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I hope everyone had a joyous Christmas and a Happy New Year! In my family, one of our cherished Christmas traditions is watching the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life. If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend watching the original version—not the abridged one on Amazon Prime! Every year, I’m reminded of the similarities between Bailey’s Building and Loan Association and our beloved St. Francis School.

As we approach Christmas, I find myself reflecting on the many blessings in our school community. I am incredibly grateful for our parents and students, whose presence fills our school with joy and purpose.

November 1st marked the end of our first quarter at school. I can't believe it is completed! On Friday, October 25th the teachers and I attended a diocesan in-service in Chippewa Falls. We started the day with mass at St. Charles Borromeo Church and finished the rest of the day at McDonell Middle School. We began with a prayer that I would like to share:

It’s hard to believe that over eight weeks have passed since we kicked off the school year in late August. A lot has happened in that time! One of the most significant changes has been the implementation of a new math curriculum, enVision Mathematics. Our staff has been diligently exploring the many resources it offers and customizing them to meet the needs of each classroom.

My administrative philosophy is centered on supporting our teachers. I believe that if I help my teachers grow professionally and provide them with the tools they need, they will, in turn, take care of our students. Teaching is more than a career—it’s a calling. Our teachers aren’t in this profession for wealth or ease; they are here because they are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children, just as a teacher once made a difference in theirs.

As we enter the summer break, the staff and I are eagerly anticipating some well-deserved time for reflection. We'll celebrate our victories and set challenges for ourselves, seeking areas where we can enhance our performance.

I wanted to take a moment to share with you a heartwarming experience that occurred during Mass a couple of weeks ago involving our school children, which left a profound impact on me as both a parent and an administrator.

As we approach the culmination of Lent in our liturgical calendar, I am heartened to witness the fervent engagement of our students in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

Our commitment to nurturing the whole child – mind, body, and spirit – goes beyond textbooks and classrooms. The values instilled in our students, grounded in the teachings of Christ, empower them to become compassionate, responsible, and ethical individuals.

A Catholic education teaches our children about Jesus Christ and fosters a foundation of faith that becomes invaluable during challenging times. When faced with difficulties, will they turn to substances or rely on their strong faith foundation to persevere?

Embracing the festive spirit within our Catholic School during the Christmas season is truly a special experience. On December 6th, our students joyfully celebrated St. Nicholas' Day by placing paper shoes outside their classrooms.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the “Small Town, Big Fun” Carnival. It was a fantastic way to wrap up the first quarter, especially with the excitement of Halloween!

During this past summer, I had the privilege of attending an enrollment management conference where I had the opportunity to listen to an inspiring presentation.

As we stand on the threshold of a new school year, it is with great excitement and enthusiasm that I extend a warm welcome to all our students, parents, and staff. The dawn of a new academic year brings with it a sense of hope, opportunity, and the promise of new beginnings.

A couple of weeks ago the "School Vision Committee" met for the first time. There were 14 motivated people in attendance ranging from parents, teachers, grandparents, and parishioners. We had a great meeting where we discussed the following aspects of the school; a) current state, b) strengths, c) weaknesses and d) aspirations. From this initial meeting we were able to draft the first version of our new mission statement: