Where Hearts and Minds Succeed

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ABOUT US

General Contact Information
Philosophy
Mission Statement
History
Goals and Objectives
School Wide Learning Expectations
Faith Formation
St. Dunstan, Patron Saint

GENERAL CONTACT INFORMATION
St. Dunstan Catholic School
1150 Magnolia Avenue, Millbrae, CA 94030
Phone: (650) 697-8119
Fax: (650) 697-9295

Extended Day Care (650) 697-2231
Rectory (650) 697-4730
School of Religious Education (CCD) (650) 697-7451

St. Dunstan Catholic School Website: www.st-dunstan.org
St. Dunstan Catholic Church Website: www.saintdunstanchurch.org

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PHILOSOPHY
St. Dunstan Catholic School is a Catholic School committed to carrying out the ministry of Jesus Christ in the education of youth.  In our educational program, we emphasize the development of the whole person: spiritual, moral, social, intellectual, artistic, physical, and emotional.  Vital to this developmental process is the belief that parents are the primary educators of their children.  Therefore, we value the partnership of the family, school, and parish.  As an extension of the family, St. Dunstan Catholic School prepares its students for their future roles as contributing members of a scientifically and technologically advanced society.  We teach our students that, as participating members of the world community, who are responsible for using their talents, gifts, and education to enhance the quality of life for all.  Our curricula, co-curricular activities and events designed to instill in each student a lifelong reverence for God and all His creation, affirm the rich cultural diversity of our students, families, teachers, and priests while building positive community spirit and involvement.  Within this environment of peace, security and love, we endeavor to provide an excellent Catholic education in order to send forth students equipped with personal confidence, academic skills, a sense of belonging, and a religious commitment that will result in their becoming responsible, mature Catholics.

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MISSION STATEMENT
St. Dunstan Catholic School is a Catholic Parish School located in Millbrae, California, that has been committed to carrying out the ministry of Jesus Christ in the education of youth for the past 54 years.  Under the direction of the Holy Ghost Fathers, the faculty educates students to be active Christians, lifelong learners, responsible citizens and problem solvers.

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HISTORY
Ground was broken for St. Dunstan School on October 28, 1951.  Nearly two years later, in December 1953, the school opened for students in grades one through five.  Over the next three years, grades six, seven, and eight were added.  In 1977 the kindergarten classroom was completed and St. Dunstan became a K through 8 Catholic Elementary School.

The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, who commuted from Notre Dame Convent in Belmont for nearly eleven years until the convent at St. Dunstan was completed, originally staffed St. Dunstan Catholic School.  In 1972, these Sisters were called to serve elsewhere, and a special committee was formed to ensure that the school remained open.  A school board was formed and they, Pastor Norbert Feebly, and others in the parish began a search for a religious order to continue the Notre Dame Sisters’ work.

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GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION GOAL
St. Dunstan Catholic School seeks to encompass the threefold purpose of Catholic education: to teach doctrine, to build community, and to serve one’s neighbor.

OBJECTIVES
To realize this, we strive to:

• Instill in each child a sense of his/her privilege and responsibility in helping to build God’s Kingdom here on earth by internalizing Catholic doctrine.
• Encourage each student to respond to the Lord through experiences in silent, spontaneous, and formal prayer.
• Give students the opportunity for active participation in liturgical celebrations and provide special sacramental preparation programs, which include parents and students.
• Encourage student involvement in parish/school activities both in the local and larger community.
• Make gospel values the norm, thereby fostering in each student a respect for self and others.
• Emphasize world needs by fostering in students a social awareness of their responsibility to humanity, which is part of their Catholic calling to serve one another.

INTELLECTUAL GOAL
St. Dunstan Catholic School seeks to create an educational atmosphere, which encourages and challenges students to develop to their fullest potential.

OBJECTIVES
We strive to:

• Utilize the curriculum to effectively develop, master, and refine the fundamental skills in reading, writing and mathematics.
• Foster in our student’s creativity, an intellectual curiosity, and a spirit of enthusiasm for learning which will enrich the quality of their lives.
• Use standardized test scores as an aid in assessing student progress, planning curriculum, and addressing academic difficulties among our students.
• Provide opportunities for students to develop independent study skills.
• Integrate the use of technology within the curriculum.

SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL GOALS
St. Dunstan Catholic School seeks to assist each student to develop a sense of self worth, to become more aware of the dignity of others, and to acquire a sense of responsibility to society.

OBJECTIVES
We strive to:

• Help students develop a positive self image and an attitude and spirit that will enable them to live worthwhile lives as members of society.
• Foster in students a deep appreciation of their American culture and heritage, while recognizing the contribution that all cultures make to society.
• Develop a respect and reverence for all human life so that freedom, peace, and justice will become a reality in our world.
• Provide opportunities for students to work cooperatively, emphasizing that friendship is an important human relationship and should be extended to every member of the student community.
• Encourage students to accept personal responsibility and develop self-discipline.

