Last Week, a 7th grader asked me if working at Corpus Christi was fun. He’s still many years away from working a full-time job, but I wish I could have responded quick enough to tell him that it’s not only fun, but rewarding and supportive too. It’s a workplace with individuals that strive to educate the whole student while encouraging each individual talent. It’s a workplace filled with faith, and above all, community. I’ve had a few jobs now, but this is by far the best one.
As both a staff member and former student I have had the exceptional opportunity to experience Corpus Christi School a young person and now as an adult. I would like to share to with you just a few things that I have always loved about our school.
- The Community.
Let’s be honest, everybody knows everybody here and everybody knows everybody’s business. But that’s not what makes this a community. What makes it a community is we are willing to drop everything in the event of a tragedy or a celebration. Countless times this year and during my times a student there were meal trains and fundraisers put together after the loss of parent or the birth of child. Every single family here celebrates and grieves together. We are one Corpus Christi Family.
Community also comes in the form of friendship. When I started Kindergarten in August of 2000, I met two of my best friends: Madeline Van Remortel and Gretchen Shaw. 18 years later and one of us is in Eugene, Oregon, the other is in Los Angeles, and I’m here in Oakland. Guess what...we are still as close of friends as we were in Kindergarten. I firmly believe that the friendships (parents and kids) formed at Corpus Christi are life-long. You go through nine teachers together, you graduate together, and you struggle through puberty together. If that isn’t community I don’t know what is.
- The Hard-Working Students
Being a student at Corpus Christi in 2018 is much more rigorous than when I graduated in 2009; I am keenly aware that school is tougher each year. Students here are living up to this rigor. I’ve seen some exceptional writing done by 8th graders, time consuming mosaics by 7th grade, and thoughtful meta-analysis by 6th grade. On top of all this, middle schoolers are challenged in the scientific realm as well. Science Fair was this past weekend and Invention Convention is coming up in April. Our lower and upper elementary students amaze me too. As the first grade aide, I watch first graders use proofreading marks and solve algebraic type equations. I was never that smart in first grade! You all should be proud of your students. They balance every extracurricular under the sun and work full time job as students. Well done parents and teachers!
- The Traditions
This one is my favorite. Shout-out to the Neighborhood helpers play in Kindergarten and the infamous Teddy Bear Tea Party in First. I’ve been gone for nine years, but none of the CC traditions change. It might be a pain in the neck logistically, but there’s nothing like the smiles on their faces as they enjoy the fruits of our labor. One of my fondest traditions here was 8th grade enrichment. I was lucky enough to tour Clorox in Downtown Oakland, paint the rock in the Oakland Hills, and go on a class hike. For all you Kinder parents, here’s a grade by grade list of my favorite CC traditions.
K- Cinco de Mayo, Greek Festival, Seasonal Walks, K-5 Buddies
1st- 100th Day of School, Teddy Bear Tea Party, Gummy Bears
2nd- First Communion, Old Turtle
3rd- Multicultural Mass, Native American Project
4th- Gold Rush Day, Mission Project
5th- Colonial Day, Apple Witches
6th- Dia de Los Muertos, Egypt Unit, CAMP
7th- Singing with Kinder, Guide Dogs Field Trip, Islam Unit
8th- 8th grade bench, Enrichment, Mock Trial
What’s your favorite thing about Corpus Christi School? Comment below!