Happy Summer!

Congratulations, Kindergarteners!  It was wonderful seeing your happy, bright faces at the Kindergarten Graduation Parade!  We are very proud of you!  You learned in the classroom and online; you are ready to be first graders!

Well done also to all the students and to you, parents!  You navigated the waters of distance learning right along with us.  I am so grateful to you and to the teachers, for keeping the ship afloat.  We have all mastered new skills this trimester, including trying some of Chef Michael’s delicious recipes!  Once again, the power of community, working together even though we are apart, was so evident.

Many of you inquired about school in the fall during our brief meetings in the pick-up line this week. All we currently know is that it will not be school as we know it.  We are developing plans around different scenarios to keep us all safe, to facilitate the need for health screening, and to accommodate social distancing, which will determine how many students we can have in the classrooms at any one time. Here is a math question for you: In a class of 750 square feet, how many students can we fit at 6 feet apart? Don’t forget the teacher and support staff! Your feedback and input are important as we plan.  Please complete this short survey by Monday, June 15.

Speaking of fall reminds me that it is Jog-a-thon time!  We are staying positive and preparing now for this event.  We have several sponsorship levels to meet everyone’s needs. During the summer, the students have many opportunities to keep up their education, such as reading great books, doing fractions while cooking, Summer Solutions, and Summer Bingo. They can also practice for the Jog-a-thon and stay fit. Also, and most importantly, continue to manage your family’s mental health. Ms. Shaw has helpful resources on her webpage, including some great advice to help students transition from the end-of-school to summer.

Our hearts and souls have been truly disturbed and, rightly so, by the death of George Floyd. As the song we most often sing at Mass says, “we are called to act with justice.”  Theresa Rivera, a St. John alumna, is responding as an empowered disciple and is calling us to act with justice.  She is organizing a Prayer and March for Social Justice and Equity. It will begin this Friday at 2:30pm on 1st Avenue in front of the church.  Social distancing and masks are required.  Theresa’s plan is to begin with prayers and speeches and then to walk around the block nine times in honor of Mr. Floyd.  More information can be found on the Parish News post.  We are so proud of her!  Many of you have already indicated your appreciation of the resources we shared that address diversity, inclusion, and equality.  We must live our mission to be inclusive and to act in solidarity for the common good. Let us pray for the courage to let the Holy Spirit transform our hearts.

This morning, when we arrived at church for the Mass, we saw that the scaffolding is going up for the new windows! Thank you to all of you who donated to the Fund-a-need!

Enjoy the summer!
Bernadette O’Leary