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Dear Families,
Investment over Sacrifice. A gain vs a loss. In life we constantly balance juxtaposing frames of thinking. Is tomorrow going to be partially sunny or partially cloudy? Only once have I ever heard the cloud coverage reported in a glass half full mindset, when the weather man was feeling extra chipper. In our classrooms we focus on having growth mindsets. These mindsets are not fixed or static. They are can’s vs. can’t’s. We believe all children can learn, everyone can grow, and the possibilities are endless with hard work, perseverance, effort and a desire to embrace challenges as an opportunity to grow.
I think about Catholic education in the same light. At State of the School I shared that Catholic education is an Investment in the future of our children, in the future of society and in the future of each family. It is a commitment to something we value, cherish and embrace because we believe in it, see the way it helps our kids to grow, and thrive. A growth mindset.
Now sacrifice? This signifies a loss, often one that’s tremendous. “Sacrifice your prize lamb,” “Sacrifice your first born,” “Sacrifice your life”. These are all severe. Intense. Often when we read about sacrifice in the news it's often that someone offered themselves/ something they valued to make someone else’s life better. What a gift. Soldiers for their countrymen (and women), first responders risking it all for someone else. Jesus. Goodness, even Katniss Everdeen in Hunger Games “I volunteer as tribute” to give of her life to save her sister. Did any of those individuals who made the sacrifice gain something? Or did they just lose something? It depends, right? When the word “sacrifice” is applied to Catholic education, it’s always about the loss of tuition. It’s easy to see it as a loss when the money is pulled from the account each month. But do we feel that way when we make a car payment or a mortgage payment, or pay a student loan? What a loss? Likely, no. We generally see those as investments.
I am absolutely certain that each of you invest in your children daily-- through time, energy, resources and love. You set them up for success as parents because you love them. You care for them. You nurture them and care for them because you value them and plan for their futures.
Working together I challenge each of us to change our fixed mindsets and focus instead on the ways that Catholic ed, especially OLG is an investment in the future for your children and for our world. Our community is better because of each of you. OLG faculty and staff all actively invest in making your children men and women for others, not just striving for excellence, but helping students to thrive in their own individual excellence. Every investment we make, in time, talent and treasure makes a difference. As we move forward into the re-enrollment process for the 25-26 school year, plan ahead for the Auction on March 1st, and the School Fund Drive that’s happening now through the end of the year-- together I challenge all of us to focus on the growth mindset. “I can engage.” “I can participate.” “I am an asset.” “I have many gifts.” “I have much to offer.” “I will grow OLG into the future through my efforts.” “One person can make a difference.” All these statements focus on things we CAN do, not what we can’t. Together in hope, the glass will never be half empty. In the song, Awake my Soul, the lyric shared by Mumford and Sons says “Where you invest your love, you invest your life”. Thank you for investing your love and lives into OLG. I am a firm believer that love is never a sacrifice, but a gift worth giving and receiving in abundance, whenever possible for however long. Invest in love, invest in what fills your cup, the cup of others, and makes the world better. At the end of the journey, we will take nothing with us. But the legacy of love in all the people and places we invested on, will live on for generations.
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