Annually, the month of August is time to welcome new teachers and staff members in District schools to the Lasallian Family. This year, Greg Kopra and Charlie Legendre introduced 134 new faculty and staff members from 13 District schools to the Lasallian heritage, inviting them to devote their gifts and talents to the Lasallian education of human and Christian education of the young, especially the poor.
Mr. Charles Legendre, AFSC
During the half-day orientations, participants learned of the life of John Baptist de La Salle, heard the story of the founding of the Lasallian Schools, became familiar with Lasallian terminology (who is a “Visitor”?), met the Lasallian Family at the District, Regional, and Institute levels, and began reflecting on Lasallian core principals and how they inform the work we all do in our Lasallian ministries.
Over the years, some District schools have developed their own in-house Lasallian mission orientations. These schools include Sacred Heart Cathedral, Mullen High School, and Saint Michael’s High School. Thank you to those dedicated Lasallians who lead these orientations annually.
In addition to the new teacher orientations, District leaders lent their presence and expertise to start-of-school activities at several schools. Greg led the faculty retreat at San Miguel High School. Charlie contributed to faculty formation activities at Archbishop Rummel High School and at Christian Brothers School – Saint Anthony of Padua. Brother Mark Murphy facilitated a retreat for Mullen High School’s leadership team, as well as the faculty retreat at De La Salle High School in Concord. Brother George Van Grieken gave the faculty retreat at La Salle High School of Yakima. Brothers Donald Johanson and James Joost attended a Mullen school community meet-and-greet at which Brother Donald gave a presentation about the District and the Lasallian mission.
Mr. Greg Kopra
Greg and Charlie will make another visit to many schools in the early months of 2016 for an after-school retreat which will invite new teachers and staff to reflect on their experience of Lasallian Core Principles in their daily ministry.
Reflecting on the importance of Lasallian mission orientations for the new faculty members of our District’s ministries, Greg explained, “The Orientation allows new teachers to participate in Lasallian culture from day one. We’re helping them to inform their own experience with the Lasallian mission, so that from the beginning they can contribute to the culture and plan their activities in light of the culture. The intention is to welcome them and let them know ‘this is how we do things here and why.’”
Story contributed by Greg Kopra, District Director, Formation for Mission.
