What an amazing Catholic Schools Week! It was a true testament of our faith community. Every day held a wonderful event that made us appreciate our school. The joy on our families' faces during the picnic lunch will guarantee this event stays on our schedule for years to come. A huge thank you to our event committee, administration, teachers, assistants, and numerous volunteers who made every event at our parishes and in our school run smoothly and proudly represented who we are. Thank you to everyone for believing in Catholic Schools across this nation.
In many years past the statement - It takes a village to raise a child- was a truth of all communities. However, with difficult societal changes, that safe and watchful village rarely exists in our communities. However, I feel very strongly this village exists in our school. In the past and at present, families have had crises and our school community has rallied to help. Prayers, meals, child-care, and general help has surrounded these families. I am often reminded of this village when I attend sporting events at our school or off campus. During this past weekend, I was blessed to attend the Diocesan Cheerleading Competition. Our girls, coaches, parents, and past students truly rallied to represent our school with spirit, respect, and camaraderie. Last week during very tough boys basketball games, our varsity and junior varsity athletes played with such heart and sportsmanship. Parents rallied and supported all the players and coaches. Grandparents visiting during Catholic Schools Week complimented the school for our feeling of family and love. This is the village! I thank all of our community for nurturing this village of love.
Please be reminded that Friday is a half day. This is rare, but there is training at a southern Diocesan school for MAP's in the afternoon that some of our faculty must attend. This day will also be the dress down day for those families who donated blood for our December blood drive. Please ensure that our students are dressed as per the Parent/Student Handbook guidelines. Recently, many students are assuming jeans day is an open day for any types of clothing. Please adhere to the printed dress code.
Lent begins next Wednesday, February 14, 2018. For our school, this Holy Day mass will be held at 9:30 AM at St. Peter. All are welcome to join us. This is also Valentine's Day. To help show reverence for this day, we will be having all Valentine's Day parties and celebrations on Tuesday, February 13th. It is "Fat Tuesday". We are aware that our students are not required, by age, to partake in fasting and abstinence. However, we want to help those who wish to follow this suggestion. So many of our little ones give up chocolate for Lent. It would be such a shame for the class party to hinder a student's attempt to give up something for Lent. We will, of course, celebrate this day for love and what St. Valentine taught us. We simply wish to assist our children in the three items Catholics are asked to do during for repentance in the preparation for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ - almsgiving, fasting, and abstinence.
On another note - as stated on the news broadcasts, illnesses and the flu are abounding at this time. It is so critical that a student not return to school for a minimum of 24 hours after a total break in fever or vomiting. Our students are spreading illnesses rapidly. Further, our teachers are now getting multiple illnesses from their students. Also, help us to reduce spreading of illness by encouraging your children in good hygiene practices at home that we work on at school. Remind your child not to share food or drinks, wash hands frequently, and to cover their mouths/noses when they cough or sneeze. We need to get everyone healthy. Thank you.
