)

Three-year olds, four year olds, and Kindergarten children have two eight-week sessions (one of each "semester").  

The Spring session is held during the months of February and March.  

The Fall session is held during the months of October and November.  

The program takes place on Sunday morning, during the 10:00am Mass. The curriculum is age appropriate and presented to the children on their level of understanding.  

The annual fee is $30 of one child, $40 for two children and $50 for three or more children.  The program is always looking for volunteers to instruct the classes or assist in the office.  Working with this age group brings joy to the heart!

To enroll or to become a volunteer, please call 733-3929

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Elementary Program (Preparation for Sacraments of Initiation)

For children grades 1-6, we offer two choices of times for the elementary program:  

The first is a weekly Tuesday afternoon program from 4:00pm to 5:15pm which runs throughout the year beginning in September.

The other program is an "every other week" program that begins in September and is held on every other Saturday from 9:30am to 12:05pm.

Both elementary programs use the same textbook series and materials. The only difference is the time and day that they meet. Special celebrations and presentations are made by each class and presented to the entire program and their families. Both classes are a two-year program of preparation, concurrent with the regular graded elementary classes.  First Holy Communion and First Confession usually take place during the child's second and third grade.

If your child has received First Communion, it does not mean that this is the end of Religious Education during their elementary and middle school years. Here is a brief highlight of what each grade studies: First, Creation and God, the Father; Second, Jesus, and special preparation for Reconciliation (confession) and Eucharist (communion); Third, The Holy Spirit and The Early Church; Fourth, The Ten Commandments and The Beatitudes; Fifth, The Seven Sacraments, Sixth, The Old Testament (Bible Study).

The annual fee is $30 of one child, $40 for two children and $50 for three or more children.  

To enroll or to become a volunteer, please call 733-3929

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Middle School Program

This program is geared for youth who have completed the elementary program and are of middle school age (Grades 7 & 8).  There are 16 sessions throughout the year beginning in September.  

Meetings are on Wednesday evenings every other week from 6:30pm to 8:00pm in the Parish Center.

The annual fee is $30 of one child, $40 for two children and $50 for three or more children.  Those willing to participate as catechists (alter servers) are especially encouraged to attend.

To enroll or to become a volunteer, please call 733-3929

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High School and Young Christian Adults

The basic approach of this program is in presenting important faith issues and Sacred Scripture in a "Youth Ministry" format.  

All Freshman, Grade 9 meet on Monday evenings every other week from 6:45pm to 8:30pm in the Parish Center.

Other youth who may or may not already be participating in the High School program, meet in a more relaxed setting for "Young Christian Adult" meetings, every other week on Thursdays from 6:45pm to 8:30pm at "Mary's Place" in the Parish Center.

This has traditionally been a very popular program with the youth in our community and all are welcomed to attend!

To enroll or to become a volunteer, please call 733-3929

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Confirmation Program

For Grades 10-12, the preparation for the Sacrament of Confirmation enacts a two-year period, usually during the 10th and 11th grades.  

The first year of preparation is referred to as CONFIRMATION I and involves initial formation for the Sacrament giving the youth an opportunity to reflect on Christian values and the teaching of the Catholic Faith. 

The second year of preparation is referred to as CONFIRMATION II and begins with a "Rite of Covenant" for the youth (who now becomes a candidate for the Sacrament) and their sponsor.

Confirmation 1

This program meets twice per month on Sundays, from 5:00-6:45 p.m. To be eligible to register for this program, you must have completed the requirements for Confirmation Scripture Study (see description below). The curriculum is in the process of being revised for this year. We would like to have small table groups instead of a classroom approach. To do this, we need at least ten “table leaders” under the leadership of the Principal, Elaine Rocha.

Confirmation 2

This program meets twice per month on Sundays, from 4:45 - 6:45 p.m. To be eligible for this process, you must have completed the requirements for Confirmation 1. The format for this program is small table groups of eight-nine students in the Main Room of the Parish Center. Presentations are given by other adult leaders and the table leaders facilitate discussion of the topics being presented. Joan Jessup is the principal of this program.

The Confirmation Programs are in need of group leaders! Please give a call to 733-3929, if you are interested in helping.

The annual fee is $30 of one child, $40 for two children and $50 for three or more children.  Those willing to participate as catechists (alter servers) are especially encouraged to attend.

Confirmation Scripture Study

This program meets twice per month on Monday, from 6:45 - 8:15 p.m. It is a bible study of the Gospel of Mark. Clear study guides are provided. Rick Miller is the principal of this program. This is the beginning step in our three-year Confirmation process. Freshmen and Sophomores may register for this program.

To enroll or to become a volunteer, please call 733-3929

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R.C.I.A. for children and families

If you have children who are older than the third grade level and who have not received all or some of the following Sacraments; Baptism, Confession, First Communion or Confirmation, this program may be right for you.

This program is a separate preparation/formation program that focuses on the particular needs of the youth or family.  For many reasons, some children or the parents of the children have not fully been received into the Church.  This program strives to give those youth and their families special instruction and attention in fully becoming members of the Church.

The program has the same two-year commitment as both the regular elementary and middle school programs, but takes into account special circumstances that may exist for the youth or their family.

To enroll or to become a volunteer, please call Joan Bell at 733-3929

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Summer Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School (VBS) is a one-week program for children ages 3 through entering 6th grade.  It serves to provide a little religious formation along with "fun" activities.

The school usually runs the 4th week in July from 9:00am to 12:00pm.  Adult volunteers for teaching, music, crafts and classroom aide help are always needed. 

Teens who are off for summer break would make excellent helpers in this program and can get exposed to both a teaching environment as well as Catholic formation.

The preparation for each summer's Vacation Bible School usually begins shortly after Easter.

To enroll or to become a volunteer, please call Christine Siedzik at 798-1953

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