Happy Palm Sunday

 Good morning and Happy Palm Sunday.

As we enter this sacred time in the life of the Church, we are invited to walk more closely with Christ through Holy Week—a journey that begins with joyful praise and leads us through moments of sacrifice, reflection, and deep love. In our classrooms and throughout our school, this week offers a meaningful opportunity to pause, to pray, and to help our students understand the powerful story of faith, hope, and redemption that unfolds each day.  I look forward to our retreat on Thursday.  Melissa did a great job of providing the materials for a beautiful day of reflection.  I also can't wait for everyone to witness the Living Stations.  This year's group and choir presented an amazing performance on Friday night.  Thank you to everyone who played a part in this. 

As we move toward the celebration of Easter Sunday, may we be reminded of the promise of new life and the light that overcomes all darkness. Thank you for the ways you bring this message to life for our students through your words, your actions, and your example each day.

It's in the mail...

 ...or it will be tomorrow.  Terra Nova is completed, boxed, and ready for shipping.  Thank you to Kate and her team of worker bees who caught up with absent students, erased stray marks, darkened the circles of those with a light touch, and filled out all that paperwork.  Another year done and now we wait.  Based on our students' performance on i-Ready, I expect great things. 

We are also waiting for the 3 pm bell on Friday, which marks the start of Spring Break.  I hope you all have amazing plans, even if it is to just sit and relax.  This week, I will be at Nativity on Wednesday morning for yet another Principal's meeting, and then I will be out on Thursday and Friday.  

Since this will be my last blog for a couple of weeks, as I will be out of the country the next two Sundays, here's a look ahead.  The week after break has two events: spring pictures and the presentation of the Stations of the Cross by our 7th graders, on Friday evening.  I will be back on March 24, assuming I don't get lost in the desert with King Tut.  

Have a wonderful week and a great Spring Break!

Here's what you missed....

 If you were not at one of the events happening on Friday and Saturday, here's what you missed.  

• Fish Fry - You missed Calvin, who made his first appearance at St. Stephen.  He's adorable, and Mom is doing great and loving every minute of being a new mom.  You also missed A LOT of alumni working at the fish fry.  It was great seeing them all and what they are up to.  Most impressive was Jaxon Hester, who is working on creating a line of fragrances for men and women as part of a project for his business class.  
• Once Upon a Brick Library Sleepover - Thank you, Yesenia and Officer Diaz, for spending the night at school, providing a spectacular night for the kindergarten boys and keeping them safe.  I was not so brave and left by 7.  The energy was real!  Plus I had to get up the next morning for....
• Turkish mosaic crafting - Thank you, Lisa, for putting this together.  We had a fun (and sometimes frustrating - you try teeny tiny gluing beads) time.  We were all very proud of our almost finished product.  The final step of grouting happened at home after it dried.  

Compared to all that, this week is pretty quiet as we head toward our much-anticipated Spring Break.  While it may be quiet at school, there is much happening in the world.  I ask that during this time of Lent, as we may be increasing our prayers and time with our Lord, let us add everyone affected by events in Iran and the Middle East to our prayers.  As a community with extensive ties to the military, we especially want to remember them in our prayers that the Lord and their Guardian Angels be by their side.  

I will be out on Thursday (6th-grade field trip) and Friday (principal meeting at the Bethany Center).  Have a wonderful week!