Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School

  
    Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School has been an integral part of the Galena Park community since it first opened its doors on September 8, 1953. At that time the school was staffed by the Sisters of Notre Dame with an enrollment of 225 students in grades one through eight. The pastor was Father J.P. O’Sullivan. The enrollment gradually increased, and by 1957 it reached an all time high of 358 students. Two classrooms were added at this time. A Kindergarten class was added in 1965. At this time the enrollment began to drop and by 1967 the enrollment was 235.

    At the end of the 1968-69 school year the Sisters of Notre Dame left the school after 15 years of dedicated service and leadership in the school and the parish.

    The 1969-70 school year ushered in a complete lay staff under the able leadership of Mrs. H. C. Jaloway who was also the fourth grade teacher. The seventh and eighth grades were dropped at this time.

    The years between 1970 and 1986 were hard years for the school as the leadership changed frequently and the enrollment dropped to an all-time low of 69 students.

    In 1986 Sister Martina Hoare, a Sister of the Holy Spirit and Mary Immaculate, came to Fatima as principal. Under her able leadership the enrollment began to increase. The death of Sister Martina in January of 2003 was a shocking blow for the school. Doreen Whitmer, sixth grade teacher filled in as principal while still teaching her class. In 2004-2005 David Guite was appointed principal and the school began to flourish once more under David’s enthusiastic leadership. Unfortunately, during the summer of 2006 David was killed while on vacation with his family.

    In spite of this great loss, two principals in five years, the school remained open due to the dedication of the school’s Administrative Assistant, Alma Garza, and the rest of the dedicated staff as well as the parents. In 2007 Frances Ramsey became principal.

    Today, Our Lady of Fatima Catholic School is fully accredited through the state and offers a faith-based education to students in PK-3 through 6^th grade. The enrollment at the present time is 115, which is up from 2006-2007. The school is working very hard to get information out to the public with the hope that the enrollment will continue to increase. The parish does have a Master Plan on file which includes eventually adding seventh and eighth grades.

    The SAT10 is administered to every student in grades Kindergarten through sixth grade to assess individual and school-wide performance. An active School Board and Home & School Association are involved in the many facets of the school day.

    Families interested in enrollment may contact the school by calling 713-674-5832 or going to the school website at: www.olfatima-gp.org

 

Frances Ramsey

Principal