Dear Families:
Last week, we said a final good-bye to our graduating eighth graders. After a wonderfully delicious dinner on Wednesday night, prepared by Chef Mark Keilholz, the 7th grade parents, and served by the 7th grade students, we began Thursday’s Graduation Day with our annual “Affirmations” in the church. Each student was recognized individually by the middle school teachers for his/her unique gifts and talents. Then, every class thanked the 8th graders for their leadership and sent them off with good wishes. It was beautiful and a very touching tribute to a wonderful class, with many tears from students, parents, and teachers!
The graduation Mass and ceremony went very well. In addition to diplomas, awards and scholarships were announced. Click here for a complete list of graduation award winners.
Thank you to all who helped with the various graduation activities from the dinner to the ceremony, to the reception following, organized by the 6th grade families. It was so special to have the activities return after a two-year Covid hiatus.
Now, it is on to kindergarten graduation this coming Thursday at 10:30am in Banchero Hall. It will be just a few short years before the school will be honoring them at their 8th grade graduation! The years go by much too fast.
Please join us for our final school Mass of the year at 8:45am on Friday, June 17th. At the conclusion of Mass, we will welcome the students to their grade level for next fall and send them home to you after receiving their report cards. If you have an incoming PreK student they are welcome to join Ms. McDougall at the end of Mass too.
Just a reminder that school dismisses at noon on Thursday, June 15th and following Mass on Friday, June 17th.
Finally, as I write this last post as principal, it is hard to put into words how much St. Anne School has meant to me. There have been many nights spent lying awake wondering how to say, “goodbye,” and even more wondering just what that even means.
Graduating as a student, no one thinks they will ever return, but fate (and a persuasive Pastor) brought me back 29 years ago. How those unexpected years following have flown by!
I’ve written many times that St. Anne School is truly a special place, and I feel blessed to have had it woven throughout the best years of my life. All of you – students, parents, staff and the parish community – are second to none. So much so, that I’m often reminded of the passage from Exodus when God speaks to Moses at the burning bush and directs him to remove the sandals from his feet, “… because the place where you are standing is Holy Ground.”
As we all head off to our summer adventures, please know how much you will remain in my heart. And know that we will always be bound together to this holy ground as “Celtics Forever!”
Have a wonderful summer!
Mary
