On the first day of school, excitement reigned at St. Frances of Rome School in Azusa, even for the sleepy-eyed children carrying backpacks to their classrooms.

They and their parents had gathered to celebrate the opening and blessing of their new school library, a project that all had a hand in bringing to reality. Led by parents Diana Chagnon and Marsha Juarez, moms and dads cleared out everything from the old library and then painted and carpeted the room, made new bookshelves and acquired the books. They enlisted the aid of students from nearby Sierra High School to paint murals and the library was furnished.

Along the way they found books dating back to when they had used the library as students. It brought back memories for many, noted Michael Helbert, Parent Teacher Organization president, who led other parents dressed in red polo shirts as they greeted the opening-day arrivals.

Helbert's mother Jean and wife Rosanna both attended St. Frances of Rome School, and his three daughters are now students --- Gracyn (seventh grade), Aryana (sixth) and Jackie (third). "I love this school," he declared. "It's a small school, it's family. Everyone helps each other out. The students are getting a great education, and the teachers are fantastic."

Principal Christina Arellano, teachers and parents work together as a community, he added. "If you need to reach out to them, they're there for you," Helbert said. "In time of prayer and need, the closeness these families have with each other is just amazing."

St. Frances of Rome's pastor believes the school has been blessed in many ways, and not simply by the new computer lab last year or the renovated library this year. "It's very exciting to see all the children around," says Father Gustavo Castillo. "It's very hopeful and a sign of new life. The PTO and school board have been working hard to have a great school for our children, for our community. This speaks volumes as to the involvement of the community and the care and interest of the principal in making sure that we have a good environment for the children."

Father Castillo praised the hard work of Arellano, in her second year as principal, and a faculty member for five years before that, as instrumental in realizing change for the better. "She came in with a lot of energy," he says. "Our principal and the school board have been a blessing to us."

On opening day, Father Castillo thanked and blessed the children, faculty and parents, and talked about all that had been accomplished. As he walked through the library, his smile was contagious. Children followed, grade by grade, pausing and pointing out books they want to read

Parents were impressed, too. David Fierro talked about how he loves to read to his son, first grader David Jr., about the books his son loves. As one who learned English in the second grade, Fierro is excited that his son loves reading so much; his three-year-old brother, Michael, likes to imitate his brother and pretends to read, too.

"It's a privilege to have my son here and to see all the improvements and the things that parents are doing to make it a better place for the kids," said David Sr. "At lot of things took place this summer and it's impressive. A lot of hard work - it's beautiful."

Pointing to the new reading corner, he noted, "The kids can lounge in here, too." And with a smile he added, "The next thing we need is a little Starbucks in here."