CHICAGO (March 6, 2006) - The Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) at Infant Jesus of Prague School, Flossmoor, was recently recognized by the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) as one of the finest groups of its kind in the nation citing their outstanding programs to enhance the life of the school community.

The NCEA Department of Elementary Schools will honor the Infant Jesus of Prague PTO with the Distinguished Home and School Association Award in honor of Mrs. Maxine J. Donahue during the annual NCEA Convention in April in Atlanta.

Infant Jesus of Prague’s PTO earned this distinction because of an innovative after school program titled Kingsmen Klub Classes. These classes, taught by parents, meet for five or six weeks in the fall and again in the spring. Classes cover a range of topics from a Young Readers’ Book Club and Fantasy Football to Introduction to Russian Language and Culture. Other unique courses include a cooking class, an etiquette class and a class on entrepreneurship. Students from all grades pursue special interests and learn new skills. The parents who take on the role of instructor, are assisted by junior high students who act as teacher aides.

The Kingsmen Klub Classes program was created by Nadine DiNuzzo and is administered by this year’s PTO co-presidents, Peggy Dull and Chris Mancha. In addition to this award-winning program, the Infant Jesus of Prague PTO sponsors entertaining and educational programs throughout the school year. The PTO also supports the school financially, recently underwriting a subscription renewal for Writing for Teens magazine that is used by the junior high English classes.

“We are truly grateful to all the school parents and guardians who serve such an important leadership role in helping to advance the mission of our Catholic schools,” remarked Dr. Nicholas M. Wolsonovich, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago. “Everyone in the Office of Catholic Schools and the school community throughout the Archdiocese joins me in extending our sincerest congratulations to the Infant Jesus PTO on this outstanding recognition by the NCEA.”

Thomas Sedor, principal of Infant Jesus, has also extended his appreciation to the PTO for their many contributions, but he was not surprised that they were singled out for this prestigious award. He observed, “When you look at the variety and originality of their programs, it’s clear that they set national standards for home – school associations. They are an integral part of who we are, and they are one of many reasons for our continued success.”

Infant Jesus of Prague Elementary School has twice been named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education, most recently in 2004. To find out more about Infant Jesus of Prague or to get registration information, call the school’s principal, Thomas Sedor, at 708-799-5200 or visit their web site at www.ijpparish.org

The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese of Chicago play a critical role in the life of the community by providing academic excellence and faith formation for students of many races, faiths and backgrounds in elementary and secondary schools in Cook and Lake counties. There are 218 elementary and 40 secondary schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago. To locate a Catholic school in your area and learn more about Catholic education in Cook and Lake counties, visit the Office of Catholic Schools web page on the Archdiocese of Chicago web site at www.archchicago.org.