We are a Lasallian Community…
…of faith who portray God’s presence in word and deed.
…centered in St. John Baptist de La Salle’s vision of
solidarity and service with
those in need.
…of leaders who embody Gospel values of compassion, equity, and justice.
…who respect the dignity of each person.
…of men and women who minister with enthusiasm to a
diverse population of students.
…of educators who provide a supportive academic
program for students with diverse needs.
…committed to the development of the whole person: corpus, mens, anima.
Our Lasallian Mission: Gospel Values
The third characteristic of our identity as a Lasallian school reads: “We are a Lasallian community of leaders who embody Gospel values of compassion, equity, and justice.” This statement brings us to the very heart of our existence, namely, that we model in our lives the behavior shown to us by Christ himself. In naming the values of compassion, equity, and justice, we do not exclude other Gospel values but rather focus specifically on three values crucial for La Salle High School.
Compassion is one of our greatest human gifts to each other. Teachers and administrators often have high expectations for our students, nudging and pushing them to greater achievement. As we establish our goals of knowledge and developing the mind, we need to balance these with hearts that listen for the signs all that our students bring with him to school each day. Inside their book bags may be the textbooks and assignments, but often hidden in the crevices, students also bring with them complex emotional issues that can often be weightier than the heaviest of their books. Our compassion embraces and accepts these parts of their lives as well as we cultivate the growth of the whole person.
Equity calls us to fairness. Among the variety of students that we serve, some may be drawn to the personality or talents of one student more than another. But playing favoritism contradicts our mission. As Lasallians, we realize that each student deserves our full, impartial attention and support. People of any age, but particularly teenagers, are easily wounded when slighted or ignored. Equity is founded on our awareness that each student is special and a reflection of the face of God. Jesus was not selective of only the clever or the talented when he said, “Let all the children come unto me.”
Justice goes beyond equity in requiring us not to be a spectator but a participant. When we live in harmony with our own conscience, we act with justice. We teach justice when we act justly. Lasallians recognize and uphold justice by ensuring that the rights of all students are honored and ensured. The boundaries of our response to justice do not stop at our classroom or office doors. Injustice of any shape or color undermines justice throughout our school and community. Since each of us is affected by what happens in the next classroom, down the hall, or across our city, we work actively and tenaciously for justice.
As a Lasallian community, we are committed to living by Gospel values in word and deed. This is our heritage; this is our mission; this is our reality.
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