Sponsored Institutions - Stories

Henderson, Nevada – On May 11, the Sister Robert Joseph Bailey School in the Clark County School District – a public school named after an Adrian Dominican Sister – celebrated its 10th anniversary. Sisters Phyllis Sikora, OP, and Kathleen McGrail, OP, of St. Rose Dominican Hospitals were present for the school program marking the occasion.

Sister Robert Joseph began ministering in Henderson, Nevada, in 1953, and through her years of service – as a teacher, food services director, and the hospital’s community health educator – she remained dedicated to the welfare of the children.

With music, art, drama, and presentations, the students, faculty, and administration shared the school’s story and acknowledged and honored several organizations and individuals who have contributed to the growth and success of the school. Honorees included volunteers, the Parent Teacher Association, Three Square's meal program, the Wynn, Serving Our Kids Foundation (health education), Title I Hope (housing and clothing assistance), and the School Partnership Committee. 

Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospitals also were recognized and received a plaque for “Community Partnership – In grateful appreciation for your continued support of Sister Robert Joseph Bailey Elementary School.”

The art teacher had led the students in creating a collage of nine colorful depictions of Sister Robert Joseph. Outlining her features are words the children used to describe her: energetic, wise, loving, caring, compassionate, helpful, joyful, encouraging, charming, silly, unique, kind-hearted. Copies of this same art piece are on the cafeteria walls of the school.

Sister Robert Joseph would truly be humbled and proud of the “Bailey Broncos.” The school adopted that name because of the Buckaroo Days, a program that Sister Robert Joseph began to help children feel comfortable when coming to the Rose de Lima campus of Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican Hospitals.

The plaque and art rendition will have a place of honor in the Adrian Room, which is the Board Room at the Rose de Lima campus. Collaboration is one of the five values of Dignity Health St. Rose Dominican. The community of St. Rose Dominican is pleased to continue collaborative efforts with Sister Robert Joseph Bailey Elementary School.

Feature photo (top): Sisters Phyllis Sikora, OP, left, and Kathleen McGrail, OP, right, receive an award from  Lindsay Tomlinson, Principal of Sister Robert Joseph Bailey School.

Art students created a collage of Sister Robert Joseph Bailey, highlighting the many good qualities they had learned about her.