February 5, 2015
Dear Parents,
Here’s
February’s blog with a follow up on Catholic Schools Week, an article on
Catholic schools, and some financial information.
Why do you send your child to St. Katharine
of Siena School? Cindy Mc Kernan
forwarded this article to me which I shared with the teachers. It
is written by a parent who asked to talk about his experiences at his school during
CSW. It’s a good read for those who believe in Catholic education:
Last week, we celebrated in many
ways who we are and what we believe. The
theme: A Community of Faith, Knowledge,
and Service is something we live, not just during CSW, but year-round.
We are a community …. a community of believers in our faith, first and foremost, and also a
community that believes in the mission of this school. At Sunday’s Open House /Showcase, we saw our
community in action at Mass and in the school that day. Msgr. Brouwers was
both complimentary and kind as he spoke about this school community and how as
a team, we do things very well here. I appreciated his kind words about all of
us. You have heard me say this before, but when parents and teachers work together for the benefit of each child,
well, that equates into a great school.
I was proud as alumnus, Shannon Maguire, Class of 2010, spoke last
Sunday of her passion and love for St.
Katharine of Siena School. It was here she was grounded in her faith. It
was here she gained confidence to be a leader. It was here, she first developed
her love for music and performing.
On Monday morning, as a community our school
gathered in church as Msgr. Brouwers clearly, carefully, and eloquently spoke at
the children’s level and walked us through the Mass. Not a regular Mass but a “teaching mass” per se.
Our students were so attentive. Several teachers came to me afterwards to
say how wonderful Msgr. Brouwers was with the students as he answered question
after question about the why, what,
where, and how of the Mass. I truly
believe our students (and teachers) have a much clearer perspective on what is
done at the mass and why.
On Tuesday we had the “great non - blizzard” of
2015. Sometimes as a principal, you just can’t win. I try to take into
consideration so many things before I call off school: Safety, first of course, other factors are teachers/staff that travel from distances , what buses are or
are not running. These are some of the major factors into the decision making progress. I know for families that have two working
parents that snow days can be a major pain in the ankle. In the end, I do what
I think is best for us a community and realize I can’t make everybody happy, or always count on the weather forecast being right.
Some people's vision of CSW is all fun
and games without any learning taking place. Not true at our school! Knowledge: Experts agree that
students can learn more informally than formally. Who can argue that our own health is an important topic for a child to learn about? On Wednesday, thanks to Mary T. Skilton ,
Christine Sisian, Nicole Mc Cormick and other members of the SHC (School Health
Council) and volunteers we had a Heath Fair Day that gave each child important
information. The day started with our 8th grade students
giving health lessons to every other grade. I was impressed with their energy and
preparation. They gave important information to the younger grades. Thanks to one lesson, I was reminded that in one can of soda there are 8 tablespoons of
sugar. The visual was really staggering to see. At the Health Fair, Dr. Mike Mc Cormick gave
an informative lesson on the heart. At the famous Fear Factor, we tried new
healthy vegetables such as quinoa, plantain chips, and cauliflower. Volunteers
from CHOP came to talk to us about caring for our eyesight. SKS Mom, Mistie Whalen, with some help from
Anna Rockich and friends walked every class through an actual yoga class. I need to work on my flexibility! Thanks to Student
Council president, Grace King‘s efforts, we had our first Ping Pong Club after
school. Grace and I played the first official game. Grace
“got game” as she smoked me by a score of 11-2! Besides flexibility, I need to
work on my forehand! I want a rematch , Grace!
We had some fun on Thursday with the
annual Student/Faculty Basketball game and we helped the Ancient Order of Hibernians by performing a
simple act of Service by bringing in canned soup for our annual
SOUPER Bowl Contest and donating food to distribute to the less fortunate. My dyed hair color and face painted blue and green provided
laughs for everyone apparently. More laughs were provided when my usual head first slide at the intro of the game turned into semi -disaster, when my entrance ground speed was not enough to carry my head first slide on the newly resurfaced non -slip gym floor. Translation was a collision with my face and the hardwood resulting in five stitches on my chin, and permanent reminder that I am a not a kid anymore.... no more head first slides for me .... at least until next year!!
We wrapped up Friday with a closing
mass and then to the gym for one of my favorite events of the year: The Annual
School Spelling Bee. I like how our students root for their classmates, at the
same time respect the other contestants, and cheer for anyone as they leave the competition. Good sportsmanship is always a must. Fourth grader , Blake Stefan beat out first grader Abby Sharkey in a exciting finish.
Financial Opportunities
There
is Maguire Foundation offering scholarship opportunities for students entering
freshman year next fall at any ARCHDIOCESAN High school such as Archbishop
Carroll. Last year, Madison Nord , one of our students, won such a scholarship.
If you
are interested in applying for financial aid from BLOCS
for next year please go to
www.blocs.org.
Each year we are able to assist a number of families with tuition assistance.
I encourage you to follow up on this. Last year, we gave out over $33,000 in BLOCS money.
Two HUGE Events
-
The SKS Fashion Show aka GNO (GIRLS NIGHT OUT) slated for March 5th 6:30 -10 @Overbrook CC. This is a can't miss affair for our Moms. Shopping, food, drinks, and a lot time to catch up with everyone.
- The precusor to the above is the "other GNO " as in GUYS NIGHT OUT ... Dad's no shopping involved, but there is plenty of food , drink and a "guy's raffle " with plenty of sports and guy talk. C'mon out on Thursday, February 26th, at 7pm, at Casey' s in Berwyn .
Mark these dates down in your calendar !
Please pray for The Leyden Family. Sara lost her beloved Dad , Robert C. Malaney, last evening. I am sure that Sara and Jay , and their family, would appreciate our prayers for their family at this time.
The rest of this blog are pictures from CSW. The pictures on the blog tell the story of our school. Our school is a fun, caring, place to be where learning takes place. We are all blessed.
Take care,
Mr. T.
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8th graders Luca , Joe, and Kevin give a health lesson to the 6th grade on avoiding sugary drinks.
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Zucchini (Zoo + Key + Knee) at Fear Factor was big hit for some students !
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Grace King shows her awesome forehand at the newly formed after school Ping Pong Club
on Mondays and Wednesdays in the cafeteria . Grades 5 to 8 are welcome .
You pay a dollar and sign up or just show up . It's so much fun.
Msgr. Brouwers talks to the entire student body at the "Teaching Mass." |
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SKS Mom, Mistie Whelan , led every grade in a yoga class at the Health Fair.
The 8th grade is here in the plank position.
The SKS School Band performed admiarbly at the big Sunday Open House / Showcase. |
Shannon Maguire, SKS Class of 2010 , now on academic scholarship at St Joseph University, speaks to the school community at our Sunday Open House about how she developed her leadership skills and passion for music when she was here at St. Katharine of Siena.
Blake Stefan (standing) won another exciting Spelling Bee Contest held during CSW.
