May, 2014

Principal's Corner

May 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians,

May is here, and this is my last Principal's Corner.   I can't tell you enough how much I have enjoyed my tenure here.  It has been such a pleasure to be a part of this wonderful community and to make such wonderful friends and acquaintances. As I look back at the past nine years, I am very proud and happy about so many accomplishments we made, and of course, disappointed that not everything I wished for has come to fruition.  It truly takes a village, and this village consists of the students, parents, faculty, superintendent, and our wonderful priests.  I am indebted to all.  We are in the midst of a Principal Search, and as soon as it is finished and a decision made, we will let you know.

In January, I applied for a grant to help us acquire an iPad tablet mobile lab.  At the end of February, we received a $10,000 award from the Osborne Foundation.  We then ordered our tablets, docking station, and the other components needed for the lab.  We have received everything, and Mrs. Hale has been getting it all programmed and ready to go.  Meanwhile, our teachers have been getting some professional development through workshops, webinars, and peer instruction on how to maximize this technology for student use.  We are very excited about this, and hopefully, this is the first small step to upgrading our technology integration in the classrooms.   (See picture attached.)

As you know, we are losing our fourth grade teacher, Mrs. Sandi Forrester.  She has decided to retire so she can enjoy her grandchildren (who live out of state) more.  We wish her the very best.  I am excited to say that we have hired a teacher to take Mrs. Forrester's vacancy.  Many of you already know this teacher, and I think you all will be as thrilled as I am.  Mrs. Megan Monahan is returning and will be Mrs. O'Brien's cohort in the fourth grade. 

This month, as usual, is going to be an extremely busy and eventful month.  As always, the information will be published in the Friday Fanfare, on Parents' Web, and on our website.  Right now we have a book fair going on, and it will continue through this week.  Other events to note are:

·         Grandparents' Day--Friday, May 2^nd beginning with 8:15 mass.  Note:  Students will be dismissed from school at 11:30.  No lunch will be served, and there will not be aftercare.
·         First Holy Communion --Saturday, May 3rd, 10:00.  Congratulations to all the children receiving this wonderful sacrament for the first time.
·         Creative Arts Guild (CAG) will have their meeting on May 5th.  This is a wonderful organization which helps to support our arts program.  They need new members; please consider joining them.
·         $1.00 out of uniform--Wednesday, May 7th.
·         Volunteer Brunch--Wednesday, May 7th  after mass.
·         Home and School Meeting--Wednesday, May 7th, 6:00.  This will be the last one for the year. 
·         Blessed Virgin Mary (BVM) awards--May 9th, after 8:15 mass.  This is also our last Virtue Mass for the school year.
·         Pre-K Celebration Luncheon--Tuesday, May 13th.
·         Kindergarten Celebration--Tuesday, May 13th, 6:00
·         Eighth Grade Class Night--Wednesday, May 14th, 6:00 in the PLC.
·         Eighth Grade Celebration Mass--Thursday, May 15th,  6:00.
·         Seventh Grade Growing in Grace Mass--Wednesday, May 21st, 8:15.  
·         Field Day--Thursday, May 22nd, all day.

·         Last day of school for students--Friday, May 23rd.  The students will be dismissed at 11:30 and there will be no lunch or aftercare.

Again, as I say good-bye, I want to thank all of you for your support.  As Macy Gray sang in her song, "I say good-bye and I choke, I walk away and I stumble..."  Please remember me in your prayers.

God bless,

Jeri McInturff