Welcome to the Saint Patrick Catholic School chapel reflections podcast. Brought to you by principal Steve Hammond, this week’s reflection includes details about the history behind the Halloween holiday, connections with the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos or ‘day of the dead’, and the idea that we are all in communion with the saints and can ask them to pray for us.

Saint Patrick Catholic School would like to congratulate our participants in the Ghent Business Association’s first mask making contest.  We had amazing entries and all have been enjoyed by the public for the past several weeks.  We are very proud of these students and are in awe of their creativity.  Three of our entries placed for awards.  Congratulations to Sarah Kopso- First Place, Bailey Riales- Second Place, and Brett Barney- Third Place.  If you did not have a chance to go see the masks in Ghent, the masks will be on display in the 7th and 8th Grade Grandparent’s Day Art Show.

Where: STPCS
When: 7:00 pm
For the parents of 8th Grade Students

Please consult the class websites for more specific information about the examination schedule.

Bring your best smile! Students (including Pre-K), faculty, and staff members will have their individual pictures taken by a portrait photographer. Students in kindergarten through 8th grade are expected to wear their DRESS UNIFORMS (also known as “Chapel Day Uniforms”).

Well, come Sunday, a committee representing the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools will start a three day visit at Saint Patrick Catholic School.  The board, faculty and staff have prepared all last year and this August sent the committee an 80 plus page self study document which addresses the many standards these two organizations require of its member schools.  We are ready and look with excitement to the committee’s arrival.

The committee itself is a remarkable group of professionals.  Dr. Edward Krenson is chairing the committee. Dr. Krenson serves at the Executive Vice President of all private school accreditation for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is rare that Dr. Krenson chairs committees anymore, but he wanted to for our school.  We are thrilled that the Superintendent for the Diocese of Richmond, Mrs. Francine Conway, is on the committee and, among other things, will give a special oversight to the spiritual formation program.  Dr. Jerry Beckman, a former Catholic school principal and current director of studies of The Randolf School in Huntsville, Alabama, will bring expertise in both Catholic and independent schools to the table.  Dr. Peter Bender, head of the upper school at Walsingham Academy, represents a school with a governance structure like Saint Patrick Catholic School.  A visionary educational leader, Dr. Bender understands both the opportunities and challenges of being a private, Catholic school.  Dr. Jon Frere has enjoyed a spectacular career as an independent school headmaster, most recently at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, a lovely area near Nashville, Tennessee.  Dr. Frere is now retired and consulting for private school education, in strategic planning, sports management, parent relationships and school administration.

We are honored to have such an experienced and wise team assisting us. Over three days, the committee will meet with students, parents, teachers, staff, board and administration in verifying standards and listening to the hopes and dreams the community has for children and education.  We will discuss with them our strategic plans and our methods for continuous improvement.

It is a remarkable and exciting time for Saint Patrick Catholic School. I mentioned to our staff last week that there was nothing to worry about in this accreditation visit.  We have been preparing for this moment since we opened the school’s doors.  Creating a faith-filled, dynamic and positive learning environment.  Developing a highly differentiated instructional program for children’s total formation.  Transparently solving challenges one at a time.  Ensuring our school is a place where all are welcomed and where Jesus is made present each day in the manner in which people treat one another.

Yep, we have nothing to worry about.  All we must do now is to just be who we are.  Still, it wouldn’t hurt to say a little prayer.

Love and prayers,
Steve

Please consult the class websites for more specific information about the examination schedule.

Eighth grade students will participate in mock panel interviews in preparation for the spring’s 8th Grade Panel & Exhibition process during their homeroom time.

The PSAT test will be offered on October 15 for all those 7th and 8th Grade students who want to take the test.