Graduation and alumni induction for the Academy Class of 2014 took place on Saturday, May 24. We are so proud of these 55 young men and women, and join their families and friends in wishing them success as they continue their educations at 14 area high schools in the fall. Trés bien, Class of 2014!
Lots of gratitude is flowing this week! Tuesday night at our annual Eighth Class Dinner, our soon-to-be-graduates thanked their parents for the sacrifices they have made over these past 10 years, gifting them with a Sacred Heart education. Then, yesterday, the Eighth Class students paid tribute in word and song (and, at times, gales of joyful laughter) to their teachers, thanking them for the efforts they have made in fostering their education! And now, today, the Eighth Class will lead the whole school in thanking God, and in a special way, thanking and honoring Mary, the Mother of God, for all that we have been gifted. This will be a particularly poignant moment for our oldest students for whom it will be their final May Crowning and Maypole Dance.
Tomorrow and Saturday, the gratitude will flow in the opposite direction. Tomorrow, the Academy’s graduating class of 2014 will ALL be honored in their final Prize Day Ceremony. Prize Day is the MOST formal, most special and most historic ceremony in which we engage (well, not counting the mass, which is, of course, THE most special and most historic). At Prize Day each and every Eighth Class student will come forward to be honored for the gift he or she is to the world! Each will receive a gift from the school and a card honoring them as a person. To be able to honor each one after watching them grow (many for 10 years) is one of my most satisfying moments as Head of School!
The second half of tomorrow’s ceremony allows us to honor particular successes. As we do so, I always like to remind the students of what we say at the beginning of every Prize Day Ceremony:
Honor and Glory to God Alone!
Ultimately, each and every one of us is a reflection of some aspect of the Divine in whose image we have been made. So, I honor our students! I honor them for the God they reflect and I thank God for the reflection of that Divine spark which I see in each one! But most of all, I honor them for glorifying God through the choices they have made to develop the gifts they have been given.
United in the joy of seeing God shine through our Eighth Class students so brightly,
Maureen Glavin, rscj
Eighth and Second Class students performed the lovely maypole dance following the May Crowning liturgy May 21.
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Thanks to our 2013-2014 Social Justice Leadership Council for a great year. These seventh and eighth graders took the lead in coordinating Advent and Lenten projects such as Adopt-a-Family and Christmas basket distribution, as well as food drives, soup kitchen decorating and Mission Day participation. Well done!
In St. Charles last week for the launch of her latest book, The Quilted Heart, author Mona Hodgson visited the Academy to speak with students about researching and writing historical fiction. KMOV Channel 4 provided coverage.
I have some exciting news to share. We have made the decision to shift to a one principal model, and Mrs. Marcia Renken has said “yes.” As the newly-appointed “principal of the whole,” Mrs. Renken will be taking on an expanded role as curricular and instructional leader of the Academy.
Of the many advantages in this move, the two most notable will be the consistency in communication to faculty, students and parents, and the strengthening of the vertical articulation of the curriculum.
The “gift” of Mrs. Renken in the Lower School to students, faculty and parents will continue as she now offers that gift to those who already know her, trust her and respect her inspiring, visionary, clear and loving leadership. Mrs. Renken’s superb judgment, her wise advice and her prayerfully-considered decisions will continue to strengthen the Academy’s ability to educate to critical thinking and compassionate action!
In making this move, we are sadly bidding adieu to Dr. Roger Stock, who has shared his many years of experience and expertise with us. The epitome of a professional, he has been a true gentleman and a good man. Most of all, Dr. Stock brought his deep love of the Sacred Heart. We have LOVED and respected these qualities and hope he stays connected with us.
Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Renken while we thank Dr. Stock for all he has done for us.
With JOYFUL union in the Heart of Christ,
Maureen Glavin, rscj
Nearly two dozen of our Seventh Class students qualified to participate in the 2014 Duke University Talent Identification Program. Duke TIP is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving academically gifted and talented students. The program works with students, their families and educators to identify, recognize, challenge and help students reach their highest potential. Now in its 34th year, the 7th Grade Talent Search identifies bright seventh graders based on standardized test scores achieved while attending elementary or middle school. Candidates are invited to take the ACT or the SAT college entrance exams as seventh graders, which allows them greater insight into their academic abilities. In addition, they gain valuable benefits and have access to unique resources for gifted students.
Two Academy students earned National Recognition, scoring at approximately the 90th percentile. Eleven others earned State Recognition by scoring at the 50th percentile. Congratulations to all who participated!
Because of field conditions, Maypole practice on Thursday, May 15 has been canceled.
The threat of rain caused Field Day for Classes 1–8 to be rescheduled, but that didn’t lessen the fun and excitement that came with it.
Click here to view Field Day photos.
Field Day for Primary and Pre-Primary students is on schedule for Wednesday, May 14.
Due to weather and field conditions, both track and Maypole practices on Tuesday, May 13 have been canceled.
Artwork by 40 of our students is now on display on the Community Art Wall at St. Joseph’s Health Center, and will remain there throughout the summer. The students’ work was inspired by the question, “What does God’s Healing Presence look like to you?” An opening reception was held last week.
