st. rita school

St. Rita School Reflects ‘Pieces of Heaven’

By Henrietta Gomes
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the Issue of 1/25/07)

An international close-knit family exists on the modest corner of West Glebe and Russell Roads in Alexandria. The 167 students of St. Rita School represent more than 50 countries around the globe.
“It’s a model of the universal Church here,” said Mary Pat Schlickenmaier, principal of the school, which serves kindergarten through eighth-grade. “There’s a genuine Catholic identity about the school,” she said, noting that the diversity affords the opportunity for students to have “a global vision of their responsibility as Catholics.”
The “face of the world” is depicted in the school, said Melissa Manaker, who teaches sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade math. The culturally charged environment encourages students to “think about international things, and they can communicate with people of different cultures,” she said.
Not only does the school boast a diverse crowd, but it also prides itself on being a loving and nurturing environment. “Every child in the building is cared for by every teacher in the school,” said Schlickenmaier. “Our children feel really secure and genuinely cared for.”
The size of the school and small student population foster the familial aspect, said Tom Kingery, who serves as the librarian and teaches physical education. “We get to know every child on a one-on-one basis, and that adds a sense of community and family,” he said. In order to be effective educators, Kingery said, the entire faculty rely on their faith, as they meet for 10 minutes in the morning for prayer. “It sets the tone for the day,” he said.
That preparation of prayer is needed because, “We’re working in the presence of God,” said Manaker. “I work here because God is here.He is in the face of every child here. The students understand the need to be Christ-like in their behaviors with each other… and we get to teach academics in that context.”
Schlickenmaier praised the dedication of the teachers, calling them the “heart of the school.” She continued, “What’s happening here would not be happening without them.” She also commended the efforts of the two priests, Fathers Denis Donahue and Paul Scalia, and two Sisters of St. Joseph, who serve at the school. “The priests invest so much time and energy,” she said, noting that both priests teach one class a week, and celebrate a Mass for the school every Friday morning. The presence of the religious and priests nourishes the spiritual aspect of the school, she said.
According to Schlickenmaier, the biggest challenges the school faces are the inevitable financial burdens, but it does not seem to interfere with the school spirit. She noted the tremendous support of the parents. Recently, they raised $40,000 to build a playground behind the school, then spent three days building it themselves. Another parent spearheaded a 5K walkathon, which raised $10,000 for the school. “We may be small, but there’s dedication here,” said Sister of St. Joseph Frances Amata, the school secretary, who has been at the school for 13 years.
“I love coming here every day,” said Shawn Mary McAuliffe, the school’s second-grade teacher. “There’s just an incredible spirit here,” she said. Because of the close-knit community, the students are “like brothers and sisters,” she said. “They watch out for each other. Every child, every adult is a gift, and it’s been a blessing for me to be here.” She paused and smiled, “There are pieces of heaven here.”