Greetings from our winter wonderland!
I’m sure some are still digging out from the recent snow days. It’s never easy to make the call on delays and closing, but some days are just obvious! In our last newsletter, we sent out the make-up days so you can plan ahead for vacations and family gatherings at the end of the school year. Students are required to be here for their finals at the end of the year; the make-up days are May 31-June 4. We will continue to keep you updated.
We just finished our Catholic Schools Week. This has been one of the best Catholic Schools Weeks so far! Tuesday of that week, we celebrated our students by providing a day to relax and spend time with our younger counterparts at the elementary. We had the older students pick an elementary buddy and go to the short circus show, where they did tricks on unicycles and had a few laughs with some popcorn and candy. Students then went to lunch and visited with their buddies. We followed with an exciting assembly and a school picture in the formation of a cross.
What was truly unique about this day was my own personal experience. I was reminded of why St. Wendelin is a special place to be. I had lost my voice the night before and did not feel well, the motivation was not there, suffice to say. I have many wonderful people to thank who helped to make this day a success:
A parent giving me cough drops after hearing me speak.
Juniors signing up for the extra students who needed buddies 10 minutes before the elementary arrived.
Sophomores making over 200 cups of popcorn and having it ready to go on time.
Freshmen cleaning up the gym so it was ready for the assembly; cheerleaders helping to set up the assembly.
Mrs. Fahim and the band giving us the music to make the assembly fun.
James Mortimer learning the chicken song for us.
Greg Williams getting micro-phones for us.
7/8 th graders putting things away after the assembly.
Dougie Siebert operating the curtains.
Cory Baker helping get the student council organized, as well as wearing a spirit outfit and leading the crowd during the assembly.
Adrienne Emerine and Duncan Campbell, who juggled for us on the spot without hesitation.
Mr. Helmstetter who wasn’t afraid to climb the ladder—thanks for not dropping everyone!
The elementary teachers for trusting our students and being flexible.
My staff who took the ball and ran with it by being flexible and helpful, by organizing and volunteering to supervise.
Matt Fleig for organizing transportation.
The lunch ladies from both school cafeterias, who provided a packed lunch.
I’m sure you get the main idea of what it takes to make things happen. Everyone working together made it a successful day. The most impressive moment was when the seniors were asked to come down on the floor and lead a song without any.
Michelle Herman, who had her own loss the night before (her uncle passed away), showed up and made the assembly fun. She organized races and the people to be in them, as well as directing the elementary students as they entered the building. When I asked where all the students were, she smiled and said it was taken care of. The end of the day was a bit calmer and relaxing as our students enjoyed several different Disney movies, chosen earlier that morning.
I shared all of these wonderful things with students and staff the next day, thanking them for being a bless-ing to me without even knowing it. I explained that everyone can be a blessing to someone else in the little things he/she does for other people. It is important that we look to help others, as you can never imagine the blessing it can be to someone else that day!
That Thursday, we celebrated our own priests and sisters in the building. How extraordinary it is that, for a small school, we have those who model for us daily our gospel values through dedication, devotion, sacrifice and love for others! Ryan Kinn made a video to celebrate our sisters and priests in the building. Everyone blessed them and then came down to thank each one of them for their dedication to St. Wendelin.
Friday finished the week with Teacher and Staff Appreciation Day. A group of students from student council, led by Miranda Rife, planned a luncheon for our teachers. Several parents came in to monitor students while teachers took a moment to themselves to visit and celebrate each other’s company, which can be difficult with everyone’s schedules.
All in all, it was an excellent week with many people working together to create fun moments for grades K-12. Thanks to all of those who helped, and thank you, the parents, who continue to support and believe in St. Wendelin Schools.
United in Christ, Ms. Joseph
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