Mr. T's Blog @ SKS

Thursday, June 15, 2017

June 15, 2017

Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,

A few weeks ago, at the annual 8th grade parent dinner, I thanked the 8th grade parents for their dedication and support of Catholic education at SKS. Last Friday, at the annual 8th grade trip to Capri Water Ice, I spoke to the forty -four graduates about their time here and I thanked them too. On this coming Friday at morning prayers, I will thank our faculty & staff for their efforts in our Centennial year of school. This blog is my thanks to each of you.

Thank you parents for all that you have done for our school community. Thank you for:

* being a reading circle volunteer or a guest reader.
* helping out at the recess yard, computer lab, library and more.
* serving on a committee such as the H&S Board, Advancement Team, or
chairing an event.
* pitching in at many events like the SK5K, Talent Show, Fashion Show, Spirit Day
Parent Social, Pinewood Derby and literally dozens of other ways too
numerous to mention.

The end of the school year is a like a free -fall jump off a cliff (hopefully with a bungee cord). It comes fast and furious as everyone looks forward to the jump into summer. We need a break from school. The day we go to a twelve month school year, is the day you'll see me applying for a spot at The Beer Yard or Starbucks in Wayne.

It is an often used term, and it is cliche but "it does take a village to raise a child." Our children live in a world where they are bombarded with all kinds of messages through social media, television, and other mediums. Our children are constantly sent the wrong message through these mediums - don't get me started on reality TV.

We need a village where we think, believe, and foster our faith and values - our belief in raising the whole child. Ours students are rooted through their faith, values, academics, and activities outside the classroom. Our students become well - rounded and well -grounded here. They get a solid foundation like a tree with strong roots.

It is my hope that we have been that village and continue to be that place where we work together for the good of each child and family here at SKS.

No place is perfect. Nothing short of heaven will ever be. I make mistakes and hope to learn from them each day. The teachers, and you as primary educators, aren't perfect either, and make mistakes. We learn and grow. The same is true for our students. Each day here is a learning experience spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally in the growth of each student. As co -teachers together, modeling is our best way to teach them what is good and what is righteous. Our partnership is sacred and vital.

It is my hope that as a school, we have met or exceeded your expectations. Any good institution wants to do that for their constituents . You have my pledge that we will continue to work hard. Humbly, I believe this is a very good place, and humbly, I believe there are things we can do better.

Permit me me friendly advice for you and your children through the summer: Expect your children to be helpful and do their fair share at home to help your family:

*They should have chores.
* They should read and be outdoors.
*Their computer /game time/social media should be limited and checked. *Take their phone at night - no questions asked.

We received several 👍 on the The SKS Centennial Video and the Spirit Newsletter. My thanks to Ross Fry and student, Eddie Devine, for his expert drone skill capabilities for the video. Parents, Jake Kelly (for format/editing) and JP Boles (pictures) were instrumental for putting the SKS Spirit Newsletter together. Two wonderful productions that highlight our school. I hope you enjoyed them.

Thanks go to all our Spirit Day volunteers - it was a fun day in the sun. The water games and the shade helped, but not as much as our volunteers!

I wish you and your families a wonderful relaxing summer. Enjoy yourselves. Be well and be safe.

As the song goes,"See you in September!"

Take care,

Bud

SKS Centennial Honors the IHM's at a Special Luncheon

The Final Walk through school by the Class of 2017

(A new tradition started this year)

SKS 100 formed by students in the schoolyard

Week of Service by Class of 2017

pictures below at Camillia Hall, Immaculata,

Cradles to Crayons, St Edmonds

and the SKS Community

First & Eighth Grade Buddies last get together

SKS Class of 2013 Reunion

(Graduated from high school and off to college in the fall)

SKS Alums graduate from Academy of Notre Dame de Namur

1st grade Donuts with Dudes

KG Graduation

SKS 6th & 7th Grade girls attend
Merion Mercy leadership workshop

SKS CYO Track at Franklin Field

Blue /White Spirit Day

End of Year SKS Band & Choral Concert

Tuesday, May 23, 2017

May 23, 2017

Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,

The span from 1980 - 2017 is thirty-seven years! In some cases, that is older than many of you!

Thirty-seven years is the time Marie Frederick has served this school. Besides cafeteria coordinator, Marie has had several surrogate roles in her time here. She was the unofficial school nurse, when there was no official school nurse. Ask her about her jar of magic medical mints! She has pitched in at the front desk, handled our stationery order, and ran countless errands for a crazed principal. Marie has done many other things, and has been someone the school has counted on daily for close to four decades. She has reminded me at times that I am her "7th principal", but she's never told me where I was in her rankings. Marie has a dedication and love for this community that has been evident in ways that many know, and some may not. I do. She has a great love and care for the children and families in this community. She has been a wonderful example of loyalty to our school community.

This Thursday, May 25, after the 9 am school mass, we will have a short award ceremony in the school yard. We will honor Marie as she retires from her full time job as cafeteria coordinator.

She will be helping us on a part -time basis next year as Susan Hodgens takes over the
full-time position. Please feel welcome to join our school community as we thank Marie for her many years of service and care for the SKS Community. God bless Marie , her husband Tom and their wonderful family with peace, joy, and health.

