Christmas Luncheon
Before 2009 Christmas dismissal, the Fathers of the Congregation of the Pharr Oratory and Sister Estellita Cantú, C. O., hosted a luncheon for faculty and staff in the school cafeteria. As a surprise and gift, a faculty member arranged for Mariachi to grace us with their music while we served ourselves, exchanged gifts, and ate. Later, for our enjoyment, a group of musicians gifted us with their “música tropical”. In celebration of the feast day, many staff danced with joy and managed to work off a few calories. All in all, it was a wonderful time as we formed community in celebration of Christ’s birth.
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Personnel List 2009-2010
The Commissioning Service for Catholic Schools
On Friday, September 4, Bishop Raymond J. Peña, celebrated Mass with all diocesan school personnel, after which there was a commissioning service for the Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Brownsville at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in McAllen, Texas. After the blessing and presentation of their respective campus certificates, all diocesan school personnel attended an Inservice presentation and a luncheon.
Above: Diocesan Presentation Program. Above right: Diocesan personnel enjoy a luncheon hosted by the Diocesan of Brownsville Superintendent, Lizette Allen.
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A New School Year
Faculty and staff at the Oratory Schools were welcomed with a special liturgy celebrated in our chapel by Director, Fr. Mario Aviles, C.O. Following the Mass, a luncheon was hosted by the administration in the school cafeteria. The Pharr Oratory School System would like to welcome back all Oratory Staff and families and especially new employees and students! Here's to a year filled with God's abundant blessings as we celebrate the Jubilee "Year of the Priest".
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Teacher Inservice 2009-2010
In-service Education 2009-2010
The 2009-2010 In-service Workshops were held on campus from August 17th to the 19th. Presenters included administration, staff, and faculty. The following was the agenda:
- August 17 – Dedicated to Mission, Philosophy, Schools Policies, and Student Physical and Mental Health and School Safety Guidelines
- August 18 – Dedicated to Effective Lesson Planning, Writing Across the Curriculum, Integration of Technology, Power Teacher (grading system), & Campus Events
- August 19 – Dedicated to Faculty Handbook, School Reach (emergency communication), Course Syllabi, Science Olympiad, & Safety Procedures
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Congratulations Teachers!
Teacher Appreciation Day in the U.S. is celebrated on the first Tuesday of the first full week in May.
The best teachers teach from the heart, not from the book.
~Author Unknown
A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others.
~Author Unknown
Teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions.
~Author Unknown
One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to
those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary
raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant
and for the soul of the child.
~Carl Jung
Dear Teachers,
May God bless you for the gift of teaching you have shared with the student body of the Pharr Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System.
With deep appreciation,
Oratory School Administration and President’s Office
Corporate Office staff celebrating "El 16 de septiembre"!
The Corporate Office, in the spirit of community, enjoyed celebrating "El 16 de septiembre" along with the campus staff and student body.
Meeting Daily Campus Needs
Under the direction of Plant Manager and Finance Director, Manuel N. Pérez, two members of our working crew, V. LaFontant and J. Rodríguez, can been seen getting about on their campus cart responding to school needs. The crew assist with custodial, maintenance, carpentry, grounds management, and other teacher and students needs.
Celebrating 25 Years of Service to the Oratory Schools of Pharr, TX
(l to r)
Maria G. Gutierrez, G. Yvonne Pérez, Very Rev. Leo-Francis Daniels, C.O.
2008 Diocesan Events
Mrs. Cristina M. Plata - Directora, Instituto Newman
Con una experiencia educativa de más de 20 años, la Sra. Plata cursó estudios en la Escuela Normal del Estado de Coahuila en Saltillo, Coah., México. Es licenciada en Ciencias de la Información por la Universidad de Monterrey y cuenta con estudios de Maestría en Comunicación Académica en la Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas. En 1998 obtuvo la Especialización en Dirección de Centros Educativos en el Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo para la Educación en la ciudad de México. Inició su labor docente en Reynosa en 1983. Fue maestra de Historia y Español en secundaria, coordinadora de primaria y ocupó el cargo de directora de secundaria y subdirectora general. En preparatoria impartió clases de Lectura y Redacción, Literatura, Ética y Comunicación. Su esposo ha sido Presidente de la Federación Noreste de Escuelas Particulares y consejero de la Confederación Nacional de Escuelas Particulares en México. Tiene dos hijos que asisten a la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, en Monterrey, México.
Mrs Plata has been working in education since 1983 in Reynosa, where she was born. She studied at the “Escuela Normal del Estado de Coahuila” in Saltillo, Coahuila, México. She obtained her Mass Communication degree at the “Universidad Monterrey” in Nuevo León, México and her Master degree in Academic Communication at “Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas”. Mrs Plata studied a specialization in directing educative centers at “Instituto de Investigación y Desarrollo para la Educación” in México City. She taught History, Ethics, Literature, Communications and Spanish at secondary level in private schools and has been an Elementary coordinator and Junior High principal. Mrs. Plata’s husband, Carlos, is a former President of “Federación Noreste de Escuelas Particulares” and counselor of “Confederación Nacional de Escuelas Particulares in México”. Her two sons are currently attending University of Nuevo León in Monterrey, México.
