by admin | Aug 22, 2022 | CWSP
Modeling CRSM’s strategic plan to “Survive, Revive and Thrive,” the CRSM Corporate Work Study Program hit the ground running this school year. Almost all the 407 students with business and nonprofit partners. Freshmen spent the last week boarding vans to banks, community organizations, financial and business service firms, hospitals, medical offices and dozens of organizations throughout the Chicago area and Wisconsin.
This year, students will travel in vans with student workers headed west to Antioch and down to Rosemont, south as far as the city of Chicago, Evanston, Skokie, throughout Lake County and north to Kenosha and Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.
“We already have two percent more paying jobs at this point than we had the last school year and expect to jump to 10 percent by the end of September,” says Brian Weinberg, Director of the Corporate Work Student Program. “Our biggest accomplishment is that 404 of our 407 students have job assignments.”
The roster of business partners includes some exciting return companies (who had put jobs on hold during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic) such as: W.W. Grainger and Woodland Foods and new partners, including: Milwaukee Avenue Eye Center, Kohl’s Children’s Museum, Twain School, Beacon Place, Gigi’s Playhouse, Waukegan Housing Authority and Bluff History Museum.
While the back-to-work rush is on, the hard work of the department was unwavering throughout the summer.
Dozens of organizations’ leaders attended a “Business Partner Kickoff” Aug. 10 and area business partner volunteers and the CWSP staff spent four weeks prepping freshman to enter the workplace.
“Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the CWSP program never stops adapting and innovating to meet the needs of partners and prepare students to be flexible, agile, and technologically savvy,” says Weinberg. “And the program will continue to adapt to meet the needs of the changing workplace.”
Contact Brian Weinberg if your company needs reliable remote workers at: (224) 587-7337 or brianweinberg@cristoreystmartin.org.
by admin | Aug 22, 2022 | Alumni Spotlight
From serving on the leadership team and the board of directors to teaching, navigating student jobs, and mentoring scholarship recipients, to leading retreats for campus ministry, nine CRSM alums have a special connection to the school as the 2022-23 school year kicks off.
“CRSM is a place of community, family and great expectations,” says Viridiana Fajardo, the recently appointed Operations & Finance Director who is the first alumna in the Cristo Rey Network of 38 schools to serve on a school’s leadership team. “To be able to be part of that, on the other side of the desk is exciting.” Viridiana is a graduate of the Class of ’10 and has worked at CRSM as the Admissions and Administration Coordinator since 2015.
Her words are representative of the sentiments of all the alumni who have returned to their CRSM alma mater to make a difference. They all agree the time they spent in high school helped shape them into the persons they are today.
Coming full circle, Iris Sanchez, 22, joined CRSM last spring as a campus minister and says she is committed to helping students who are struggling right now by being that person they can come to. In her new role, she will help lead retreats, teach theology, and work side-by-side with students volunteering to make a difference in the lives of the Waukegan area community.
Iris, a Class of ’18 CRSM graduate from North Chicago, earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 2021 from Roosevelt University, and hopes one day to help local families as an immigration lawyer and/or advocate. She believes her experiences here, both as student and now as spiritual guide, will be pivotal in helping her truly help area families. “I feel like we are like EMT’s responding and reaching out to meet the needs of our neighbors in the community,” says Iris. “I’m so excited to be back here.”
Brisel Jimènez, says she is passionate about working with students at CRSM whom she feels a strong connection to. As a work-student development manager for our Corporate Work Study Program, the Class of ’15 graduate says her goal is to help students persevere no matter what challenges they face. She graduated from University of Illinois Chicago with an economics degree and is currently studying for her master’s at De Paul University.
“I want to make a difference in this community and connect with students as they build their networks, says Brisel. “Each student eventually becomes a self-advocate for what they are passionate about, I’m just here to facilitate the onboarding process of a new job for them. It’s amazing to see how they flourish into a professional in the workplace.”
