Welcome to my "New" Blog

With the initiation of our new website, my principal’s page will include my blog.  I intend to make good use of it to keep you aware in an informal manner of some of the things that are going on in our school community and my reflections on them.

My first “new” blog is a reflection on our lovely graduation and my sentiments regarding the year’s end.

“Commencement means a new beginning”.  I have given this statement a lot of thought as this school year ended with a lovely graduation.  On June 3rd, forty-six students marched proudly down the aisle and took their place as hundreds of St. Mary Magdalen graduates had done before them.  Proud and grateful parents and relatives applauded with joy, and also mixed emotions.  For one does not commence a new life without standing on the basic foundation and fabric of life that has gone into this moment.  There is a hint of sadness in moving from what is known and comfortable to a new experience.

I was touched and full of pride in these delightful and talented students whom I have enjoyed for nine years (in some cases pre-school as well).  But a twinge of sadness also filled my heart.  Twenty-seven of these parents were graduating their youngest child, and they are moving on.  I will miss them greatly.  They will return to visit, but the day-by-day interaction is now complete.  This class, as also those preceding them, had their own personality as a group, and part of that personality was their parents and the relationship that had developed among all of us.

A reflective moment emerged as so many of the parents reminisced over the years.  We’ve all grown together.  Several parents noted that the loving and close community that exists at St. Mary Magdalen is taken for granted, expected, and that what we have is not truly appreciated until one moves on.  But the community does not stay at school; each of us takes a piece of it with us and so we are transformed anew.

Are we better people because of this close community we have shared together?  I am deeply convinced that we are.  Now we step forward and embrace another year.  A new year, a new chance to work with very precious young people who have been entrusted to our care. 

I eagerly look forward to 2009-2010.  Our enrollment is good and growing, the economy is beginning to “turn around” and God is with us!