|
October 11, 2017
Dear Families and Friends of St. Francis Xavier School,
I hope this message finds you well. The school year is off to a great
beginning, and we are already half-way through the first trimester of
school. The teachers are planning and teaching to the best of their
abilities, the students are learning daily and ensconced in solid work
routines to help them grow in body, mind and spirit!
Behaviorally, the children are doing well. We have had a few issues needing
immediate accountability through detention, but I believe them to be
typical, developmental issues that are easily corrected. The junior high
students have recently signed Behavior Acknowledgement Memos of
Understanding. The MOU makes them aware of the behavioral issues that will
affect behavior grades if they do not address poor choices. The students
are completely aware of the norms of behavior expected within their classes
and may check in with their teachers about the behavior grade to make
necessary improvements. After all, for the junior high students, it’s all
about making honors at a reporting period. They are aware that they need
the best report cards and track records to impress potential Catholic high
school admissions departments. Moreover, the behavior grade in school helps
them understand accountability and how to be a person of character.
This weekend we celebrate once again the St. Francis Xavier School
Jog-A-Thon. I am thrilled to see our students take the leadership role in
acquiring the needed pledge support to help the Parent/Teacher Organization
meet the $55K threshold to the school’s operating budget. This fundraiser
more than any other helps our students understand service to their school.
While we focus a lot of attention on the prizes associated with JAT, let’s
not forget that the real reason for this fundraiser is to encourage the
children to support the financial objectives of the school and to learn
about service to the greater good. Thank you parents for your support! We
understand that a lot of the pledges come from your household income in
addition to paying tuition and fees! But let’s not lose focus on the idea
that JAT is all about the children supporting their dear school! I look
forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!
Mistakes! I’ve made a few! Okay, a lot! And I’m destined to make more!
We’re only human after all! My friends let’s remember to offset initial
misgivings and anger over matters around school with the gift of time. My
office is always available to listen to you, a student, or a colleague
about all matters associated with St. Francis Xavier. Schools at our level
rely heavily on volunteer coaches and fundraising chairpersons. If and when
a problem occurs and anger is the result, please take a 24 hour cooling-off
period. In this manner, the immediate emotion of anger will not necessarily
dictate the reconciliation efforts to make things better. We have had some
unfortunate instances of anger dictating conversations with both staff and
volunteers. I get it that we at school may make a mistake that causes a lot
of consternation, but we cannot allow ourselves to devolve in hostile
behavior. I know for a firm fact that we are all on the same team. But we
must be honorable about resolving conflicts or perceived issues that stoke
an angry response. So let’s use the 24 hour cooling off period to help us
resolve problems.
Included in last week’s family envelope was information from the City of
Burbank Animal Control. The recent mountain lion attack of a neighbor’s dog
was verified through mountain lion DNA. I recall the dog in question. It
resided in one of the houses that shares the property line with the long
driveway on the west side of campus. It was a Weimaraner, if I’m not
mistaken, which happens to be a big, athletic dog! I hope you had a chance
to review the literature. The main point is to be aware of early morning
arrivals and late pick-ups around school, particularly as we approach
daylight savings time. It is not uncommon to see wildlife around campus.
Please be aware of the children at the aforementioned times of the day. We
want to ensure everyone’s safety. As we may already be aware, one coyote is
typically not a problem, but a pack becomes emboldened. A Gopher or Garter
Snake can be repatriated to the hillside, but if that snake rattles, report
it to us immediately. Bobcats are skittish and don’t like to be seen, but a
mountain lion is a predator and will stalk what it perceives to be a meal
source! Take caution and look around campus for signs of wild life!
Included in this week’s family envelope is information about the upcoming
California Shakeout on Thursday October 19. We take precautions at school
to ensure the disciplined evacuation routines in the event of a real
emergency. Please take a moment to review the enclosed literature. Are you
ready at home for an extreme earthquake event? Now is the time to review
your safety plan and resources. It’s never too early to be prepared. Let us
never forget that mother Earth continues to cool from its earliest origins!
That is one, awesome factoid!
My fellow duffers, please ensure your participation in the annual St.
Francis Xavier School Golf Classic! Need a sign-up brochure? Feel free to
email me or Mrs. Konzen and we’ll send one home with your child. You can
still sign up for hole-sponsorships as well as provide donations for the
raffle. Hours for raffle prizes are awarded by $25 increments for
donations. We thank you in advance for your participation and help!
I hope you enjoy the family atmosphere at this weekend’s annual Jog-A-Thon.
Thank you to our chairpersons Erin Barrows and Kris Smith, to Janet Ward
and Nancy Willard for their in-house support, to you dear parents for your
efforts and to our dear students who fill the track with their contagious
enthusiasm! God bless you for a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Paul Sullivan, Ed.D.
St. Francis School, Principal
|
No comments:
Post a Comment