A BRUIN of St. Dorothy School:

BELIEVES

1. Educated in the Roman Catholic Faith.

• Understands we are called by God to serve others as a response to our Baptism
• Understands and honors Christian practices and traditions
• Understands and practices formal and spontaneous prayer
• Understands moral decisions and their consequences
• Understands and participates regularly in liturgical and sacramental celebration
• Understands major themes and stories of the Bible

IS RESPONSIBLE

2. Educated in the academic skills necessary for higher learning.

• Has a solid foundation of basic skills in all academic areas
• Uses critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Uses technology
• Participates, appreciates, analyzes, and evaluates the Fine Arts
• Uses study skills for completion of tasks

USES WORDS

3. Educated in the skills to be an effective communicator.

• Understands the writing process
• Communicates in written form using proper rules of grammar
• Communicates orally using proper vocabulary and tone

IS INVOLVED

4. Educated in the skills to be an active community member

• Supports human dignity, respects diversity, and practices tolerance
• Knows and applies strategies for peaceful conflict resolution
• Obeys laws and rules with a consequence-based sense of right and wrong
• Respects authority and takes responsibility for actions
• Develops a sense of personal integrity and honesty

IS NOURISHED IN MIND, BODY, AND SOUL

5. Educated in the skills to be a physically fit individual.

• Develops a healthy self through exercise, good personal hygiene, and habits
• Respects the physical, spiritual, and mental well-being of self and others
• Demonstrates good sportsmanship and fair play

“I am a BRUIN”
I BELIEVE, I am RESPONSIBLE, I USE my words, I am INVOLVED, and I am NOURISHED in mind, body, and soul!

St. Dorothy School used a collaborative approach from the inception of the current self-study.
We re-examined the school’s Philosophy and Mission Statements and decided that they were
still reflective of our school community.

Additionally, we reviewed our SLEs. The SLEs were presented at staff, parent school board,
parish meetings, and the school newsletters. Input was requested from all these sources and
more refinements were made because of this communication. The collection of the various
input occurred over several months and with great consideration

After reviewing all the input data and considerable discussion, it was agreed by the faculty that
the SLEs needed to be revised to be more identifiable and “student friendly”. Using the school
mascot (Bruin bear) as a guide, a new slogan evolved. The faculty felt that students could
better identify with the SLEs and be able to associate the SLEs with their academic and extra
curricular activities. The acronym “BRUIN” was adopted and the SLEs were reworked to fit
under these letters. Our new slogan sentence incorporates what a BRUIN is: “I Believe, I am
Responsible, I Use my words, I am Involved, and I am Nourished in mind, body, and soul!”
An art assignment was given to develop new pictorial signs demonstrating the students'
understanding of the revised SLEs. The selected designs are displayed around the campus.
Additionally, each student in grades three through eight received a copy of the SLEs for easy
reference.

The staff feels it is important for students to identify the SLEs in ways that teachers and parents
can observe student comprehension of these expectations. The newly revised SLEs are
evident throughout the school. SLEs are included in weekly newsletters, weekly staff bulletins,
and the weekly Church bulletin. Student Council created a new student cheer to incorporate the
slogan “A BRUIN IS.”

The St. Dorothy teaching staff understands how important it is to continually reinforce and
incorporate the SLEs in the everyday teaching curriculum. This on going process will continue
to evolve from input from student observations, faculty meeting discussions, level meetings,
Principal observations, and parent communications.

The emphasis on respect, human dignity, and recognition of individual diversity is important at
St. Dorothy School. It is through the endeavors of the parents, staff, and students that a
graduate of St. Dorothy School will achieve the goal of being a BRUIN! This is evident when
alumni visit our school and communicate that St. Dorothy School’s education prepared them for
higher learning. They felt that they did not fully realize the value of the education given at St.
Dorothy School until they were integrated with other students from different elementary junior
high schools.

Believes: Graduates are expected to be educated in the Catholic Faith. Catholic values, the
liturgy, prayer, and the teachings of Jesus are an integral part of St. Dorothy School as
evidenced by the comments of our clergy, parents, and students. The students take an active
role in the school liturgies. There are opportunities for class retreats at various times during the
students’ years at St. Dorothy School. Our Pastor is often seen at the car line in the mornings
greeting the parents and students. The priests and deacons occasionally visit the classrooms.
The faculty and staff are making a concerted effort to foster respect among the students of St.
Dorothy School. Rewards are given to students who exhibit good behavior.

Responsible: Graduates are expected to be responsible for their success and use skills
necessary for higher learning. Teachers at St. Dorothy School use a variety of teaching
strategies to enhance this learning experience for the students. The administration and faculty
are in the process of improving technology across the curriculum to better serve the students.
The students are exposed to the Fine Arts through Music and Art class, assemblies, and
attendance at theatre productions. The curriculum is comprehensive and relevant. Students
are given additional assistance when needed, as evidenced by Academic hour on Fridays, the
extra class period for test taking strategies, and teachers’ availability for tutoring after school.
Graduates are expected to be educated in the academic skills necessary for higher learning.
Classroom aides allow the teacher to provide individual and small group instruction. The
summer school program includes introduction of material for the high school placement test, or
remedial classes. The staff of St. Dorothy School expects the students to behave in the
classroom environment in such a way as to allow all students the opportunity to learn.

Uses Words: Graduates are expected to be educated in the skills to be an effective
communicator. Students need help in fine tuning their writing process skills. Proper rules of
grammar need to be used accurately and consistently. They need better skills at proofreading
their own work. Students are learning to communicate orally through classroom presentations,
scripture readings at liturgies, and reading presentations at contests. The improvement of the
writing process to develop the students’ skills in order to be better writers is an area of growth.

Involved: Graduates are educated in the skills to be involved community members. Students
are encouraged to participate in a multitude of service projects. Classes have adopted families
in the local community and gathered food and gifts to make the holidays memorable. Classes
have made placemats for the homeless shelter. Students and parents share their good fortune
with the less fortunate. They send supplies and uniforms to schools in the Los Angeles area
and sister school in Kenya. The services of the students of St. Dorothy School reach to the
larger world community through their fundraising efforts for Holy Childhood Association. Some
of the classes have adopted a soldier in Iraq. They periodically write and send care packages.
Knowledge of local, regional, and world events allows involvement as issues arise in the global
community. Students are expected to incorporate their Catholic knowledge/values when called
to service.

Nourished in Mind, Body, and Soul: Graduates are educated in the skills to be nourished in
mind, body, and soul. St. Dorothy students are involved in a weekly or bi-weekly physical
education class, which adheres to the standards set by the Los Angeles Department of Catholic
School. The students participate in sports and activities during the regular physical education
classes. There are a wide variety of after school sports for grades five through eight. Students
have the opportunity to learn and demonstrate good sportsmanship and fair play. Besides the
opportunities for sports activities, students are taught about health and hygiene. St. Dorothy
School has school families in the health care professions speak to the students about physical
hygiene and wellness. Once a month eighth grade has a “healthy snack” sale to promote good
nutrition, all proceeds go to the City of Hope’s bone marrow donor program.

“I am a BRUIN”
I BELIEVE, I am RESPONSIBLE, I USE my words, I am INVOLVED,
and I am NOURISHED in mind, body, and soul!