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“It’s not enough to just love the children;
it is necessary that they are aware that they are loved.” ~ St. John Bosco
Many thanks to all of our students and families who attended the Family Mass and Open House on Sunday! I especially want to acknowledge the Student Leadership Council for hosting the Mass, along with our altar servers and Children’s Choir. Our SLC also served as superb tour guides for the many prospective families we had visiting. What a great way to showcase the hard work and learning that happens at SPN!
Today we celebrate Student Appreciation Day. We are proud that our students truly exhibit respect, responsibility, reverence and lifelong learning. It is the partnership between the school and families that supports our students, your children, to be the best they can be!
I like to think that our students are very aware that they are loved at home and at school. Today is a day that they certainly feel the love at school as they enjoy FREE DRESS as well as a movie and treats with their classmates. Many thanks to our PTG President, Emily Libby, and the parent volunteers who made this a fun-filled day for our students. It’s often not a particular math lesson that most students remember but rather these “extraordinary” activities outside of the regular schedule where they experience their teachers and classmates in an informal and celebratory way.
We continue our week-long celebration of Catholic Schools Week with Wednesday’s Family Culture Day, the Oratorical Fest on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in the church (parents are welcome), and Friday’s Staff Appreciation Day.
The quality, care and dedication of our faculty and staff cannot be overstated. I have had the pleasure of being part of schools in and out of the Diocese, and I am honored to lead SPN's exceptional group of educators and specialists. Our caring community begins with our teachers, aides, bookkeeper, secretary, yard supervisors, and extended care staff. They care about the students first and foremost, about their safety, well being, development and achievement. To that end, they continue with professional development to hone their skills and strategies to provide an innovative, well-rounded academic program. They care about the community – the school, parents, and parish. They go above and beyond to support the school and families, taking extra time for those who need it. They care for one another, celebrating successes and achievements and supporting each other in times of need. It is no wonder that our turnover rate has remained so low over the last decade. The dedication of this group of professionals is commendable. I am very fortunate to work with each and every one of them.
As I said at Mass on Sunday, St. Philip Neri School and Parish are truly one of the great blessings of my life. This community of faith, hope and love that raised me is still striving to be a model of the Gospel values through policy and practice, word and deed, for all of our community members. I can only hope that all of you, our school families, feel the same, and that St. Philip Neri is a blessing in your lives.
Warmly,
Ms. Thomas
Focus on HOPE: “I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5
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