Mary Help of Christians School | Spirit of Laredo Capital Campaign

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT IS MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS SCHOOL?
Mary Help of Christians School is a private Catholic elementary and middle school affiliated with the Diocese of Laredo, Texas, Office of Catholic Schools. The school is owned and managed by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Salesians Sisters who are assisted by dedicated lay educators.

WHAT ACCREDITATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS DOES THE SCHOOL HAVE?
The school is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department (TCCED) and is a member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) and also the Texas Association of Non-Public Schools (TANS).

WHO ARE THE SALESIAN SISTERS?
Also known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesian Sisters are a religious community of women founded by St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzerello. Their schools, summer camps, youth groups, catechetical work, parish involvement, outreach and missionary endeavors are a testimony to their dedication and commitment to educating youth of all ages, serving the poor and assisting women at risk. They are the second largest community of religious women in the world with nearly 16,000 members. Find out more about the Salesian Sisters at www.cgfmanet.org.

WHY DOES THE SCHOOL NEED $15 MILLION?
Mary Help of Christians School is launching a Capital Campaign to raise $15 million to build a news school in Laredo, Texas. Their current location is spacious, but the facilities are too small and are in dire need of repairs and building a new school is more cost effective than repairing and expanding their current structures. The total cost for the construction will be about $25 million, but $10 million has already been secured from the sale of land on which their current school is situated.

WHAT MAKES MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS SCHOOL DIFFERENT THAN OTHER CATHOLIC (PRIVATE) SCHOOLS?
Mary Help of Christians School is a cornerstone in Laredo with roots dating back to 1935. It is the only private Catholic school in Laredo. In addition, it is the only Catholic school in Laredo where so many Sisters teach the children and have day-to-day contact with the students. The teaching philosophy at Mary Help is different in that the Sisters focus on the "whole child," which means that importance is placed on both academic and moral development, resulting in an extremely well-rounded student.

WHEN WILL THE NEW SCHOOL BE COMPLETED?
Following the groundbreaking, the school should be completed within 24 months.

WHERE WILL THE NEW SCHOOL BE LOCATED AND WHY?
Laredo is the second fastest growing border city in the United States, experiencing 50% population growth in the last 10 years. The school will be located in North Laredo, primarily because the growth of the city is moving in that direction to fit expanding neighborhoods. It is expected to be a state-of-the-art facility, and it will also be more accessible to parents, staff, faculty and visitors.

WHY WOULD I WANT TO DONATE MONEY TO THE CAMPAIGN IF I'M NOT CATHOLIC OR DON'T HAVE CHILDREN ATTENDING THE SCHOOL?
Mary Help of Christians School is open to all students, whether or not they are Catholic. Because of the unique and effective teaching philosophy of the Salesian Sisters, MHCS continues to produce leaders for the Laredo community. Donating to Mary Help means contributing to the future leaders of Laredo.

WHAT WILL THE NEW SCHOOL PROVIDE THAT THE CURRENT SCHOOL DOES NOT?
The new school will accomodate up to 200 more students and will include a new chapel for worship services, a third new computer lab, a larger library, a second science lab, a double gymnasium, an athletic field to include track, soccer, football and baseball, and a competition-size indoor swimming pool, which will allow MHCS to host swim meets and other activities for the community throughout the year.

WHO IS THE TRAUTMANN FAMILY AND WHAT ROLE DO THEY PLAY IN THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN?
Through the generosity of the Trautmann family, who originally donated to the Del Mar land with "no strings atttached," the school was able to net $10 million from the sale of the land thus cutting the amount needed from $25 million to $15 million.

WHO CAN ATTEND MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS SCHOOL?
The school admits students of any race, color, creed, or nation/ethnic origin.

HOW CAN I ENROLL MY CHILD?
Application forms are available year-round in the Mary Help of Christians School office.

HOW MUCH IS TUITION?
Tuition for the 2007-2008 school year is $4,015.

WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR THE LAND WHERE THE CURRENT SCHOOL IS LOCATED?
The land will be made available for commercial development.

WILL BUILDING A NEW SCHOOL MEAN MORE JOBS FOR THE PEOPLE OF LAREDO?
It is possible that with the new school, more employment opportunities will be available for the community of Laredo.

OTHER THAN OFFERING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, WHAT ELSE DOES THE SCHOOL OFFER?
Mary Help of Christians School offers a variety of activities to help students develop their talents and explore new interests including: photography, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Student Council and basketball, just to name a few.

WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE MARY HELP OVER UNITED DAY?
While United Day is another private school option, Mary Help of Christians provides a far different experience, focusing not only on academic excellence, but also on moral development in a religious atmosphere.

WHO IS SUPPORTING AND HELPING TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN?
Melissa Cigarroa is serving as the Capital Campaign chairperson and is being supported by several influential state and Laredo community leaders. Several community and civic leaders who serve on the MHCS Advisory Board will also help Melissa raise the $15 million needed for the school's construction.

WHAT TYPE OF SUPPORT IS THE CHURCH PROVIDING FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN?
The Diocese of Laredo supports Mary Help of Christians School. Bishop Tamayo, Bishop of the Diocese of Laredo and Dr. Rosa Maria Vida, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Dioceses, both support our endeavor to build a new school and appear at various events and activities in support of the Capital Campaign.



	FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS WHAT IS MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS SCHOOL? Mary Help of Christians School is a private Catholic elementary and middle school affiliated with the Diocese of Laredo, Texas, Office of Catholic Schools. The school is owned and managed by the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians Salesians Sisters who are assisted by dedicated lay educators. WHAT ACCREDITATIONS OR CERTIFICATIONS DOES THE SCHOOL HAVE? The school is accredited by the Texas Catholic Conference Education Department (TCCED) and is a member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) and also the Texas Association of Non-Public Schools (TANS). WHO ARE THE SALESIAN SISTERS? Also known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, the Salesian Sisters are a religious community of women founded by St. John Bosco and St. Mary Mazzerello. Their schools, summer camps, youth groups, catechetical work, parish involvement, outreach and missionary endeavors are a testimony to their dedication and commitment to educating youth of all ages, serving the poor and assisting women at risk. They are the second largest community of religious women in the world with nearly 16,000 members. Find out more about the Salesian Sisters at www.cgfmanet.org. WHY DOES THE SCHOOL NEED $15 MILLION? Mary Help of Christians School is launching a Capital Campaign to raise $15 million to build a news school in Laredo, Texas. Their current location is spacious, but the facilities are too small and are in dire need of repairs and building a new school is more cost effective than repairing and expanding their current structures. The total cost for the construction will be about $25 million, but $10 million has already been secured from the sale of land on which their current school is situated. WHAT MAKES MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS SCHOOL DIFFERENT THAN OTHER CATHOLIC (PRIVATE) SCHOOLS? Mary Help of Christians School is a cornerstone in Laredo with roots dating back to 1935. It is the only private Catholic school in Laredo. In addition, it is the only Catholic school in Laredo where so many Sisters teach the children and have day-to-day contact with the students. The teaching philosophy at Mary Help is different in that the Sisters focus on the "whole child," which means that importance is placed on both academic and moral development, resulting in an extremely well-rounded student. WHEN WILL THE NEW SCHOOL BE COMPLETED? Following the groundbreaking, the school should be completed within 24 months. WHERE WILL THE NEW SCHOOL BE LOCATED AND WHY? Laredo is the second fastest growing border city in the United States, experiencing 50% population growth in the last 10 years. The school will be located in North Laredo, primarily because the growth of the city is moving in that direction to fit expanding neighborhoods. It is expected to be a state-of-the-art facility, and it will also be more accessible to parents, staff, faculty and visitors. WHY WOULD I WANT TO DONATE MONEY TO THE CAMPAIGN IF I'M NOT CATHOLIC OR DON'T HAVE CHILDREN ATTENDING THE SCHOOL? Mary Help of Christians School is open to all students, whether or not they are Catholic. Because of the unique and effective teaching philosophy of the Salesian Sisters, MHCS continues to produce leaders for the Laredo community. Donating to Mary Help means contributing to the future leaders of Laredo. WHAT WILL THE NEW SCHOOL PROVIDE THAT THE CURRENT SCHOOL DOES NOT? The new school will accomodate up to 200 more students and will include a new chapel for worship services, a third new computer lab, a larger library, a second science lab, a double gymnasium, an athletic field to include track, soccer, football and baseball, and a competition-size indoor swimming pool, which will allow MHCS to host swim meets and other activities for the community throughout the year. WHO IS THE TRAUTMANN FAMILY AND WHAT ROLE DO THEY PLAY IN THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN? Through the generosity of the Trautmann family, who originally donated to the Del Mar land with "no strings atttached," the school was able to net $10 million from the sale of the land thus cutting the amount needed from $25 million to $15 million. WHO CAN ATTEND MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS SCHOOL? The school admits students of any race, color, creed, or nation/ethnic origin. HOW CAN I ENROLL MY CHILD? Application forms are available year-round in the Mary Help of Christians School office. HOW MUCH IS TUITION? Tuition for the 2007-2008 school year is $4,015. WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR THE LAND WHERE THE CURRENT SCHOOL IS LOCATED? The land will be made available for commercial development. WILL BUILDING A NEW SCHOOL MEAN MORE JOBS FOR THE PEOPLE OF LAREDO? It is possible that with the new school, more employment opportunities will be available for the community of Laredo. OTHER THAN OFFERING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, WHAT ELSE DOES THE SCHOOL OFFER? Mary Help of Christians School offers a variety of activities to help students develop their talents and explore new interests including: photography, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Student Council and basketball, just to name a few. WHY SHOULD I CHOOSE MARY HELP OVER UNITED DAY? While United Day is another private school option, Mary Help of Christians provides a far different experience, focusing not only on academic excellence, but also on moral development in a religious atmosphere. WHO IS SUPPORTING AND HELPING TO RAISE FUNDS FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN? Melissa Cigarroa is serving as the Capital Campaign chairperson and is being supported by several influential state and Laredo community leaders. Several community and civic leaders who serve on the MHCS Advisory Board will also help Melissa raise the $15 million needed for the school's construction. WHAT TYPE OF SUPPORT IS THE CHURCH PROVIDING FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN? The Diocese of Laredo supports Mary Help of Christians School. Bishop Tamayo, Bishop of the Diocese of Laredo and Dr. Rosa Maria Vida, Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Dioceses, both support our endeavor to build a new school and appear at various events and activities in support of the Capital Campaign.
10 East Del Mar Blvd. \| Laredo, Texas \| 78045 \| p.956.722.3966 \| f.956.722.1413