By Jennifer Tran
Principal, Blessed Sacrament School, Lincoln
Since its opening in 1926, Blessed Sacrament School in Lincoln has undergone growth, development, and progress, and has weathered challenges and setbacks. Hundreds of staff members and thousands of students later, one constant remains and will continue to remain at Blessed Sacrament: Our commitment and drive to carry out the eternal teachings of our Lord through our philosophy of academic excellence; proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.
The further our societal culture grows away from faith, the more important it becomes in our schools. In my recent experience, parents and guardians are beginning to realize this and are searching for a more principled educational setting for their children. While all schools in Lincoln aim to help students grow into life-long learners, Blessed Sacrament offers this in an environment not limited to or clouded by anti-faith regulations. All Catholic schools are unified in faith, while each school is able to offer unique educational aspects to a child’s education based on the needs of our students.
Although a student is not required to be Catholic to attend one of our Catholic schools, he or she will be thoroughly exposed to the Church’s teachings, starting with Mass each morning. About seven percent of Blessed Sacrament’s student population is non-Catholic, and each family (Catholic or not) appreciates the faith and discipleship intertwined with each day. The number of non-Catholic families who have specifically sought out our Catholic school speaks volumes about the effectiveness of our school and diocese. Opportunities to learn about and express one’s faith are offered at all times. In this way, we invite (but do not force) truth, goodness, and beauty into the lives of our students, allowing for the necessary freedom that faith requires.
Blessed Sacrament is the smallest Catholic Elementary School in the city of Lincoln, with an enrollment of 153 students from Pre-K to eighth grade. The average class size is 15 students, and the student to teacher ratio is 10:1.
Although there has been recent growth in enrollment and expected growth in the future, this is and will continue to be an advantage at Blessed Sacrament for a number of reasons. With smaller class sizes, each student is given more attention from his or her teacher, which enhances learning experiences and increases growth rate. It also creates a tight-knit community among students, teachers, staff, and school families. When staff members hear a student’s first name, they know exactly which student is being referred to. Even amongst our diversity, our school feels like a big family.
Our diversity is an aspect of Blessed Sacrament that stands out compared to other Lincoln Catholic Elementary Schools. Not limited to race or ethnicity, this diversity reflects the deep and complex diversity of the Universal Church: socio-economic statuses, family dynamics, and cultural variations. When a child comes to Blessed Sacrament, he or she has an opportunity to experience an array of perspectives among peers, which gives each student a greater grasp on what he or she might encounter beyond eighth grade.
The value of this unique exposure to various walks of life has its cognitive foundation in what Colossians 4:6 proposes, “Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Having this opportunity in a school that puts faith first is unique in that diversity and individual dignity are preserved, ordered, and integrated through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
In an attempt to create a space more in line with the dignity of each student, Blessed Sacrament has made many improvements within the last five years that makes it stand out. One of our students’ favorite additions is the new green space where three dilapidated houses previously stood.
With our school located in a more urban area and bordering a busy street, space for our students to run around on something other than a slab of concrete was a welcome treat. Tripling our playground area creates other possibilities, including outdoor learning opportunities, parish and school community events, and a wider variety of activities during recess.
We have also enhanced and upgraded each classroom with new carpet, storage, paint, monitors, and glass marker boards, along with improvements to our kitchen, cafeteria, and library. Looking back even just five years, the list seems almost endless, and it would not have been possible without our generous parishioners’ support and the various grants we received. These school improvements pave the way for our students to experience a supportive and updated learning environment.
Although these upgrades and improvements have certainly had a positive impact on our enrollment, it is our faculty and staff who have a direct hand in boosting our enrollment. Each staff member is devoted to his or her Christian beliefs and to each and every student. With our intimate school setting, our teachers are in constant communication and collaboration with each other as they navigate the curriculum and needs of individual students. Our approachable and supportive staff makes partnering with parents a smooth and natural process in furthering our students’ education and faith life.
As I near the end of my third year as principal of Blessed Sacrament, I could not be prouder of the students, staff members, and families that I know God has called me to be a part of. My oldest son will be starting preschool at Blessed Sacrament this next school year, and my family’s excitement to have him join me each day at our beloved school is a testament to its merit. I am eager to experience in my own child the difference putting God first in education can make in his growth and development.
