by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — “There are many questions and misconceptions surrounding Catholic education, and we want to address that,” said Felicia Holcomb, consultant for marketing and enrollment for the archdiocesan school office.
The school office will do just that at its first-ever Discovery Day on Feb. 4 at Savior Pastoral Center, located at 12601 Parallel Pkwy. in Kansas City, Kansas.
The event will include a career fair for teachers interested in learning more about Catholic schools from 9-11 a.m.
Then, families will have the opportunity to take part in an open house from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
“Families think [Catholic education is] not a financially feasible option,” said Holcomb, “but that’s not the case. There are tuition assistance and scholarship options that make our schools affordable.”
At the Discovery Day open house, families can learn more about the archdiocese’s 42 schools; academics and curriculum; faith formation; enrollment; tuition; and scholarships and financial aid.
Educators can learn about salary and benefits, current and future job openings, the application and hiring process, and more during the career fair portion of the event.
Holcomb said that even though the salary at a Catholic school is different from a public school, “there are benefits that we believe make up for the pay difference — personal faith formation, teacher autonomy and living your faith.”
Teachers with children in kindergarten through twelfth grade also have opportunities for tuition remission, said Holcomb, and “that alone can save a family thousands each year.”
At Discovery Day, representatives from the school office will be joined by members of the archdiocesan human resources department and the Catholic Education Foundation (CEF), as well as school leaders and parents, who will be available to share their perspectives on Catholic schools.
Participants are encouraged to drop by the event; no registration is necessary.
Holcomb hopes that many educators and families will check out all that archdiocesan schools have to offer.
“This event is hopefully the first conversation that will lead to families and teachers contacting a school for more information,” she said.
To learn more about archdiocesan schools, go online to: archkckcs.org.
