School Newsletter
June 12, 2020
Principal's Page
Dear families,

Have you ever realized how easy it is to say thank you? Thank you for your warm welcome at the beginning of the year. Thank you for your ongoing support. Thank you for the honor of being your co-principals this year. It is so easy to reflect on the year and have a sense of gratitude for all that the school year entailed, even distance learning. But saying goodbye... now that is much more difficult. Especially when you are saying it to such an amazing community like Presentation. This goodbye also feels a bit incomplete since we did not have the normal end of the year celebrations, the final high fives, and the exchange of waves and well wishes in the hallways. The parade was grand but not quite the same as those hugs would have been. Nevertheless, it is time to say our farewells and please know that we hold Presentation in a very special place in our hearts. We wish all of you the very best. 

Panther Pride!

Mary and Gary   


2020 8 th Grade Graduation
Yes indeed, we were able to celebrate mass and provide a great send off to this year’s 8 th graders. The evening began with them processing up the sidewalk to the church so they could be greeted and cheered on by their kindergarten buddies waiting for them to pass by a long line of cars. Even while social distancing, the setting in the church was close and personal. All speakers highlighted the many talents, aspirations, and strong character of these students. The principals called them “special” and acknowledged their perseverance over the years and how that will lend itself to achieving their goals and future success. The evening ended with a parade of cars honking and passengers waving the 8 th graders on to bigger things. It was indeed an evening of Panther Pride.   
2020 Presentation of Mary Student of the Year!!
Congratulations to Maggie Major !!

Runner ups for this prestigious honor were Sophie Bradshaw, Genevieve Bradshaw, Adeline Heymans, and Cassidy Reeves. Contestants submitted letters to teachers that responded to the following criteria:
  1. Leadership – any situations that showed leadership
  2. Examples of demonstrating Christian action (living a Christian life)
  3. Service – doing service within the school and community
  4. Academic success
  5. An example of helping other student(s)
  6. Participation in school committees
  7. Awards received in the past
  8. Why you love Presentation School
  9. Quality of the letter
Letters were then rated by the middle school teachers and the winner and runner ups selected. Thank you for taking time to draft such heart-felt, well written letters. Congratulations to all of you.  

Drive-By Visitation and Funeral for Ashley Way
The visitation for beloved teacher Ashley Way will be on Monday, June 15 from 3:00-6:00PM. Due to the pandemic and government guidelines, the visitation will not be in the church. Families will remain in their cars and drive up to a receiving line in the upper parish parking lot to express their condolences to the family. Cars will then proceed forward to say a prayer in front of her cremains. Please follow the instructions of staff who will be guiding traffic.

The funeral will be the following day, June 16, at 11:00AM in the church. We realize that Ashley has played a big part in our community’s life and believe that many will want to attend her service. However, space is limited in the church due to the pandemic. We ask that those who wish to attend give priority to Ashley’s family and close friends so that they can be assured of a place to sit. The funeral service will be live streamed, so you can watch it from home, outside, or in your cars in the parking lot (in which case you can still take part in the procession to Ashley’s resting place at Roselawn Cemetery). Only the Kennard Street doors will be used for entrance into the church. Funeral goers will be seated by ushers as space permits. Once capacity is met, guests will be asked to return to their cars and view the funeral via the church and school Facebook pages as it will be streamed live. We know these guidelines may not project the warmth and support funerals have shared in the past, but unfortunately it is our new normal . You may wish to attend the Drive-By Visitation on Monday if you would like to say some words to Tom and say a prayer for Ashley at her cremains.
 
Thank you for your consideration of the circumstances. Ashley and family will feel your support no matter where you celebrate her life that day. Please continue with your prayers for Tom and the boys.

Confirmation
Confirmation will be celebrated on Monday, June 29 at the 9:30 Mass. Congratulations to our confirmands!

First Communion
Children will celebrate their First Communion on Saturday, June 20 at 5:00PM. Congratulations! Our thanks to Jodi Keeley and Denise Legato for preparing the children for receipt of this sacrament.

State of the School Report
Schools accredited by the MN School Accrediting Association are required to make a state of the school report each year so that stakeholders are aware of the progress made on the school’s strategic plan. While we were not able to host the State of the School Night in March due to the “stay at home order,” click here for a summary of this year’s highlights. 
School Tool Box
2020-2021 Classroom Supply Lists

Aim Higher Foundation Scholarship Opportunity

Aim Higher started accepting new TADS applications on June 1, 2020 through August 7, 2020. Unlike the first cycle, they will be awarding scholarships on a rolling basis throughout the summer to help more families make decisions about enrollment as soon as possible.

Families that have not yet applied for Aim Higher scholarships for this school year will follow the normal TADS application process.

Families that have already applied but have experienced financial hardship due to COVID-19 will need to complete a two-step process so Aim Higher can review the updated circumstances. First—families will need to complete a form on the Aim higher website with the updated information. Second—they will need to log-on to TADS to upload the appropriate documents to verify their information.
Presentation of Mary Discovery Center

Lake Area Discovery Center is celebrating 20 years of helping children grow in Gods love. Presentation of Mary Discovery Center has the program for you and your family. POM Discovery Center offers preschool for children ages 3, 4 and 5 as well as before and after school care. POM also offers care for infants and toddlers! POM Discovery Center seeks to support parents and children through a creative environment that promotes and teaches Christian values, honors diversity, and fosters fellowship within the greater community. Check out their website at:   https://ladcfamilies.org/  

During these unprecedented challenging times, LADC is currently open serving first responders in our community. Please join us in praying for these teachers who are helping those on the front lines, they are appreciated more than they can ever know.
Our Mission: The purpose of Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School is to provide a Catholic community that fosters the religious and academic development of the individual student in a safe and welcoming learning environment.
Our Philosophy: Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary School creates a supportive Catholic community committed to the Gospel message that calls us to faith, service, and worship. An environment of respect, peace and justice fosters an appreciation of God’s gift of life in all people. Each student is empowered to develop their own potential, which will lead to excellence in academics, athletic activities and the fine arts.