Happy Halloween

 As we are heading toward the end of the calendar year with all the holidays and celebrations, we are reminded of the impact Covid19 is having in our lives.  Trunk or treat will still happen, but with many limitations.  Even though it won't be the same, I am grateful we are able to keep the tradition, even in a modified format.  We need to continue to look for ways to keep our traditions with modifications.  Thank you Lisa M., Teresa, and Tara for offering to help Gina and I pass out candy!  On Friday, everyone may wear a Fall or Halloween shirt (nothing scary) with jeans.  

On Monday, the faculty meeting is for you to meet in your PLCs.  Before you do that I need a few minutes to discuss a prize for all the students if we have 100% participation.  We are planning to adopt an endangered species, but I wanted there to be a more tangible incentive for the students.  We need to get them motivated as the money is coming in VERY slowly.  I didn't want to offer something without your input.  It could be a movie on Friday, Nov. 20, which is a half-day.  It could be ice cream for everyone, a no homework night, etc.  Think of some ideas and we can pick one on Monday.  I would also like to hear what you did or what you plan to do this week by incorporating Care for Creation in a lesson.  Teachers, please email that to me before the meeting.  

Friday is also Marvelous Mustang.  Please take a picture of your Mustang with their certificate and email it to the parents.  If they received it for an encore class, please do the same.  Encore teachers should be sure Jamie has your student's names so they can be announced on the morning show on Friday.  

If you want to share some facts about Halloween with your students, and the fact that it is truly a Catholic tradition and not a celebration that evolved from Celtic pagan rituals - All Hallows Eve, The eve of All Saints Day - here are some resources to check out:

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2019-10/the-catholic-roots-of-halloween-the-vigil-of-all-saints-day.html

https://www.catholiccompany.com/magazine/catholic-guide-to-halloween-6159

https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/why-catholics-should-embrace-halloween 

Finally, don't forget to set your clocks back this weekend.  Not only do you get an extra hour, but, thanks to Bishop Parkes, you also get an extra day!

Have a marvelous week!

Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples' Day?

 In recent history, there has been a move away from celebrating Columbus as a hero and, instead, celebrating Indigenous communities and their resiliency in the face of violence by European explorers.  For many Italian Americans, the switch is difficult as they see Columbus Day as a day to celebrate Italian heritage and their contributions to the United States.  But truly, in both cases, it's about people, not a person.  So on Oct. 12, let's remember the contributions of all people that make up our great nation.  

At the faculty meeting on Monday, we will continue the work on Domain A.  After a brief 5-10 min. business meeting, you will work in your groups on your specific standards.  

Thankfully, we have hired another substitute teacher.  We have 4 teachers out on Thursday, so please don't anyone get sick this week!  I will be out on Friday so no one can be sick then either :) 

Have a great week! 

Happy the Man...

This morning as I sit here on the rainy Sunday morning pondering what to write in my blog, I checked my Facebook to find the welcoming face of Patrick Stewart beginning his final post of Shakespeare's sonnets.  Yesterday was the final sonnet, #154 (if you haven't heard Sir Patrick read sonnets, you should check it out).  Before he began, he read a poem on the back of his bookmark which he said was Horace's Ode 3:29.  It is actually a translation by Dryden and a well-known poem.  I thought I would share it with you all as it seemed fitting for the world we are living in.

Happy the man, and happy he alone,

he who can call today his own:

he who, secure within, can say,

Tomorrow do thy worst, for I have lived today.

Great advice to focus on what we are doing today as we have no control over tomorrow.  We can only find peace in the knowledge that it is all in God's hands.

Speaking of the crazy world we live in, Gina and I (and possibly many of you) have been harassed by Google to change our passwords due to a data breach.  I don't have to guess which ones as Google was happy to provide a list of saved passwords that were part of the data breach and I am slowly going through the process.  Some of the passwords may affect things we share (The Religion teacher, Adobe, etc.) as I am the owner of the account.  As I go through my passwords, I will let you know the new one if it affects anyone.  

Please stop by Room 6 on Monday and welcome our new addition to our staff, Dr. Terri Schmidt, who will be teaching Middle School math and science.  She was here on Friday after recently arriving from out of state and is anxious to meet her new students.  

The priests will begin visiting classes this week.  Please be sure to check the schedule I sent to everyone.  I will reshare it today to be sure you all can easily find it.  If you are self-contained and the visit is not during religion class, please adjust your schedule as needed.  

We are half-way through the Trimester.  This is a good time to check-in with the parents of students who may be struggling, particularly if they are working from home.  Please remember that report card grades should never be a surprise.  

On Friday, remind students that next weekend, Oct. 10-11, is Uniform weekend at Mass.  If they attend in uniform, they will receive a Holy Card that they can show you on Monday, Oct. 12, and they may come in free dress. Thank you all for everything you do for our students and our families.  

If you look closely at Horace's picture below, I think you can see why he was happy 😄

Have a Happy Week!