Right on schedule, as September arrives, the students seem to be in a great routine at school. As I walk the halls and visit classrooms, I see so much goodness happening. I see teachers working together to use the best resources, students are meeting in small groups with resource team people to get them exactly what they need, hands on learning with technology, teachers are playing kick-ball at recess with the students and so much more. We truly have the best teachers and staff.
In addition to that, things are more back to normal and the joy is overflowing. The 8th graders had a great retreat on Thursday and special thanks to those who sent in donations and worked to make it a success. The 6th and 7th grade attended the Maya Exhibit on Thursday. The new entry is working out well and we are getting the procedures down. It might be easiest after signing the students out in the office, if parents waited in the entry so that their students can see them – it is a bit of a challenge for the students to see in the office.
We are looking forward to supporting the renovation project because we know that it will only enhance our worship. The first All School Mass will be Sept. 12 in the MPC. Parents are still welcome to attend and encouraged to come early so you can pray the Rosary with us. We hope that this will help students get in a prayerful mindset with the new location.
Before the pandemic, we had a therapy dog at SHOJ. Mrs. Alicia Caton, our 4th grade teacher, is married to a professional dog trainer. I have met with him about a dog that could come to school. Buck is a great older dog with excellent manners that is trained to be a calming presence. We are going to have him start coming to school a couple days a week to see how it works out. The kids are taught how to treat him, but mostly therapy dogs help with physical and mental health, especially calming anxiety and nerves. In the past, the dog was also a motivating reward. Please let me know if you have a student that might have be nervous about this.
Remember that you can apply for free or reduced lunches at any time during the year, especially if something changes in your situation.
9/5 No School
9/7 Free Dress Day purchased at Brown Bottle last April
9/9 Fridays with Father – visiting classrooms
Rooted in Christ,
Kathy Rhodes