Anthony Ochoa, 23, a scholar coach with the Schuler Scholar program, and Class of ’17 grad, says, “The Cristo Rey community had a huge impact on me, developing a love of learning, and my experience in college, and I want to give back to my community and help other students find a path they are passionate about. He graduated with a double major in philosophy and psychology from Bates College.
Also, on board at CRSM are Edwin Medina, accountant in the CRSM business department and Class of ’11 grad, Giselle Baca, CWSP Relationship Manager and Class of ’16 graduate, Darline Alonso, science teacher from the Class of ‘08, and Daniel Arizmendi, Class of ’19 who is working part-time as an intern for the work-study program while he is attending college.
Like so many of the alums, Esmeralda “Esme” Silva is hoping to set an example for kids in the district. Since her freshman year at Cristo Rey St. Martin 16 years ago, Esme has been determined to be of service to others. Dedicated to paying her life forward and amplify the voices of victims of violence, the 30-year-old works to end human trafficking in several Wisconsin counties. A Class of ’10 grad, she also is the first CRSM alumna to be named to the Board of Trustees.
“I am extremely honored to be seated at the table with leaders who will make such a difference in the lives of students like I once was.”
by admin | Aug 22, 2022 | Academic
Many CRSM teachers are returning to the classroom this week with a renewed passion for literature, science, leadership, social studies, and a variety of new AP exam testing expertise after attending teacher institutes and professional development programs across the country.
From Salt Lake City and Boston to Indianapolis and Cincinnati, many CRSM teachers spent part of their summer immersed in academic excellence programs across the country.
“It felt like going away to summer camp,” says Elizabeth Partenach, English and Theater teacher, who with Rob Horcher, Math teacher, headed to Boston for a “Teacher-Leadership for Catholic Schools,” program held at Boston College. “It was very intensive, but really helps you come back with a lot of great ideas and commitment to try them.”
“CRSM teachers’ participation in these professional development programs does a lot to empower them and is instrumental in helping to create a successful school culture where everyone, including the teachers, teach and learn,” says Michael Odiotti, Principal.
Jon Taus Social Studies teacher, spent a week in Salt Lake City, at the same time AP teacher Rob Horcher also studied virtually in a second program along with Patricia Ferrer, Spanish teacher, who traveled to Cincinnati, to participate in AP Reading Programs. The reading programs are aimed at helping the teachers gain an in-depth understanding of the AP Exam so they can better assess their own students’ work. The programs are sponsored by College Board, a not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity (and helps teachers learn to do so).
The University of Notre Dame’s Advanced Placement Teacher Investment Program (AP-Tip) in Indiana was the destination for teachers Caitlin Murphy, English teacher, and Kumkum Bonnerjee, Math and Science teacher in late July. The program has grown from a state-wide math, science, and English initiative to a national endeavor dedicated to improving students’ college and career readiness. The program aligns with the CRSM mission, sharing the beliefs that all young people, especially those from underserved communities, deserve a high-quality education that prepares them for their own futures and empowers them to influence the communities in which they live.
“It was really helpful because we often have a difficult time getting female students into AP Physics, but I was able to have some great conversations with other teachers about this,” says Kumkum.
Teachers Katie Cothran and Lourdes Marrero traveled to Wisconsin to attend the Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI), Lourdes for AP Calculus and Katie for AP Biology. The workshop is designed to strengthen how instructors design and teach their AP courses.
by admin | Aug 22, 2022 | Academic
It is Monday morning and the first day of school at CRSM. The entire community of 406 students, including the new freshman Class of 2026, and about 100 faculty, staff and volunteers gathered at 8:15 a.m. in the cafeteria for a kick-off assembly.
“We want you to do well, do your best, and think about how everything we do here is in caring for others,” said President Preston Kendall.
Several current students and alumna Daniela Sanchez, a Class of ’19 graduate and junior at Lake Forest College, shared tips and advice for incoming freshman and for the entire student body as they head into the 2022-23 school year.