Mrs. Ellen F. Allen - Campus Coordinator
Mrs. Allen has been working with the Oratory Schools since 1987, after the birth of her only child, Jessica. While she is originally from Amarillo, TX, where she was raised
the second child of six by Roy and Arene Doerfler, her husband, John Barton Allen, is a native of the Valley.
With a BA Major in Elementary Education, and a Minor in Biology,
Mrs. Allen has taught grade levels 2 through 12 in public and parochial schools since 1972. Her extensive experience with youth of all ages includes coaching 7th and 8th girls basketball.
After teaching grades 2-9 at the Oratory Schools, Mrs. Allen served one year as Moore Rd. Campus Coordinator in 1998, before moving to the Ironwood Campus to serve
as Campus Coordinator for grades PK-2.
Mrs. Allen was the recipient of the Diocese of Brownsville Spirit Award in 1998, and in 2001, Mrs. Allen was the recipient of the Christa McAuliffe Fellowship Program. The $50,000 grant was awarded for her project called Science Learning Arena of the Texas Environment (SLATE).
Mrs. Allen is the District Coordinator for Area 13AA PSIA, Private Schools Interscholastic Association, Texas’ private and home school academic competition. She also serves as the State officer for all oral events. In May 2005, Mr. and Mrs. Allen, friends and family, to include her mother, Arene Doerfler, celebrated Jessica’s high school graduation as Valedictorian from the Oratory Athenaeum for University Preparation. In May 2009 they celebrated Jessica’s graduation from UTPA where she was given the honor of delivering the student address at her college’s cap and gown ceremony. She and her family belong to St. Pius X Parrish in Weslaco, Texas where they are part of the music team at the 7:30 a.m. Sunday Mass.
Mrs. M. Izkra Díaz - Assistant Director
Maricela Izkra Diaz, originally from Mexico City, has been teaching for over 25 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Mexico City at the Universidad Iberoamericana and completed 36 graduate hours in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg, Texas. She earned her Master of Arts in Education--Administration and Supervision in 2008 from the University of Phoenix and is currently an Assistant Director for the Pharr Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System. She has been teaching for the Oratory since 1994, thus having 15 years of Catholic school experience. Mrs. Diaz is a Texas certified Secondary Spanish teacher and is also a certified Texas Web Instructor through the Region 4 Educational Service Center in Houston, Texas. She has been married for 28 years and has devoted her life to family and work.
Rev. José Encarnación Losoya, C.O. - Assistant Director
Father José has been a board member since his ordination in 1996. However, he has dedicated his time and efforts at the Oratory Schools since before becoming a priest. He studied in Mexico City where he attained his degree in Theology and later in Psychology at UTPA. Today, Father serves his community in a variety of ways. First, he is a priest assisting at both St. Jude Thaddeus Parish and the Oratory Schools. Secondly, he's dedicated his career as vice-principal, academic counselor, and teacher at the Oratory Schools. Father José continues his education through taking on-line graduate courses and attaining certifications in technology and grant writing. As school counselor, he has helped high school students attain scholarships at various private and public universities across the state of Texas.
G. Yvonne Pérez, President, Oratory Schools
Mrs. Pérez is a founding member of the Oratory Schools serving on the board since 1983. She was the first and only Directress (principal) of the educational institution until February of 2005 where she took on the role of President. Prior to serving her community in the private sector, Mrs. Pérez worked as a teacher, coordinator and principal for both Point Isabel and PSJA Independent School Districts for over 10 years. She is also an author of bilingual educational literature and is published by the Scott Foresman Company. Presently, she also sits on the board of the Pharr Historical Commission and was awarded a "Leadership Pharr" scholarship sponsored by the Pharr Chamber of Commerce last year. Like other board members, she is also the parent of an Oratorian graduate- Laura (PK 3-6th grade). She and her family attend St. Jude Thaddeus Parish and live in Pharr.
Rev. Mario Alberto Avilés, C.O., Director (Principal)
Father Mario joined the school board upon his ordination in 1998. He, like Father José, found himself volunteering at the Oratory Schools pre-ordination. Father Mario serves his community as head priest at Sacred Heart Church in Hidalgo in addition to his evangelical duties to his mother church, St. Jude Thaddeus. Fluent in four languages, Father Mario's studies took him to Rome, Italy where he received degrees in Theology and Philosophy. This year marks his first year as Director of the Oratory Schools making him the second principal in the school's 23-year history. Before becoming Director, he taught high school courses at the Oratory and assisted with weekly masses.
Manuel N. Pérez, Sr., Director of Finance
Mr. Pérez is a founding member of the Oratory Schools serving as a board member since 1983. He began his career with the PSJA Independent School District where he served as teacher, principal, Federal Programs Administrator and Asst. Superintendent for Finance for almost 30 years. He was also employed by the Point Isabel Independent School District through the mid-late 70's as Asst. Superintendent. From 1980 through 1997, he served as Asst. Superintendent for Finance for PSJA and Mission C.I.S.D. having served at PSJA for fourteen years and retiring from the public education sector in 1997. Through the years, he has further served his community as Pharr Chamber President, and Lion's Club Member. Today, Mr. Pérez is employed by the Oratory Schools as Director of Finance and Plant Coordinator. He is also the parent of one of the Oratory's very first class of students in 1983, Laura, who attended the school (PK 3-6th grade). He and his family are parishioners of St. Jude Thaddeus Parish and reside in Pharr.