Students receive jubilant welcome at St. Nicholas of Tolentine

St. Nicholas of Tolentine School, 3741 W. 62nd St., welcomed 450 students to the first day of school with the theme “Sailing Away on a Learning Journey” on Aug. 19, 2025. Principal Mariagnes Menden lead teachers and staff in a boat float that paraded down the street while students cheered with balloons and blew bubbles. Father Miguel Angel Flores Andrade blessed the students and their families before they entered the school. Stitch and Bluey characters were on site to greet students and take photos. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A young student greets Bluey. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Lia Enriquez greets Stitch before the start of the kickoff of the new school year. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Disney character Stitch dances and greets students and their families. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Students await the teachers’ arrival on the float. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Emma Tafoya blows bubbles why waiting for the teachers to arrive. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

A staff member and student dance during the welcome party. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Right, Greg Richmond, superintendent of schools for the Archdiocese of Chicago, speaks with Father Miguel Angel Flores Andrade, pastor of St. Nicholas of Tolentine Parish, and Father Stanley Rataj, former pastor of the parish, during the celebration. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Members of the Chicago Fire Department greet the students from a fire truck. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Students wave at their teachers. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Principal Mariagnes Menden welcomes students and their families to the first day of school while standing on the float. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)

Principal Mariagnes Menden welcomes students and their families to the first day of school while standing on the float. (Karen Callaway/Chicago Catholic)