Page 13 - The Paduan: Winter 2020

SCHOOL NEWS Newsweek Names Padua
Top STEM High School
Padua Franciscan High School has been selected as one of Newsweek’s Top 5,000 STEM High Schools for 2020.
To recognize America’s Best High Schools in science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics, Newsweek
partnered with STEM.org to rank the Top 5,000.
Newsweek found schools in every region of the
country that offer skilled teachers who keep up with
developments in these fields and create dynamic learning environments to engage their students. Padua recognizes that the STEM skills only specialists have today will be expected of virtually everyone in the American workforce tomorrow.
The complete list was published on Newsweek.com Friday, November 8, 2019, coinciding with National STEM Day.
Principal David Stec ’86 was proud that Padua was included among the top ten percent of high schools in the country. “It is an honor to be awarded this distinction. We’re very proud of our students and the hard work that they do to strengthen Northeast Ohio in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math,” said Stec. “Additionally, we truly believe that we also provide an excellent way of developing the whole person at Padua. I really think that distinguishes us from other STEM schools. The cohort effect here is incredible. Our students help each other raise the bar when it comes to academics and values.”
Padua has strengthened its approach to providing students with career exploration and curriculum foundation in the four STEM areas. “Specifically, we’ve created a MedTrack Program and a MyTrack Program for each one of those areas, so that our students can truly discern and strengthen their choices for college and careers,” said Stec.
Padua Wins Cleveland Top Workplaces 2020 Award
Padua Franciscan High School has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by The Plain Dealer. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third- party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey measures 15 culture drivers that contribute to the success of organizations.
Padua’s administration is proud to receive this distinction among smaller workplaces (having under 150 employees) in Northeast Ohio after its first time being nominated.
“I am very blessed to be a part of this community of dedicated professionals,” said Principal David Stec ’86. “Their love for our students and their continued efforts to make Padua a premier school is inspiring.
Knowing that this distinction is based
on employee surveys makes this a very meaningful award. To come to work each day to a place you love and with people you care about is such a blessing.”
Padua’s Reflection on Race & Equality
A message from
Padua President Fr. Allan DaCorte, ofm
“Padua Franciscan High School identifies itself as grounded in Gospel values with a foundation built on the life of St. Francis of Assisi. We can proudly profess a zero tolerance for any racist behavior. Francis saw in each individual the likeness of God. Every person was accepted as unique
and special, with their own dignity as
a member of the human family, each individual deserving of respect. When Francis confronted his own fears he embraced them, challenged them, and the work of his change-of-heart began.
As a Franciscan educational institution, it is our moral duty to educate our students and community about the history and injustices of racism. We are committed to providing a curriculum, programs, and experiences that address these inequities and further eradicate them from our campus and the greater community. Padua has developed a task force on inclusion to continue this difficult, but essential work for peace and justice. It
is our mission as a Franciscan school to uphold the dignity of every human being.
We join the global family in identifying and condemning racist attitudes and challenge the whole Bruin community to eradicate systemic racism in all its forms from our Christian and Franciscan lives.”