“You are very lucky to be part of a network of teachers, work partners and a community that cares for you so deeply and is here to help you, not just in high school, but in college and the workforce,” said Sanchez. “Make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities that are here for you.”
Principal Mike Odiotti reminded those gathered that this assembly is only one of two times in the year (because of the work-study program job commitments) that the entire community meets together. He shared the inspiration his mother gave him early on. While a student at Northwestern University, his mother was told “Women can’t become doctors.” Instead, his mom became a nurse, but always regretted not being able to pursue her larger dream and shared with her son: “Never let someone else define your reality.” Dr. Odiotti recalls those words and said to students: “Let this remind you that despite whatever challenges you may face, you can take charge of your destiny.””
by admin | Jul 8, 2022 | President’s Pen
Summer slows most schools down to a near halt. Everything runs in a lower gear so people can catch their breath before the next school year begins. At Cristo Rey St. Martin, summer marks the straightaway where things shift into an even higher gear. As soon as one year ends, we are already knee deep in the next. Our incoming 9th grade class has been with us daily since the first week of June. Final exams for older students ended the week of Memorial Day and the following Monday the 2023 school year began. No time to rest on our laurels – there’s work to be done!
Sure, 2022 marked our third year in a row of having 100% of our seniors being accepted to at least one bachelors’ program… Yes, 90% of the class of 2022 who started with CRSM on the first day of 9th grade graduated with a CRSM diploma (only the second highest retention rate in CRSM history and the second highest in the history of the entire Cristo Rey Network of schools)… Of course, we ended the year with more students than ever before earning a 3.0 GPA or higher – 81% of the entire student body…. We had our first student accepted to Stanford and more students going to Washington University, Holy Cross, NYU, and Brown… But it’s a new year and 2023 is already asking, “what have you done for me lately?”
In addition to our 9th graders participating in Corporate Work Study job preparation training and the Academic Bridge program, regular summer school is in full swing. This year features a dual-credit Statistics class, meaning our students get high school credit from CRSM while simultaneously earning college credit for the course through Loyola University Chicago. We also have a Physical education class for rising sophomores so they can free up a period in the fall to take AP World History. How about that? Giving up part of your summer in order to set yourself up for a more rigorous course load in the first semester? With that kind of work ethic, you know our students are going places!
The gym alternates between voluntary soccer camp and volleyball camp for boys and girls and the fitness center is open every morning with a dozen or so students using it at a time. Looking at the wonderful new spaces available on our campus, one thing is certain: our students are making the most of the resources available to them.
CRSM is also leveraging its resources to benefit others. The school recently hosted a weeklong STEM-oriented IBIO camp for grade school and middle school girls using our science labs and the monthly food distribution events in our parking lot with the Northern Illinois Food Bank continue without a break.
Most people only hear about Waukegan on the news and the image is seldom good. Environmental issues, crime, and poverty monopolize headlines. It probably doesn’t help that we are the “county seat” and all high-profile criminal cases in the area are tried at the courthouse here. But, if you scratch beneath the surface, there is tremendous talent and potential here. Young people just need opportunities and access to surprise everyone with what they are capable of accomplishing. Cristo Rey St. Martin is doing just that, and hope is palpable!
Come visit CRSM anytime and you will witness a place abuzz with intentional, hopeful activity – figuratively and literally. Figuratively in the sense of all that is going on, even in the summer. Literally because I forgot to mention that our Environmental Club has two beehives up and running in the pollinator garden behind our school. Did you know each hive holds 10,000 bees? students are coming in regularly, donning the apiary suits and bring the smoke, to check on them throughout the summer.
It’s amazing to watch the hustle and bustle, the comings and goings with so much purpose and productivity. Hard working individuals who, together, make up an incredible community doing something good for themselves and for the community beyond their walls.
Wait a minute… are we talking about CRSM students or bees? Come and find out!
