EDUCATION IN VIRTUE / ARISE PROGRAM
At the heart of O’Hara Catholic School lies a sacred mission: to educate the whole child, mind, body, and spirit. As principal of O’Hara, I am blessed to witness the transformation taking place in our students and staff through the implementation of Openlight Media’s Education in Virtue and Raised in Grace (specifically Arise: Made for Wholeness) programs.
In an age where culture often promotes individualism, relativism and fleeting success, our school must offer something deeper and more enduring. Teaching virtue is not simply about behavior management or character education, it is about forming disciples of Christ in a firm but fair approach. It’s about helping each person in our school understand who he or she is called to be in the world.
At O’Hara, the virtues have become a part of our school’s identity. We intentionally introduce the language of virtue within our Staff Faith Formation at the beginning of each school year. Faculty meetings often begin with reflections on the virtues, inviting teachers and administrators to consider their own spiritual growth. Our staff are trained on the backbone the virtues provide within their teaching curriculum, and how they can reinforce virtue in their daily interactions with our students.
“The Arise program has changed our entire middle school dynamic. Students are using better language and a kinder approach to interacting with each other. Our hallways are quieter and there is a more communal feeling of problem solving.” - Middle School Teacher.
Once the language of virtue is learned, it naturally begins to shape our daily routines. In our middle school, homeroom time is dedicated to the Arise program, cultivating an environment where students feels safe, seen, supported, and secure. Middle school can be such a confusing and stressful time for children, especially in the age of technology. We want our students to know that while we monitor their school-owned device usage and address questionable activity, we do so out of care for their growth as virtuous individuals.
“I like the Arise program because when I feel alone or lost, I remember that God is within me, helping me and guiding me to make good choices.” - O’Hara 8th grader
For our younger students in Pre-School through 5th grade, mornings often begin with virtue activities and programs like Manners Monday, teaching students how to live out virtue in tangible, age-appropriate way. While all of our students attend classes in art, music, and other specialized creative subjects, the beauty of the virtue program is that it develops both the right and left hemisphere of the brain and can be integrated into every learning environment.
“My favorite virtue is kindness. It helps me be a better friend and it makes me feel good when I am able to help someone and make their day better.” - O’Hara 5th grader
At O’Hara, the virtues are not a one-time lesson, but a way of life. Virtue posters featuring quotes from saints line our hallways and are prominent in our classrooms. Student reflect on living virtuous lives as they pray in our walking rosary garden. We have Mass twice a month and regularly participate in Adoration, wherein our students are encouraged to pray for virtuous guidance. In this way, we cultivate a community where faith is not confined to religion class but animates every subject and relationship.
By forming students in the Catholic virtues, we are not just preparing them for academic success or future careers. We are giving them the tools to live lives of meaning, purpose and holiness.
This formation is a partnership with families. Parents are the first educators of their children in the faith, and our role is to support and amplify their efforts. When school and families speak the same moral language, we reinforce a worldview that is both countercultural and deeply fulfilling.
As St. Catherine of Siena once said, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” Through the teaching of virtues we help our students, staff and community become exactly that - lights in the world, burning brightly with truth, goodness, and the love of Christ.
O’Hara will always be a place where virtue is lived, taught, and celebrated as we enter to learn and go forth to serve.
-Tammy Conway, O'Hara Principal / Momentum Magazine 2024