Penned by the Principal
State of the School
It is the beginning of October, so it is a good idea to give updates on our strategic goals for the year. We set the goal to increase our Catholic identity by growing in faith as a staff. It is going really well. We invited Fr. John Whitlock to an all-day retreat this summer, where we had the opportunity to learn, seek, pray, and reflect on our faith. We have also begun a Book Club. Our first book is Rescued by Father John Riccardo, whom we had the privilege of listening to live this summer. Our staff is also beginning a class from The Catechetical Institute at Franciscan University called Introduction to Ecclesial Method which will last until Christmas.
Our 5th/6th grade students are an insightful group and a big part of our goal to implement extra and co-curricular activities that promote community, Catholic faith and social justice. It is first important to inspire our older students so they can better lead the student body. This year, we have visited the St Mary’s Cathedral in Lansing, the Michigan State Capitol, Notre Dame University, Sacred Heart Cathedral and we have a trip planned to Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor next week. These trips have been both faithful and beautiful with amazing architecture and art work.
Our 5th/6th grade students serve as the SHS student Council with the mission to serve, teach, appreciate and have fun! They serve as our cleaners, safety patrol, flag crew and help serve the school and church where needed. The group implemented the Walk of Faith and Try It Tuesday, where we serve food to all of the students and teach them about respecting God’s bounty, good manners and how food is grown, and prepared. They have many ideas that will help us to achieve this goal.
Not everything this year has been a success. We would have liked a better turn out for the Play and Pray~ Wine and Cheese with Father Todd. It could just have been a busy day, but we would love to have more families join us for adult formation. Also, we came close, but did not reach our enrollment retention goal of 95%. However, we did add 10 new students and are still growing.
We have the same goal for this year and we hope with the newly formed, energetic Parent Group, high academic achievement, commitment to customer service and growth of the whole child, we will inspire our families to pay for education at SHS.
Thank you all for your continued support. SHS is truly a parish and community school and we are grateful to be here.
Blessings,
Anne Atkin, principal