As schools hold year-end celebrations and prepare to send off their graduates, St. Viator Parish School in Las Vegas is also celebrating another strong year of inclusive education with its Micah 6:8 Program.
Program Director Angela Sligar
“This has truly been an amazing year for our program,” Program Director Angela Sligar said. “Looking ahead, the interest in the Micah 6:8 Program continues to grow. We are thrilled by the demand.”
The Micah Program serves students with special needs, supporting them most of the day in classrooms with peers and then also by short sessions in their own space with intensive, individualized instruction. This year, the program expanded to 15 students. Two of these students will graduate this month with their eighth-grade class, bringing the total of Micah graduates to five – and counting. Additionally, two students transitioned to general education at St. Viator, no longer needing the specialized support of the Micah Program.
The school looks ahead to next year with a waitlist of 20 prospective Micah students. These students’ families are not asked to pay more than standard tuition, so the school only admits a new student when it can commit to covering program costs for that student through eighth-grade graduation.
Fr. Dan Belanger, CSV, washed the feet of a Micah student at Holy Thursday Mass, while kindergarten teacher Pre-Associate Jen Jones looked on. (photo by Jan Bellinghausen)
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Small fundraising events help chip in and raise awareness, such as the St. Viator Talent Show and Rock Your Socks Day, when people wear colorful socks together on World Down Syndrome Day (March 21). “We extended Rock Your Socks to all Catholic schools, and for the first time, both Our Lady of Las Vegas and Bishop Gorman High School joined in,” Angela said. “It was a meaningful milestone to see our program extend beyond our campus and collaborate with others in recognizing such an important day.”
March’s St. Viator School Foundation Dinner paddle raise brought in $55,000 in donations. Angela (above) and many Viatorians (below) gathered for the big community fundraiser night.
The program also benefits from major donations and fundraising. This includes grants from the Clerics of St. Viator and donations from the St. Viator School Foundation Dinner, where the record attendance led to a paddle raise total of $55,000 donated to the program.
The Western Catholic Educational Association (WCEA) school accreditation team gave the Micah Program high praise during its visit this year. Plus, as Principal Dr. Katie Kiss moves on to her new role as Associate Superintendent for the Archdiocese of Las Vegas schools, the program will miss its staunch supporter but gain another friend and advocate in the chancery.
So, the mission continues, thanks to the broad support of the parish, community members, and friends, standing with and for young people and inclusive education. “None of this would be possible without our supporters. Your belief and generosity have helped make all these accomplishments a reality,” Angela said. “We are so grateful for your partnership and are honored to be able to share these successes. Thank you for being such an important part of the Micah 6:8 family.”
Those interested in supporting Micah can hear from Angela on Ep. 81 of Viatorian Voices and view videos, learn more, and make a donation at the school website.