Cristo Rey De La Salle East Bay High School utilizes the House System, or the Casa system, as the structure to organize community life, campus ministry, and student activities. Incoming student associates are streamed into a Casa and remain with that Casa for the duration of their educational experience at CRDLS. The Casa system connects students across grade levels in order to encourage relationship building, the establishment of traditions, and positive school culture.
All adult community members also belong to a Casa and provide mentorship and guidance to student leaders and student associates within their Casa. Student associates taking on leadership roles take on the title of Minister. Together, the leadership of each Casa unite together to form the Inter-Casa Council and speak collectively for the student body.
Casa Structures
Each Casa has a Patron Saint that is connected to our Lasallian heritage and Catholic tradition. Each Casa also has an associated school colour.
Casa Elizabeth (Red) Born on July 7, 1207, Saint Elizabeth of Hungary is the patron saint of beggars, bakers, brides, charities, and death of children. Elizabeth led a life of prayer and service–seeking peace after the murder of her mother. Even though she was born into a life of luxury, she elected to lead a more simple life and use her wealth and royal position to further her charitable acts. After the death of her husband, she joined the Third Order of Saint Francis in 1228; thereby taking vows of celibacy and obedience as she continued to serve the poor before passing away at the age of 24 on November 17, 1231.
Casa La Salle (Blue) Born in France on April 30, 1651, Saint John Baptist de La Salle is the patron saint of educators. La Salle was ordained a priest on April 9, 1678. He worked to establish a school for poor boys before continuing on to establish the Brothers of the Christian Schools in 1725. La Salle’s journey includes his constant devotion to education (even establishing teacher colleges), renouncing his wealth, and leaving the priesthood to form the Christian Brothers. La Salle championed that education must be an act of being “together and by association”.
Casa Romero (White) Born in El Salvador on August 15, 1917, Saint Oscar Romero was Archbishop of El Salvador from 1977-1980, during the height of the country’s bloody civil war. Originally considered a “safe” option. Archbishop Romero became a voice for the poor, marginalized, and oppressed after several murders of priests at the hands of the oppressive military force. He used radio sermons to give hope and strength to the people of El Salvador. Archbishop Romero’s assassination on March 24, 1980 (thereby becoming a martyr for the faith) while celebrating the Eucharist during Mass sparked social change and civil unrest that led to the eventual start of the 12-year civil war. Archbishop Romero’s life and martyrdom have transformed him into a hero of El Salvador and a worldwide example of liberation theology. Thus, he was canonized on October 14th, 2018.
Casa Kateri (Gold) Born in 1656, Saint Kateri Tekakwitha is the patron saint of ecology and the environment . Her feast day is July 14th. Saint Kateri is the first Native American saint recognized by the Catholic Church. She lived her life with scarred skin after contracting smallpox at the age of four. She became an orphan after her family passed away from smallpox and often covered her face with a scarf to cover her scars. Kateri was raised by her uncle and was known to be a skilled, yet patient worker. She combined both Mohawk and Christian traditions, which led to her possible persecution, as she was devout in her pledge to Jesus Christ.
Casa Elections
La Casa is grounded and inspired by our local civic community; La Casa will utilize the same Ranked Choice voting system as the city of Oakland. Each Casa will elect a total of four representatives from each class year to serve in parliament. The process is as follows:
● During the Spring, students attend an Interest Meeting.
● Students draft campaign statements.
● Students present their statements during morning assembly.
● On Election Day, students fill out paper ballots.
● Casa Faculty Advisors, utilizing Ranked Choice, declare the four winners from each house.
● Meetings occur during lunch.
Casa Ministries
Casa leaders have the opportunity to specialize into certain segments of school programming. These specializations are called ministries. Each Casa has one representative dedicated to each ministry. This allows for La Casa to break into focused, inter-casa groups when large projects, events, or holy days arrive.
The Minister of Social Action – Responsible for planning, organizing, and leading community service projects oriented around our school’s commitment to the poor and Social Justice.
The Minister of Campus Spirituality – Collaborates with Campus Ministry to write, schedule, and produce morning prayer, prayer services, and mass. The Minister of Student Life – Responsible for amping school spirit through programming of spirit weeks, dances, and other student events. Collaborates with faculty to communicate student needs and student council plans.
The Minister of Restorative Justice – Builds community, nurtures school climate, and heals harm through circle, action, and example in collaboration with the Director of School Culture.