September 4, 2018
Dear Families:
Welcome to the 2018-19 school year! We are off and running and we have had a wonderful start to the year. No matter how many times over the years I’ve watched our students enter Banchero Hall for the first Prayer Assembly of the year, it always renews my spirit. Their energy and enthusiasm, along with their laughter and singing makes being with them again so special. Thank you for sharing them with us each year!
2018-19 School Theme
Our school theme for this year is “Taken, Blessed, Broken, Given.” Based on the gospel of Mark, we will explore the meaning of Eucharist and that we are the body of Christ. During liturgical seasons throughout the year, we will look in depth at each word and focus on how it relates to our lives. From the beginning of the year until Advent, we will focus on Taken – how do we let Jesus take us from the issues we face? During Advent through Christmastime, we will examine, Blessed – and how many blessing we have. Lent is a time to study Broken – Jesus’ life being broken as he hung on the cross. Finally, during the Easter season until the end of the year, we will look at Given – and the joys in our lives. Jesus gave his life for us, what do we give to others.
Opening School Mass
Please join us this coming Friday, September 7th at 8:45am as we ask God’s blessing on this school year with our first all-school Mass. Mr. Haffey and the 7th graders are helping to prepare the liturgy. It is a beautiful way to begin a new year.
Middle School Leadership Retreat
Last Wednesday we had a “jump-start” to the school year with a middle school leadership orientation for our 6th, 7th and 8th graders. It was an amazing half-day with interactive icebreakers, exploration of leadership opportunities, and a pizza lunch to end the morning. Feedback from both students and teachers was that it was a great way to get back together in a fun, productive, and entertaining environment. We are looking forward to working with the student leadership from our middle schoolers this year.
Fund It!
Thanks to the generosity of the donors at last year’s auction, our Fund It initiatives are well underway. Over the summer, new front doors, with bullet resistant glass were installed; all classroom and office locks were replaced so they can be easily locked from the inside of the rooms; the third-floor bathrooms were remodeled and new grass and landscaping was installed in front of the building. We also received good news on the core sampling that was done on the gym floor to determine the cause of the bubbling. It was found to be a very simple fix. (We will implement the repair and replace the gym floor next summer). In addition, we are continuing our professional development coaching with Hanna Bogen-Novak MS.,CCC-SLP. During our in-service week, Hanna presented a workshop on “Digging Deeper: Student Goals and Growth Mindset“. It was a productive and positive day focusing on helping all of our students to set academic and social-emotional goals for improved learning and self-management skills.
Tailgate Party
If it’s fall, it must be time to tailgate! Please join us this Friday evening at 5:00pm for a tailgate party to kick-off the school year. Alitha Regalia and her crew will be grilling burgers and hot dogs, for an evening of food, family, music and fun. It’s a chance to get re-acquainted and celebrate the start of the school year. Please see the flier for all of the details.
Back-to-School Night
Please join us next Thursday, September 13th at 7:00 pm in Banchero Hall for our all-school (PreK-8) Back-to-School Night. We will start in Banchero Hall with a general session and then proceed to individual classroom presentations. The evening is a wonderful opportunity to be an active participant in your child’s education. You will have time to meet your child’s teacher, hear about the curriculum and get answers to any questions you might have. There will be two, 25 minute sessions for those of you who have multiple children. We hope to have you on your way home no later than 8:30pm. Doors will open by 6:45pm for you to arrive early and visit our volunteer tables. We have a wealth of opportunities for you to become involved in any number of ways.
New Parent Garden Party/Back to School Coffee
Finally, a big thank-you to Kathleen Gallagher, Edna Maddalena, Gina Grothkopp and Lynsey Seel for preparing a wonderful welcome for our new parents. It was a beautiful evening with delicious food, drink, and the chance for new parents to get acquainted with mentor parents.
Thanks too goes to Ester Burkhart and Alitha Regalia for their organization of the first day of school welcome coffee for parents. It’s always nice to see our parent community come together to start the school year. I saw some of the biggest smiles around, on the parents, as summer came to a close and their children began the school year!!!!
Also, huge congratulations to Mrs. Maura Dahlman on the birth of Eamon Lynch Dalhman, born at 1:22am on Saturday, weighing in at 8lbs, 8oz. Big boy!! Mrs. Dahlman will be home with her new baby, returning to her first graders after the Christmas break.
Off we go!
Have a great week!
Mary Sherman
