Principal's Perspective

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.