While students are ordering books and filling emergency forms in anticipation of beginning the school year, new teachers and staff at District schools have already begun their semester with workshops introducing them to the world of Lasallian Education.

Greg Kopra, Director of Formation for Mission for the District of San Francisco, describes the workshops as welcome events that familiarize new personnel with Lasallian vocabulary and culture, helping them to feel comfortable with their roles in the educational mission of their schools. “The message in the orientation is clear: we are happy to welcome you into the Lasallian educational community, and we are committed to helping you better understand the culture of Lasallian education and the wonderful mission we share with more than 80,000 educators and nearly 860,000 students around the world.”

Every fall, Greg travels to schools to hold the orientation retreats for recently-hired faculty and staff. Each intensive, half-day orientation covers the life of Saint Baptist de La Salle, a review of hallmark characteristics of Lasallian schools, and an introduction to the world-wide Lasallian community. Participants learn about the De La Salle Christian Brothers and their mission to provide a human and Christian education to youth, especially to the poor, as they discover the extent of the Lasallian community locally, regionally, and internationally. Retreatants leave with a reinforced awareness of collaboration with the Brothers and other Partners in fulfilling Saint La Salle’s vision.