Upon graduation from Cassata, many students are on their own and have to grow up quickly.  Being able to provide housing, food, healthcare, transportation and manage personal finances can be challenging – to a young adult, it can be overwhelming. Students learned about the many programs and services offered at Catholic Charities, including financial assistance for rent and utilities, Healthy Start which supports young families, and the new Project Access Tarrant County which offers healthcare to the uninsured.

With many in the area searching for jobs, Catholic Charities began a vocational program assisting those looking to pursue a new career in aviation maintenance or accounting – two growing career opportunities in our area.  Students learned how they can apply to these programs and, if accepted, receive full tuition assistance toward an associate’s degree.

Students also spent time in the Donation Center and sorted donated goods. Armando Mata, Assessment Center Mentor, encouraged students to become volunteers and learn the value of giving back.

The field trip to Catholic Charities was the final session in a 5-week ‘Money School’ taught to the students by Catholic Charities Financial Counselor, Steven Ashbrook.   Topics included budgeting, credit predatory lending, taxes, record keeping, contracts and insurance, financial institutions, saving and investing.  Life Skills students received a certificate of completion for the course and are now official clients of Catholic Charities.

Congratulations to Cassata High School’s newest graduates!

The commencement ceremony for the December 2011 class was held on December 15, 2011 at St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church in the Great Hall. The valedictorian was Mohammed “Don” Abdulrahman, and the salutatorian was Shannon Shackelford. The Spirit of Cassata Award for outstanding service to the school was presented to Kathya Gonzalez.

Many of the graduates had to overcome significant obstacles in order to complete their high school education. Nearly half of the students from this graduating class were the first in their family to earn a high school diploma.

It was a joyful evening marking a great achievement for all of the graduates.

Cassata High School students and staff participated in a day of service with Trinity Habitat for Humanity on December 10, 2011.  Students worked on many projects throughout the day, including putting up siding, caulking the eaves, and cleaning the worksite.

Lunch was generously donated by Rio Grande Pacific.

In addition to touring the campus, students were able to explore the Criminal Justice Training Center and the Fire Training Center.  The students were in for a surprise when, at the Fire Training Center, they experienced a simulation of restaurant fire complete with realistic smoke and flames.

The field trip was a fun and informative introduction to college life.

“We are pleased to have Ms. Chavez join the Cassata team and feel her educational background in Public Service, Administration and Nonprofit Management will greatly benefit the school,” Susan Flood, president of Cassata High School, said.

Before joining Cassata High School, Ms. Chavez held internships with the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development in London, the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, and Fort Worth Sister Cities International. Ms. Chavez has as BA in International Relations from Texas Christian University and an MPSA and Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Texas A&M University.

Thank you for your understanding.

Cassata was pleased to celebrate the Phil Record Media Resource Center with honored guests at its “Learn About Cassata” lunch on October 20th. Attendees included supporters of the media center, St. Bartholomew’s Catholic Church members and friends of Phil’s from Texas Christian University.

Cassata was able to recognize and present Phil’s family, including his wife Pat Record and son Tim, with a special photo collage to commemorate the unveiling of the center.

Students Jesus Heredia, Pierce Burleson and Elizabeth Concon shared stories of how Cassata has positively impacted their lives. Afterward, a group of student ambassadors offered attendees tours of the media center and other campus renovations. To learn more about the Phil Record Media Resource Center, CLICK HERE.

You can help Cassata win a $25,000 grant from Albertson’s! Visit http://albertsonscpchallenge.com/ and vote up to 5 times each day to help Cassata earn the highest number of votes in their grant level.

Albertson’s has pledged $300,000 in grants to Community Partners organizations, and to help Cassata win all you have to do is go online and vote. Up to 60 organizations with the highest number of votes in their grant level will earn a grant. An Albertson’s Community Partners Challenge Grant would allow Cassata to continue its legacy of graduating struggling youth by helping to improve educational quality and foster the academic, personal and professional fulfillment of its students. Funds would be used for textbooks, the purchase of MAC laptops for classrooms and the library, and scholarships for financially struggling students.

Celebrating The Phil Record Media Resource Center

Thursday, October 20th at noon
1400 Hemphill Street
Fort Worth, TX 76104

Come hear the stories of our students as they speak about
how Cassata has transformed their lives.

RSVP
Heather Parker, Director of Development
hparker@cassatahs.org
817-926-1745

Sister Mary Fulbright, one of Cassata’s co-founders, met with students in the morning yearbook/newspaper class to discuss the history of Cassata.

Sister Fulbright stressed the importance of Cassata’s unique educational model and how it better serves students who struggle in traditional schools.

The students asked questions about the early days of Cassata and one student was able to offer a tour of the new building renovations to Sister Fulbright.