Testing Time!

And so it begins.  Be sure you all get a good night's rest and eat a good breakfast.  It's TerraNova time.  Please encourage your students to do their best, so we have the most accurate information to meet their needs.  

A big shout-out and thank you to Nicki and her team of volunteers for another great night.  The FLC was transformed into a beautiful setting for a night of fun and raising money for the students.  Three of our Wow items were purchased - the hydroponic garden, cameras, and 3-D printers!  Great night all around.

Now for the bad news.  I received an email just a while ago from the FCC regarding our accreditation work.  There was a problem with the website, and we were unable to submit the work last week.  Everyone received an extension to Feb. 20.  They have just discovered the problem.  They were cyber-attacked, and all our files were deleted (along with everyone else's).  We are very lucky this was not a 7-year review, so we do not have too much to replace.  I will provide more information tomorrow once Mary and I look at everything.  They still want everything submitted by Friday, so we will come up with a plan tomorrow.  Stay tuned.  

Have a great week!

Calm Before the Storm

That is what the next five days feel like, the calm before the storm, and I'm glad we have a long weekend to prepare.   While some of us are gearing up for the Gala event, others may be thinking about the following week... Terra Nova, End of Trimester, Ash Wednesday, oh my!  Here is something very important to keep in mind.  Teachers should be finishing up summatives this week, with very few during the first week of Terra Nova.  Middle School teachers should speak with each other to have a game plan.  During Terra Nova week, students may have homework and may have summatives.  However, consider just how many tests a student can complete effectively in one day.  

If any of you were at the 7:30 Mass this morning, you heard a great homily from Fr. Josh.  It was funny (mishap with a glow stick), and it hit home with me when I think about the complaints I hear.  My take from his words was stop complaining and wallowing in your own self-pity and look around and shine the light of Jesus within you on someone else who is suffering.  In helping someone, your own sadness will disappear.  I know that sounds very simplistic, but it makes sense.  When I think about the things people complain about, myself included, then I see someone in a dire situation, I realize we should be helping instead of complaining about inconsequential things.  

The Holy Card to look for tomorrow is St. Anthony, and I challenge you all to take a moment and let the light of Jesus shine bright from within you. 

Thank you!

Gracias, Merci, Danke,  Grazie, Arigato, Xièxie, and Spasibo.  What more can I say?  Thank you to all for a great Catholic Schools Week.  The biggest thank you goes to our CIPA committee members for being so prepared that Friday was a breeze, and we got an early start to the weekend.  It's not just about being prepared with the evidence, but that the evidence we have shows how great we really are.  Even if I have to go digging through my blogs to prove it! :)

Final reminder that all students will eat in their classrooms on Monday.  Grades 4-8 should be seated in the FLC by 1 pm to watch the musical that may or may not be aligned to our health standards (Thank you, Jeff for that one!).  

Next weekend is Holy Card weekend.  Please remind the students to wear their uniforms to Mass.  Have a great week!