Welcome back
from what I hope was a restful and fun Spring Break! We’re on our last lap for the year, but
with plenty to do. Hopefully, you
will find all of the year-end activities a chance to expand community,
provide more educational experiences for our children, and share with you
the great things our students have accomplished throughout this year. I’m referring to our Spring dance, field
trips, Speech contest, Art Fair, Book Fair, graduation, etc., etc. It’s
always busy, but fun and enriching. A number of
parents have registered their displeasure with the opening day of school
now slated for August 30. Bob Mizia,
Superintendent of Catholic schools for the Portland Archdiocese, feels that
all Archdiocesan schools should be on the same schedule in order to act as
a system. He also wants to insure
that every Catholic school schedules 179 instructional days. In my conversation
with Mr. Mizia, I explained that some of our parents work for a public
school or have children in both Catholic and public education. We’ve always successfully operated on the
public school calendar. I also
addressed the extreme heat problem many of our schools have with little or
no ventilation. However, the
decision has been made and is final.
He is open to evaluating the effects of this early start sometime
next year. If you feel compelled to
write him to explain the effect this has had on your family, I’m sure he
would include your remarks in next year’s evaluation. St. Clare
School has always been diligent to schedule 179 instructional days. Some schools follow the Oregon standards
for instructional hours which results in fewer instructional days. In other words, some Catholic schools
were dismissing as much as one week earlier than others, although they had
fulfilled State requirements. Mr.
Mizia is opposed to a calendar year based on hours rather than days. I will send
you the 2004-05 school calendar by email, and post it on the web after our
faculty meets in early May to plan our program for next year. I realize you are already planning
vacations for next year, and the earlier the notice the better. LENT is edging closer toward Resurrection. I’m sure you have tried to explain to
your child the meaning of the Passion and Resurrection. It’s a story of tragedy and profound
love, of abandonment and faith. Each
year that we relive this event, we are charged with the challenge of gaining
new insights and understanding of God’s love. Perhaps even more challenging is putting
our faith into words and actions that help children comprehend the
magnitude of God’s love. Talk what you
know! Share with your kids what you
believe about the Passion and Resurrection. Don’t be afraid to talk with your kids
about the God you’ve come to know and love. It is so easy
to let the commercialism of Easter overshadow the meaning of Jesus’ flogging,
crucifixion and rising again. I
believe you can have both: an understanding of scripture and bunny rabbits
too! However, it takes parents who
are intentional
about sharing their faith. In this
coming week, if you get a chance to have dinner together, allow your
conversation to drift to your kids’ understanding of Holy Week, and then
add your own two-cents of wisdom/faith! I encourage
you to find out the times for Holy Week services. The rituals and symbols celebrated on
Holy Thursday, Good Friday and at the Easter Vigil and East Masses is
incredibly rich with tradition.
Every student should experience the washing of the feet/hands,
veneration of the Cross, Baptism by emersion, and all the other
remembrances of Christ transcending our lives. Here at
school we will continue to raise our children’s understanding of the events
of Holy Week. Most especially we
invite you to attend the Seder Meal on Thursday, April 8th at 9:30 in the
gym, and Stations of the Cross this Friday at 2:00 in the church.
PRINCIPAL’S CORNER
