Her hope as Basilica School of St. Paul Principal: “I pray that students graduate here with the confidence that God has given them the tools and talents to have a meaningful and purposeful life. I pray that my leadership infuses love throughout our school, and this is felt by students, teachers, and parents alike.”  Ms. Susan Pickles has joined Basilica School of St. Paul for the new school year, and she will bring her love of teaching, passion for Catholic education, and decades of experience to the leadership role.  Previously serving as Kindergarten Teacher at St. Mary Catholic S ..read more

Why Mrs. Mele loves teaching at a Catholic school: “We can speak freely about our Catholic faith and put our love of God into action.”  Early childhood education is the foundation for your child’s growth in mind, body, and spirit. Our Volusia County private schools include highly dedicated educators who provide a safe, nurturing environment where young learners can thrive. One of our exceptional early educators is Mrs. Andrea Mele, Kindergarten Teacher at Lourdes Academy in Daytona Beach. Mrs. Mele creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere where each student is respected and loved as a unique ..read more

Why Mrs. Male loves teaching at a Catholic school: “We can speak freely about our Catholic faith and put our love of God into action.”  Early childhood education is the foundation for your child’s growth in mind, body, and spirit. Our Volusia County private schools include highly dedicated educators who provide a safe, nurturing environment where young learners can thrive. One of our exceptional early educators is Mrs. Andrea Male, Kindergarten Teacher at Lourdes Academy in Daytona Beach. Mrs. Male creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere where each student is respected and loved as a unique ..read more

What she hopes students take away from her classroom: “I want my students to always know I am in their corner and will be there to help them succeed in any way I can.”  At Volusia Catholic Schools, your child receives a well-rounded education that balances core academic requirements with enriching courses in religion, foreign language, fine arts, physical education, and technology.  Technology and computer science courses are important in helping students build the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking strategies needed to become remarkable learners and leaders in the 21st century ..read more

Sometimes, getting your child to do their homework and study can feel as though you’re herding cats. Even children with the best of intentions are easily distracted, and when left to their own devices, they might move on to other activities. Here are some tips to keep your child motivated as she studies! Create A Study Space  Beds are associated with bedtime, couches with television time, and dining tables with meals and snacks. These locations aren’t prime places for your child to study! It’ll be too difficult to dissociate these other activities with where she’s trying to focus on scho ..read more

Technology brings people together in amazing ways, but excessive screen time can cause feelings of isolation. Adults experience these feelings and know the consequences, but children aren’t as attuned to knowing when it’s time to take a step back — especially when that means putting down fun games or apps. See if you and your child can spend quality time together without the use of screens. Here are some of our tips for reducing screen time when your child has all the time in the world. Lead by Example Where you go, your child will follow. While it may be difficult to spend time away from you ..read more

Aside from celebrating Mass, do you dedicate time to God throughout the week? The outside world can be distracting, and busy parents sometimes struggle to find time for themselves. By joining a virtual or in-person small group, you can create relationships with others, as well as focus on your relationship with God, in a way that makes sense for your schedule. Sense of Community A small group is just that: small. While it’s beneficial to join your parish family for Mass, a small group offers a relaxed environment where you can share prayer requests, read the Bible, and grow in your relationsh ..read more

We’ve all had days where it feels much easier to just buy a week’s worth of Lunchables or give in every time they ask for chicken nuggets and fries. However, your child needs a nutritious, balanced diet to live a healthy life. Focus on incorporating quality protein, healthy fats, and nutrient-rich vegetables into their lunches. Here are a few ways to add in healthy options in a way your child will enjoy.  Sources of Protein Protein is an important element of a balanced diet. This nutrient helps children grow healthy muscles and bones while reducing appetite and hunger levels. Here are a ..read more

Jesus inspires us daily to follow what he teaches, appreciate his sacrifices, and love others as he loves us. We can also look to Jesus for insight into prayer. To deepen our devotion and create more a meaningful prayer life, consider following some of Jesus’ prayer rituals. Here are five ways to pray the same way Jesus did. Pray Early in the Morning Early morning hours offer peace and tranquility. The world isn’t fully awake, and the stresses of the day have yet to begin. This makes it a perfect time to sit with your thoughts and reach out to God. Jesus recognized the glory of the morning, s ..read more

Colleen Coughlin is graduating from Father Lopez Catholic School with many titles, including senior class president, AP scholar, National Honor Society member and Salutatorian. She has always admired great leaders and wanted to become one herself, so she focused on making the most of her time in high school. Her next step is to attend Stetson University, where she’s been accepted to the Honors Program with a focus in mental health counseling.  Coughlin grew up in Ormond Beach, not far from Father Lopez Catholic School. At Saint Brendan Catholic School, which she attended for kindergarten ..read more