Ready or not, summer is quickly approaching and the unenviable task of keeping your children occupied is coming along with it. As I have often stated, I am a huge proponent of not scheduling every minute of every day for your child. Instead, allow them time to be creative, to develop their imagination and think up ways on their own to stay occupied. This simple step can have a very positive consequence in the classroom, when they are expected to explore problems, rather than just follow given directions. Not to mention, kids need a break combined with some time to relax.
That being said, Holy Angels will continue with mandatory summer reading for our students. I think this is a component of your child’s development that is crucial to their success in virtually all aspects of life and will be encouraged throughout next year, but not if reading becomes a burdensome task that has to be completed in a very limited time frame. In the coming week, you will be receiving a list of books that are readily available at local bookstores and libraries. I know some people have the habit of waiting until mid-August to look for these books, but do yourself a favor and look into getting the novels a bit sooner. Give them the opportunity to read and enjoy, not just read because they have to!
Our kids live in a world much different than the one we grew up in. However, if we recall the truly great moments of our childhood, we have to remember that our children deserve the same opportunity to enjoy life (and summer.) Keep things balanced and allow children time to just be kids, while giving them the opportunity to stay mentally sharp and engaged .
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Gift of Teachers
We are a little behind the eight-ball as we honor our teachers and staff this week with Teacher Appreciation Week. I think it is extremely important to take a moment to pay tribute to the faculty and staff of Holy Angels. I have said this often, and am very genuine when I state that we have the best faculty I have ever had the fortune to work with. None of our staff come here slowly to receive a paycheck. They are here because of their dedication to Catholic education and Holy Angels School.
The career of an educator has many misconceptions about it. Some of these include that teachers only work ten months a year. Any teacher dedicated to their profession works during the summer doing their lesson plans for the year, attending professional development seminars, preparing their room and attending classes.
Another may be that their day ends at 3:00 PM. Again, I have never met a teacher whose day ended once the students leave. Correcting papers, preparing for the next day, extra tutoring, and meeting with parents are all part of the work day that takes place after 3:00 PM.
Sometimes, the fact that everyone has attended school often leads to the belief that they have a better way of doing things or, at the very least, the ability to see what a teacher is doing wrong. Anyone who has ever had a birthday party for more than four kids knows that managing a group of children requires more than just telling them what to do!
In order to honor our teachers, the greatest gift a teacher can receive is a letter of gratitude written by his or her student. A card written from the heart has much greater meaning than any gift a teacher could be given.
Holy Angels School is fortunate to have a staff of teachers who spend countless hours of their days dedicated to the students they serve. I am honored to be able to work amongst such a hard working group of individuals. We will honor our wonderful teachers all week with a variety of meals and ceremonies. I challenge each of our families to do the same!
The career of an educator has many misconceptions about it. Some of these include that teachers only work ten months a year. Any teacher dedicated to their profession works during the summer doing their lesson plans for the year, attending professional development seminars, preparing their room and attending classes.
Another may be that their day ends at 3:00 PM. Again, I have never met a teacher whose day ended once the students leave. Correcting papers, preparing for the next day, extra tutoring, and meeting with parents are all part of the work day that takes place after 3:00 PM.
Sometimes, the fact that everyone has attended school often leads to the belief that they have a better way of doing things or, at the very least, the ability to see what a teacher is doing wrong. Anyone who has ever had a birthday party for more than four kids knows that managing a group of children requires more than just telling them what to do!
In order to honor our teachers, the greatest gift a teacher can receive is a letter of gratitude written by his or her student. A card written from the heart has much greater meaning than any gift a teacher could be given.
Holy Angels School is fortunate to have a staff of teachers who spend countless hours of their days dedicated to the students they serve. I am honored to be able to work amongst such a hard working group of individuals. We will honor our wonderful teachers all week with a variety of meals and ceremonies. I challenge each of our families to do the same!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Parish Unity
One of the strengths of Catholic schools in general, and Holy Angels in particular, is community. I have never been in a Catholic school where the communities were not closely bound and supportive, and I believe Holy Angels embodies this to a greater degree than any of the schools I have been at.
One component of this community that can show weakness, however, is the school's view of where it fits in the parish. It seems often times, we want the benefits of parish support without offering that same support in return. Over the weekend we had the opportunity to be part of a true parish event when all the children of the parish had the opportunity to receive the Eucharist for the first time. Complaints are some times levied that this sacrament should be celebrated with the school and religious education classes as separate entities, but this only furthers the misconception that we are not all part of one parish. We cannot make the claim of being an active parishioner only when it means receiving a discounted tuition rate while wanting complete separation from the parish on other occasions.
We all benefit by being active members of a united parish. Working together, celebrating together and worshiping together allows us to accomplish much more than it would if every ministry of the parish pilots its own ship. Parish support is not a one-sided proposition, nor will it be of ultimate benefit to Holy Angels School or Holy Angels Parish. Our greatest accomplishments will come from uniting together as one.
One component of this community that can show weakness, however, is the school's view of where it fits in the parish. It seems often times, we want the benefits of parish support without offering that same support in return. Over the weekend we had the opportunity to be part of a true parish event when all the children of the parish had the opportunity to receive the Eucharist for the first time. Complaints are some times levied that this sacrament should be celebrated with the school and religious education classes as separate entities, but this only furthers the misconception that we are not all part of one parish. We cannot make the claim of being an active parishioner only when it means receiving a discounted tuition rate while wanting complete separation from the parish on other occasions.
We all benefit by being active members of a united parish. Working together, celebrating together and worshiping together allows us to accomplish much more than it would if every ministry of the parish pilots its own ship. Parish support is not a one-sided proposition, nor will it be of ultimate benefit to Holy Angels School or Holy Angels Parish. Our greatest accomplishments will come from uniting together as one.
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