By Gretchen R. Crowe
Herald Staff Writer
(From the issue of 1/27/05)

Nearly 50 educators and parents braved icy winds and frozen roads to attend Kindergarten Night at the Arlington County Central Library Auditorium last Monday. Brightly colored posters, book displays and thick information packets greeted parents at the pre-Catholic Schools Week event as they examined each school’s offerings, hoping to discern the perfect school for their children.

Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools Michael Vargo said Kindergarten Night was designed to attract families with kindergarten-aged children to one of seven Catholic "metro schools" in Arlington, Alexandria and Falls Church. However, he said, the evening also served as a public service announcement to the community.

"We want to let people know about kindergarten, whether Catholic or non-Catholic; whether they go to our schools or not," he said. "We hope it’s educational for everyone."

The seven metro schools include the Cathedral of St. Thomas More School, St. Ann School, St. Agnes School and St. Charles Borromeo School in Arlington; Corpus Christi in Falls Church; and Queen of Apostles School and St. Rita School in Alexandria.

All the Arlington schools offer pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade and extended day care, while St. Rita School and Queen of Apostles, which also offers extended day care, begin at kindergarten. Corpus Christi welcomes children in first- through eighth-grade and offers extended day care and a program for the learning disabled.

Paige Sass, a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes in Arlington, said she was only considering Catholic schools for her 5-year-old son, Baylen, who will begin kindergarten in the fall. Sass said Baylen had attended a private Episcopal pre-school, but that there is "more bang for your buck at a Catholic school."

Michelle Capitan, a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes, said she is not originally from Virginia and came to Kindergarten Night to research schools.

"We’re interested in the Catholic schools and on seeing how they hold up to public and private," she said.

After parents had an opportunity to chat with kindergarten teachers and principals from the seven schools, Sister Karl Ann Homberg, S.S.J., assistant superintendent of schools, addressed them in a formal presentation.

"Our kindergarten program is a readiness program," she said. "We will build a rich foundation where children will learn and develop a variety of skills."

Sister Homberg also discussed "kindergarten philosophy," where she listed providing a Christ-centered environment and emphasizing Catholic faith and traditions as the top two criteria.

While Sister Homberg defined kindergarten as an opportunity for children to fulfill their spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional and physical needs and abilities, she also stressed the importance of a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

"We like to see our children enjoy being children and enjoying their childhood," she said.

Humberto Mendoza, 5, and Lia Kikmadze, 4, seemed interested in doing just that. As their parents immersed themselves in busy tables and endless questions, on the other side of the room, the two children, Crayolas in hand, concentrated on their coloring books.