Dear Parents,
I begin this week with sad news. The father of Sven Tice, 7th grade homeroom and middle school science and math teacher, died on Tuesday evening. Mr. Tice is with his family and will be on leave. Please keep him and his family in your prayers.
Staffing Update Yesterday, the preschool families paraded past the flagpole to say goodbye to Mrs. Frazee, who is retiring. She is ending her school career where it began in 1958 when she was a student at St. John! Mrs. Frazee told the preschool families:
“I am writing to let you know that after 40+ years of teaching (YIKES! I never thought I would make it to 20!), I am retiring in June. It feels like the right time for me. Since I started school at 5 years old, there has only been one fall that I have not returned to school. This fall will be the second. I am looking forward to starting new routines and spending time with my family. My first grandchild is arriving in September, and hopefully I will get to be near him.”
We will all miss Mrs. Frazee. She has nurtured, taught, and guided so many children through the preschool program. She has calmed and supported parents as they sent their children off to school for the first time. In her care, children learned, played, prayed, and soared. Mrs. Frazee and the Preschool Team kept the students engaged as they moved the classroom three times during the remodel! Now we wish Mrs. Frazee well as she moves on to her next adventure, grandparenting!
Be Spirited, Be Fearless, Be Kind Week The photos on social media are filled with such spirit and joy. As I scroll through them, I realize how much we needed these smiles to boost our mental health. They make me GLAD: I am so grateful for this community. I see students and parents learning to achieve at home, and I take delight in Spirit Week, which brings us together.
We are grateful for your words of appreciation. The teachers, student support team, and specialists are committed to supporting their students and you, the parents. May is a long month, and some students and parents may be feeling anxious and “ready for this to be over!” These emotions are real, challenging, and natural. Let me remind you to check Ms. Shaw’s website for resources.
We have three more weeks of distance learning! So hang in there! June 8 marks the final day of core academic content delivery. On June 9 and 10, our music, art and physical education teachers will deliver fun, end-of-the-year activities, and on June 11, we will have our end-of-the-year Mass. On these days we will also schedule times for you to return technology, books, etc. to the school and pick up any students’ belongings that are still here, report cards, and yearbooks.
Summer Some of you have indicated that you would like to maintain the academic routines you have in place during the summer. We are gathering resources for you and will set up a link on our website. We are also looking into the possibility of opening limited XDC operations if we move into Phase 3 of the Governor’s reopening plan. More information can be found on the Extended Day Care: Summer and Fall post.
Thank you, keep on praying for our community, local and global. And on this Thoughtful Thursday don’t forget to donate to our Unbound students!
Bernadette O’Leary