For the last four years, Cindy McKernan has led our Home & School Board with a passion, dedication, and thoughtfulness that has been a model of loyalty and service to our school. To say this school community is indebted to her would be beyond an understatement. She has led the Home and School Board with class, grace, and humility. Through her efforts, the Home & School Board, and countless volunteers, our school has experienced unprecedented success. That success is measured in two important ways:

* By successful fundraising, including last year's capital campaign (for security system/intercom /playground), under Cindy's leadership, we remain a school that is sustainable financially. While so many other parish schools have struggled to stay solvent; we have remained strong. As a school community we have continued to work hard (and still must do so) to contribute to the school's operating budget. The first $100.000 that we raise each year, goes to our operating budget of the school. Funds raised after that amount have been successfully used each year to improve the school in a number of ways. The new security /intercom system and the new playground surface (expected to be completed this summer ) was paid for by capital campaign funds. Cindy has been the driving force and has spearheaded our fundraising and the capital campaign. This year we raised almost $200,000. This accomplishment is quite a testament to Cindy, our Home and School Board and our SKS families. All this has happened under Cindy's leadership.

*More importantly, while working continually to think of ways to advance our school, Cindy always kept the vibrant spirit of community at the forefront. Quite simply, she led by example. No event, cause, or project was too big or too small for her to undertake or participate in. Please join me in thanking Cindy for all she has given to our school community.

I am excited and happy to welcome Rebecca Roe as our new Home & School President. Rebecca has been a tremendous volunteer here at SKS in many capacities. This past year, she served on the Home and School Board and she has been involved in our school community events in a number of ways. I am truly grateful to her for her accepting this new role and l look forward to working with her. Also new to the board next school year, I would like to welcome Linda Logan and Marie Starck.

Take care,

Bud

3rd & 4th Grade Musical

8th Grade Parent Dinner

5th Grade Prayer Circle

Saturday, May 13, 2017

May 13, 2017

Dear St. Katharine of Siena School Families,

Some updates on things at SKS.

Almost Home !

The ship is coming into port shortly and it's the busiest time of the school year. Families are scurrying around trying to balance school, children's activities, family, and work as the school year approaches the last few weeks.
At school, we are busy too. I lean on teachers/staff to do their day to day plans, end of the year work, and plans for next year. Like you, they have a lot at their plate. The other day in church, I reminded the students that they need to take care of their parents and teachers as you and the teachers take care of them. What a journey each school is!

May Procession

Thanks for your help and participation in the May Procession. Many schools have stopped doing this for varying reasons. We see this religious community event important to our Catholic identity. The grotto with our Blessed Mother is a perfect setting to start and Msgr Brouwers, the teachers, and I appreciated greatly your reverence and participation Wednesday night. There are some pictures below of the night.

Continuous Improvement Survey for SKS

Over 120 families filled our the Continuous Improvement Survey (CIP) for our school community that was sent out (a few different times) by the OCE (Office of Catholic Education) through email. I want to thank all those families who participated. It was an excellent response. I was given a full report on the responses, and gave Msgr. Brouwers a full copy. Feedback is important to the growth of any organization. We received high grades in many areas and there were areas that we can grow. There were many comments that people took the time to write. As in any survey, there were some positive comments ( "Mr. Tosti for president") No thank you! There were some very critical ("It's time for the principal to retire"). That's okay, I have thick skin and some day I will. There were many comments that fall in between these two. We need to look at this with an open mind and use the survey as a tool for us to improve. We will.

Eighth Grade Parent Dinner

The Eight Grade Parent dinner, which will be held this coming Tuesday night, is annual tradition that is very close to my heart. At that night, we pay tribute to our 8th grade parents who have poured so much into this school community: Their time, treasure, and talents; their hearts and souls. In particular, we honor those families whose last (or only child) is graduating from SKS. It is a bittersweet night for the families and for us. In many cases this night and graduation is the culmination of many years of faithful support to our St. Katharine of Siena Parish & School. It's a debt we never can repay. We have families such as The Boccella's , whose son, Matthew, is the 7th child ( preceded by Nick, Joe, John, Mark, Patrick, Maria) to graduate. Their relationship with our school spans a 25 year association with the school. That's an amazing commitment.

Here are the 19 families we will say so long to: John & Kathy Boccella, Eric & Renee Bowen, Bruce & Jane Bradley, David & Patty Clerkin, John & Bernadette Dickson, Chuck & Carolyn Evans, Mark & Katie Jones, Kristen Hayes, Brennan & Deirdre Kelly, Brian & Jackie Kloss, Jon & Mary Kate Hatcher, Tim & Colleen Maguire, Mike & Terry McClatchy, Jacinto & Beth Oliver, Mark & Jeanne Mulvanerty, Joe & Jayda Orsatti, Patrick & Jessica Ohlin, Ed & Alisa Pawelec, Steve & Meg Shreiner,

SK5K & GO RUN

A huge thanks go to Nora Brennan, Tracy Barausky for running the SK5K, and to Megan Hope and Jim Sharkey for overseeing the SKS Go Run Program. Tremendous leadership by them, with support from many super volunteers. Our Go Run Program and The SK5K continue to be such wonderful successes for us.

First Eucharist

This weekend completes our 3rd graders receiving their first holy communion - a special day their families and them. Thank you Sr. Mary Elizabeth , Kim Peppers, our 3rd teachers, Anne Bondi and Mike Gavin, and to you, the parents, for preparing the children for this sacrament.

Happy Mother's Day

Yesterday, I met the Kindergarten Mothers prior to the Mother's Day Picnic Luncheon with their children. I told them that this weekend, I would be spending Mother's Day with my family, and fortunately for me, with my dear Mom, who was 94 in January. From my perspective as a loving son, there is nothing more special or deep as the love of a mother for her family. May God bless all of you honored to be called "Mother." May you enjoy a day of love, joy, and peace with your loved ones. Thank you Moms for your constant sacrifices and gift of unconditional love.

Take care,

Bud

KG Mother's Day Luncheon