PHYSICAL GOAL
We recognize the children’s physical awareness and well-being are essential to their mental and emotional stability and growth.  Only by paying attention to all three parts – mental, emotional, and physical – can we hope to accomplish the ultimate goal of education - the development of the whole child.

OBJECTIVES
We strive to:

• Provide a physical education program that will help every student develop physical fitness.
• Emphasize the development of the Catholic values of cooperation, loyalty, and sportsmanship through participation in organized play.
• Provide the students with an understanding of the effects of the use of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs.
• Enable the students to understand changes that take place in them through a Family Life Program, which emphasizes the growth and development of one’s sexuality in light of Catholic perspectives and values. The Family Life Program curriculum is approved by the Archdiocese of San Francisco, and is one aspect of the school’s religious education program.
• Provide age-appropriate information and an understanding of the problems inherent in sexually transmitted diseases, with particular attention to HIV education.

SCHOOL WIDE LEARNING EXPECTATIONS
St. Dunstan Catholic School students are:

ACTIVE CHRISTIANS WHO

• Participate regularly at Mass, liturgical ceremonies and sacramental programs.
• Pray together, using formal, silent and spontaneous prayer.
• Seek knowledge and understanding of scripture and basic teaching of the Church.
• Use the Gospel message for making moral decisions.
• Demonstrate tolerance, respect and compassion for others.

LIFE-LONG LEARNERS WHO

• Meet curricular standards.
• Think, speak and write analytically, creatively and critically.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Use technology responsibly for learning, communication and enjoyment.
• Maintain curiosity and enthusiasm for learning.

RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS WHO

• Take the lead and act responsibly in all their activities.
• Respect the environment and their role as stewards of the planet.
• Share their abundant gifts and talents with others through community service activities.
• Understand what contributes to good physical and mental health.
• Demonstrate awareness and concern for global, national and local issues.

PROBLEM SOLVERS WHO

• Put forth maximum effort for peacemaking
• Demonstrate listening skills by valuing and respecting differing points of view.
• Talk out problems to prevent misunderstandings.
• Try to be honest and effect reconciliation when problems arise.

ST. DUNSTAN, PATRON SAINT
Feastday: May 19
Patron of armorers, goldsmiths, locksmiths, and jewelers

Born of a noble family at Baltonsborough, near Glastonbury, England, Dunstan was educated there by Irish monks and while still a youth, was sent to the court of King Athelstan. He became a Benedictine monk about 934 and was ordained by his uncle, St. Alphege, Bishop of Winchester, about 939. After a time as a hermit at Glastonbury, Dunstan was recalled to the royal court by King Edmund, who appointed him abbot of Glastonbury Abbey in 943. He developed the Abbey into a great center of learning while revitalizing other monasteries in the area. He became advisor to King Edred on his accession to the throne when Edmund was murdered, and began a far-reaching reform of all the monasteries in Edred's realm. Dunstan also became deeply involved in secular politics and incurred the enmity of the West Saxon nobles for denouncing their immorality and for urging peace with the Danes. When Edwy succeeded his uncle Edred as king in 955, he became Dunstan's bitter enemy for the Abbot's strong censure of his scandalous lifestyle. Edwy confiscated his property and banished him from his kingdom. Dunstan went to Ghent in Flanders but soon returned when a rebellion replaced Edwy with his brother Edgar, who appointed Dunstan Bishop of Worcester and London in 957. When Edwy died in 959, the civil strife ended and the country was reunited under Edgar, who appointed Dunstan Archbishop of Canterbury. The king and archbishop then planned a thorough reform of Church and state. Dunstan was appointed legate by Pope John XII, and with St. Ethelwold and St. Oswald, restored ecclesiastical discipline, rebuilt many of the monasteries destroyed by the Danish invaders, replaced inept secular priests with monks, and enforced the widespread reforms they put into effect. Dunstan served as Edgar's chief advisor for sixteen years and did not hesitate to reprimand him when he thought it deserved. When Edgar died, Dunstan helped elect Edward the martyr king and then his half brother Ethelred, wh en Edward died soon after his election. Under Ethelred, Dunstan's influence began to wane and he retired from politics to Canterbury to teach at the Cathedral school and died there. Dunstan has been called the reviver of monasticism in England. He was a noted musician, played the harp, composed several hymns, notably Kyrie Rex splendens, was a skilled metal worker, and illuminated manuscripts. He is the patron of armorers, goldsmiths, locksmiths, and jewelers. His feast day is May 19.

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