From the Principal

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
Ephesians 4:2

September 1, 2010

Dear Families:

Welcome back! I pray that you are refreshed, restored, and eager to begin a challenging, productive, and exciting school year. The faculty, staff, and I look forward to working with you as partners in the education of all the children of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School. Our goal is to continue to provide an education that inspires our young people to be active Christians, who see the importance of being socially responsible. We strive, on a daily basis, to develop young people who seek knowledge and are academically prepared to continue their educational journey with rigor and enthusiasm. As your partners we, through example, live out the Gospel values in our work, our play and our relationships with others. We continually support the young people we come in contact with by remembering and realizing that the unique gifts and talents given to each of them come from our loving God.

God asks us often in scripture to praise him and to sing his praises for all He has done. As parents and caregivers, do you thank God daily for all he has given you? Do you pray as a family at mealtime and recognize and respond to the call of worship? Do you help your children to see and understand that Mass attendance on Sunday is important? These questions are reviewed regularly in the classrooms and at morning prayer and are ways we respond and nurture the children entrusted in our care. By continuing to develop a child’s faith life, we work at developing active Christians in a rapidly changing world that often does not support this call. I pray we are working together in this most important task. Please, please make Mass an important, essential part of your weekend. Your family will reap the rewards of this time together, develop a stronger relationship with God and give you many opportunities for fellowship with parishioners and other school families.

God has been good to the staff and we have safely returned relaxed, refreshed, and ready to begin. Together, we can and will make a difference in the world in which we live. Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Claudia Heikel, our long-term substitute in Kindergarten. Mrs. Heikel has had experience in Kindergarten and will be with us until Christmas. Also welcome, Ms. Chriss Sanders, 2nd and 3rd grade aide. She is a trained educator and the teachers of these primary grades are excited about the expertise she brings to the classroom. From now until the end of October, she will also be filling in as the lunchtime supervisor while Mrs. Arnott is on maternity leave. Mrs. Loo is our part-time Kindergarten aide and will begin her day by opening up A Kid’s Place and helping out on morning yard. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, she has coached and worked with youth of all ages.

The fourth grade will be the choir at our first school liturgy on Wednesday, September 8th at 9:00 a.m. The liturgy is being planned by the sixth grade who will take on the roles of readers, gift bearers and altar servers. Father David Schunk will be the main celebrant and Father Balleza will con-celebrate. It is a wonderful time to come together as a community in prayer and worship. Please join us!

The students, faculty and staff have adjusted nicely into the routine of the new school year. The Fall Fundraiser begins next week, and I thank you in advance for your support of this annual event. Regina Henry and Kathleen Schneider have coordinated the student assemblies and prepared for catalog distribution and chocolate delivery. The effort to raise funds is appreciated, and helps to keep tuition costs down and our school affordable for families desiring Catholic education. Thank you in advance for your support of this most important fund raiser.

We opened our doors with 312 students in grades pre-school through 8. We have many wonderful programs, 34 great teachers and staff, and super, fantastic parents. Thank you for entrusting your children to us and I look forward to a wonderful year.

God Bless,

Teresa Anthony, Principal