As the year reached a crescendo today with eighth grade graduation, many blessings come to mind.  The families, staff, and students coming together this year to pray, to learn, to work, and to serve others is such a beautiful gift to God. I think, too, about Sr. Antoinette Peltier and her dream and determination. All those who supported her in so many different ways in the early days are blessings as well. These people, the grace of God, and all that has happened culminated again today to "send off" another group of eighth graders. These fourteen young people have been given powerful gifts: a strong Faith foundation, the benefit of a faculty and staff who loved and nurtured their formation and development, and the love and friendship of each other, their families, and the community. As Bishop Sheltz said today during his homily, "You are never alone."

   Part of the end of school ritual this year included a reflection on how to keep students on the trajectory to excellence over the summer. To avoid the "summer slide" indicated by research,  teachers developed summer reading lists and summer fun packets for students. As partners, we hope that you will provide time for your child to read, practice, and review. One suggestion is to limit "screen time" by having children earn their "game time" by participating in physical, social, and academic activities. You can help your child find balance by determining a ratio of "screen time" to "other activities."  For example, one hour of physical/ academic time earns 15 minutes of "screen" time.

    

     Today we celebrated the great Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. During this Jubilee Year of Mercy, let us all be more aware of the great love that Our Lord Jesus Christ has for us and be more willing than ever to extend that love and mercy to those God puts in our lives. Know that you and your family will be in our prayers in a special way this summer, and I trust that you will keep all of us and OLQP in your prayers as well. Have a blessed summer.